The baby is...

...a boy!! Wow! What a surprise! We were all convinced that Marci and Jeff's baby was going to be a girl. But we were wrong! This will be boy #3 for my immediate family, as well as for Jeff's family. He has two little nephews already as well. Now, the real search begins to find a name for this little one...that should be very interesting.

Congrats Jeff and Marci! I'm so excited!!

Wedding Pics

Check out Contemporary Portraits' blog for a few pictures from Marci and Jeff's wedding. Fantastic shots! Marci is a photography fiend and I bet she just loves the great shots they got. Check it out!

http://www.cpcamera.blogspot.com/

Is it a Girl??

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one! Marci and Jeff should learn soon if they are having a boy or a girl. I still can't believe that they are already expecting! I'm not sure if they can really believe it either. I am secretly praying for a little girl...not sure how much more testosterone I can handle! The girls (Marci, Whitney, mom and I) are far overrun by the boys! Especially on my mom's side of the family. Of 7 grandchildren, the first 3 (Marci, Whitney, and I) were girls and the next four were boys (Brad, Blaine, Kyle, and Dillon). Now Whit has her two (Ethan and Carson). Come on Marci...we need that Precious Girly Girl!!
BTW, it will be interesting to see the names Marci and Jeff finally agree on...no luck so far!!

Brrr!

Man, it is COLD! Twenty-eight degrees...brrr...I've gotta find my blanket! I think I'm gonna head back to bed to warm up. Afterall, it is the first day of Christmas vacation! Woohoo!!

My Favorite Book of All Time!

When I was little, I read ALL THE TIME! I loved it! I remember feeling so "accomplished" once in elementary school because I read TWO books in one day! (Who cares that they were just "Box Car Children Mysteries"!) I stayed in bed all day long reading...and I didn't even fall asleep!

Then came junior high and high school...I had much more important things to do! Then it was college...who has time to read in college! I didn't even make time to read "required" reading for my classes! I thought I'd wait until after college to really spend time reading for pleasure. Wow! Was I wrong! I spent too much time planning lessons, grading papers, and SLEEPING!

So, since I've started my new job this year and have a little less outside prep, I've tried to make reading more of a priority. I really do like a good book. The question was...what do I read?

I was reminded of a great book I read several years ago...probably during summer vacation! It is by Francine Rivers, "Redeeming Love". Side note, anything by Francine Rivers is super! So, I bought a copy of the book and I'm already in love! I've found myself reading instead of watching TV and even staying up late just to read! Woohoo!

MI - "crooked letter, crooked letter" - I ...

Well, it is official. Marci is now Marci Blaylock. Marci has a Mississippi driver's license. Marci has Mississippi license plates. Marci has a Mississippi cell phone number.
Here are the pics she sent shortly after completing these tasks...I might add all these things were accomplished in less than 24 hours of her and Jeff arriving in Mississippi!
It should be noted that Marci will need some time to practice her new last name...she said she is not real good at making "B"s!! She is hilarious!!
I'm so happy for her, but will miss her like crazy!!

The Joy of Nephews!

On Friday I had a chance to baby-sit my two adorable nephews! Whitney wanted to go and help at the haunted house so she asked if I was interested in staying with the boys. It was no difficult decision...Of course! On the way from Frisco to Arlington I talked with Whit on the phone and could hear Ethan being a little pain in the rear! Oh, my, I thought ;-) But, both boys were amazing! Carson (1) is not at all afraid of "messin' with" Ethan (3)! It is hilarious to watch him try to "attack" Ethan! Ethan was a pretty good sport...except the time he hit "bubba" with the stick part of a stick-horse! Ethan did eventually apologize :-) Ethan and I performed in a rock band -- him on his electric guitar, me on the "stick-horse" guitar. I tried to make up a song as we played (my creativity and impromtu-ness is not legendary!). But, I would sing and pause for Ethan to fill in the blank: "Ethan is a rock-star, sitting in (his chair). He like to play (the guitar) and make lots of money (Ethan nodding!) With all his money he is going to buy daddy a (firetruck) and Carson some (pajamas) and Mimi (Marci) some (cake) and Jeff some (cake) and when they eat it they will get a tummy ache (Ethan nodding)." And so it went...lots of cake buying! I was pretty surprised at how easily he finished my sentence with only a little guidance! I think he is a genius!
Thanks, Whit and Chris, for the greatest nephews in the world!

Haunted House Anyone?

My sister, Whitney, and her husband, Chris, and his family, operate the haunted house "Nightmares" at Texas Scaregrounds in Kennedale (between Arlington and Mansfield). I'm not a huge fan of scary stuff, but I've always found haunted houses a bit intriguing! Here is their
website -- it looks scary and disturbing so beware!

http://www.texasscaregrounds.com/

Nightmares @ Texas Scaregrounds

800 W. Kennedale Pkwy.

Kennedale, TX

e-e-exercise!

I recently joined the Frisco Athletic Center. It is now a Frisco ISD "perk". FISD will pay for my monthly membership ($35) as long as I go to the FAC 10 times a month. There is no contract so I thought it was worth a try. I really like it! I've been during the early morning -- about 5:45ish. So far so good! Keep me in your prayers about this!

Mr. and Mrs. Blaylock!

They did it! Marci and Jeff were married today at 1:00 pm. Things went great! The rain even stopped long enough for some of their pictures. The reception was also fantastic...the food was good, the music was good, and the conversation with friends was good. I had a blast watching my nephew Ethan on the dance floor. He never stopped! He even chased one of the little girls trying to get her to dance :-) My dad was a total nut! He acted like a crazy man on the dance floor...which is NOT like my dad normally. I've added the only pics I was able to get. One is of Marci after the wedding waiting on pictures (bridesmaid Jamie is with her). One is of Ethan waiting for more picture taking. The other is blurry but is a picture of my dad and Marci during the father and bride dance. What a great day!!

The Big Day is here!

After tomorrow, my baby sisters will both be married! Whitney was married back in March 2007 and Marci will be married tomorrow, September 13, 2008. When we were younger, I think we all agreed that Whitney would get married first...that is if she was off the phone long enough ;-) While I wouldn't have chosen to be the last single one of the three, I am thankful for the flexibility to come and go and visit with my family. I will need it with Marci moving to Mississippi. She has already offered to take me to the Dairy Queen and Piggly Wiggly on my first visit...LOL! I am having a hard time accepting that Marci, Whit and I won't be able to get together so often. However, I can't imagine how hard this will be for Marci. For her bridal gift, I got her a little different kind of gift...a webcam. Then I gave one to Whitney for her birthday. So at least Marci can still have "face to face" conversations with Ethan and Carson and they can still talk to "Mimi". So, tonight the excitement begins...along with a touch of sadness :-(

Happy 1st Birthday, Carson!

My how time flies! My youngest nephew, Carson Lane, is turning 1 today! Last year I took the day off to be at the hospital when Carson came into this world. Interestingly, I am also off from work today...this time to help prepare for my sister's wedding, which is tomorrow. Carson is such a sweet little boy, who is not afraid to defend himself against his older brother, Ethan. I am so thankful for this past year and I pray that Carson will enjoy a safe and healthy 2nd year!

Pinch, Pinch...is This a Dream?

Nope...it is not a dream...I have joined the blogging community! I don't imagine it will be the most exciting blog ever created but I hope it will be a good way to encourage myself to reflect on my day and week and be reminded daily about the blessings in my life. So, come along with me...you might be surprised, as I'm sure I will be :-)