Three Years.

Just a few things have happened in the past three years (most of which I never dreamed would happen).

• We got married.
• I gained an incredible second family.
  
• Brandon got his masters.
• I worked for Student Publications (after getting my youth ministry degree).
• Brandon got hired full time by Church and Family.
• We bought a house.
• I started working at Harding Academy.
• We went to Nicaragua several times.
• Three new nephews were born.
  
• We bought a new car.
• Took several trips (New York, Colorado, Gulf Shores, New Mexico, Atlanta, St. Louis, Houston, etc.)
• We still live in Searcy,AR.
• We became parents!!

Brandon and I have been so blessed these past three years. I can't believe what all God has allowed us as a married couple to do. He has given us more than I could have ever imagined. I woke up this morning to the sound of birds singing outside my window, to a little girl cooing in the bassinet, to my husband saying Happy Anniversary. I don't think life could get any sweeter.
Hope your day is a blessed one.

Christmas 2007 in New Mexico

Bringing our baby girl home from the hospital.

Our biggest blessing- 1 month old.

Monday morning 9 a.m.

Claira with Great, Great Aunt Nancy and Uncle Harold

I haven't been up and showered by 9 a.m. since Claira was born. Even on Sundays we have been going to late service.
Today was a big day. Claira fell back to sleep (after playing with her daddy for a while this morning) in her swing while Brandon and I ate a bowl of cereal. She was still asleep when we finished so I decided to go ahead and take a shower instead of getting back in the bed. The Lord was taking care of me this morning because not 10 minutes after I was dressed I heard Brandon talking to someone in the driveway as he was leaving for work. The voices sounded very familiar but I couldn't figure out who it was. Who else would stop by our house at 9a.m. on Monday morning but my wonderful Great-Aunt Nancy and Uncle Harold who live in Mississippi. They were on their way to visit their daughter and her kids and put our address in their GPS and decided to stop by and meet their Great, Great Niece. I was so thankful I had already had a shower (mind you I still hadn't brushed my wet head) and that Ben, Amy and Carter had come over for dinner the night before so the house was somewhat picked up.

What a wonderful surprise for a Monday morning. Claira is so blessed to have so many family members who love her so much. Her Grammy (Brandon's mom) is coming to stay for a whole week on Wednesday and she is super excited about it. (Okay, she didn't tell me she was super excited about Grammy coming but when I told her that Grammy was coming she gave me a big smile- she knows who is important). We like to say she is "advanced".

9lbs. 12oz.!!!

Yes, you read it right. Claira has gained 1lb. 5oz. in three weeks. She is growing and changing so much every day. Every parent you meet will tell you to cherish each moment because they change so fast- but I never thought they meant this fast. I took her to the doctor yesterday because she has thrush on her tongue. When the nurse put her on the scale I freaked out (she was also peeing all over the scale, the floor and me). It was pretty funny. So sorry for the lack of updates- watching her grow is taking up alot more time than I thought. Here are a few pictures of our beautiful girl.