Introducing the newest addition to the family...

We are happy to announce our little peanut who will be joining us in mid-August!

So far the pregnancy has been very easy (thank you Lord) with little to no side effects for mommy. Now, we have to start figuring out how to fit this new addition into our house! I am excited about doing a few renovations to our house to make my office a bedroom and add a playroom to what is now our back porch. So, we'll see what comes of our ideas and if we can make it work.

God really has opened my eyes to His plans for my life and as Adam said, we must be doing something right with our kids for him to bless us with another one!

Now, the big question is going to be.... boy or girl? We should know around the end of March.

God's Plans

Sweetest doggy ever...

Kylie and Mom at competition.

Weeeeeeee.... love these moments!

We spend so much time planning for tomorrow, don't we? We tend to get lost in our plans, ambitions, and goals that we forget about today. I know I do that. I am thinking I have it all down. My life is going pretty well... I have two kiddos whom I adore, a husband who I've loved since childhood, and family and friends who are a true blessing. I have a job that allows me to work from home and still be involved in my kiddos lives more than I would be working away from home. I love our church and we are making some great friends through it and through Regents (Kylie's school).

So, I imagine the conversation a little like this...

"God, it's me Becky. I know, I know. I haven't been spending as much time with you lately. But, there's so much to be done. Just not enough hours in the day. I'm a hard-working mom and it is just exhausting! I'll do better I promise."

God..."Becky, you seem to say this to me every time we talk. When are you going to stop making excuses and stop planning. I AM the plan. I AM your life. I AM the way. What do I have to do to make you understand that?"

"But God, I think I have it all figured out if you'll just humor me here. If we can just make this much money. If we can just have this much time. If I can just do this with my kids. Yada, yada, yada (as I'm sure God hears it at this point)."

God... "Okay Becky, here's the deal. You can spend all the time you want planning, but you WILL see, that my plan is the greatest and it will trump your plan any day. So guess what? I'm going to make it so blatantly obvious that you are NOT in control that you simply will not be abe to ignore it. How does that sound?"

And so HE has, and as anxious as I tend to get when things don't go as I have planned, in some way it is so incredibly humbling to know that the pressure of being in control of my own life is somewhat lifted. Don't get me wrong, it makes me crazy anxious. I'm a worrier. Anyone that knows me well can tell you that. But, it's hard for me to even admit that. Worrying is a lack of faith, period. We worry because we don't have faith that God is in control and knows better than we do. We worry because we are afraid we can't cope with what life brings us. I know this will be a life-long struggle for me to not worry, but I am so grateful to recognize now what it means and why it's so harmful. So, I will continue to work through it every day of my life. I know I will stumble, probably many times. But, I also know God will be there to pick me up every time, without fail.

My Baby Girl Turns Six!

Great View From the Hotel!

Silly Blue Tongues!

Happy Birthday Dear Kylie!

Look Mom, No Training Wheels!

American Girl Store

I'm watching a show on 20/20 as I write this blog and it happens to feature children who are homeless. Basically, these kids have no one to take care for them or provide them a loving, nurturing environment. I watch this thinking what a shame it is for their parents to not realize what a gift they have been given and how I will do absolutely anything to make sure my kids know they ALWAYS have a loving, safe place to come home to. Kids don't care if they live in biggest house in the most expensive neighborhood. They just want a place to feel secure and loved. So, I hope many people who watched the show tonight will join me in praying for those kids that they will some how find that safe place surrounded by people who love them.

My sweet Kylie turned six years old on Monday. It is just so strange how one minute I look at her and she still seems so young and the next minute I feel like she's so grown up. When I talk to her on the phone she still has the most precious little voice that I will always remember as one of the sweetest sounds on earth. Sometimes when I'm out of town for work she'll call and leave me messages and I just listen to them over and over as it blesses my heart more every time.

We are really going to focus more on her independence this year. She has started taking showers (most of the time) and brushing her own teeth. Now we are working on going to sleep on her own. We are starting with 5 songs and then we'll take one off until we get to just one song. So, eventually, I'll stay in her room for one song and then leave. As much as I love that cuddle time with her, I know it's not good for her to rely on me to be there when she goes to sleep. I almost forgot - Adam taught her to ride her bike without training wheels and she's so great at it. It took her about 15 minutes and she was a pro.

On to her big day! We started off the celebration the week before with a trip to the American Doll Store in Dallas with just Mom and Dad. We stayed at the Westin Galleria, went ice skating, and then had brunch at the American Girl Bistro before shopping. It was a special trip! Then, last weekend she had a slumber party with her cousins at Grandma Mary's house. Grandma decorated for her, they went rollerskating, and had dance party and karaoke fun. The next morning was a trip to Kylie's favorite breakfast spot - IHOP! Kylie really loves hanging out with her cousins and I'm so glad they had the chance to share her birthday with her. On Monday, I took cupcakes to school and got the house all decorated for the big party. All the family came over for pizza and cake! It was a Peace, Love, and Rock'n'Roll theme picked out by little miss birthday herself. The cake was really cute and very colorful. So colorful that we all had blue teeth and tongues after we ate it! Jackson chowed down big time on it.

Want to know what was on Kylie's birthday list? A Big Time Rush CD! What? Yes, that's right, a boy band cd. Huh-larious. And, now, she goes to sleep with it playing in her cd player every night. And notice in the picture her pink hat says "another year of fabulous." So fitting.

Adam and I were talking the other day about how we love life with our kids so much more than we ever loved the single life. Even when we're all tired and cranky, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Would I love a vacation - well, yes, of course! But, rest assured, no matter where I go I would be thinking about my kids and missing them terribly.

Happy Birthday Precious Kylie! I am so proud of you and can not wait to see what God has in store for you my sunshine.

So much to say...

I am being a big overachiever here already in the New Year! I'm sure it won't stick, but I am waiting for some of my work to print out and thought I would catch everyone up on where Jackson is right now and all of the fun things he is doing!

Here are the words he can say:

Shoes

School (very cute when he says this as we pull up to school)

Juice

Eat

Choooo Chooooo (for train of course)

Bye Bye

Hi

Up (or Ups sometimes)

I want that... this is his very favorite thing to say, followed by a fit if he doesn't get what he wants!

Cheese

Car

Bath

Please or (pease)

Those are the main ones. He's starting to really be able to mimick words which usually means he'll start saying many more things pretty quickly. Man, we have been waiting a while to get that boy to talk to us and tell us what he wants!

He continues to be extremely agile and can pretty much climb up or onto anything. He seems to have no fear about climbing or jumping off of things (yeah for us, right?). He is a good eater and seems to actually prefer veggies and fruit most of the time. We officially retired the bottle about 3 weeks before Christmas and he could really care less, so no more cleaning bottles! He still loves his suckies at night time, but doesn't really ever use it out of the bed at all, so hopefully the attachment won't be too severe to kick fairly quick.

He loves going to school and church and his teachers seem to enjoy him so very much. He's the life of the party! He has not had any separation anxiety and just dives right in to what is going on. No doubt he keeps them on their toes, but he is a true delight.

He is always on the GO and when I mean on the go, I mean, he does NOT like to stay home too long. He likes to get out of the house. If Adam or I are going somewhere and he figures it out, he goes and grabs his shoes and brings them too us. He loves it when Grandma Mary shows up at the house because he knows she'll take him on an adventure somewhere!

Oh, I am so anxious to see what this little man will be like when his personality truly shines out. He really seems to have a sweet spirit about him and at the same time he is very determined. He likes to look at how things work and then try it on his own. It doesn't take him long to figure anything out. His mind is always working. I like to say he's like his namesake Papa Ralph who was always tinkering with this and that. I think Adam would agree with me that if he is anything like Papa, we've done something right. I'm sure he's smiling down on him as he watches him grow and says "that's my boy!"

Cheers to you!

My two favorite gifts!

Sweetest moment of the holiday:)

I have to admit, it is always a bit sad for me when the holidays are coming to an end. I find myself starting to count down to the holidays around September and anxiously await this time of year. So,when it's all over, I am sad that yet another holiday has passed. This time of year is just so magical in so many ways, but here's to a new year full of more wonderful memories.

Kylie had a great last day of school before break. Many moms helped to put together a fun party for the class. They ate some yummy snacks, did a book exchange, and then made homemade snowglobes (I was in charge of this-yikes!). The kids got to wear fun Christmas outfits and Christmas socks instead of their normal uniforms, and they all looked so cute. The next week was full of playdates and more fun for Kylie. She has really made some sweet friends at school and enjoys spending time with them. The parents are all great too, which makes it that much better! She actually had her 2nd sleepover this past week! She had so much fun she didn't want to come home when I went to pick her up. I have to say, though, it is hard for me when she spends the night out. I don't like going in to her room at night and seeing an empty bed! Gosh, there are times (many) when I want to hold on to her so tight and never let go. I am really going to have to pray about it, because I know she's not mine to keep forever. Easier said than done though.

We spent Christmas Eve at the Biehlers' house with the whole family. Kylie and Jackson both love to spend time with their cousins so much. It's crazy with everyone there, but it's fun too. They are playing trains, playing Wii, chasing each other, building things, and generally making a big mess! I think they will all be really happy when the D'Amura's move to Austin. The cousins have never lived in the same town, so I know they will be excited to see each other more often.

Christmas morning was amazing of course. Kylie and Jackson both woke up about 7:00 and then we had them come out together. I will never forget how adorable it was to see them walk around the corner hand-in-hand. It will be a memory I treasure forever! Kylie was happy to see Santa left her a cookie and a letter. Some of her favorite gifts from Santa were a Nintendo DSi and games, Squinkies, earrings, and Hello Kitty rain boots. Jackson immediately started playing with his little basketball hoop. He got a Chuck the Truck (he's still not sure about this one yet), and lots of bath toys. Bath time is always a fun time at our house!

When it was all said and done, the kids ended up with a plethora of new toys and games to play with. Many more than they will ever need! They have been so blessed beyond measure by the family and friends who are so gracious to them.

Adam gave me a beautiful jewelry box which I really enjoyed organizing (I'm a dork). It is perfect! He also got me a sweet new cordless vacuum for my tile (again, I'm a dork)-best gift ever!!! He got a coffee mug made for me with Jackson's handprint made into a Santa face. Oh, it is precious!

Christmas Day afternoon was at my mom's house. Again, more presents, great food and fun! Kylie looks up to her older cousins so much and they take good care of her. Grandma got her an American Girl Doll, which she has been asking for for a while now. It's really a beautiful doll.

The rest of the holidays have been spent just hanging out and playing with our new toys. I managed to get pretty much nothing done around the house that I had wanted to and I even had to work over the break, even though I was supposed to be off. A little bummed about it, but moving along...

Now, on to 2011! I have to be in College Station next week for what will surely be the biggest change my company has made yet. We will hopefully launch a new computer system on January 10th. We will be going from being very paper-driven, to being almost paperless! Very scary transition, but a huge step in the right direction.

My hopes for 2011 and really pretty simple. I want to be content and peaceful. I want to enjoy my family and be able to make more time for them. I want to stress less about stuff that just doesn't matter. I want to invest in people's lives and open my heart. My theme for 2011 will be "Let go, Let God." Gosh, my mom has witnessed this to me so many times. Just let it go and let God do with you what He wants. Stop getting in the way of his work!

Okay, God, here I am...

Cheers to you!!!!

Give Thanks!

The first grade Pilgrims invite the Indians to a feast!

Indian Games

Lovely Laughing Hyena

So, this is the season of giving thanks. I am thankful for so many things, but I thought I would share some things that I am thankful for!

• A God who loves me despite my many faults and the grace and courage He gives me every day.
• A husband who has loved me for over 15 years now and still finds ways every day to show me his love.
• A daughter who is the greatest joy of my life. She makes me want to be a better person. She is the light in my life that is always there, despite the darkest days.
• A precious little boy who has taken hold of my heart in a way I never thought possible. His hugs and kisses are worth more to me than anything money could ever buy.
• A mom who continues to be my rock and my saving grace every day. Without her, I simply would not be where I am and who I am today.
• A family who loves me and supports me in all that I do. I am thankful to have my family nearby. It is so comforting to know I am surrounded (literally) by my family.
• A church that has already blessed us in many ways in less than a year that we've been there. It has helped us grow our faith beyond just Sunday mornings. I am thankful for its people, its purpose, and its potential to reach so many.
• A home to call our own. In these difficult times there are so many people facing such terrible struggles and having to give up things we take for granted every day.
• Faithful friends who bring me so much joy. Seeing my friends become moms and being able to share the experience with them has been so wonderful and I will cherish my sweet friends forever!
• A job that allows me to work out of my home. Although it's a challenge to work from home, I am so thankful that I have a job, I work with people I truly enjoy and I am able to contribute for my family's needs.
• Regents School of Austin, a school that I believe might just be the greatest school on earth. I have never been in a place so secure and so filled with love. Kylie's teacher is truly annointed with the Spirit and has to be one of the most amazing teachers I have ever met.

So, thank you God for your love, your patience, and your guidance. Thank you for giving me more than I will ever deserve. Thank you for your son Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice He paid. As a parent, the revelation of this sacrifice and how you gave your son for me, has made this gift more precious than I could have ever imagined.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

Sic 'Em Bears!

Rainy Game! No umbrellas so a sac will do!

Brad (my old cheer coach) was there too!

All the girls!

Deanna, Katie, Kylie, Becky, Grandma Mary, Taylor

Kylie and I on the field!

I still can't believe I graduated from Baylor 10 years ago! Really? And, after visiting the campus, it felt like 10 years. I was amazed at how much it has grown and really changed for the better. Everything looks so nice and the grounds are more beautiful than I even remembered.

We headed to Waco on Friday afternoon (Kylie and I) just in time to get there and have some Ninfa's. Oh, how I love you Ninfarita and how I've missed you! We met up with friends and had a super dinner. Then, we headed over to campus for the bonfire. The Baylor bonfire is pretty tragic, but I know they try hard. Once you've seen the old A&M bonfire in all it's massive glory, it's hard to look at any other bonfires the same. Still, it was a fun event! We stayed long enough to see the yell leaders, hear the band, and sing "that Good Ole Baylor Line...." and then we headed out. Living in a town surrounded by Longhorns and working for an Aggie-owned company in Aggieland itself, sometimes this Baylor Bear gets lonely! So, it was nice to be surrounded by my fellow bears for a weekend.

The next morning we were up bright and early to go see the ever-so-famous Homecoming Parade. The floats were great as usual and I'm glad Kylie got to see what the parade is all about. Tri Delts float was super cute, but unfortunately didn't win any awards. The winning KOT float was amazing! It had a miniature ferris wheel and roller coaster that actually worked. I was thoroughly impressed.

Then, we spent some time walking around the campus, taking some pictures, and checking out the floats up-close after they had parked them. The rain was off and on, but we had no idea what was yet to come later that day. We picked up some Cracker Barrel (yum) and headed back to the hotel for a short break before game time. When we got the game as we were walking into the stadium, they were evacuating what soon would be 20,000 people out of the stands and under them. Yikes! Luckily, I found a small ramp to sit on for the next hour or so while we waited to be let back in the stands. When we finally got back in the stands, the temperature dropped drastically! Then, everyone headed to the shop in the stadium in a frenzy to buy every blanket and sweatshirt on the shelf. It was a mad-house! I ended up buying an XL long sleeve tee because it was the smallest size they had left! At this point, I was starting to worry I would never make it down on the field for the spirit squad alumni reunion during the 3rd quarter. I had been so excited to get back on the field for one more time. I loved being down there. I never cared whether we won or loss, it was always a great joy to be out there cheering.

Luckily, Kylie and I made it down to the locker room during half time to get ready to go out on the field during 3rd quarter. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let kids on the field which I thought was strange they didn't mention that after I specifically said I was bringing my daughter. Kind of important information! Luckily my mom, sis, and nieces were there so she went back and sat with them. During the third quarter, Michelle Nall and I did our thing (mainly just clapping and cheering on the bears) while a group of forty-somethings having their 20-year reunion proceeded to kick our booties. They were stunting, jumping and even tumbling. What? They even remembered the fight song. It was hard to believe it was their 20 year reunion the way they were getting after it and cheering like a bunch of youngsters. It was awesome!

What ended up being a very loooooong game, turned out to be well worth the wait as BU beat KSU and is now eligible for a bowl game. Sic 'Em Bears! So proud of my team!

On Sunday we paid a visit to Lady and Joy, the current Baylor bears who have a pretty sweet pad there on campus. They might be the most spoiled bears ever, but they deserve it! Then, we headed back home to be with our guys whom we left behind for the reunion weekend.

I'm so glad I went back and can't wait to go back again. Such great memories of my four years in Waco. Treasured memories for sure! Who knows, maybe Kylie will rootin' for the green and gold some day? I hope so!