Introducing...

My sister-in-law! Loy, my brother's wife and my sweet sister-in-law, has joined us in the blogging world! I'm so excited for you guys to read all about my adorable nieces and nephew. Morgan is 11 (yikes!), the twins, Jacob and Payton are 4 and Addison (Addy) is 1. Todd and Loy live in Houston in a neighborhood down the street from my parents neighborhood where Neal's brother and sister-in-law happen to live as well. We are the only ones that don't live within a 5 mile radius...sad. Loy works at our old church in childcare. My parents also attend the same church and Adam (Neal's brother) is the Associate Music Minister there! See what we are missing out on all the way over here in Nashville? Anyway, Loy is an extremely experienced mom and is one of the sweetest and nicest people I know. I'm lucky my brother was smart enough to choose her as his bride! I always enjoy the time we get to spend together, its just not enough. So - go check out her blog, see how cute my nieces and nephew are and leave her a comment saying hi.

Meet Shana

My best friend, Shana, has joined us in blogger land! Shana and I grew up together in Houston. We met in 6th grade at Sunday School and have been friends ever since. We didn't go to the same school, but lived 15 minutes away from each other. I really wanted to post some old pictures of us, but don't have the brain power to figure out the scanner...maybe one of these days. There are some great photos though, I'm sure you can imagine, we were definitely rockin' the bangs and perms! Anyway, Shana and I have been through a lot together...a whole lot. She is so intertwined in my history and is a part of so many of my best memories. She has been, and continues to be, a huge blessing in my life. We are so different from each other, but the Lord has used that in such a unique way to bless our friendship for all of these years.

Shana has an amazing story that you can read about on her blog. She and her husband have struggled for a couple of years with infertility. She has walked a very dark and depressing path the past few years, struggling to get pregnant, only to have two miscarriage. I'll let you go read her story in her own words, I would not do it justice. The Lord has still not finished writing this chapter in her life, but Shana has come to a place were she wants to be a voice to other women who struggle with infertility as well. She has done an amazing job with her blog, there is a wealth of information on it pertaining to infertility. She is so honest about sharing her struggles. I know it's hard to put yourself out there and to be so honest for the world to see, I'm so proud of her for doing it, and I know that it will bless so many people.

So...go check her blog out and welcome her to our little corner of the World Wide Web!

I love you Shan!

Meet Wendy!

Two introductions in one day!

My friend Wendy Thomas - Shilleci is now blogging! I worked with Wendy when Neal and I lived in Houston our second year of marriage. She had a photography studio in Cypress and hired me on to be her assistant. It was the best job I ever had! I loved working with Wendy, not only is she an amazing photographer who I learned so much from, but she became a great friend as well. When I was working for her, her son, Chase was just starting elementary school, so I would hear tales of his days at school. It was in her office that I realized having babies is not just about having babies, they really do grow up and do stuff like go to school! I literally remember sitting in my desk chair, listening to her tell me something about his day and realizing that! I think I learned how to be more adult when I was around her, partly because she treated me like one (I was only 22!) and partly because I thought she was so cool, I wanted to be like her! I remember going to Chase's soccer practice with her, going to eat at Willies after, going on numerous photo shoots in her white expedition and just enjoying being with her. Aside from having a great eye for photography, part of why she is so good at what she does is because she is so good with people and making them feel comfortable. She's one of those people who you spend 30 minutes with and feel like you've known her awhile. We also frequented a yummy Mexican place on the corner and both always got Taco's al Carbon with Queso...is that place still there? I can't remember the name! (surprise!). We have touched base through out the years and when we do I'm always so glad to hear what is going on in her life and to catch up...

Meet Julie

Meet my friend Julie Riggins! We go way back with the Riggins, starting at OBU. She and Brad had a singing thing going and signed Neal on to play drums with them. Long stories short, they became Nobleman's Son and started travelling, leading worship at camps and such. I went along for the ride as official Power Point Girl. The four of us, plus Nathan, travelled all over the place in a little red Nissan Rodeo with a trailer hooked on the back. We got engaged on the same day and got married a few weeks apart. We spent the first year of married life living in the same apartment complex a few doors down, living on...something? I think we were getting by on $1000 a month, or something crazy like that. We didn't know any different! I remember going to their apartment and Julie feeding us Taco Salad, driving to El Reno to rehearse at some building and then eating hamburgers at a yummy little hamburger joint. I remember Julie buying me a super cute t-shirt from American Eagle and I thought it was so cool. I probably still have it! We would paint our nails a really dark purple color from OPI. One trip to Colorado, we got a hotel room with 2 double beds, each married couple got a bed and Nathan slept on the floor in the middle on a bed spread! There are some crazy, funny memories of that time...Anyway, band life on the road ended and we all went our separate ways. Julie and Brad now live in Texas (near Dallas??) with their 2 boys, Olsen and Bennett. I'm glad to reconnect with her in blogger land. Go check out her blog! ****I forgot to add that she has a photograhy business as well!

Meet Carrie

Carrie is back in blogger land, so go check out her blog. This is a picture from Shana's wedding 3 years ago (sad that this is one of the most recent pics of us!) Carrie and I met our Sophomore, or Junior year (I have a terrible memory...what year was it?) in High School in Geography class. To this day I bet neither of us could tell you anything about Geography! We found out that first day that we had both lived in Tulsa, went to the same church and that our dad's worked together! We became fast friends and have stayed that way for 12 years. We have suffered through Algebra and Speech Class together and I'm proud to say that my D was better than her D in both those classes, although I have to give her credit for the fact that I even passed Spanish in HS and College. Carrie moved back to Tulsa for her senior year, but then we met up at OBU and were roommates for our first year there. We got engaged within 3 weeks of each other and then married within two. I talk to her every morning, and check in with each other at least another 2 or 3 times a day. She lives in Tulsa, yet I always know her schedule and what she is going to do tomorrow. We know everything that is going on in each others lives. She is always honest with me and never beats around the bush, I know I will get a straight answer from her when I ask a hard question. And, she can be quite feisty! So don't go messin' with her! Probably another reason we get along so well is that we are both planners...we love to plan anything and everything. And, we are both always early everywhere we go, which is probably why we do most of our chatting when one of us is sitting in the school parking lot at 2:15 for a 2:3o pick up! She and Scott (who is a lawyer and went to OBU with us) have 3 kids...Sydney just turned 4, Tyler is 2.5 and Lydia just hit 5 months. It's hard to believe that I've actually only met Sydney and that was about 3 years ago! Oh, she is also super skinny! :) Anyway, that's Carrie...go meet her!

Meet Jaime

My friend Jaime has joined the blog world. She lives in the Austin area now, but used to live a house away from me. Kandice and Mike actually bought that house from them! So, I've had 2 friends that have lived in the same house...weird! We met when I was out working in the yard and she was taking a walk. We got to be really good friends...I was so sad when they moved away! Anyway, Jaime has 2 kids...Olivia and Reece, go check her blog out!

Let me introduce you to...

my friends in the blogs I love column. I got this great idea from one of them, Liz Seay, and had to steal it! I've so enjoyed keeping up with these friends through blog world and getting to know them better in funny little ways...

Beth Moore - we all know who she is! I love her blog and her daughters contribute as well.

Carly O'Quinn - Carly and I have known each other forever, we grew up at the same church in Houston, but it wasn't until we both came to Nashville and had no friends that we realized we really liked each other and became the best of friends. Our kids are from 2 weeks to 2 months apart and we are both preggers with our 3rd, 5 weeks apart. We've gone through pregnancies, miscarriages, moves, babies, trips to NYC and everyday life together. If you ever want to know anything about any actress or entertainment trivia - just ask Carly, she knows everything! She and her husband Casey live in Houston with their kiddos Maggie (4.5), Rory (2.5) and a baby (boy, girl????) due in February.

Sharla Marler - I met Sharla through Carly. They go to the same church in The Woodlands, Sharla loves Nashville, and we have some mutual friends, so we had a lot to talk about. She and her husband Brandon came to Nashville last fall for a visit and we got to hang out with them and get to know each other better. She is so sweet and has 3 girls under the age of 4 and all with really cool names...Carson, Chole and Campbell. She also knows Liz Seay. She and her husband Brandon live in The Woodlands. They also know...

Kathryn Aylor - Kathryn is married to Steve, who Neal and I grew up with at CFBC in Houston. His mom was both of our 6th grade Sunday School teacher. Neal and Steve were roommates at OBU, where Steve and Kathryn met. Steve's parents used to live in Nashville, so we got to see them once a year when they came to visit, but not as often as we would like! They are the kind of friends that you can not talk to for a long time, but then when you get together, it's as if you saw them yesterday. They are familiar and comfortable to us and we love them and miss them tons. They live in the Dallas area with their boys Braxton and Nash.

Cassidy Lundgren - we have known each other since 6th Grade at Strack, she is a lifelong friend, talented actress, singer and photographer. We got to see each other for the first time in a LONG time last summer when we spent a weekend together in Houston for our 10 year HS reunion! She and her husband Grant live in the Milwaukee area with their 3 kids, Claire, Cole and Ava.

Cindy Seay - works with my mom at New Life Children's Services in Cypress. I've known her since my mom started working there when I was 16. She is one of those women who you will learn something from, just from being around (or reading her blog)! She has 16 grandchildren!

Liz Seay - she is married to one of Cindy's 5 kids, Robbie. We met one time, years ago, but I've heard about her and known all about her for years! I don't think I've even met Robbie, but it feels like I have! We have communicated more in the past few months via our blogs than ever! We also share some mutual friends, Sharla being one of them. She and Robbie live in the Houston area with 3 of Cindy's 16 grandkids. Ethan, Elliana and Ezra.

Jenn Seay Bacak - Cindy's daughter, again, I've met her once, but know all about her from her mom! Funny story on how I found Jenn's blog. I ran across some one's blog from a friend of a friend (you know how it works) and start reading about this girl who is SO familiar to me. It was really freaking me out because I knew I knew her from somewhere, thought maybe we had gone to HS together. Then I see her links list and saw Robbie and Liz's blog link and realized it was Jennifer Seay I was reading about. I've enjoyed reading her blog and getting caught up on her life. She and her husband live in the Bryan College Station area with their 4 kids...and she is friends with...

Heather Hendrick - It was Heather's blog that led me to Jenn's. I came across her blog when she was issuing a 7 day challenge on how to be a better wife, I was totally convicted by some of the things she was challenging and kept coming back for more. She is hysterical and very thought provoking. She and Jenn go to the same church in B/CS, she has 3 boys and they are in the process of adopting through New Life. Go check her blog out, I promise you will laugh or need to go pray through something!

Laura Watson - my sister-in-law. She is married to Neal's little brother, Adam. I'm thankful that Adam picked a wife that I love dearly and consider a sister. She is so encouraging and joyful, very refreshing and fun to be around. We have so much in common and can't talk on the phone less than an hour, even when we try! Adam is the Associate Music Minister at Champion Forest Baptist, the church we grew up in. He and Laura keep busy with their ministry there.

Nicki - one of Laura's friends from Waco. I started reading her blog when she was pregnant and awaiting the arrival of her first baby. I have enjoyed reading about her experiences as a first time mom and am often reminded of the sweet time in my life when I was a first time mom, experiencing all those precious mom feelings and moments for the first time...takes me back!

Suzanne - she just had QUADS - FOUR babies! They are 2ish weeks old. Her story is so amazing. I found her blog through Laura's and spent at least 2 hours one night reading from the beginning of her journey - it's fascinating!

Recipe blog - this is because I love to cook and love to trade recipes and try out new stuff...go check it out...please add some of your own favorite recipes for us all to try!

Those are my friends...