Little Ranger fan!

A big thanks to Aunt Hollee for my new Ranger bib.

New Trick

"Look Mom, I can get my foot in my mouth"

Every day is an adventure around here with an ALMOST 5 month old baby! Teething is making us all very cranky and we have begun to wake up again in the middle of the night again even though we have been sleeping through the night since 7 weeks! Oh, the fun! I sure could use some encouragement right now from some of you super moms out there who have gone through the same...
I guess I am really just stressed because I go back to work tomorrow and school starts again for me on Monday. Albeit part time, it still breaks my heart to leave my little girl.

I have no catch phrase...

As I was perusing all my friends blogs last night I realized everyone has a catchy name for their blog. Some of these are: From My Heart, My journey, Check out Becky's World, Stacy's World, Reese Ramblings, Denhams in Brazil, Back Where I Come From, Goff Gossip, All about Linz, Lambert Life, Lovin' Life, etc (sorry if I missed you)...I have none! Since I am not a very witty person, i figured I would open up the floor to nominations for names for my blog from you guys....Any good ideas??

I also wanted to let everyone know that my procedure went well on Monday. The good news was that they didn't find anything major. There were some minor problems that I will most likely have to deal with for the rest of my life but are totally treatable through medicine and shouldn't give me too much trouble from day to day. We anticipate to get the final pathology back next week but the doctor felt pretty confident there was nothing to worry about. Thank you for your prayers.

Little Doodlebug

I can't believe how much I love this little girl!

 

pictures of the Harvison kids

Reed, Kennedy and Annaleigh being silly!

Thanks to my friend Tiersa, I am back in business as far as posting pictures are concerned.

Pictures??

Would anyone (esp. Hollee) like to give me some insight on why my pictures won't upload? I am trying to do it the way I always have with the upload picture button and it says they are there...they just don't show up on the blog. Is there an alternate way to upload pictures?

Harvison's visit, etc.

We were blessed this past week to have the Harvison family (our best friends from Louisiana) visit! Natalie and I went shopping at Canton (TWICE) and the boys were able to fit in a game of golf. I want to upload pictures of our kids playing but blogger is having a hard time tonight so I will try again tomorrow...In other news: The inlaws are coming in this weekend. What does that mean?? You know it: FREE TRUSTWORTHY BABYSITTING!Woo-hoo! New Moms need to check out www.jillinacabaniss.blogspot.com for some amazing insight into motherhood and thoughts from a f-u-n-n-y girl after my own heart. I do love my mother and father in law and we are so thankful for them being close (since my family is 14 hours away) and for the amazing relationship we have developed over the last 4 years.
I covet your prayers this coming Monday as I have my "procedure" aka colonoscopy and full G.I. scope to see just what-the-heck is going on inside of me. Please pray that we can figure this all out so I can get all this sickness stuff out of the way. I know I haven't disclosed a lot (its a little intimidating over the world wide web) but basically my new specialist is starting over with my case.
Have a FABULOUS Weekend!

Happy Birthday Hollee

I know Birthday's aren't as big of a deal as you get older, but I thought it was worth mentioning that it is Hollee (Huston) Ford's Birthday today. Hollee is one of the most thoughtful, dedicated, creative, dependable, loving, and Christ-like women I have ever had the priveledge of calling a friend. Hollee, I am so thankful that God brought you into this world 27 years ago. You are such an inspiration to me and to so many others.
I stole this picture from Hollee's blog.

Pictures

We are back!

Annaleigh and I made it back to Texas Thursday following Russell's return from Honduras Wednesday. I would love to post pictures of our trip, but my forgetful mind forgot to bring the digi-cam! We had a fun time visiting friends and family in Georgia and Virginia....and as a side note: if you can make it to GA or South Carolina in the next month, you MUST sample the peaches. They are AMAZING this year!
I was so thankful to be able to spend some time with three of my oldest and dearest friends. We had a very special time of prayer for our families that refreshed my spirt and renewed my sense of the importance of the power of prayer. I challenge you all to find prayer partners. It is a great way to be accountable to each other and to God and it is AWESOME to watch him work in your life and the lives of others as a result.
Annaleigh did ok on her second plane trip. She screamed a lot on the way there (much to the shegrin of the other passengers.) Thankfully, my prayers were answered on the way home and she was as good as gold! Thanks to everyone who kept our Honduras mission team in your prayers last week. Amazing things were done for God's glory!
Here are a few pictures we took today at the pool and at home....just kidding. Blogger isn't loading pictures right now. I will try again tomorrow.

I am a mamma's girl!

If you know me, you know I am a mamma's girl! I usually talk to my mom on the phone every day. I wasn't able to last week because she was at the beach and she is one of the only people left on this planet who has no cell phone! I went through some major withdraws. Thankfully I will get to spend the next 9 days with her. Mom has taught me so many lessons in life which include but are not limited to how to love EVERYONE unconditionally...Especially broken people, how to have a kind and generous spirit, and how to make even ordinary days fun. I truly hope that I will be able to pass these gifts down to my child as she has to me. Anyone else out there love their mama the same way I do??

Update

Here are some recent pictures of my little munchkin. It's hard to believe she will be 4 months old on July 27th! We are having a fun summer traveling to see the grandparents in Georgia and San Angelo while Russell goes on youth trips. We will be going to Georgia again this Tuesday while Russell leads a group of 20 teens to Honduras. I am really looking forward to visiting with my oldest and dearest friend Beth who recently moved to the ATL. I also was suprised to learn today that another one of my best friends Amanda and her little boy will be at her parents while she is studying to take the BAR exam in just a couple of weeks. Hopefully she can carve out a few minutes to visit with me and Suzanna!

Birth Announcement

Growing like a Weed!

I am watching my little one grow and change right before my eyes! I love how that every day is an adventure! It's so exciting so see firsts...all those smiles, is that a laugh?, turning on her tummy...my heart just melts!

Maternity Leave

I guess you could call this break from blogging my "maternity leave." Sorry to those who have been checking in for updates! Annaleigh was born via "unscheduled c-section" March 27th at 5:20 PM. I toughed out natural childbirth for 8 hours before starting to beg for the epidural...then 2 hours later they told me that there was no way she was going to come without a c-section because of her positioning...so 5 minutes later we rolled into the O.R. and then about 10 minutes after that we had our little girl!
So...9 Days later at home I started having a really bad pain in my right side...My first thought was "I have to have appendicitis" but it scared me to admit it. Finally, the pain was too bad to bear any longer so I went to the doctor where they sent me directly to the ER. Long story short, I had surgery to remove my appendix as well as 3 inches of my colon just 10 days after my baby was born.
So that's where I have been folks! I am happy to report that things are finally back to normal around here...if you can call life with an infant normal!

"Waiting is the hardest part"

No baby yet! I have to say that this is the hardest part of being pregnant. It is a little nerve racking to know our child could decide it's time to come at any moment. Russell sits around at night and stares at me in anticipation. It's kind of funny (and kind of not). We solicit your prayers for peace and comfort for these last few days to put this time into God's hands and enjoy all of the blessings He has given us TODAY!
Here are some pictures of our wonderful friends Kurtis and Angela's little boy that was born on Saturday! What a little angel!

Empathy Belly

Our bags are packed and we are ready to go! Less than 2 weeks until baby is due and we are making last minute preparations. It's hard to believe we will be parents in such a short time! Here are a few pictures taken in our Prepared Childbirth class we took at Baylor. Russell loved learning what it was like to be pregnant. He said "it wasn't so bad" huh! That's just cause he only had to wear the belly for 5 minutes!

In Memory of Warrior

I know this may seem a little strange, but I want to dedicate this entry to one of my sister's horses at Little St. Simon's Island. As many of you know, Rachel is a horse LOVER and is in charge of all the horses at Little St. Simon's Island (the resort where she works.) This morning she lost one of her favorite horses named Warrior to colic. She is very sad and mourning his death as she is very close to all of her horses. Russell and I got the chance to meet him this summer. Russell even got to ride him on a trail ride. He was a good and gentle horse and will be missed! Here is a pic of Russell on Warrior. I am on his girlfriend Savannah.

Nesting

We finally set up the crib tonight since I have "made my peace" with the color of the nursery walls (trust me, it's brighter than the pictures show.) I think Russell and I are both getting a little anxious about when little Annaleigh is going to make her appearance in this world. We are getting in a hurry to get things done even though I am not due until March 25th.
Just thought you would be interested in seeing our progress...

Happy Birthday Papa Moore

Happy 80th Birthday Papa Moore! I know he probably won't ever read this...but I just want everyone to know how special my Papa is. He is the best granddad any girl could ever ask for (he spoils me rotten!) But is also one of the best examples I have ever had in my life. He has treated my beautiful grandmother like a Queen in their last 60 years of marriage, He has always been a pillar in our church and an outstanding Christian witness bringing countless people to Christ. The man can do anything (or at least tries without fear) and doesn't have one lazy bone in his body...even at 80. Papa Moore is my HERO. I wish him the happiest birthday and pray that God gives him many more here on this earth.