Raggedy Ann and Andy

We had a fun Halloween week. Laura Beth had several functions to wear her costume. Her cousin Hannah Claire passed down this costume for us and Laura Beth had a great time in it.

Steve was such a great sport to dress as Andy.

Getting the "Makeup" on. She wasn't a fan at first.

Having a blast in the Balloon Room at the Church Fall Festival.

All together it was a really fun week. We will trick or treat for just a little while tomorrow night.

Pumpkin Patch

This cute little pumpkin patch offered everything Laura Beth could want in Pumpkin Patch visit. Look who she spotted first (Look in the background). Mickey and Mini!

Laura Beth jumped in bounce houses, went down blow up slides, went on a hay ride, went on a mechanical swing ride, did some animal petting, and road a pony for the first time. SHE LOVED IT! She kept telling the pony, "good job pony."

Afterward, she found a wagon started picking out pumpkins.

We had a great time for our first "Pumpkin Patch" experience.

THE PUMPKIN WE CHOSE!

We are so thankful for health this year, thus far. Laura Beth (and all of us) have been much healthier than the past year. We are also thankful for the wonderful weather, the new addition to our family arriving in April, God's provision, and PUMPKINS of course. :)

Physically and Mentally growing

We have been having a wonderful FALL! First of all, Laura Beth has been WAAAY more healthy this year than last fall. (I'm so thankful for several months of no illnesses!). The weather has been beautiful here in Fort Worth. We are taking advantage. We are outside at any chance we have.

Tonight, Steve is in Houston, TX at a MSU game. He is living it UP! I saw him on T.V. during one of the touchdowns. ha! I'm happy MSU is winning on his "guys weekend."

I went to the a Baby doctor visit yesterday. Baby M has a great heartbeat. During the sonogram, Baby M was swinging arms and kicking feet. I lost some weight, which I was concerned about (because I never lose weight), but my doctor isn't concerned at all about it. I have felt really good with exhaustion and a few headaches to complain about (so thankful these are the only things).

The other day, Steve taught Laura Beth how to swing and hit the ball. She used to push the ball off the tee with the end of the bat. (Frustrated Steve very much). She wouldn't actually swing. However, she is doing much better now.

Warning: This video is long. It's different clips of Laura Beth reading lately. She has really become a "secret reader." You'll hear her tell me to "go" because she wants to read the book without me watching. I have to "catch" her doing it, because she doesn't read on command (of course). Notice in the princess book she runs her fingers over the words. Hilarious. You can't really understand her as much in the Princess book, but you can decipher more in the Barney book. My favorite part of the entire reading video is when she pats her head and says, "Imagination" in the Barney book. She has never done that before and neither have we...she came up with that on her own. ha! Enjoy!

MS Madness

This past weekend was a little crazy. We took and unexpected trip to MS. My grandmother passed away on Wednesday. Then we learned on Thursday morning that Steve's close friend, James David Wells, father died in a car wreck on Thursday morning in Lake Village Arkansas. Needless to say, we traveled alot, and attended a couple of funerals during this trip to MS.

We were completely exhausted from the trip. Both funerals were hard for this pregnant, emotional lady. However, God provided some joyful times during all of the sadness. Here are some pictures of those times.

Uncle Lou Lou tickling Laura Beth.
"Excuse me. I'm taking a bath here."
JD and Laura Beth driving the van.

My Sweet Nephew Gage.

Attempting a hug.

"Let's crank this thing up."
Together again. They instantly hugged when they saw each other and were "off"...they played the entire time we were together. (Funny face, Laura Beth).

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Zane. He has gotten so big and even cuter (if that's possible).

Elsie Ashford

Today's post is to honor my grandmother, Elsie Ashford (She always joked about her name as "Elsie the Borden Cow").

This morning she went to be with the Lord. I remember as a little girl going to her house for every "food" holiday and receiving the best, well prepared, and well thought out meal. My grandmother LOVED to shop. "Back in the day" she could "outshop" anyone. When we were younger, we had a tradition of shopping on "Black Friday." I can remember riding in my grandmother's Cadillac in the backseat on the way to Memphis anticipating a fun day of hanging out with "granny, " mom, and Angie. I remember the smell of my grandmother. She always had perfume and lipstick on no matter what the day was. To me, She was serious about several things, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and her family.

She has been in an assistive living facility for a while now, as she had Alzheimer's, which made it difficult for her to live by herself in her own home.

I would appreciate your prayers for my mom as she has now lost her mother and father. However, we are at peace knowing they are together again in Heaven, praising the Lord all day long. I would also appreciate your prayers for the rest of our family as we gather together to celebrate my grandmother's life.

The funeral will be in Water Valley, MS, so we will be heading to MS this weekend.

Prego

We are so very excited about having another child. Obviously, Laura Beth doesn't completely understand, but she knows that mommy has a baby "on her shirt" (because we always point to my stomach and say there is a baby in there). Since I have the baby on "MY" shirt, Laura Beth calls it "Mommy's Baby."

I have been feeling pretty good. I had forgotten what all of this was like and it was only 2 1/2 years ago. ha! I am 10 weeks along and beginning the 11 week this past Thursday.

The next few months hold alot of changes for us. Steve graduates with his Masters in December, Laura Beth turns 3 years old in February, and Baby number 2 will be here in April. So exciting!

Where did the weekend go?

Well, our weekend went to football, zoo, and church today.

Go State.

Maroon, white, AND pink (LB's necklace)

Dont' worry Ole Miss people, I wore Red and Blue on Saturday. :)

Petting the farm animals at the zoo.

Riding the horses.
Riding the train.
We hope you had a good weekend too!