Walk Day Finally Arrived

The Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis walk finally arrived on October 13.  (Be impressed, I'm blogging about it within the same month. ha. And be prepared for picture overload!)  I was very blessed to have all my siblings and nieces & nephews that live within 4 hours of here come.  I also had several friends join us (some who drove 2 hours to participate. Thanks for making the long trek!).  Several family members & friends across the country honored me by wearing a "Team Kari" shirt.

Matt and I started off the day by going to the gym. That was fun.  Then, we went to my family reunion.  All my family that ordered shirts took a picture together.

"Team Kari" family reunion love

We spent the entire day pretty much outside and I loved it! After the reunion, we headed to the park for the walk.

(back row) Jessica, Jeremy, Angel, Mom, Matt, Dad, Kevin, Caryn, Sarah, Adam, Kim, Riglee, Shawna
(front row) Hunter, Me, Taylor, Tucker, Parker, Lindon, & Claire
"Team Kari"

 The nieces & nephews making the "Team Kari" sign

 Showing off their hard work!

My sweet nephew's drawing on the banner. It says "I would always walk for you." Love!

Fox 4 Takes Steps too
(Jessica, Jeremy, Me, Angel, & Chip)

And we are off!

I guess we are all checking our steps in this one.

This is me excited to get going. Ha

Showing off our tats.

Still smiling after the long day

Family & Friends Supporting Across the Country

Connor, Jack, Heather, Suz, & Hannah

Janelle, Meredith, Mallory & Court

Mark & Margaret took a walk too.

 Laura & Mills

T

I am proud to say "Team Kari" raised over $900 for the walk and our area raised over $5,000.  All the money raised goes to patient programs and medical research to find a cure.

In case you are wondering what our shirts say... it says "Caring about our 'colon' since 2006."  Matt came up with it, and I thought it was hilarious.

Thanks to all the love, support, and donations on my behalf!  I love you all very much and I couldn't do this without you!

Take Steps, Be Heard

If you read my blog, you probably already know I'm currently fundraising for the Take Steps, Be Heard for Crohn's and Colitis.  This is my second year participating in the event that will take place on October 13.  The money raised goes to patient programs and medical research to find a cure.  

Why is this such a big deal to me?  I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in August 2006.  After six years of taking daily medications, testing, doctors appointments, and an emergency room visit, I want a cure. I am so tired of being sick and not being able to eat like a "normal" person.   But as hard as living with Crohn's can be, I am grateful for the blessings it has brought to my life.  It has brought me closer to my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, and for that, I can't complain.  I know that They are aware of me and will help me get through all the trials associated with this disease.  I am also blessed with the support of a wonderful husband, family, and friends that encourage me to fight the pain. 

This year, I wanted to have some fun while raising money, so I am hosting a Grace Adele "FUN"raiser Party next week.  Grace Adele is part of Scentsy's new line of jewelry and purses.  If you live too far away to come, but would like to order something you can go here to browse.  Or if you want to come, just leave me a comment and I'll get you the details.  A portion of all the party sales will be donated in my name for the walk. 

If jewelry and purses aren't your cup of tea, but you still want to support me, go to my Take Steps page to donate.  

If you don't want to/can't do any of the above, that's cool too.  I appreciate all your love and support! Please click on older posts at the bottom to see all the fun we had last year.

Thank you!

Want to know more about Crohn's Disease and Colitis?  Feel free to leave me a comment and I'll answer all your questions as best I can.

It's The MOST Wonderful Time of the Year

You may be confused by my title, because it's clearly not time for jingle bells and it definitely doesn't feel like Jack Frost outside.  But August is the MOST wonderful time of the year for me!

August is my favorite month (I'm a little partial though).  Why, you may ask...

Because

 AUGUST = BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!

I pretty much celebrate a birth"month" not a birth"day".  My husband loves it... he really does. Ha  :)

Since my sister knows my love for my birth"month" she already gave me my present.

Now everyone can know how many days until my birthday!!!! HOORAY! 

I know you are all just as thrilled as I am.  Please try to contain your excitement, because I'm busting at the seams enough for all of us. And in case you were wondering... There's ONLY 25 days til my birthday!!!!

Matt's a College Graduate... Twice

I know I'm a slacker. Matt's been a college graduate twice for about 4 months now. I'm AWESOME. It's okay though because if you follow my blog you probably already know he graduated and you love me anyways. Here's the day in pictures.

Matt's parents (aka The Suz & Doo Doo)

Matt's Grandmother

Adam, Kim, Parker, and Riglee

My mom

In case you were wondering, Matt got his MBA in Business Marketing. It took him a year and a half of night school and I'm so proud of him! Much love and thanks to all the other family and friends who came to support him on his day!

A Girls' Night That Makes Scents

Hey Friends. I know I'm way behind on updating my blog. I will try to catch you all up very soon. A lot has been going on around our house.

But this blog post is because I'm hosting a Scentsy Party at the end of this month. Since all of you dear readers aren't in my area, I wanted to post a link to the website for you if you wanted to join in on all the fun. If you want to order as part of my party just click on the "Girls2Scents" party on the homepage.

Happy New Year!

Take Steps Be Heard Walk

It's only been about a month since my walk, so I figured it was about time I posted about it. First, I want to say thank you to all those who donated in my behalf. If you look at the post below this one you'll see that I went past my goal!!! So Thank You ALL! Also, thanks to all my family and friends who came and walked with me. It was a great afternoon! You can judge for yourself by looking at the pictures my sister took. (Family don't get mad at me for the pictures.. Blame Kim. Just saying)

Getting ready to go. Kevin and Sarah are taking this seriously.

My brother-in-law Adam and my niece Riglee getting pumped.

My sister-in-law Heather and her family drove from Austin to come. My mother-in-law Suz is holding Heather's baby, Jackson.

It's a race. I'm winning.

It was a looooong walk. Just kidding. I think it lasted about 10 minutes maybe.

One word: HOT!

Almost finished.

My father-in-law David and my nephew Connor is in the stroller and my niece Hannah is sitting on the sidewalk (Heather's older 2 children)

Matt and my nephew Parker

Getting interviewed by FOX 4. Thanks for coming Jessica & Tony.

Jessica and I after our close-up.

Ashlei and I after we finished! Woof it was tough. :)

It was a great day! I'm blessed with a great support system. There were a few more family members there that didn't make it any of the pictures. Sorry! We never got a whole group picture.

Take Steps Be Heard for Crohn's & Colitis

It's finally here! This Saturday, October 15, Team Kari will be walking in a fundraiser for Crohn's Disease and Colitis. The money raised goes to medical research to find a cure for these digestive diseases.

You may be wondering why I care so much about this fundraiser walk. Well wonder no more. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in August 2006. It's been a constant battle everyday. I have my good days and bad days.

I'm sharing this with you because I'd love for you to join in and help me "Take Steps Be Heard" for this disease. If you are going to be in the area on Saturday afternoon, the walk is at Tyrell Park. The registration is at 3:00 p.m. and the walk starts at 4:00 p.m. You have to donate to walk though (can be whatever amount you want to give). If you can't come, but would still like to help, you can donate in my name by clicking on this link.





Thanks for all your love and support!

I love Summer Dresses!

Another blog is having a giveaway. This one is for a dress from Shabby Apple. I figured since I've struck out on all the other ones, I'd try one more.

New Do for Summer Fun

I got my hair cut last week. (I know when you see it, you will say it looks like it always does.) I did try something a little different this time though. I went for the inverted bob inspired from this picture.

I really like it!

(Please pay no attention to the X-ray looking skin)


Don't worry, I can't actually style my hair, so it will never look like this... until I get it cut again.

I Love Giveaways!

My beautiful friend and cousin is having her FIRST giveaway on her blog!!!

You should check it out.

Another Try

So my sister found another blog doing the Hapari Swimwear giveaway. I hope I win, because I really love their modest Tankinis featured here:

http://www.hapari.com/modest-tankinis/

Pick me!!!

Matt's Happiest Day Ever

This weekend we took a trip with our friend Jessica to Moody Gardens in Galveston. Jessica had free tickets to do pretty much everything (don't be too jealous just yet).

Matt really wanted to see the penguins at the Aquarium. (In case you didn't know, Matt's favorite animal is a penguin... he begs me for a pet penguin.) Jessica's little sister Hannah volunteers with the penguin exhibit in the Aquarium once a month, and Saturday just happened to be her day to work. We watched her feed the penguins.

After she finished, she had a special surprise for us....(cue Jealousy.)

Matt got to touch a penguin!! (Hannah was super excited to make his DREAM come TRUE)

Then, it was my turn. It's pretty much the softest thing I have ever felt before.

Thanks Jessica for taking us along and Hannah for letting us meet the baby penguin.

Afterwards, Matt went to the gift shop and bought himself the softest penguin he could find. He named it Cuddles. Now we are just hoping Moody Gardens will name the real penguin Cuddles. :)

I want to Win...

Thanks to Kim's blog stalking she found/sent me this website...

http://www.hapari.com/modest-tankinis/

I love summer!

I forgot... I'm Stylish...

A couple months ago my friend Emily awarded me with the Stylish blogger Award.



Thank you Emily! and I'm sorry I forgot. I remembered today when one of my friends from school posted she had received the award.

So apparently there are some rules that go along with this award (But I changed the number of people you have to pay it forward to because 15 is A LOT...)

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 7 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their Blog Award!

7 Things you never wanted to know about me:

1. I like to quote dialogue from movies and television shows in normal conversation.
2. I don't like to cook... like at all.
3. I'm a blog goal failure... I told the blogging world I would run a 5K this month. The Gusher 5K was this past weekend... and I didn't run. Because I'm a BIG FAT FAILURE with a million and 1 excuses why I couldn't run it.
4. My ultimate weekend is getting to stay at home and watch movie after movie with my husband.
5. I hate car rides (period) It doesn't matter if it's 5 minutes down the road or 24 hours. I HATE it!
6. I'm not much of a girly girl... but I have a love/hate relationship of shopping. I love to get new clothes, but I hate that nothing ever fits me just right.
7. I LOVE stilletos!!!

7 People who I think are Stylish Bloggers:

1. Caryn McCabe
2. Kimberly Haynes
3. Janelle Fruge
4. Sarah Fruge
5. Heather Guymon
6. Megz McCallon
7. Melissa Moore

Valentine's Day

Oh February... the month of "Love".

The BIG Day:

Matt and I didn't make ANY plans for Valentine's Day. It was pretty much just like every other Monday. Matt got up early and went to his morning class, so we said a quick goodbye while I was still getting ready for work. Then we didn't have lunch together because he had class, and I knew he'd be home late because he had another class after work.

So since it was the national day of Love I decided I was going to surprise him with a magnificent dinner (because let's face it, I'm the best cook ever...RIGHT!---For all those who really know me, I HAVE been learning to cook since my aunt gave me a new cookbook for Christmas and Matt has so much night school.) Anyways, so I searched through Valentine's Day recipes... and those were too hard. So I typed in the website for the Campbell's Cookbook (my new best friend) and found a simple but delicious dish to try.

Then, after reading my friend's blog (she wrote a fantastically hilarious poem for her husband), I was also inspired to write Matt a poem.

So after work, I ran to Target to buy romantical Heart shaped plates and fun V-day striped cups. I also picked up the few items I needed to be able to make my spectacular dinner and I was set.

Matt came home to this:

And this was there too when he got home:

(The poem is written on the heart. It says: "Roses are Red... Violets are blue... I'm learning how to COOK because I LOVE YOU!"--genius. I know.)

And then a few minutes later this came out of the oven:



And we totally watched ABC's "The Bachelor" while we ate it.-- So Romantical I know.

P.S. Matt was definitely amazed by my poetry writing and cooking skills.

We gave each other our gifts on Saturday. Matt bought me a watch that I LOVE! and I bought him a new belt (which he bought the exact same one on his way home from work that day... don't worry, I'm making him take his BACK!). Oh Accessories!