Prayers for my David...

Well he's not officially MY David, but close enough. Dan's brother, David, deployed with the 24th MEU about a month ago. A MEU is a Marine Expeditionary Unit; a huge battleship that floats around waiting for something to happen. They are called the 911 force because they can be anywhere within 24 hours and sustain themselves for 30 days, militarily speaking. On board is a battalion of Marines (800-1000), tons of air support and tons of other things making them able to kick butt if needed. So when he left last month, they actually went to Haiti for a while to help with that situation, and are now headed to the Mediterranean. So, bottom line, I just wanted to put it out there so that my prayer warriors could lift him and his sweet wife, Callie, up to our Lord.

David and Callie

The other amazing news from this sweet couple is after 3 long years, in God's perfect timing, Callie is expecting a baby. They found out the day before David left. Such a blessing...and even more so, Callie is feeling great! I know they covet your prayers in all these areas!

Where in the world have I been?

OK OK OK, I am a horrible blogger. I haven't blogged in like 7 weeks, but I am going to try to be better. My excuses are as follows: the holidays were crazy with normal things and then friends coming in town not to mention my brother-in-law (and sister-in-law) in from North Carolina. Also for the past couple of months, Dan has had a surgery a month. So at the beginning of the year we were back in San Antonio for another laser procedure. Unfortunately he got a nasty infection that kept his face from healing like normal, and today, 4 weeks after the procedure, is finally looking normal. Anyway, scroll down the blog b/c I am updating. I was hoping to have more pictures, but if I don't do this now, it may never happen. The pictures included in this post are just some random recent pics and the rest are under different titles.

This is a true picture of Macy. Wanting to be the delicate princess, but toting around a shotgun. Also, she cannot stop talking about how she wants a "nake" (snake) for a pet. (It's not happening!)

Macy getting her teeth cleaned for the first time


Trey getting his teeth cleaned!

All those big strong men!

Trey has Dan's furniture that he used growing up. It is actually in phenomenal shape. A couple weeks ago we got the second bed from College Station to make it a bunk for Trey. Trey is beside himself excited and didn't want to miss a minute of it going together.

Trey and Daddy

For Christmas, I asked my brother, Taylor, to do some honey-do things around the house. This is Trey helping Uncle Taylor put the fan together for our porch outside.

Update on Baby William

So baby William is growing and will be here before we know it. I had an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and it looks like he really does belong to our family. First of all, the ultrasound tech mentioned how "fluffy" (aka fat) he looked, specifically his cheeks. Trey and Macy came out like chipmunks. Also, she pointed out that from the ultrasound, she could see a TON of hair...check 2, our babies come with hair. (I would really like a black headed baby, but technology isn't THAT advanced, we'll have to wait and see:) Also, at about 31 weeks, an average baby would weigh about 3 -3 1/2 pounds. From his measurements, he was already weighing 4 1/2... Check 3, we have toddler babies:) (Trey was 9lbs, 9oz and Macy was a petite little thing at 8lbs, 10oz) All of that said, he looks very healthy and on track, which we praise the Lord for!

One little glitch is that he is content in the breech position. If he doesn't turn on his own, it will mean my first c-section. At 37 weeks, Macy was breech, and my doctor performed an ECV (external cephalic version) which is where they turn the baby by pushing on your stomach. We had some complications and I was seconds away from having a c-section, but everything ended up fine. The doctor I am seeing now, whom I LOVE, doesn't do them, so if William doesn't turn soon, it will be a new birth experience for me. ok, sorry if this was TMI, just thought some would be interested. Onto the pictures...


Some of my sweet "burn wife" friends from San Antonio threw my a baby shower. I am so lucky to have such great friends...I mean, really? A shower for your third baby???

We had a 3D ultrasound with William. I was about 31 1/2 weeks when this was done and the results are just amazing.

In this picture, he has his eyes open.

Me at about 32 weeks pregnant

The big 3-0

So it happened...On Jan. 4, I turned 30. I actually don't have any issues with it really because if I had put a wish list together on my 20th birthday of all the things I hope to have had accomplished or where I hoped to be in 10 years, this is pretty close to it. I mean, the actual journey certainly didn't happen like I thought it would, but God is so good and I am so lucky to have the life I do with the wonderful family that I do and even if all that was lost, I know that the Lord is the everlasting Rock and He is all I need.



I don't have any pictures of it b/c my sister took all the pictures and is making me a cd of them, but my family (specifically my mother in law) threw me a beautiful surprise party at the gorgeous home of Mike and Mindy Barrett. Just a side note...it truly was a party just for me, because it started at 4pm (after the kids naptime) and we were home by 9pm. I am NOT a night person. This is exactly the time I would have chosen had I been asked. It might be strange to some, but was perfect!

Christmas...

So Christmas is always a busy couple of days for our family because there is a lot of them and they all live in Houston. Also this year, for the first time, we celebrated Christmas as our family of four in our new house. This was the first time we have done that and it was very special. But for us, Christmas started the day before Christmas Eve, when the kids and I (mostly I) made 15 dozen "Lizzies" for my dad. They are kind of like fruitcake cookies that my grandmother used to make. They are very hearty and my dad freezes them and eats them all year long. Mostly as breakfast when he is hunting or fishing. Christmas Eve morning we meet my Dad, brothers and sister for brunch and then open gifts with him and his wife, Fronie. Later that afternoon, we change clothes and head to Christmas Eve service with my in-laws. After church, we eat dinner with them and open gifts. Then, Christmas morning, we opened what "Santa" brought at our house. Late in the morning we head to my mom's and do it again. That afternoon, we spend time with my mom's brothers and sisters. By Christmas night, we are pooped! I wish the festivities could be spaced farther apart, but it is fun spending so much time with everyone. I don't know what is harder, being huge and pregnant, or next year, when we will have an additional child thrown into the mix? Onto the pictures...(fyi, I don't have any pics of my mom b/c my sister is the official photographer and that will be included on my b-day cd...but trust me, you won't notice, there are quite a few pictures:)

Family picture...don't mind the kids...


My in-laws, and David and Callie

Every child's Christmas wish...bowlfuls of candy at toddler height. Only at a grandparents house.

The main theme for Macy was babies and dress up this year. She is getting a lot of practice and going to be a great big sister!

Aunt Callie and Uncle David gave the kids dress up outfits. This is Macy admiring herself as Belle.

Trey as Buzz Lightyear

Just SOME of the 15 dozen cookies baked all day long

My dad, with all the grandchildren

My brothers, Taylor and Tim, with Dan

My dad with the kids and I

Last stop, Aunt Susie's...Don't even ask what they are doing...I have no idea:)