birthday love in newport beach

Monday, March 4

this past weekend Nate-dawg and Jenna surprised me for my birthday. 
{which is next Saturday, march 9th}
they took me and Kev on a boat cruise in Newport bay. 

it was a gloriously sunny day.
we sipped mimosas 
and laughed a lot. 
we talked and toasted one another
and just let the wind take us further and further into the bay. 

at one point i just looked around me
at the beauty of the sail boats passing by,
and the paddle boarders and kayakers,
and just soaked in the peacefulness of the surroundings. 
and i almost teared up. 
for i felt such freedom, such peace. 

i felt safe in the company of these beloved people.
i felt beyond loved.
and mostly i felt thankful, because safety and freedom and peace haven't always been mine. 

and I think there is something extremely beautiful to be said about 
our loving Father making
all things new. 

as I laid my head on Kevin's shoulder,
i whispered to Abba 
a feeble thank you.
but meant it with all my heart. 

what joy there is in counting our blessings! 
happy week dear friends:) 

love Katie 

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 
Stand firm, then, and do not let 
yourselves be burdened again 
by a yoke of slavery." 
- Galatians 5:1

24 comments :

  1. wow! what a fabulous time katie!

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  2. this looks SO nice!!! happy early birthday!

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  3. I LOVE all these pictures. Happy Birthday, cute girl. I'm so happy you have such an amazing man to surprise you! You deserve it.


    we&serendipity

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  4. That sounds like a wonderful birthday suprise!

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  5. What a fun early birthday celebration, it definitely looks like it was a lovely surprise! Happy Early Birthday! :)

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  6. happy birthday pretty girl!! We were born exactly ONE month apart:) I will be celebrating with you!

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  7. beautiful post!! happy early birthday :) looks like some fun celebrating! by the way...what are those shades? I LOVE!

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  8. I am a new follower, and every single one of your posts that I have read recently are so beautiful! You are truly inspiring.

    herestojoy.blogspot.com

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  9. oh lucky you!!!! yes..you are blessed. fabulous pictures...what a great day ...
    I am your newest follower..pls follow bad if you can.

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  10. I am loving your blog! It's so cute! This looks like a fun day =) I love newport

    alyciamealy.blogspot.com

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  11. AWww such cute couples!

    -liv
    http://chocolivlovelaugh.blogspot.kr

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  12. Ch'yeah, Katie! I just wanted to pop over and say thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! It blessed my morning tremendously. And can I just say....LOVE your pictures!! Those are great shots, both the posed and the candid shots! Fabulous job grabbing that lighting just right - sunny days are so hard to capture well and you did a fabulous job! And LOVE the hint of vintage hue you gave them in the editing - that's a effect I need to work on! Have a fab day, lady! Cheers!
    -Kellie @ Nothing Less Than Bread

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  13. Yay for birthdays and yay for the blessing of friends. :) Happy birthday to you, my friend.

    Xo
    Purposelyathome.blogspot.com

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  14. Looks like a gorgeous time and I'm SUPER jealous of your awesome weather!

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  15. How amazing are these pictures??? I'm so glad you are already being spoiled and celebrated. You deserve it!!! What a fun surprise!

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  16. Looks like a really fun birthday adventure to me =D Happy early birthday Katie! Hope this new year brings many adventures and blessings!

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  17. what a great birthday!! i love the newport area, hope you have a wonderful birthday this upcoming weekend. if this was a pre-celebration of your birthday then im sure your actual birthday will be terrific

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  18. so wonderful!! happy early birthday sweet girl!

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  19. Aw, how cute are these! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

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  20. I love this, sounds like its been written with a heart full of love and joy and excitement. Bless you as your prepare over the coming weeks :)

    Esther x

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  21. I LOVE boat rides in the bay...my husband is a rowing coach in newport and he gets to see that bay every single day!!

    Looks like it was a great birthday! :)

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  22. Happy Birthday! Great pictures! Looks like such a fun time!

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  23. I hope your birthday was as lovely as it seemed to have been.
    I adore the verse you posted at the end. So good.
    +Victoria+

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