A Thanksgiving Engagement!

Congrats to the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. My beautiful sister-in-law and Ray's youngest sister, Becky, got the surprise of her life this Thanksgiving with a beautiful proposal and ring! We are so excited for the newly engaged couple and also so very thankful that we were able to share in the celebration. Earlier in the afternoon I received a text from my super sweet sister-in-law, Rachel. She asked if we would be available for a Skype date that night and to not ask any questions. I knew from that moment or maybe hoped that it was for a surprise proposal... and boy was it. The whole family gathered around the room in Sugar Land. We chatted for a bit by Skype. It was so good for Nana and Sally to meet baby girl. Sadly she had woken up and was a little on the fussy side. Then Todd sprang into action and said he had an announcement. I started video taping and Aubrey began to cry. Todd's proposal was so sweet though. Talk about a definite melt your heart moment for sure.  We simply said Auby was sad she couldn't be there in person to give her Aunt Becky a hug:)

When talking to Becky she said she had three rules. 1. Her whole family had to be present. 2. He had to ask her father. and 3. He had to use her full name. Well all rules were met and of course and she said yes! Congrats to Todd and Becky. We are so excited for your next adventures in planning the wedding. PS I still have the binder;)

Our Thanksgiving Prayer!

 

 Our Thanksgiving was extra special this year as we had this beautiful bundle of joy with us. At 8AM, the little Miss and I were upstairs getting in some extra play time to let daddy sleep since he had worked the late shift the night before. Oh how she loves to kick those feet and shake her hands. I thought it would be fun while we were playing to read a few special stories this morning. My favorite thus far is the Thank You Prayer. Seriously could this book be any more perfect for our first Thanksgiving morning together? My favorite page being, "Thank you, God for everything." I don't think I could put it better myself.

After a sent a few texts to the family as we would be spending our first Thanksgiving at home just the three of us and of course two furbabes, I took Aubrey back to our room where we spent the morning cuddling up in bed with daddy watching the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. A few hours later, lunch time was quickly upon us, we got ready, and made our way to the kitchen to put together our Thanksgiving menu.

 

Our menu included Cornish game hens, asparagus, fruit salad, homemade sweet potato casserole, and a pumpkin and cherry pie. The food was delicious minus the pies. Sadly we were not prepared with certain food items and attempted to make a pie with 1 egg. Needless to say, it was not the most appetizing... but hey we had to make an attempt. What would Thanksgiving be without pumpkin pie?:)

My favorite part of the day was not the meal or staying in bed even though those two things were definitely high on my list. I do have to say that this year was special just being our sweet family of three. And while I absolutely missed our extended family, it was nice to just relax with my husband and daughter and enjoy our first Thanksgiving as a new family.

 

 

Plus an added bonus about staying home and having a few morning dress changes, I could put little miss in anything I wanted, even if it didn't match. Gosh how I love those adorable long toes.

 

So here's to our first Thanksgiving together. May we all truly remember what we are thankful for. I wish those family and friends near and far a truly blessed day with those they love. Happy Thanksgiving!

Baby Blessed

Tonight is the night before Thanksgiving and I'm at home with the little one. The husband's work schedule has gotten a bit crazy these days and he is working what seems like day and night. I'm perfectly fine with this (most days) as his job has been so gracious to work around our new schedule with baby girl. While it did take three times to put our sweet lady down for bed and my only opportunity to eat dinner was well after 9PM, I couldn't be more thankful. Now please don't ask me at 3AM when she's crying and I've gotten up every two hours and am exhausted beyond belief... well I guess I'm thankful for those moments too. (just not at that exact moment) It's hard to imagine the days, the months, the year plus some that I prayed for this little girl. I was in tears for what seemed like eternity wondering what was wrong with me. We had both been tested and sadly it was my body that was failing me. What was I doing wrong? Why couldn't I get pregnant? What seems like such an easy thing, was honestly and still is probably the hardest thing I've gone through. But now that I sit here, thinking of her sweet cuddles, her adorable little smiles, and all that she is and will be, I couldn't have imagined our journey being any different. She is our sweet baby blessing and God knew exactly what he was doing when he made her. He knew the journey we would face and I couldn't be more thankful for His timing. It as always is perfect.

This Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful and are truly baby blessed. So as I wait for the husband to return home and my little girl is resting peacefully in bed, I wanted to make a small baby list of the things I am thankful for.

1. snuggles
2. smiles
3. squishy faces
4. baby dance parties
5. play time
6. naps
7. baby fingers and toes
8. family time
9. coos
10. zip up onesies
11. pictures and videos
12. our pediatrician
13. friends and family who love her

Here's to many more baby blessings in our futures!

Friendship Feast and Baby Besties!

As the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are right around the corner, we are reminded what we are truly THANKful for. We are thankful for each other and our sweet little girl who melts our hearts daily. For a family that is supportive and loving. For friends that are truly a second family and for sweet children that will grow up with our baby girl. For our ABF and church family that encourage our growth and walk with God. We are thankful for our jobs and for the people we work with. For my 18 (now 16) children in my classroom. We are truly thankful for each breath given, for each moment cherished with those we love, and for traditions that will be cherished for a lifetime.

 

One of my favorite traditions is our college annual Friendship Feast. I truly love these sweet friends. From college, to marriage, to our lives as parents, it has been a true adventure. So here's to great traditions, great food, and great friendships! Enjoy some sweet pictures of our evening together! 

 

I do have to say we have some pretty amazing chefs with a pretty tasty menu. It included turkey and gravy, homemade stuffing, fruit salad, garlic mashed potatoes, creamy macaroni and cheese, salad... and of course you cannot forget dessert. This is one of my most favorite meals of the year!

 

 

Our little guys have been friends for years now, but I have to say this was the most adorable get together. From hugs, playing with toys, races around the room, and cuddling up on a couch to watch a favorite tv show was pretty priceless.

I sure do love this little lady! Aubrey did great at the dinner and stayed up way past her bed time.

Now for the next collection of photos... you just had to be there. From feeding baby girls puffs to bribing our sweet little boys and of course making sure little miss didn't just topple over on her face, these next few pictures were memories and melt your heart moments in the making. Let's just say these mama's were clapping and over joyed with the "preciousness" that you are about to see. Oh how I love these adorable little besties:)



I sure do love these mamas and their sweet kiddos. It is crazy to think last year, there were only 2 little boys. This year we were joined by three little ladies. And next year we will have another sweet baby girl making a total of 6 children. It's amazing what a year or two can bring!

Now of course what would friendship feast be without our traditional pictures?

 
Ladies deviled egg picture... minus our Kaylan  

Our Gentlemen in blue (not planned:)

 Our newly engaged couple, Dustin and Paige, holding the wish bone. Best Wishes!

 

For our college crew near and far, we send so much love to you. Time may take us to new places, but we'll never forget where we came from.

 

From our family to yours,

We wish you many blessings filled with THANKSGIVING!



Aubrey on Instagram

The past six weeks have been filled with baby snuggles, sweet kisses, los of hair bows, and an endless amount of pictures. I have loved capturing these sweet moments and sharing them with our friends and family. Here are some of my favorites of Aubrey on Instagram.

Baby Snuggles

 

 

Baby Fingers

Mattie Mama protecting her baby

Family Time with our Auby and furbabes

Toby love... treat?



Our sweet boo-bear

Super Daddy and my little Candy Corn

Sleepy Baby

5 Week Family Photo Shoot

I found my HEART!

Tummy Time at 6 weeks

 Milk Drunk

 Sweet Auby faces 

 Hoot Hoot! I'm so cute!

 Smiles for Mommy as we sing head, shoulder, knees, and toes.

All bundled up and ready for her first SNOW!

 

I love these sweet captured moments. Our first two months have been extra special. I can't wait for the next ones to come!

A GREAT weekend in the Hill Country

 

 

This weekend was full of unforgettable, melt your heart moments. From a weekend of anniversary celebration, 5 week (almost 6 week) adventures in parenthood, and also an amazing family trip to the hill country, it sure was a perfect getaway. One of my favorite moments was this sweet melt your heart moment with my great Aunt Alice holding her sweet great great niece. Talk about love!

 

Before Aubrey made her debut, Oma and I had planned a sweet trip to the hill country to visit my great aunt. I couldn't wait to share our little lady with her. This woman sure holds a special place in my heart and I couldn't imagine a more perfect meeting. When looking at our calendar, this weekend was one of a select few available to travel. We knew we would be making the trip with a 5 (almost six) week old as well as celebrating on our fourth anniversary weekend. As a gift, my parents booked us a stay at a sweet little cottage on the river near by. Thanks again for a great gift.

 

To my beautiful family of three (and two furbabes), I couldn't imagine anything better. I am so thankful for this journey that God has given us. I'm thankful for the paths, the twists, the turns, the endless prayers for this little girl, and it brings me to tears. (of joy of course:) From a high school romance, college, our journey to Dallas, marriage, home ownership, and now our adventures in parenthood... it has been a true blessing. I sure want to soak up the sweet moments.

 



 

Days before our trip, I began making a list of items we would need to pack. Traveling with a 5 week old is much more of a difficult task than just the two. As a new mama, I didn't want to forget anything. So once again, for our two day excursion, I probably packed for a week. From pack n play bassinets, play mats, toys, clothes, food, diapers, wipes... the list goes on and on. When the Saturday morning came, we packed the car, took the dogs to doggy daycare, I got up the little lady, dressed, changed, bottles made, picked up breakfast, and made our way to Wimberley. Aubrey did such a good job on her first road trip. For the first hour she was wide awake and full of smiles. I couldn't believe the drive didn't put her to sleep. After we left Dallas, she quickly fell asleep. We did make a stop on the way up but then she was quickly out.

It was a little after 2:00 when we made our arrival. Oma and Opa were over joyed to see the little lady as was Alice. We spent the afternoon catching up, watching the birds, feeding the deer, and of course loving on Miss Aubrey. I sure do love watching my parents with her. They cannot get enough.

Opa and his little lady

 

After dinner, it was time to head to the cottage. Aubrey was a bit fussy. Growth spurt? Once we made our way to the cottage, we unpacked and put the little one to bed. It was great to have a few extra hours just to relax with my husband. The greatest gift came when she gave us another 7 hour stretch of sleep. I know that our days are probably limited and she may go back to her waking every hour or two, but for now, I will take it. The next morning, we got up and made breakfast. Or should I say attempted to make breakfast. Sadly the stove was a bit hotter than I had expected which kind of turned our savory breakfast into a bit of a burnt one. It was the thought that counts right?!? That morning we did enjoy some morning mosas and some sweet pictures on the patio, porch swing, and river. It was such a relaxed morning. I really do love the country.

After our morning together as a family of three, we went back to my Great Aunt's house for some family fun and photography.

 Could this face get any sweeter? Love her!

 

Four generations of woman and my amazing family. I have to say that these are some of the most special pictures I have. I am so thankful we had an opportunity to visit with my Great Aunt Alice and for her to see her great great niece, to spend time with Oma and Opa, and to enjoy some special family time in the hill country. It surely was a GREAT Weekend!