Nine Months

Thank you for your sweet words. Ya'll are way too kind. I thought it would be fun to share my nine month prege pics with all three of our babies since I'm 36 weeks today.

Nine months pregnant with Zach

Nine months pregnant with Reese

Nine months pregnant with Colson

Zach was born when I was 28, Reese when I was 29, and Colson now that I'm 30. Time for a break please?!

I will wait for the LORD...I will put my trust in Him.

Isaiah 8:17

Sweet Things

I am so overwhelmed (in a very good way!) by the goodness of our sweet friends. Last week my Bible study threw me a shower for Colson, and Sunday our small group gave us a "sprinkle." We give sprinkles after baby #1.

My Bible study group plus Shannon ; )

Shannon, Elli, Shari, Carrie, me, Tiff, Andrea, KC, and Mel

The delicious food

They went all out like they always do. ; )

"Summery" fun drinks

I love seeing Colson's name on this cute sign. ; )

It was a beautiful night, and Melanie decorated her back patio for us complete with candles. We spent most of our time outside.

Go Hogs!

The back patio

Our small group at Jason's deli

Cody (holding Parker), Shannon, Westin, Mark, Jill, Kellen, Stacy, Payton, Davin, me, Jason, and Abby

Travis, Kailyn, Desty, Jennifer, and Josh

Our small group has really grown with all these babies! Stacy with her cutie twin girls Payton and Parker

Ryan, Rachel, Brady, and us

Z went out to lunch with the Smiths while we were at our sprinkle. They love him so much, and he always has a wonderful time with them. He didn't want to come home. ; )

Jason and I received precious things for Colson. Thank you! We are very humbled and blessed by what everyone has done for us. Our little baby boy is already so loved! Makes me that much more excited about next week (if that's even possible!).

...May the Lord reward you for your kindness...

Ruth 1:8

Reese's Trees

are blooming. ; )

The white ones bloomed first,

then the pink one

which represents Reese.

Jason and his dad planted five crepe myrtles along our driveway the week after Reese went to Heaven. They worked hard all day (J wouldn't even let me out of the house). He wanted to surprise me. Sweet man! I'll never forget the first time I walked out the door and saw these beautiful trees lining our driveway. It's like they were always meant to be there.

August 2009

New blooms. New life. I love each one, and if we ever move we are taking all five trees with us!

Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Footloose & Fancy-Free

Thank you for all your sweet anniversary wishes! Z is spending time with his grands for a few days, so Jason and I are spreading out our anniversary fun. Eating out, snowcones and late movies. ; ) I'm also getting so much done on my "before Colson is born" list. Hopefully he'll be here TWO weeks from today. We're ready, anxious, hopeful, scared and so excited all at the same time...

Thank you Gran and G-Daddy for playing with Z this week. ; ) I know he is loving every minute, and you are definitely not lacking any entertainment. I miss my little man!

For our anniversary, Jason and I flew to Gaston's. It's a fishing resort I grew up going to with my family. My dad and I love to fish, but I don't like to eat fish. Ha! Jason had never been there so it was special to go together.

The flight was about 30 minutes, and we landed on the grass runway. The trees were a little too close for me. It was the first time I had been nervous when Jason touched down, but he did great. ; )

Ahhh...brings back such memories from when I was a little girl. Everything is still the same. The restaurant, the docks, the cabins. We can't wait to take Zach and Colson when they are older. The funny thing is it will be me in the boat with them! Jason doesn't like to fish, but I have a feeling I'll need him to bait the hooks and do all the yucky stuff about fishing my Dad used to do. ; )

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD.

Philippians 4:6

My Love

Jason and I are celebrating our 8th anniversary today! We have been together a total of fourteen years. Wow.

Our first picture together

Are you laughing as hard as I am at this picture!? It's hilarious! I love it. So awkward and fun. We were young, clueless and crazy about each other. Still are (just not the clueless part). ; )

Our junior/senior banquet

Beach pic

We love going to the beach with Jason's family each summer.

Deer Valley Ranch

My family goes to a Christian dude ranch every other summer. They went last week without us since I couldn't travel. ; ( I tried not to think about it too much, but I'm so glad they were able to go. It's one of our favorite places, and we can't wait to take Zach and Colson.

A fun beach pic before our babies

When Z saw this he asked, "Where is Zach?" Ha! I told him he was a twinkle in our eyes. ; )

All these years later Jason and I are more in love than ever. We've seen each other at our best and at our worst. We've rejoiced together and been devastated together. We've laughed and cried together.

The Lord has blessed my life so richly with Jason. I couldn't ask for a more loving husband, best friend and father. Happy Anniversary! I love you, babe.

Love...always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:7

Father's Day

My Dad is selfless, funny and has always encouraged my heart. He perseveres and never complains. His faith in GOD is genuine. He's a gentle giant and such a wonderful example of our heavenly Father to me.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I'm blessed to have two men in my life who love me deeply. Jason is wonderful with Zach, and Z adores his daddy. It's an honor watching Jason be a father every day to our children.

Happy Father's Day, Jason!

...may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is.

Ephesians 3:18

Hog

Sounds like July is a popular birthday month. I love that Colson will have a summer birthday. Pool parties every year! If Colson is born on July 8th, he will share the day with my sis-in-law Shannon. ; ) Thankfully she doesn't mind! Lots to celebrate in July.

Also, the paint color we used for Colson's trunk is Posh Red by Valspar at Lowes.

I haven't talked about Hog in awhile, but he is still around...

Hog drama...not sure what this is about.

Hog takes his naps right beside Zach's crib (complete with blanket). Z would love for Hog to sleep with him, but we tell him he is too big (and dangerous!). Hog needs to stretch out beside him. ; )

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday!

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.

John 14:1

Reese's Name Gallery #20

I have fun news to share along with Reese's 20th Name Gallery. I am going to have an amnio done July 7th (I'll be 37 weeks) to see if Colson's lungs are developed. If they are then I will have a c section July 8th. If his lungs are not developed, my c section will be the next week. This means he may be here THREE weeks from today! Can you believe it!?

The reason we are having my c section early is for our peace of mind, and my doctor wholeheartedly agrees we need some peace. I can't believe Colson is this close to actually being in our arms. I love feeling him move all around inside me and can't wait to hold him. So much more to do until he arrives! ; )

Thank you so much for the pictures you send. I love each one and without them Reese's gallery wouldn't be possible. ; )

Light writing ~ a talented photographer friend took this. ; )

These pictures were taken by a lake close to our house. We have never even met the woman who took them!

Pretty pink spring flowers

Nicest road sign I've ever seen. ; )

Beautiful name in chalk

Just because I'm thinking about my sweet pea. I love honoring her.

But You, GOD my Lord, deal kindly with me because of Your name; deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love.

Psalm 109:21

More Lake Fun

This past weekend was my last time to travel before Colson arrives, so we made the best of it! We met one of my besties (and Baylor roommate) at Jason's grands' lakehouse. It was the perfect weekend. The guys rode four wheelers with the kids, we swam, ate, played games, talked and talked.

Jason, Zach, Ben (Ashley's husband) & Anna (one of their girls)

Z, Anna & Rachel

Our kids are different as night and day. Z is loud, constant activity and GO GO GO. Anna and Rachel are quiet, observant and content. They're a great sweet mix all together!

Ash and me with our kids

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ashley. We talked a lot about Reese which I really needed. She is a friend who has grieved deeply with me this year. What a gift to my heart!

This was my third weekend in a row of traveling, so now I'm looking forward to catching up and getting ready for Colson. Not much longer. ; )

You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways.

Psalm 139:3