Maw Maw

Two weeks ago yesterday Neil's grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Maw Maw is 93 and has been so healthy so this all came as a surprise after her not feeling well after about 6 weeks. We have seen her twice since then. The four of us went to Kerrville and spent some really great time with her at her home while she is on hospice. The visit was so sweet... pretty much her same old self telling us stories about when she played basketball in high school - she was one of the tallest and "quick as lightening". Claire served her lunch and the girls made her pictures. She looked good and again, was her same self except for not being able to get out of bed. On our way out she told me I was such a blessing to their family and I can't help but think of how much she has blessed MY life.

Eating popsicles in Maw Maw's backyard

Hair Hats at one of Neil's childhood favorite stores, Gibson's

Visiting the river

On our way home we stopped to pick blackberries. It was a hot afternoon but Eden is still talking about it! Such beautiful colors as the berries ripen. The blackberries were yummy and especially in the cobbler I made!

Today we made our second trip to Kerrville. It was much different and harder but still sweet in many ways. Maw Maw was visibly more sick, uncomfortable, no longer eating, hardly able to talk, got sick while we were there, bedroom door closed... it's so hard to see someone you love anticipate the end of life and be in pain - no matter how peaceful they are about their salvation. Now for the sweet parts - Neil was able to share with Maw Maw how much he always loves her cherry pie - she said "You and John". And how he remembers the smell of her breakfasts cooking when she would come to visit or he would stay with her.  Also, Neil's cousin from Kingwood and another from Colorado was in to see her so we were able to visit them and the girls spent time with their second cousins. Went to the creek bed, played outside, laughed up a storm while eating ice cream, ate clementines....making memories.  I also got to spend some special time with Elaine listening and doing my best to comfort her.

Annabelle, Eden, Claire, Ethan and Cameron

Saying goodbye was really hard. Elaine thinks she will pass away soon. Neil plans to go back Monday or Tuesday. Please keep Neil's family in your prayers!

10

10 years ago I had my last first date and it was by far the best first date I have ever had.

(this picture is not of that night but the closest I could get! It was on January 5, 2002 at Doris' bday party at Banana Joe's. This was the night we danced a little {or a lot} closer than usual and realized there was something different between us!)

Of course that probably had something to do with who I was with and not just our evening out...together...not just friends anymore... I know we were both anxious to see how the evening would go. I mean, we had been out together hundreds of times but this time we were on an official date! I was only slightly worried it would be uncomfortable or awkward but that quickly faded as he held the door open for me to get into his truck. I still had the normal butterflies that you get on a first date but this one was different as we were already best friends and knew pretty much everything about each other and our past relationships. So although it was our first it felt like we were really starting at date 12 =)

Neil brought me my favorite flowers - purple tulips and surprised me through out the evening. We went to an amazing Italian restaurant (my favorite cuisine), Aldo's, that was "THE" place to go for prom when we were in high school. I never went and he remembered I always wanted to try it so I was so excited!

After a kiss by the car (I think it's so funny I remember that) it was off for another surprise and this has since become one of our favorite special occasion places to celebrate at - a fabulous jazz club downtown on the river called The Landing and the Jim Cullins Band performed (unfortunately not anymore). A quiet table on the first floor against the back wall with dim candlelight - holding hands across the table... romantic to say the least! A lot of times we will even request to sit at the same table when we go back.

That night confirmed that our leap of faith from our friendship to dating was going to be well worth the risk and ended up being the most amazing love we will find in another. The Lord's timing for us was perfect as He was getting us ready for the rest of our lives. Right now Neil has been composing "How I Met Your Mother" (he's on part 4) and it's been so fun to remember all the details and how again, His timing was perfect. Neil kept a journal during those years which is even more fun to read and talk about what was going on in our world and in our hearts so many years ago. We are so blessed and I couldn't imagine spending it with anyone else!

Happy birthday Neil!

Happy Birthday to my one and only, my best friend, my groom, the love of my life!!
We love to take every opportunity to celebrate so we headed out to La Tuna Grill and oh my goodness was it good!! Neil had been before and always wanted to share it with me so we went and already can't wait to take someone there! Super casual, super yummy!
We were supposed to go to a movie but at the end of dinner Neil said "Let's do something different!" - there's just something about spontaneity that I love so we ran with it. We stopped in to see my brother at his place downtown to check out the work he's been doing on his patio and some recent art projects.
On the way to Billy's place we passed an outside bar called The Friendly Spot so we went back to check it out. Another place we can't wait to take someone else to - outside bar, kids playground, yummy sangria, full menu, everyone brings their dogs - had an Austin feel to it and can't wait to go back!

We were back to my parents to pick up the girls around 9:30 just as they were watching Winnie-the-Pooh. Thanks mom and dad for helping us get out to celebrate Neil's birthday!!

9 years

Today we celebrate a VERY special day - our 9th dating anniversary! Not the anniversary of our first date because well, we had an interesting start. We pretty much confessed our love for each other BEFORE our first date!! It's the anniversary of when Neil and I met at Jim's with the same agenda - get the courage up to tell each other something was different between us - let's take a chance - and we never looked back! It was a HUGE risk but well worth it to spend the rest of my life with my very best friend. We never would've thought 9 years ago that we would be here - two girls and on our journey to our son.

And as we sit here on the couch tonight watching the LSU Tigers (my alma matar) and the Aggies (Neil's alma matar), I remember that a Tiger AND an Aggie both won that night 9 years ago! (chessy - I know but I just couldn't help myself!!)

We couldn't be more blessed! Next year we will be celebrating another special day on Jan. 7th - Ethiopia's Christmas - Ganna!

9/11

I looked back in my archives to see if I had written about my memory of 9/11 but I guess I didn't write it on here... I want to have it down so that my kids can read it as they learn about this infamous day...

I was a senior at LSU in Baton Rouge living in an apartment with Marie. That Tuesday morning, I had biology but decided to skip since it was an 8 a.m. class and our teacher was teaching straight from the lecture notes he had given us.
So I was sleeping in and the phone rang, it was a friend in S.A. who told me to turn on the T.V. - that was right when the first plane hit. As I was on the phone and talking with him, he told me of a car accident that he and Neil were in on the Friday before as they were driving to ACU for Eric's senior recital. They had rolled over in Neil's truck after Neil swerved to miss a few deer on a country road. The truck was totaled, Neil had gone into shock and rushed in an ambulance for the damage done to his arm. 3rd degree burns of road rash and 40 stitches. They were both blessed to be alive. I was an emotional wreck with the news that they had been through such a terrible wreck and the thought of losing them stirred up a lot.

Then, the second plane hit and they started reporting all that was happening. The emotional state I was in went up a few notches. We were all in shock - could this really be happening? What does this mean? As most, we were glued to the TV and radio. I later drove into school to get to my afternoon classes but most people were just looming in the halls talking about it all. I remember specifically that evening turning it off in disbelief and just simply saddened by seeing the destruction and loss.

9 years later we are still dealing with the turmoil of that day - thousands more lost - it's hard to imagine a day when we won't be in the midst of this "War on Terror". I think about the families and friends who lost loved ones that day - who have to hear all the media coverage every year. I pray they find healing. I pray that if they haven't already found peace and comfort through Christ, they come to know Him.

Work with Daddy

Claire was beyond excited to visit Neil at work today. Monday will start a busy year so we took advantage of one more down day before campus starts buzzing! Claire wanted her nails done, her hair done, she chose her dress and pearls to wear... all for Neil's friend Carlos! She has quite a crush on him since he gave her a Santa Yoda toy back in December. Yes, December and she STILL talks about it any time Neil says something about work. =) Didn't get a picture of Carlos though because once we walked in the door, Claire got really shy. Both Claire and Eden warmed up and ran all over entertaining the other instructors and secretaries. Silly girls! We did get a shot of Neil and Claire but Eden was much more interested in sitting on the boxes in daddy's office...
Silly time!



Unfortunately, Claire's fever rose when we got home =( Hoping it's something that will just pass like Eden's did last week.

33

My groom turned 33 on Saturday - Happy Birthday honey! We had a very easy, laid back weekend all around which is exactly how he likes it =) The big day started with a full breakfast in bed. After church, we had lunch at Ruby Tuesdays with Neil's parents. Lunch with a 20 month old is always interesting but we still had a lot of fun! Then of course we had to have a nap before the girls and I made Neil's favorite dessert - Oatmeal Fudge Bars. He asks for these every year since I made them forever ago!! Love making something he really enjoys! They baked while we ate some pizza and just played. It was a great family day =)
This was the first time I had both girls on the chair helping me bake - talk about my blood pressure rising! I just knew someone was going to fall off but they did well!

Neil and his girl's having a non-negotiating dinner - what better way to eat with your kids on your birthday?!

Neil - hope you had a great weekend even though it was a different kind of birthday for you *wink, wink* You are the best man I've ever known with the kindest, most loving heart. Always serving. You are such an example to me and the girls and I pray you feel our love and appreciation not only on your special days but everyday. God has truly blessed our family by giving us you!

The girls and I love you more than we could ever express!

7 years

I can't believe how fast time goes by! 7 years ago today I married my best friend and I can't even believe how much more in love we are today!


Our marriage has truly surpassed all my dreams with God being our center - it isn't always easy but we've learned how the other "works" which has been invaluable. We know each other's love language and strive to build each other up daily. We know when to say "I'm sorry" and how to get to the real issue. We know how to take each moment in and strive to make every day together last; we don't ever want to take our time together for granted. Growing together these past years has been amazing and I can't wait for the rest of our years together.

I've been listening to this song by Revive the past couple of weeks and LOVE it! Here is the video - it encourages us to live in the moments and how fast life can fly by. Love the "Slow down" bridge!

"I don't want to miss even just a second more of this - it happens in a blink, it happens in a flash" - I love you Neil!

Daddy Daughter Dinner

I've never seen Claire so excited!! Her date with daddy was talked about for oh... about a month =) We weren't sure what to wear but when I got a package in the mail from my Aunt Barbara, this dress was IT! It's so beautiful and Eden has a matching one (they'll wear them for Easter). Thanks Barb!

So she had to get new shoes since hers didn't fit from last year, a new headband, a new sweater and a new pearl necklace. She was all set and with a handsome daddy on her arm, they were off for dinner. I LOVE that our church has events like this. What a wonderful way to celebrate such a special relationship between a daddy and his baby girl. Neil's always been so good about doing special things with Claie on his own - to the park, out for breakfast, to the comic bookstore to pick something out, a simple walk around the block, etc. But this night topped off her idea of a date with daddy!

Princess Claire
Love this face!

What a sweet couple =)


Love you Neil for being the best daddy in the world. All your girls are so blessed by you!

Valentine's Weekend

I love having Vday on Sunday! It seemed like we celebrated all weekend which was a lot of fun now that Claire is into all the holidays. Kids make it that much more fun!

Friday Neil came home from his Humanities Conference with these beautiful roses. They are the deepest red with a little frill to the petal. That night we visited with family since it was my dad's bday and then Sat. morning we had breakfast to celebrate. Neil had a service project down at Seton Home so Claire and I baked some mini cheesecakes for him before I took the girl's to a Chuck E. Cheese bday party. Wow was that crazy! Claire had the best time =)

Saturday night was our date night thanks to our babysitting swap with the Bowers. We had a wonderful Italian (my favorite) dinner at Zio's and then drove out to Boerne to listen to our friend Andy's band, Acoustic Soul. What a treat! They were great and it was so nice to listen to some live music and just do something different!

Sunday was family day with the girls with church, a visit from Grandma and Grandpa and a great, much needed nap for everyone! We gave Claire and Eden their little Vday gifts and just enjoyed the time we had together; A trip to Costco and a visit to see Eric and Erin. To top the day off Neil and I talked about life over a glass of wine and watched a movie... couldn't get much better than this!

I have the most WONDERFUL husband who makes me feel so loved every day of the year but we still enjoy a special celebration =) At least it gives us an excuse to get out on date!

Date Night

One of our biggest words of wisdom to new parents is to DATE, DATE, DATE!

So what do you get when you add cheap, greasy pizza....
with some old school video game playing?

A college date night =) Neil and I are very protective of our time together in the evenings and he had the best idea! Get out the old nintendo to play Super Mario Brothers and order in pizza. What a fun date night we had! I couldn't believe how many things we remembered - our extra men, mushrooms, flower power, warp zones, etc. And who beat it? My one and only! I got to level 8 on my first man but never quite got all the way =(


I know that a lot of us parents have a hard time getting out but you can have a date right at home! I challenge you all to have a date in or date out this week to spend time together. Rent a movie, eat some popcorn, play a video game or board game, pay someone an hour of babysitting to get some coffee or dessert somewhere or do a babysitting swap with friends so you can have a real night out (this is our favorite thanks to Stef and Joe David). All the planning will be worth it and you'll look forward to it all week long!

Happy Dating!