the kids

Summer time!

Wow it's hot!!! I've lived in Texas how long and I still think it's surprising when it hits 100 degrees! So far it's been a good summer!! Kevin is almost done with his first semester of PA school. He's doing AWESOME!! We are so proud of him!! The family is doing well and having fun!! A lot of time spent in the pool, that's for sure! I have been blessed with such a great support group of friends. They have been amazing helping me with the fam during weeks of studying from Kevin! Thought I'd check in and send a little update! Maybe I'll be back soon!!

Changes

Well...here we go, experiencing life a little differently these days. Kevin started PA school this past Monday at Southwestern Medical Center. Scary to think I'm the only one working. Ok, Kevin is working...but working full time and studying nonstop to make good grades!! We will be moving in the next few weeks...a little, tiny bit closer. South Plano...it's not much closer than Sachse, but a little bit. It's better than nothing though!! We're praying hard for everything to fall into place, and trusting the Lord to provide in ways we can't even imagine!! For those of you who know me, I don't do change very well!! In fact...it makes me a very stressed out individual. Our cardiac rehab education class we taught today was on stress management!! Sounds funny, really. And of course it's hard to take your own advice!! (Thank you Lord!)

So, please pray for us if you think about it. We know these next few years will go by faster than we can even dream...and we know we'll be carried the entire way.

What a great trip!

Well...we had a wonderful trip to Florida!!! We went with our friends, the Warner's, and truly had a blast!! I must say, I think Tanner might be part-fish! The kid swam nonstop...except to eat and sleep! The weather was absolutely beautiful...the food delicious...and the house was incredible!! It was definitely hard to leave! I recommend Seaside to everyone!! I hope we are able to go back again someday!! Avery did very well also, but experienced her first ear infection...in both ears!! So, thank goodness for urgent care centers and antibiotics!! It's hard to believe she is already 10 months old. My how time seems to go faster and faster each day!! Hope you enjoy the pictures!!

We remember baby Andrew Stephen

"When my worry is great within me, Your comfort brings joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19

Two years ago today was one of the most difficult days of our lives so far. Yet, through grief, we have experienced pure joy. I can't believe it's been 2 years. When we found out at 5 months during my pregnancy, that our sweet baby boy had come down with Fifth's Disease, it was difficult to wrap our brains around what exactly that meant. Unfortunately he was unable to fight the infection and died. We delivered him two years ago today. I think about him a lot and know he is safe in the arms of his Heavenly Father. For he has known nothing more than pure joy. I have to say that is truly comforting. I got up this morning and went in to get Avery, and thought how blessed I am to have such a sweet daughter. For without his loss we would not have Avery. Our lives will never be the same for more reason than one. I am so thankful for my incredible family. I cannot express enough what they each mean to me. In loving memory of sweet baby Andrew.

"The Lord is my strength and my safe cover. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. So my heart is full of joy. I will thank Him with my song." Psalm 28:7

Family Time at the Zoo

What a wonderful time spent at the zoo! Avery was a gem...Tanner, well, he loved it ALL!

Renewed Vows

Last night Kevin and I watched our wedding video from ALMOST 7 years ago. It's hard to believe it's been that long. We cherish the memories and are amazed at how real the vows we spoke back then sound even more important today. Living life together in a world full of change, children, happiness and sadness, the words we spoke seem so much more valuable. It's nice to have them fresh in our minds as we go into a new week. The Lord continues to bless us.

Happy Easter!!

He is risen!! We rejoice in the Lord on this special day!! We hope you all have a wonderful Easter and a renewed spirit within to trust in the Lord ALL things!

Life is good

Things here have been very fun! It's been busy, but everyone seems to be doing well! Tanner celebrated a birthday in February...and Avery is already 8 months old! WOW! We are blessed! We're looking forward to Spring and the warmer weather!!

Sorry for the delay!

Wow...it's been a long time since I've written. Just when I say I'm going to be better about posting, I go a month without posting anything! Sorry about that! The family is busy and trying to get through a few things. With Kevin starting school in May, we have a lot on our plates as we try to get things ready for some big changes! Avery is getting big as she approaches her 8 month birthday! Tanner also celebrated his 4th birthday this month! I will post new pictures of the both of them...maybe tomorrow?!?! We'll see.

Life changes are inevitable...and with them come many new challenges. I know the Lord only gives us what we can handle, and thankfully He's there guiding us all along the way. What an encouraging thing to think about. I hope everyone is doing well. There are so many of you I think about daily. Please know I'm praying for each of you. See you tomorrow!

Well...it's been a great week!! Not only is Avery crawling all over the place...she now pulls up on just about anything she can get her hands one!! It's amazing!! This is new to us...Tanner did everything a little late. I guess Avery just wants to catch up with her brother!

Last night we had a great time getting together with some wonderful friends!! Tanner has a ball with "Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Amanda"!! (Thanks again L&M!) We ate some of the best pizza I have ever had in my life!! Tanner and I had some mommy/son time today! We went to the Dallas Stars hockey game and had a ball!! He was exhausted afterwards and fell asleep on the way to Awana! He will sleep very well tonight!

As I hit my 36 birthday this coming week, I look ahead to what the Lord has in store for me this year. I am far beyond blessed and treasure every day with my family. I am so grateful...and truly want to honor the Lord in all I do. I hope and pray for another wonderful year. There will be many changes to our lives come May when Kevin starts school full time. I know that it will be full of struggles but with that I hope we will learn of many more blessings. Wow...36...hmmm...

Looking to have a great week!! And maybe I'll get some snow for my birthday!! That would be fun!?!?!?

More pictures

I thought I would add a few more pictures! Enjoy!

Avery is 6 months old!!

I'm a bad blogger...well...at least lately!! It's been a wonderful month, but a crazy one. And when I say crazy, I mean busy!! I know...I know...poor excuse. Things in our home have been fun with Avery turning 6 months!! I'm a little late with this one...but that's ok!! She sat up by herself last Sunday and even crawled about 6 inches!! Wow...things are about to change in our house!! We're blessed with a happy baby and such a sweet little personality. Avery continues to enjoy watching her big brother be silly!! He can keep her going for hours on end!!! Christmas and the holiday's were a lot of fun and continue to be that way!! We hope you all had a blessed holiday season!! Stay tuned...maybe I'll write more this weekend!!

Avery is 5 months old!!

I can't believe Avery is already 5 months old! So I'm a little late in posting it...no biggy, right? She's doing great and is noticing all of the wonderful things around her! This month she started rolling all over the place. She still loves her thumb and having her blankey close by to comfort her. Her sweet face makes us all smile and we love her so much! We're excited to share these holidays with her and look forward in all the things she will learn this month!

Here's a great family photo from the 2007 ALS walk . Looking at this picture makes me realize how blessed we are. We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I'm sure I'll be posting new pictures this week!

Time at the Farm

Thanks Will, Cara, Jack, Josie, Kate and the Kennedy's for a wonderful time at the Farm this weekend!! We had a ball...especially Tanner!! Thanks for being such great friend's and for having us out for a visit!! Tanner LOVED feeding the cows, gathering eggs, going on hay rides, swimming in the hot tub, and playing with Jack and Josie!! What a blessing! I hope we can do that again sometime soon! The weather was absolutely gorgeous!! Hard to beleive it's the middle of November! Looking forward to the week ahead as we share in the season of Thanksgiving. Blessing's to all!

Wow...it's been a long time since I've written!! I guess that explains what being back to work has been like?!?! Actually, things have been really great! Work has been going very well and life is wonderful!! Even though we're busy, we're so blessed.

It's hard to believe Avery is 4 months old. She's been doing great in daycare. She is getting over a cold but thankfully it was nothing more. Tanner continues to love on his little sister. It's hard for him to stay out of her face...especially since she smiles non-stop when he's around her! Although this past month has been a busy one, it's been a great one. We're doing well and also received some awesome news! Kevin received an early acceptance into the PA (Physician Assistant) program at UT Southwestern and will start full time school in May of 2008! Praise the Lord! He is SO excited and we're all thrilled for him. We will keep you posted on the many things going on in our life in the coming months!

The ALS walk a few weeks back was a huge success!! Thanks for all of the prayers for Kevin's dad and family, as well as the support. It was a huge blessing!

I will update everyone soon with some new pictures! We dropped our digital camera a couple of weeks ago and are now in the process of purchasing a new one!! Bummer!! Until next time...blessings to all!

Back to work!

Well...today was my first day back at work and it went really well! After a few tears shed this morning saying good-bye to Avery...my wonderful friends made me feel welcome and loved. We had a great time sharing coffee and bagels together!! It was very nice. I was able to go feed Avery today and see her every 3 hours...and I truly enjoyed that. Elena, Keisha, and Sam took great care of her today and I am blessed knowing she's in such good hands. These were Tanner's same teacher's as well. And talk about Tanner...he was a proud big brother having Avery go to school with him in the same building!! So...a long day, but a very good one. I am so blessed and glad the first day back is over.

Avery at 13 weeks!

Well, it's already that time. Tomorrow I return to work after having 13 weeks off with my precious little girl. Avery is such a joy! She has a great smile just like her brother and is so sweet! She loves giving hugs! I'm torn as I head back to work to a job a love. But how I will truly miss our days together. I look forward to having Thursday's off and spending time with both Tanner and Avery! What blessings they are in our life!

We also had fun at the Children's Museum...as well as visiting Grandma and the house on Susie Court! Great memories!