Merry Christmas!

Brynne had a blast this Christmas, several times! We met her grandparents in Virginia to visit her great aunt and cousins, and then had Christmas with the Schmidt family here in Dallas. This girl made out like a bandit..I've never seen so many presents! It was so fun to have a baby around for Christmas! Every present she opened we heard "oooooo."
We have to get better at using the camera..we really didn't take many pics!

I will say it was our neatest Christmas yet. Brynne decided it was nap time around the time we were supposed to leave for Christmas Eve service. So she could last for the Christmas festivities later that night, we decided to stay home and have our own church at home while our family went. It couldn't have been more special. Beau and I read Luke 2, prayed together, and praised together. We couldn't be more thankful "for The great news that will bring joy to all people..." and just as the shepherds returned, our hearts "glorifed and praised God for all the things we have heard and seen..." Daily we looked at our child we love SO much, at my mom who has come through so many trials, and how strong Christ has made our marriage, and we were reminded of God's strong love for us. Merry Christmas..it was very merry indeed!

Brace yourself. You're family if you get to see this pic. Bedhead early in the morning. We were in Virginia, so an hour earlier hurt.


We got to meet Missy and Mark for brunch!


Mimi showing Brynne the ropes with this present opening business! Brynne is obsessed with Elmo!!


The day we got back home...we're all a little delirious! Brynne should get an award for the biggest blue eyes around. Here she is crawling on mommy, asking for "juice."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Always Happy?

Brynne is almost always happy, except when the milk runs out of her cup, or a big harry man tries to hold her...

Brynne's First Birthday!!

Brynne turned 1 today! To celebrate, we had a blast with both sets of grandparents and Brynne's aunt and uncle. She got about a billion presents...she's not spoiled at all! Brynne loved the attention, and getting to go at the cake with her fingers!
It is SO hard to believe a year has gone by. It really seems like we can replay every minute of the day she entered this world just like it was yesterday! We do not want to take one day for granted.
Brynne - you have blessed us in so many ways and God has daily shown us a deeper grasp of His love for us through our deep love for you. You are so fun right now and talking up a storm! You can say "Daddy, Mommy, Dog, Moo, Papa, Juice, Baby, Duck, Ruff (dog), Hi, Bella, That", and for everything else, it's "This." Let's not forget our favorite..the Brynne version of "E-I-E-I-O." You do not know a stranger and you say "hi" to everyone who passes us in the store. You brighten everyone's day around you. You give Daddy and I big hugs and kisses all the time, and they make our day! You took your first steps 2 days before your birthday..and you take about 5 right now before you sit. You got a shiner on your right eye a few days before your b-day after pulling the stocking holder down onto you! This doesn't surprise us though because you are such a wiggly worm on the move!
Our prayer for you is that you come to know the Lord when you're older, that you'll discover the gifts He has given you, and that you will use those gifts to glorify Him. We pray that you will find contentment, purpose, and strength in your relationship with Christ, knowing that from that, all else will fall into place. We love you more than our hearts can describe baby girl!
James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."





Brynne taking a few steps


The cake pre-destruction


"I'm One!"


First Taste


Wow - this sure beats baby food!


Yes! More, more, more!


The End Result

Been Tagged

I can't believe I'm doing this...my sweet friend Jess "tagged" me on her blog. I never do these...but I love a chance to brag on the world's greatest hubby!

I've been tagged. The Game of Tag about your MAN:

1. Who is your man? Beau Thompson
2. How long have you been together? 3 ½ years married, 6 years total
3. How long dated? 2 ½ years
4. How old is your man? About to be 28
5. Who eats more? Him (usually double)
6. Who said “I love you” first? He did at a park in Temple, TX
7. Who is taller? Can you guess? I know I have such a tall stature and all..hehehe.. Beau is taller than me by 1 foot, 1 1/2 inches. You can laugh now.
8. Who sings better? Me, but beau makes sure to let me know when the words are wrong :o)
9. Who is smarter? Generally Beau. Depends on the topic. I got him with anatomy..and that's about it. Computers, history, biology, physics, Bible, randomness, you name it...he knows. Can't tell you how many times we're driving and he explains to me how some random bird had a random habit...many years of the Discovery channel people.
10. Whose temper is worse? Beau
11. Who does the laundry? 80/20 Usually me
12. Who takes out the garbage? 80/20 Usually Beau
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me; always on his right....habit
14. Who pays the bills? Beau
15. Who is better with the computer? Beau by the trillions
16. Who mows the lawn? 50/50; depends on if it's football season
17. Who cooks dinner? Me, if you want to call it that; not my gift
18. Who drives when you are together? Beau
19. Who pays when you go out? Beau
20. Who is most stubborn? Beau
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We are both pretty good about this
22. Whose parents do you see the most? His
23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first
24. Who asked who out? Technically he asked me out to dinner after 3 months of "being friends"...the previous dinners didn't count
25. Who proposed? Beau! Where do they get these questions?
26. Who is more sensitive? Me by far
27. Who has more friends? Me, but we now have a lot of couple friends
28. Who has more siblings? Him; not hard to beat zero
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Beau...sometimes I try to take the lead..but God gently reminds me that's not my strength nor calling

What a great opportunity to praise my sweet husband! He is such a kind, godly man who lives the Word out in his life. He:
1. Loves me as much as he can as Christ loved the Church (Eph. 5)
2. He cares for and loves Brynne in unimaginable ways (Eph. 6)
3. He understands and lives out God's calling to provide for, encourage, and protect our family, and is the rock of faith at all times. He has wisdom, strength, and gentleness that daily remind me of Christ's love. (Titus 1:7-9,3:14, 1 Timothy 5:8)
As football season ends (and basketball begins), Brynne and I are rejoicing to have Daddy/Hubby home!! He has persevered and loved us at times when he is absolutely exhausted. He pours his heart into his kids and into us. We love you babe!

Chillin

I'm chillin here with my cousin dog...do you mind?

Prayers for Nemo

We'd love you to join us in offering up our prayers in faith for healing for my mom ("Nemo" to Brynne). She began chemo last friday for the cancer that has returned. We're offering up our prayers for you Nemo and we love you very much! May God's hands surround you with comfort, strength, and healing.

Dress Up

Aggies beat TU!! Whoop!! Yea for a new coach!



At playgroup with her boyfriends Corban and Will. She claims them both..other girls..keep away!




All dressed up for Santa!

So Much To Be Thankful For!

It was such a great Thanksgiving this year...twice! We enjoyed getting to spend time with both sides of the family. Our waist lines are noticing 2 Thanksgivings too!!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
My list of thanks is continual...but here is a few:
1 - Our relationship with the Lord. Coming to know Him at a young age and the peace, direction, and purpose His relationship brings.
2 - My amazing husband!!!! He is so kind, filled with faith, loving, and the best daddy Brynne could ever ask for!
3 - The sweetest and cutest little girl in the world. Beau and I often play on the floor with her and say to each other - "This is it. This is absolutely the best time of our life." We love getting to watch her grow and learn. It is amazing to witness our little miracle daily.
4 - A loving family!! Our cup overflows. We have a new addition coming this March!! A new niece!! We are so thankful Brynne will have a cousin close in age right down the street to grow up with!
5 - Amazing friends, church, and small group. We have great friends from each stage of our lives that have continued on. We are especially greatful for our present stage and the amazing friends we have met through church that are in the same stage of life.
The list goes on and on...if you're reading this...we're thankful for you!

Smile it Up!

Brynne knows how to "turn on" the cuteness these days! It takes me double what it should to grocery shop because she wants to say "hi" and get a "she's cute" response from every person we walk by! She bats those big blues and says "daddy" to melt her father's heart every day. She quickly figured out how much others love her big open mouth kisses...she plants 'em on boys in the nursery all the time!
She is so close to walking - she pushes her rolling toys around everywhere and walks between mommy and daddy with one hand. She took one step yesterday on her own before she fell. She's so close to cutting lose...not sure we're ready yet!







My good friend Tonya from PT school got married a few weekends ago so we call had a reunion - it was a blast!

Walk in Humility

Those who walk in pride, He is able to humble - Daniel 4:37

Pride is:
The first to blame others
The first to tell us why we're right
The first to hurt others in response to our hurt
The first to hide our sin
The first to say we already know the answer
The first to steal God's glory

Pride so easily creeps up in different areas of our lives. Whether or not we seek His Truth and transparency in all areas is our choice. Scripture tells us He will not allow us to be tempted without a way out. This scripture is highly misquoted today as "He won't give you more than YOU can handle." This could not be more false. God gives us trials that are more than we can handle so we'll run to Him, seek His will, and bow a knee. Learning these truths is never easy, and at times painful. As much as I protest them, I thank God for the times of difficulty because they are what sharpen, teach, and mold us into servants more like Him.
I love that God promises us that the Word will transform us...each time! The same stories I have read over and over, come at me with a whole new angle and lesson when I lay pride aside and pray for clarity.
This is my prayer for you friends - that you would pray for purity and allow Christ to show you the areas of pride where He as not been allowed in. That "you would not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Fall is here!

Fall is here, from pumpkin patches to trick or treat!

Brynne was tweety bird for halloween, but I had to at least try my old halloween costume on her! The bunny ears crack me up! Nemo made this back in the day.




Check out the tweety tail..it's the best part!





Beau and I took Brynne to the Frisco Fun Run. We bundled her up good..it was cold! Brynne liked to laugh at Daddy..who we almost had to carry off in a stretcher. "Fun and Run should not be in the same sentence." - Beau Schmidt :o)



Helping mom out with laundry





I met some friends from growing up in Baltimore for the weekend and we had a blast. We went to NYC for the day, and here we are in Central Park.

Celebrate Good Times

Mom's surgery went very well! The surgeon reported that he was able to get all of the visible tumor out, and they sent it off to a research lab to test it against different chemos to find one that will work for mom specifically. So the next step would be one more round of chemo once they find an effective type. Brynne and I got to go to Houston to surprise her, and we had a great time visiting her in the hospital.
After the dr. came out of surgery to report it went great, dad and I slipped down to get some lunch. On our way, we saw this amazing statue of Jesus standing with His hand on a woman knelt before Him, with the following scripture below it:
Matthew 14:14 - "He had compassion on them, and they were healed." We both stopped in our tracks, and gave praise with tears in our eyes. He is too good. Mom got not just a second, but a fourth chance. May we never forget that or take His grace for granted.
The following weekend, Brynne and I headed to Corpus to visit Amy - a trip we have had planned for forever! Brynne got to experience the beach for the first time...and loved it!

Introduction to the Ocean


I Love it!


What is this stuff?


Yuck! Tastes a little gritty. Sometimes I'm too fast for mommy, but not for my own good!


Brynne & AnnMarie


Enjoying the View...the Bathing Beauty that I am!


Amy introduced me to the deeper waters!


I'm a fan!