So Much To Do...

Well, between gaining a beautiful sister in law at the first of this month, and Madison having surgery last week, things they are a changing! Jared married beautiful Kara a few weeks ago and we were a big part of that whole celebration! They are coming up on their ONE MONTH anniversary and I wonder if they are in the rose-colored glasses honeymoon phase still. Maybe they will even CELEBRATE their one month anniversary. I think I'll ask them!

Friday Madi had her tonsils out, her adenoids out, and tubes put in her ears. It was a rough few days but she has been a total champ. I think the rough part was really just the parents being so on edge. She has done great! As of today she is pretty much back to normal and everything is going along smoothly! We are so blessed and so thankful that God has been so close to us during all of this!

A couple of weeks ago my brother Shaun accepted Jesus Christ into his heart! I can't be more proud than I am right now of him! I pray everyday that he grows closer to God on every turn and every moment of his life! I know only God can do the things that Shaun desires for himself and I can't wait to see how God changes him, as well as what he will do through Shaun, for Cassie, TyTy, Jessabelly and Alexander! SO EXCITED!

Ciao for now!

Appreciating what we have...

We went to the funeral of a dear friend's father today...we didn't really know Lou other than stories, and a formal hello and goodbye at shared events. He lost a long battle with cancer last Monday. It's times like this that people throw in phrases like "we were all better having known him..." and you generally just accept them and move on. In Lou's case, this was all so true! In listening to the multiple stories and memories that were given at the celebration of life, every single person proved time and time again what a selfless, giving person Lou was. He gave his life to Christ many years ago, and was one of the few genuine people that walked the walk and talked the talk. I wish I had known him, apparently it really was our loss, not his. I hope that we live our lives so that our stories are just as good, just as TRUE as Lou's stories were. He will be missed, and I pray that his family will be able to move on in knowing and believing God's promises that Lou is with his father in Heaven, in the room prepared just for him! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of this celebration of life!!! Goodnight!

First blogging...

Well, we are going to give this "blogging" thing a try. This seems to be an easy way to put out family pictures and updates for our fam, so we will see if I actually keep it up! Today, Derek is 27 years old, working for a very successful Oculoplastic Surgeon in Dallas and is loving "most" of it! His boss spoils him like crazy and they have become great friends along the way! Alicia works for a Dermatologist in Denton, TX and we consider them our second family! We are both so blessed to have employers like we do! Sometimes it is so surreal that God gives us all of the things he does! Alicia has recently gone back to school for a Science degree (Biology major, chemistry minor) and struggles to juggle a 40-hour work week, classes at UNT, full-time mommy and wife...but it seems to piece itself together on a regular basis...by no hand of ours, it's definitely an "only God" thing! And our greatest gift, our precious Madi. Our little angel is 3 years old right now but will be 4 way too soon! She has this gift to brighten up our days with such little effort on her part! She is just one of those kids that you can't help but smile when you are around! She really does brighten up a room simply by walking in! She is our treasure, our joy, and a wonderful gift from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Our family has a home church again, finally! We go to GracePointe in Denton, TX and again, this is such a wonderful blessing in our lives! We have found a church family and are eager for every Sunday when we get to worship our savior with our newfound family and learn more about God! We have a beautiful home in Corinth, TX and our hobbies include...well, really just each other! We can't wait to fill you in on our next installments to our hazy, crazy lives! Thanks for reading!