Texas Alliance for Life dinner...

A couple weeks ago, we went to the Texas Alliance for Life benefit dinner.  I love going, because I worked there, and for me, it is my social event of the season!  Everyone all dressed up, no kids, good food and a great speaker!

This year it was Lila Rose of Live Action.  She is just 23, but she spoke of going into Planned Parenthood (starting when she was just 18) and discovering how they cover up abuse, rape, human trafficking, law violation and more.

It was interesting for the audience to hear.  We all know that abortion kills babies, and we are trying to save them.  But she and her group have uncovered how PP carefully negotiates around the laws, bypassing that which protects our young women.  I feel she is taking the pro-life movement to the next level, and was excited to hear her talk.

Here are a few photos of the event!

 

 

conversation with a 3 year old...

My friend Kathryn posts her quote of the week (and with 5 kids, she has some great ones).  Nate is finally making more sense in his conversations...here is one we had during bath this week.

Me:  Nate, did you know we are going to Mama's house this week?
Nate:  I like Mama's house.
Me:  What do you like best about Mama's house?
Nate:  Grandpa!

1st day of school!

Nate had is first day of school yesterday.  He was in tears when I left, but when a couple friends walked by his room a few minutes later and they said he was fine.  The teacher (Mrs. Beth) said he did good, not great.  Room for improvement!  Every so often, she said he would ask when I was coming, but he did well otherwise.

When I asked Nate what he did, he said "boo hoo" (he cried).  He also said he went to the playground (which seemed to be his favorite).  When I asked him if he wanted to go back, he said "yes".  He also sang me the cleanup song, and a few other things that I couldn't decipher.

Mrs. Beth said he never took off his glasses, and only quickly showed her his eyes!

Hopefully tomorrow will go better...I don't think I'll be crying in my car again.

year 34...

So, I've been doing updates on Nate...but how about me?  This year I feel I was productive (other than raising a 2 year old).  Here are some highlights:

1. month-long vacation with Ry and Nate to Florida and Nate's first trip to Disney.  We even snuck in our first multi-day away from Nate, and he did great!  loved loved loved all the time with my boys!
2. have become good at priest's 25th anniversary parties - helped coordinate one for our pastor in September and Fr. Mike in July.  And now planning our parish's 25th anniversary in January!
3. finally working on getting in shape - started Stroller Strides in October.  Have loved meeting all the great women and their kiddos...and I feel myself getting stronger!
4. dealt in with break-in #2.  Sadness that people feel that they need our stuff...but glad to have Ryan here to protect us and feel secure!!
5. handled with grace Ry's forced vacation, i.e. layoff.  Only lasted 2 months, and I feel that I did a great job managing the finances I am in charge of, and helped Ryan transition to working from home.
6. Created a new soul, now in heaven.  One day we will meet you little Oliver Walter.
7. Welcomed Justin and Danielle back into our home for almost 3 months!  While waiting for their house to be built they have lived this summer in our guest room.  Nate has enjoyed the extra attention and I have loved having them here to chat with!
8. Took a little vacation with my mom and Nate to set-up Tessa in her new house.  Had some wonderful mom and sister time!!  Enjoyed having her here in Austin for 2 whole years!   It was great!!
9. Had a great time at our first ever family reunion on my mom's side.  Wonderful to see Nate interact with his cousins, and nice to not have to cook for a week!
10. And the day before my birthday...sent in the check...and paid off the house!  Best gift Ry could ever have given me!

and here are my top 12 photos!

 

 

 

Year 2 in review...

Okay...a little overdue...

Highlights:

• most changed - talking!  getting quite a vocabulary!!
• travel - FL, DisneyWorld, MS, AL, LA, TN, OH and PA
• loves - Lightening McQueen - especially his "chow", racing cars, Mom's tummy, Phineaus and Ferb, Toy Story, ipad, sunglasses, pants and tattoos, buzz lightyear pajamas

• favorite foods - apple juice, mac and cheese, pepperoni, chips and goldfish

• first movie - Cars 2
• wants everyone to be included
• has lived with us, Tessa neni, aunt Danielle and uncle Justin
• can navigate the ipod/ipad

I think the most significant is his communication.  Nate can really tell us what he wants, although some "baby talk" sometimes gets mixed in.  He also sings songs, and loves to dance and music.  Fortunately, he likes the same music as mom, so I'm not getting tired of baby songs...

He's also become quite independent.  I can send him upstairs to get something, or he can find my matching shoes in the closet.  He also likes to help unload the dishwasher (I put him in charge of the silverware) and help set the table.  And he rarely forgets to serve Charlie his dinner.

Nate has gotten quite used to Dad being at home.  With the sabbatical in October and 2 months off in January and February, he has had lots of time with Dad.  He loves it, and loves helping his Dad with all the projects around the house (you should see him with his little mallet).

Well, my little toddler is growing up into a little man...sometimes I just can't believe he is the same one!  But then, when he rubs my tummy...I know!  And here are some of my favorite pics...one from each month!

 

 

 

Nate is 3!!

Okay, I realized I've forgotten to do my quarterly posts.  Well, they have been on my to-do list, but it gets long, and I forget...and well, then it doesn't get done.

So, here is an update on today.  This weekend Nate turned 3!  We had a great birthday going on a mini train, lunch at Chuy's (a family favorite, and Nate love the creamy jalapeno), presents, and cupcakes!  And Nana and Papa were here to celebrate with us!  I think everyone had a great time.

And it was a very Cars birthday - sheets, blankets, pillows, playmat and cars...big boy room redo pics coming soon!  And his first digital camera too!

Here are some photos, and maybe a 2 year in review will happen soon... :-)

 

  

the past 3 months...

This past quarter.  It has been an emotional roller coaster.

First, our house was broken into (again), right before Christmas.  And the only thing taken - my jewelry box.  Yea, there was some random stuff in there but I will miss my grandmother's bracelet and the first necklace Ryan ever gave me.  And the unease of someone being in our house.  again!

Second, we returned back from Christmas and New Year's, to find out that they are closing Ryan's office.  Almost everyone was laid off.  Kind of a blessing in disguise, since it forced him to look for better opportunities.  But what were we going to do?  How long would our savings last?  How do you file for unemployment?  I know Ryan would do everything in his power to take care of us, and this gave him time to work on his iphone app (which is super cool!).

Third, Ryan was able to secure a job within 6 weeks.  He actually had several offers.  And now he gets to work from home.  The only bummer is we never took time for a vacation, and now that he will start working, it will be a while until we get away....

Fourth, right before Ryan started, we found out we were pregnant.  Pregnancy #8 for us!  I couldn't believe it!  It was such a surprise.  And I felt uber pregnant - nauseous, cravings, etc.  And out best friends were just a week behind us.  My prayer had always been that we could be pregnant together.  And now we are!  It was amazing.  My levels increased and all looked good.

Fifth, all looked good until my first ultrasound this week.  The baby wasn't as big as he/she was supposed to be.  Then I had my HCG (pregnancy hormone) levels checked.  They are decreasing.  I have cried all week.  Just soo sad.  Sad that my dream of being pregnant with Danielle is over.  Sad that we are loosing our 7th baby.  People say to not give up hope.  There are miracles.  But I just don't feel pregnant anymore.  Why me?  Why me AGAIN?

So there it is.  Our emotionally crazy last 3 months.  And I don't know how to process this.  I just want to get away, have a break.  But unfortunately, no vacation time for us for awhile.  And I feel real guilty going on my own.

Please say a little prayer for me and for our family.  Sometimes I feel it is too much to bear, but I can.  And I have to.

for the Law & Order fan...

I have recently found Law & Order:  UK.  Really!  It is awesome, although I have to watch with tivo, since i usually have to repeat what they are saying (I'm not up on my British English).

Since I have seen probably every episode of Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: LA, and most of Law & Order: SVU.

Now I can watch NEW episodes, with wigs!!

Christmas part 2 and New Year's!

For our 2nd Christmas, we went and spent a few days with Nana and Papa.  We had lots of fun there too!

Then for New Year's, tia Lorena, tio Bert, Sebastian and Arianna came to visit.  The boys had oh so much fun together!  Laughing and playing so well together!  And it was great to meet Arianna in person!