3.1.11 -- Cooper

Since I am into updating tonight I will introduce the latest addition to our family. His name is Cooper...



He is a Labradoodle and he was my Christmas present to the kids. I did lost of research this time. Zeke is an Austrailian Shepherd Huskie mix that we adpoted as a puppy from the pound but he is a very difficult dog to keep in the house because he sheds like crazy and mom is allergic to him so we tried to find a more allergy friendly and shed friendly solution this time and Cooper fit the bill!

3.1.11 -- Two Years

Wow! Two years have past since all of you helped me through the most difficult experience that I have ever experienced. I have reflected much over the last few weeks and I would like to thank all the wonderful people that God has blessed me with by placing me in their lives. I would like to thank David and my parents for all of the help and support over the last two years for keeping the balance in our home when everything was spinning out of control. Our NASA family for being so present for the Children and Me by letting us know what a special person he was to them. My Church for being there for us, allowing us to hold his funeral and the reception at the Church. Daddy always said that Weddings and Funerals should happen in the Church and I really agree. All of our family on both sides we have wonderful huge families. All of the friends that God placed in my life anything needed just appeared at my house during that time. Coffee, cups, plates, food, coffee cakes, everything that you would need to entertain huge crowds of people that filtered thru the house over the next few weeks. I can think of several very special people but I would rather they get their reward in Heaven than a fleeting and barely read recognition here. All of the supporters that I had here that send beautiful uplifting messages from all over the US and some I have even had the opportunity (as fate would have it) to get to know better in "real" life. I

Last week we traveled to the cemetery to see the stone because they just set it, and I am so happy with how it turned out and we had a wonderful day in the country.

I am very sorry that I have been so bad at keeping this updated.

11.28.10 -- Aubrey Meets Santa

Over the holidays we took Aubrey to meet Santa. Grant would not even come around for a photo and Aubrey was less than thrilled with the entire situation. We are Christians and yes we stress the true meaning of Christmas but we still enjoy the fun of Santa. Well not so much fun in this case but you know what I mean.

11.24.2010 -- Thankful

I am just reflecting tonight on all of the things that I have to be thankful for and I pray that He will keep my focus correct and focus on all the good things and blessings in my life rather than the alternative. I am so blessed and I am so very thankful for all of the wonderful people that God has placed in my life.

I would also like to share our new family photo for Christms. A couple of weeks ago I met a friend and photographer to take our Christmas photos and I am very pleased as usual with the photos that Sabrina at Southern Grace Photography took.



The kids are growing so fast and I really enjoy rocking Aubrey to sleep at night. I just can't believe how fast it is going by and I am trying to enjoy every moment. You can really get a glimpse of Aubrey's personality from this photo and Grant is turning more and more into a young man every day. Today I slipped up and called him David (as I frequently do) because he reminds me so much of him. I am so proud of him.

May you have a blessed holiday!

10.9.10 -- Light the Night

Grant & His Cousin Ryan


Aubrey & I


My Sister Paula, Me and My Mom

Tonight the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held their Light the Night walk in Downtown Houston at the Discovery Green Park (really neat place if you have not had a chance to enjoy it). Grant specifically asked me if we could do a walk in memory of his dad and I told him that I would look for one. Well it kinda fell in my lap and I registered us as a team and we ended up raising over 1,200 dollars and we had ~15 people walk last night. It was really lovely and I am so glad that we were able to do this. It really meant a lot to Grant that so many people cared so much about his dad. I know that everyone there had other things that they would have rather done but they took the time out of their busy lives to make it happen and I am VERY GRATEFUL that they made this happen for our children.

10.9.10 -- Recent Happenings

Here is a recent photo of our little family. I love this photo, I didn't realize it at the time but I feel it represents us walking on in life together. We did not select this path but it was selected for us by someone that knows the entire story and we must accept it.

The kiddos are growing so fast and the days are flying by. Grant lost his two front teeth two nights before we had the above photos scheduled. The weather is starting to cool in Houston and we are really getting a reprieve from the summer heat. Every day is a new adventure with new challenges and obstacles to be overcome. I am taking one task at a time and trying to climb this mountain. Over the last month I was in a minor accident with both of the children. Thankfully everyone was fine but it was so devastating when the officer asked me to call my husband and let him know. I broke down and told him that I didn't have anyone to tell because my husband had died of cancer. Poor guy he just caught me at a bad moment where all the weight of the world rests upon your shoulders and I was upset. I could not help but remember the last fender bender that I was in where a lady hit me and I was so upset that I got out of the vehicle and locked my keys in the car on one of the busiest roads in our area during rush hour. David had to bring me a second set of keys to unlock the car as the crowd of officers that had collected enjoyed a great laugh. They were really shocked that he would claim me.

I also killed my first wasps (I know that this sounds really silly), there were two nests on the end of the house and I was more afraid that they would hurt one of the kids that I was afraid of the wasps (that helped a lot). I found the spray in the garage where he left it and I tested it out a couple of times first before developing the nerve to really use it. It was a success and they instantly started dropping to the ground dead. It was very rewarding to take care of the problem myself. I really appreciate the selfless sacrifice that my parents have made to help me deal with all of the happenings the last 20ish months but I am trying to become independent (for the first time in my life) so that I can eventually move forward and balance everything on my own. I was so totally unprepared for this becuase the thought of having to do it all on my own had never crossed my mind before all of this happened.

8.30.2010 - Light the Night

Well today I registered us for light the night Houston walk. Grant has asked if we could do a walk in memory of David and we were not able to last year so we are going to do it this year. It is a fundraiser for they leukemia and lymphoma and we would love for locals to join us. It will be on October 9th at the Discovery Green Park and I really hope to have a nice crowd so Grant and Aubrey know how special their Daddy was! You can register to walk or donate on their website it is team David McKay! Thanks bunches!!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress

8.29.10

Today is David's 33 birthday. We went to San Antonio with some family to get out of town for the weekend. We had a really nice time in San Antonio and went to Sea World while we were there. That is another thing that we





had wanted to do but figured that we had plenty of time to do. We had planned on doing something at dinner to recognize the day but we ended up not being able to because I was trying to get back to Houston at a decent hour! Here is a photo of Grant taking a dip in the super tiny but really beautiful hotel pool.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

8.13.10 -- Brennan's Chef for the Day

I was offered the opportunity by a friend to be the Chef for the Day at a VERY SPECIAL restaurant in Houston. I was very reluctant at first because I didn't really know what to expect but I am so glad that I participated in this once in a lifetime experience and I HIGHLY recommend it! It was my vacation this year and it was so worth it! I learned so much and I cannot wait to apply it in my kitchen at home!



I cannot say enough nice things about this special place, everything about it was elegant and classy! Here is a peek through a porthole window into one of the stunning dining rooms. This place is a wonderful meld of old classy style with a new twist. It seems timeless like it has been there forever, however most is very new because of the fire that happened during Ike.

8.5.10 -- The Kiddos

Well it has been exciting the last few weeks. I have started sewing and taking photos again. Here is a photo from a couple of Fridays ago in the outfit that I made Aubrey. It is so fun having a little girl!

This week one of my friends Christie brought Aubrey her birthday present that she special ordered for her and it was a baby be blessed she is adorable and Aubrey loves her. I absoloutely loved the special card that came with her saying how they had prayed for the special little girl that would be receiveing the doll. I totally love her and that was such a sweet and thoughtful gift.

We have really been enjoying the summer but Grant is really looking forward to seeing all of his friends at school again.

7/15/2010 -- Another Update

I am so happy to report that we started back to our home Church this past Sunday and it felt so good to be back where we belong. We had really been trying to limit the number of people that she was exposed to while we were waiting for her surgery. It felt so good to be back.

Last week was really crazy, we haven't taken a true vacation since December 2007 when we took a family trip to Disney World. 2008 was so hectic that we decided to delay and then in 2009 we we did not get to go skiing like we had wanted to because I was pregnant and David did not want me to miss out. We had all the time in the world to teach Grant to ski so there was no rush. Well Grant has had a pretty dull summer so I bought tickets to the Ringling Brother Circus and it was wonderful. Grant and I had such a special evening as we walked around Reliant and checked out the Animals. We even ran into David's Grandpa, Uncle Alan, Aunt Dianne, Cousin Ashley and her Husband Shaun. We walked around with them until it was time to take our seats. I did not really pay attention when I purchased them because frankly I don't believe that I had ever purchased tickets before. I just mentioned that I would like to see something and the tickets just happened to appear at our house. David just took care of all of the little details like that. Well to make a long story short it was AMAZING and we ended up on the SECOND row. I have never been to the circus before and I am really not sure who enjoyed it more but when I asked Grant what his favorite part was he could not pick one out he just smiled and said the whole thing! We both had a magical evening. It was so special and I am so thankful that we were able to share this evening together.

The next afternoon (Thursday) they were having an afternoon Astros Game and I had tickets from work so we ended up going to the game they were GREAT seats on the 29th row behind the visitors dugout and Grant was THRILLED! Someone at work had won them in a drawing and did not want to take vacation time to go so it was a really nice score!

Overall we had a fun week and I really hope that Grant dosen't expect this next week because I am too old for this, but it was really great QUALITY time together and with all the attention that Aubrey has had with the surgery and recovery I am glad that Grant and I had the special time together.

6.28.10 -- Updates

Well I finally had a break today and I am able to sit down and provide updates as to what has been going on lately. First of all Aubrey had her surgery on the 17th of this month and it went beuatifully! She is still healing but I could not be happier with the wonderful Dr.s, Nurses and support staff at the Shriner's Hospital in Houston. I have had quite a few hospital experiences and this was has been by far the absoloute best I can say that I have EVER experienced and I will be forever grateful to them for this.

I also want to provide an update on one of my best friend's daughter Katelyn, she passed away the morning of the 17th and her and Aubrey will forever share this special day. Katelyn went to Heaven and as Grant put it Aubrey doesn't have a cleft pallate any longer.

I am very sorry that my posts have been few and far between. I have been so very busy with everything from working my full time job to being a full time mommy to two very demanding kiddos. I am trying to live our life to the fullest and enjoy and savor every moment because I have learned that you can't spend your time at a computer instead of living life. We must make everyday a magnificent adventure.

5.26.10 -- Bluebonnet Photos

Here are our yearly bluebonnet photos.

5.26.10 -- Birthdays!

Well Grant's 7th birthday was on April 28th and Aubrey's 1st was on May 11th. Here is a photo of the kids from their birthday session (we did it together!)

Everything is going really well, we are just extremely busy now that Aubrey is into everything and Grant just finished up with baseball. Aubrey's Surgery was rescheduled for the 17th of June so that is rapidly approaching! Hope

4.12.10 -- At the hospital

Well on monday I received the call from the Shriner's that they had a sick kiddo so there was an opening. We packed up and went showed up on Wednesday morning to prepare for surgery on Thursday. After spending the entire day at the hospital she woke up from her nap with a fever so they sent us home. It was disapointing but hopefully it won't be as stressful next time.


-- Post From My iPhone