Relaxing, Eating and Crawling....

That's about all we've been up to the last few weeks. Clint and I went for our big anniversary trip. We went to Riveria Maya, about 30 minutes south of Cancun. We were there for 7 days and 6 nights and it was WONDERFUL!!! The first night we were thre I slept better than I had in about 3 years. We did very little except hang out at the beach, the pool, eat, drink and do it all over again. Here are a couple of pics....

This is the view from the side of our balcony.


This is also from our balcony looking over the Caribbean Sea. It was beautiful!! Every day was sunny and about 85 degrees.


Our room....
The first night (after several drinks!!)
Pics at random spots across the resort. It was beautiful!! We never left the resort grounds...




Pool side. There were several covered beds around the pools, and swim up bars. The shade was crucial for me because I was purple after the 1st day!! There were 11 pools total, but this is at the main pool.
The lobby..... After being picked up at the airport in a personal Lincoln, we were greeted with champagne at the resort and walked into this beautiful lobby. There were also shops in the lobby (I was in the jewelry store every day splurging!) and a martini lounge where we went each night after dinner.


The covered beds on the beach... We hung out in the same area every day by the beach volleyball net. On the last day we came in 2nd place in the beach volleyball tournament!!


It was an extraordinary trip, but we were definitely excited to see the girls!! It seemed like they grew a ton while we were gone! They did well with the family. Aubrey didn't seem to notice we were gone, but Madelyn missed us a lot when she got tired. We came home Wednesday night and put Aubrey on the ground, and she crawled across the floor!! I can't believe it, but she can move!! She's perfected it over the weekend and it into everything. I also feel like her hair grew a ton. It's really really curly, which I'm not sure if you can see in this picture.

Thanksgiving Day was nice. We hung out with lots of family and enjoyed being home. Here is Madelyn after all the holiday festivities.....Tomorrow is back to work and back to the routine. I take Aubrey in the morning to the ENT. Right before we left she was diagnosed with her 6th ear infection.

Prayers....

We leave for our big trip in the morning. Please pray that we'll have safe travels. I'm getting a little worried about the girls missing us, so please pray that they will have a fun time with their family and not miss Mommy and daddy too much.

I haven't posted much because last week I was sick. Friday the doctor gave me antibiotics for a sinus infection and strep. I feel much better, but i"m hoping Clint doesn't start to feel bad while we're gone! Also, Aubrey began running fever again last night. I'm thinking it may be another ear infection. If so, this will be 3 in 6 weeks!!

i'll post when we get back and hopefully have lots of pictures :)

Finally - a haircut!!

Before...

And After...





And this is what Aubrey was doing when we got home....

No Regrets.....

I've heard several stories in the last 2 days of people my age either passing away or having serious health issues. It made me think about if the Lord called me away at this young age. So I've decided that I want to use this season of Thanksgiving to let the people I love the most know how much they mean to me. Here goes.....

Clinton Lowell
I don't even know where to begin. You are my best friend, my love and my companion. I love you more every day and you never cease to amaze me. Every day since that first night I saw you in the Notre Dame jacket and chain wallet, I've thanked God for bringing you into my life. I pray that our girls will someday find a Husband as loving as you. I love you more than I could ever express.

Mom
People have often asked me if I've ever wanted to find my birth parents. I've always considered myself luckier than most children because if God allowed me to pick my own Mother, I would have picked you. You inspire me every day to me a better woman, wife and mother. I use your example everyday to try to instill your love of the Lord into my own children. I can't imagine my life without you.

Gisele
I'm sure when you met me when I was 14 it never entered your mind that I would be your daughter-in-law someday. But the last 15 years I've known you I've felt a part of your family. I think of you as another Mother, that I am truly blessed to have. Clint and I could never thank you enough for all you do for us and the girls. Your thoughtfulness and selflessness are an inspiration.

Kelly M.
I knew the night I first met you that you would change my brother's life (especially when he made me change clothes 3 times!!) You make him a better Man. I couldn't be more proud to have you as a sister!

Amanda B.
You are perhaps the most beautiful person, inside and out, that I know. Your love of life and love of the Lord shine through in everything you do and everyone you meet. I love you!

Ashlie
What can I say??? I cherish all the times that Clint and Jerome say we "cackle" together!! You are such an amazing Mom, and the one I call for advice! I often pray that God will bless me with the patience you have with all of your children and your husband :) I know we have that security with each other where although we may not talk as often as we'd like to, we'll always be close!!

Emily
What would I do at night without our hours of phone conversations? I always know that no matter what kind of day I've had, I can call you and forget all my worries, or just vent about them for hours! You're so thoughtful and caring, and I thank God everyday for our friendship.

Amanda K.
You're an inspiration to me in more ways than you'll know. Whether trying to turn away some chips and dip or making more time for Bible study, I always think of you and know that I can do anything I try.

Erin
We have had more good times than I could possibly mention. Some of the best memories of my life are with you - whether at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, or just hanging out at your apartment, I know true friends like you are few and far between. we can talk about ANYTHING! We can boast about our genius children, and discuss accounting principles all over one lunch. I cherish all my memories with you and only wish we saw each other more now.

To all my other friends.....
I only wish I had the time and the words to let every one of you know what you mean to me. Whether I'm having lunch with Marta, who probably truly knows me better than anyone else on this planet, or laughing with Claire and Page, I cherish the place each of you has in my heart. Kelley - I'm so thankful that we have reconnected. I almost feel as if God put us here to be friends with each other, for a purpose than only He may know.

Regardless, with each of you in my life I have SO much to be thankful for!

Hold You, Mommy

A friend of mine at work brought me a book called "Hold You, Mommy" the other day. She saw it at the Christian book store and she got it for me because she knows that Madelyn says that phrase to me numerous times a day. I have to say, anyone with young children should pick up the book. It's described as "Moments with God for Moms on the go" and it's really made me think a lot more about my precious children. Just last night I got annoyed when Madelyn followed me into the bathroom and asked her, "Do you have to follow Mommy into the potty?" She looked up at me with those innocent blue eyes and stated, "Yes, Mommy, you are my friend" It melted my heart.

Yay Hubby!!!

I'm so proud of my husband - he decided about a month ago that he really wants to run. So Saturday was his first race. He finished 8 miles in 1 hour and 27 minutes :) I'm so proud of you baby!! Now he's training for a half marathon next month.

Also, Saturday was 15 years sine our first kiss!! My how time flies......

Happy Halloween