So Much to be Thankful For!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing loves continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. "
Psalm 100:4-5

What a week of thanks it was - a time that reminded us how much we are thankful for family and friends and so very thankful for out little boy.

On Saturday, November 17th, we got to go enjoy a special treat with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Josh and Aunt Stephani. Grandma bought us all tickets to go see Nemo on Ice. We have gone in years past - and had fun, but this year was even better as we got to see Kegan look in amazement at all the bright lights and costumes, and dance and clap along with the music - he REALLY liked the music that had strong beats in it...little boy can groove!
Wow! Is that a fascinated look or what!?!

The costumes were AMAZING - here is just a little example (I took tons of pictures of all the different costumes) of how they did some of the fish. Below is Dori and Nemo's dad.

The family together enjoying the show! (Kegan stayed in his dad's lap most of the show...but certainly made his rounds to every ones lap for a time during the show!)


Sunday night we got some sad news that my Poppa was (and still is not) not doing well in the hospital, so Monday morning we packed up and headed to spend a few days in Houston. Kegan can always bring a smile to Poppa's face and Meme and my Uncle Danny (who was up at the hospital with them) said that when they told Poppa we (especially Kegan) were coming up to see him, Poppa perked up! Kegan's laughs and smiles and joy are contagious to all around him! I was so proud of Kegan he was not afraid of Poppa or the bed. He would hold Poppa's hand and crawled all around the floor by his bed and pull himself up to where Poppa could touch him with his hand.
Meme, Matthew, Kegan and Poppa.

Kegan, Gail, and Poppa

I was glad we were there, because they got to bring Poppa home on Tuesday and them put him into Hospice care. I honestly think having Kegan there when Poppa got home was a stress relief and a little boost for him and Meme, plus, Matthew was able to help my Uncle Danny move furniture around to prepare a place for my Poppa's hospital bed to go. Wednesday morning we got up and headed back down to Corpus to spend Thanksgiving day with the Setliffs.

Thanksgiving day was a lot of fun - Kegan kept us all busy and entertained! He seemed to really enjoy all the food from the day, too! We had a good time with everyone and are very thankful to be apart of a loving family that we can share some special holidays with!
Our little family on Thanksgiving day!

Playing with one of his favorite - and most noisy -toys at his Grandparent's house. Everything on the "tractor steering wheel" moves and sings or honks or clangs...he loves it all and knows how to work it VERY well!

Kegan's Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Kyle were not able to make it to his birthday party, so they gave him his presents on this day - a toy hammer that makes silly noises when you shake it or hit it on the floor, a little piano, and a drum - all make noise, so they are all PERFECT for him!
Kegan is playing a song, on his new piano, for his Aunt and Uncle.

What is better after a big Thanksgiving meal than a nap...well not for Grandpa today...he has a little grandson who wants to play!


Friday morning we packed up again and returned to Houston to spend more time with my Poppa and the rest of the family - we fear this may be the last holiday...or at least Thanksgiving Poppa will be with us and it was nice to have most of the family there to spend time together and enjoy Poppa. We got in Friday afternoon and spent time with Meme, Poppa, and my mom and Dad. I was worried that Kegan might not go immediately to my parents, because he is getting more attatched to Matthew and I and more timid of people he does not know or does not see very often...well, I was mistaken. The moment he saw Grams, he reached out for her and when straight into her arms and stayed there very happily...happily for both of them. That evening we got to see my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Glenn - who made a scrumptious meal.
Saturday morning we got up and Matthew, Dad, and Poppa watched Kegan while Mom and took Meme to an appointment she had. When we got back Kegan was still in his pjs, but Poppa was out of bed and in good spirits - who wouldn't be, though when you have Kegan playing around your feet!
Poppa sitting up in the recliner, Meme giving him some late breakfast, and Kegan pulling at Poppa's toes. Personally, I think Poppa was enjoying his "little buddy" (that is what Poppa always calls Kegan) more than the breakfast!

Saturday we got to see my Aunt Melba and Uncle Danny some as well as my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Glenn and their daughter Shannon who came back over to visit.

Sunday, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Nolan and Karsyn came over (just home from there Thanksgiving visit to Tatum) for the afternoon. I was sitting on Poppa's bed, at one point in time during the afternoon, and he said it did him so much good to have all the family there and to see his great grand babies playing and laughing. What a reminder of what things to be truly thankful for - a happy and loving family!
Meme, Kegan, Poppa, Karsyn, and Wendy (and that is me behind the flash).

Enjoying some sort of treat he was given - probably crackers, which he learned was great fun to smash up in his hands and get crumbs everywhere before trying to eat them...what a handful!

He found his Cheerios in his diaper bag and took them out and played hide and seek under the couch with them for a little bit, before giving them to me to open up and let him eat a few. It was funny to watch him play - each time he looked so happy when the Cheerios were found.

Karsyn and Kegan trying to figure out a puzzle together, while Grams watches on.

Sunday afternoon we said our goodbyes - some tearful ones to Poppa - and headed back down to Corpus.

I would have to say although there were sad moments this Thanksgiving, with Poppa being so ill, it was a great time to remember what to be truly thankful for - I am thankful that both Matthew and I were raised up in Christ loving homes and had/have grandparents who loved the Lord, passed that down to our parents, who passed down that love to us, and now we can pass down a love for the Lord to Kegan, so one day he can have a personal relationship and love for the Lord and raise his own family in a home centered around Christ. So much to be thankful for.

Below are some more pictures from this week, since returning from Houston, and some pictures from the week prior to Thanksgiving, that I never had a chance to post - enjoy the glimpses in the life of our little joy!

What a grin!!! (I know - balloons and babies, not safe...but we were always right there with him when he held it and he was not aloud to bite it or it was taken away - for those of you who were worried and thinking us bad parents.) Like I said, though - what a grin!!!

Static head!

Bundled up nice and warm...and perhaps a bit stiff!

Eating is such hard work - he fell asleep with his hand in the cup and everything...I got a good laugh out of it!

He likes to reach through the slats in his crib, now, and pull out his lovie and blanket and play with them or cuddle with them on the floor - it is sweet to watch.

Here is just a representative picture of one of Kegan's favorite new things to say (thank you mom, dad, and Matthew). He will look at me, take what ever is in his hands, say "uh-oh" and then drop what ever he just had in his hand - what a fun new game a meal time, and when he has a toy in his hand...keeping him happy...on the changing table...haha! (He had just said "uh-oh" and dropped a toy into the tub)

Trying to get a pen out of daddy's mouth.

Kegan's got the world in his hands...and he looks a bit worried about it!

Here are two videos I took of him yesterday!

Kegan pushing a tractor. With-in the past couple of weeks Kegan has really started to know how to push his toy tractors and cars around...like a big boy does.

Here is a tape of Kegan laughing...cracking up really...as I was reading "When the Leaf Blew...", to him. He laughed like this...if not more so when I read this to him before, so I think he must really like it. In fact he had handed the book to me and then sat down, right before I took this.

2 days of a second year of life...and counting

WOW! A year has come and gone...VERY fast...and now we are entering year 2 of life with Kegan...what a ride it looks like it is going to continue to be!


A year - who knew one year could change your life so much...and so much for the better. I could not imagine life with-out Kegan...even when he wakes up crying in the middle of the night...you may be tired, but NOTHING beats him hugging on you, with all his strength, as you pick him up to comfort him. He is a constant source of laughter in our house or when we are out and about...always sharing his sweet grins with everyone. It is amazing to watch as he learns and explores - in one year he has gone from a baby who could only move as a reflex to a little boy who can make his body move and go in the way he wants it to, who can communicate more precisely what he wants, can laugh and play games, who has distinct likes and dislikes...I could go on and on...and all in a year...I can only imagine how much he will grow and develop in his second year.


He has taught Matthew and I a lot this year - instant love, instant pride and joy, patience, appreciation for small things in life - a first smile, every smile, a tiny roll, a small inch forward crawling, a little giggle, a new respect for our own parents, worry, but with that a whole lot of faith that God has great things for him and will watch over and protect Kegan ALL the days of his life...this list too, could go on and on.

He has been a blessing in our lives and I know he will continue to be on the ups and downs that await us in the years ahead of Kegan's precious life.


Below are some pictures I have taken these first few days of his life as a one year old (and a few the couple days between the party and his actual birthday) - which I must say is weird to say. Someone asked me how old he was today and it was crazy to answer "a year."...it just did not sound right...like he can't be that old, yet...can he?

The morning after his birthday party (Monday) - playing with his toys. In fact...this toys is played with a lot and lucky for me it has some music to it...soooo...I spend the majority of my day having the song in the back of my head...haha! He loves it, though! (Check out how tall he looks - my goodness!)

All those new toys and yet...oooo...yet, nothing beats a good box to play with!


Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - ONE YEAR OLD!!!
(Peek-a-boo! Guess who? A one year old is looking at you!)

"I am already for my birthday mom - I have my decorations ready to go!"

We met daddy for lunch at the Cafe in Mathis...and we got to see some other farmer friends! What a birthday lunch. He even got to share some chocolate cake with mom!

"Some cool things about turning one!"

"I can drink REAL milk...not that stinky soy formula...and get a real milk mustache"

(He is not on 100% real cows milk, but is on a50/50 split of formula and cows milk in all his sippie cups. He seems to love it and gobbles it up...and...so far...he has not seemed to have any problems with the real milk - yea!)

"I can point at things and people start talking to me and telling me what I am pointing at. Wow! So much to learn!"

(He started doing this about a week ago actually, but very sporadically. He now does it all the time...points and points and points and smiles and laughs and points again when I tell him what we are looking at. I must add, his pointing is more of his entire hand showing the direction of something...he does not just use one finger yet...it is so cute!)

" My birthday dinner with the grandparents, aunt and uncle, and mom and dad. I spent most of the night in grandpa's lap and got to share a lot of fries...after I ate the healthy stuff mom brought for me...of course. Personally, I preferred the fries!"

"Dad is ready to crash, but it is my birthday and I am still in the mood to play! I stayed up for a little while and went "fishing" for my colorful fish, aunt Stephani got me before I was even born. How could anyone put me to bed when I am smiling this cute!?!"

"It was a great birthday...from this past weekend till I went to sleep tonight!"

Today - Kegan has been helping me around the house.

He loves to "help" load and unload the dishwasher. He looks like I caught him doing something he shouldn't...hmmmm...so he does know what he should and should not do! haha...He may be one, but he is very smart. There is a candy dish he is always trying to reach in to. Many times it ends up on a tall counter out of reach, but this morning he was playing in the living room area, I went to grab something from my room and I when I came back I saw him standing with one hand on the end table and the other in the candy dish. I said, "Kegan" and he turned around, gave me this same look you see below, sat down, and then smiled as if to say, "What? I am not trying to do something I know I shouldn't do." What a stinker!

Taking a ride, this afternoon, in his new wagon, to help me grab some packages I needed to pick up from a neighbors house. He enjoyed riding around the neighborhood, just looking around and enjoying the slight breeze!

Birthday Party Weekend

What a weekend it was! Late Friday night (Kegan had already gone to bed...for a while...till his coughing woke him up) Aunt Wendy, Uncle Nolan and Karsyn arrived, and a little later Grams and Grandpa got in, while I was finishing up some cookies for the party favors.

Saturday morning, though, everyone was up and ready to go for the fun day! I had to attend a shower that morning, so Grams and Wendy (and the men...sort-of) entertained the babies till I got back. While I was gone they also put together two of Kegan's toys - a rocking chair from Karsyn and a Wagon from Grams and Grandpa. Kegan was so cute in the rocking chair - he really rocked in it!

...and of course he loved the wheels on the wagon.

After all the toys were put together we all headed out for lunch at a Mexican food restaurant. Kegan and Karsyn shared a child's cheese enchilada plate. I knew Kegan liked the beans and rice...but man, he ate the enchilada real well too...even after having his yogurt he was gobbling it up. Yumm! After lunch all 8 of us headed to the Texas State Aquarium from some fishy, fun, family, time!
Here is a pictures of Karsyn on the road. I just thought this was the cutest pictures of her!

Once we got to the aquarium we walked around looking at the fish - the babies seemed to enjoy watching the fish swim all around and looking at the bright colors. I will say - I usually push Kegan around in his stroller most of the time...but I don't know if he will be willing to do that anymore. He was held up to get "a better look" a lot on this trip.

Getting a REAL CLOSE look at the fish!

Grandpa is already teaching him all he needs to know about fish!

Cousins looking at the big tank of fish together!

Kegan clapping for the dolphins at the dolphin show.

That night we came home, let the babies play with the men while my mom, sister, and I started working on ALOT of cupcake making and decorating for Kegan's party on Sunday.

Sunday morning we all got up bright and early to go to early service. While Matthew and I went to Sunday School, Grams, Grandpa, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Nolan, and Karsyn all came back to start setting things up for the party (well...Karsyn napped). By the time Matthew, Kegan and I got home they had done most of the work - great!

Here is the table all set up. Kegan had the chair of honor with the balloons on it at the head of the table.

The cake table set up and ready to dig in to!

Didn't they all turn out cute!?! All the cupcakes have blue and green party hats with the number 1 on them and Kegan had is own special birthday boy BIG cupcake.

While we all finished setting up and getting things ready Kegan discovered a blue bow on the rocking chair and decided a shiny, blue, bow would be a great toy to play with.

Karsyn decided she wanted in on the action too, so she got a curly, red, bow to play with.

Finally, things were set and ready and the guest arrived - Uncle Josh and Aunt Stephani and then Grandma and Grandpa and Grandad and Madaline. After a little visiting the bergurs were ready so we sat down to eat. Now Kegan had already eaten, but he of course saw food and wanted more...but I think he had already had his fill and what he had did not go down to well...and because his nap schedule was off...he was getting a bit tired, so he was held through most of lunch and although we tried to hold him off some...he was ready for bed.

He wasn't even in the mood to wear his party hat!

Sooo....Kegan took a brief intermission in his party and went to sleep. It was good though - we cleaned up and all got to chat and visit with family for a while. After about a hour/hour and a half nap he woke up...a little grumpy...but soon cheered up and was ready to finish his party!

We decided to do gifts first to give his stomach a little more time to make room for cake! He did a great job opening his gifts with his daddy - he would pull out tissue and "help" rip the paper off the boxes! I was impressed with how attentive he stayed!

Everyone was so generous and Kegan got lots of cute clothes, 2 pairs of shoes, and fun toys!

After opening the gifts we did take some time to play with his new slide and climb toy from Grandma and Grandpa.

Weeeee....

Wendy, Nolan and Karsyn had to get on the road back to Houston, so we said good-bye to them and then headed in for cake time!

First, he had to get on his Birthday bib, from Grams. (I love this picture - look at those big toes sticking up!...haha...it made me laugh!)

Next, lets look at our cake... before it is demolished...

Dig in...He studied it for a bit and tried a little finger dipped into the icing before he dived right in to the cake.

"Yummy!...mom never let's me eat sweet stuff like this!"

Soo good! (I think he was pointing to his water here...all that sugar was making him thirsty.)

He cleaned his plate (I just gave him the party hat part of his cake...not the face and party hat) by the time he finished up...he then even ate some Cheerios, peas (I had to try and squeeze in something healthy) and a little oatmeal. What an eater!

Everyone else enjoyed their cake, visited a little more and we all said our good-byes to a fun day of celebrating Kegan's birthday!

"Goodnight everyone...I am closing myself in!"