Awesomeness :)

So, a few of us had the idea to get together and do our own mini Bible study to get to know each other better and learn about the Bible at the same time.  Let me just say, best idea EVER!  We have combined people from different churches, different stages of life, and pretty much from all different places in each of our lives.  How amazing it has been.  I love these women! Thanks for joining in everyone and it's been fun already!

We'll see if you catch it....

I have been patiently holding in a secret and I really just had tell someone-well blog, you are so lucky.  The whole family knows already, so why not let the secret out a little at a time via blog?  YES!  We are expecting baby #2 in November!  Who jumped up and down excited this time at 10 pm after I promised James I would not take ONE MORE PREGNANCY TEST?  ME!!!!!!!!!!  He has been telling everyone he knows, which I'm glad don't all know me or talk to me via Facebook because I would not have been able to keep it in this long.  So, there you go....ready for number 2!

He's on the move!

Here are a few super cute pictures from the past few weeks.  He loves to dig into drawers, talk on the telephone (he actually says hi), and just run from one end of the house dragging things ALL over!  Love this boy!

My, how time changes everything....

 

The smile that gets me up in the mornings :)

 I remember back to one year ago today-Connor was about 10 days old, my mom was getting ready to leave and I felt so sad-sad that this new beginning was coming to an end.  That same thing happened again when the family left after Connor's first birthday party and it just feels sad that life is moving so rapidly.  In the past year, I have been through so many life changes it's not even funny.  I remember looking so forward to going back to work, but when at work, hating every minute. I remember fighting being "just a mom" as I saw it. Then I remember taking that plunge and I honestly haven't looked back one time.  People always ask me why I got out, why I'm staying home when I will have my Masters' degree in May or if I miss work at all.  I can honestly say-I do not miss work at all.  The money was good, but we had too much-we have just what we need now and it makes me appreciate God's movement in our finances so much more. 

Yes, I sometimes feel like there is more to laundry, grocery shopping, and dirty diapers, but I have seriously never been so ME in all my life. I feel so thankful that I have a house to clean, a husband to feed, and a child who needs me to fill him up and shows me what I'm worth every day.  I have  gotten to dig into new relationships and build on ones that I started long ago.  It is so powerful to feel that Fairway is becoming my family FINALLY and that there are people here in Wichita Falls that I can truly call best friends and a ton of women that I truly love with all of my heart.  

I am so thankful for the gifts I have been blessed with.  Gifts of family, friends, and life in Jesus Christ that would have never thought possible. Ok, I'm done being mushy...just had to get that off my chest!!

My own love story...

Although we had been in ROTC together since I was a freshman and James was a junior, James never spoke to me. I even rode in his car once and I remember talking the whole time...and nothing but silence :) Until that day at the SLC and I was in the red bikini-then he started to pay attention. We played peanuts that night and ate left over pizza. That was the start of it all….me waiting patiently for James to pay attention to me…

I asked James to my sorority's Barn Dance that October and that was our first date. After a few weeks of playing peanuts and hanging out and me dragging James all over the place, we went on a trip to San Antonio to the air show in November.

I remember watching him that day and it was so amazing. He had so much passion for those air planes. It was so cute how exited he would get. That night was the night.

On November 6, 2004 while we were at dinner on the Riverwalk (and I was in the restroom...as usual) Barron asked you a simple question.
'When are you going to ask Courtney out?'

From that moment on, things haven't been the same. James started paying for things, like the carriage ride and the movie. The Incredibles! We cuddled for a few weeks…ate tons of ice cream and locked Brian out of your apartment a few times. Then the stars aligned and the magic happened….the first kiss.
It was perfect.

We have been on an incredible journey since the beginning-first pilot training, getting married, buying our first house, and having our first baby. I love you James-more now than ever. Who knew that love could continue to grow and change....but it does and I'm so glad you listened to Barron :)

I can't believe....

He's gone from this...

To this...

My baby boy is almost a year old!  It is so hard to believe that this time last year, I was so anxious to meet him.  He truly is the light of my life and I am so honored to be his mother.  He has so much personality already and is a dare-devil in training...just like his Momma :)  My friend Jenn brought back some onesies that she borrowed for her baby and well-it is just so hard to believe that he was ever that tiny!  I cried and James laughed-but 10, 16, 18 is just right around the corner if time keeps on flying like it has this year. Thank you Jesus for giving me the best gift ever-nothing will ever compare. Happy early birthday Connor boy! 

Time to Breathe!

PHEW! It has been a wedding whirl-wind, but in a good way. I am actually kinda sad that they are all over. I never thought I would cry at a wedding, but I totally lost it at both Ashley's and Megan's. To see men cry, well, it makes me cry too. At Ashley's I lost it during the vows. At Megan's, I totally lost it walking down the isle. What I wish I would have said at both weddings, but there was no way I could muster it all out...

Ashley, I know we didn't always get along...but...you are always the one I looked up to, wanted to be like, dress like, act like, and just do everything like you.  You had it all in my opinion and always made me a better person.   You have a unique ability to just be YOU and that makes everyone else around you just happy.  I have no idea how you forgive like you do, but it amazes me and I so wish I could.  I love how you and Ryan just ARE.  You are so comfortable where you are in life and I wish I could learn to just BE like you two.  Ryan is like a brother to me-he has always looked out for me in his own way.  Although I do remember him threatening to beat up Chris a few times.  I wish he would have just kicked me instead!  I love you both so much and am so excited on where life is leading you two!

Megan, you are 100% my best friend.  You are the one person I always answer my phone to and one person I always want to call.  When I moved to Wichita Falls, I was miserable because I couldn't find anyone like you here-but there is no other you and I have comes to terms with that after three and a half years here.  You have a special gift in listening to God's plan and what he has set for you and following through with that plan.  You not only listen, but you obey every command.  If you hadn't you wouldn't be a married woman right now!  I love how our frienship has evolved over the past 8 years-from being loud and crazy after a few too many margaritas to being totally comfortable with a cup of coffee and book to read.  Wade is the man we have all prayed for and I am so excited that you are a MARRIED WOMAN!!