Tuesdays Thoughts of Being so Very Thankful

Some times things can get a bit hectic and a little stressful at times, especially at this time of year. It's so easy to lose focus, but each night as I lay down to go to bed...I take time to reflect on the day and in the grand scheme of things I realize that the things I think are BIG at the time are really tiny compared to all the wonderful blessings I have to be thankful for and pray to God for the wonderful gift he has given to me by being a mom and a wife to 3 amazing people.

I love you guys with all my heart!

This was our attempt at family pictures before heading out to a Thanksgiving feast.

We didn't have anyone to take the pictures...so Jeff and I took turns. :o)

Over The Top with Excitement

My brother, Chad, is officially an Aggie! Gig 'Em!

Starting next semester he will be attending the Texas Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas where he will look like this...

and take classes like this...

and learn to navigate one of these...

(S.S. Cape Gibson)

receive one of these...

and maybe one day be a captain on one of these... Is this wishful thinking?

I'm so proud of you! We can't wait to share in your journey! :o)

Emmie's Dedication and Baptism

We had Emersyn dedicated at Jeff's church (First Baptist of Pflugerville - this is where we attend church most of the time) and had her baptized at my church (Redeemer Lutheran). Both ceremonies were so special and we were so thankful to share with our wonderful families.

Attempting to get a picture before church. She kept wiggling and holding on to the bottom of her dress.

Attempt # 2

Attempt #3: Good enough. If we keep taking pictures we're going to be late to church.

This was at First Baptist and Grace loved the alter/stage. She was waving and taking bows toward the congregation. She told me later she wanted to sing by herself on "that stage."

My brother, Chad, and Jeff's brother, Brad, are Emmie's sponsors.

We had a luncheon after the baptism where we served sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit and dip, chips and a cake. It was such a sweet party spent with family.

P.S. Thanks Mom for helping me with the food. ;o)

Emersyn is 3 months old today

She is now sleeping through the night (from about 8pm to about 8am). She has been doing this for about a month now. Thank you Lord! She even puts herself to sleep by "singing" and sucking on her hands. It's the sweetest thing ever!

She will sleep for hours in her swing.

She takes 2 really good naps during the day.

She loves cooing and smiling.

She absolutely loves sucking or chewing on her hands. I wonder if this means she will teethe early like Grace did? We'll see.

She is constantly watching her big sister.

She's not too fond of "tummy time." Although she does really well.

She can lift her bottom up off the ground when lying on her back and turn almost 45 degrees.

She loves looking at books.

She has some "friends" that she loves to talk to when she's in her bouncer.

And she loves the TV! This is my babysitter throughout the day. LOL! Just kidding!

She has the chunkiest little thighs that I just want to squeeze all the time.

She is so laid back. Very low maintence! Different from what I thought she was going to be...based on how she was when she was a newborn. We just love munching on her all the time! And she looks so much like Grace when Grace was her age.

I'm sure I'm missing a bunch, but you can kind of get a picture of what stage she is in right now.

I can't believe how time is just flying by so fast. It seems just like yesterday that she was born.

We are now in a groove of a great routine and just loving life with our new addition. :o)

Halloween 2010

(Trying to get caught up on everything before Thanksgiving next week)

We throughly enjoyed the Fall/Halloween season!

It was Emersyn's 1st Halloween!

*My parents took the girls to a Fall Festival/Carnival at church. Grace had a fabulous time!

(The girls ready to head out)

(Grace doing the cake walk. This was a highlight even though she didn't win a single thing.)

(Grace loooved the petting zoo! Well, except for the baby goat.)

* The girls were flappers (well if you asked Grace...she would tell you she was a witch.).

My wonderful talented Mom made their beautiful costumes!
Thank you a million times over, Mom!!!

(Notice the red shoes Emmie is wearing...They were mine when I was a baby.)

*Grace wore her costume to dance. The girls were all so cute!

*Grace got to wear her costume to school. We had donuts and coffee then the children paraded around the drive way for all the parents and sang songs.

(Not sure what Jeff is doing with his tongue. LOL)

(Grace and her best girlfriend from school)

(Grace's classmates and her teacher Ms Hillary with the Mickey ears)

(Being silly before heading back to class after the parade)

* We went to a Fall Festival at my grandparents' assistant living center.

(Trying to get a picture of the girls together before hitting up all the fun activities. Grace was a little excited and you can tell by her cheesy smile.)

(Abby, Anna And Grace [cousins])

(Everyone decided to get into comfy clothes before we all headed home)

* We have had our fair share of candy before and after Halloween.
And are still eating on it as of today!



* We carved our pumpkin the day of Halloween. Better late than never, right?












* We went trick or treating in the neighborhood and Grace got tons of candy!

(Grace thought she needed to ride too!)

Emmie rode in the stroller and slept some of the time until she woke up ready to eat. She didn't want to miss out on all the excitment! ;o)

A Belated Beach Trip (AKA Emersyn's 1st Beach Trip)

A few weekends ago, we decided to take a trip down to the beach since we didn't get to take one this past summer due to me being pregnant with Emmie. Of course we went to Rockport and it couldn't have been more perfect. The weather was amazing! The water was still warm enough to get in and the air was cool enough to stay out all day. While the girls went to the beach and shopping...the boys fished in a tournament, where Jeff placed 5th (Jeff corrected me...he placed 4th!) in the redfish division.

There's no better place to be than to watch the sunrise over the bay.

The fish of the day.

Jeff and his fish that placed in the tournament.

Jeff caught a puffer fish.

Jeff and my brother played with it on the boat. It was making a weird noise and blowing up.

Nonie and the girls. Emersyn's 1st trip to the beach. She didn't like the sand on her feet. Emmie has a weird scrunchy face. I guess the sun was too bright?

Eating at the beach.

Grace inspecting her name that Nonie carved on the beach.

Grace playing in the sand. She had a GREAT time!

After eating, Emmie fell fast asleep. Who wouldn't on the beach with the sounds of the waves?

Grace and Nonie making sand castles.

Sleeping in her carrier the 2nd day we went to the beach.

Sand angels anyone?

She insisted she wear her sunglasses this way for part of the day. She's so silly!

All tuckered out after playing on the beach.

Nonie and Grace being silly and posing with Grace's "germmies" (aka fishing worms). We'er not sure how she came up with this name, but it's cute?

This was the best family picture we could get. Headed out to the tournament dinner.

Grace was so proud that her Daddy won a "trophy!" She even went up with him to receive his plaque.

Emmie and Papa listening and watching the award ceremony.

After going through all the pictures taken...I just realized I have no pictures of my brother from that weekend. :o(