September is MY Favorite!

It seems like the best things happen in September. Fall is in the air, school starts back, county fairs, birthday celebrations and relationship milestones.

10 years ago on September 7th, Matthew and I had our first date. We were suppose to meet at our college's cafeteria for a non-comittal dinner. When we met, Matthew said that he had come in to some money (meaning his mom put some money in his account) so we went to China King in Abliene. We still like Chinese food and each other.

(About to go on a much needed date!)

3 years ago on September 18th my sweet daughter, Audrey, was born. Everyone says that they grow up so fast but when it is your own child it seems even faster. She has been such a blessing to us and I can't imagine life without her. What did we talk about before kids came? Audrey had a great Lantern Party, Ni Hao, Kai Lan style.

(This was my first semi-professional birthday cake! What do ya think?)

A couple of years ago was the last time I went to a County Fair unitl now. I love going to fairs and the great food they have! I was a little disappointed in the Gregg County which does not hold a candle to the Lubbock County Fair. We had a great time anyway with some good friends.

A lot of great songs come into my head as I think back...to some great times.

Myles is Here!

Okay, okay so I know it has been over a week since Myles has come but I have many excuses for not posting pictures sooner. We have really been enjoying our little guy and spoiling him a lot. Myles came on Thursday, August 6th at 6:04 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 19" long. My prayer before he came was that I would know for sure when I was having true labor and that he would come naturally. Well God answered most of my prayer. Wednesday evening I started having regular contractions close together but they were managable. I kept waiting for something more intense but nothing ever came. Thursday morning I decided that I was most likely going to be in the hospital that day. However I was unsure if I was in true labor. By the time we went to the doctor's office for my appointment I was dilated to a 5/6 and the doctor told me to get over to the hospital to have that baby! Four hours after we got to the hospital, Myles was born.
Don't get me wrong, I had plenty of pain towards the end of my laboring but the nurse helping us out was pretty amazed at how far along I was without having much pain (I was amazed too).

We stayed 2 nights in the hospital, just to make sure and get fully functioning before going home. I enjoyed my stay at the hospital and compare it to a 5 star hotel. Since being home we have had my paretns here and my in-laws as well. We have enjoyed all the help that our families and friends have given us.
Please visit my friends blog: http://www.allforfunphotography.blogspot.com/ to see more pictures of Myles (look under baby section).

July at a Glance...

This summer has been full of lots of fun! If you had asked me at the beginning of summer if I had many fun plans...I would have said, nah. But let me tell you we have had a lot of fun being "at home" this summer and not going on many far away trips. One thing that I love to do is travel to new and exciting places so normally I am pretty bummed when I don't get to travel at least every 6 months (Just ask Matthew). I usually get an itch to get up and go with a faraway gleam in my eye but this summer has kept my gleaming at bay!

Glance 1: Fourth of July

I am also all about celebrating holidays and getting together with others and doing something. So I was pleasantly suprised by our churchs' Fourth of July celebration. One of the families at our church coordinates for us to join another church and have a slam-bang time at the home of a family outside of Longview.

I think everyone in our family had a blast...so to speak!

Glance 2: Baby Shower for Myles

Since being in Longview (for about 2 years now) we have been truly blessed to make a lot of friendships with some great families. We had several friends come together and throw us a wonderful baby shower for a soon-to-come baby Myles. They knew we are decorating the nursery with baseball stuff and they took off with the theme. I was amazed at how creative and giving these ladies were with the baby shower...Thanks to you all!

Glance 3: Balloon Festival

Here is another instance where I was poohing on an activity and was greatly mistaken! This was our first year to attend the East Texas Balloon Festival. I had heard a lot about the goings on but never thought that it was worth my time and money for being in the heat. I was sharing this with a friend, who loves the ETBF and she undestood my desire not to be in the heat being so pregnant. After my friend's out of town family bailed on them for the weekend due to sickness, she called us right up and invited us to come with her family with some free passes. What could I say...NO? So we went and had a great time! We got to enjoy the benefits of a free ride, including a catered Mexican dinner in an airconditioned tent. By the time dinner was over the heat had cooled off and the balloons looked spectacular all lit up!

Very off the topic...please visit my dear friends photography sight: http://www.allforfunphotography.blogspot.com/ to learn more about how to win a photo session and the makings of a great photographer! Also check out her maternity page to see some cute pictures of Audrey and me.

Pickin' and A Grinnin'

Taking a break from pickin'

chasing each other!

Some of you might have seen Josies' blog and Jaimes' blog about their weekend past and know some of my story. Well here is my version and some different pictures. (Side note: I think it is neat how everyone sees the same thing but differently.)

Last Friday we were blessed to be invited by a friend to her father's fruit farm. We had a blast despite having to rise early! The harvest was plentiful but the workers were few, okay so not many wanted to get up early to get free fruit...go figure.

We had fun picking the various fruits while having some breaks in between...for a preggers I felt like it was a good mix. Audrey ended but running the rows with her friends, especially Hunter, the future Fruit farmer!

Then after we got home, washed and packed we headed to Beaver's Bend, OK with the Hampers and Rineharts. It was sure nice to have a cabin that was airconditioned and very amenable. There was a pond behind the cabin that the kids and dads enjoyed skipping rocks at.

Mr. H brought his pellet gun that the Dads very much enjoyed and they all started perfecting their aim.

On Saturday we Paddle Boated (which was pretty difficult with a preggo, and a 2 year old on Matthew's lap) and enjoyed being on the river. The water was so cold that you could not just jump in because of frost bite. However we did enjoy time in the water and at the "beach" area.

Waiting to go home!

The food was wonderful and the company was great. It was nice to have times of activity and times rest. Thanks fellow cabiners for the great weekend!

Summer Sample Sale-Fundraiser!

What: 50% off all of my Limited Edition pieces (over 30 pieces)

When: June 19th, Shop and Go from 10-12 and 4-6. Come early for best selections!

Where: 404 Janet Kay Dr., Rebecca the Jewelry Ladies’ Home

For Who: All sales will go towards a car for the Hansen’s, a FBC mission family here on furlough.

Special Springtime

I just have to brag on my sweet husband and all the love he has shown me! I was treated royally on Mother's day, complete with breakfast in bed and a stress free day. He showered me with gifts and a servant heart.

Then a couple of days later on my Birthday his sweetness continued. I awoke to a sweet card on my pillow. Since he had been spoiling me in general he kept the gifts to a minimum. Needless to say he had a trick or two up his sleeve. When he walked in the door from being at work all day, he had my favorite type of roses along with Birthday balloons. That night we ate at a Japanese steak house and had a lot of fun watching Audrey's reaction to the chef! Thank you so much sweetheart for showing me how special I am!

On another note, with my new Mother's day/Birthday camera I have caught some sweet pictures around our house I would like to share with you...Audrey's New sandboxPlaying at the park

San Antonio or Bust!

The count down started on April 1st. My long-time friend, Jeanne, who I met as a freshman in high school, wanted to take a fun trip with me before I got too pregnant. We chose a fun town where the action and fun were endless, San Antonio.

After researching on Priceline and other sites we found an awesome deal. Our dates were set and our expectations were high! I awoke early Monday morning and drove to Dallas to pick up Jeanne at Dallas Love and then we headed DFW airport to head to our grand destination. The weather was icky that morning and our flight took longer than expected. Then baby Myles started doing flips which started my stomach churning. Needless to say that by the time the plane landed everyone around me was ready to get away and depart the plan. But thanks to a kind male flight attendant, my white pants were saved by club soda, who would of thought.

It was so nice to get to our accommodating hotel, take a hot shower, order pizza and watch a chick-flick. I don't get to those things very often and especially not in the same day. The rest of the week went slow but fast, if you know what I mean. We checked out the Riverwalk and the Alamo one day. The next day we went to Enchanted Rock near Fredricksburg and took in some strawberry picking at a local farm. We went to a late night movie to see "The Soloist" and we also ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Finally our week was topped off with a day of shopping at the San Marcos' extensive outlet stores.

By the time we were back in the San Antonio airport I think my suitcase had gained at least 10-15 extra pounds in shopping plunder. I had a great time catching up with my bud but I was ready to get home to my sweet family!