the marable's

kate ward photography!

2012-02-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

here are the pictures we got from our session with Kate Ward this fall!

i LOVE how they turned out!
love this smile

how grown up is EK here?

i used this for our christmas card this year!

we are also featured on her blog www.katewardphotography.com (just click on kate's blog and scroll down a few)

EK

2012-01-30T18:28:00.000-08:00

my sweet Emery Kate

i wanted to write a post specifically about you b/c I feel like lately it has been a lot about Molly and everything else going on and not much focused on you and your fun personality right now!

you are SO much fun right now. I mean you make your daddy and I laugh & smile all the time!

These pictures are from last Sunday when daddy was playing guitar. You brought your guitar and his guitar stool and put it by your chair so your feet wouldn't be dangling. You even had me put the words to the song in the chair so you could see it...I mean the cutest thing!

you and your dad have a special bond. He puts you to bed every night and you tell him what you are thankful for and you ask him what he is thankful for. Sometimes he even plays music for you on the guitar until you fall asleep. You have him wrapped around your finger.

The other night I wasn't feeling well and had a headache. We were giving you and Molly a bath and I told you I didn't feel well. You immediately said, "you want Daddy to pray for you?"

I love that that was your first instinct.

The other day we were walking into the Loft and you were singing "Jesus loves me" really loud. My first thought was to tell you to be quiet since we were in a store but then I stopped and was like, no, I want others to hear this precious girl singing of Jesus' love for her. from the mouth of babes...

We love how you get excited about the little things and the big things and if we recall a fun memory you immediately say "I want to do that again." Just the way you say it melts us!

The other day too you were trying to keep Molly up in the car for me and kept saying "wake up Babe"...hilarious.

I love how if I try something on in the store you will say "that's so cute, mom!"...makes me feel like i need to buy it :)

Please always call white "wipe", fuddruckers "mudcrackers" and bandaids "band-Ann's"

but maybe learn to count instead of always saying "1,2,4,9" :)

i love you so much Emery Kate!

a great vacation!!!

2012-01-29T14:22:00.000-08:00

blake and I got to travel to playa del carmen with Nuance last week!

Blake is in sales now so since he met his yearly quota he won a trip to the "Chairman's Club" and this year it was at the Fairmont Riviera Maya!

It was an AMAZING trip! The place was so nice and the best part was that Nuance paid for everything! Meals, drinks by the pool, transportation, tips, fees, everything! The only thing we had to pay for was our luggage fee! It was unreal. It wasn't even an all inclusive resort!

The resort had tons of casitas that were like condos and they were spread out over the property all the way to the ocean. To get to the main building and the pool you could use bikes they had around everywhere or golf carts.

here was our casita!

the view from our balcony!

a neat iguana that was posing for us

another amazing thing about blake's company...they paid for us to take two excursions each! We went one day to Xplor. It is a really cool place that has zip lining, ATV riding, rafting in caves, etc. We had a blast! You walked through these caves with stalagmites to get everywhere.

we look pretty cool

you even zip line into the caves at some of the stations

our second excursion was massages at the Spa at the resort! It was soooo nice!

The rest of the trip we read and lounged by the pool! So amazing!

I read "Unbroken" by Laura Hillebrand (who wrote Seabiscuit). One of the most amazing (true) stories! March recommended it and it was awesome! Highly recommended to everyone to read!

Blake enjoyed reading Steve Job's autobiography...apparently one very interesting man!

They even had gifts for Blake every night in the room! I mean it was ridiculous! They even brought in Maroon 5 for a private concert for Nuance the last night but unfortunately we left a day early! I told Blake to get home and get craking on meeting his quota! Next year the trip is Hawaii!!!!

also a special thanks to our parents for watching our sweet girls! We love you and are so thankful!

Molly's family Birthday party!

2012-01-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

we celebrate Molly turning ONE with our family

I made it a "Let it Shine" theme...it was a VERY low key party though!
i just wanted to do something to celebrate her precious life!

Blake's amazing mom made chili bean pot roast for everyone...which is SO good! We also had lots of chips and dips...sudan style!

the word that Molly would be "a little beacon of light wherever she goes" was spoken over her life before she was even born (you can see it on the sign below)...which i think is significant since "Let is Shine" is her favorite song!

For the favors I got flashlights...it goes with the theme and what kid doesn't love a flashlight!

more cupcakes for Molly!

mom with her grandkids!

christy & campbell

another attempt at a family picture...why is it so hard with two kids??!

molly getting ready for her cupcake!

reaching out for it

mom & B

EK thoroughly enjoyed the birthday festivities...it is making her excited for her birthday coming in April! She was so cute getting Molly excited for her party!

campbell loving it

being finger fed at this point

good pic of blake and my dad

the engaged couple always smiling!

love my family and enjoyed celebrating molly's first year of life with them!

happy birthday Molly!

2012-01-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

My sweet, precious Molly is ONE!

You are such a joy to me & Blake!

You make us smile b/c you have taken your time to move. You just started crawling when you were 11 months old! You were content to just sit and play for so long, which was a blessing to your momma!

You love music...you love to hear daddy play guitar and you love to play piano with him.

Your favorite song is "this little light of mine"...you will wave your little finger. Our favorite is if you are crying in your carseat we will turn on the song and you will stop crying and all we can see is that little finger waving...the sweetest. Another funny time was when you were about 8 months old and we started singing it and you were nursing under the hider. All of the sudden we see your little finger poking out under the hider waving your light...precious!

You are a little peanut. You came into the world at a whooping 8 lbs 14 oz but at a year you were only 18 lbs 10 oz (15%) and you are about 40-45% in height. You may be taking after your mom in the height category...i'm sorry! I love, though, how your cheeks are the cutest things and look like a cabbage patch baby! No one would know you are so little...so cute!

I love how a couple weeks ago we had just moved into the new house and I had left for work early and Blake woke up to a loud noise and had found EK had moved your pack in play (with you in it) all the way out of the room and down the hall.

I love how you both play so well together already, it is so much fun as a mom to see...i pray all the time that you will grow up to be best friends.

EK is more of a daddy's girl lately, but you are truly a momma's girl! I love it...

you have such a sweet disposition...i can't wait to see more and more of your personality!

i love you my precious girl.

happy birthday Molly Elise!

Molly's playgroup party!

2012-01-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

our sweet Molly is One!

we moved over new year (more on that later) so it was a little chaotic to organize a bday party for her...so we had a family party at our new house and we had cupcakes to celebrate with her friends at playgroup!

She was very excited to eat her first cupcake...

the kids ready to dig in...
me & the bday girl

she at the WHOLE cupcake!

Molly had fun with her friends!

thrill seeker...possibly?

Sudan Christmas Part 3- lunch

2012-01-21T06:40:00.000-08:00

sorry I am sure you are tired of our christmas pics but I just want these documented...so here are the rest from christmas lunch and that afternoon.

The lunch turned out really well...it was hard work but well worth it!
attempting a family pic

love my girls

Molly's smile in this picture melts me...truly!

so thankful for my amazing older sister!

they made a raft out of Hallies portable bassinet...Molly thinks she is so big and old being in there with the "big kids"

Duncan will come up and give Molly the sweetest hugs and kisses...love that boy!

this was so cute...campbell and molly were playing the piano together

love my dad and his leadership of our family.

my sweet mom always loving on her grandkids

that's all folks!

Sudan Christmas Part 2- christmas morning

2012-01-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

it was so cute watching them Christmas morning...don't you love Dunc and EK with their paci's...i have to work on that ASAP :)

Molls examining the chaos

mom & dad got the kids so many fun gifts this year...it was cute b/c they would play with each other's gifts the whole time

up to no good again behind the tree

cute campbell

Molly watching her "Baby Alive"

dress up time

the guitar we got Dunc...i think he likes it!

B & hanj- poor B turned out to have tonsilitis over Christmas

next comes Christmas lunch!

Sudan Christmas Part 1 (christmas Eve-cookie decorating contest)

2012-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

we had a wonderful christmas with my family!

we started the celebration Christmas eve with our annual cookie decorating contest
duncan and EK always up to no good :)

love Jayden

the cookies are ready to decorate...

the newly engaged couple...so happy for them!

Alex's parents were in from Peru and spent Christmas with us...his mom was so sweet and really connected with molly...she let molly work on the cookies too!

loving it

Blake was the master cookie decorator this year

blake's winning masterpiece

B had a second place finish with these lovebirds

after the contest we quickly got the kids ready to go to the Antioch Christmas Eve service...i love all the little girls in their smocked dresses

we brought home On the Border for dinner and Molly LOVED it...as you can see!

My parents got the kids matching Christmas pj's to wear Christmas Eve and they looked SO cute in them! Love this of Molly and my dad!

these cousins love each other so much...they are so cute together!

next...Christmas morning!

Marable Christmas Eve Eve celebration

2012-01-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

We had our annual December 23rd celebration with the Marable side.

It's always a fun time at the funny farm!
father & son

the kids sang christmas carols to us...so precious! reminds me of the type of "events" we used to put on for our parents on christmas eve! EK even participated in it as well...so grown up!

i feel like we look alike in this picture

Sterling loving her Molly

the kids ready to open presents on Christmas Eve morning

amber, thomas and ashton

me & carrie

me & jenny

blake & carey

on to the Sudan christmas celebration!

a play group christmas party & some before Christmas pics

2012-01-17T08:03:00.001-08:00

we had a pj christmas party breakfast at play group

i love kids in pj's

sweet Riley

the kids being silly

a typical face lately when I ask EK to smile...nice, huh?

attempting a group picture, Molly NOT happy

took Molly out...now a better pic!

I love our playgroup and all the kids (and moms!) at our church...we are so blessed!

alex & hallie

cute hallie...this is the expression she usually gives you when you try and get her to smile :)

EK so grown up playing on the iPad

sweet

cute blue eyed cousins!

now for LOTS of christmas pics to come...

girls trip to Chicago!

2011-12-28T12:54:00.001-08:00

chicago style pizza...yummy! (sorry this one is out of order)

I am really behind in updating my blog! Life has been busy!

The beginning of December my dad sent us on a girls trip to Chicago!

Jason and my dad have gone on a few trips together so us girls thought we needed a trip!

it was so fun to be together without any distractions!

december was a COLD time to go but we loved it!

we visited the bean...it was pretty fun!

then the rest of the time we shopped! so.fun.

loved time with my mom...she was very cold the whole time!

the navy pier

view of downtown

i love my mom and sisters so much! so thankful for this time with them!

thanks so much dad!

Go bears!!

2011-11-27T13:12:00.001-08:00

The marable's are super proud of our bears this year! We were so excited to get to go to the tech game last night at cowboy stadium! It felt good to crush the raiders after such a long losing streak against them and without RG3 in the second half!

Unfortunately Blake had to go on a work trip so it was me and the girls and my sister in law with her daughter, camryn. We met Blake's dad and Debbie there who graciously gave us the tickets!

I have to say we had the three cutest cheerleaders there!

They did so well...I mean it could not have gone better! EK and Molly are troopers! Future Baylor bears!

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BU homecoming

2011-11-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

baylor homecoming was this weekend

as you can tell it is an old tradition in the sudan/forrester households
(yes we are wearing matching baylor poodle skirts)

MB took pics (i forgot my camera)
these are from the parade

we still sit in the same place

had to capture molly doing let it shine again

coach & sweet dunc

mimi & molls

love.love.love.

me & my molls

me & EK

jason & al

sweet matching cousins

all the sudan grandkids in their baylor gear...so cute!

we also went to the Baylor/Missouri game

we won...which was awesome

hallie watched her first baylor game and did great

love this pic of jayden...the only ogden to watch the game.

B and her man

mom & ellen

dad & amy

jake, emily & me

we had a great time with the forrester's (love them!) and with our family, of course!!

sic em bears!

My little hoarder

2011-10-31T18:16:00.001-07:00

Ten pacifiers did the trick for bed tonight....think she has a future being featured on hoarders??

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this little light of mine...

2011-10-23T11:55:00.001-07:00

i'm gonna let it shine...
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine...

this little nugget loves that song. She will wave her little finger and smile.

Sweet Molly I pray you will one day "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matt 5:16

Let it be, Lord!

you know your older sibling is a toddler when...

2011-10-21T11:59:00.001-07:00

the first real word I have heard molly say besides mama and dada and baba is

"Help!"

poor baby girl!

the zoo and the fair

2011-10-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

i usually work Mondays but I got the day off so we went with Christy and her kiddos and my mom to the zoo...the weather was so nice. I didn't get too many pictures that day...I love the picture below in the giants of the savannah exhibit. You really feel like the animals are in their natural habitat since they get to be with other animals and run around. It's beautiful.
today we met Marci and Kelli at the fair (love them)...
three double bobs
three sets of kids
three adults...quite the scene we were!
Emery Kate loves getting to be around Anna...they are so cute together! They loved the petting zoo.
The big mama pig was nursing all the piglets and Emery Kate said
they are nursing like Molly...I SURE hope i don't look like that pig :)
love days with my girls...they are pure sweetness.

EK and Anna

triple threat

we went to the area where they get to act like farmers.,,it's super cute.

They put on aprons and get a bucket and corn...they feed the chickens,

they water the peach tree and pick peaches,

they plant seeds in the soil and water them...and later pick the vegetables they grew.

They drive the tractor to drop off the feed.

they sell their produce/wool/seeds at the farmer's market

and they get a dollar to buy something at the general store...too fun!

Moo

and we are actually headed back in a few hours to go with our LG...

A little moment

2011-10-14T18:13:00.001-07:00

I just had one of those moments as a parent when you realize how much your child is growing up. Tonight after baths EK brushed all of her hair BY HERSELF! O mean I didn't even have to "touch it up." It's a small thing but one of those things that remind you that in a few years she'll be wanting certain haircuts, blow drying and styling it and wanting highlights! Please just.stay.little!

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a call to pray

2011-10-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Friends,

I have a sweet, sweet friend Karis who is pregnant. At her 20 week sono they found out that their baby boy has skeletal dysplasia (dwarfism). His lower spine is at a 90 degree angle, his legs are measuring at 15 weeks and his feet are too small and have fluid on them. The doctors said he may not even make it outside of the womb. There is no family history of this and they have a healthy adorable baby girl that is 15 months, Riley.

Karis and Kenten along with their family and friends are believing God for a MIRACLE! They go back for another sono in two weeks and we are asking for people to pray and believe God that baby Andrew will be completely healed!!!! We know that with God NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. I would ask that as often as you remember them you would pray and believe God for this miracle. Please also pray hope and peace over Kenten and Karis.

"I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move; and NOTHING will be impossible for you." Matt 17:20

please pray and believe with us for this mountain to move...

9 months!

2011-10-10T17:18:00.001-07:00

our sweet, sweet Molly is 9 months old today...when EK was 9 months I wrote my nine favorite things about her so I thought it would be fun to do the same with molly! there are so many things to say, but here are some of the things i am really loving...

9. watching you play in the bathtub...you love to splash and play with Emery Kate

8. you are 9 months and not crawling. you are content to sit and play with toys all day...not interested in getting anywhere...you know I won't leave you behind :)
7. how Emery Kate makes you laugh ALL the time...even when she's wrestling with you. If we do the same thing as her it will get a smile but not a belly laugh like it does if your sister does it.

6.your baby blues...they melt me...

5.how you are so sweet and calm that one day I cut your finger when trimming your nails and the only way I knew was b/c I saw blood on your finger.

4.your cabbage patch baby cheeks...as marci would say they are so yummy I could sop them up with a biscuit :)

3. I love how you have the relaxed, i will roll with the punches kind of attitude...at least one of your naps each day is probably in the carseat and you do great with it.

2. how you will smile at anyone who looks in your direction.

1. how you make my cup overflow.

i love you Molly Elise

fall

2011-10-03T18:16:00.001-07:00

loving the fall wreath i made this weekend

and loving dressing them in some new fall dresses (matching, of course!)

pumpkins

2011-09-30T11:53:00.001-07:00

our church play group went to the arboretum today! i love all the pumpkins!

EK and dunc look like they are trying to be cool in this picture!

sweet, sweet sisters!

my bff riley :)

I always wonder what they are thinking about...

don't you wish you could get in their minds sometimes!

Molly was sleeping for most of it, but Sparrow didn't want her to feel left out so she put a gourd in the stroller with her!

beautiful pumpkin houses

christy & christina

attempt at a group picture

karis really had them smiling in this picture...i love how you can see EK's dimple.

such a big girl

She looks so old!!

2011-09-29T12:32:00.001-07:00

I mean is she two or twelve!!!

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I can't wait...

2011-09-25T12:05:00.001-07:00

To pick up these girls in a few hours! We haven't seen them since Wednesday and we miss them so much!! We are so thankful they have had fun with my parents and blakes!!
See you soon angels!!!

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Angel fire, new Mexico

2011-09-24T17:15:00.001-07:00

Enjoying this gorgeous view from the cabin we are staying at with our sweet friends!

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Sting rays

2011-09-15T19:30:00.001-07:00

There was a friendly sting ray at the children's aquarium yesterday.

EK and Luke were just staring. They wouldn't even turn around for a smile.

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five days...

2011-09-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

then Mary Beth will be home from Uganda!!!!!

yay!!!!!!!!!!!

a night at the ballpark {and a special treat}

2011-09-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

we enjoyed a Ranger's game friday night thanks to jenny

and we got to go on the field afterwards for the fireworks show (also thanks to Jenny)

Molly was bending her head back trying to see the fireworks!

Emery Kate liked them as long as she was in daddy's arms.

oooohhhh, ahhhh, Wow

Bebe, PawPaw and Mama Duck were there too!

EK enjoyed running around the field after the fireworks were over!

it was hilarious b/c molly was waving to everyone in the stands when we were walking back to the dugout. I think she knew she was BIG time being out there :)

the visiting team dugout (jenny's hubby is in charge of the visiting team/locker room...that's how we got the hook up )

coming up from the dugout

that night when blake was putting Emery Kate to bed (nearly midnight) he asked what she wanted to thank God for that night and she said,"fireworks" and Blake asked if there was anything else. her reply, "more fireworks!"

thanks Jenny!

lucky charms

2011-09-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

i should have known better than to buy lucky charms. It was an impulse buy. They looked so good and they were on sale.
emery kate ate all the marshmallows and placed the whole grain/healthy portion of the cereal next to the bowl. wow.

and the milk tastes extra good when it has the sugar from marshmallows.

probably won't be buying them again soon...except I sure did enjoy it too :)

we love play-doh

2011-09-07T13:17:00.001-07:00

we love making it into jewelry too!
love that chubby hand

and sweet molly looked so grown up today!

happy 6 years!

2011-09-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

Blake- I am so thankful that God brought you into my life at the ripe old age of 12 :)

I really couldn't imagine life without you.

You are my best friend.

Thank you for being the best daddy to Emery Kate & Molly.

Thank you for loving me well.

So thankful for our family and friends who make life even better!
I wanted to add this picture of Jordan as I am excited about starting Elevate (a discpleship training school which jordan& christy are helping to lead) next week with you. I am so thankful to have a husband who wants to grow in the Lord with me and lead our family. I can't wait to see what God will teach us through it. I know we will have to sacrifice and it will be hard... but I also know that is what the Christian journey is about.

i have loved every year even more with you.

happy 6 years!

i love you, blaker

EK's first day of school

2011-09-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

Emery Kate had her first day of mother's day out today. Last night she told blake that tomorrow she had school, was going to wear her backpack and it would be fun. So cute. She was walking so confidently into the church, wouldn't even hold my hand (tear), and only started crying when we got to the room and she found out Molly wasn't going too. How sweet is she.
\the backpack looks so HUGE on her. Blake met us for some fro yo after school. I love this picture of them.

I really enjoyed having Molly all to myself and it is a LOT easier running errands with one child. Sweet molly just went with the flow b/c the pick up times kind of interfere with naps.

happy thursday!

compare?

2011-08-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

my dad emailed me some of these pics he found recently. He says that seeing Emery kate brings him flashbacks of me at that age although most people think she looks like Blake. I am starting to think she does look more like me and Molly is more like Blake. It's fun to compare at least! And I'm having fun using photbucket and making collages! So you may see a lot of these :)

blake's favorite place on earth

2011-08-25T12:52:00.001-07:00

conlee family reunion

2011-08-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

we had a fun conlee reunion this year in Hunt, Texas on the Guadalupe river. The weather was a breath of fresh air! It actually got in the 70s at night and RAINED while we were there. it was FABULOUS!!! Blake took EK and Hudson out on the canoe. And there was a shoot coming off the dam of the river that people could go down on rafts so Blake took EK against her will. She was NOT a fan even though it was super fun!
"the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul." Ps 23

the place had a fun playset that we spent the majority of our day at
LOVE this pic

the lighting was perfect at the park so i had some fun taking pics of the girls

Emery Kate is loving the ipad right now.

her first pinata

it was a fun time with Blake's extended family and I extremely enjoyed the weather. Blake and I even got to play a game of tennis which was fun!

hallie jane sudan

2011-08-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

sweet hallie jane entered the world August 3rd (at 35 weeks)...she was 5 lbs 13 oz and is PRECIOUS! i mean how could she not be with jason & al as parents. it's also AMAZING b/c when alex was first pregnant they though she had miscarried and the heart wasn't beating and then she went back for a final sono to evaluate the day after molly was born and she was alive and well. a miracle baby for sure. Thank you Jesus!
alex is super momma and pushed her out in 10 minutes ( i mean, really? how come it takes me 3+ hours and a cesarean)

Emery Kate really liked holding her. she is pumped to have another girl cousin she can "lead" :)

and I am excited to have another neice!

Jason & Alex have been such a good aunt and uncle to my girls I am so excited to see them as parents. We are blessed.

2011-08-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

sorry i've been missing in action in the blog world. I have a few posts to do. Last saturday (the 30th) was my dad's 56th bday. We met him in Hillsboro sunday night for a bday dinner. So instead of making the bday dinner about him he had prayed for specific words for each of his children & their spouses. amazing, huh? Click here for his blog so you can read it. He also told us that he feels like the Lord has told him that to four generations in our family everyone will be believers and that each generation will be rooted deeper and stronger in the Word. What an amazing word from the Lord to receive. It makes me even more want to make sure I am teaching Emery Kate and Molly biblical truths and principals early on. I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do in their lives.
love this of mom & molls

my sweet parents...don't they look so young to be 56!

this little girl...

2011-07-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

is loving being able to sit up and play
is loving being able to help daddy work...

and is loving the word "dada"!

happy almost weekend!

6 months!

2011-07-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

Molly turned 6 months on the 10th! She is such a joy to us everyday! She started eating some vegetables this week, but not loving it yet. Emery Kate loves to help her eat. She makes Molly laugh and smile more than anyone else.

Molly can sit pretty well for awhile now. She still needs some support occasionaly, but she does well. She likes to be able to sit and play with her toys. She is definitely a grabber too...anything within reach is in her mouth!

i had to capture these adorable little feet

and these cheeks...melt me

i love this little one...can't believe she's half a year and can't imagine life without her! Here is EK at 6 months.

dance

2011-07-07T20:06:00.001-07:00

not really...it's actually a "creative movements" class. But she sure does look like a cute ballerina! my friend gave her this bag for her bday...she had her ballet shoes in it b/c you can't wear them outside and it was killing her b/c she wanted to wear them the whole time!

i think this fall we may attempt a real dance class...

happy 4th!

2011-07-04T19:03:00.001-07:00

We had a fun 4th weekend! It started with the lakehouse friday-sunday, dinner with the Thomas' last night and then just a fun family day today. It was perfect. Molly woke up early today but that face is just too cute that I don't even mind! She has been so fun lately really playing with her toys and loving her exersaucer.
We went to the arboretum this morning for a little bit. It was hot but fun! Molly looked a little miserable.

EK cooled off in the water

loves to fly!

lunch at chick fila

complete with a chocolate milkshake (they have one of the best)...shared by the three of us :)

So thankful for our nation!

Happy Independence Day!

priceless...

2011-07-04T05:14:00.000-07:00

2011-06-28T19:35:00.001-07:00

I'm loving the instagram app on the iPhone!

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raise the flag

2011-06-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Jason's birthday was friday and he wanted us to all go to Pancho's to celebrate his bday. Yes, the place where you raise your flag for service. Pancho's was a sudan family favorite when we were young, mostly b/c of the flag and the soapillas (and b/c there wasn't a Chuy's in waco then :) ). It was fun to be back there. The whole fam was there except for dad and B! We substituted Alejandro for B tonight so that was fun!
Emery Kate and Duncan were up to no good at the booth across from us!

so the soapillas are delicious

kiki and campbell

After dinner we headed to Jason and Alex's new home which is SO cute for some "jason's cake". That is how the cake is known in our family.

Campbell gets so proud of herself and claps when she stands up on her own. So cute!

The sibs...we miss you B! WE LOVE YOU!

i love this pic of them...

so glad my mom is here for a few days to watch the girls while I work b/c our nanny is out of the country! We love getting time with her!

Happy Birthday J! You are the best brother a sister could ask for! I am already sad that you aren't living behind us anymore. I will always be grateful for that time. Now we will just have to have Einstein dates :) Love you!

first taste of cereal

2011-06-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Molly hasn't been sleeping as well at night lately so I decided maybe it was time to try some rice cereal. She will be 6 months in two weeks and even though we waited until then to give EK anything solid I decided to go ahead.
She wasn't too sure about it.

EK encouraged her and "helped" me

happy girl

ready to be done

Also...this is the best pic I could get on Father's day of the girls with their sweet daddy. My friend Stephanie made these adorable outfits for EK and Molly. I will have to get a better pic of them in it. They are precious!

thanksgiving

2011-06-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving. A thankful heart. This has been on my heart lately. I started reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp which is really good. I am not done with it yet, but so far it has been about a life of thanksgiving. Someone challenged her to write a list of a thousand things she loves. She talks about how before Jesus was crucified he sat at the table and “took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them…” luke 22:19. In the original language, “he gave thanks” reads “eucharisteo”. “Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek work chara, meaning “joy”. ..Deep chara joy is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo- the table of thanksgiving. I sit there long…wondering…is it that simple?” She goes on to quote someone who said “the only real fall of man is a noneucharistic life in a noneucharistic world.” Ingratitude for all that God freely gives. Lord I don’t want to live a life like that.
Then in Luke 17 she talks about when Jesus heals the ten lepers to wholeness and only one came back to say thanks to Jesus and in Young’s literal translation it says, “And [Jesus] said to him, ‘Having risen, be going on, thy faith has saved thee.’” ‘ Saved thee’ is sozo in the Greek. Sozo means salvation. “And when did the leper receive sozo- the saving to the full, whole life? When he returned and gave thanks….Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life.”
Another really interesting point so far is about naming. She talks about how each thing she puts on her list is a naming of the gifts God has given her whether it is something as simple as warm cookies out of the oven or praying for and kissing my girls before they go to sleep, “when I name moments I am Adam and I discover my meaning and God’s, and to name is to learn the language of Paradise. This naming work never ends for all the children of Adam. Naming to find an identity, our identity, God’s.” She goes on to quote Alexander Schmemann,
“Now in the Bible a name…reveals the very essence of a thing, or rather its essence as God’s gift…To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave it, to know it as coming from God and to know its place and function within the cosmos created by God. To name a thing, in other words, is to bless God for it and in it.”
I love this. It’s like a lightbulb has been going off in my head. I want to name the gifts and moments that I experience every moment of the day. I think I may challenge myself to a list of a thousand gifts. When you have a thankful heart for the big and small things I think it will bring me JOY. The abundant, full of life JOY that only come from Christ. Both times I have been pregnant I have been eager to know what we are going to name the baby. I think it has something to do with what Alexander is talking about. To name a child is to bless God for it and in it. I can start praying for that child by name before they are yet born. As I sit her on Father’s day I am just thinking I could list a hundred things I am thankful for just about Blake and another hundred things for my dad.
Dad:
Breakfast dates every Friday morning of my senior year.
Pitching practice
The sacrifices you and mom gave so we could have a good education.
Sharing books
Walking me down the aisle
Caring about what I was learning in anatomy or pharmacology
And the list could go on and on…
Blake:
That you share what is on your heart with me.
The way you love emery kate and molly
You love me well
Watching you walk in the door and greet EK and Molls.
Seeing you worship.
And the list could go on and on.
I want to name the moments of every day that are gifts.
Going into Molly’s room at 5 am and seeing her smiling and kicking her legs.
Emery Kate making Molly laugh.
Watching Emery Kate discover something new.
Warm coffee each morning.
A cool breeze on a hot day.
A big icy cherry diet coke anytime of the day.
Watching an old married couple still enjoying each other’s company at dinner.
Someone at church coming up to pray for me just b/c the Lord led them to.

I want to live a life of eucharisteo, a life of thanksgiving. A life full of JOY. So that in all things I can say Blessed be Your name, Lord.

somewhat sitting and bad hair days

2011-06-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Molly is starting to sit for a few seconds if I position her properly in the tripod position. How cute is she?
Both girls woke up with some serious bedhead this morning! I guess Molly's looks like this most days but it seemed extra spiky and ek's was all over the place.

My longtime Waco friend Leslie was in town from Ithaca, New York where her hubby is getting his MBA from Cornell. We picked her up from the airport and had fun visiting for awhile. She hadn't met Molls yet. It was great to see her!

San Antonio

2011-06-14T20:12:00.001-07:00

we had a wedding this weekend in San Antonio for a friend from Waco. We made it a mini vacation and stayed at a fabulous hotel...the Westin La cantera resort. It was awesome! The Ogdens were there and we had a great time! I got some pics at the hotel but at the wedding I was too busy chasing the kids to get pics! The hotel had a one mile nature trail that we took the kids on. They were so cute at first. EK was holding Jayden's hand first then she moved to Duncan. She LOVES her cousins. it is really the sweetest thing.
then she held her momma's hand too!

The hotel had the best pools for kids...

Molly was amazing the entire trip. She is the most content and happy little thing. I adore her.

look at those cheeks!

just hanging in the water

On the way home we stopped by Lake McQueeney b/c it was Blake's vacation spot all growing up and he LOVES this place. He hadn't been in years and wanted us to see it.

we ate some ice cream while there

it was neat b/c everything was right next to the water...i can see how it is such a fun lodge to stay at.

Ok how big does emery kate look with me holding her. I mean I look like a 9 year old :)

it really was a fun weekend...just a REALLY long drive home!

what we've been up to

2011-06-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

so my computer got a virus and I am so behind on blogging... here are some random pics from lately. We had dinner with some family at Matt's out on the patio. I feel like Molly looks so old in this picture. Emery Kate liked the Bob Armstrong dip so much she decided to forego chips and eat it with her spoon!
Blake's brother's bday was last weekend and they were up here so they got to stay with us! This is our sister in law Carrie and niece Camryn.

All of her cousins on Blake's side are older than her and I felt like this weekend she was really able to play with them. It kind of made me sad that she really isn't my little baby anymore. I do love seeing her have fun with her cousins though!

It is HOT here in Dallas and tuesday night Blake turned on the sprinklers and let EK run around in her clothes.She loved it...i have a feeling we will be doing a lot of this.

and a lot of the neighborhood spray park! LOVE it. Brilliant idea who ever thought of these things!

Molly and EK watching Dora in the morning. I mean look at Moll's hair.

A couple weeks ago we went to Fort Worth to see my friend Kelli and her daughter Anna who is only two weeks younger than emery kate. we went to the Zoo. It was really fun. I had only been once and not since EK was born. She was all smiles!

So was Molly

"Una" and EK

happy weekend!

Ten Year Reunion!

2011-05-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

That's right...Blake and I had our ten year high school reunion last weekend. I was class president so I had the pleasure of planning it :)
It really was a great time!
We started the day with a picnic lunch at the school and a tour of the campus. They have changed a lot since we left.
EK was making herself at home with the lockers.
Funny fact about our school: The Davidians used to own our school and this clock is in one of the buildings and supposedly to them has something to do with the end of time. These are the davidians that the Branch Davidians came from...interesting, huh? They restored that building this year and of course kept the clock for history's sake.

Vanguard is getting football next year! Go vikings!

the group that came to the picnic lunch

EK enjoyed playing bball in our old gym...will she be a basketball star one day? Who knows! Her mama sure wasn't but her daddy was good!

our basketball team...good times!

That night we had dinner at the Lake Brazos Steakhouse. It was really fun. I made pinwheels that I learned from my sweet friend lauren. I put them on pencils that was my sweet friend kelli's idea and put flowers and hung pics all around. It turned out cute!

my high school sweetheart! i.am.blessed.

i forgot to mention...our class was small..about 40 people!

my best friend from school Rachel was there...i was so happy to see her! It would not have felt like a reunion without her there b/c I would not have made it through school without her! love you rach!

the boat

2011-05-08T20:07:00.001-07:00

We went to the lakehouse this weekend and got to ride the boat for the first time. It was a blast. Emery Kate loved it! Is this picture not hysterical? Such the model in her shades.
Blake got the dock all fixed up so the boat has a home!

sweet Molly in her suit

we went on a walk on friday at the lake and molly sat in the stroller like a big girl for the first time...i think she liked it (usually she is in the car seat attachment)

umm..too cute

Molls & Coach

sweet Campbell

the sweetest cousins....I mean, really?

Jordan & Dunc...they definitely look like father and son!

what a fun weekend!

my mom

2011-05-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

She truly is the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thank you for your example mom. I love you.

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Emery Kate!

2011-04-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Emery Kate....Happy 2nd Birthday!

I love you so much! you bring SO much joy to your daddy and I each day!

Thank you for your excitement about life....it is amazing.

Thank you for being the BEST big sister to Molly...she is so blessed!

I love how each day you are learning new words and we are able to communicate so well...I hope we are close for all of our days together on earth!

I love how you crawl in bed with us in the middle of the night and take up my whole side of the bed...even though I am hanging on the edge, I do love it.

I love that you like to be on the run all day like your momma...if we have been home for awhile you say "mommy, let's go!"

I love ALL of your expressions.

I love your dimple.

your smile.

I love you.

EK's Egg Hunt 2nd Birthday -part 2

2011-04-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

We had an egg hunt for Emery Kate's second birthday party! Her actual birthday is this Wednesday the 27th! Since Easter was later than usual I took advantage! Having all the Easter decorations and ideas made this party so fun and so easy! It was a blast for me to plan and I think Emery Kate had a really good time!

Aunt Jenny&EK

Putting Eggs in her basket. Once she realized there was candy in them she just wanted to open them and get the candy out!
Sweet Riley getting some eggs of her own.

Me & EK

Duncan got into the egg stickers :)

the kids on the hunt!

Emery Kate is VERY into Duncan right now. During the party she wanted him by her side the whole time. It's pretty sweet. I hope they are always close like this.

The cupcakes!

EK blowing out the candle.

Molly had a blast at the party.

Is Ainsleigh not so cute!

Molly had a friend at the party...little Katie is only 3 weeks younger than her!

Felice is too cool for school in her shades.

Sparrow decorating some hard boiled eggs! She did a great job!

Molly was getting a little hot. Those cheeks were pink. I think she has some Conlee in her. Mary B! Proof that Alex came!

After everyone left we piled in the NEW BOAT my parents got for the lakehouse. Blake and Jason picked it up on Thursday so it's in our garage. It is so nice...we are SO excited to use it. Thank you SOOOO much mom & dad!

You can't see EK, Dunc and Jayden b/c they are playing inside the boat! EK has been talking about the boat all day!I love this picture of Jayden.the back of EK's adorable dress.

What a fun day with friends and family!

EK's Egg Hunt 2nd Birthday -part 1 (mostly the decorations)

2011-04-23T19:16:00.001-07:00

We had chalk outside the fence so when the men put all the eggs out the kids were able to play with sidewalk chalk.

the party favors
I found this tutorial on Martha stewart that showed how to make these out of envelopes. It was cute!

We had stickers for the little kids to decorate with and a table for the older kids to decorate hard boiled eggs!

I was proud of myself for putting the eggs in the vase with the tulips. I thought it was so pretty!

My dear friend Stephanie made their adorable outfits for the party. They looked SO cute. It was perfect. Thank you SOOOO much sweet friend! Wish you didn't live in Alabama so you could have been here. Did not get the best pic of them together.

Aunt B...

2011-04-22T12:16:00.001-07:00

we MISS you!

HE is RISEN!!!!

my easter bunny

2011-04-17T19:45:00.001-07:00

same outfit, attempt at same pose

2011-04-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

EK above, Molly below

it's fun seeing her in EK's old outfits.

Molly is 3 months old!

2011-04-10T12:14:00.001-07:00

Sweet Molls is 3 months today! I'm loving every minute with her! Smiles with bath time

there is a lot of this during the day...

and this... and there's lots of this too.

I am truly blown away by the love EK has for Molly. She is never jealous, includes her in everything, and gives her more hugs and kisses than molly knows what to do with. It melts me. I hope Christy was that excited when I entered the world :) I really couldn't be more grateful that the Lord chose me & blake to raise these two girls. i.am.blessed.

I definitely think this time I am not rushing her to do the next thing like I was with EK. I am just enjoying her being in the stage she's in. They grow so fast.

This last pic is for MB b/c we talked to her this morning and EK did her "excited face" for her.

Sparrow's tea party!

2011-04-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun on Saturday at Sparrow's 3rd birthday party. It was a tea party and it turned out so cute! I took lots of pics! I love the picture above of Molly b/c it looks like she has bunny ears. And I think the picture below is the sweetest.

playing ring-around-the rosie...duncan and EK did not know what they were doing :)

my girls

Sweet Sparrow is on the left about to open her presents and that's her cute brother Eli next to her!

EK trying to walk with an egg on a spoon...ha!

the cake was so cute! and I loved all the pom pom flowers! So fun!

handsome little felix in his tie

EK loved the cupcake

felice and EK up to no good with the water

Magen and Wilson in his cute bowtie! I loved all the little boys dressed up!

Fitting for Duncan to be putting on a hat...he was wearing a smocked bubble :) ! Of course I loved it b/c of the southern in me. He looked so cute with his little legs!

trying to get a kids pic...ha! Notice Molly in the carseat nearby...she was thoroughly enjoying the party!

is this not the most precious picture....LOVE! This is for you MB since I know you miss these two!

do you think they look alike at all?

2011-03-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

one thing is for sure...my new camera takes MUCH better pictures than the "moment misser" I used to have :)

sWeEt

2011-03-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm obsessed with this headband. I have been putting it on Molly almost every day b/c it goes with everything! You should order one here...it's Blake's aunt's website. She has CUTE stuff and you will see EK on the website if you wait on the homepage as the pictures change :)

you can't pinch these cheeks...

2011-03-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm wearing green!

(those cheeks are so pinchable though, aren't they!)

melt my heart

2011-03-14T11:36:00.001-07:00

I love being a mom, but there are some moments that literally MELT MY HEART. We switched Emery Kate to her toddler bed about a week ago and she has done great. I love hearing her open the door and come out when she wakes up (unless it's still 6:15). I am usually already up when she gets up but today I was still in bed and she came in and lay right next to me cheek to cheek with her arm around me and we slept for about 20 more minutes. I was melting...she never does that on the bed, it usually makes her hyper. This was just a special treat. I love being her mommy.
This little priss has been melting me with her smiles. I didn't capture a good one today, but here she is attempting to sit in her bumbo chair.
I don't think she loves it!

happy monday!

Two Months!

2011-03-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

Molly is 2 months today! Don't grow up so fast Molly!!!! Here are a few pics from the doctor's office today.
love these girls!

i let Emery Kate use markers and color while we were waiting and she loved it....

notice the yellow marks on molly's legs :)

you can't turn your head for a second!

Sweet molly in the "miracle blanket"...hasn't worked the same miracles it did with Emery Kate...i'm still waiting for her to sleep through the night!

My friend Joy is here and we got to stop by and see her and her sweet girls...She just had her third 6 days before molly....little Emily Jane. It was great to see them. Joy was like another older sister to me when I was in junior high and high school...such an amazing woman of God. They are in the process of moving from Boston to Arizona to plant a church with a newborn, 20 month old and 3 year old!

date day and night!

2011-03-05T19:28:00.001-08:00

Blake and I had a really fun day on Friday! It started with us going to Canton during the day and my friend Karis watched Emery Kate. We had never been before, it is HUGE and slightly overwhelming, but we had a good time and got a few treasures! We brought Molly with us and she slept through the whole day.

Then, my Valentine's gift was a night at the W hotel, so sweet Jason and Alex stayed with Emery Kate AND Molly overnight and YES she's only 7 weeks so they had to get up with her in the middle of the night! YES we have the best brother and sister in law and NO you cannot steal them! We had dinner at Nick & Sams which is soooo good...we had never eaten there before. The W was great...super swanky, which is not us, but it was so fun! We finished the morning off with breakfast at Einstein's...such a fun date day & night!
Thanks Blaker!!!

shower and playdate

2011-03-01T12:50:00.000-08:00

Mary Beth made this blue headband...isn't it adorable on her?
My sweet friend Virginie had her baby shower on Sunday.

Karis and LeeAnn are amazing girls that I get to lead lifegroup with! We helped give V's shower.

me & Molls

Christy and I both sporting clothes that B left when she went to Africa :)

most of the preggos at Antioch Dallas...in order of due date!

V & Casey are naming their son Indiana!

On Monday we had a playdate with Lauren and Casey and their precious kiddos. It was so much fun! Lauren was a childhood church friend that I haven't seen in forever and Casey and I met through a mutual friend. It was such a blessing to be around them. Molly had fun having her first playdate with someone pretty close to her age! Sorry the pic is a little blurry! Isn't Ainsleigh adorable!

It was nearly impossible to get them all to sit for a picture. Sweet Molly was out on the pillow! Aiden and Noah are the precious boys.

pretty in pink

2011-02-26T19:49:00.001-08:00

precious girl this morning
smiles :)

OK...don't turn me in for the picture below :)

Molly actually didn't cry once being in Emery Kate's baby doll stroller. She was just looking around with the look that says "such is my lot as a baby sister." Emery Kate was so proud pushing her around...and don't worry I was right there the whole time!

starting to smile

2011-02-25T18:13:00.001-08:00

I know this picture is a little blurry but I had to show a pic of Molly starting to smile...it's so sweet. She is cooing too! So fun!

On Monday Blake was off so we took the girls to the zoo. It was really nice out. I didn't get any good pics at the zoo, but here are a few from before.

sweet EK loving on molly

Molly was in her turtle shirt from Amy and Emily...so cute and perfect for the zoo :)

even though...

2011-02-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

I didn't get much sleep in that bed last night,

I sure do love this little girl!

B

2011-02-20T18:12:00.000-08:00

My youngest sister Mary Beth, known as "B" in our family, leaves for Uganda tomorrow for NINE months. I am so excited for all that God is going to do in and through her during this time, but I am SO SAD to have her go. She graduated in May from Baylor and moved up to Dallas and actually was Emery Kate's nanny all fall. It has been so wonderful to have her here. Christy and I both have enjoyed having our sister around for everyday life.

B is one of those people you don't forget. She is hilarious b/c she is SO different than her siblings. She will say what everyone is thinking and what NO ONE is thinking...it's hilarious. She is completely honest with her emotions and is always an encourager. She is a photographer and is SO talented.

The best part of having her here in Dallas was seeing her love her neices and nephews. She is SO good with them and they all love their B. We said goodbye to her today and of course Emery Kate doesn't understand b/c the doorbell rang at our house earlier and she ran smiling to the door saying "B". I wanted to cry b/c it is going to happen a lot until she realizes she is gone. OK I'm crying now. I am going to miss her so much but so excited for her journey. You can follow her trip at prayforrestoration.blogspot.com and please pray for her and her friends Macy and Whitney, especially tomorrow as they travel.

Isn't B beautiful?

sweet

B is going to miss these two...how precious are they?

Molly will be 10 months old when she gets back! Crazy!

We are going to miss you B! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

happy valentine's day to my loves

2011-02-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

molly- i love that you are a part of our family now, i love your cheeks, i love your little cry, i love your wide eyes on the lookout for emery kate, i love your crazy hair, i love that you allow emery kate to treat you like a baby doll, i love that we are just getting to know you, i love that you are my daughter.

emery kate- i love you, i love your personality, i love your laugh, i love your silly face and excited face, i love the way you say i love you, i love that you make sure we pray before meals, i love how you say molly, i love that you are a big sister, i love your creativity, i love how you love your cousins, i love how you love molly, i love your big blue eyes, i love you in your pjs, i love that you want to include molly in everything, i love that you are easy going, i love how you adore your daddy, i love that you are my daughter.

blaker- i love you, i love that we have been together over half our life, i love that you know my faults and weaknesses and still love me, i love the way you adore your girls, i love that you make me feel beautiful when i don't feel it, i love the way you wake up and calm molly in the middle of the night, i love that you pray with ek every night, i love that you make our home a place of worship, i love your heart to serve, i love the way you love your parents and siblings, i love your mind and how you figure everything out, i love that you enjoy your job, i love that you helped me pursue my goals, i love watching you hold molly, i love that you let emery kate help you with stuff around the house, i love that emery kate looks like you, i love your blue eyes, i love your heart, i love that you are my husband.

and happy valentine's day to my family...i love all of you so much. So thankful and blessed to have the best family in the whole world :)

toy story 3

2011-02-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

Emery Kate has a thing for toy story 3. It's funny b/c it is the only movie we have ever taken her to in the theatre. She lasted about 45 minutes of it. One time she was with blake at blockbuster and it was on the TV and she kept pointing to it so blake decided to buy it b/c he had never seen the end of it. When she got sick this christmas though and her asthma flared up she had to start doing a ton of breathing treatments and we would turn it on so she started liking it and now she has to do a pulmicort breathing treatment every morning so we will turn it on for a bit. Anyway, with the weather and molly's arrival we let her watch more of it than we normally would and she is hooked!

Last week we were at the mall and I let her go in the Disney store and they had all the toy story characters...emery kate had as many as she could hold in her arms and would not put them down. It was so cute! Blake and I decided to get some for her for an early valentine's gift and she has loved it! They come with us everywhere and she involves them in many activities around the house.

here we were reading with them and molly is mixed in there too...she would make sure buzz and molly saw the pages.

she loves to hold as many as she can

buzz was a part of her breathing treatment

woody, dolly, buzz, baby and jesse enjoying a ride in molly's swing

snow!!

2011-02-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

we ventured out into the snow today...blake made this awesome snowman!
i love EK in her hat and coat

B went into the snow with us

yes she is still into her "aci"...i know i need to get rid of it soon!

Emery Kate wanted to swing...so we let her...

jason and MB

this is a pic of EK in the snow when we had that huge amount last february....

not to happy in either!

i had actually just bitten it pretty bad!
it really did hurt my ankle!

isn't the snowman awesome?

blake worked on it for awhile...we had all gone inside!

of course mary beth had a pipe in her car for the finishing touch!

uh oh!

2011-02-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

i came in to get emery kate from her nap yesterday to find one leg hanging over the crib! I wasn't quite ready to transition her to her toddler bed yet, but it looks like the sooner the better!
she loves playing on her bed and jumping on it, but i don't think she knows it is for SLEEPING! we'll see how it goes!

sweet molly always has this look on her face like i have no clue what my big sis is going to do to me next....so cute!

trying to stay warm in Dallas!

2011-02-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

I love watching Emery Kate try and play with Molly. Last night Molly was in her bouncy seat and Emery Kate kept trying to give Molly her baby doll to play with. She then got tired of her baby doll and Molly not taking the bottle so she decided to take a swig herself...I better watch out when I give Molly a real bottle...it may be gone if I turn my back :)

such a sweet sister...loves to give Molly hugs and kisses!

it is COLD here in dallas...Molly is all warm in her sweater dress my sweet friend Karis gave her. I love it!

we can't decide who she looks like??

I never posted a final picture of how HUGE my belly was...no wonder since there was an almost 9 lb baby in there! I think EK is missing the shelf she had to sit on! This pic was the night before Molly was born.

stay warm!!

my girls

2011-01-28T12:33:00.000-08:00

Mary Beth calls the picture below Molly's popeye look!

Me and my girls!

I've already done it...put them in matching outfits! It's so fun...that's what you can do if you have two girls, right?

EK loves holding her baby sister. It's so funny b/c Molly sounds like Mommy and I think Emery kate thinks her name is mommy! She will talk baby talk to her and say "mommy, mommy"...so cute! She's such a good big sis!

sweet sisters

2011-01-19T12:41:00.001-08:00

Emery Kate likes to play in her doll's pack in play and so we stuck molly in there with her. It was pretty funny!

Blake and I are already so in love with this angel...

Molly Elise Marable

2011-01-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

Blake, Emery Kate and I welcomed Molly to our family January 10th at 11:03 pm. It was a long day as I was induced and waited all day to progress. Around 7 pm we realized my epidural was not working and I had to have a second one placed. I was very emotional b/c I did not think I was going to be able to push her out when the time came to push. After the epidural was placed I was so worn out and drugged up that I slept off and on the rest of my labor! When it was time to push around 9:30 I was so exhausted. I would push and then sleep between contractions. By 10:30 my doctor did not think she was going to come out and he thought she was bigger than we would have thought so I headed for a c-section.

I I slept through the whole c section, but it turns out the cord was wrapped around her neck twice and so it would have been very scary to deliver her vaginally. God was protecting her from coming through the canal! Thank you, Lord. It also turns out that she was big! 8 lbs 14 oz...20 inches long. No wonder my belly was so big :)

Blake was so sweet and supportive during the whole process. I am so thankful God placed him in my life as my "suitable helper"...he is that and more!!!

These girls are going to adore their daddy!

A lot of our family stayed up till after midnight to meet Miss Molly including Emery Kate! They said she had the most energy of them all! I am so thankful that Blake and I have such a loving and supportive family to wait all day with us!

I like this pic of Molly and Campbell pursing their lips!

PawPaw (blake's dad) and Molly

our first family of four picture...Emery Kate has not been too interested in her baby sister yet.

She is loving all the attention everyone is giving her!

Thanks for everyone's prayers...we are so thankful for our healthy baby girl!!

EK and Molly's room

2011-01-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

My friend Darrah Gooden made this for above the crib. It is all tissue paper...so amazing. She is super talented...click here

Emery Kate is eventually going to move to this toddler bed. For a few months we have a bassinet that molly will use and EK will stay in the crib.

I found this adorable tree decal on Etsy.

such a great comfy chair for reading books and nursing.

the third roomate...fishy

Sweet B painted my toenails today b/c I didn't think I would do a good job with this huge belly. EK wanted hers painted too...so cute. I love her feet.

her last day as an only child. I love you Emery Kate. You are going to be a great big sister.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas this year. It started the week before when my parents came to Dallas for Christmas with them and the annual Sudan Christmas Cookie Decorating contest. It was super fun! Emery Kate really enjoyed decorating the cookies (or actually just eating them!).
She LOVES sprinkles!

Jason and Christy

Mary Beth (the artist)
some of the cookies

the winners ( I was excited to place 3rd as I haven't won in many years)

the losers :(

We went down to Blake's dad and Debbie's house aka the funny farm on the 23rd. Below is PawPaw and Bebe with their grandkids.

Emery Kate loved unwrapping the presents. She was good at it!

We went to the First Methodist Church of Waco's christmas eve service. It was really sweet. So important to focus on the reason why we are celebrating Christmas. I want Emery Kate to understand what it is all about. I look forward to next year as I'm sure she will understand it so much more.

EK and PawPaw

On Christmas Eve after the candlelight service we went over to Blake's mom's house for dinner and that's where Blake, EK and I spent the night. Here are more pics of the grandkids. EK has fun with all her cousins and gets a little spoiled being the youngest. I don't know what she's going to do when she has more competition

with Molly's arrival :) Her Aunt CC and uncle Jon gave her this shopping cart. She was very excited about it!Aunt CC and EK

our fam of 3 (soon to be 4!)

For Christmas we got EK a kitchen. Blake put it together Christmas Eve (it took about 3 hours) and it was so fun to give it to her Christmas morning. She starting playing and then looked over at us and said "thank you" ....so sweet!

Her Grandmommy got her fun kitchen cookware and plastic food.

I LOVE these two.

I feel like it was a special time for us with Emery Kate as things are about to change in a few days. We are so excited for Molly's arrival, but I know I am so thankful for the past 20 months of our time as a family of three. Blake and I are so blessed to have Emery Kate. She is so sweet and such a joy. I know she is going to be an amazing big sister. Pray for her during the upcoming transition. I am also so thankful for Blake. He is such an amazing daddy to Emery Kate and I know she has completely stolen his heart. He is about to have a house full of girls, but I know he wouldn't change it for the world. I am so blessed and I am eager to see all that 2011 holds.

A not so jolly Santa visit and other pics

2010-12-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Emery Kate had her first visit to Santa this weekend and as you can tell she did NOT enjoy it. When we left Blake said "it's probably good for her to have a healthy fear of an old man dressed in a costume." True...
Sweet pics from today

I feel like this is a face I gave my dad a lot when he would want to take my picture.

Aunt B took some cute ones of EK the other day when she was watching her.

P.S. Thanks for all the comments about the name for baby girl! I loved hearing everyone's opinions! We are pretty sure it is going to be Molly Elise Marable but Blake won't let me make an official announcement yet!

Shutterfly Holiday Cards

2010-12-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

I love the Christmas season and one of my favorite parts is getting everyone’s Christmas cards in the mail. It is so neat because each one is different! Shutterfly is a great website to find your Christmas cards on! The collection this year is so adorable, I am having the hardest time deciding which one to use now that I have the pictures I want to use! Click here to see the holiday cards and click here to see the photo cards. I can’t wait to order mine for this year. I have used their Christmas photo cards in the past and was very pleased with how they turned out. It is so easy and they look so nice. They also shipped it to me very quickly which is great because I tend to procrastinate on Christmas cards. Not only do they have cute holiday cards, you can make holiday invitations here or cute birthday cards here. Shutterfly has a lot to offer. Check out their website before you buy your holiday cards this year!

If you have a blog and want 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, Click here to go to Shutterfly for information on how you can get 50 free cards this holiday season, and make sure to select Clever 1000 as the referral source.

names for our baby girl

2010-11-28T12:44:00.001-08:00

Blake and I have had the hardest time deciding on a name for this precious baby girl. It was so easy with Emery Kate. Last week we talked and we had decided on Karsyn Elise. It was Blake's favorite among our three name options: Karsyn Elise, Molly Elise and Elise Blake. I like the name a lot but loved the name Molly Marable. How cute is that? Anyway...Blake was talking to me the other day and said that maybe he was starting to like Molly. I had already put an order in to my friend to monogram a pillow with Karsyn's name on it so it would be official. Now we are back to undecided. I know for sure that Elise is going to be in the name b/c I felt like I heard that from the Lord and Elise means "consecrated to God"...how amazing is that. Just wondering the thoughts of those who read this on our name options? I like hearing people's opinions! Let me know what you think!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-28T11:04:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Blake and I hosted it for the first time which was really fun. It was definitely a team effort. Mary Beth was in charge of decorations and it looked beautiful. Cindy made the turkey and dressing which was a huge help and everyone else who came brought stuff too. I know I couldn't have done it by myself. God is so good. I have so much to be thankful for. I am truly blessed.
Blake and his mom, Cindy

We had 16 adults and 4 kids so there were three tables and a "kids table"!

We all had a verse on thanksgiving to the Lord to read.

kisses

sweet

EK was VERY into her Mimi. She wanted her over me and Blake. Tear...

the artist

Coach and Campbell

EK and Campbell looked so cute in their matching dresses.

Duncan was really into the chex mix.

cute

Sadly Christy had to work but she came over after work for some leftovers.

mom and cindy

the football game

2010-10-29T11:41:00.001-07:00

Baylor vs. Kansas State
A huge storm hit the field during the first quarter. We all got SOAKED!

Emery Kate was a TROOPER. She got so wet but stuck the game out with me. We had fun and wished that Blake was there b/c Baylor did awesome and become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994! Go bears!!!

Mary Beth took this beautiful pic after the rain.

homecoming

2010-10-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

We started the weekend going to the zoo with Mimi and Coach! It was great! EK loved the otter slide!

Baylor Homecoming parade

Sweet Mary Beth made Emery Kate a Baylor clip...and she made one that I got to wear too! Aren't they cute! Visit her website at www.marybsudan.etsy.com.

Emery Kate's Bebe gave her this cheerleading outfit! It was so cute on her! She could be a future Baylor bear :)

Blake had to miss it this year due to a work trip! The Ogden's were out of town too...we missed them all!

Homecoming is only homecoming if the Forrester's are there with us! I love their family so much, they are perhaps the most fun family to be around in my opinion! We are blessed to have them as friends!

I love my mom and dad. Thanks for starting the Baylor tradition and for supporting all of us through it. Even though I am half auburn tiger half baylor bear when I go to Homecoming and with a family of baylor bear's my true colors come out (green and gold :) ). Rachel and Sarah...don't hate me for saying that :)

attempting pigtails...

2010-10-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

I don't think she is too thrilled :)

i love fall

2010-10-05T13:49:00.001-07:00

I love the fall. This is my favorite time of year for many reasons. I LOVE the cooler weather. I love pumpkin desserts. I love the colors and the leaves changing. I love getting excited if Baylor wins a football game. I love thanksgiving, my bday and blake's bday all in november. I love this time of year b/c it fills my heart with gratitude. Our lifegroup has been starting each meeting by saying something we are thankful for and I have loved that. I have so much to be thankful for.
I also LOVE all the cute fall clothes I can put EK in!

She's going to be such a good big sister!

I LOVE this girl! "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night." Ps 92:1-2

in daddy's boots

2010-09-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

Emery Kate is really into shoes. She even learned how to put on her crocs today by herself. She always wants us to have shoes on and she loves trying on her mommy and daddy's shoes. It was so cute seeing her in Blake's boots this morning.
Notice her bedhead.

Blake put the pool out for EK this week. She has this new thing where we tell her to make her excited face and she does this super cheesy grin. It is awesome! We tried to capture it in this photo.

We went to Wimberly, TX last weekend with Blake's family. These last few pics are from dinner in Gruene at the Gristmill. It is such a fun place to go!

the girls

Family Picture (notice Camryn in the background :) )

Ribbies Clippies!

2010-09-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Emery Kate had her first modeling experience a few weeks ago. Blake's aunt, Kim, who started the company ribbies clippies had Emery Kate model some of her new headbands to put on the website. They aren't on the website yet but she sent me some of the pics from that day and they are so cute I had to post them!

It was really hot so her cheeks are nice and rosy!

My sweet, beautiful girl

Aren't those headbands so cute! When they become available I will put a post!

San Diego!

2010-08-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

Blake and I had a wonderful trip to San Diego this past weekend. It was our first trip without Emery Kate which was very hard for us but very good for us! She had a great time with all her grandparents and we are so thankful for them! Above is a view of Downtown San Diego from a ferry boat. Below is dinner at Hodad's- a yummy burger joint. We ATE a ton this weekend. Good thing I'm pregnant :)
on the ferry ride to Coronado Island

Look at my huge belly at coronado Island

Cute pic of Blaker!

La Jolla, our favorite place in San Diego

Sporting our new shades! We went to the tide pools at La Jolla...we didn't see much but did find a few hermit crab and sea anenome (sp?)

San Diego Zoo:

We enjoyed the zoo a lot! The picture below shows a cheetah and a white golden retriever being walked from one area to another on a leash. Apparently the dog and cheetah are good friends!

I loved seeing the koala bears. They were adorable. Here is one peeking through the tree.

Me with the giraffes.

They had a show with the Sea Lions. It was pretty cute. The sea lion is in the process of blowing the audience a kiss.

The San Diego zoo has panda bears! Fun! They are really neat to see. It was also fun b/c we ran into a friend at the zoo and saw this exhibit together. Pretty random!

The US Grant Hotel

We loved this hotel. It was probably one of the nicest I have stayed in. Blake had mentioned it was our 5 year anniversary when he booked it and so they upgraded our room and brought us up these chocolate covered strawberries when we arrived with this letter. Pretty nice!

Some views of the lobby.

We got EK a little pink guitar at Old Towne area in San Diego. She is already enjoying it! We miss San Diego already but are glad to be back with our precious girl! Can't believe she's going to have a baby sister. We were working on trying to figure out her name all weekend but haven't quite decided yet! We'll keep you posted!

It's a....

2010-08-31T13:03:00.001-07:00

GIRL!!!