Happy half Bday Emma

Last Thursdsay Preston and I stopped by a half Birthday Party for our dear friend Emma. While we didn't stay long because it was 100 degrees outside, we did have enough time for Preston to hang out with the Ladies in the pool and Katrina to chat with Judy (mom of the Bday girl). Here are a few pictures from our visit!

Saturday Fun

Today was a good day. Steven and I did some needed house cleaning while Preston took a nap in the morning and then we took him outside to play in the water. Its amazing what a hose and the mist setting on the nozzle can do. As you can see by the photos we had so much fun. I (Katrina) also hung out with some students from youth group this afternoon and had our own photo shoot. I plan on sharing a couple of these photos in a few days - stay tuned.

Note: I haven't been writting a lot lately on the blog. I have been quite content to just insert a couple of photos to let you know what the Dalbey Trio has been doing. Sometimes I feel like my photography is my way of writting. I do, however, have some thoughts I am planning on sharing at some point. Perhaps when I have had some time to chill out I will be ready to write again. For now, enjoy the pictures!

A Steelers Fan

Read this...

Steven and I are blessed to be friends with a man named Walt Mueller. Walt lives in PA and works for a ministry called CPYU (The Center for Parent and Youth Understanding). His ministry helps Steven and I in our work with young people as he teaches about discernment and Biblical integration into the messages of our culture. Walt also has a blog where he reflects on life, culture and Christianity. Now, to all our Dalbey Times readers I am going to encourage you to read his blog: http://learningmylines.blogspot.com/ and specifically please read the posts from Wednesday, June 24th and Thursday, June 4th. I really appreciate Walt's honesty and courage to share these thoughts and I pray that we would have the strength and discipline to listen.

Power on

Last night the Dalbey Home was one of 53 special people who lost their power in Richmond Heights, MO. Yes, one of 53. So to make sure that Preston slept through the night we headed out to Grammie and Papa Dalbey's house to enjoy some AC and a nice bed. We are very thankul that our power is back on today and keeping us cool from the 98 degree temps and high humidity outside. I think it is official - I hate humidity!

Back in STL for real

This past week, Preston, my parents, and I (Steven) took a quick trip to visit my sister and her family in Pittsburgh. It was the same weekend that the Penguins won the Stanley Cup and there was great celebration (I like to think that they were celebrating with us because Preston and his cousins got a chance to meet for the first time!!). I will post pictures as soon as I can to show you what a great time we all had. Cousin Jack "little land shark" does a Michael Phelps like butterfly swimming stroke over the floor along with his crawling that is so funny and cute at the same time. Cousin Natalie couldn't get enough of her cousin Preston. She also loved organizing all of the best toys on the chair and keeping them from both of the boys who sat on the floor wondering where all the "trucks" were. I am so proud of my sister and brother in law. They have done such a great job raising their family. We sure miss them and look forward to their visit later in July!

Meanwhile, I went to Colorado with the Senior High group from Central for a backpacking trip. I got to spend some great time with students that I have spent a lot of time with over the years, and it was a very meaningful trip. Being in a beautiful place and with people that I enjoy was something that the Lord used to really enable me to reflect on so many things about my life and who He has made me to be. There was a lot of laughter, sharing and tears on the trip. I really missed my boys back home (Preston and Steven). It has been a sweet reunion being back together with them both. Here is a photo of our group on the trail and another photo from beautiful Colorado.

We are Home!

The Dalbey Trio + Grammie have returned home from the Zone camp 2009. We had an great week and I want to highlight a couple things. First, I am EXTREMELY TIRED! I came home and had just enough energy to play with Preston, feed him dinner and put him to bed before I took a nap. Now I'm off to do laundry, unpack and upload photo's from from the week. Second, I have begun to process all that took place over the past 5 days. I am thinking about the conversations I had with students about their lives and their relationship with God. I am thinking about the things our speaker, Michael Hall, shared wtih us during the week. I am also thinking about the future of the Zone and what my role may look like in the years to come. Overall, I could not have asked for a better week with the students and leaders from our group and the camp. Oh yes, I also want to send a huge THANK YOU to Grammie for joining us this week and watching Preston. I could not have been there without your help and support.

Here is our Central Group
Here is our Central group being silly!

Dalbey Trio at the ZONE

The Dalbey Trio is at the Zone camp 2009. We are having a GREAT time with the students and leaders from area STL churches and want to show you some photo's from our adventures. Oh yes, you can find more information about the Zone at www.thezonecamp.blogspot.com Enjoy the photo's and will post video later!

Updates

I think its time for some individual updates from the Dalbey Trio members:

Katrina: I am doing well, busy, but well. I have been preparing for almost a year now our annual Middle School Summer Camp (The Zone) and we leave tomorrow - yes - tomorrow! I am 'ready' which means I still have to pack, print participant notebooks, load up my stuff, and the list goes on. I am excited for camp and the opportunity to watch students grow and change next week. Ha, I am sure I have a lot to learn as well. If you would like more information or to see photo updates from the zone please check out www.thezonecamp.blogspot.com I am also geering up for a trip to Colorado with our Senior High students next week. It will be a quick turnover but going to Colorado is totally worth it! On a more personal note, I feel good and have been enjoying every moment with Steven and Preston. I also continue to dream about home updates and landscaping plans - the fun never ends. I have also been growing to love to pray. This all started when I was home with Preston on Maternity leave and it has continued. I pray frequntly for family, friends, the world, the Church, etc... I guess I came to a point in my life where prayer no longer seemed like a burden but a privledge. I think that is all. Enjoy the photo.



Preston: I continue to be a happy and healthy baby...little boy. I continue to crawl at super speed and like to pull myself up and walk along the couch or with the help of mommy or daddy. I love making car noises and playing with all my toys. I have also developed a love for hot dogs, chicken and beans - yummy! I will be going with mommy, daddy and grammie to camp tomorrow. I am excited to swim in the pool and hang out with all the cool Middle school students and leaders. Enjoy the photos of me trying out a cool new hair do.


Steve: (He is loading up the car and will have to update our readers later).

10 Months

Preston turned 10 months old yesterday - crazy! We are thankful that he continues to be a happy and healthy baby. As far as his stats go we think he weighs around 21 and 22lbs and is about 29 or so inches long. He has been crawling for about a month and continues to gain confidence in pulling up and walking while holding on to mommy, daddy or some sort of object (couch, chair, etc...). Here is a video from this afternoon to show how Preston makes super cool car/bus noises and loves to point and wave 'bye bye'. We love our little buddy and thank the Lord each day for his life.

Messy

Tonight I gave Preston the spoon for a lesson in eating like a 'big boy'. As you can see by the photos this is how the lesson went. It was hilarious! Hey, we have to start somewhere.

A school bus and some cars

So, if you give Preston a toy school bus and some cars he is a happy little kid. He will sit contently and play with his toys for up to a hour. He will also look up at me every once in a while and just smile - it is super cute. Oh yes, he also makes some cool bus and car noises. Enjoy the photo's!