Psalm 127:3-5

Behold children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior, so are the children of one's youth.
How blessed are those whose quiver is full of them
."

Friday, January 30, 2009

Our new baby..

For some reason today I am feeling really sentimental about our new baby. I feel like it was only yesterday that I was sitting here pregnant with Serene and now it's another precious blessing inside. I wonder what he will look like.... what it will be like the first time we see him..... will he have a calm personality like Serene or will he be more strong-willed and feisty like our sweet Anna... will it be hard with three or will things flow like they did when Serene was added to our family.... will everyone automatically assume we are done having babies because "we got our boy".....

I've got a million questions like this running through my mind today. Mostly I just have this overwhelming excitement that we are being blessed again so soon with a precious baby! Thank you Lord for the three blessings we already have and the other ones we pray are in our future!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Stock show 2009





This is quickly becoming one of our favorite January traditions. Christmas is gone and the cold weather is usually in full swing and it is nice to have something fun to look forward to each year.

Jimmy's dad, Big Mack they called him, was a judge out at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for 20 years as well as working the corporate side of things doing the books (his dad was an accountant by trade and education... Tech alum).

Anyway, although going to the stock show and rodeo was not Jimmy's favorite things growing up, as an adult he has really embraced that part of his heritage. Jimmy's dad passed away in 2003 so I think going to the stock show for him is a way to give our girls and soon our son a little piece of Big Mack. I am sad that the children and I never got to know this special person that Jimmy saw as a real hero in his life. However, I am grateful for the little things we can do to have a little part of him in our lives.... the stock show being one of those!

Highlights from 2009:
Anna loved the HUGE mama pig nursing her eleven squealing piglets.
Serene LOVED watching these two baby goats try and eat straw from this bag hanging on the fence... they couldn't quite get to it and it was rather entertaining to watch... she laughed and laughed. Of course watching the laughing 13 month old watching the goats was the best part for Jimmy and I!!
Jimmy and I enjoyed a corn dog and some nachos... if that isn't a highlight what is?? =)

Looking forward to 2010 with a 5 year old, a 2 year old and a 7 month old. Everyday gets more exciting in this house!!!!!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Special thank you to my hubby

My husband is such an incredible guy! I have had this MAJOR back issue all weekend that got progressively worse Sunday and Monday. By Monday afternoon I could barely walk it was hurting so bad... it's the kind of thing my parents from the panhandle of Texas taught me to call a "catch in my back" (anybody ever hear of calling it that???)... anyway! =)

My hubby took the day off today to take care of me and the girls so I could try and get better. The chiropractor and my midwife said lots of rest, hot baths, ice packs, tylenol and natural anti-inflammatories since you can't take the typical IBProfen anti-inflammatory when you are pregnant.

Jimmy did dishes, made breakfast, lunch and dinner, cleaned up the after meal mess, straightened the house, spent time with the girls, spent time taking care of me, etc. etc.... BUT, I really must say in his defense, today was really nothing special. Jimmy does things like dishes or folding laundry or making meals all the time. He has a true servants heart and I think that is why loving him is sooo easy. Not because of the things he does but because of the spirit in which he does them... I am blessed!!

I love you JZ!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

January 17th already... where has this month gone?

Having some fun with daddy last night

Serene stuck in a bar stool

Anna dressing up in some of her new Christmas presents

Anna and her doll Jubilee enjoying tea in the playroom

I can't believe it is already getting to be late January. This month has flown by because we have been super busy (which I will save all that for another post when I have a ton more time). Anyway, this has been such a fun month.... I think just because the stress of the holidays is over and we have been relaxing and enjoying time with our little family of 4 (well technically 5)!! I will post very soon about the changes going on in our house and exciting road God is taking us down. Here are some pictures of our month so far.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

No more TV for us!!!!

I never thought this day would come but we are FINALLY saying good-bye to television in our home! Yes, we are keeping the TV for the occasional movie night but we are unhooking the Dish! I have not watched much TV in the last year and a half and Anna doesn't watch much TV at all, but Jimmy was slower to come around. I am so grateful he has had a change of heart and we are going to find other ways to spend time as a family! I think TV is such a mind numbing waste of precious family time anyway. Yay for no TV in 2009!!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Merry Christmas










This is obviously a late post but being that this has been a super busy couple of weeks I am actually surprised I am getting this done this quickly.

This was a wonderful Christmas season with lots of family and friends here to celebrate! Also, we had our sweet little Serene here for her first Christmas and that made it so special. Last year on Christmas we were only three days away from meeting her, although we didn't know it.

Thank you to my wonderful husband and children for making this time of year even more amazing for me than it was as a child. It is your sincere hearts and innocence that bring joy to my life. Thank you esp. to Jimmy who strives to make each day of December something special for all of us....trips to our favorite malls, special dinners we all cook together, lots of Christmas movie nights... your excited participation in all somewhat tedious or girly things I love to do like making gingerbread houses, baking cookies, wrapping presents and going to the symphony. I know those are not your favorite things by far but you smile and do them with me because you love me and care about what I care about. I only hope I give back to you as much self sacrifice as you give to me!

Merry (late but wonderful) Christmas!!!

On a side note: if Anna looks lethargic opening her gifts and a little sad... it's not because she didn't get what she wanted! =) She actually got sick that night with a pretty high fever. However, she got better in a day or two and all the presents suddenly seemed much more exciting to her!!!