This is What Happens When Dad Gets ahold of the Camera...

Last night, I was reviewing the pictures in my camera when I ran across these of Ethan. I asked Ronnie when in the world he took these pictures, and how in the world did I not know he took them?! Needless to say, this is what happens when Daddy gets the camera, unsupervised:Ethan will hate us for these pictures someday, but they were too funny not to share!!!

It's Official, I'm Going to Have a Nephew!

Monday, Stormy had another sonogram, and we found out they are having a boy!!! Ethan & I met her, my brother, Reesie, and Stormy's parents in Lubbock to celebrate. We are so excited they are having a boy!!! He & Ethan will have so much fun together. It was great to spend part of the day with them and share in their excitement. I can just imagine the shananigans Ethan and their son are going to get into one of these days - there's no telling what 2 boy minds can come up with! Not to mention, an older brother/cousin to add to the plotting & scheming! Oh well, it will be a blast!!!

Things that bring me Joy....

I was just sitting here doing some work, and all of a sudden, things that bring me joy began to flood my thoughts. So, I thought I'd share with the blog world what keeps me smiling via pictures and short explanations. Here we go...

First and foremost, this face...

That in this house, we do serve the Lord. Also, that we live in a country where we are free to do so...

That we have a home to begin our story, and oh, the stories we've begun in this home

This picture and everything is represents, and all the memories it holds. Also, the act of repeating this picture! =o)

These pictures and the memories. I love the picture of my parents dancing, so much is said in their smiles. And, the one from my wedding, brings tears of joy and sadness as it was our last picture together as a family before the sudden loss of my dad. I love the fact we were able to be together on this special day and I have this memory frozen forever.

These precious shoes and the beautiful feet that occupy them!

This last name! I absolutely love being a Cason!

These colors and everything in my house that are these colors. They never get old to me.

My pink Dyson. I promised Ronnie that if he would buy me the pink one, he'd never have to vacuum with it, hence, the pink vacuum cleaner. I love the vacuum cleaner itself, but the fact that it's PINK just makes it that much better!!

Shopping for Ethan and filling his closet with the cutest clothes I can find!

For my house to smell good. I have a fear that people will walk in my house and think it stinks so I make sure I always have smell good stuff. My favorite scent is peach anything.

Clocks. We have a lot of them in this little house, but I still manage to run late?! I love the time passed on these clocks that is spent with family and friends.

A lot about this wall hanging. The colors, the zebra patterned bow it hangs by and the frilly dress. I love all things girly!

Movies! Especially chick flicks. And, I love to sit down and watch them with my honey and snuggle on the couch. =0D

Willow Tree figurines. But, these especially and all the stages of my life they represent. One in particular titled "Father & Daughter". It's the one in the middle. I gave it to my dad a few years ago, so when he passed away, I asked if I could have it. It represents so much as he was the first love of my life and as a little girl, he was my hero and could do no wrong. The other ones here represent our marriage, my pregnancy, our miracle, and Ronnie's role as "New Dad". It's amazing the emtions these figurines can conjour up.

My cell phone and all the wonderful conversations I have with friends and family on this phone. The glory of modern technology!

Our Wii and the time spent playing with Ronnie and the images I can see in my head of Ethan enjoying it in a few years!

Good smelling perfume and how it makes me feel beautiful and girly!

And, finally, but certainly not last and least, my husband and the fact I have someone to "Always Kiss Me Goodnight"

I am so blessed in my life and I have so many things I'm thankful for and that bring me joy!

How Time Flies

I can't believe that Ethan is already 8 weeks old - where does the time go?????? He is growing up way too fast for my heart. He brings me such joy, it is amazing! I never thought I would enjoy being a mom as much as I do - by far, the most amazingly blessed calling in my life. Even 3 am feedings are a blessing! I look forward to all the time and days we will have together in the coming days, months and years. Little angel, you've completely changed my life and I'm so very grateful for you and your presence in my life.

Here a few pictures of Ethan over the last 8 weeks.

Ethan at 6 days.

8 days.

9 days.

A week and a half. 2 1/2 weeks

1 month

Ethan with his G-Lea!

Our Holiday Travels and Adventures

Our Christmas season was quite eventful with many days spent on the road. With a newborn, that was quite a challenge, but we survived! We started out in Snyder, with my family. We spent five days there, I believe, including Christmas Eve and Christmas day. We had a great time! My mom, Ronnie, I, and Ethan stayed at my grandmother's house, and they lovingly and willingly took over baby duty at night so Ronnie and I could get some much needed rest. It was great - thanks! Christmas morning, we went over to my brother's house to have Christmas with an absurd amount of presents for everyone. The time spent together was priceless, however. We had Christmas lunch at Bub's house with our family and Stormy's parents. The food was delicious! Ethan had a 'My First Christmas' outfit that I was determined to put him in. It was a flannel suit and it was like 80 degrees outside, but I still managed, just long enough for pictures. Poor guy - I'm glad he's not yet to the age of remembering the ways his mother tortures him!

But, dang it, he just looked so cute!! The rest of our time in Snyder was just spent with family
and a few friends.

Our next destination: Granbury. Ronnie's grandparents live here, as well as his aunt and uncle. We spent about 2 days here, visiting and hanging with his family. His cousin, Zach, and wife, Tammy and nine month old baby girl, Madison, were all in from Colorado Springs so we got to spend a little time with them, as well. And, Ethan was able to meet one of his cousins; not that he'll remember, but oh well! We enjoyed our time in Granbury and are thankful we were able to spend a few days there.

Next: Kerrville via Johnson City. We left Granbury and headed to Kerrville, Ronnie's hometown. On the way, we stopped in Johnson City to visit some more of Ronnie's aunts, uncles and cousins. We were able to have dinner with them and visit for a few hours which was great. We don't get to see them very often so any time is treasured. Onward to Kerrville. Ronnie's parents and his younger brother, Rusty and his wife, Tori live in Kerrville. We were only able to spend 2 days in Kerrville before we had to start heading back north. We had a good time in the short hours we were there. We spent New Year's with Rusty & Tori at some friend's house - pretty low-key but still a good time.

Whew! From one end of the state to the other, but our travels were well worth it! Ethan traveled like a dream - he loves his car seat, as long as the car is moving! We made it home safely and are thankful for our very blessed holiday season. We were sad Daddy wasn't with us - Christmas was his absolute favorite time of year, but he joined us all in our hearts and memories. I look forward to next Christmas because Ethan will be 1, Bub & Stormy's baby will be 6 months old and Reese will be 9 - we'll have a complete blast with them!!

I don't have any New Year's resolutions, but I'm gladly welcoming in 2009. I look forward to a much calmer year than 2008 was, which will go down as the worst year of my life and the best year of my life. Our family lost a member very dear to all of us, but we ended the year being blessed with a beautiful new life in my son and he will always be our saving grace. The void left in my life from losing Daddy can never be filled, but the pain has somewhat lessened with the part of his legacy he left behind, Ethan. I hope everyone was blessed beyond belief during the 2008 holiday season; I know we were.

The Sweetest Sound

I just have to share what happened in church this morning...Ethan laughed!!! It was so sweet and completely caught me off guard, but it was such a great moment!! He had the biggest grin on his face and just let out the sweetest "hehe" sound I have ever heard!!!! I can't wait to hear more!

Anyway, that's all, just wanted to share!!

Visitors!

Well, I have just been awful at keeping this updated since Ethan joined our family. It's crazy how such a little person can consume so much time and energy! The week after Ethan arrived, Ronnie's parents came and spent the week with us. It was great having them here and they were able to spend some quality time with their new grandson. Virginia was a great help to me, as well, with the baby and keeping the laundry done and keeping us fed. I'm so glad they were able to be here with us since they live 9 hours away, it's hard for either of us to make the trip very often.
The weekend they left, my brother and Stormy came up to visit their nephew. We had a great time with them, and they are just pretty crazy about Ethan! Bub was a little nervous at first about holding him; he was afraid he might break him! I think by the end of the weekend, he had gotten the hang of it and was much more relaxed. We enjoyed having them here and spending time with them - thanks for coming!

The next week and a half, we were home alone, getting adjusted as a family and becoming more and more sleep deprived every day! Ronnie was able to take some time off work with his FMLA, which was great bonding time for Dad and baby and a huge help to mom! It was some great family time before we headed off on our trek across the state for the holidays...more posts later on Christmas!