Nolan's lullabye for Aubrey

This morning I overheard Nolan singing this song to Aubrey...

"Oh Aubrey, the most beautiful girl in the world. You're so sweet whenever you cry."

Such LOVE!!

Return from a long hiatus

Sorry all. It's been a really long time since I blogged.
All is well with us. I will post pictures and stories this weekend of some of the fun we had over the Summer & early Fall.

Grandpa

Last week John's grandpa was rushed via ambulance to the hospital for respiratory distress. He stopped breathing & had to be brought back & placed on a ventilator. He also suffered a heart attack while in the hospital. He was finally weaned off the vent today. He is still intubated and needs to remain in the hospital until his pneumonia is controlled and he is fully stable. We were able to spend lots of time checking in on him & supporting the family while he was in ICU. We weren't sure if he would recover, and we are so thankful that he did! Hopefully grandpa will be discharged home in the next few days. John already purchased a ticket to fly back this weekend for another visit - the kids & I will stay home this time. I'm so thankful that John will be able to be there to celebrate Father's Day and Grandpa's birthday (which happen to fall on the same day this year). Please pray for grandpa to continue to improve, for peace & celebration for the family, and for John's safe travel.

Why 4 year-olds need moms...

Nolan's "fancy" outfit...

and the face he made when I told him he couldn't wear it!

Petting zoo at the library

At the lake last weekend

John & Nolan with Jeff & Will

Well, it's official!

I have a kindergartener and a 1st grader now! (And Aubrey is almost 6 weeks old, too!)
I am so proud! And a little sad at how fast the time is FLYING by. What happened?
Here are pictures of Ethan with friends on the last day of school (they are all wet because the day ended with a water fight).





His teacher, Mrs. Guinn is such a wonderful person and teacher. We just adore her!

When fat rolls are cute...

Dang it!

On the way home from the lake Monday night one of our boat seat cushions flew out of the boat. We didn't realize it until after we got home. We spent forever looking for it on the roadside to no avail. We're ordering a replacement for it...It'll cost $100+! Urgh!

And then...Buffalo Springs Lake on Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend @ Caprock Canyons State Park

Playing at the lake...


Caught a toad...


Hiking...

Smiles!

Aubrey started smiling a lot in the past week - usually in her sleep...
They are precious, so I must share.

Aubrey meets Adria

Emily (a dear friend and former co-worker who now lives in Houston) came through town today...and our baby girls met!
Adria was born March 13th. And Aubrey was born April 20th. Here they are together (and their mommies)!
We hope it will be their first of many get-togethers!


Jessica & Adria

Emily & Aubrey

Kindergarten awards ceremony

Ethan had his kindergarten awards ceremony this morning...

He received the following awards:
Excellent Handwriting Skills
Perfect Attendance
Reader's Club (for reading 150 books)
Outstanding Citizenship
Science Slueth
Music Star
Outstanding Achievement in Character & Leadership Skills (for Dependability)

He has officially successfully completed kindergarten. The teachers and staff started calling them first graders by the end of the ceremony!

Nolan & Aubrey

Baby Paige is here!

Jeff & Amy's baby came today just before 11am. They have named her Paige (middle name yet to be determined) and she weighed 7lbs 2oz. She's a cutie! And Momma & baby are healthy!

Here are a few pictures from our visit to the hospital this afternoon.

Wishing all moms out there a Happy Mother's Day

I have been blessed with a family legacy of amazing mothers. I am lucky enough to live in the same town as my mom, both my grandmothers, and my sis-in-law Amy...Four of the world's best moms! I am reflecting today on the wonderful gifts they have given me, and the gifts and lessons learned from the many other moms in my life. I pray that I can be a godly, loving mom each day, each moment.

Hooray for moms!

Aubrey's 2 week check up

She is now 21 3/4 inches long and 8 lbs 1 oz.
Everything about her is perfectly healthy & normal. She wimpered a little when they did the heel stick, but with some cuddles & reassuring words from Mommy & Nolan she was better in about 2 seconds. She's such a good baby!

It's also Teacher Appreciation Week

So go & thank each teacher you know.
Then go & thank each nurse you know.
Then go & thank each mom you know...Mother's Day is Sunday!

People in these professions can never be thanked enough for they have touched us all!

It's National Nurses Week

Here's what I have to say about being a nurse...

One of the greatest lessons I have learned in life is that people matter - the value of human life is exceedingly great.I believe God created each life for a purpose. I believe my purpose is to serve others. I view my career as a ministry - a unique opportunity to show people God's love. I also believe in lifelong learning and continuous improvement. We will never arrive at our destiny, but we must always be on the journey.

Aubrey update

Aubrey is a week old today. She is such a good baby. Very easy going so far. She basically only cries for two reasons.
1) During diaper changes (distractions from her big brothers can go a long way in keeping her happy)
2) If she has reflux (this has gotten a little better as time has gone by & we're hoping she'll grow out of it quickly)

Otherwise she's pretty perfect. She makes the cutest little noises. And oh how I love the smell of a baby!

She also has slept 4+ hours each night since birth. I'm so blessed!

Once we've had our first in-office check-up with the pediatrician I will give another update.

Aubrey's here!

Aubrey's here. She was born on 4-20-09 @ 5:04pm. Aubrey weighed 7lbs 7oz and was 20in. She is beautiful and healthy. Can't wait to take her home with us tomorrow afternoon!