The only thing missing was a WIN!

My dad's football team the Cooper Cougars set off to play their 3rd play-off game yesterday. We kicked things off at the Pep Rally or Pepper Rally as Carter likes to say...

My cute parents...

G.G., John, Carter and Coach...

We were off to Aledo...

to cheer on the Coogs...
We were joined by Mimi and Papa...

The air was chilly and the night was crisp...

My little cougar fan was cute as a button...

Smiles were on our faces...

Skittles from a far away Dad made the night a little sweeter...

They came out swinging...

But, it just wasn't their night...the only thing missing was a WIN!!! Great season dad, we're so proud of you and we love you!

Truly Thankful

I am truly thankful that no matter what the era...

My husband is a catch!!!

As for me...

the jury's still out!!

And just because I obviously don't know where to draw the line...I am TRULY thankful Carter does not look this creepy...

A Grateful Heart

Tonight as I lay in bed snuggling with Carter and listening to her fall asleep I was thinking about being thankful, I was thinking about what that is really all about.

I was looking around the room that she and I are sharing--clothes everywhere, things spilling out of suitcases, etc. It is just a reminder that at times this is a crazy life we lead. We pick up and spend a large amount of time away from the place we call home because, in more ways than one, home just isn't home when Nate isn't there.

So, first things first, I am thankful for this--my family and the closeness we share. They welcome Carter and I in with open arms, they entertain us, they love us, they laugh with us, they comfort us. We may at times drive each other crazy, but given the circumstances there is no where else I would rather be.

I am also very thankful for those people in my life who have become like family to me. The friends who have been there, some for a lifetime, some for a season, the people who share the life we have created together. The people who are there for the big moments and the small ones. The people who are simply there for us, in every sense of the word. You bring so much to our lives.

And I'm realizing, as I think of it more and more, the the things I am truly thankful for, the things that mean the most to me, are not the things I have bought, earned, or chosen...they are the things I have had little if any control over. They are the things that can only be described as blessings, brought into my life by a loving God. It is so obvious to me that He is in control of those moments that sometimes change your life forever. Like the night I breezed into the local Starbucks unaware that the great love of my life was sitting a mere 20 feet away. Had I known then what I know now I would have had all the indications of someone who was about to hit the lottery. Of all the things I am thankful for, there are two loves in my life who rise above the rest. I really lack the vocabulary or ability to describe what falling in love, being in love, and growing in love with Nate means to me. I know this...it is deep, it is real, and it is what my heart has always wanted. Which leads me to my sweet, my feisty, my larger than life little girl. Is it possible that even though I didn't know you before you were born, I hoped I would get to be you mom? I cannot imagine what your daddy and I look like without you. Saying, "I am thankful" does not do what I feel in my heart justice. Even though the three of us are separated by millions of miles...the bond, the love, and the glue that holds us together is stronger than ever.

There is no doubt that these two girls...

Will be missing sharing Thanksgiving with this guy (and his grin)...


But in spite of our distance I am able to give thanks for the circumstances we are in and have endured, because they have taught me this, sometimes all you really need, all that really matters, is what you can wrap your arms around.
Don't get me wrong, I'm beyond grateful for our home, our things, the comforts we have been afforded...but I would give it all up, and know I could do it with a smile, if I was holding the hand of the man I love most and the little girl who has stolen our hearts. I am thankful for that.

Look Who's Here!?

Much to our delight Nate will "be here" for the Holidays after all...if not in body than in spirit!

Thanks to our "flat daddy" and Carter's newest daddy themed toy, the Daddy Doll, its sort of feels like Nate is a part of things after all! Nothing is as good as the real thing babe, but we're thinking of you every second and just want you to know YOU ARE MISSED!!! Happy Thanksgiving to the man in our lives! WE LOVE YOU!

Awful Bootie Ballet

Sunday afternoon was charming. I've known since Carter started taking dance this year that I wanted to take her to the Nutcracker. Lucky for us the little town of Abilene puts on quite a production and we were fortunate to have front and center tickets to the show (Thank you Melanie and Janna)! We had a wonderful time. Carter was imitating the dancers before the end of the first act...I think she loved every minute of it (before she fell asleep :). One thing that obviously made an impression were the male ballerinas, she had one thing to say about that, "when those men in the tights turn around, their booties look kinda' awful." Well Miss Carter, I think you might be onto something. Maybe men in tights could use a little improvement, but overall we had a very memorable experience...

Waiting for the show...

A little tired after the show...


Lucky to have been accompanied by two of our favorite people...

It's a Wonderful Life indeed...

The End...

Monday Carter Edition #4

This Monday is all about Carter and her new map! Nate had the great idea of getting her a map of the world so that she could actually visualize where he is in relation to us. It was waiting for us when we arrived in Texas but I've just gotten around to putting it up. She loves it!

And, just keeping it real, here's a little "Monday Mom" snapped by Carter...leftover makeup, no shower and glasses are about as "real" as it gets...

Dear Daddy, I love my new map! I can see where you are now. I think it is so cool that even though we are so far apart I can still talk to you on the computer. I told mom that when you get home I want to go to the carnival and ride the carousel...what do you think? I miss you so much! BIG HUG and BIG KISS! Carter

Whew, What a Week!

This week has been jam packed! Full of fun, work and new memories. Pictures are sometimes worth a thousand words and being that I am just a little bit worn out from the week that's now behind me, I'm going to let the photos do the talking!

The Austin Children's Museum with Aunt Kimmi...

Pizza with Aunt Kim and Uncle John...

And popcorn for a little midnight snack...

After a fun weekend in Austin we hit the road and headed to Midland...

I was off to work! The dynamic duo...

And their fearless leader...

Just to give you an idea of what we've been up to...

Before:

During:

After:

One thing is for sure, my biceps are better for it...

While I was hard at work, Carter was spending her days with the lovely Miss Brooke and her cutie pie Cooper. She also managed to squeeze in some other fun things like this train ride...

A salute to the soldiers...

A new friend at the doughnut shop...

Snagging a photo of Jayson...

A self-portrait...

And some quality time with one of her new favorite people (thanks Laynce for being so patient, and entertaining!)...

We ended the week at "Pops" play-off game where they stomped the competition and became the Area District Champs! This made our little cheering section very happy!

Leslie was sporting a smile (even though Carter woke her up at the crack of dawn, according to Carter, "if you have little people in the house it's time to get up!" Thanks for everything Leslie!)...

Hanging with Kimmi and Jayson...

It was a busy week but we had a great time! The third member of our party was undoubtedly absent, we missed you Nate. Carter amazes me with her adaptability to all the constant changes. And being that we're kicking off Thanksgiving week I'll just say this, I'm so thankful she is such a trooper, I'm so blessed to be her mom.