My Sweet Husband

So, you know how we all just have THAT DAY every now and then...the one where we wish it would be 5pm and yet somehow the clock says 9am...WELL...I had that day a few days ago. I called Charles throughout the day just to get through and on my way home gave thanks to God that it was over. I was just happy to get home and hug my hubby and be in his arms. Well, my hubby, the sweetest ever...decided that he would buy the Pat Green CD that just got released and have it playing when I got home with a little note. We had fun just dancing and listening to the CD and I am continued to be amazed at how perfect he is. Charles,

You are my rock, my strength and my life. Thanks for always being my best friend and never failing to make me smile in the dark momments (even when I say stop...but you know I don't mean it!). My life is so blessed and forever changed since the day you entered it. Nothing could ever take your place and I cherish every momment with you. SHMILY!!

Stacy

Way to go!!

I just found these pics on my camera and realized I never posted about the Houston Marathon on January 18, 2009!! Anywho, no way did I run in it!! BUT, Charles' Dad, Fred, ran it for the 14th year in a row...you heard me...14 YEARS!!! We are continually amazed by his dedication and endurance! In fact, this year, I think was his best ever as he looked SO GOOD afterward. Way to go Fred, we are so proud of you and your HUGE accomplishment!

One BIG SECRET!!

Here's our SECRET!!! We are now 11 weeks pregnant! God is so good and faithful! Although the road to get here was not easy, we would not trade it for anything. Along our journey to start a family we have learned many things. Some of which include: God's blessings are all around us, the prayer of friends and family is powerful, how to love and depend on each other deeper than we thought possible, and most importantly what the true meaning of total abandonment is. Words cannot express the feeling between our heavenly father and us when we fall on our face and realize only HE (not us...nor any of our bargaining strategies...heehee) is in control and knows what timing is best in our lives.
So...where are we now? WELL, we went in for our first sonogram on Monday the 19th and found out we have one beautiful healthy baby inside! So, below is Baby Hall's first picture to the world. I think it is beautiful and we stare at it daily. Of course others have to proclaim it looks like an elephant or a seal! So, let me help you out by saying that Baby Hall is upside down in this picture! You can even see the sac around the baby and the doctor was VERY pleased that it was so healthy! So, continue to pray for us as we count down the weeks!

"So we have not stopped praying for you since we heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your life will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better."

~Colossians 1:9-10

My Friend Katie

Ok, I know it has been almost a month since I last posted...but with the holidays, I have been a LITTLE BIT BUSY to say the least. I am working on all the Christmas Pictures and amazing things that happened over the holidays...but as a preview, I wanted to post about my friend Katie.

Katie and I were best friends in High School and were able to get together on January 2nd while she was in town from New York with her Boyfriend. It was so nice to see her and it was like no time had even passed. I am convinced that is the sign of a true friend...

A Profound Lesson for All...

So, last night I went to the Beth Moore conference with some friends/co-workers. It was simply magical with CeCe Winans and Travis Cottrell. The message struck a deep chord in me, and I could not deny anyone of hearing this message. Of Course, I will shorten it...but still pray that you get something from this lesson. Beth Moore stated that everyone needs a fresh advent. We all could use one, right? So here is how to do it...

First, we must be looking for him!! In Luke 1:5-7 it says to 'make ready a people prepared for the Lord'. We must adjust our eyes so that we see the signs of his coming.

Next, bring your disappointment to the Lord. We all have something in Life that disappoints us... Some prayer that we feel is unanswered. Maybe we feel he is not listening, or we get tired of praying for the same thing for several years. Whatever the case, BRING IT TO THE ALTER. Lay it down and ask God for the desires of your heart. Daniel 9:22-23 states that 'the momment you pray, the answer is given'. Beth Moore went on to describe it by saying even though he has answered our prayers, the revelation may still not be presented to us yet. So, know that even as time passes and you get discouraged...God has heard your prayers!

Third, you must believe to the BONE that God has heard you. You must believe that God will bless you with whatever you desire, or something better in the right time. 2 Cor 1 reflects that God is a 'yes' and 'Amen' God!! He loves to see us happy, he loves to grant our wishes....WHEN WE BELIEVE in him and that he has heard our cries. Always remember that when your requests are not immediate, something bigger is coming!

Finally, you are not picked on, but picked out! Many times we do not even know what we need until we stumble upon it! Read Luke 1:18-25 and picture what a BLESSING it was for Elizabeth to finally get her request for a child...even after so many years. She felt blessed and knew it was a gift straight from God! She even exclaimed, "he has done this for me!"

One of the most profound things I heard the entire evening was this:
"What comes naturally for others, but must come SUPERnatural for you, is a blessing. This means God stopped what he was doing and took time to lay his hand on you."

WOW is all I can say. I hope this blesses you as much as it did me!

My friends and I at the conference last night (Cassie and Sally)

Starting Point Christmas Party

So, our Sunday School class (AKA: Starting Point) at Champion Forest Baptist Church had our Christmas Party this last Friday. Between the loads of food, beautiful slide show, and white elephant exchange...it was a night to remember. I wish I had taken more pictures of the decoations...our friends (Moore's, Silvio's, and Cochran's) who were in charge of the event did an amazing job decorating! It was wonderful...and totally candelit! Just beautiful...

The girls huddling around a book that Ashley won during the White Elephant exchange...it was....different... to say the least. Not sure what else I can say. It did involve "Passion Coupons"! For those interested...see Ashley, she reads it regularly. :) J/K

The Food was amazing, everyone chipped in and we were stuffed!

My personal favorite white elephant exchange gift...AND as if it couldn't get any better...It doubles as a candy dish inside!

Our friend Matt opening his "Goonies" VHS. He also received a "Manny Pack" (with tissues inside!), which he is proudly wearing below!

Poor Michelle, her gift was authentic coal and Rudolph's blinking nose. She wore it with pride!

Jason and Charles laughing at the "Passion Suggestions" in Ashley's book.

Chris and Courtney, a little too happy after they STOLE our card game we received.

Finally, here is gals picture (sorry guys). The Lord has blessed us with a close knit group and I truly love each of them.

Christmas Decorations

So, the task of decorating for Christmas is complete! Here are a few pictures...

NO, it is not your imagination...there are hardly any ornaments on the lower half of our tree. This is because Baylor loves to play with/eat ornaments! I guess it is his hobby while we are at work...rather than playing with the bigillion toys we have bought him! I thought it would be important to show the damage of an ornament hung too low...this was a dancer that I got when I was 5. Today it hangs proudly in a plastic baggie with no arms or legs.

NOW...for the best ornament of all...this was something I made when I was 2!! Yes, it has nuts, painted smiley faces, and a feather on top! I do not know where my creativity and artistic joys went...but as you can tell, I was very talented back in my younger days.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."

Here is a smaller tree that has ornaments from our Baylor University days. This one is fun and has ornaments from Football, Alpha Chi, and roomates. The angel on top was my parents' first angel they bought when they got married over 40 years ago! I love it and it will always be my favorite Christmas Angel!

This is Charles' favorite...J/K...but he puts it up for me anyway. They are huge candy canes that we made with help from Charles' parents! I think they add a nice holiday touch to our own little "Winter Wonderland" on the front porch...