WHOOP!!

Ok, I know that I'm really not allowed to say that since I'm a Baylor Bear...or maybe I just can't do the hand motions...I'm not sure, but I don't care!!! TRAVIS WAS ACCEPTED TO MEDICAL SCHOOL AT A&M!!! WHOOP! This is extra fabulous news because it means that we'll be able to stay in town!! We may even be able to stay in our house, which means we may even be able to paint the nursery now!!! We were holding off, because we were assuming that we would probably have to sell our house, but it's looking more and more like we may be able to stay in it- YAY!!

Last night, we went out for "celebratory cocktails" (as my dad would say) with my parents at Cheeve's. Everyone is extremely excited and especially proud of Travis. I know that he feels like he's been carrying this burden for awhile now, (about a year, actually!) so I'm glad the weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.

When Travis first decided that he wanted to go to med school, he didn't want to tell anyone. He didn't want to be embarrassed or let anyone down if he didn't get in anywhere, but after talking with some close friends of ours, we realized that by telling people, others could be praying for us and we would have a support system through it all...no matter what happened. I'm so thankful for the support system that we have. I know that we had many, many, many people praying for our future and for Travis' interviews and essays and everything else. PRAISE the Lord for answered prayers. God is so good....I mean, could there have been any better time than Christmas??? He has opened a door for us that was very tightly closed. What a blessing!

Patience

Is a virtue, right? I'm not sure if it's being cooped up inside so much lately, or if God is just preparing us for a baby boy, but Buddy has been on a roll lately!!!! Last night, we got home from Cheeve's to find tissue paper and bits and pieces of a gift bag all over the living room!!!! The problem was, there was no gift to be found...I knew exactly what gift was in that bag...it was a Jon Hart wallet that I bought Travis for Christmas!! I was furious to say the least. We looked all over the living room for it (Travis didn't know what he was looking for, but he was being a trooper.) Finally, I found it...in Buddy's MOUTH!!!!! I was soooooooo upset with him! I didn't understand why he hadn't messed with any of the gifts for the past week, but tonight he decides to chew up the ONE nice thing I had for Travis under the tree. Luckily, the wallet was salvageable...sort of...it has teeth marks in it, but Travis said it gives it character...he actually got a pretty big kick out of the whole thing....I needed about 10 minutes to calm down, but then I was ok.

Then, last night at about 2am, we were awoken by the most disgusting sound of Buddy throwing up right by the bed! EW! Travis the trooper got it all cleaned up and we were off to sleep again. (except it took me about 2 hours to fall back asleep because I started thinking of all the things I needed to do today...)

This morning, I woke up, had a cup of coffee, was checking my email, and noticed that Buddy was being extremely quiet...usually he's right next to me sleeping or wanting me to pet him, so I knew something was up. I went to the kitchen to check on him and saw chocolate crumbs on the floor!!! He had gotten a half-loaf of chocolate bread off of the counter and eaten almost all of it! I just don't think that he relates punishment to crime very well...or maybe he just doesn't care! Of course, I got online right away and started googling dogs eating chocolate. I knew that when I was growing up, our chocolate lab ate an entire chocolate cake and she was fine, so I wasn't too concerned, but Travis thought I should call the vet just in case. (By the way, this never made the blog, but just a few weeks ago, I had to call the vet because Buddy ate 2 tiny screws from the vacuum...so I was a little embarrassed to have to call again...) They said he should be fine. It really wasn't enough chocolate to hurt him, and they just recommend keeping an eye on him.....

I love this big ole snuggly dog, but he sure is testing me this week! I think he knows there's another child coming...I think he's getting jealous already. I may set up a schedule for people to come play with him when the baby comes. :) I'll let you know when you can sign up!!!

These are a few of my favorite things....

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I just love love love everything about it! I love the joy in the kids' faces at school, I love the decorations, I love the cold weather, I love the Christmas songs, I love the shopping for the perfect gifts, I love getting together with family and taking pictures, I love getting together with friends, I love the Christmas lights, the smells, EVERYTHING!
Most of all I love the "reason for the season"...this year that has taken on a whole new meaning for me. When I think about the tiny baby boy inside of me, I think of Mary and her pregnancy with baby Jesus. She must have been such a strong woman to trust God through such a miraculous event in her life. Though no one else may have believed her, she trusted God through it all and gave birth to God's son...which was the beginning of our salvation. The story is truly amazing. I love Christmas!
While we unpacked all of our Christmas goodies this year and reminisced about ornaments we had bought in years past and Christmas things that we had received as gifts, I took pictures of a few of my favorite things....seriously, these are just a few...we have made so many Christmas memories together already...here's to hundreds more! (This is our 9th Christmas together!!)

This is our newest ornament from this year- I LOVE it!! The art teacher at my school made it for me, and she even drew a little baby bump to show baby Colby! (another special touch is that the dog bone says "Buddy") I will always think about this Christmas when I see this special ornament.

When I was in 3rd grade with Mrs. Bonner and Mrs. Goodfellow in Sunday School, we adopted two children in a third world country. We collected money for them, prayed for them, sent them cards and pictures, and they sent cards and letters to us in return. It was the first time that I can remember doing something for someone else and caring about making a difference in the world. At my Christmas shower, Mrs. Goodfellow gave me this hand carved nativity that was made in the same third world country and through the same organization that we had sponsored the children through in her class. This will always be one of my favorite Christmas things.

Marlena McQueen gave this to me last year in our BUNKO Christmas exchange- it's SO cute! I tried to keep it up all year last year, but Travis wouldn't let me. :)

Tiffany Pirtle gave this vintage santa cookie jar to me at my Christmas shower. It's not just something you can pick up at Target or Pier One- it has character and I love it!

This Christmas, as my mom was decorating her tree, she came across this ornament that she cross-stitched the Christmas that she was pregnant with me! She has passed it down to our tree, so now it will be special to me in so many ways. Love you mom!

While we're on the subject of my mom...3 years ago she started a new tradition with us. She got the idea from a good friend, Debra Moore whose mom did the same. Each year she buys us a new ornament that has something to do with something that happened in the past year, and she writes a letter to us including all of the memories from the past year like babies being born, weddings, deaths, trips, new jobs, etc. It's so nice to have all of these memories written down and put in a box with a special ornament. Travis and I really enjoyed reading the 3 that we have so far...can't wait to get this year's letter. :) (yes mom, this is a gentle reminder) This ornament is the one she gave us last year. We moved into our house at the very begninning of December 2007.

In 2006, the Christmas that we were engaged, Travis' mom took us on a special trip to blow glass ornaments. We each made one and they are the two largest ornaments on our tree as well as two of our favorites! Someday, I definitely want to make some more so that we can have them all over the tree.

In response to Sally's last blog, I LOVE CHRISTMAS CARDS!! I love getting them and I love sending them....but don't feel left out...we did not get our act together this year...and I'm thinking it may be too late, but you never know! Maybe we'll surprise you with a New Year's card...or a Valentine's card...or maybe you will just have to wait for a baby announcement in April! haha...thank you to all who sent us Christmas greetings. I LOVE them all!!!!

ok...last but not least....this is Buddy's first Christmas!! I can't imagine not having him around during all of the decorating and tree lighting and festivities...this is one of his "I'm trying to sleep" poses...he's so funny!!

Sweater time!

A few years ago, we started getting together with a few close friends for a Christmas party each year. Last year, since we had just moved into our new house, we hosted the party, and it was pretty crazy to say the least. It was our first party in our new house and I will never forget it!
This year, Travis wanted to have people over again, so last Friday, I think we had our first annual Christmas sweater party. I have no idea how this happened! I sent out the invitations, talked to the girls about what to bring, and had no clue that the guys were going to come up with such an idea... The day of the party, Travis wanted me to go by all of my teacher friends houses to check out their Christmas sweater collections. I ended up bringing home a reindeer sweater of my moms that I KNEW he would not wear! Boy was I wrong! We had a great time- it was fun to see some friends that we hadn't seen in awhile, and Santa even made an appearance!!!

Sounds like next year there will be a contest...better start looking for that perfect sweater!!! (Travis is even looking for one for Colby :))

The boys greeted guests with carolling

I wish this picture did the "combover" justice

Kennedy went outside with Santa to look for reindeer!

D'Hanis Memories

A few weekends ago, we got to go down to the ranch with some friends from our bible study/ supper club. I have learned that with this group of guys, there is NEVER a dull moment, but they always seem to amaze me more and more. My stomache hurt all weekend from laughing so hard. It was the perfect weekend to relax and get away from T-town for a few days. I love being somewhere else, because then there is no feeling of "I should be cleaning my house right now" or "I should be doing laundry" or "I should be out Christmas shopping" or "I should be doing something productive!" At the ranch there is no pressure to do anything! It's wonderful. The boys woke up early to hunt, and the girls slept in, drank coffee and relaxed. Saturday night, we did decide to join the boys for an evening hunt, and that was fun...but we probably won't make a habit of it.... :) We can now say that Colby's been out on his first hunt.

The "little man with the hat" (as my dad refers to her) remembered Trav from the last time he was in town and played a special request for him! Thanks for helping him out Lee!!!

We had fun, but we're ready to get home and into our warm pajamas!

so proud...

Thanks for the memories guys!! We had so much fun and can't wait to do it again!!

22 Weeks Pregnant

This is a little late, because now I am almost 24 weeks, but this picture was from the day before Thanksgiving! I really love being pregnant. I love the way my tummy is starting look like a basketball, I love feeling the baby move all over the place and I love thinking about having a miniature Travis in 3 and 1/2 months!! :) (I know that last comment scared some of you...haha...but I do love it!)

This is a picture that one of my students drew for me- I love it!!

Post-Thanksgiving Hunt

Here are some pictures from the weekend after Thanksgiving hunt...

Tis the Season to be jolly....

One thing that makes me jolly is that I think Travis likes to decorate for Christmas as much as I do!!! He is always so helpful when it comes to decorating the tree (yes, he's better than me) and the outside of the house. We decided to go with wreaths on the windows this year instead of trying to do lights on the house, and we love them so it all worked out perfectly.

We tried to have a photo shoot with Buddy in front of the tree...but he wasn't having it....he's not a very photogenic dog.

Christmas Shower

Last weekend, Jordan and Jayci threw Haley May a Christmas shower! It was so fun- I just love Christmas stuff, and I was so excited to see all of the fun things that Haley received to start her Christmas collection. Lots of cute ornaments, plates, mugs, decorations and of course, a precious nativity from Mamaw.

FULL of Thanks

This year Travis and I have SO much to be thankful for. We have been abundantly blessed by the Lord- especially with this baby boy. We are so thankful for our amazing families and our incredible friends. I love Thanksgiving!!! This year we got together with my whole family the night before Thanksgiving at my parents' new house. We had lots of food (of course, I was in charge of mashed potatoes!) and lots of fun. Debbie even brought Belle's puppies over for some added entertainment! They were 5 weeks old and PRECIOUS!!! I tried to convince Travis that I will need another girl in the house now...but he wasn't buying it. :)

On Thanksgiving day, we went to Travis' parents' house for a delicious lunch (and again, I brought mashed potatoes!) His grandparents from Oklahoma were in town and we had a wonderful visit. It was a great day!!