Welcome Christmas, Great News, Pictures and a New Job but not in this order...

I cannot believe another year has just flown by! I feel like it was yesterday that we were taking the boys to see Santa Clause. I will have to say I have been a bad mama and have not taken the boys to get their photo with Santa yet. It seems every weekend we have an event to go to but it's okay because we have spent some quality time with friends and loved ones.

Pictures:
We took some great shots with Salina Johnson for Christmas this year. The boys were not as excited about it but this always leads to great pictures of them.

The Great News:
My cousin Tiffani is expecting a little girl! Her name is going to be Carleigh Rae. I just think this is adorable! It is the first great granddaughter in the family.

New Job:
Matt and I have been praying for sometime about what to do with our finances. The real estate market is not great and the cost of living does not seem to be getting cheaper. A couple of weeks ago Matt went in for an interview with Halliburton about a position. This position would pay great but would require that Matt be gone for 7 days and then home for two continually. On one hand this job would do wonders for us financially and help us pay off all of our medical debt. On the other hand this job would be taking Matt away from the kids and I. We knew God had given us a new path and we knew He would not put this in front of us if He did not think we could do it. So, Matthew accepted the job and will now be a Frac Acid Operator Assistant. I actually do not know what this means because every time Matt tells me I get more and more confused so I am sorry for that. I am having my fabulous friends Afton, Amanda, and Jen come and stay with me when Matt is gone so I will have help with the boys. We are super excited about this new adventure!


Christmas Party:
Last, but not least, my work had our Christmas party where we exchanged gifts using the tried and true White Elephant. Most of y'all know this about me but I do not like to be surprised. I dislike it and must know what everyone buys because somehow it makes me feel better about the situation. Matt has tried for years to surprise me and I can only think of a handful of times he has succeeded. I know you are thinking "wasn't it even better that you did not know?" False. I must know everything. Anywhoo, I being the most brilliant person ever, ran around asking everyone what they bought so I could have a good idea what was being offered. See I brought a 12 pack of Coronas and I really wanted this back and Jen brought some delicious candy in a very pretty box. We conspired with each other and got both of our gifts back at the end of it. :)
Here are some pictures of the decorated hallway at work.

Angie, Chelsea, Ambra, Darla, Stratta, and Jen helped make these awesome 3D snowflakes.

I knew what almost all of these were.

I had to sneak my stocking up there!

To My Husband

Matthew,

Six years ago today I married you on a beautiful day in front of all of our family and friends. I could not contain the butterflies I felt until I finally saw you and it was as if the whole world disappeared. I cannot remember what are color theme was or the decorations we had but I can remember getting ready with all the girls, walking down the stairs to meet my father, the 3 1/2 inch heels that I just had to have, but most of all the moment when Brother Joseph announced us husband and wife.

Our first dance

The next few years it was just us and we had so much fun. I loved the nights when we would stay up all night talking about everything under the sun. We went on vacations together and with your family. I fell more in love with your family over the years as well and got to know just how incredible each of them are. My family instantly loved you and probably thought you were crazy for putting up with me. I did not think it could get any better.

Until we had two beautiful boys together. I did not know my heart could get any bigger with love for all three of you. I loved watching you hold them, love on them and be protective of them. I could not have chosen a better father for my babies. Maddox has your kindness and Emmett has your ability to smile all the time no matter what. I see so much of you in them and it gives me so much joy. 

Matt and Emmett

Matt and Maddox

I have loved the past six years with you and can't wait for the years to come. I love you with all of my heart.

Delilah

Blahday

Do you ever have those days that just make you want to crawl back into bed and stay there? Today was one of those days. I did not wake up in a bad mood but it really wasn't a great mood either. Let me go through the incidents that made my day go down the drainer.

I cut my hair off yesterday and it is shorter than I am used to. Strike 1.

Then I let some comments get to me today and if it had been any other day I would have no problem but it had to be today. Strike 2.

Last, my plate is overloaded with different stuff and I feel like I am not spending enough time with my babies. Strike 3.

After wallowing in self pity for the day I decided that I do not have it as bad as others. I have a sweet and caring husband who spoils me rotten (Yes Cynthia I agree with you 100%). I have two healthy, rambunctious, and fun-loving boys who just make my heart melt the instant I see them. I have a loving family who is always there for me and who loves me for who I am. God really has blessed me and I am so thankful for that. Okay. I am done rambling,

Everyone have a good night.

NICU Reunion

I thought I would start my blogging off and talk about our family trip to the NICU reunion in Temple, Texas. It was a first for Scott & White to put on for all of their NICU graduates. We packed up all of the items that we needed. 

Stroller - Check. 

Cups - Check. 

Mr. Snuffleupagus - Check.

Emmett sleeping on the way up to Temple.

The boys took their naps on the way up there but Maddox was pretty excited.

The reunion was held at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. They had a petting zoo, inflatables and most importantly...trains.

Maddox & Emmett sitting on a train wheel

We did not get to see our old doctors, Dr. Guo and Dr. Crisp, but it was still a fun trip for the family. They also put pictures of the NICU graduates on the wall so you could see the Then & Now. It was interesting to walk around and know that everyone there had one thing in common. We all survived having our child/children in the NICU. When I saw Maddox's picture up there with all the rest I just felt blessed that I have him here and he is healthy. It is amazing to think when I first saw him he looked like this.

God has really blessed me with a family that I only could have imagined in my dreams. They are everything that I was looking for. The day bought back some memories but overall I had fun watching my boys.