Halloween

Iron Man and Cinderella!

We had a Jack-O-Pizza!

Our friend and neighbor Ella, AKA Arial

Annual pic with the Galbraith Clan!

Cousin Pic with Grandmom and DD

Juno n Bleeker

Inner and Outter Growth

Well I am now almost 20 weeks, on Wednesday. Everyone seems to be concerned with how I am feeling, in a word-tired. I have decide that this will probably be my way of life from this point out for many years to come! Things could not be more different this time around. A lot less security, and alot more faith. With Ty and Olivia I had more sonograms than I could count. We always were aware of what was going on. This time we have not had a one. We have decided not to find out the sex of the baby this go around but have been convinced by my doctor to have a sonogram at 24 weeks to see if development is going smoothly. I still need to work out the logistics of that. As of now, we do not have maternity insurance but there is a possibility that could change by January. I would appreciate prayers over this issue very much!

Being a surprise, and the planner that I am, I had a lot of anxiety at first. I can now feel God giving me a lot of peace and I know that is answered prayer. There are several things that have happened over the past month imparticular that have allowed me to embrace this baby. I have also received a lot of encouragement and can feel God working through those around me. Its still so hard to imagine having a baby at this point in my life, and where we are as a family. My children are far past this stage and it has been very freeing. I have given absolutely every baby item away with the exception of my 1974 highchair in my attic and a few special blankets. The month before I found out I was pregnant I gave away a tub of Ty's newborn things to Good Will!!!!! I am still just sick about that. How special it would have been to see those things again especially if he has a brother. I remember how much trouble I had boxing them up at one time. All of his clothes since have been passed along, as well as Liv's but that one box had been overlooked somehow. I guess I could say the same for a little girl.

Its been four years since I did this and have already forgotten so much. I don't remember how things should be, how much I should be feeling, how big should I be, or if I am drinking enough water, etc. I have switched to half-caff and only have one diet coke a week. That is a HUGE change for me! My hunger has gone back to normal, no cravings, and stopped being nausiated at 13 weeks. I also had given away all of my maternity clothes and received just a few back, however had the biggest blessing this past week from my friend Windi!!! Two HUGE tubs of WAY cute clothes!!! So much more than I ever had and I love every single item!!! I was in tears as I was hanging them up earlier today! I am not sure how they are going to all fit in my closet!

Not knowing who this little person is or what to call them has been different as well, yet surprisingly not hard! We are not planning a special room as we did the other times. I also am not really concerned about that, which is very uncharacteristic of me! Another wonderful friend has offered to let me use her cradle which held her children until they were 6 months of age. This gives us a lot of time to get that worked out after the baby has arrived, as well as the two children who are in both of my baby beds to grow out of them! I have gone back and forth about having a baby in our room and have decided its fine for a little while. Most likely we will be putting bunkbeds in Ty's room and let them share and a baby bed in Olivia's until we make more of a decision. Still really not sure but not worried about it. I know it will all work out and that we are fortunate to have moved into a four bedroom house, regardless if all rooms are occupied at the moment.

I really think not knowing and meeting this little person on their birthday will make it all the more special for all of us! Both kids say they would like a brother. Ty is thinking if he has a brother it will arrive ready to play ball and Olivia is just concerned about sharing her Barbies. Should be interesting! Olivia asks me daily when the doctor is going to take the baby out and does not have a concept of time, Ty forgets occassionally that there will be an addition. It really is kind of complicated to grasp, I think for all of us!

I have decided though that I am not taking any step of this journey for granted regardless of how it turns out. God has really been doing some stirring in me, as well as some pushing to make the choice to change alot of things about myself for the benefit of all who are around me. It makes me sad and embarassed to think very much about how much I did not even know how much I needed to grow. This makes me all the more thankful for a God and family who loves me anyway and have been so patient along the way. I don't know how Trent has put up with so much hormonal rage and irritability but am so thankful he has stood by me encouraging me and forgiving me all the while! I have finally been able to quit worrying and hand over this pregnancy to God and have to say it has given me SO much relief. Why I did not do that sooner and allow myself to just enjoy it, I do not know.

When I started this blog, I thought it would be a great way to keep up with friends and family whom I do not see often and it has since turned into something so different. I know not as many people stop by and keep up as once did and some of that has to do with me going private as well as probably leading not a real entertaining life! Anway, it has since been a great way to take myself back to moments that might otherwise have escaped me. I love going back and seeing what I was thinking or what we were doing two years ago and being physically reminded through pictures and emotionally through words. I hope that I can come back to this post when this child is older and remember what an impact it had on my spiritual growth. God has used this experience to teach me so much about the woman I want to be and how to become her. I hope at that point I am so much closer to that person whom this child and the rest of my family deserve.

Pumpkin Patch (from 2 weeks ago)

The Southplains Fair

This was the last weekend of THE fair in our town. Its my favorite time of year. Being on a smaller scale its like something right out of a movie. Lots of unbelievable homemade food, lit up midway, petting zoo, and fun animal shows for the kids. This year was my favorite year yet with our kids being the age to where they really enjoyed it! First off we grabbed 'happyhour' cokes at just $1 and then headed to the midway, where Trent rode rides with the kids like the octopus, the supershot, and the ferris wheel. They also enjoyed a fun house, smaller ladybug ride, and the carpetslide.

Next we headed to the barns and saw some cows and sheep and then to the petting zoo where Ty held a duck and Olivia pet a chick and they both pet goats. Poor Trent, his eyes were red and watery the whole time! We had gotten there at 4:30 so by this time we were getting hungry. We opted for corn dogs. Last year I realized that they are nothing like any other I had ever had so it was a must. We took our dogs back to the stands to watch the bears. Afterward we took in the shark show, where a man actually got in the water with them hugging and kissing them! My favorite part was when a fairly large young boy who appreared to be around 12 left crying b/c he was scared... seriously. Next we took in a comedic show and then a comic/stunt show. By this time Trent had added a chili cheese dog and fried potatoes to his dinner! The kids ate some dip'n dots and then we headed home to scrub the fair off of our bodies. We had a blast for under $100 for the four of us and were home by 9! By no means a cheap night but I think reasonable considering the circumstance.

So that is our evening in a nutshell. This morning we got to sleep in for once! Our kids slept until 8!!!! A miracle. We woke to a cloudy dreary sky with low temps and were able to leisurly sip coffee until it was time for Trent to pack up for his first travel tournament for the fall. Here we go again- van and all! Trent is super busy these days working three jobs. I am so thankful for nights like last and mornings like this in the thick of all this business!

Labor Day Weekend at Horshoe Bay with The Yates

The Yates family were kind enough to invite us to join them at their lakehouse at Horshoe Bay near Austin. It was the only family roadtrip we had been on all summer, which technically was over! It was such a WONDERFUL get away. Their place was beyond beautiful and my favorite thing is shown here... the drop off saltwater pool that appears to be level with the lake, it was not.

Ty tubing with Shanae and Macy




















Dad learned to surf behind the boat! It was difficult but after a few tries he got it! SO COOL!










Dad with sister




My little Ty man




LOVE this pic of girl's hair blowing! Such fun times on that boat.

We had lunch one day at the beautiful Escondio Club. The epitamy of central Texas. Wonderful food, and the kids got to swim while we waited. Here is Olivia with Macy and her friend Shanae.

O and Macy

Ch ch changes............

In March we will be a family of five. Still in shock but warming up to the idea. I will journal more about this at another time but I am now 14 weeks and starting to show and I know some have been wondering.

In other news, we ejoyed a wonderful weekend at a friends lakehouse that was more than needed.

Ready for fall around here.

My parents will be coming in tomorrow in order to attend grand parents day at Ty's school thurs.

Trent will host his first tournament this Sunday.

Lots of business at the Phillips house!

First Day of Kindergarten

We started the night before at Corinos in celebration for Ty. He had been nervous about it all weekend. He asked a lot of questions mainly and mentioned several times how much he wanted to go back to his old school. I actually was the one who did not sleep the night before! I am always anxious that I won't be prepared enough.

By morning, God had covered all of us in peace! He got up with out a complaint and was fine! Walked right in and greeted his teacher. Did everything on his own, found his locker, put up his backpack and then went and found his seat with his name on it! Neither he nor I shed one tear! I left feeling VERY at peace about it and was beyond excited for him!

Trent came home so we could pick him up together. When they came out he was visiting with his new friends and laughing. His teacher said it was a great day. We started to walk off and he said wait, I need to say bye to my friends... he ran back and talked to this precious little blonde girl and then ran back all smiles ready to leave!

We met our cousins to have ice cream afterward. I think it is going to be a great year! I am going to be the room mother which I am very thrilled about and look forward to watching him experience the first days of the rest of his life!!!

Meet The Teacher Night

Well, we got all gussied up and made it to the school on time at 4:30. Nobody made it clear that this was a come and go event or I would not have pushed Trent so hard to be home by then! We entered the building in all its choas with the expensive school supplies in hand! We were one of the fisrt people in Ty's classroom, which is about the same size as his pre-school 4's at Calvary! I was kind of happy about that! It was decorated very 60's with the theme of the year, "Peace, Love, and Stars." Stars are sort of the mascot of the school. Mrs. Grimsley was a very pleasant lady, whom I think may be a little on the quiet side. Not really what I expected for Kindergarten but she was nice. I was so proud of Ty in using his manners to meet her. He gave her a hug before we left and told her it was nice to meet her, made my heart melt and if I had allowed myself I could have been very emotional! We did not request a teacher and although we did not know who Ty's teacher would be until a week ago, I have been praying for her all summer. I am trusting God that they will be a good fit for one another! I believe there is a life lesson in every situation!

Ty did great while we were there but had a lot of questions at bed time and I can tell he is a little nervous which I think is normal! I would be too! We talked a lot about it and will continue to do so. I hope he is not emotional his first day or it will kill me!

We have had a wonderful 'Last Friday' so far. We went to the Galbraiths for muffins and playtime, a long time tradition that started when Ty and Noah were just a couple of months old!! We are about to head out for one last pool day. Ty's baseball team made the playoff tournament and that first game is tonight. Summer is coming to an end which makes me sad yet excited. Time marches on.....

9 Year Anniversary

Lots of things have changed since this day back in 2000. My how I have aged! Didn't think I would be saying that just 9 years down the road! Trent has too but he just looks better. Funny how it works like that! We have moved twice, gone through different jobs and had two children. I wonder what it will be like years from now. To say we have grown as a couple is just not even the tip! I think mostly that is due to my man. I have grown some individually but am not near as far along as he is. This year imparticular has been the year of most change. He has really taken his faith seriously which has filtered into every part of his life and most noticeably as a husband. He says he just made the choice and has followed through. I however have let many things get in the way for me and feel so blessed, that despite how much I lack there he is patient with me. I am not saying that Trent is perfect, he is not. But I do think he is the perfect person for me.

There are probably some people that doubted that we were meant for each other when we dated. We probably did too at some points but as I have said before, I always felt that God drew me to him and now we are at the point in life where it is so much more visible as to why in many many ways. We could not possibly be more different from one another, but that is one of the reasons I think we need each other. God knew more than I did of course, how much I needed different!

It is really neat for me to see him in my children, not physically but in their actions. My son especially is so touchy and loving, even when I am in the worst mood or he senses that I am upset, he makes a special effort to show me love. That is pretty darn amazing for a five year old! My daughter could not be more like him! I just hope these things never change. I am proud to see that he is having a deep impression on them. I think they see too much of my non-proud moments and am glad that they are not taking on my traits there!

I know he gets frustrated with me at times. It definately goes both ways. We are far from a perfect couple. We have our 'junk' just like everyone else. I am secure though that he is in it for the long haul as am I. It is SO hard at times- but I always know we have a firm foundation and HE can get us through anything. I am SO thankful for His hand over the past 9 years. I just pray that I can grow more into the wife that He wants me to be. I am a work in progress!

First Tooth

Ty lost his first tooth yesterday!!! It had been so wiggly for days. I get so freaked out with that. I remember being that way when it was me! I could not even hardly watch him wiggle it and it gives me the willies just writing about it. He let G pull it last night! It was his bottom left tooth. I did not think this started happening until well into Kindergarten! Pictures to come soon. He is SO proud and cannot stop feeling the blank spot or blowing air through the new hole! Crazy kid.

Baseball and School Supplies

When Ty was four we started him in his first season with Lubbock Christian Athletic Association in T-ball. It was definately an introduction to the sport but not a lot was learned. The next season he went for much more serious league... Western. Our coaches were nice but again... not much learned. I wish we would have skipped T-ball all together and done what my brother-in-law suggested all along, which is where we are now- Coach pitch. Its amazing how successful a child can be when you actually have expectations of them and take them time to teach them plays!!! Give kids some credit!!! Ty has been playing on the Red Dawgs for Fall Ball. He learned more in three weeks of practice than in three seasons. TOTALLY different coaching from a great guy who has a the perfect balance of firm and appropriate age expectation. He is a different kid on the field. We are definately sticking to this league as long as we can. SO much more enjoyable to watch, I am more than proud of Ty and the great strides that he has made in a matter of weeks! There is something to be said for two to three practices a week, a five year old does not remember when an entire week has passed. The coaches have given us practical things to practice at home and Ty has developed a real love of the game because of the individual time they have spent with him. Olivia is already showing an interest but she is going to have to wait until next year. I want her to be at least four before we start committing to things outside of school.

I have now made two trips to various stores and will be having to make a third to complete the standard school supply list for Preston Smith, where Ty will be starting Kindergarten in just a couple weeks!!!!! This is completely out of control. Its not anything like when I was in school. We need 6 packages of CRAYOLA crayons, which amounted to $18, and that is only one of the 15 items on the list!!! 24 glue sticks, two packages of CRAYOLA markers, among many other items. Very frustrating when the ROSEART brand right next to it is a quarter of the cost!! For instance, on the crayons... Roseart was only .99 and Crayola was $2.99, the difference is more than the price.... totally different color hues. Had I had my act together and purchased them through the PTA by May 15th it would have been $55, which I thought was outrageous at the time, now its close to $70!!!! FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure insanity. No wonder som many have to be donated b/c kids can't afford them! That is half of our grocery bill! The stinkiest part of it is not one store carries everything on the list. I now have to go to Mardel's to get 9X12 multi-construction paper, I am just hoping they have it. This is beyond ridiculous. I will be biting my tongue on meet the teacher night!