While I'm at it, this one's for you, Mel-Mel (a.k.a "Kate")

Guess who's turning 10 this weekend? May 31, 2008...go Melly, go Melly, it's your birthday, it's your birthday...

July 31, 2004...with your cousin, Piper....you are so gracious with
the younger folks in your life!


"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion..." can anyone tell me what movie that is from, besides you, Beck? This is Mel's quote to describe her life with 2 older brothers...they constantly pick and harass but she handles it like a champ. mostly.

Six going on sixteen

Princess Leia hair

Sweet sand castle building 7 year old!

Happy 10th Birthday, Miss Melanie Kate!!



Melanie joined us on the last day of May in 1998...I labored all thru the night hours, which, to me, is kinda spooky for some reason, and while David slumbered ever so peacefully next to me on the bed, I prepared to welcome our 3rd child...unbeknownst to us, our first daughter!



For some reason, the 2nd phase and her actual delivery took a while...because her little chin was up. After what seemed like 2 years of pushing and crying...down into the canal she came...bloop, bloop, bloop...when her little head, loaded with lots of dark hair, came forth...the midwives noticed a loop of cord around her neck...yikes. scary yet praising the Lord that she was ok! When she actually came out...and I discovered her female parts, we were in some shock...why? because I just didn't think it would be a girl...I loved my little boys but longed for that little slice of pink heaven! On the videotape that Beck was in the midst of making, she started crying and sniffing while doubting my looksee.



She looked like she had been beat up when she was out and settled...blood shot eyes, herniated belly button, splotches on her skin, which one ended up being a big, bright strawberry birthmark on her arm...but to us, she was the most beautiful little girl and gift from God!



She weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was born at 4:06 in the morning...Thank You, God, for such a bright, well-adjusted from the get-go kinda gal! We still aren't sure, to this day, how we ended up with her...if we hadn't been there ourselves, we would definitely wonder. But she is a replica of her father's sister so that does help.



Thanks, Mel-Mel, for your good attitude, sweet, patient spirit, help with the younger sibs...you are invaluable to me anyway but your mothering gift has been such a nice gift to our family! You are intuitive, compassionate, helpful, caring and tender-hearted. Kind, funny, energetic and smiley!



You are one Decade old...double digits...ahhhh. 3 years from teenagedness!

I will try to dig up some earlier shots of Miss Mel-Mel...We are so blessed to have you in our lives, MKY! You da bomb!