A tribute to my mother.

Twenty-two and a half years ago I met the most kind and wonderful women in the entire world. She happens to be my mother and I have learned many things from her since that first cold December evening in 1989.

My mother has taught me...

to be understanding of others and their situations.

 how to cook/clean/etc. so that I can have a peaceful home.

how to sing and not be afraid to share my voice.

that I am worth a wonderful temple marriage to a wonderful young man.

that my name is Katelyn, nothing else.

how to make some dang good homemade donuts (I definitely have not mastered this one yet).

that there are a lot of people out there that need some form of service or another and there's no reason why it shouldn't be me that provides it for them.

how to bake the most delicious loaf of French bread.

what home decor does and does not look good.

that I should center my life around the gospel.

to respect and support those that hold the priesthood.

how to play the piano, unfortunately I'll never be as good as her.

how to use a sewing machine.

why modesty is important.

that virtue is a big deal... she was on to this one way before it became the new Y.W.'s value.

how to use a curling iron and put on makeup.

that my body is a temple and that no young man is worth my time at all unless he's willing to respect it.

how to not completely embarrass myself in public but still get away with being myself. (:

that it is okay to try new things.

that eating an entire Costco muffin probably isn't the best thing to do on a daily basis.

how to hold a baby and change a diaper.

the importance of keeping a journal.

that holding hands is romantic... that's why it's for mommies and daddies. ;)

the importance of going to college and getting a degree.
how to accept service and complements.

that she is proud of me and always wants me to be happy.
to have faith and trust in the Lord.

And the list goes on (and on and on and on)!

As I sit here feeling my little baby boy squirming around in my tummy I can't help but get overly excited about becoming a mommy. There are so many things I want to teach him and I know that I can be successful as I follow the example set by my mother. Fortunately, my mother-in-law is also a great mom and I was lucky enough to marry one of her four boys. Todd and I are both so grateful for our mothers and our mother's mothers for the things they have taught us and the examples they have set. We owe them so much and we hope to have the same influence on our children that our mother's have had on us.

My beautiful mother

panda night!

If you haven't noticed, I highly value traditions. I like the big family ones, the not-so-fun ones, the tasty ones, and especially the little dorky ones. This last week Todd and I kept one of those dorky little traditions going as we had our 3rd annual panda night! As usual it was very enjoyable and the perfect way to spend a relaxing Friday night. 

Here we are... panda night 2012 and this time we watched Kung Fu Panda 2! It was just as funny as the first and again the food was delicious.

Does moving to WI count?

Anyways... I'm not sure if Madison, Wisconsin has a Panda Express... but if they do you know what we'll be doing a year from mid-March.