Senior Pictures

This is my first round at taking Senior Photos. I'm just posting a few of my favorite ones I've taken....there are many more but these are some of my personal favorites.

http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pictures/slideshow?site=kaseyyatesphotography&page=kaseyyatesphotography&album=150

Andre's First QB Start - LCS vs Brownell Talbot

Can't help but brag about my nephew!

By TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, August 28, 2009 6:25 pm

OMAHA - Lincoln Christian's young offense looked seasoned in the Crusaders' 26-14 season-opening win Friday afternoon at Brownell-Talbot.

First-year quarterback Andre Orduna completed 8 of 9 passes on Christian's first-half scoring drive, including a fourth-and-21 conversion. After the Crusaders had a TD called back because of a penalty, Orduna directed back-to-back scoring drives to open the third quarter.

The 5-foot-11 junior threw for three touchdowns in the game, completing 20 more than 215 yards.

"We've got some issues in the red zone to clean up, but we had the two big passing plays and we were pretty clean on offense," Christian coach Matt Farup said. "I was especially pleased with how the kids came out to start the second half."

Ben Manley, Collin Phelps and Sam Andrews caught TD passes and Andrews added a 54-yard scoring scamper on a reverse to pace the Crusaders.

Christian's defense, meanwhile, didn't allow a score until Alex Terry's sneak late in the third quarter. The Raiders added a safety and a Terry TD pass to Jack Zukaitis in the final minute.

Ramadan Kareem!

Spent last night making a meal for my friend, Ali. I say night because that's actually what it was...it was around 9:30PM when we finally sat down to eat. You see, my lack of understanding in the observance of Ramadan in the Islamic culture drove me to invite him over for dinner. Out of his kindness, he obliged but asked if it could be after sundown. At the time, it didn't even occur to me why.

Thank God I planned to make chicken on the grill and not the pork tenderloin I was GOING to make but actually forgot to defrost. I later learned that pork is the ONE meat they cannot eat, at any time. Nice one, Kasey. Anyway, Ali came over with my friend Ann we had a great time talking about his culture, Ramadan, what it's like to be an Iraqi man living in the United States. I learned a lot about Ali last night, but even more about my close-minded self. Though I do not personally observe Ramadan, I certainly have a greater respect and understanding for those who do!

So long, Saby!

For the most part, people who come into my life always go out. With the exception of family and a few close friends, I have pretty much resigned myself to the knowledge that that's just the way it is in my life. I've grown to accept it, almost the degree of it being "unhealthy" because I don't let many people all that close to me.

Saby Sarkar is an exception. I met Saby while I was working at Scooter's Coffeehouse. He walked in with a briefcase and gave a smile that had all the markings of a mischievous little boy. At the time I met him, Paul was getting ready to go to Nepal and India for the first time and we had been trying to figure out as much as the culture as we could. After a short time of talking, Saby told me I certainly had to meet his brother, Ami.

I made Saby his tea and a short while later, Paul came in to the coffeehouse. I told him about my meeting with Saby and that he needed to go talk to him. From there, a friendship formed between all of us that is one of the closest friendships I hold to my heart.

Over time, we've done a few things with Saby and his brother, Ami. They are incredible cooks and even more incredible hosts. Not only are they brilliant, but they are also humble and extremely generous and genuine. Both brothers are people whom I will never forget and who have certainly changed my life. Because of their friendship, they have also introduced Paul and I to MANY new friends from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures, something that Paul and I absolutely LOVE!

Saby is moving to Boston tomorrow morning and last night we saw him for the "last" time. Even though most people seem to come and go in my life, Saby will remain there forever, regardless of time or space. Of all the people in my life, Saby certainly holds a very special place in my heart. I'll miss him greatly, I wish him the very best and I hope to be able to hang out with him again in India someday!

No more for now, thank you.

This is what I crave today: A basic social conversation. You tell me something that's one your mind, I'll tell you something on mine. Nothing about kids, nothing about Tiny Hands, nothing about politics, religion or anything that will make me think too much.

Perhaps it's not a conversation I'm after, afterall, but companionship. Let's go to a movie, let's go get coffee, let's just go on a walk and watch the sunset. Even a text message.

Oh, wait. Scratch that, because they next two weeks are already booked with Tiny Hands and the kid's stuff. Not that that's bad or anything, but it's the ONLY thing I do anymore. I'm about to implode!

On the To Do list next week: Fill more of your day up doing stuff so you don't have the time to think about this like you did today.

B-O-R-I-N-G!

I bet you didn't think I'd be back today, did you? Well, I debated it, but have to say, this quiet house is already making me nuts. A blog, therefore, seems to be the best release of my multitude of inner thoughts. I add to that statement a slight disclaimer to be able to take that comment back at some point if I feel like it.

My day has ultimately just been a series of events adding to the boredom of my life. Granted, I had somewhat decided to lay low these first three days as the kids were in school. Next week, I tell ya, is a different story! Yah.

Something very sad happened this morning. The kids wanted me to drop them off outside school and let them walk in together....alone. Did you hear that? ALONE! The only thing alone, however, was ME! I got rushed kisses goodbye in the car and they grabbed their backpacks, almost as big as them, and scurried up the steps to their school without even looking back. I stayed a few seconds longer after seeing the door shut, y'know...just in case they wanted to wave again or blow me a kiss. I proceeded on my drive of shame to Scooter's to meet with a friend.

My meeting at Scooter's was actually quite exciting. We talked about some potential income-earning ideas for me personally, apart from Tiny Hands and that actually excited me. Oh, how I would love to be fully supported! I'm getting rather tired of hearing those same words every day..."Once we get fully supported....". Booo. Anyway, the meeting went well even though all I had was a water. I felt like lights were flashing in the kitchen "Warning: Cheapskate Loser on board!" I miss my discounts.

I came back to an empty house where I was again, quite bored. I managed to do a survey or EIGHT on Facebook to pass time until I decided I wanted to start preparing for dinner. In a whirlwind of culinary inspiration, I just decided to start baking and cooking whatever came to mind. In the end, it turns out we're having chicken tortilla soup and mashed potatoes (I still believe that I personally make the best), and German Chocolate Cake. Paul is not happy about the selection. Seems he thinks mashed potatoes and soup don't go that well together. My level of concern: zero.

For the past 10-15 minutes, I have had an on-again, off-again stare down with the creepy Time Warner guy parked in his truck outside my house. Seems he can telepathically determine my level of distain for the company he works for. Sorry, sir. Not in THIS casa! I hope I'll have more interesting things to blog about in the days and weeks to come. But until then, you're going to just have to listen to the random boring events of my day.

Peace, love, and comfort snacks ~ KKY

After 6 years...

OK, so I took a slight break from blogging. To be honest, I forgot I even had this blog page until I was reminded about it by a friend. Half of the time, I figure most people don't care what I have to say. The other half, I figure most people shouldn't really know what's really on my mind. Therefore, I keep my hands to working instead of typing. I'll try to be better about it. Helloooooo? Anyone out there?

So today, my son started Kindergarten. I wiped a few tears away last night when I put him to bed and he kept asking me to tickle his back and hair. TJ and I have a special closeness. I suppose it's different with each child, but there is something to be said about a Mama and her baby boy. Don't tell my brother I said that...we have an ongoing debate if he's the favorite child because he's the only boy and the oldest, or if I am because I'm the baby and the all-around best :)

The tears lasted long enough for me to release the emotion and get some red eyes, but I held it together with no problems when I dropped him off today at school. Ultimately, I'm just so proud of those kids of mine. They've grown up so fast and I can only imagine how much faster it gets from now.

It's a strange silence I am experiencing in the house. I took the dog for a run around Holmes Lake today. It was "supposed" to be a run, but turned out to be more of a quick walk because I forgot to put her walking leash on her. (Totally not because I'm out of shape...) Perfect day, yet so awkward to be at home with no noise at all. I have a feeling the oven is going to get over-worked a little bit as I attempt to be Mom-of-the-Year in the category of After-School treats. That phase will last about a week and then I'll be back to chips and Little Debbies, I'm sure.

Now that I've quit my job as a barista, coffee and lattes are suddenly much more expensive for me. I may have to try to manipulate some discounted drinks out of some people. I'm sure there's a discount somewhere out there for people in full-time ministry. If not, my winter is going to be a very long winter at home with movies, my writing and baths. Scary thought.

So for now, I'll be back on this thing more often...if for no other reason, to convince myself that someone's listening to me :) Back tomorrow ~ K