Meeting Allison (Part 2)...

Can't forget the rest of the family meeting sweet little Allison the day after she was born! Nonny and PawPaw came down the night she was born, and loved getting to meet her early the next day. Annie, and Spencer met their new sister the next morning, and Donny and I took the boys up to meet their cousin the next afternoon. Everyone fell in love!

Welcome, Allison Renee...

September 23rd was a very special day in my life....my newest niece, Allison Renee Head was born! Monica had been having lots of contractions that day, and ended up heading to the hospital mid morning to see if she was in active labor. As soon as she got there, the contractions stopped and after they monitored her for a bit, they went ahead and sent she and Aric home. Of course, as soon as she got home, the contractions started back with a vengeance and she and Aric got back in the car and headed into Fort Worth....right during 5:00 traffic on a Friday! Lovely. Aunt Kendra got in my car as well and met them there. I love getting to be a part of my nieces and nephew's birth - it's a special memory that I will treasure about all of them. I've gotten to witness their first breaths, their first cries, the first time their parents laid eyes on them...such precious memories!

Monica's labor went very quickly and she had Allison at 8:55pm, which was a goal for sure since her anniversary was the next day and she REALLY didn't want to share that day with her daughter! My sister is a rock star at getting babies out...I think she pushed 2 times with Allison. What made it extra special was that they didn't fint out if they were having a girl or boy, so when she came out everyone got to be very suprised (and excited!!! I wanted another GIRL!) . Everyone knew that if they had a girl, her name would be Allison, but Monica and Aric still hadn't decided on a middle name until right before they left the hospital. They texted me that Sunday that they were naming her Allison Renee...after her Aunt Kendra (my middle name is Renee)...and I won't lie, I teared up. What a sweet honor to share a name with that girl. We welcomed little Allison into our lives and hearts immediately. She is precious! God is so good and creative - never making two just the same, but giving unique fingerprints, facial features, and personalities, to each one.

Thankful for Cousins....

I absolutely love living in the same area as two of our siblings. I love that our kids have lots of opportunity for making memories and forming relationships together. Here are just a few random pics from times my kids and Monica's kids were together....they are so cute!

Girl's Weekend in Lubbock...

I had a sweet, sweet time with 3 special ladies over the weekend of September 10th and 11th. Jennifer Siemer, Kim Yowell, Tami Davis and I met in Lubbock for a weekend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and encouragement! We attended a Living Proof Live Ministries conference at the Spirit Arena on Saturday and were VERY blessed by not only the teaching of Beth Moore, but by the incredible worship led by Travis Cotrell. Amazing!

Tami, Kim and I drove down Friday afternoon and met Jen there by dinner time. Conversations started immediately, and I think by the time we said goodbye, there were not many stones left unturned in our discussions! I'm so thankful for these close friends - thankful for the time together, thankful for their honesty and vulnerability with me, and just thankful for the journey of life they have shared with me for so many years. The Lord is so very sweet to bless us with relationships, and I count these 3 women some of my very favorite people in the world to be surrounded by. Looking forward to our next adventure together!

Ready to start our adventure!

We walked around the Tech campus Saturday night and saw several 911 memorials that were set up for the following day to honor the 10 year anniversary of the terror attacks. These flags were stunning in person....hard to capture with a phone camera!

What an amazing experience to worship with that many women! I wish I could remember the numbers...it was a simulcast that was joined in by not only lots of different places in the US, but international participant groups as well. Amazing what a blessing technology can be to join people in receiving a word from the Lord and worshiping Him! An added blessing for me was being with mom there for a bit - she came up from Midland with a group from her church for the day. We enjoyed eating lunch together outside on the lawn chatting with the girls :). Another fun thing - on the way into the arena, I spotted a sweet lady who was not only a big influence in my life growing up, but also my 6th grade teacher (Mrs. Rhonda Chochran!). She was with her daughter, Lisa, who was a treasured friend growing up. It was a short hug and walk into the arena, but so good to see them. Great weekend! I am blessed!