Thankful.

Corby and I spent Thanksgiving in Birmingham, AL with his family. We had a great time with everyone! Some of the group went to the football game yesterday, while his mom, my nephew, and I relaxed at the hotel. I had the joy of getting a massage, so that was wonderful! Lake, our nephew, is growing so fast! He is just the cutest and sweetest little guy on earth! At lunch on Thanksgiving, Jeff and Kacy told us that they are expecting another baby! We are so excited for them and can't wait to see how the Lord blesses their family. Lake is going to be a great big brother. Baby Pardue is due at the end of May!

Other than time with family (and 2 very intense games of spades), we were able to spend Friday evening with all of Corby's friends from college. They are the greatest group of people... we both had a great time with everyone! Here are just a few pictures from our weekend. Corby and I were supposed to take our Christmas card picture (since the scenery was beautiful!), but the weather didn't cooperate! 

Lake in his footie pajamas... I tried to get one of him standing, 

but that didn't happen!

Lake and Corby...they are best friends!

Corby with his best friends from college

Me with some of the most fabulous girls in the world!

Our Dear Friends...

I wanted to ask the few people who read this to be praying for our good friends Flint and Rebekah  today and in the many days to come. Flint's precious mom passed away on Sunday evening from heart disease. She has had a very long battle with this and is now fully healed in the arms of Jesus. Today is her funeral, so please just be in prayer that Flint, Rebekah, and all of the Harris family will feel the Lord's peace and comfort. Thank you so much!

No More Crayons...

The sweet Jetta has a new home...or at least a temporary home, until someone else chooses her. For the 7 years that I drove that great car, it ALWAYS smelled like crayons. I think it's a Jetta thing, and I honestly got so used to the smell that it never phased me. But every time anyone else would ride in it, they would bring it to my attention again. It really was a fabulous car, but with Harper on the way, we wanted something a little bigger and safer. So yesterday, the vultures at Toyota of Richardson gave us a deal that we couldn't refuse. We ended up buying a used 08 Highlander... and it is black, just like my precious Jetta. It was the longest process I've ever been a part of, even longer than the house buying purchase! The man who sold it to us was quite interesting...he was quite the lurker. Any time we would be looking in the car, he would be far away, but still staring at us. Eventually, he got the manager for us (he got tired of going back and forth, with each negotiation Corby made) and that is what sealed the deal. We ended up trusting the manager much more than the original salesman. It was fun watching Corby negotiate and get us things that I would've never thought to ask for. He's good at what he does. In the end, I'm so excited about my new car, and it was just a neat experience since it was our first car purchase together! So without further ado.... Here she is...

For some reason it looks like the whole side is dented in this picture... 

in reality, it is not! 

This time last year...

My mom, me, Lindsey, and Leah at the Shaohannah's Hope Fundraiser

Although I'm enjoying my relaxing Saturday, I can't help but wish that I was in Nashville with my family. Tonight is the Shaohannah's Hope adoption fundraiser, put on by Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, and I wish I were going! I went last year and it was one of the most amazing nights of my life. I guess it runs in the family, but I have always had a heart for orphans. And that is what the evening is all about... orphans... and what we as Christians are called to do concerning them. It was an amazing night being together as a family, and this year with the addition of Eliana, I'm sure the night is going to seem perfect. This event is something I can't wait for Corby to experience. I was hoping it would be this year, but it appears that it won't be until next year. 

Also, on this weekend last year, Lindsey and Chris spoke at their church regarding their adoption and the hope of one day having Eliana in their family. Well...this weekend, she's being dedicated at church. How amazing is our Lord! I just think it is so neat that everything has come full circle in a short 12 months (even though at times it seemed like a VERY LONG TIME!). 

Last night, we did have a great time with our friends, the Nixons and Scovells. We went to the Dallas Mavericks game, and our seats were amazing! We were so close to the court! Sadly, the Mavs lost by 1 (and outplayed them the entire game!)... but we still had a great time. A night like last night really made me thankful for some of the friends we have here in Dallas! 

Cheering on the Mavs!

Iron-on Fun!

Since I have about a million things to do around the house, I'm just choosing not to do any of it today (smart, huh?)! Instead, I decided to have some fun with onesies! I bought the iron-on letters, hearts, and flowers at Michael's and kept myself busy this afternoon. I think they look pretty cute! I'm planning on making some more, but since I plan on "not doing the million things around the house" again... I need to have something else to do that day! 

We're praying...

Update: The insurance company is being difficult and hasn't approved the MRI. So until it is approved (who knows when that will be), please pray that the pain will go away!!! 

Tomorrow morning, Corby's dad, Lee has to have an MRI. He has been having severe neck pain that recently started going up into his head. The doctors aren't really sure what is going on, so we are praying that the MRI reveals the issue! If you think about it, please pray tomorrow (Friday) morning for Lee... we're praying that it isn't anything more than a pinched nerve or something like that! However, if it is something different, please pray for wisdom for the doctors and that Lee will experience the Lord's peace in a powerful way! We are also praying that his pain will be healed, no matter what the problem is! Thank you in advance for your prayers.... they are greatly appreciated by the entire Pardue family! 

Princess Aurora came for a visit!

This past weekend, Corby and I had a great time with Annalise. She spent the night with us on Thursday and Friday... it was so fun! She also had so much fun playing with her friends, Luke, Emme, and Hattie- she has missed them all so much! For Halloween, she was Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. She got this costume at Disney World and has been so excited to finally wear it! I had so much fun getting her ready and doing her hair. I think I could work at the Bippity Boppity Boutique at Magic Kingdom.... my recreation looked very similar to how they did her hair. She loved it and definitely looked like a beautiful princess! Saying goodbye was really hard (again), but I think that is expected. I am just thankful I finally got to spend some quality time with her! Here are a few pictures I took of her before she went trick-or-treating... 

The VERY proud Princess Aurora

She has learned to bow... it's precious!

She is just SO cute!

Her princess hair!

We miss you, sweet Annalise!