Thanksgiving 2011

Part 1: Thanksgiving Day was spent in Dallas with Bill's family this year. We got to celebrate our first turkey day with our newest niece, Elliott, a.k.a. "Ellie," who is now 4 months old. The "older" kids had a blast playing together and wore each other out. The day was ended beautifully with a LONGHORN win in the last rivalry game between UT and A&M. Hook 'Em Horns! \m/

I didn't take any photos this year for some reason, but these are shots from Bill's sister.

Pops (Bill's dad) with all the "older" grandkids

Pops and Isaac

Bill and Ellie

Isaac chatting with Ellie

Ellie and Aunt Jess

Part 2: After Turkey Day, we headed to Conroe to spend the weekend with Jessica's siblings and their families. We had an awesome seafood feast, prepared by Jessica's brother. It was a great time...only wish there was more of it! Again, no photos were taken (besides our nephew Cason playing with Jessica's phone)...this is the only one we got!

Isaac and Cason played so great together!

Christmas Card Photo Shoot 2011

For the past 4 years, we have had our friend Daphne take our family photos for our Christmas cards, and they always turn out so great!! She's an amazing photographer, and is so sweet to do this for us.

This year Bill picked the location of the photo shoot...the 360 Bridge here in Austin. He picked it because it's a pretty cool photo op for scenic reasons, but it's also symbolic because it's right near his new job. We had a blast climbing a "cliff," as Isaac likes to say. Here are some of our favorite shots from the shoot...you will have to wait and see which ones made the Christmas card! :)

Kisses for Daddy

Cheese!

Mommy and her favorite little boy!

Funny Faces!

Looking out from the top of the "cliff"

Daddy and his little buddy!

Kisses for Isaac!

Isaac's First UT Football Game \m/

As the son of two UT alumni, it was inevitable that Isaac would be "brainwashed" into having the same love for burnt orange that his mommy and daddy do. Teachers were offered tickets at discounted prices to the UT vs. Kansas State game, so we jumped at the opportunity to introduce Isaac to his first in-person football game....and, of course, it was a UT game!! Unfortunately we didn't win in the end, but Isaac had a BLAST! I see more games in our future! Here are pictures from Saturday night.

The classic Tower shot with my Future Longhorn!

Bevo in hand and on head....Ready for the Game!!

Isaac and his friend Emma

Isaac and Mommy at the game

Isaac and Daddy at the game

Had his horns up until the end!

Isaac's Thanksgiving Feast

Last week, Isaac's class held a Thanksgiving Feast, and parents were invited to attend. Although it was a normal work day for me, I am fortunate enough to work for administrators who put a high priority on family. I was given someone to cover my class so I could sneak away to spend lunch time with my little man at his feast. It was only a small amount of time, but it was priceless to be able to participate in that event with him. Here are a couple photos that got snapped.

Isaac and Mommy at the Feast

Isaac's Thanksgiving Placemat

Patience in the waiting...

Those of you who know me know that I am not a patient person. I am aware of this and I know that God is working on this in me as well. I have a strong feeling that He will choose to use our adoption journey as a time of teaching me as well.

We completed our home study on Wednesday, and now we wait for them to finalize it and for it to be approved.

Then, we will sign our licensing paperwork and become licensed to foster and adopt.

Then, we will wait some more...for the phone call that says they have our little girl/children and they are ready for us.

I don\'t do well playing the "waiting game", so Lord please help her/them to come quickly...and let me have patience in the waiting.

Isaac's last soccer game

Today was Isaac's last soccer game. Although he wasn't quite as "into" it this season, I'm hoping next season will prove differently. I just have to remember that he may not get as competitive as me in sports, and that's ok. :) He had fun, made new friends, and learned a lot about soccer, and that's what matters. Here are some pics from his last game today.

Thanks Aunt Jamie for coming to watch me!!!

My shiny new metal!!

One last "Go Bulldogs!"

Adoption Update!

Just to update everyone, our Home Study has been scheduled for next week! I find myself filled with a myriad of emotions: scared, excited, anxious, overwhelmed, overjoyed...and many more. We can\'t wait to meet our little girl, or siblings!!