30 things about Rubes

Today is my big sister's 30th birthday. 

Her name is Katie. That sounds silly to say, because we call her Ruby. 

Or KatieRuby. Or Rubes. 

I love this woman so much I want to tear up. 

Here are my 30 favorite things/memories/characteristics of her. 

her & hunkle josh

1. I love that you love your husband fiercely, quietly, loudly, and reverently. I have learned so much about respect & honor by watching you live and love. 

2. Even though it's often at my expense, I love that you laugh when people get hurt. 

3. Despite it being really traumatic and awful, one of my favorite memories growing up was when you & the babysitter convinced me she was homocidal & trying to kill you. That's my favorite memory because I can blame allll sorts of my own crazy on that day. But it was probably just a character builder:). 

4. I love how the way you dress causes me to simultaneously praise God AND want to be a better dresser. 

5. I love your friends. The other women who love you only speak more to how wonderful you are. 

her beautiful fam

6. I love that you don't read my blog. 

7. You're probably the most natural mama I've ever met. You don't need to be intentional about most things, because He's just put it in you already. 

8. I love that you know that you're super blessed. You rarely complain about the blessings in your life, because you just know. That spurs me so much. 

9. One of my favorite birth memories ever was when you hid in the bathroom after the nurse kicked you out of my delivery room when I was having Elias. 

10. My second favorite memory is when you stole some scrubs and snuck in the nursery to see him while I was recovering. I mean, you could have gotten arrested. 

11. Thank you for teaching me so much growing up. Like how to put baby powder in my hair. 

12. Remember when we used to try to go running in college? Those are kind of sweet memories to me. 

13. I'll never forget that time you grabbed the 90 year old man (who we weren't related to) at the family funeral a few years ago and said, "I SEE ME IN YOU". 

14. Thanks for throwing that couch at nc a few years ago. 

15. Thanks for being on your knees for us in good times and bad. Thanks for crying when we're crying and laughing when we're laughing. And laughing when we're crying if we got hurt. 

her girls. 

16. For the record, I think you're good at cooking. Who else makes stuffed mushrooms? Don't see yourself short, lady. 

17. You are ABSOLUTELY the best gift giver I've ever met. I almost hate when I have to give you a gift because I could never be as good as you. 

18. I love that for my whole life, my friends have wanted to be friends with you. Except now I don't get so much jealous, I just let them share the wealth. 

19. I love that you absolutely read His word every day. When I don't feel like reading, I know you will - so I do. 

20. Remember that time on our trip to Dad's this summer and the pterodactyl-big-nasty-bug that got in the car?! I just laughed out loud during naptime. 

21. I've told you this, but the ONLY REASON I've worn lipstick 7 days in a row to preschool drop-off and pick up, is because I know you would. 

22. You were missional before anyone used the word missional. 

23. You're so artistic. In your own way that is so wonderful. So individual and only from Him. And it's beautiful. 

24. You know what? I can think of very few times in the world where you've ever been competitive. You don't care about winning or being the best, and I think that's why the Lord has been able to make you the BEST. 

25. All those years I tried to wear hats. They were really only meant for you. 

26. Remember that time when you were pregnant with Asher and you were laughing so hard we were ACTUALLY worried about labor. 

27. I love that day I gave you a larabar and you spit it out. 

28. I love that you love Jesus more than anything else in this whole world. For certain. 

29. I love that you're spending your birthday serving. You teach me how it's done. 

30. I just plain love you. So, so, so much. 

Thank you Lord so much for making Rubes. 

she's keeping him in! she's keeping him in!

In general, I have a been a very poor blogger. 
Especially in light of the special project I tackled last week - Keep Asher In week.
However, I would like to inform you - in lieu of blogging for Asher, I did go see my sweet sister and help throw her a shower and I even forced her to put her feet up. 
See?

Rubes, you're doing a BRILLIANT job keeping Asher in! I'm so proud of you! If you can hold on one more week, I'll come back and stuff you full of some much vegan Thanksgiving goodness, that you won't know what hit you. Love you sister friend. 

Keep Asher In, day 2

catch yourself up to speed here. 

Keep Asher In, Day 2 - 
interactive shower planning


Something I like to do for babies in my life is make them a little logo. It's like branding for babes, if you will. We can use it at their shower, on personalized gifts, and their parents can use it in their nursery if so desired. So here are some choices for Ruby. And of course, you can weigh in your opinion as well!

I'm at an lull in shower planning for the Rubes and need to make a decision! 

option one. 

option dos. 

number three. 

& number four. 

Friends, vote away. 

Katie Ruby, rest your sweet self and 

text your sister with belly updates. 

Asher, get ready for more cheek pinching from 

your Honey (that's me!) than you can stand. 

Keep Asher In, Day 1

Anyone remotely close to me know that I have a sister bond that is weirdly strong and intense:) 

We love each other with a fierce love and likewise, love on another's kids like no other. 

My sweet gestating sister, Ruby (also known by her given name of Katie), is almost 33 weeks pregnant with her fourth child, and he is just bursting at the seams to get out and party with us. Ruby is working hard, literally around the clock to chill him out and keep him in! I figure the very least I can do is host a "Keep Asher In" week on the blog, with the sole purpose of entertaining my sister and she fights for her sweet baby boy from the couch. 

If you've ever been on bedrest, you know it's boring and hard and trying to say the least. It sounds glamorous to be confined to the couch, but I know nothing is hard for Ruby - when she wants to be playing with her kids, taking care of them, and enjoying her super busy and productive life. So this weeks for you Rubes! Enjoy it! 

**** And for ya'll, please enjoy Keep Asher In week, and while you read - please pray for the Walters family and sweet baby Asher. That he'd stay put just a few more weeks and transition well into this world. ****

To start it off, Ruby dear - here is my imaginary Etsy shower gift for Asher. If I had all the monies in the world, 

here is what I'd buy him! 

Dinosaurs and Robots. Every little boys dream!

 A fashionable passy holder because let's face it, all of our kids have been passy addicts. 

Why stop a good thing? 

Look at these sweety little natural shoes! I just love them!  

This makes me want to call Asher little bear. Can I call him little bear?  

For days when he's feeling more GQ than natural? 

And, of course, for you. You ooze femininity without even thinking about it, but come on - now you're equal parts girl mom and boy mom?! So maybe now you could use a gender neutral diaper bag. But then again, maybe not:) 

Love you Ruby dear!

And Asher, hold your horses buddy. We can't wait to see you too. 

my same.

Adele - "my same"

You said I'm stubborn and I never give in
I think you're stubborn 'cept you're always softening
You say I'm selfish, I agree with you on that
I think you're giving out in way too much in fact
I say we've only known each other a year
You say I've known you longer my dear
You like to be so close, I like to be alone
I like to sit on chairs and you prefer the floor
Walking with each other, think we'll never match at all, but we do
But we do, but we do, but we do

I thought I knew myself, somehow you know me more
I've never known this, never before
You're the first to make up whenever we argue
I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know you
You're so provocative, I'm so conservative
You're so adventurous, I'm so very cautious, combining
You think we would and we do, but we do, but we do, but we do


Favouritism ain't my thing but,in this situation I'll be glad to make an exception

You said I'm stubborn and I never give in
I think you're stubborn 'cept you're always softening
You say I'm selfish, I agree with you on that
I think you're giving out in way too much in fact
I say we've only known each other one year
You say I've known you longer my dear
You like to be so close, I like to be alone
I like to sit on chairs and you prefer the floor
Walking with each other, think we'll never match at all, but we do

Happy Birthday Rubes. I love you sister.

my groove list

About a week ago, we moved our "temporary transition location" from my mom's house to my sister's house. My mom & stepdad (Nonny & Poppy) have been more than gracious to host us, but my sister kept insisting over and over again, "when else will we ever get to live together again?!" so we're sharing their house and having a blast, in spite of the fact that there are six kids under seven here. Maybe because there are six kids under seven here. What makes it particularly fun is that this is my sister's birthday week and it's been a good five years since I've been able to celebrate her birthday with her. Last night we started the week off with a dinner with her awesome girl friends and it was so sweet to see other women who love her as much as I do.

Now, here's something you might not know about my sister (Katie, Ruby) if you don't know her in real life. She's too cute. Literally too cute. Three kids, pregnant, super busy schedule - it doesn't matter: she's too cute. Great hair, perfect outfits, beautiful charming smile ALL the time. And here's what I've learned from living with her: she doesn't break the bank paying for outfits and she certainly doesn't spend eight hours in the morning getting ready. She just makes it work.

So over the past few days, I've been letting her begging her to help me out with getting my groove back. Because if my sister with three kids, thrifty budgeting skills, and super busy schedule can make an effort and look beautiful, modest, and cute all at once - I'm really hoping there is hope for me too. So here is my second "getting my groove back list", you can find the first here. Nick and I went on a date on Friday and while we drove from location to location, he helped me sort out what was realistic and most importantly - what actually mattered to him, since he's the real one I'm getting my groove back for.

- Recommit to wearing fingernail polish. You can read about my tumultuous past with fingernail polish here. But I'm recommitting, again. Nick adds that he prefers it be very dark. So much for my dreams of coral toes.

- Shop thrift stores, goodwill, whatever. I think for the next few months, especially since my body is still rapidly changing post-baby (a year and a half later), I think I want to stick to strictly second-hand clothing additions.

- Begin using wrinkle cream. (ugly cry)

- Keep hair long. (Nick's request) Which leads to....

- Deep condition & trim hair.

- find some kind of free makeup consultant.

(seriously, I'm pretty embarrassed. I don't think I really know how to put makeup on)

- wear pearl earrings LESS. again.

- Make it a goal to wear real shoes at least 3 times a week. Real means not rainbows and not tennis shoes.

- wear lipgloss daily, find a good REAL lipstick for datenights and occasions.

(does anyone else wear real lipstick? doesn't it seem too grown up? am I grown up? apparently so, I need wrinkle cream...)

- get calf implants. (Nick's request) (only kidding of course) (I have the calves like one of those half-horse-half-women animals) (that isn't self-mockery - I don't hate my horse/hybrid calves)

So, there it is.

How's your groove?

What wrinkle cream do you use?

Most importantly, where should I hide my pearl earrings at, you know - from myself?

5 favorite things about Katie.

In lieu of the normal, "my 5 favorite things", here is a dedication 

to my sweet sister on her 28th birthday. 

1. I love that my sister has two names. People always ask, "Now is your sister's name Ruby or Katie" and I gladly reply both! She is fun enough for two names, beautiful enough for two names, sweet enough for two names and certainly giving enough for two names. She is Katherine Elizabeth by birth, and Ruby by love. Oh but why? Well - I don't know if there is really a concise answer to why except that we call her that and that makes me love her even more. 

2. I love the ways my sister spurs me on. She makes me want to be more generous, more giving, more uplifting, and more gentle everytime I speak to her. On her worst days, she still isn't stingy with her love or her possessions. She wants everyone she knows to have as many blessings possible and she wants to celebrate them. She genuinely wants good things for anyone & everyone and there is nothing in her that holds back. eg: Today, on her birthday, I got a card & a Starbucks gift card in the mail from her. Who does that?

3. She loves her kids and her husband something fierce. She knows they are really the greatest. 

4. Well, we can't do a top five of Katie without talking about her humor. Now maybe I only love it because it's almost identical to my little funny gene.... but who cares, we could laugh for fifteen hours together. Wait? Fifteen, make that 15,000,000. Most of my favorite memories laughing are with her. One time, my favorite of all, was on a beach trip with her and Josh when I was in high-school and we were playing spades and the two of them freestyle rapped for the entire spades games. Who does that? Someone funny. 

5. Now this is selfish, but true. I love the way my sister loves me. It is so much like Christ. She knows the very depth of my suckiness and still cherishes me (and I her). If I'm sad, she comes beside me and lifts me up. If I'm happy, she is more than happy for me. If I need Jesus - she is right beside me with scripture. She leaves it all on the floor, everyday. 

ok, because I can't stop myself:

my top five memories of Katie - 

1. When I was in elementary school and her & our babysitter conspired to convince me that the babysitter was murdering Katie and coming for me next - chasing me with a knife and soaking my sister in ketchup. I said she has a sense of humor. 

2. The night that Jesus saved my soul, I was looking dead into her eyes - thinking over and over again - I want that. I want that, whatever she has... I want that. 

3. Her entire involvement with Elias' birth. Wearing a specialty tshirt for him that said  "I love my nephew". Laying in bed with me (and falling asleep) while I was in labor. Sneaking into the hospital room during procedures and stealing a nurses uniform to get into the nursery to see Ebug. That's for real. 

4. Watching Katie and Josh videochat while she was out here visiting us a few months ago. They both changed clothes and got all fixed up to see one another - that is truly keeping the spark alive. 

5. Any & all conversations we've had about Jesus. They are always eye opening and life-giving for me. 

I love you K. 

So much. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!

Our dear beloved Ruby turns 27 today! Congrats! We love you!

Here's an oldy but a goody for you to feast your eyes on!

update on Abel/East Coast

So I'm pretty sure that everyone who reads my blog reads my sisters & moms as well - but just in case, here's an update on little Abel boy: After my last blog, his condition got much worse before it is now getting better! He's doing so well now that they're thinking they might not need to do the final series of steroid shots to mature his lungs. I think today they're even going to try & feed him some through his feeding tubes. The long story short is that the boy is a FIGHTER. They eventually had to sedate him because he was just working so hard to breathe & see his mama & dad that he was working too hard & couldn't keep up. Honestly - it was incredible to see him respond to Katie & Josh. When Katie sings to him, his vital numbers would drop down to normal - when she stopped and addressed someone else, they would literally double. Same with Josh. I've never seen a baby be so physically entranced by their parents.

From a personal note, it has been incredible to be back here with my mom, Nana, sisters, brother, neices, & now my nephew. Some of them hadn't met Glory and it has been such a blessing to introduce them to her. I'm really praying that Glory & Abe get to meet before we leave! That would be so, so amazing.

I know many of you have been enjoying Nick's hilarious blogs while we've been gone. Don't believe anything you read. While I know he misses us, I'm sure he's loving the bachelor life. I haven't been there to make him watch girly shows at night, he hasn't had to cook weird dairy free/soy free things for me & I know he enjoys sleeping through the night! Glor & I do really miss him and Elias, however, and can't wait to get back to them.

Here's a little preview of topics to come:
- Glory may be healed from reflux?! Agh... I'm trying to claim it.
- The book, Skinny Bi***, and how it may be changing my life - despite its awful language
- more fun stories & anecdotes from my trip back East

*** more Charlotte/Charleston/Columbia pictures under my photos ***

dissapointed... worried... excited.

My sister Katie, aka Ruby, is one of the greatest sources of joy and stress in my life. No woman knows me better & I am pretty sure there is no one who likes me as much. Its a ridiculous blessing because I am in awe of her and all God has made her to be & she somehow has this truly warped positive image of me. However, I have this intense worry problem with her.... I trust God to take care of her, but I feel this fervent desire to wrap her fragile body in bubble wrap and carry her thru life. God is constantly reeling me back in, reminding me that she is a mighty warrior who is competent to stand on her own & He is before her and behind her - taking better care than I could ever imagine.

So last night when I got the call that her water had broken ten weeks early, my heart went into sister-preservation mode. I started researching the internet and looking for flights back east so I could be by her side. I finally got a few minutes to talk to her this afternoon and I was in awe of her strength as a mommy... she is making every wise decision and trusting infinitely in the one who is able.

So please do pray for her & my tiny little nephew. Pray he will have patience in the womb and that she will have patience in the hospital on bedrest. But while youre praying, praise Him for her strength and their story to come because He is more than able to preserve them both and she is more than capable in Christ to flourish through this trial. Shes my sister-hero.

My husband left me for the open road, so I got a boyfriend

Yesterday was one of the most fun days of my life. I spent so many unadulterated hours with my lovely son that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. We went on a walk with Nonny & the girls, climbed up the stairs around 18 times, and sat on the trampoline for around 30 minutes just looking around and occasionally bouncing. Sometimes I can get terrified about being a stay at home mom and wondering how I'll entertain Elias without exhausting myself but when I truly just spend time with him - I enjoy him more than I could ever imagine. When Katie left the house yesterday, she said, "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone"... that's truly how I felt.

I can tell he is really missing Nick - today he kept playing with the phone and handing it to me until I finally called his Dad on speakerphone... then he just babbled and blew kisses till he accidentally hung up on him.

On a sad note, I think I went through the hardest day of the move (so far) today - saying goodbye to my sister. She is really my best friend and confidant. I had a rough thirty minutes after she left, but thankfully my mom was there to pick me up off the back porch bench and remind me that this feels alot harder than it's going to be. Thanks Mom and thanks Katie for being so missable.

A few updates

a. Had a dr.'s appt. today - all is well. heard a nice strong heartbeat & we'll find out the sex on October 11th.

b. I really love my husband. I've been a major pain for the past two days but he's remained amazing. I mean MAJOR, MAJOR pain.

c. Tonight I'm meeting my favorite twins - Kanah & Grace Cowan. Kal & I are ambushing them at the airport & I can't wait.

d. This is going to be a fun few days - tomorrow I have my first mommy small group, then we're headed to Charleston... Saturday is Katie's birthday! Fun Fun!

...many updates to come!