Updating

Hey All,
I know it has been a long time. I had really planned to update this several weeks before now. I started back to school August 11 and it has been crazy ever since!! I enjoyed my time off this summer (about 6 weeks) with Emma. We played, swam, and traveled. Our big trip was to Maine. It was BEAUTIFUL and cool! We saw the sights in Boston and then headed up the coast of Maine. We went to the beach, but it was a little cool for us Texans (75 degrees outside and 55 degree ocean water)!! Here are some pictures.

Another milestone in our life, Emma is starting preschool (2 half-days a week)on Monday!! More to come....

Since last time

Hi All! I am more and more amazed by the people who keep up with me by this (less than medicore) blog! Thanks!!!! Anyway, since my last post, Emma had her 2nd birthday! We had a blast at a place called "Going Bonkers". It's a warehouse-sized place full of indoor playground climbing equipment. Emmma crawled all through it. She kept going so much, Jody and I and several other family members had to switch off to keep up with her. It was a blast! Did I mention we also had an awesome birthday cake that a lady I work with made for us...yummy!

Also, we have started potty training! It went GREAT the first three days...on day three - 1 accident! Then came day four, no interest in going potty in the potty. In fact, she cried and screamed everytime we put her on the potty. Things have improved from that point, but we're not back to the 1 accident day....persistance is what they say, right???

Emma and I traveled with Jody on his business trips this past week. We hit the big cities of Texarkana (both TX and AK)and Lake Charles, LA. Emma and I enjoyed the pools and Emma has her first tan lines!! Lake Charles was neat. There are beautiful houses on the lake....maybe us someday (probably not in Lake Charles, but on a lake would be fun). We head to Maine for our family vacation soon! I'll make sure to post pictures of that too!

By the way, my parents are on a mission trip to Granada right now so please pray for them and the team that everything goes well and they are able to minister to many people!

I'm the worst blogger!!

Hey All! Who ever is out there and still checks in on me.....I was recently told I was "the worst blogger ever"!! It's true. I have been extremely busy at work and with Emma AND I've started using facebook, so I haven't kept up with my blog.

Anyway, like I said things have been crazy. 6 out of 18 people in my department are leaving, including my direct supervisor. Needless to say, this has put a little extra stress on those of us who are staying. Also, Emma turns two in a week!! Amazing! She is so much fun and is always doing something to amaze us. Her favorite things are singing her ABCs, singing "happy birthday", and counting. We will be tackling potty training in the next few weeks! I'll keep you updated.

VBS starts tonight and I volunteered to teach...and then Jody's schedule changed and he is out of town!! I seem to have a problem with over-committment!! Oh well, it should be fun. Here are some new pics of Emma! BTW, they are pictures of Emma "helping" fold the laundry. She wanted to wear mom's underware....I helped her choose appropriate ones for pictures!!

Cruising

Jody and I went on a cruise for 5 days. I was a great Mommy and Daddy only time. We left from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Belize, to Cozymel, to Key West. We had a WONDERFUL time. Emma was pretty spoiled by Gigi and Pawpaw, too! Here are some pictures.

I'm back!!

We had a great Christmas and a very nice break from work. It's hard to believe we're already into mid-January!! Emma is growing like a weed, at least developmentally. She's still on the "petite" side! Here are some recent pics!

Jody and I have birthdays coming very soon! To celebrate Jody's bday, we're going to the Dallas Cowboy's playoff game Sunday...Go Cowboys!! Cheer them on Sunday at 3:30!!!

Little Witches

Tonight was trunk or treat at church. We had a great time. Emma was super cute in her witch costume....Mama was a witch, too. Cousins Hannah and Haley and Aunt Amy and Uncle Joel also came!!

Emma is almost 16 mos old now. She LOVES people! She says "hi" to everyone. Her favorite words are: baby, Nana, Mommy, apple, and no". Lots of fun!

Prayers Needed

Jody's cousin, Boothe and her family are dealing with an unbelievable test of faith. Their 2nd daughter, Copeland, was born with Trisomy 18 6 days ago. She was not expected to survive longer than and few hours. Boothe has an inspiring and heart-wrenching blog: http://conorbootheandgirls.blogspot.com/

Eventhough it will probably make you cry, I encourage you to read it. She is honest with her emotions but testifies daily to God's power and wisdom. I am amazed by this mother's faith and encouragement while dealing with such a terrible situation. Again, I encourage you to read it and take in her closeness to the Father.

10 years ago!!

Here are some pics from my 10 year high school reunion. It's hard to believe I'm sooo old!! I had a good time and was able to catch up with friends I had not seen in 10 years.... Some high school social injustice was remedied - one of the hot, football players came up unattractive and chubby!! Anyway, enjoy the pics!

It's been a long time!

Well we've had an exciting summer....traveling ALL over the country. Since I blogged last, I have been to College Station, Pennsylvania, Nashville, and had our 6th anniversary plus a few other fun days. But it's over...I start back to work tomorrow!! Which is both good and bad. I'm ready, but I'll definitely miss the time home with Emma. I think it will be good for her to get back into a routine with Ms. April and playing with Dakota. I'll spend time this week posting pics of our travel and everything....more to come soon!

More pictures from the party and reunion

THE CAKE

Finally posted

Well, we;re back home and I have uploaded Emma's birthday pictures. I am going to try to make a slide show....we'll see. The party went well, but Emma was only mildly interested in her cake. Needless to say, we don't have any great gooey-faced pictures. They're cute anyway!

Emma woke up from her nap, so I'll add more later :-)

On the road again...

We are still traveling. Now we're in TN. The funeral for my aunt was on Monday in MO. Thank you for all of your prayers and kind words during this time. It was really sad for us to lose her, but we know she is in a much better place. Jody and I figured out we have hit 7 states this week!! After visiting friends in Columbia, MO, we headed to Nashville to visit with Jody's cousin before my family reunion (also in TN). Needless to say, I haven't been able to upload any pics from Emma's party yet.

Thanks to all who gave advice on the party. The party went well. We all had a great time. Emma ate only a little of her cupcake and even less ice cream. But, she definitely enjoyed herself. She LOVED being the center of attention (and looked really cute, too)!! We had about 30 people at the house. Jody enjoyed showing off all our (mostly his) hard work and grilling out. The kids had fun playing the "hot potato/gift" game and hitting the pinata. And of course, eating!!

New things from Emma...when asked what a dog says, Emma says "woof woof" she can also tell what a cow says (although intermittently). When opening her birthday presents, she said "oooh" if it was clothes - she's her mother's daughter!

Ready to party!?!

Emma's party is coming up. We've been working to get things ready...mostly the house. If you didn't know, we bought a foreclosure that we've been remodeling. The party has spurred us on to get more done before everyone comes over. We're almost ready for the before & after pictures of the house. I'll post them soon!

Any suggestions on entertainment for adults at a one-year birthday party? I have a pinata and game for the kids who will be there (only 3 or 4 kids the rest are adults). I'll have pics of the party and Emma with cake after Saturday!!

Please remember my family in your prayers. My aunt died this morning and we will be heading to MO after Emma's party. Thanks!!

Working on it....

Well, I'm trying to figure out all this blogging stuff and I've added new pictures. Any suggestions on how to change the background to something more interesting and/or how to add a slide show of pictures???

Besides working on our new blog, we're getting ready for Emma's big 1 year old birthday! Her party is coming quickly. It's hard to believe it's been a year since she was born!! Now she is walking everywhere and loves playing, "talking", and getting others' attention. She's a ham, just like her daddy (or maybe a little like me :-)).

Since I'm catching up, I'm going to add pictures of Jody's 10 year class reunion, our visit with the old roommates, and Brady's graduation. A few weeks ago we go together with two of Jody's old roommates, their wives, and daughters before Chris, Merry, & Annie headed to "The North". It was a short but nice visit. The girls had fun together.

Starting over

Well, I'm trying a new blog. I previously set one up with my email account, but I've had a lot of trouble with people being able to view it. Hopefully, this will work better and you all will be able to keep up with Emma and her parents! So here we go.....