Engagement Party

Today was one of my sweet friends' Engagement Party. Suze, my sister-in-love Rebekah's sister, has just recently gotten engaged. I am so excited for her! I know she & her fiancée Nick would covet your prayers as they prepare to & begin their life together.

I had the honor & privilege to help Rebekah with a few last minute details, and do the cake. (btw, Joshua helped a ton too, and is an incredible orange slicer & arranger! I was very impressed!) The cake just about "ate my lunch" yesterday as I was working on it; and thank you everyone who prayed me through. I knew when I saw the weather forecast for Friday that it was going to affect my fondant---it always does. The Lord once again reminded me that I can't do things in my own strength, and it must glorify Him. He truly brought this cake together!!! Praise Him!!!! It's not perfect, but by His grace, it was together. I didn't eat any of it, but most people said it tasted good...again, praise the Lord! On a side note, I typically don't eat my own cake...I think by the time I serve it, I'm so sick of it, the cake no longer sounds appetizing...kinda strange, I know.

I wish I'd gotten a picture of Rebekah chocolate dipped strawberries! Wow!!!! She had some plain ones, sprinkled dipped ones, pecan dipped, white-choc, or milk & dark choc! They were gorgeous! If you ever need any, definitely order them from her!

Cold Snap

The two pictures are a couple weeks old, but so cute... Aspen was all bundled up for our morning walk... Her Nanny bought her a new hat & mittens yesterday, so when we walk on a cool, brisk morning again, she'll be toasty warm. The first pic was when we started our walk; the second when we finished...she'd fallen asleep, but woke up just as I took the picture....

The last picture was on Wednesday... It's kinda blurry, and Aspen's a mess, but I thought it was still cute. She has discovered she can stick her tongue out, and move it all around. I should r gotten video instead of a still picture...it's pretty cute.

KitchenAid

If you'd asked me last week if I liked KitchenAid products, I probably would of been polite, but not incredibly positive. If you ask me now, it's a definite YES with lots of enthusiasm. :D

When we got married, several dear people went together or gave designated money for us to purchase my countertop mixer. We got it before the wedding so I could use it for our wedding cake too... Well...from that first time to use it, the mixer made a strange humming noise. I didn't think it was normal, but after 1 use didn't think it could be messed up. With the wedding & all I didn't bother to figure it out, and just prayed it was my imagination. Each time I used the mixer (for the past yr & 1/2) I've prayed that, or at least that it'd "get better." I would've taken it back, but I couldn't find my receipt. Then, earlier this year, I found the receipt! Yay! But, I now had a little one, and dealing with the mixer wasn't something I always thought to do - except when I was actually using it. Well...last week the noise changed...it became more like a grinding than a humming. After about a week of trying to remember to call the company & just see what they could do for me, I finally did! I was floored!!! I briefly explained my dilemma, gave the nice lady my address, the serial & model number on the mixer and she put me on hold for just a few minutes. When she came back, she stated that my new mixer should arrive in 3-5 days, just swap it out with my old mixer & attachments, and ship the old one back with the prepaid shipping label. That was it!!! Everything was covered, FREE! Yay!!! Praise the Lord!!!!! :D

So, I called on Tuesday afternoon. Ya'll, I received the new mixer today by 9:30 a.m! Talk a about service!!! Aspen enjoyed helping me open & swap it out. Then, we boxed the old one up...she even gave a little "bye bye" wave. ;) This was the first boxed packaged we've received since she's become an explorer...she enjoyed climbing in it and pulling up on it like most children typically do with boxes. :)

UIL Marching Contest

Tuesday night was UIL for all the bands in our region. I was SO proud of Brian's band. They did great!!! They've come extremely far the past 2 years. They received 1's which means they are continuing on to Area Marching Contest at Galena Park on Saturday. They perform at 3:30, so you can be praying for them. :)

This was Aspen's first Marching UIL contest. She did great too. It was very windy, thus chilly too. We sat with my parents, & some dear Dickinson music friends. Then, Aunt Laura & Aunt Cindy joined us. This is the first UIL I can remember that PawPaw wasn't there too... Thank you dear Aunts for coming anyway & supporting us! It meant so much. Mrs. Glenda Dick & some other friends were there too... :) It was a fun, but windy evening...and maybe even a little stressful with the competition.

Choir time at Church

I really need to be studying, but I'm tired from my typically Monday tasks, and need a timeout before starting dinner.... So, here I am...

Brian's in choir at church...I was, but it's just not practical now seeing as I'm Nursery Coordinator & have my own little one underfoot. So, during choir practice Aspen & I just try to stay out of trouble. Yesterday I let her crawl under the pews...something I hasn't allowed before. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy it!!! She absolutely love being under stuff...table, chairs, pews...etc.

Aspen was beyond precious when I went to get her from the nursery Sunday Morning. We have a gate at the doorway of the nursery; the kind that opens like a little door & has aluminum/metal bars... :) Anyway, Aspen was standing at the gate (looking like she was in jail) just looking & waiting for Brian or I. When she saw me she got SO excited and started swaying back and forth, almost jumping or dancing. Once I picked her up, she threw her little arms across my shoulders and gave me kisses on my chin. After that, she laid her little head on my shoulder... It was SO sweet, and a special "mommy" moment.

Fun day with Mom

Today, Mom & I had running around to do, so we did it together. :) The started off by me stoping at a new donut shop!!! I've been waiting for it to open for about a year...they started building it sometime last year, stopped, and then started again about a month ago. This week us their Grand-Opening. Buy a dozen, get 1/2 a doz free. Way more donuts than I needed, but I did it anyway. Lol We went walking with Mom, then Aspen & I took donuts to Daddy at the Admin. Building. I had SO much fun walking through the building with my Daddy, letting him show off Aspen & us offering donuts. (Very yummy donuts I might add!) We left Daddy to finish his day, picked up Mom & went to Kohls. Next, it was off to have lunch with Annabel...tonight was her open house and Mom couldn't make it, so being the incredible Granny she is, insisted that we go have lunch with Annabel. And yes, we took her a donut; a pink one to be exact. Quite comically, she ate ALL of it, so she wouldn't have to share any with Alyssa after school. LOL!!!! Cracked me up...sounded like Joshua! ;) (love you Josh) Anyway, the rest of the afternoon was nonstop until we got home, then we both "crashed". Brian was so sweet...I didn't wake up Til 6:20 or so, thus, dinner wasn't ready when we got home about an hour or so later. Yet, the Lord answered my prayers, and the pizza was wonderful. I just realized my dishes are waiting to be done...that nap really through me off....

Aspen and her walker

Tuesday Date Night

We typically try to go on a date once a month...often times on the 19th. This year, our dates have been quite sporadic and even skipped. On Tuesday, Brian was actually getting to come home early (6:00) so we decided to seize the opportunity. Our niece Marisa came and sat with Aspen, and we had a nice even. Brian took me to the first place we went to together as a couple...a cute little Chinese restaurant in League City, Jade Garden. It's nice, the food usually great, and prices reasonable...esp during the lunch hour. :) It was nice to have some time out, and be able to visit about things we never get to talk about because of day-to-day life. :)

One of the things we discussed is the incredible opportunity the Lord has opened the door for me to do next month. As many of you know, I've been trained and certified through MTIA (Medical Training Institute of America) to be a Labor Support Professional or, more commonly known as a Doula/Birth Coach. (it's someone who assists expectant couples prenatally, during labor & delivery, and postpartum.) Being a Doula has been a passion of mine, and I LOVE the opportunity to serve expectant families... Anyway, since I've become a wife & mommy, my "doula-ing" has been put on the side, but if someone contacts me, I prayerfully consider & serve then as I can. :) Last Sunday I received an email from a friend who is also a doula. She has taken over the course & conference we received our certification through. Long story shorter... :)...MTIA was in need of someone to help Grace teach the Professional Labor Support Course (PLSC) to this years class. The Lord continued to lay my name on her heart, so Grace contacted me to see if there was anyway I could help. After the Lord working in amazing ways, and leading incredibly, I'll be flying to Nashville next month to help teach & train young ladies to better serve our Lord through being a Labor Support Professional. I am thrilled & honored to be considered for such an opportunity, and excited that the Lord is working it out. I covet your prayers over the next month as we prepare for this intense week of training. Please be specifically praying the Lord would be glorified, lesson taught & prepared perfectly for those attending, and the many other details that go into a week of craziness. :)

So....that was a huge part of our dinner date...figuring out if I should & could go. :) And, for those of you wondering, Aspen will be going with me. Pray that the Lord will help her that week, and provide someone to help w/ her or that she'd just be happy to play quietly by herself in a pack 'n play. :) And, pray for my sweet husband as he'll be all alone.

With all that being said...if my posting slows down the next month, it's because I'm studying. The conference is Nov. 2-9th. :)

Aspen on Tuesday

In the morning, Aspen & I drive over to my parents neighborhood so we can go walking with my mom. (I'm not very self-motivated to walk, so Mom helps me tremendously!!!) This week, we've had some very pleasant fall weather! :) It was crisply cool yesterday morning when we went walking, and I had to take a picture once I got Aspen wrapped up.

Then, last night, I cut up avocado for Aspen, and she figured out how to feed herself. She's extremely good at picking stuff off the floor and getting it to her mouth, but she never would pick up food off her tray to put in her mouth...silly girl! She did yesterday though, and I was proud of her!

Free Hands

So....a month or two ago Brian & I needed to get ready to go somewhere...I gave him the baby, so I could get ready, but only got to a certainly point until he was ready to change, etc. In my "what should I do" mindset, I plopped Aspen down into our laundry basket. It was perfect! She sat contentedly while I finished touching up my makeup & fixing my hair. :) (I couldn't put her there now as she'll pull up, and probably tip the whole thing over...) I thought the pictures were just too cute not to post.