an orphan no more

Today marks the one year anniversary of the day that my parents first met Karleigh Mei in China. It's hard to believe she's been my sister for a year now. I can't imagine my life without her!! Here's a poem I wrote a year ago today after I found out that they had her:

An Orphan No More
You are an orphan no more
Sweet child full of grace
with desperate pleas your
mother cried that you would find a place

A place where you could grow
a place where you could sing
a place where you could dance the dance
that life continuously brings

With each step she took she faltered
with each loving glance she winced
no more to be her child
no more from that moment since

On that humble step she laid you
with such care I've never seen
a baby girl you were hers
clothes, food and a basket to keep clean

When she turned away were there
tears she wept or simply a mothers prayer?
Did she linger hidden or did she run
in sorrow and in fear?

Our hearts are open; our arms held wide
for you are now our own
God has placed you in our life
God has given you a home.

For it's only by his grace and love
that we ever find our way
Life's journey never seems to end
with each new passing day.

While your mother could only dream of the life God had planned for you
You sweet baby have made it home
all your dreams have now come true.

thanksgiving families

This is a collection of photos that I took of my family during thanksgiving at the beach. :)

My Family....I took this with a tripod :)


Uncle Brian, Aunt Amy, Riley, Ross and Zoe


Uncle Darrin, Aunt Jennie, Daniel, David, Andrew and Emily


Uncle Don, Aunt Tanya, Rebekah, Matthew, Sarah, Michael, Hannah, Deborah, John, Joseph and Jeremiah (that's a mouth full!)


Mimi and Paw-Paw


Uncle Michael, Aunt Jennifer and Lexy


Uncle Walker, Aunt Sarah, Noah, Dawson, Grayson and Ella


And the whole gang!

at the beach

We spent Thanksgiving at the beach with my (Katie's) side of the family this year! We had so much fun getting to see everyone and hang out down at the beach. After the beach we went to Blake's parents house to spend the rest of break. It was a very good Thanksgiving break! Here's a couple of photos!



Our feet on Thanksgiving :)


And no, we did not have a child....KM decided to join us! :)

football game

This weekend we traveled over to College Station to watch Baylor play A&M with the Penfield clan. Sadly Baylor was very very badly defeated. We had a lot of fun though and I thought I'd share some photos from the game. They are on our new digital point and
shoot camera that we got as a wedding gift. So I am still trying to figure out all the settings that come on this camera.

On the car ride there...




Chelsea, Travis and Tonya...


me and my mother-in-law...


me in Kyle field....you can't tell here because the sun was coming out, but it was very cold and had been raining so I was kind of shivering at this point. :) I also have a dumb look on my face


Kyle Field


At one point in the game....and probably the most entertaining point....Tonya and I realized that the blanket we had been wrapped up in had all this weird zippers and snaps and basically became a sort of "snuggie". I snapped and zipped her up in it and this is what the result was. Here she is pretending it's a Japanese Kimono. :)


Blake and I....as you can see were supporting Baylor and A&M with our mixed shirts and hats. :)


Travis and Chelsea


We ended up getting tickets in the "Baylor" section so it worked out that we could safely cheer for Baylor without getting booed at. Unfortunately, Baylor never even scored a touchdown so there wasn't much to cheer for. :) hahaha

our new haircuts

We both got our haircut today!

4 months

We have been married for 4 months today!! Crazy how time flies isn't it?! It's been very busy in the Penfield house lately with my photography and Blake's studying for finals. And it doesn't look like November will let us slow down much either.

I traveled to SA two weekends ago to do some photography and of course visit family. Then this last weekend I traveled up to DFW to take more photos. My photography business has really started to pick up, which is super exciting! I just love taking photos so very much and wish I could do it every day! Plus it's always nice to make a little extra money. :)

Blake stayed here both weekends in order to continue preparing for his finals that are coming up, starting this Saturday. I know he is ready for them to all be over and finished. I am so proud of him though and all he's already persevered through! I know he is going to do well.

I will be traveling to SA again this weekend for a big birthday party for Ms. Karleigh Mei! I have been told that little else has been on that 3 almost 4 year olds brain here as of late. :) I can't imagine why?! haha

Anyways...that's about all for now. Maybe next post I will post some pics of the birthday party! :)

penfield pumpkins

We carved some pumpkins to put outside our door for the fall season!! I thought I'd share some pics. :)

Hard at work carving


my finished pumpkin


my finished pumpkin!


very concentrated :)


Our glowing pumpkins! The Joker's face and a peacock


Blake's finished pumpkin