Happy Anniversary!

Our wedding was many years ago.

The celebration continues to this day.

Gene Perret

Nine years ago I married my best friend. On one hand it seems like yesterday, on the other it feels so long ago. I think about when we first met 15 years ago and I think wow, 15 years, that is such a long time, almost half my life. (Okay, not really but pretty close!) We were babies and such different people. How we have grown and changed. Love seemed so different at 21 than it does now. We have been through so much together ~ changing jobs, moving away from home, losing parents, buying homes. All of the things you have to do as a grown up. I can say it is so much easier to do all of these things with a loving, supportive person standing next to you and sometimes holding you up when you simply can't do it alone.

I thank you John, for being such a fantastic husband, for loving me even on the days when it isn't so easy, for balancing me out and making me realize I don't need to worry if the sun is going to come up ;), for allowing me this time to be home with our daughter, for being a great provider. The list could go on and on, but I will end with this. I love you and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.

Robert Browing

Confessions of a Human Kleenex

****Warning-This post is graphic and not for the faint of heart****
Over the past ten months, I have been pooped on, peed on, thrown up on, burped on...I think that is it...and you know it is true, these things get to where they don't bother you, I guess some sort of badge of motherhood. ( can you see the merit badges for those things!) I remember the first time I got poop on my hand, how I quickly wiped it off with a baby wipe and ran to to sink to disinfect my hands. Today, it's like, oh there is poop on my hand, I better finish putting this diaper on before Houdini makes another great escape!

I guess it was inevitable that at some point Lindsey would get a cold. It has not been a terrible ordeal by any means, mainly just a cough with a runny nose, but it is the nose that is getting me. Why is there never a kleenex when you need it? It is like a little faucet that won't stop running...and when she sneezes, watch out! I guess everyone has those moments that make them really feel like a mom, getting sneezed on by a baby with a cold is definitely one of those moments.

I know this seems like a silly post and I guess what prompted it was as I was getting ready for bed the other night, our second night of almost no sleep, I looked at my clothes. I had booger residue on both arms of my shirt, across my chest, down each pant leg and yes, even a spot in my hair. I sat on the bed, laughed and thought to myself, it is official I am a Human Kleenex. The great thing is, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Attack of the Flu Bug!

I guess it had to happen, one of the Williams was bound to catch a bug at some point. I went to Houston to work with my brother-in-law for a couple of days last Thursday. Who would have thought it would be Tuesday and I would still be here. John called me on Friday and told me to stay away because the flu bug had attacked him. He was achy, his head was pounding and he had a really high fever. Thankfully the doctor got him on Tamiflu quickly but it has still been a long process to get him well. His mom has been taking care of him. It is so hard to be away from someone you love when you know they are sick and could use your help. Hopefully, the flu shots Lindsey and I got will help protect us from the nasty bug!

PS - Another good lesson for me to remember, always pack more clothes, diapers, formula, etc than you ever think you could possibly use! :) Thank goodness I am at my sister's house and it is easy to do laundry!

Lessons from 2007

Out with the old...in with the new! It is so hard for me to believe that we are already in 2008. Remember when we were little and the year 2000 seemed so far away?

2007 was a year full of lessons. Some of them were happy and fun, some of them were miserable and scary. The biggest and best lesson of all has been becoming first time parents. My mom was right when she said there is no greater thing than a mother's love for her child. It is amazing how that happens, all of the sudden, boom, this little life comes in and takes over your world and you fall head over heels in love. I am so thankful that we have been blessed with a baby, but not just any baby, a baby who is really, really happy! Everyday is a learning experience and it just gets better and better.

Hard lessons stink, but they make us stronger. I learned many things this year.

1. I moved away from my family and friends. Even though you only live 100 miles from them, sometimes it seems like a world away when you just need a friendly smile or a warm hug. (Thank goodness for IM!)


2. Hearing "You know she is smiling down on you from heaven," falls flat as you are celebrating having children of your own and want to share that joy with your parents.


3. I learned that women still do get fired for having babies. Hard to believe that still happens in this day and age. I also learned that people you respect and who are supposed to be leaders can turn out to be the biggest liars of all and can hurt you more than you ever expected...if you let them.


4. I have learned, okay am still learning, to accept help from others. Having watched my mother struggle to take care of us, I learned quickly to be independent and try to make things work on my own to help take the load off of her. I pride myself in not needing to rely on anyone to support me financially. So, this not working, staying home to take care of our daughter has been difficult for my pride. I know this is the most important job I could and will ever have, but it still makes me struggle sometimes. Feeling guilty about wanting to spend any money is a new concept for me, but I will get over that ;)

I guess if you read those four things above you might think I am complaining or unhappy. What is weird is that I am happier than I have ever been. I think the struggles of the past year are just making me stronger and preparing for whatever is in store for us this coming year. Each night when I say my prayers I thank God for all of the wonderful blessings he has given me and I want all of you to know that I count you among them!

Lindsey's First Christmas

Okay, so we are only what a little over 2 weeks over due with our Christmas wrap-up. Oh what fun we had on Christmas! Honestly I have no real clue of how Lindsey enjoyed her first Christmas, but she did look like she was having bunches of fun. I can say for certain that John and I had a blast. Now with a little one, the anticipation of Santa is so much fun again.

We traveled to Rosenberg on Sunday to spend the holiday with my sister and her family. John was off on Christmas Eve for the first time since we have been married. It was so nice to have a leisurely day rather than hustling around trying to finish everything. We went to the Christmas Eve Vigil mass in East Bernard which is where my brother-in-law was born and raised. Holy Cross is a beautiful little church and every year they put on the Christmas pageant. The school children act out Mary and Joseph's journey and the pageant ends with everyone singing Happy Birtday to Jesus. It really is uplifting.


We went back to opening gifts on Christmas morning. I know it makes things hectic, but I really do enjoy it more. Lindsey woke up to the delightful surprise of finding out that Santa had left her a musical rocking lion to match her nursery gear, a musical walker type thing that can help her continue her path to brilliance ;) and last but not least, she got a fantastic tri-cycle. She is still a little small for the tri-cycle, but it is something she can grow into and will be perfect for when we build our house. I do have to say that Santa left quite a mess on the carpet with sooty footprints everywhere. I will have to ask him to wipe his feet next year. After the festivities at my sister's, we headed over to my cousin's house to spend the day with my Mom's family.


I did finish Lindsey's stocking. After a few late nights, early mornings, sewing in the truck all the way to Rosenberg and one last minute visit to my Aunt's house (thanks Aunt Veta and Cindy!) the stocking was complete on December 24. Whew!

Our First Trip to Santa

Tonight was the night we have been waiting for. Okay, tonight was the night that I have been waiting for! We went to visit Santa for the very first time.

It was classic. Lindsey was so happy, smiling for the crowd, giggling for everyone. Then, it was our turn. She did fine on Santa's lap...for a little while. She was interested in him. I think she liked his beard at first. And let me say, he was a fantastic looking Santa! Then all of the adults spring to action, the rattles come out, the trusty frog toy, we are pat-a-caking like mad. She just sits there! My daughter never just sits there. Then it starts, the lip starts to quiver, she starts to turn red (definitely my daughter), and Houston, we have tears. We did up end up with a pretty good shot if I do say so myself. All in all, it was still a fun experience and a tradition that we hope to continue. Just the picture part that is, not the tears!

The little plaid dress in the Santa and family shot is from MiMi Betty. The other dress is one I picked out in honor of my little 94 year old friend, Velasta. She wanted to buy her a dress but wasn't able to go and pick one out. The shoes are really special and have a sweet story behind them too. My sweet Princess Marti sent Lindsey those shoes. They are Italian leather and even have a little arch support in them. The best news is they are a little big so she can wear them again and again.

Catching Up

Much had happened in the past few weeks. John was off this week. We had such a fun time being together as a little family. Monday we set off for Nacogdoches to see Uncle Bo Bo and Aunt MaryAnn. Although not related by blood, Aunt MaryAnn and Uncle Bo are part of our family. They met Lonnie and Betty long ago when both couples were young and recently married. They are like a second set of parents to John so naturally that would make them honorary grandparents for little Lindsey. We had a really nice time visiting with them. John and Uncle Bo went out on Lake Nacogdoches and Aunt MaryAnn and I stayed at the house and visited. I can't forget to mention Little Bitty, their adorable rat terrier. (I think she is much like Sissy, please don't tell her she's a dog!)

We are still on second foods. She has tried peas, carrots, green beans, peaches, pears, applesauce, bananas, apple vanilla granola and her all-time favorite...Sweet Potatoes! We usually aren't this messy, but Lindsey was really trying to feed herself tonight. It is bath night anyway so I decided to let her try a little on her own.

Lindsey continues to amaze me daily. Her smiles, her laughs, the soft little baby sighs she makes as she is drifting off to sleep. Have I mentioned lately that I am the luckiest person in the world!

There is much more I could post but I better get busy. Time to go splash in the water!