Reese's Baptism

Today was a special day. Reese was baptized at our church, First United Methodist Church, in front of family and friends. It was very special for me because as I stood there and looked down the VERY LONG row of family standing with us (we had 19 family members standing with us) I realized how very lucky we are to have such a strong family to support us. I know Reese will feel the love and support of our strong family for years to come and it brings tears to my eyes. It really impressed upon me the importance of family.

Reese, of course, did her part playing the cute baby. She actually made it through the entire service with only a few, random cries, mostly strategically placed during a prayer when everyone was quiet. She went to our preacher and let him carry her down the aisle while the congregation sang "Jesus Loves Me" and only cried a little when he placed the water on her head. It was a very special experience.

After the service, all our families came back to our house and we had a cook-out in the backyard. Colton was excited to show off his new outdoor kitchen he built this summer. All in all, it was a special day we will always remember.

XOXO,
Devin

Where did the time go?

It seems like just yesterday I was typing away about Valentine's Day and here it is September. My dad always told me time flies once you have a child and boy was he right. It feels like time has just zipped by, leaving me just a little flustered and full of memories from the first five months of my daughter's life.

Reese Isabella Street was born on April 17, 2012, a healthy 8.1 lbs and 22 inches long. Life has been crazy since she arrived and I can honestly say it's also never been better. Having a child changes you and your marriage. In my experience, it has made me a better person and my marriage stronger, so I feel I am very blessed.

I am now a SAHM (stay at home mom for those of you who are acronym challenged) and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity for me to stay at home. It was a difficult transition at first because I LOVED my job and LOVED my students so it was hard to say good bye to that part of my life. However, I realize how lucky I am to be able to witness all of Reese's firsts. We are doing well staying at home and I am really enjoying my time with her.

One of my very best friends got married in Santa Fe two weeks after Reese was born so she experienced her first road trip at just 18 days old. We were very fortunate to have Colton's mom travel with us and keep her while we attended all the wedding festivities. She is already well traveled. She has been to Santa Fe, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth so far. She is a great little traveler.

Life is good right now and we are enjoying each day.

XXOO,
Devin

Valentine's...a little early

I woke up this morning to an unexpected surprise....cancelled classes due to inclement weather! Normally, you would think as an adult I would lament the fact that I would be losing a day of instruction. Instead, I squealed with joy as I pushed snooze on my alarm clock and thought of all the extra reading time I would have today. Most of the morning was spent playing on the internet and reading in the bathtub...you know...the things most mature adults do on their days off. No? Oh...well, that's what I did. Since the hubs and I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day a little early due to basketball games tomorrow night that I must attend, I had to run out to the store in search of the perfect card. We do not do a "big" Valentine's deal...usually just dinner. But, as a fan of expressing my feelings whenever given the opportunity, I never let the chance to buy a card pass me by. I love to give cards or notes. Hubs could probably do without but he has now been married to me long enought to realize the mistake of not having a card on a special occasion. Just ask him about the time he read his birthday card and then proceeded to toss it in the trash. Let's just say it wasn't pretty.

However, this Valentine's Day is special, I realized. Its our last Valentine's Day with it being just "us". From now on, we will have to share this holiday with our daughter and it will never be just the two of us again. Of course, I am thrilled about this and I know future Valentine's occasions will be more special because we will have a daughter to share it with. But, it does leave me feeling a little sentimental. So, since my pregnant hormones are raging more than ever, I thought I would reflect on why I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband.

10. He makes me laugh, even when I am mad at him and don't want to.
9. He helps me realize not to sweat the small stuff and to not take things so seriously when in the big scheme of things they don't really matter.
8. He brings me down a notch when I need it (which of course isn't often) :)
7. He is intelligent and likes to talk to me about his work and mine.
6. He lets me talk about my work all the time and tell stories about my kiddos, even if he has heard them already.
5. He realizes how much I love what I do and he encourages me. He wants to know the kids I love and he gives me good advice when I talk to him about things from school.
4. He shares my love of traveling and will join in on my daydreaming about our next vacation. He makes these dreams happen for me.
3. He builds up my confidence and values my opinions.
2. He loves our families and our dog in a way that shows me he will always be a family man and I can depend on him to support me and our family no matter what.
1. He is a strong Christian man who is not afraid to talk about his faith and he will be a good role model for our daughter. He has inspired me to explore my faith more deeply.

This Valentine's I am also thankful that our daughter will get a father that will teach her right from wrong, value her opinions, show her what a good man looks like and acts like, teach her to be a good Christian, and love her unconditionally. I am so very lucky to have been blessed by God with a man who loves me so strongly and deeply.

I hope you feel blessed this Valentine's Day, too. May love fill your day tomorrow!
XOXO,
Devin

2012- The year of possibilities

2011 was good to me. I wrapped up my first year of teaching at EHS and our first year in our new home, our goods friends the Cox's moved to Lubbock, made new friends, shared in the excitement of friends getting engaged and getting pregnant, traveled to Europe, visited New York City at Christmas, and found out we were pregnant with our first child. It has been a year of blessings and surprises. We are so lucky and so blessed. Our home is finally coming together and our life in Lubbock is blossoming.

As I spent time today and last night reflecting on the past year (as most do on New Year's), I couldn't help but smile to myself with anticipation for the year to come. We found out we are having a baby girl and she is due to arrive April 25th. Our lives have already begun to change as we prepare for our new addition. We are so excited to meet her.

As with all changes, the unknown can be intimidating and overwhelming at times as you question whether you will be good enough or be ready for what lies ahead. Fortunately for me, I have a wonderful support team surrounding me and, most importantly, my husband, who is my rock and my biggest encourager. As I embark on this new year and this new adventure of motherhood, I can't help but feel blessed to have such wonderful people surrounding me. I am so lucky. 2012- here's to a new year and a new journey. Happy New Year's!

XOXO!