Logan talking about God...

A friend of mine Marcel posted this on his blog. It touched me, so I thought I would post it too!

Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Meeting Baby Sebastian

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Originally uploaded by ryandobson

Last week I got to meet this cutie! Yes, this is my good friend (and former roomie) Lorena's son! He is 8 weeks old and going strong.

I made a little jaunt to Houston on Thursday, and got to spend lots of time holding him and seeing how wonderful a mom Lorena is and how caring a father Humberto is. Lorena and I even escaped for a bit for some dessert - without the baby!

Thanks for the great visit Lorena!! Can't wait to see you and little Papi soon!! Click on photo to see more from my trip!!

beautiful Pennsylvania

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Originally uploaded by ryandobson

You can check out more photos of our beautiful trip up to Pennsylvania last week! What a perfect time to go! We had a great time!!

Our Halloween Party - Party Hosts

Party Hosts
Originally uploaded by ryandobson

Okay, Ry finally showed me how to post Flickr photos to my blog! Click on the photo to see more photos, especially our creepy decorations! I good time was had by all - so hope you can join us next year!! yea!

Bella

Well, a great movie comes out tomorrow - Bella. I had a chance to see a preview, and meet the director and lead actor. Very well done and a beautiful movie. We are hosting a screening with Texas Alliance for Life on Sunday (bought a big block of tickets), so if you are free, let me know and I'll email you the info.

It opens in several cities Friday, and the rest on Nov. 9.

To check out where to see it, go to http://bellathemovie.com/theater

we're back!

Well, we finally made it back! Midnight last night! yea! and our luggage followed 5 hours later!

The weather was great - the perfect time of the changing of the leaves, something I don't experience here in Texas.

Here are a couple of my favorite photos!

Will post more later!

we're off...

We are heading out in 10 hours to go up to Pennsylvania to visit Ry's extended family!

We'll be back soon with photos!!

my friend Dawn

I've been thinking lots about my friend Dawn. Yesterday was her funeral. It was beautiful - saw many friends from the Diocese and was able to catch up. Also, I was able to add some humor, asking them what do they think Dawn would have thought of her funeral. I bet she would have been suprised on a few of the faces.

I stared crying at the beginning and couldn't really stop. At one point, I almost forgot why I was there. It just doesn't seem real. I felt that Dawn was just hiding and was going to come through the door at any time. The Bishop made numerous references that they still do not know the cause of her death. That is hard - I feel many of us would have closure if we knew that.

These past few days have been very interesting. Dawn did not know that last Tuesday would be her last. Neither do we. I am trying to live as she did - in the moment. Provide love and encouragement to everyone I meet (and add a little cynicism here and there).

Dawn, I know you are heading up to see God now. We just miss you and the love and support you gave us! I know always wanted us to be pregnant together, so I ask that you intercede for us on this journey to parenthood.

with a sad heart...

It is with a sad heart that I share that my friend Dawn Faye Hogan Havalda died last week. Dawn and I worked together at the Diocese - I in the Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Office, she in the Stewardship office.

She was part of of a group of friends that I would have lunch with after I left. It was great to catch up, hear how the Diocese is doing, walk with her through her pregnancy, etc. I think my most touching memory was when I had my 3rd miscarriage in June. She didn't know what to do, but she said she could take me out to lunch. So, that is what we did. We just went and talked. She never dealt with infertility, but was there when I needed her. Just to give me a hug and listen. Boy will I miss her!

Please pray for her family (husband and 14 month old daughter), extended family, friends and co-workers. She leaves such a hole in our hearts. Her visitation is today and funeral tomorrow.

Dawn, we love you and we miss you!!

yea!

Well, Tuesday was a great day! We had our 15th Annual Benefit Dinner for Texas Alliance for Life, and it broke all the records! 820 people, records raised in the Silent Auction and with donations!

At the event, I was unable to speak with our keynote speaker and now presidential candidate, Dr. Alan Keyes.

On Wednesday, he invited us over for a chat, and it was amazing! We were with him for over 2 hours and had such a wonderful conversation! Even got my photo with him!

Now on to plan the next one!!

this week...

So, this week has been interesting.

First, we are getting ready for our annual benefit dinner. Lots of work! I think I have already put in my 20 hrs and it is only Wednesday.

Second, I have spent a wonderful time with our friends the G's (www.sharonandadam.com). Both our husbands are away, and they just added the 3rd child to their family 2 1/2 weeks ago. What fun has it been to be with a family full of children!! It has also assisted me in my discernment of our family. I have always had "my plan", and just hoped God would fit in.

Yet, as our desire for a family grows, we must look into other options. So, this week has taught me that babies are wonderful and beautiful, but older children have much to offer and bring so much love to a family too! Even more to think about!

Please pray for us as we discern how God is leading us.

the reason...

I have been trying to think of the reason why I haven't felt compelled to post.

I have wonderful friends who post quite often. I feel that I know exactly what is going on in their lives.

But, every time I think about posting, it is about something sad, something bad - like the due date of Mary Isabelle (our 2nd miscarried baby) was in August, we found out we had a chromosomal abnormality causing our infertility, Ry is travelling all the time and my big, crazy dinner is coming up next week.

I just can't seem to want to write about the good. Like beautiful new babies coming into the world - our god daughter Emma Sophia and good friend's Gianna Maria. Or that I has a great birthday and am excited about going to Aggieland this weekend.

Maybe I just needed to get this all off my chest. And maybe people will post a response. But is that what I want? Knowing people read this infrequent blog? Maybe yes :-)

I'll try harder!

thanks Brian, Darrell, and Tristan!

Brian, Darrell, and Tristan came down this past week from Toledo! We had fun showing them the sights of Austin, and the surrounding areas. From wine tasting in the Hill Country, to watching the sunset over Lake Travis, I think they saw some of the greatness Austin has to offer!

Hope they had a good time! They are probably almost home now - that 24 hours of driving does take awhile!

Thanks for visiting!!

a week (or 2 or 3) in review...

well, it has been a few weeks since I posted. Life has been crazy! Justin returned from Ohio with his wife Danielle, and they lived with us for a couple weeks until their apartment was ready. Wow, did I get used to someone else making dinner!

Also, I was honored to be on the team that put on our good friend Lorena's baby shower! We had a great time in Houston putting on the shower, and visiting some old haunts!

Then we came home, and hosted an Aggie Catholic party at our home. Fr. Brian Eilers has been transfered to Temple, so we had a good-bye party (and had some birthday cake too, since his birthday was the 4th).

Then we moved Justin and Danielle into their new apartment. Despite the loads of rain we've been having, it only sprinkled on us a bit. whoop!

Then this weekend we had the Texas Alliance for Life Dinner and Boat Cruise. It was for those who have raised over $500 (Cruise) and $1000 (dinner and Cruise). It was lots of fun, and for the first time in awhile, it didn't rain!

And lastly, Harry Potter #7 came out this weekend. We only have 1 book between us, so Ry and I are sharing. At least I won't be watching much TV this week...

Can't figure out how to link photos - I think our oh-so-cool new camera makes photos too big! Maybe my techie husband can figure it out!

Happy Feast of St. Bridget!!

thank you Justin!

Tonight is Justin's last night at our home as a "bachelor". Tomorrow he's off to Toledo to bring his beautiful wife to Texas, and in a couple weeks he'll be all moved out.

These past several months have been a wonderful time. I met Justin about the same time I met Ry, the summer of 1998. Justin even dated my good friend Lorena for a bit. I didn't get to know him very well then, and over the last 9 years I spent time with him just when we went to Toledo or they came here.

Over these last several months, I have gotten to really know this great man. From late night talks about spirituality, to protecting the house from those crazy people who like to play their music behind our house, to the extensive kitchen remodel I feel I've really gotten to know Justin, and in a way learn more about Ryan. Justin and Ryan met in middle school, and only lived in the same town for 4 years, until Ry moved to Texas. Yet, even with the distance, they have been best friends since.

So Justin, thank you for living with us! I will never forget this time! I think one of the best parts is having another person to cook for! We have our family here in Austin!!

As Ty Pennington says in Extreme Home Makeover, and now we say to you - "welcome home Williams family, welcome home!"

another beautiful soul...

It's with sadness that I write this...

About 3 weeks ago we found out that we were expecting our 3rd child. Last weekend I started having some complications and on Tuesday of last week we found out that our little one has returned back to our Lord.

Even though she was with us just a few weeks, she is greatly missed. I miscarried her at around 6 weeks.

I had strong feelings that it was a girl (as did my friend Robin), and we've named her Lucy Grace. Lucy, after St. Lucy, an early martyr and woman strong in her faith. Lucy also means light, and she brought light to our lives, knowing that we could get pregnant again after the miscarriage in January. Grace, for the grace we received in having her in our life. Now she is reunited with our Lord, and with her brother and sister in heaven.

Please keep us in your prayers. This week has been difficult for us. We also begin the hard road of further testing, both of me and of Ry. May the Lord provide us with guidance during this time.

4 New x 2 Meme

A friend from college (http://www.blairandsteven.blogspot.com/) did this meme on her blog. Looks interesting, so I thought I would try...

4 new things of the past 4 years

1 - 2 wonderful babies in heaven! We love you and we miss you Philip Gabriel and Mary Isabelle!!

2 - We have purchased our first home! yea! And put in lots of elbow grease in it these past few years!

3 -I've become a FertilityCare practioner. I love teaching, and working with couples to understand their fertility. Now just waiting for a baby to be named Alexis...

4 - Travelled to the southern hemisphere! Our great trip last year to Australia and New Zealand!! And a passport with my married name. Ry and I have also been able to travel to many other new places in the past 4 years!


4 desires for the next 4 years

1 - That we would be able to welcome our arms to our own baby (or babies). May God entrust us to a few little ones!!

2 - no more mortgage! We have been saving for awhile, and hopefully in the next 4 years we won't have to worry about that expense.

3 - for good health! that we can understand the cause for our fertility problems and be able to maintain a healthier weight!

4 - more travel! from going to visit our goddaughter (in New Zealand), maybe Europe, and hopefully more of the US.

it's done!

I got my kitchen back!! yea!! We grouted and sealed this past week! yea! All that's left is some trim to do!! A special thanks to Ry and Justin, for all their hard work!!

We've got to show it off to my parents and sister who are visiting us for the Memorial Day holiday. Even have done some cooking in it too!! After 2 1/2 months without a kitchen, that's quite a feat!!

Now, what will our next project be...

the best of WDW

Well, I haven't posted much about our trip. Kinda seems like a dream now...

So, instead of all the details - here is my/our best list:

Best Roller Coaster - Expedition Everest (even got the shirt to prove it!)
Best Ride - tie between Tower of Terror and Mission Space
Best Night Show - Fantasmic at MGM
Best Mode of Transportation - the boats
Best Show - I loved the new Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor (a show that interacts with the audience - amazing), Ry loved the Lights, Camera, Action Stunt Show (race cars and motor cycles - and fire!)
Best Meal - our romantic dinner on top of the Contemporary Resort - great view (especially of the fireworks), free champagne (for our anniversary), and great food
Best Snack - Dole Whip Float (pineapple float) and Mickey bar
Best Resort I would wanna stay at - Beach Club (walking distance from Epcot, even have a sand-bottom pool)

It was an amazing trip! The weather was great, we didn't want to leave. The crowds and heat came the last day, so leaving that day wasn't as hard.

We're back...

from the happiest place on earth! What a great time we had!! Will post more details, but in the meantime, check out our website for some cute photos - www.alexisandryan.com!!