One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...and Some Other Animals

Yesterday we took the girls to the Dallas World Aquarium. Obviously it was mostly for Gracie Claire, but Sydney enjoyed a nice long nap while we were there! I LOVE watching Gracie Claire having so much fun, being curious, and learning all at the same time! I have always loved going to zoos, aquariums, etc., but it's so much better seeing it all through your baby's eyes! Oh, and I would definitely recommend it if you've never been!

Here are just a few of the almost 100 pictures we took. I know, I know, a little much, but I don't want to risk missing the chance to capture a cute moment! Besides, I know that most of you love pictures!

My Sweet Girls

Random Mumbles

Its been almost a month since I last posted, so quite a bit has been going on.

• Sydney is already a month old! How is that even possible?! The last month of my pregnancy seemed like eternity, but a whole month of my baby's life has already flown by! It has been a great month...what a sweet baby she is!!


• Gracie Claire has started yelling at us, after we put her to bed, at the top of her lungs, "Mama, Mama...I luh loo! I luh loo Mama! Daddy, Daddy...I luh loo! I luh loo Daddy!" If I let myself, I could cry every time she does it. She is such a sweet girl, full of a big personality! I love that girl so much! (By the way, if you hadn't figured it out, "I luh loo" is "I love you.")


• Paul quit his job last Friday. We've been really praying for God to bless him with a new job...something that will be close to home, good hours, and will continue to provide for our needs. Right now he is going to another mortgage company that is primarily commission based income. We are really waiting for a clear answer on whether this is where he is suppose to be, or if God has an even better job in store. So, if you get a second during your prayer times, throw up a prayer for Paul's job. The more prayers the better! A big bonus of him giving his 2 week notice last Friday at his old company was that they don't allow people to continue working throughout that 2 weeks, so he has been home for this whole week and we still have another whole week with him at home before he starts the new job!


• I know most of you already know this, but Saturday night service at church has been going on for several weeks now and I love it! Coming from a background of churches who used instruments, I love how Richland Hills has incorporated them. There are so many talented people at church!


• We are so grateful to all of you who've brought us meals! In saying that, I am especially grateful for all of the desserts that came with every meal! :o) Now that I'm back to making our meals again, Paul keeps asking where the dessert is.


• Gracie Claire has become quite the little artist. She doesn't always use crayons or markers...sometimes she creates edible art. The picture should explain it!

Pudding makes great finger paint, don't you think?!

• I just have to say that the Americans who are voting for the contestants in the American Idol contest have really disappointed me. I didn't think that Brandon deserved to win, but he definitely didn't deserve being voted off before Sanjaya (spelling?) Oh well, I'll keep rooting for Blake and Jordin. Also, how predictable was Grey's last night? We all knew that George was going to screw up and Dr. Bailey will be the new chief. Everyone else is working a little too hard to impress. And, Meredith needs to show a little bit of forgiveness to her dad. I thought she was this very changed person after she almost died.

Well, there is my random blog for this month. I hope I will be able to start posting a little more often, but if not, I can always have a random blog of the month.

Our Sweet Sydney is Here!

I think that most of you who even read this probably already know that Sydney arrived on February 15th. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 18.25 in. long. Much smaller than they were estimating which made for a much quicker birth and easier recovery for me, so it was a definite blessing!
Sydney is absolutely perfect in every way and we couldn't be any happier with our newest gift! Gracie Claire is doing great through this huge transition and loves to hold, touch, and kiss her little sister. Paul and I are so thankful to have been given another precious daughter!

Our sweet girls!

"Bahloos!"

My baby is turning two tomorrow! I can't believe how fast two years have gone by!

Saturday we had a little party for her (an Elmo party...her favorite!) I have always said that I would never do character parties/clothes/etc. But, when your baby loves something, you want to give it to them! Part of the decorations were, of course, big Elmo balloons (which are still floating around the house.) Sunday morning, when Gracie Claire woke up, the first thing she wanted were her "bahloos." She carried them around with her everywhere and she has everyday since. It's hilarious to see her trying to accomplish other things whiles holding on to her "bahloos!"

Sweet Friends

I have to say how precious of a gift it is to have so many sweet friends! Thursday night, some of the greatest women I know gave me a shower to celebrate Sydney. It was a small gathering at the Olive Garden, but the girls who came have all touched my life in some way. Some of them I have known for years and some of them I want to get to know better, but I can't express enough how much them being there to celebrate Sydney's arrival with me meant!

The sweet friends who gave me the shower!

Here is a link to the other pictures from the shower. (Thanks Chesley for being the photographer! :o)

Patience

I am now 3 weeks from my due date, but those 3 weeks seem like a year! At the beginning of this pregnancy, my doctor said he would be very careful about watching Sydney's weight to make sure I could have a baby under 9 lbs. this time. I know he is doing what is best for Sydney and for me, but the next couple of weeks are going to just drag by. I need to see joy in the fact that I have 3 more weeks to spend with just Gracie Claire. She is always able to put a smile on my face even when I'm in the doggiest of moods! It's amazing the gifts God gives us through our kids!

Anyways, I'm praying for patience and am taking solace in the fact that I've been given a healthy and whole baby girl. God's timing is best and I need to wait on Him.

Brrrrr...

Even though I'm completely Texan when it comes to the weather, meaning I think I'm freezing when it's 60, I still have to laugh at how people freak out when the weather actually turns into "real" winter weather. All of my extended family live up north and deal with this kind of thing through most of winter. They actually go to school and work when there are flurries and "wintry mixes!" Shocking! (Sarcasm intended!)

I have loved getting some real winter weather. The snow that we had was an extra perk, even though it lasted like 15 minutes. Gracie Claire loved it! We got all bundled up (minus one missing mitten that we had to substitute a sock for) and even accessorized for playing in the snow! She is very into her purple purse with the pearl strap and pink sunglasses.
Needless to say, the mitten came off as fast as it went on so she could feel the snow. As soon as she was done feeling it, she started eating it. Several small handfuls made it into her mouth. It must have tasted great!

I just love the fact that snow fascinates my sweet girl! It's such a gift to be able to realize how I need to remember to take joy in things like snow days and "wintry mix" days!

Pics of My Girl I Have to Share

Christmas

Christmas was great this year! We were able to spend time with all of our family (except for my extended family, who I miss a ton!) Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, but it has definitely gotten better since having Gracie Claire. I get a huge kick out of watching her take everything in. I can't help think about how exciting it will be when she really gets what it's all about!

My parents (BigPa & Gigi) got Gracie Claire a rocking horse as one of her gifts. It's pretty cute. She probably got the most excited when she saw it come out. It sings an old western type song when you squeeze it's ear. The song gets a little creepy sounding after you hear it 45 times in a row.
Well, I hope everybody had a great Christmas and time with their families. I'm sharing some of my favorite pics from Christmas (which I have to say, are way to hard to format and put on the page where you want them once they're uploaded...I must be missing something, because I don't think I'm that much of a tard...seriously!)

New Year, New Stuff

Since we've gone from 2006 to 2007, of course I'm thinking about all of the new things that this year will be bringing. I know I could stress over every little thought that runs through my head, but 2006 showed us just how faithful God is in meeting our every need. What's the point in worrying or making sure that every little detail is perfect in my eyes. I know that God takes care of the details for us. So, what are the new things that will be happening in 2007?! Here's the list:

• God has blessed us with another daughter, Sydney Hope, who will be here sometime in February. (Her due date is the 20th, but I can hope for earlier can't I?!)
• Gracie Claire will be turning 2 on February 14th. These past 2 years have been such precious times with our little girl. What a huge gift she is to her Daddy and me! I always knew I wanted to be a Mommy, but I never knew the blessings that being a Mommy could bring until Gracie Claire showed me!
• Many friends will be having (or already have) new babies. I love the fact that my girls will have so many great kids to grow up with.
• Paul and I will have our 6th anniversary this May. It's amazing how fast 6 years goes by! I am so blessed to have been given such an awesome husband as Paul is. He is so patient, kind, loving, the best Daddy to our girls (yes, even the one who isn't here yet) and my very best friend! I definitely don't deserve him. His amazing faith in the Lord is what holds our family so tightly together. When I start to worry and doubt, Paul is always there to remind me that God is in control.
• Caleb and Sandra are making us an uncle, aunt, and cousin again in June! We can't wait for that little bundle to get here!
• Our nephew, Parker, will be turning 3 in April. It seems like we were just all gathered in the hospital shoving for our turn to get to hold him. He's becoming such a big boy!
• Gracie and Nkere will be celebrating their 1st anniversary in February. We're proud of both of them.
• My parents will be celebrating their 32nd anniversary this year! What an example their marriage has been to all of us!
• Paul and I have become involved in the "Barney Ministry" at church. It's a neat ministry created to provide encouragement and support for new Christians. We're really excited about it!
• Our church is making some big changes that I think are going to be exciting as they follow what God has called them to do!

I know there are so many more things that I could list, and even things that will be added to the list as the year goes along. I'm excited to see what God has in store for our family this year.

Sad, yet Excited!

In just a couple of short days, I will be leaving with my parents, sister, and baby girl to drive (yes, drive) to Illinois/Missouri to see my Grandparents and extended family. I am so excited to be able to see them, considering I haven't had an extended visit with most of them in over a year! The downside to all of this is that I will be leaving Paul. I know that it might sound sappy or mushy, but I hate being away from Paul for an extended period of time. I think this 10 day trip may be the longest time we've ever been away from each other. It's amazing, and such a wonderful gift, that you can love one person as much as I do Paul. He is my best friend. I can completely be myself with him, and he loves me in spite of myself. I guess if there's anything positive to come out of being away from each other for such a long period of time, it's that he will have the opportunity to work really hard (not that he hasn't been working hard) at his new job and give it his full attention. He is so wonderful about placing Gracie Claire and me above everything, except for his relationship with the Lord--which of course is what makes our family so strong. Another positive is the homecoming. The anticipation and excitement about getting back home to him is better than opening presents on Christmas morning (I know this doesn't even compare, but it's the closest thing I could think of.) So, sadly and with lots of excitement, I leave my husband and best friend behind for a few days and trust that God will be watching over us as we are apart (just as He does when we're together.)

Something New

I am so blessed to have been given my precious baby girl and my sweet husband. I know I don't deserve either one. God is so good to have chosen Paul and me to take on the huge and awesome responsibility of raising Gracie Claire up to serve and love Him. He is also good to have given me such an awesome husband and friend to share all of life's experiences with. He has prospered me and given me hope and my future is in His hands. Thank you Lord!

So, I know this is like the 3rd blog page I've started, but I really like the format of this one. It is so much more simple. Hopefully, this is the one I'll stick with...hopefully!