An update and a first Halloween!!

Well, as most of you know Mikey has almost made a complete recovery from his open-heart surgery. Thank God! He still battles lethargy and weakness late in the day, but he has overcome mountains from those first days after the surgery, and certainly, has defeated a life-threatening problem. A feat not surmountable without God and his guiding hand upon an awesome team at Baylor Medical Center.

Everyone is doing well and last weekend, we celebrated Presley's first Halloween. We want to thank cousin Braelan and Aunt Laura for sharing the event with us. We had such a good time trick-or-treating with y'all! Also, thanks to all the grandparents and great grandparents for the special goodies and treats.

Thursday evening started with a trick-or-treat at Vernon College for employees' children....and Thursday night was jack-o-lantern carving at home....

and Saturday, was the OFFICIAL big day.....we're a little biased, but we think Presley made the CUTEST teddy bear!

And she was a very tired bear after all that hard work....

Her first birthday is fast approaching in just over a month...we can not believe it, but are ecstatic to celebrate the FIRST YEAR!

Wow...How God Has Changed Us...

I would normally say, "wow, how time has changed us" because in the 3 months since our last post our lives have changed drastically, but these changes like all changes were guided by God...

We have prayed for months that I would be able to find a job that still provided some income while also supplying a more flexible schedule to a be a more full-time wife and mom...and just like that, God blessed us. One day, I was working for NATCO keeping time and two days later...I had a job teaching English at Vernon College. Something I have ALWAYS wanted to do - and now have more time home with my loves.

We prayed for God to grant us wisdom and hope to find a permanent home (since we were leasing our old place) that we could make our own and where we could raise our children, and while our previous house hunting and home buying experience had been terrible...suddenly, by the Grace of God, we have a beautiful, comfortable, charming home of our own. Very close to our families and our hearts...

But the most amazing miracle the past 90 days, is the miraculous way God has healed and is still healing Mikey. For those that don't know exactly what happened...let me offer this short re-cap: Memorial Day Weekend ( the same weekend we went to the Rangers game (see pics below)) Mikey contrated pnuemonia from cleaning out my great-aunt's barn (that's a story in-and-of itself). After fighting it for almost two weeks, he finally decided to stop being stubborn and go to the doctor. Two doctors did no chest x-rays, but after continuing to fight the pnuemonia for two more weeks a chest x-ray was ordered by his hometown doctor. The x-ray showed no pnuemonia but a concerning image on his aorta. Several tests later confirmed this diagnosis: an anuerysm 5 cm long and 5 cm wide. The final diagnosis came July 4th weekend!

Fast-foward: And I am sitting today in a hospital waiting room outside of ICU at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Some anuerysms may be repaired by stent which they simply insert through your groin; however, due to location, Mikey's could not. Yesterday, starting at 7:45 AM and ending at 2:15 PM Mikey underwent open heart surgery. God guided the hand of a wonderful surgeon and awesome staff. He continues to receive unparrelled treatment in ICU by a team of astounding nurses. He is recovering VERY well and looks to be moved out of ICU tomorrow after his spinal drain is removed. (The spinal drain was implemented to protect him from the risk of paralysis - a significant risk with this surgery.)

It was by the grace of God, the anuerysm was found and repaired. We could not be more thankful, for the blessings God has bestowed upon us, the past three months. We can only sing His praise and lie at his feet...


I will continue to post updates about Mikey on this blog. As well, as some pictures....we look to be here a week.

Six Months!

One week ago today, it was our beautiful bouncing daughter's sixth month birthday. My goodness! How the time has flown! Of course, these are the cliched things you would expect me to say, but really I cannot believe how she has grown before our eyes.

As a special treat for her birthday, we took little Presley to Braum's to get an ice cream cone all her own. And here is the result...

Well...you have to wait for the result because it's not uploading pics...bummer...

Summer...At Last!

Ok, so I've been a little absent-minded and have forgotten to post to the blog, but, honestly, it wasn't all forgetfulness we have been very, very busy as well. Easter, then Mother's Day, then before we knew it, Memorial Day; there's been a death in the family, and illness....and graduations and weddings and baseball games!

So, let me just pause a moment to CONGRATULATE our graduates. Acy, Jaci, and Brady we are very proud of you! We wish you the very best in your future!

But enough of my talking, or, rather, writing...on with the PICTURES! I can't possibly put every picture on the blog since my last post because we would be in picture OVERLOAD, but I thought I would share some pictures of Presley's first Rangers game on Memorial Day! It was the Rangers vs. the Yankees and cousins Logan and Acy joined us in our "All You Can Eat Seats" with acesss to the AIR-CONDITIONED restaurant! Yeah!

Here is a little collage of pictures I put together from the afternoon..




Well, my plan was to post more pictures, but apparently, blogger is having trouble uploading suddenly or else, it is my computer. But I will upload more, as soon as possible...

Until then...try to stay cool and enjoy your summer!

Why I Blog...

Some of you might be wondering why I’m all the sudden all about blogging…you may have even heard me recently quote from this blog or that one…so here is the inside scoop on my fascination with the blogosphere.

I entered the blog world by accident, pure coincidence, and the desire to brag on our baby girl. My friend, Dani started a blog after her son was born to keep friends and family up-to-date on little Quade. I thought it was cute, and stole the idea for our family and newborn. Sure, I had heard of blogging, but it was never really my thing. I spend hours in front of a computer at work all day, why, I thought, do I care to waste my precious time reading someone else’s thoughts….well, I have found, because….

Because I’ve always been a shy girl. Reaching out and establishing friendships and relationships has always been difficult for me. Trying to say what I want often leaves me embarrassed and at a loss for words, but ask me to write it, and it’s a whole new ballgame. A ballgame where I am quite comfortable on the field….Reading and writing was always, I thought, a peek into someone’s soul, and blogging provides an outlet for both.

Because people often speak cheaply with their tongue, but ask them to write something, and they rarely put on paper what does not have thought and heart behind it.

Because through blogging I have found exceptional people, exceptional parents who are at the same time ordinary like you and I.

Let me explain: As I began creating our blog, I stumbled onto a link for someone else’s blog, their blog linked to another, and that to another, until you finally realize you are in an intricate web of people connected by their blogs. A virtual community, if you will. One linking to the next and the next. And I am simply amazed everyday by what I read and find. For those of you not familiar with the blogosphere, may I encourage you to click on some of the blogs I follow...(try my charming kids or matt, liz, and madeline - this is about a father who became a widow the day after the birth of his daughter)…they are exceptional. Let me repeat: These are Exceptional people, exceptional parents, and at the same time ordinary just like you and I. Not over-paid actresses or athletes. Normal, every-day people, with normal, every-day problems and blessings. They share thoughts, tips, advice, consolation, recommendations, emotions, and prayers. I have been moved to find the grace of God in these people, and the blessing of life. You see these people write everyday about their lives. They give you a daily glimpse into their heart and mind, and man, is it beautiful…so if your feeling a little down, grow tired of seeing the bad news, hearing about the down-trodden economy, or seeing another child kidnapped or abused, please take a few minutes to see what people are actually doing and saying, and most importantly, sharing.

You will quickly see a world filled with good news and touching stories, lives filled with laughter and human emotions, love, and family…and most importantly it is shared from their view, their eyes, more poignantly written than any news story, sitcom, or movie could ever put it….

Maybe you all find it a little cheesy, but at least, I wanted to share. Reading these blogs has put a strong faith back into people for me and the beautiful world God created….

Until next time…Veronica

PICTURES!!

Okay, okay...after several requests from you guys, I decided to finally sit down and add some pictures. Its certainly not all of them, but its a start. Hope you enjoy and please leave a comment...we enjoy hearing from our family and friends. Keep checking back, and I'll keep updating.

Our First Family Pictures...

Hanging out with my cousins...

With Acy and Alexis before going to the Teacher's Benefit
(Congratulations to Acy! who was Mr. EHS - we are very proud!)

With Cousin Braelan (Bones) in Midland...

Hmmm...with a monkey of a cousin, Logan.

And last but certainly, not least, Presley and Rylee...

Chillin' in her swing...don't we all just wish life was this simple...

Pondering the problems of the world....

And all that pondering made her need a nap...

Crashing on big brother, Regan....

Man, it is tough being Presley....

Presley is 3 months old! Wow!

Wow! How time has flown and how much fun we have had over the past 3 months. For those of you keeping up, Mike and I have both returned to work now (boy, was that difficult after over 3 months at home with our precious girl!) and Presley is sharing her days with her grandmothers (bless them!)

She is growing so quickly and learning so much...its amazing that in just 90 days she has figured out so much about the world around her. This week we have been amazed at how she is learning to pick things up with her hands plus we think she is teething. Daddy had his first teeth at 2 1/2 months so maybe she will get hers just as quickly!

The whole family is looking forward to the warm weather of spring, but it looks like we are in for one last cold weekend. Mike is getting his jeep this weekend so we will be all ready for the warm and hot Texas weather!

Stay tuned for more updates...and Happy Spring everyone!!