Sweet time with Brock...

Uncle Doug and I got to babysit Brock last night for a few hours. Brock will turn 4 in December. He has such a sweet personality, and funny sense of humor. We had a great time playing together. At one point, he wanted to see "Cat in the Hat". He saw that Nana had a video of that on the tv console. So, being the fun auntie that I am, I said, "Sure!" Well, little did I know that this was NOT the cartoon version of Cat in the Hat. It was the Mike Myers version. When I hit "play", this was the face that Brock first saw. Well, he immediately started shaking his head, "No!" and said,"The tat in the hat is scared of me". Of course, what he meant was "I am scared of that Cat in the Hat!". I turned it off quickly, but I'm pretty sure it traumatized him because the rest of the evening he kept saying,"I no like that Tat in the Hat...it scared of me". Great...we've scarred him for life!
Later in the evening, after I put B into bed, he woke up screaming..."I scared!" I thought, "Oh great...the tat in hat has really done it!" No, he was just scared because it was raining. So, I took him to lay down with me in the big bed. He just stayed wide awake for awhile. Finally, I said, "Honey, are you not sleepy?" He replied in a very serious voice, "Aunt Hotsie, I am winding down!" So funny!! It's hard not to laugh AT them when they're so stinkin' hilarious! I love being his aunt!

Gates Elizabeth is HERE safe and sound!

Gates Elizabeth arrived today at 4:32pm. Her Mommy started contractions around midnight LAST night, so it's been quite a long day! But, all 7 pounds and 7 ounces of her are here...20.5 inches long and such a little beauty! I have not yet gotten to talk to Mallie, but I hear that she's doing well, just VERY tired!!! Brandon has been grinning ear to ear! Thank you, God, for blessing Mallie and Brandon with this sweet little girl! Congratulations, sweet friend! Can't wait to meet your DAUGHTER!!!
 
 

No news yet...

Mallie has been in labor all day and is waiting for Gates to make her appearance. Last I heard, which was about 12something I think...she was dilated to a 7. The epidural DIDN'T WORK though...what a total nightmare! So, I heard they were going to "try again" with that. Brandon said Mallie was doing well though (despite much pain at that point!...what a champ!) More to come...

Baby Gates is on the way today...maybe.

Please keep my sweet friend, Mallie, in your prayers. She's at the hospital possibly about to have baby Gates. She was having contractions 5 minutes apart at home, but they have slowed. Her BP is a bit high, though, so they're doing bloodwork to determine what to do...either induce labor or send her back home.

Lazy Saturday...

Today, we took a little trip to Randol Mill Park. We had a picnic and then walked around in the bluebonnets. What a beautiful day it has been!

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Turning red...

So, the other night I was reminded of a funny story that I don't want to forget. Some of us were talking about pre-marital counseling, and I happened to remember a little excerpt from one of our counseling sessions with our pastor, Dr. Wiles. He (Dr. Wiles) was asking Doug about some of the qualities that he appreciated in me. After Doug went on to say some sweet things about his bride-to-be, he then tried to say, "...and I'm really looking forward to us rubbing OFF on each other." Innocent enough, right? Well, wouldn't you know that SOMEONE got a bit nervous and instead said, "I'm really looking forward to us rubbing UP on each other!" Yes, that was a given, honey, but I'm pretty sure we weren't going to be talking about THAT until the next session! Well, Doug proceeded to turn about 14 shades of RED. Dr. Wiles was definitely red! I, of course, broke into hysterical laughter. It was great.

I'm feeling a bit "AUNT-SY"...

 
This is what my new little NIECE or NEPHEW looks like in my sister, Allie's, tummy RIGHT NOW at 9 WEEKS PREGNANT!!! Yay! I get to be an aunt again! What a blessing this little one is and will be to our family. He or she will be making what I'm sure will be a grand entrance sometime in November! We are so thrilled for Allie, Ron and big brother, Brock. Can't wait for November to get here!!! On another note, I'm laughing right now thinking about those of you who possibly didn't read the title to this post, saw a sonogram, freaked out and formed your own conclusions about what news this post was going to contain! :) **PS...This is not an actual picture of Sister's baby--just one taken off a pregnancy website.

What the HAIL??

So, as they say, "April showers bring May flowers." Well I say, "April showers KILLED MY flowers!" I guess it's a good thing that I got inspired to capture my garden on yesterday's post. Last night at about 11 something...the biggest storm with the biggest hail I've seen in awhile blew through and pelted our house and our yard! Not only was it terrifying (like the LOUDEST pounding noise ever!), BUT...it also managed to do the damage seen below! :( Many of my flower friends are laying down dead. Others got their "heads" completely hacked off. Others are hanging on for dear life crying out for sunshine...a very sad day for the garden AND the gardener!

 
Doug went outside IN the hail to retrieve a few pieces...they were pretty big!
 
Closer up...
 
The wasteland that is my garden :(
 

Spring has sprung...

 I am so proud of my little garden! Now, I don't know that I can take too much credit for it's beauty. I tend to kill most green things that get in my way. But these are some hearty flowers! I planted them last year, and they were pretty. Then, they all went away. I figured I'd have to buy news ones for this year, but to my great surprise, they have all bloomed and blossomed into big beauties! Each day, I take a little trip out front just to see them. They really make me happy! I thought you might like to enjoy them too... 

Auntie Sharon

 We also had a great visit from Auntie Sharon this past week. She was our first overnight guest in our house, which was so much fun! Sharon is one of Faye's (Doug's Mom) three sweet sisters! She lives in Canada, so we don't get to see her nearly enough, but we treasure the times we do get with her!

Much to celebrate...

 

This weekend, we had the pleasure of celebrating my Mama's Birthday! Doug and I enjoyed yet another outing to our favorite Tearoom for her Birthday lunch! We had a great time celebrating her, and look forward to many more celebrations with Donnakins! She's such a wonderful Mom, and we're so blessed to have her!! Happy Birthday Mama!

 

I also had the great pleasure of helping to host a baby shower for my sweet friend, Kimberly. Her baby will be arriving in about 7 weeks...SO EXCITING!! Kim and Eric decided to not find out if it's a boy or a girl, so they are in for a fun surprise. I can't wait to see her in action as a Mom...she will be great!!! Congratulations to Kim and Eric. We are praying for you both as you prepare for such a wonderful journey!