The Final Day

Eighteen months. 400 blog posts. A year in a new job and a new home. Nine months of marriage.
I think I can officially say, I am settled.

I started this blog with the title "Rediscovering Rocky Top." I wanted to celebrate all the things I was discovering and re-discovering about this city, after a decade away. I changed the name to "KtownKatie" as I got a bit more settled in, but life still had so many changes. Since moving, I have fallen more in love with my family, made wonderful friends, planned and celebrate the wedding of my dreams, become a part of Second Presbyterian Church, found dozens of wonderful restaurants, shops, and special things, and become a home owner for the first time. Most importantly, I am married to a wonderful man and I love it.

So, as I'm turning 31, I am taking a break from blogging. And leaving you with 31 things I have learned over the last year and a half.

1. Sabbath is a commandment.

2. While I may be concerned with happiness, God is concerned with Holiness.

3. Google Reader can change your life.

4. Hospitality can be a ministry.

5. Not every girl is girly.

6. It takes time to become good at things.

7. It is okay to not edit your blog posts. You will have typos. People will judge you. But there is freedom in not worrying what they think.

8. God commands. Sometimes He "calls" us or "gives us peace" about something. Other times, He just says do it.

9. It is better to make food from scratch.

10. People don't give kids enough credit. Especially toddlers and preschoolers.

11. In this life, we will always want for things. That is our nature as created beings. Even Eve wanted something she could not have. Only in heaven will we be satisfied.

12. Homes are supposed to be a haven.

13. People will hurt you.

14. Love delights in truth. Evil loves darkness. The Lord loves light.

15. We are supposed to "make every effort" to love people well and to serve with excellence. But our best effort is all we can do and all we are held to.

16. To analize or discuss something, figure out: What are we trying to achieve? What are we trying to avoid?

17. My home and my husband are even more important than my work.

18. When in doubt, wear cowboy boots.

19. Christmas is so fun in your own home. Can't wait for Easter.

20. I want to make everyone feel important and loved while they are with me. The way my dog does.

21. Spiritual disciplines really do fit into the 21st century.

22. Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is not the biggest, most noticeable thing.

23. Weddings are for brides and grooms. But also families. Especially moms.

24. My mom is wonderful. I am blessed.

25. My mother-in-law is wonderful. I am doubly blessed.

26. Yard work is a metaphor for life.

27. Listen more. Honor people by not talking yourself.

28. Being a team player can be thankless. But it's still right.

29. Two become One. Wow.

30. I am never going to know it all and I am never going to be perfect.

31. I am okay with that.

Day 557: Pinterest

I've just been invited to the coolest new thing. It's a digital bulletin board, called Pinterest. Thanks Julia. I am checking out great home projects, entertaining ideas, fun words, and lots of pretty things.

Here's a little more about Pinterest:
Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world.

Source

And here's a little sample of what I've been pinning:


Dreamy decorating ideas.



Home ideas.



Words, words...



And more words...



Monogrammed plates. Yes, monogrammed.



Harding will love this. Brad will not.


Check me out at pinterest.com/ktlf

Day 528-534: Spring Break

During Knox County Spring Break, more than the schools close down. The city was quiet. The church was peaceful. I was at rest. I do like to be busy, but it was nice to have a week to sit, work, plan, think, clean, and sassed up for Spring.

1. Here are a few of things i did while everyone else seemed to be out of town: Worked on long range planning and a year by year objectives plan for our children's ministry.

2. Continued course work toward my certificate in non-profit management at the University of Tennessee.

3. Clean out all my closets, making room for spring and summer clothes.

4. Fell in love with my spring and summer wardrobe and (not to be too personal) celebrated the fact that I have not gained weight during the first few months of marriage (so many people warned me, but Brad and I have both prevailed).

5. Ran. A lot.

6. While I ran, day dreamed. Big.

7. Walked with Janetta, Kris, and my husband.

8. Got new pillows, pulled out a wedding gift bedding, and gave our room a redo. It look fabulous.

9. Read lots of blogs about decorating, Jesus, and Emily’s trip to Germany.

10. Taught Harding Japanese and enrolled him in art classes.

11. Best of all, I had a wonderful dinner with my family and this YouTube quiz:

Day 507: Nap time

After a late night out...and serving in morning worship...and teaching 4 year olds...and then teaching second and third graders...and forth and fifth...and high schoolers (this one was Brad, not me)....and then training adult volunteers.
We. Were. Exhausted.
Our whole little family needed a nap.
And we all took one. Brad was in his chair. I was curled up on the couch. The puppy was curled up with me. The puppy was the icing on the cake.
I love my husband.
I love our puppy.
I love my life.

Day 437: Snow Day!

It's our first snow fall in our new home! Inside it is cozy and fun to be working on the laptop across the room from my husband who is also hard at work on his. And sweet puppy Harding loves the snow! Though it makes him a bit rowdy.
it is days like this that I wish I acutally used a camera.
Happy Snow Day!

Source

Day 173: How to Hang with Harding

Pop Quiz: Harding is:
a. The most lovable dog in America
b. 55 lbs of energy
c. totally obsessed with Brad
D. All of the Above

The answer is D. All of the Above. But I think he's starting to like me almost as much. I spent the weekend with Harding. And yes, he missed Brad.

But, in response to these truths about Harding, I attempted to win his affections in these ways:
1. After he demolished the new toy Brad got him, I got him another new toy. I even got a back up new toy. But so far, the first replacement is still surviving.
2. Outside. Outside. Outside. Thank goodness for the best weekend weather ever!
3. I bribed him with his own feature on our wedding website. He was very happy to be noted as part of the family.

Click here to see what Harding has been working on->

Day 128: Pet Friendliest Community In America

I just learned that, "The Knoxville community has literally gone to the dogs; and we are loving every minute of it. To show our appreciation for our pets and all they add to our life, we are making our community the Pet Friendliest in the nation!"
Harding is very, very excited to hear about this initiative. This means important steps, like a new adoption center for Young-Williams, lots of Dog Parks, and more!

A lot of this is thanks to PetSafe. They are a Knoxville based company!

Credits and Learn more Here->

Day 11: Harding

Brad and I met Harding at the Young-Williams Adoption Center on Labor Day. A few days later, he went home with Brad. He is a lab mix. (“Mix” means husky and maybe hound.) Harding was found off Hardin Valley road and is now about 9 months old. Thanks to our friend Chris, he’s learned some commands. Now we are working on running on a lease. So far, so good; he’s a smart puppy! Tonight, Harding gets to spend the night with me.