Showered With Love

On December 10th we got to have a baby shower for precious Jansen Hadley Jordan!!!  This little girl has already been showered with so much love and prayer...but every little girl and her momma deserves a fabulous baby shower to celebrate the arrival of her birth!  When we first started talking about the baby shower, Bria said she just wanted something super low key.  In fact, she said that she just wanted it to be like a girl's night...where we all just get together, hang out, eat, talk, and have a few girly cocktails!  All of us hostesses agreed that this would be a super fun way to shower Bria and Jansen and for us all to get together on a Saturday night and spend time together.

When we first started talking about dates, food, invitations, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with baby showers...we all had so many fun ideas and couldn't wait to start planning, shopping, cooking, and decorating.  There were four girls hosting the shower; me, Britain, Leah, and Erica.  One weeknight, we had a little  meeting at Starbuck's to talk about what we were each going to bring, buy, and cook for the shower.  Then, we spent one Saturday afternoon getting the invitations and the presents from all of us hostesses.  Then we just called, emailed, and texted back and forth on whatever else was going on up until the shower.  We really all had so much fun putting this together for Bria and we couldn't wait for the day of the shower so we could all be together and celebrate her and her precious baby girl.

During the summer (I'm back-tracking a little), Britain had an amazing idea to get letters from all of Brent and Bria's family and friends from home, they would write them to Jansen and Brent and Bria.  When she told me about the idea, I was so excited and was totally in on getting all of our Abilene friends and other friends from college to write letters to this precious growing family.  The plan was for them to write these letters on standard scrapbook paper and we would compile all the letters into a three ring binder and give it to Bria on the day of her shower.  Britain did such an amazing job of putting everything together and that book was overflowing with love, stories, memories, prayers, etc. to Jansen and her precious parents.  They were funny, tear jerking, sweet, exciting, and you could just hear people's words come to life as we all await the arrival of this little one.  She has been prayed for and loved since the moment we found out Bria was pregnant in May.  They have been through so much and I know they are so excited and anxious for Jansen to be here.

So, the day of the shower gets here and it was so much fun getting ready for the day!  We had the shower at our house, so it was fun getting the house ready for all the girls.  Everyone brought their own little girly drink to share so that we could all taste everyoneelse's favorite cocktail.  We had chicken salad, mini sandwiches, fruit and dip, veggies and dip, hummus, a cheese ball, and spinach dip with crackers, Brie 'en Croute with crackers, mini chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting, mini fruit turnovers, mini Lofthouse cookies, and mini brownie bites.  And...it was all SO amazingly delicious!  Everyone ate and sat around and talked for a long time before we decided it was time to play a game so that Bria could start opening her presents.  Erica and Leah had asked Brent a bunch of questions about having a new baby in the house.  Things like: who would get up in the middle of the night, who would change the diapers, what Jansen would wear, and so much more!  Bria had to answer the questions and whenever their answers matched up, she got to open a present.  It was so much fun hearing what they each had to say, especially when they're answers were different!  But, they were pretty spot on with most of their answers.  So, Bria got to open up all her fun presents about the time we were done with the questions.  After that, we spent the rest of the night sitting around the living room and the kitchen just talking and spending some much needed girl time together.  The boys were off hunting, going spot-lighting for hogs in fact while we were at the house.  They all walked through the door around 1:30 in the morning and there were still 5 of still sitting in the living room talking!  When they got there, we sort of started saying goodbye...but we always have so many things to talk about and love spending time together...so we stood in the kitchen for another 30 minutes and talked some more!  We are so blessed to have friends that we truly consider our family.  What's even more amazing is the fact that we are welcoming more and more members to our little family with all these precious babies!  Brent and Bria are expecting their precious bundle of joy on February 4th...and it will be here in the blink of an eye!!!  Jansen Hadley...we are SO excited for you to come into this world.  You are truly blessed to have an amazing mommy and daddy that love you more than life.  They are amazing Christian people and will give you the best example and all the love you could possibly imagine.  Jansen, you have been prayed for and loved more than you will ever know...we love you soo much!!!

Having so much fun opening presents, hearing Brent's hilarious answers, and spending time together!

Such precious clothes and goodies for sweet Jansen!

"Redneck Wine Glass"  From one of our friends that teases Bria by drinking out of anything but a normal wine glass...great gift Adam!!!

Cute little bouncer for Jansen to play in!

The hostess gift!  Her diaper bag with lots of fun goodies inside!!!

Giving Bria her book full of letters to Jansen, Brent, and Bria...so very sweet!!!

Bria with all the hostesses...we love you Jordan family!!!  We can't wait for Jansen Hadley to grace us with her beautiful presence!!!

Welcome Home!!!

Josh is back!!! Yay!!!  One of our dearest friends has officially moved back to Abilene...and he's here to stay!  I wrote about Josh in a previous post...he and his precious fiance got engaged in October and began making plans for him to move to Abilene.  Well...he had been planning on moving back to Abilene before they got engaged...but now it's official!  I texted him on the day that he moved  his stuff down here from Austin and he said he had already gotten a gym  membership, transferred everything to a local bank, and had gotten all of his stuff here from Austin.  No turning back now!!!  And we couldn't be more thrilled that one more set of friends has joined us here in Abilene. 

The day he was officially home, his fiance Abbie had been planning a surprise get together for him with all of us there to celebrate his arrival to Abilene.  Of course, Josh had no idea what was going on.  So, when he started calling all of our hubbies to hang out that night, they all told him that we had already made "plans" to do other things.  Little did he know that our plans where soon to be his plans!  We all met at Papa Jacks, this amazing little whole in the wall Mexican restaurant on Treadaway, at 6:15.  Josh and Abbie were going to get there around 6:30 or 6:45.  I had been texting her back and forth letting her know who all was there and who all we were waiting for still so that she would know to wait a little longer.  As soon as the last few couples arrived, I let her know that we were all there and they could head that way!  Abbie had gotten a cake made for Josh with a picture of him on it and a ton of balloons.  So we tied the balloons onto a chair and had the cake open so he could see it as soon as they arrived.  The minute he walked in, we all shouted welcome home and the look on his face was priceless!  There were about 15 of us there, so it was a pretty loud welcoming!

Once they got there, we all ordered dinner, ate, then sat around the table for a couple of hours and just visited with one another.  It was so funny that we were all there waiting for him and he thought we all had other plans that night.  Cody told me that when he talked to Josh, he was a little sad that no one could get together because we all knew that he was going to be moved back on that Friday.  Abbie did such a good job of putting it all together and surprising him with everyone of our friends there!  After dinner we headed over to the Warehouse for a couple of drinks and just more time with friends.  There was live music and yummy cocktails, beer for the boys, and more laughing and talking amongst all of us.  I love each and everyone of our friends so much, we truly are like a little family!  Next up is Josh and Abbie's wedding...which will be here in June!  We are so excited to be apart of their special day and are counting down the months until it gets here!  Welcome home Josh...we love you and are so excited to have you back in Abilene!

SURPRISE & WELCOME HOME!!!

The infamous cake!  And let me tell you...this was some GOOD cake!!!

Josh with his cake!!!  We're so glad you're back!!!

Beautiful Abbie and I at The Warehouse...love this girl!!!

Cancer Free!!!

The past seven months have been quite the roller coaster.  Back in April, my grandma was out in her backyard re-potting plants and flowers that had grown too big for the planters that they were originally planted in.  She felt a pull on the left side around her hip and groin area and the next day couldn't even walk.  She went to the doctor and they first told her that she had probably pulled and very badly strained her muscles and ligaments.  They gave her some pain medicine and told her to stay off of it as much as possible.  She slowly began to be able to walk with a cane, but she still had shooting pains around her left side and it was now going into her pelvic area.  This time, her doctor wanted to do a CAT scan as well as an MRI to see if something else might be going on.  And, that's when they found it.  She had a mass on her left ovary that was probably around the size of a grapefruit.  Immediately, she was recommended to a specialist in San Antonio that has amazing credentials and our journey/battle with my grandma's cancer began.
Before they even did a biopsy, the doctor/specialist told my grandma it was cancer.  The biopsy confirmed what we all feared.  It was time to talk about what all the options were from surgery, chemo, radiation, or nothing at all.  My grandma is 80 years old, but as healthy as a horse.  She is very active and strong and all the tests they ran on her heart and her physical strength proved that as well.  However, the tumor was so large, none of us really knew what the best option was.  The doctor immediately ruled out surgery.  He said that before he would even discuss surgery, he would need to do chemo treatments on her to try and shrink the tumor.  Radiation was also not an option because there was also "caking" around her intestines.  Chemo was the best option to try and shrink the tumor as well as reduce the "caking" that had grown around her intestines.  My dad was with her at all the appointments leading up to her final decision on what she felt like she needed to do.  Of course, one option was to simply not do anything at all.  The doctor would never say how long she would have if she did or didn't do anything.  But from the way he talked, we feared we wouldn't have her around much longer either way.  We were also scared that if she decided to go through with chemo treatments and then possibly surgery, the recovery would just be too much for her.  Even with how strong she is, that's a lot to take for someone that's my age...much less an 80 year old woman.

My grandma is such a fighter.  She made the decision to start chemo treatments with the hope of eventually being able to have surgery to remove the tumor and the caking.  The surgery would would also involve a total hysterectomy.  All of this has major side effects as well as possible complications and a long recovery, but we knew who would be seeing this through and put everything in His hands to take care of.  She began chemo treatments in August after an entire summer of testing, evaluations, research, appointments, etc.  The doctor wanted to do three rounds of chemo, check to see if the tumor had shrunk, and then re-evaluate their plan.  Originally, he wanted to do six chemo treatments and then check to see if the tumor had shrunk, but he felt certain that it would shrink significantly after three.  And so the treatments started.  Every 21 days she went to San Antonio for treatments.  My dad was with her every step of the way, and my aunt went to as many appointments as she could as well.  The treatments lasted for about six hours, most of which my grandma was able to sleep through and get some rest.  Only once or twice did she feel nauseous from the treatments, which is so lucky.  She was able to eat, her appetite was a little different, but she still ate and was able to keep everything down and eat almost as normal as she did before the treatments.  She lost a lot of her hair, but not all of it.  The only thing she really complained about was being tired and not having the energy to do the things that she used to do.  That is God having a healing hand on someone.  You just don't hear about chemo treatments going that well for a young person, much less an older woman.  I'm telling...she's a tough old bird!

After the three rounds of chemo, it was time for a check up to see if the tumor had shrunk.  I kid you not, that tumor had shrunk to a fourth of it's original size.  So, if it was about the size of a grapefruit when we first found out, I believe my dad said that it had shrunk down to the size of a ping-pong ball or golf ball.  Once again...God performing miracles.  The doctor told her that he wanted to schedule surgery and proceed with removing the tumor, caking, and a hysterectomy.  Surgery was scheduled for October 28th and we all made plans to take off work and be there throughout this procedure.  My parents left on Thursday night so that they, and my aunt, could take her down to San Antonio and be there throughout all the pre-op.  Cody, myself, and Michael left on Friday afternoon around 4:00 to make our way there as well.  The surgery was originally scheduled for 11:00...but she wound up being taken back for surgery about 3:00.  We got to Kerrville around 7:30, dropped all of our stuff off at her house, picked up my cousin and flew to San Antonio.  It's only forty-five minutes away, but we wanted to get there as quickly as possible.  About half-way there, my dad texted us and said that she was out of surgery and they had gotten everything...everything!  When we got there, she had just been taken to her room and was awake and talking to everyone.  She was still a little loopy from the drugs, but very much aware that we were all there and that she had been healed by the hands of God and the amazing doctors that were given these God-given talents.  We all left about an hour later to head back to Kerrville.  The next day, we woke up early and headed back to the hospital to be there with her and just sit and visit for awhile.  We weren't sure how long she would have to stay in the hospital, so we wanted to be there as much as possible.  She was able to sit up in the bed and eventually moved to the chair so she could sit and eat some lunch.  The doctor came in to see and check on her around 11:00 and told her that everything went perfectly and that he was able to get everything.  He was also able to perform a less invasive surgery so that the recovery wouldn't be as intensive.  With all that said, he also said that she could come home that day!  How crazy is that?!?!?  She just had major surgery and was going to be released at 3:00...not even 24 hours after she had been in post-op.  After hearing that, we went and ate some lunch, then came back and started getting ready for her to be home.

Cody and I left the hospital a little earlier than everyone else so that we could get back to her house, make her bed for her, do some laundry, and get dinner started.  My parents were going to head back to Kerrville with my grandma after she was released, so we wanted her to be able to just come in, get in bed, and rest.  In the meantime, and this is cruddy news, my parents car got broken into.  All of my dad's hunting stuff was stolen, including his bow.  The people who broke in busted out one of the back windows and took about $2,000 worth of stuff from their car, including a knife I gave him when I was five.  It was a total shock to all of us, especially my parents.  They have gotten everything taken care of, it just stinks that people are capable of such things.  However, we had so much to be thankful for, and it really helped us to put things into perspective as to what is really important in life.  And that's God, our family, friends, and the relationships that we have with them.

The rest of the weekend, which was Saturday night and Sunday, was spent making sure that my grandma wouldn't have to lay a single finger until she was fully recovered.  The doctor said it would be about two weeks, which is amazing, until she would be able to move around or lift anything like she had before the surgery.  My mom and I went to the store for her and bought tons of groceries so that she wouldn't have to go to the store for awhile.  We also bought food to make five different meals.  Because she wasn't supposed to be on her feet for long periods of time, we didn't want her in the kitchen trying to cook meals.  So, we made pasta primavera, enchilada casserole, Mexican spaghetti, chicken casserole with bread crumb topping, and plain old spaghetti.  We separated them out into about ten different pans that could be frozen, so she could have meals as well as leftovers for a long time.  It was busy, but also fun.  We were all crowded around in the kitchen cooking, talking, and laughing with each other.  More than anything we were thankful and overjoyed that God had healed her and had allowed everything to go so seamlessly.  Grandma will have three more rounds of chemo just to make sure that any microscopic cells are treated.  After that, she will just have routine appointments to make sure that it hasn't come back.   Our God is such an awesome God!  We thank Him everyday for the simple things in life that we take for granted as well as the miraculous healings that He still performs to this day.

Christmas in my Classroom

I have the best students...EVER!  One of the best things about teaching in Blackwell...asides from my amazing co-workers...are my fabulous students.  I love them all so dearly and they each bring new light to my life.  They are so respectful, caring, funny, light-hearted, smart...well you get the drift!  I would really have to say that I work in teacher heaven.  Not too many teachers come to school every day looking forward to seeing the people they work with, their bosses, and their students.  And I think I speak for the majority of everyone at Blackwell when I say that we all enjoy coming to work everyday!  There's the occasional bad, stressful, or just plain yucky day  My job brings me so much joy.  I feel so blessed to work here and serve the Lord while teaching, learning, and laughing with these precious children of God. 
As you all know...I LOVE Christmas!  And, I'm not about to let my classroom go undecorated :-)  So, the Monday we came back from Thanksgiving break, it was time to bust out my classroom Christmas decorations.  I have three...yes three different tress.  All of which are pink!  Duh!!!  One is tiny...like 6 inches tall and a bright fuchsia pink...it just sits on the shelf not decorated.  I have another one that is made out of tinsel that has black feather ornaments, Eiffel Tower ornaments, Fleur De Lis ornaments, poodle ornaments, and crystal ornaments...it's my Paris theme tree!  It sits on my desk.  Then...I have a brand new four foot, baby, pink pre-light Christmas tree that I bought last year after all the Christmas decor went on sale.  I bought tons of white and silver ornaments for it and it made its debut in my classroom this year.  As I was getting everything out to be put up, it was time for my 7th graders to come to class.

Since I had already drug all my Christmas stuff out and they were coming into class, we spent the first 15 minutes of class decorating my tree!  I unboxed all the ornaments and put the hangers on them while a few of my girls and a couple of boys hung them on the tree.  I forgot to buy a topper for it...so one of my girls had the bright idea to put one of the silver sparkly ornaments on the top.  It looks so pretty and they did such a good job and were so helpful.  Sadly after the decorating was done it was time to get down to business and do some school work!  But not before we took some pictures!  Luckily...they were excited about the assignment they were doing because they were going to be making a Christmas poster!  Have I mentioned that I love this time of year?!?!?  I also love the fact that I can bring Christmas in my classroom with decorations as well as the projects and assignments that my kiddos create.  I love to see their creative skills shine through as they put their own spin on whatever we are working on.  I am so blessed to be able to get work here and be around amazing people all day long!

My 7th grade girls decorating my tree!

All finished!  They did an amazing job...love these girls!

My 7th grade class...these kiddos are such a joy to be around every day!

My freshman class...I've had these kids in my classroom since they were 7th graders.  They have all grown-up so much already and put a smile on my face each and every day!

My sweet Bre!  This girl is now a junior and was in my first class of 8th graders when I started here.  I've had her every year since and have watched her grow into a precious young lady...she's amazing!

My pretty tree all light up!

A close-up of my tree...I LOVE it!!!

My Paris themed tree that sits on my desk...so fun!!!  Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Addicted to Pinterest...DUH!!!

So...I have a new addiction.  It has sort of consumed 90% of my free time and kept me pre-occupied from doing my homework.  Well...I still wind up getting it all done...but it certainly is taking more motivation than it was before I found my new addiction!  I'm sure that most of you have heard of this amazing new website/craze.  It's called Pinterest.  You can find absolutely any little thing that you could possibly imagine on this website.  This is so much fun to play on and see all the many different recipes, fashion tips, outfit ideas, shower ideas, pictures...you name it...you can pin it!  Most of my friends have been members long before me and would always talk about how they had "pinned" this amazing new recipe, shower idea, new craft, etc.  But, one of my dear friends is the reason that I finally decided to take the plunge and join Pinterest.  Britain kept talking about how amazing Pinterest was and how she had found tons of awesome recipes and craft ideas to make for one of other best friend's up-coming baby shower.  She even found some shower decorating ideas to incorporate when the baby shower date came.  That night, I went home and requested to become a member so that I could dive right in!  You don't necessarily have to become a member to look at the pictures and go to the websites that are linked to those pictures.  But, if you want to "follow" people or save things to your pin boards, you have to be a member.  I highly recommend becoming a member!

It is truly so much fun to log on and see what people you are following have pinned.  There is also a section where you can click on categories and see what random people have pinned or created on their pin boards.  My favorite things to pin are recipes and things relating to fashion.  I've made a few recipes and they have all turned out amazing!  And...what I love about the fashion part of it is that people post these pictures of these adorable outfits that you can recreate from items you already have in your closet.  I've put together several new outfits from things that I already had in my closet, but would have never thought to piece together thanks to Pinterest!  I also created some fun boards for future ideas.  Like, things for little bambinos and even some fun picture ideas.  Some of the picture ideas I've pinned are ideas to tell people you're pregnant or announce if you're going to have a boy or girl.  People are so creative and it's fun to be able to use their ideas for your own personal use!  Once I'm done with school, I would really like to become more crafty.  Back in the day (like in high school and college) I would do all kinds of crafty things.  Lately, I just haven't found the time.  With teaching, school, spending time with Cody, family, friends, and just life in general (and maybe a little Pinterest), doing crafts is the last thing on my priority list.  But, I have always loved doing crafty things and Pinterest has re-kindled my crafty side!  There's also lots of fun things that I've found to do for Cody.  Just little fun ideas to say "I Love You."  Oh...and I've been "building" our dream home too!  Super fun!!!  Cody's started asking me if I'm pinning when he's watching football and I'm glued to my phone!  Don't get me wrong...I love football...but Pinterest is addicting!  And thanks to Apple and the glorious iPhone...Pinterest developed an app. that you can download so you can access it anywhere.  I'm having so much fun pinning and can't wait to see what else I find!

So Much To Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving is always a time to really sit back and reflect on all the little things in life that we take for granted.  It's also the start of all the fun holiday festivities and time to be with family.  I have always loved going to see The Nutcracker at the Paramount.  It's always the weekend before Thanksgiving, and for me, going to the ballet performance officially starts off the holiday season.  I haven't been in a few years, but this year one of my friend's daughters was Clara on Sunday afternoon and one of my mom's professors in her department was also in the show.  So, we went together and had a blast!  Everyone that performs in the show is so very talented and it's amazing to see and watch them perform their God-given talents.  This year when we were sitting there watching, mom and I decided that we were going to have my Mimi come up and watch the ballet as well.  She loves musicals, concerts, and live performances.  So we know that she would love watching The Nutcracker.  However, she hates mice!  And, if you've ever been to The Nutcracker, then you know that there is a scene where the mouse king and the nutcracker have a battle.  The mouse king has all his little mouse soldiers and the nutcracker has all his little soldiers fighting against one another.  I'm not sure how well my Mimi would fare during this scene.  It sounds a little silly...but you can even show her a mouse stuffed animal without her hiding her face!  I remember one time when I was little and TY beanie babies were all the rage, there was a mouse beanie baby that came out.  My Mimi got it for me in Hamilton because all the stores were sold out in Abilene.  When she brought it to me, she had asked the cashier to bag it up in two bags.  Then, when she got home she put it in two more bags!  She wouldn't even touch it...and it was a stuffed animal!  We still tease her when we see little things like that...it's so cute to watch her hide her face.  Anyways, I think that she would absolutely love The Nutcracker...we may just have to go to the snack bar when that scene is being performed!  It's also been really cold here lately.  We even had snow this week!  Which makes the holiday season even more special!

This year for Thanksgiving, we celebrated with Cody's family on Wednesday night.  They all came over to our house and we had a very non-traditional Thanksgiving meal together.  Because we all have so many other places that we visit during Thanksgiving, we decided a few years ago that we would have our Thanksgiving meal be a little more non-traditional.  That way, by the end of the Thanksgiving break, we aren't sick of all the yummy food!  I decided to make pulled chicken sandwiches, pinto beans, hash brown casserole, a salad, and a new pie recipe that I found.  It was called a harvest pie and it was made with sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin...and it was delish!  I bought the crust...I can't believe I just admitted that!  But, on top of the crust there was a gingerbread cookie crust and then the filling for the pie went on top of that crust.  After the pie baked for forty minutes, I took it out and put a cranberry-pecan streusel topping on it.  It was to die for!  There was some leftover and I made a baked oatmeal breakfast casserole with the leftover pieces of pie that I had cubed.  That was also super yummy!  Back to Thanksgiving!  After dinner, we cleaned up a little and then just sat around and visited.  There was a new show on MTV that was on...it's called Ridiculousness.  And let me tell you, it's dumb.  But, the boys sat around and watched that while we girls sat around the kitchen table and chatted.  Chrissy and her hubby's kiddos are getting so big and are so grown up.  It's crazy to think that Airicka is about to be driving and Eli is a teenager!  When we got married it seemed like these years were so far away.  Then...little Aaron is going to be two this June.  The time really does fly.  And that's why this time of year is my favorite.  You get to see family that you don't get to see very often.  There is so much catching up, laughing, teasing, joking, and loving on each other to do.  We had so much fun and we get to see them again in a couple of weeks to celebrate Chrissy's graduation!  We are so proud of her for graduating and couldn't be more thrilled to be able to celebrate with her and watch her walk across that stage!

After we had Thanksgiving with Cody's family, we drove down to KerrvilleKerrville!  Cody drove, Faith sat in the front seat, and I sat in the back with Trigger and Sarge.  It was just easier to keep them all calm and from wondering around the truck and possibly bumping the steering wheel with me sitting in the back with two of them.  We stopped in Brady for a break, and more coffee for me!  I went ahead and drove from Brady to Kerrville with Faith still in the front seat and Cody in the back with Trigger and Sarge.  It may sound a little funny that we would let one of the pups sit in the front...but hey...we had to separate them or they would be playing and we had to make sure that they wouldn't get too rowdy!  They love road trips and when we are heading to our destination...they are super excited and ready for an adventure!

We got to Kerrville around 11:30 and went straight to Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving lunch.  We made it safe and sound and about the time we arrived...the dogs had finally settled down...go figure!  Normally, we cook a big Thanksgiving meal at my Grandma's house.  But, since she has been going through chemo treatments and just recently had major surgery, we figured it would be easier and less stressful to dine out on Thanksgiving this year.  The house would be less messy with all the cooking and the best part...no clean-up!  There was a rather long wait...but once we got seated and our food was served...we all agreed it was well worth the wait!  The one thing that we all love about Cracker Barrel is that it tastes just like your momma (or Gradmomma) made it!  It was so very good, and hit the spot.  We had all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.  Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and a huge piece of pumpkin pie with streusel stopping.  YUMMY!!!  It was so nice to sit around the table and talk and spend time with everyone, especially my Grandma.  When she was first diagnosed with cancer back in the summer, we weren't sure how she would be feeling when the holidays rolled around...or if she would even be here.  She is pure proof that our Lord performs miracles and heals even in our modern world.  She had surgery back in October (that's for another post) and, thanks to the chemo, the tumor had shrunk and her doctor was able to remove every spec of cancer that was in her body.  She will go through three more chemo treatments and be completely done...and cancer free!  Praise the Lord!  So, it was extra special to look across the table and see her smiling face this year at Thanksgiving.  Another small thing that I take for granted.  After lunch, we went back to my Grandma's house and just relaxed for a bit.  We were all full...but not so uncomfortably full like normal.  My mom had put a pot beans on that morning (she, my dad, brother, and their two dogs went down on Wednesday night) so that we could have tacos for dinner.  After we relaxed for a bit, the boys gathered up their hunting clothes, bows, guns, ammo, and two doggies and headed down to the ranch to get an afternoon hunt in before dinner.  Mom and I went to the store and got some things that we needed to make the tacos and my Grandma rested for a bit while we were out running errands.  When we got back, we looked through some of the ads that were in the paper regarding all the Black Friday sales...man there were a bunch of good deals out there!  That is one thing we've actually never done, but we decided to venture out a little later on Friday morning just to see what we could find.  After we looked through all the good deals for Black Friday, we got everything out and started making dinner.  The boys got in around 7:00 and sat down to dinner and this time my cousin was there with us.  It's always nice to add one more family member to the dinner table!  We watched the A&M and Texas game...such a disappointment.  I really thought the Aggies were gonna pull it out this year...sadly to my disappointment...they didn't.  It's also sad that this was the last time these two teams would play each other.  It's a Thanksgiving tradition in and of itself to watch the A&M and Texas game...such a fun rivalry!

Well...after the game...we were all exhausted.  The boys took Trigger and Tank back down to the ranch after the game so that we would only have three dogs at my Grandma's instead of five.  Yes...you read that right...five dogs!  And big dogs...all labs except for Sarge who is a Boxer!  They are all sweet though...they think they're lap dogs.  But Tank and Trigger are just a little over a year and still have lots of energy that is just perfect for a ranch!  So, they took them down there and they were able to run and play and find all kinds of fun things to smell and get into.  Mom and I woke up on Friday morning around 7:00, got ready, went and got coffee (duh!), then we were off to see what we could get into.  We stopped by Home Depot first because they had poinsettias on sale for a dollar and my Grandma wanted six of them to put out at her house.  After that we went to the mall and only went in one store because after that...we had had it!  Plus...it was time for more coffee and breakfast!  We did find some really good stuff though.  They have a store in the Kerrville mall called Belk.  It's kinda like a Dillard's and Kohl's combined.  It's got the name brands that Dillard's has, but the really good sales like Kohl's has.  Mom got a few new pieces of clothes and I got a pair of black riding boots.  By the time we got home, it was about 9:30 and we were ready to take a shower!  I get a little anxious when I'm around so many people and it also makes me feel gross.  So, it was nice to get home and jump in the shower and get all cleaned up!  After that, more coffee :-)  Then, the boys got home and soon it was time to figure out where we were going to eat for lunch.  My Grandma was feeling really good, so she was able to go with us.  And...Kerrville now has a Bonzai!  Which Abilene also has and it is amazing!  They have the hibachi grill as well as sushi and sushi rolls...which are my fav!  That's where we decided to go because everyone could get exactly what they wanted and be full for the trip home.  Once we were done with lunch, we ran a few more errands, then came home and packed up our stuff.  This time, the pups were a little more subdued, so they were all able to get in the backseat and snuggle together so I could sit in the front with Cody.  However, by the time we got to Fredericksburg, Trigger had climbed in my lap and preceded to ride the rest of the way home that way!  Little stinker...she's a snuggler!  There was one time right after we stopped in Brady and got on the road again that she was in the back on the floorboard of the truck, but that didn't last long.  Sarge and Faith snuggled together in the back the rest of the way home and miss Trigger laid in mommy's lap until we got to Abilene!  Cody and I spent the rest of the weekend doing stuff around the house  He hunted, and I got the house cleaned and ready to put up the Christmas decorations...and I ran to the grocery store to stock up on foodie goodies!  The Christmas decorations are all put up and our house is ready for Santa to come visit!  This is truly my favorite time of year!!!

Me and my daddy waiting outside Cracker Barrel before Thanksgiving lunch!

My love and I sitting down for lunch.  I love him so much...I'm one lucky girl!!!

My Grammy, brother, and I before lunch.  Look at how amazing she looks!!!  This is about one month after she had major surgery...God is truly amazing!!!

Us three again.  We had just gotten home from lunch and decided to take a picture in front of my Grandpa's old farm truck.  He passed away when I was five and my mom was pregnant with Michael...we love and miss him everyday.

Sarge loves his Uncle Michael!!!  Spoiled rotten for sure!

All the babies in front of our pretty Christmas tree.  I think they're trying to convince Santa that they've been good all year...we'll see if he believes them!

Happy Birthday to the Love of my Life!!!

My handsome husband turned 29 on October 27th!!!  This post is obviously a few weeks late...but I wanted to write a post celebrating him and the amazing man that God has so graciously allowed me to spend the rest of my life with.  First, let me just say that Cody is absolutely amazing.  I couldn't ask for a better husband, best friend, provider, and future daddy of our babies.  He is caring, sensitive, kind, thoughtful, romantic, strong, protective, smart, funny...and really, really hot!!!  His birthday was on a Thursday this year, so when I was asking him what he wanted to do, he just said he wanted to relax and eat dinner at home.  I thought maybe he would want to order something for take out, but he asked me if I would cook him one of his favorite dinners.  So, I made baked BBQ chicken, baked potatoes, a salad, and got him a chocolate chip cookie cake for dessert!  He also said that he didn't really want anything for his birthday...but I wasn't about to let that happen!  I made him a fun goodie basket with some of his favorite things.  I got him a one year subscription to Big Buck Magazine, some Yoohoo's, a giant Hershey's with almonds bar, spearmint Extra gum, spearmint Life Savers mints, jalapeno flavored almonds, and cinnamon-sugar pecans.  I typically go work-out in the morning before work, and the day of his birthday was no different.  So, before I left the house to leave to go work-out, I left the goodie basket on the bar so that it would be there waiting for him when he got up.  As I was heading out of town to go to work, I got the sweetest text message from saying that he loved his goodie basket!  He is always so appreciative, which is just one of the hundreds of reasons why I love him so much.  Because he really didn't to go out to eat or have anyone over to eat at our house on his birthday besides us, I thought it would be nice if his parents came over for dessert.  My parents were actually headed out of town to go to Kerrville for my grandma's surgery (I'll write about that in another post), so they couldn't come.  But, my brother was in town, so he came over when Cody's parents came over.  I didn't tell him that I had gotten him a chocolate chip cookie cake or that I had invited his parents to come over for a little bit after we were all done with dinner.  So, when the doorbell rang and his mom was at the door, he was pretty surprised!  His dad got there a few minutes later and we had fun just sitting around talking and relaxing.  The World Series was actually on, it was game 6, so we had our chocolate chip cookie cake while we visited and watched the Rangers play.  All in all, he had a great birthday!  His day at work was really good, he got to come home early, ate one of his favorite meals, watched the Rangers play (even though they lost), spent some time with family, got a fun goodie basket, and even had the day off the next day which was Friday!  I love you so much Cody Kelley!!!  I am so blessed to get to spend the rest of my life with you and I am so thankful that God made you just for me!!!

Cody's fun gift basket with all his favorite goodies!!!

Another view of the basket...you can really see the front cover of the Big Buck Magazine in this one.  Maybe one day we'll have one of those monsters hanging on our wall!!! :-)

His cookie cake that we all celebrated with when his mom, dad, and my brother came over.  Happy Birthday babe, I'm so thankful for you and love you to the moon and back!!!

Happy Birthday Mimi!!!

She's adorable!!!  She's also the sweetest most kind little lady that you will ever meet in your life!  We are so blessed to have her in our lives and love her so very much!!!  Happy Birthday Mimi!!!

Happy 88th Birthday Mimi!!!  She's probably going to give me a little spanking for posting her age.  But...man...that's something to be proud of!  Mimi was born in 1923 and has lived through so many things that have affected the way we live our lives.  It's amazing to think about how much of history she's been apart of.  What's even more amazing is that she looks and acts like she's in her 60's!  She is a major fashionista and still wears little kitten heel shoes.  I am proud to say that I take after her...completely!  Everyone loves this little lady so much.  She is a joy to be around and would give you the world if she could.  There is never a time when she doesn't put someone else before herself.  She is always thinking of things to do for other people.  Mimi will send "just because" cards and pick-up little knick knacks from various places that remind her of you.  It's always fun to get little cards or care packages from her in the mail.  You just never know what's going to be in them!

Mimi is also a very well traveled lady.  I mentioned in another post that she joined a travel club soon after my grandad passed away in 1989.  She has been all over the United States.  Some places she's even been multiple times!  In fact, I think she's been to New York three or four times...I'm so jealous!  I would love to take a girl's trip with her sometime to New York.  She could be our little tour guide!  I remember right after 9-11 happened, their travel club was taking a trip to New York that October.  They were supposed to eat in one of the restaurants in one of the Twin Towers.  So, she saw ground zero right after it happened.  It's a little eerie to think about.  Anyways, she loves to travel and collect dolls and antiques.  She's got some pretty cool stuff that she's accumulated over the years.  When I was little, I would go down to Hamilton to spend a week with her during the summer.  One day during the week we would go to a little town called Evant.  She had a little booth set up in an antique shop with things that she had bought and one day out of every week, she would work at the little shop.  It was fun to go with her and look at all the knick knacks and antiques in the store.  I also remember that there was a grocery store across the street from the little antique shop.  Mimi would always let me walk over there and get little goodies to snack on throughout the day.  I would always get Mrs. Baird's cherry fried pies...they were (and I'm sure still are) so yummy!  Those were Mimi's favorite too...which is why I'm sure I liked them so much!

One of Mimi's most favorite things to collect are dolls.  She has tons of them!  When she was a little girl, she started her doll collection.  Because she grew up during the great depression, they didn't have a whole lot of money.  So, they mainly played with paper dolls that they cut out of magazines.  I remember her telling me that their neighbors would give her their old magazines so that she could cut out the women on the pages.  Then, she would cut out clothes from other advertisements so that they ladies would have a change of clothes.  It's amazing to think of how easily accessible things like that are now.  We can just hop in our cars and drive down to the nearest store, grab the paper doll book off the shelf, and be back home within minutes.  We take so much for granted.  So, her love of dolls started when she was just a little girl and she has loved them ever since.  Mimi even has a doll room that is built into her garage.  My grandad built it himself and when my mom was a little girl, she helped him get it all set-up for her.  She goes in there and will just look at all the dolls and knick knacks she had in there.  There are small glass figurines, pin cushion dolls, barbies, and lots and lots of dolls!  She also has several dolls and the other little things displayed throughout her house.  They are in her china cabinet in the kitchen, the living room, and the two guest bedrooms.  Some are also displayed on top of her chest of drawers that are in all the bedrooms.  In fact, she started to "over collect" and has been trying to get rid of the ones that she just didn't have room for anymore and were stored in the garage or up in the attic.  But she's kept the ones that are her favorites or have some sentimental value.  The dolls look so pretty all displayed throughout her house and she gets to enjoy looking at them every single day!

Well, her birthday was getting closer and closer this year and we really hadn't talked about what we were going to do.  We knew we wanted to do something special for her, but we just didn't know what.  Mom has been talking about trying to get more involved again with the Madame Alexander stuff because Mimi just enjoys it and loves it so much.  Plus, it's a way for us to take her to things that she enjoys and get to spend even more time with her.  So, we started doing some research and mom found where they were having a luncheon on October 22nd.  It was perfect and the timing couldn't have been better!  Mimi's birthday is on October 19th, so the luncheon fell just a few days after her birthday.  Mom and I talked about taking her to the luncheon, which was in Weatherford, and having that be her birthday present from our family.  So, that's just what we did!

Because the luncheon was in October, it was a Halloween themed little party.  There were about 60 other ladies, and a few men, that were there.  Mimi drove into Abilene on Friday afternoon and stayed through Sunday.  The luncheon was on Saturday, so we woke up early and got on the road around 8:30.  The boys were at the deer lease...which is their second home these days!  So, it was just us girls!  We got to Weatherford about 11:00 and the sales room opened up around 11:30.  The luncheon was held at the Chandor Gardens, which is absolutely beautiful.  Since we got there a little early we just walked around for a bit and then sat down close to a fountain and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  Oh...and we took some pictures!  When it was time to go in, we registered, found a place to sit, and then the luncheon began.  Mom had called the hostess and asked if there would be any way that she could announce that it was Mimi's birthday and have everyone that was there sing to her.  The hostess was so precious and sweet and was more than happy to do that for her.  She also let us tell her a few things about Mimi so that everyone else would know just how precious she is and how much everyone just adores her.  So, right after we got our food, the hostess got up and mad the special announcement.  We all sang happy birthday to Mimi, and she just loved it!  It really was a good time, and it was priceless to see the joy and happiness that it brought to my sweet Mimi.  She is just such a special lady and so it's an honor when we can give back to her and do something that she just loves and enjoys so much!  We love you so much Mimi...you truly are a precious gift from God!!!

Me and my sweet Mimi!  Celebrating her birthday with a beautiful cake at our house on Friday night!

This was a picture at the Chandor Gardens before the luncheon got started

She's just so cute...and so fashionable!!!

My beautiful momma and her beautiful momma...so sweet!

Me and mom at the Chandor Gardens...I love her so much!

This was our table hostess at the luncheon.  Her name is Mary Berry and she is actually from Abilene...small world!  Mimi wanted to take a picture with her because she thought she was dressed so cute!

Celebrating Mimi's birthday at the doll friendship luncheon!  There are three generations in this picture...pretty neat and very special!

I got this picture of Mimi while everyone was singing happy birthday to her!  She was very surprised but loved it so much...look at that smile on her face!

ACU Homecoming

Yay for homecoming!!!  ACU's homecoming was last weekend and the entire weekend was filled with lots of fun festivities!  I didn't go to any of them but the parade this year...but I had a blast going to that and seeing some friends from college.  I was in a sorority called Ko Jo Kai, also known as the Kojies, when I was at ACU.  Every year all the sororities and fraternities get together the morning of homecoming and have their annual club breakfasts.  Me and another group of girls usually go, but we just decided not to this year.  Most of my girlfriends have new babies and it was just going to be too hard to try and get their precious babies up and ready to go so early in the morning.  Plus, it makes for a long day for them.  After breakfasts, the homecoming parade takes place.  Then, the football game starts at 2:00.  But, we did go to the homecoming parade and cheer on our little NuNu's!!!  NuNu's are Kojie pledges...and they did so good this year!  Every club's pledges make a float for the parade and they are judged by judges every year.  The winner's are announced during half-time at the football game.  The year I was pledging...we WON!  Go NuNu's/Kojies...YAY!!!

Since we didn't go to breakfast this year, we were definitely there for the parade!  I went with Abbie and her sweet mom, who I met for the first time.  Now I know why Abbie is such a sweetheart...she has had a wonderful example from her precious momma!  They are such a sweet family!  I also took Faith...DUH!  I know that this completely shocks all of you!  I was going to try and take Trigger too...but I thought that might be too hard.  The band plays, there are horses, and just all the extra people and added noise...I just saw a circus in my future if I tried to take both of them.  Maybe next year Cody can come too and we can each have one of them to keep track of.  We would try to take Sarge...but he isn't much for loud noises.  It scares him...bless his heart!  But, Faith had a lot of fun and everyone thought she was so sweet and pretty.  In fact, when the baseball team walked by, each and everyone of the players came by and pet her.  She wasn't sure what to think about it at first.  All these boys were making a bee line towards her.  But when she realized she was going to get some attention and loving out of it...she let them pet her.  It was pretty cute!  Abbie and I had fun!  We got to catch up for a little bit and talk about all her fun wedding plans.  She and Josh are going to have such a beautiful and fun wedding!  It's going to be at Perini's (YUM!) and they are going to have Callahan Divide play.  There will be so many friends and family there...it will be just one big celebration of their new life together!  God is soo good and I'm so thankful that He has brought these two together!  Homecoming is always a fun time.  It's good to see friends from college and catch up with them on what's been going on in their lives.  I look forward to next year's homecoming!!!

Getting ready to go watch the parade!  Her leash is pink and her harness is green...I totally planned the Kojie color scheme!  But...she has to have a camo collar so her daddy can take her hunting!!!

KO JO KAI!!!

Great job NuNu's!!!  You guys did an aweseome job on the float and sounded great in the parade!  I love my Kojie girls!!!

On our way home from the homecoming parade...we had so much fun!!!

I'm obsessed...so this is just another picture I took of her becuase I thought she was cute!  I think she was looking at some birds that were flying by while we were stopped at a stop sign...she and Trigger love to go and fetch birds! 

Road Trippin'

Guess what?!?!?  My mom, myself, and my precious little Faith took a road trip to see my Mimi a couple of weeks ago!  It was one of the nicest weekends that we've had in a long time.  Not that spending my weekends at home with my honey and my other two babies isn't always wonderful.  But one of the reasons this weekend was so wonderful is because I was able to get ALL of my homework done AND the state of Texas got rain!!!  Yes, that's right...rain!  In fact, Abilene got almost four inches of rain the second weekend of October!  It was glorious!

Anyways, my Mimi has been trying to clean out her garage and her house for about a year now.  She is a big time doll collector.  When my granddad passed away in 1989 (I was four), she kept herself busy by being involved in a travel club, going to estate sales and garage sales, going to doll conventions, and even having a little booth where she sold items in an antique store.  She was a busy little lady!  In fact, she's still involved with the travel club.  She's just gone to most of the places that the travel club is going to these days, so she just doesn't go on as many trips as she used to.  But, over the years the stuff has just accumulated and it's now time to get rid of some things that she no longer needs (and some stuff she hasn't even seen in years).  My mom and I have been going down there ever so often to help her go through things and have garage sales.  Plus, it's fun to go down and visit with her and Faith gets to be the Queen for the weekend!

So, that second weekend in October, mom and I both took off of work on that Friday and headed to Hamilton.  We were on the road by about 9:30, ate lunch at this cute little cafe there and then headed home to get busy!  Well...mom and Mimi were busy.  Faith and I stayed inside and did homework (and maybe watched some TV).  Then we went out and played fetch and then we helped mom and Mimi for a bit until dinner time.  After dinner we watched TV for a little bit and then headed to bed...Saturday was going to be busy because of the garage sale Mimi was having. 

On Saturday, we woke up pretty early got everything ready to have the garage sale and then Faith and I headed to one of the gas stations/restaurants to get everyone coffee.  Faith loves to go on coffee runs!  I've written before and how she loves it when I take her to Starbucks with me!  She's just a tad bit spoiled!  When we got back, I had some homework that I wanted to get started on so that I could make sure and get both of my assignments done that were due the following Monday.  This was also the last full week of my class, the next week all I had to do was my big portfolio project.  So, I knew that if I got these other two big papers done, I would have more time to focus on finishing up my portfolio project.  It was nice to be out of town and doing homework because when I'm at home and doing it, it seems like I always find something else that I should be doing.  Like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping.  I certainly don't relax much when I'm at home, and when I have other chores to do around the house it makes it hard to sit down and focus on homework.  So, this was an opportunity for me to really get busy with typing these papers!  While the garage sale was going on and I was working on homework, I also had the Red River Rivalry on...Texas vs. OU!  Except...Texas lost...but that's ok because I'm an Aggie fan anyways.  And they won!!!  They beat Tech later that evening...so I was one happy girl!  But, I had the TV turned down super low and actually wound up finishing my papers and some extra stuff that I realized I needed to do for this class.  I even wound up having so much spare time that I got most of my portfolio project finished so all I had to do the following week was tweak it a bit and turn it in!  I made a 98 in the class...so thank goodness for Mimi's house and getting to finish homework.  Woo Hoo!!!  When I took breaks from typing, I would take Faith outside to play and check on mom and Mimi to see how the garage sale was going.  She loves to be out there with all the people that come.  They always think she's so sweet and pretty and she gets lots of extra love from them.  We cleaned up after the garage sale was over and pretty much just crashed on the couch.  They were tired from all the work they did and my brain was mud from all the research and typing!  That's when we watched the Aggies whoop some butt when they played Tech...Gig 'Em!

Heading down the road to Hamilton!  Faith likes to be as close to the front as possible...and sit in really awkward positions!

This was one of the times I took her outside to see what was going on at the garage sale...so cute!

Faith again "helping" at the garage sale!

I love this little girl so much...she is so sweet!  We had another fun trip down to see Mimi...but we were pooped!  We can't wait to go down and visit again.  We love you so much Mimi!!!

Oh...did I mention that I have the BEST husband in the entire world?!?!?  He is so thoughtful and sweet...I really don't know how I got so lucky!  But...this is what I came home to when Faith and I came home from Hamilton.  He surprised me with these beautiful flowers, a card that he had written the sweetest things in, AND he wrote out I love you in chocolate chip teddy grahams (which happen to be my favorite)!  I love you Cody Kelley...thanks for spending the rest of your life with me!