"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."~Romans 8:28
Evan is starting to crawl! We are sooo excited to see him growing up, but I'm not ready for him to be independent! (Doesn't that sound terrible??!!). Chris and I are used to being the ones to carry him around, and now he won't need us for that...
But it is exciting nonetheless to see him growing up! I think he'll be crawling by the end of the week, or next week at the latest. Evan tends to be like his father; he will watch people do things for a long time, and then one day he'll just be able to do it!
Also, we have learned a valuable lesson. Chris likes to play with Evan by sticking out his tongue to be funny...and that is Evan's favorite thing to do now! Yesterday he started crawling and sticking his tongue out all in the same day! It is really hard not to laugh, even though we don't want him to grow into that habit.
Enjoy!
Christmas this year was so much fun! It was a blast being with Evan for his 1st Christmas. He received SOOOOO many presents that I think we will need to head home and do some remodeling/reorganizing to keep everything from overflowing! In fact, I hope we have enough room to drive home with it all...
Since Chris was in Chicago during the last few days of school before the Christmas break, and my side of the family was getting together on Saturday morning (Dec. 20th) for a cookie/ornament exchange, Evan and I drove home to my Mom's house in Santa Fe on Friday after school got out. My sister was also driving in from Lubbock that day, but had to work so she didn't arrive until about 1:30AM. We had to have 20 bags of cookies ready for the party that morning, but none of us had had time to make anything! So, we got up early the next morning and made these cute santa claus cookies out of nutter butters, and they were a hit!
Chris got home later that Saturday afternoon (20th) around 8PM, and I was going to go home to meet him, but Nick & Alia decided to drive him down to Santa Fe the next morning since they were coming down this way anyway so that we could all visit with Chris' parents.
After spending some quality time with both families during the week, Chris, Evan, and I drove down to the Valley to visit Chris' Dad in Raymondivlle. That is normally about a 5 hour drive, but having a baby changes everything! It took us about 7 hours to make it down there on Saturday, December 27th. That is a LONG time to be in a car with an 8 month old! He is such a good baby, but even he was getting tired of being in the car!
We had a wonderful time visiting both Chris' real father and family, and also his Grandmother who lives in Harlingen. Then it was time to get back in the car and drive home. We got home on Monday (29th)...well, really Tuesday (30th) about 12:15AM; again a 7 hour drive. But we made it home and had a great time!
We are waiting for Nick & Alia to get home from Utah so that we can hear about their white Christmas! We hope that you all have had a wonderful Christmas, and we wish you all the very best for the coming New Year! God Bless!
Some pictures from our Christmas this year
I know this is late, but here are a few pics from Chris' trip to Chicago before Christmas. He had a blast!
Ok, so I was a little jealous when Chris told me that he was going to be able to see
Wicked last night, but tonight he is watching
Blue Man Group as we speak! He told me he was in the poncho zone, so he thought he was going to be sitting far away and might get rained on. NO! He's in the front row and might get splattered with neon paint! How's that for an awesome trip?!
Both Chris and Nick headed off to Chicago this morning at 4am. Spring High School was chosen to perform at the Midwest Convention, and all of the Middle School band directors were asked to go along. Chris hasn't really traveled very many places, so he has really been looking forward to this trip. Since I couldn't go along, I've been looking forward to hearing what it is like from him!
Well, It's been my first full day without Chris.
..and I miss him! He left so early, that I really don't feel like I got to say goodbye, either. I wish that I had gotten out of bed to give him a truly wonderful hug and kiss goodbye. He will not return until late Saturday night, and I really miss him!
When they got there early this morning, he texted me to say that it was 18 degrees (but felt like 2 degrees!) and that there was snow everywhere!
Chris, I love you and miss you very much. Please enjoy yourself, but hurry back soon...safe...and sound! I miss you!
This is a post that has been in my brain for about 2 weeks now, and I'm just having time to write it!
During the last week that Evan was in daycare (more on that later), I walked into his room and couldn't find him at first. Then Carolyn, his teacher, directed my attention to the cushioned circle in the middle of the room where Evan was sitting up and smiling at me (that is the BEST feeling in the world, by the way!). Then I noticed something strange...
I noticed that he wasn't wearing the same clothes that we had dressed him in that morning, but those of you with children know that this is not a strange occurrence! Then the ladies looked at me and said, "Yes, he messed his first outfit up this morning...and the extra clothes that you sent this afternoon...so these are all we could find that would fit him."
This is what he was dressed in...
Yes, you are looking at a pink shirt with a big flower in the middle. Chris thought it was hilarious!
Evan,
You are 7 months old today, and we can't imagine our lives without you. You have brought so much joy to our lives, and the life of everyone you meet! You have a smile for everyone, even when you are being charmingly shy. I can see you growing up every day. You have places to go, and "things" to place in your mouth! Even at 7 months of age, your parents are finding it difficult to let you grow up too fast. Please be patient with us as we get used to you wanting independence (yes, even at this young age!).
You have begun teething, even though we can't feel any teeth in your gums, yet. It is hard to watch you go through any type of pain. Please know that we would do it for you if we could; however, that is all part of growing up. You will face hardships in the life ahead, and you will have painful moments. But please know that we are always there for you. Just remember that without suffering, there could be no compassion in the world. God will never forsake you, and neither will your Mama & Dada!
We love you with all of our hearts, and can't wait for many more happy days ahead with you!
