Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!!!

Oh, how I absolutely adore my husband Corby! I honestly can't believe we've only been married for 3 years... it feels like much longer, but in a good way. Corby has the most incredible personality... I just LOVE his laugh...except when he thinks of something funny in bed and can't stop laughing while I'm trying to fall asleep! His passion is inspiring and it plays out in every area of his life. Whether he is spending time with the Lord, working on something new for his job, losing to me in UNO, or watching the Cowboys, he does it with such enthusiasm. I just can't wait to see him as a father! He does such an amazing job with Annalise and the kids in our class at church, that I know he's going to be such an incredible dad!

Corby, thank you for leading our family in a Godly manner and loving me all of the time. Thank you for always being there for me, especially when life is tough! I can't imagine what life would be like without you in it!!! I love you so much!!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the Corbster... ENJOY!

With Annalise... his silly little friend (that's what he calls her)

Telling our nephew how funny it would've been if he had 

come out of the womb with a mustache. I think Lake agreed! 

Sporting a Christmas vest he found in my mom's closet

Dressing up as "Bob Barker" during The Price is Right

Happy Birthday, Sister!!!

Oh...she's going to kill me for putting up that picture, but it's just too funny not to share! But anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lindsey!!!!! I am SO proud of my sister! I obviously wish she were at home right now celebrating her birthday with Chris, but to watch her with Eliana in this foreign place has been inspiring! I am amazed at her positive attitude during this very difficult time! She is definitely one of my heros (along with my other AMAZING sister, Leah!). I know her friends are taking good care of her today in Guatemala, and for that, I am VERY thankful!!! I love you Lindsey, and I can't wait for you to be home!!!

Love,
Lauren

And in case you are wondering, we played The Price is Right 2 years ago at Christmas, and she was dressed up as one of the contestants. Thanks mom for the beautiful sweater!!!

"Shhhhh baby, it's okay"

I have loved trying to explain being pregnant to Annalise, a 3-year-old. Here's how a few of our conversations have gone:

Me: "Annalise, there's a baby in my tummy"
Annalise: "Can I see it?"
Me: "No, we won't be able to see it until March, but here's a picture of it (showing her the 8 week sonogram)"
A: "That's not a baby!"


A: "Can I touch her?"
Me: "Oh so it's a girl?"
A: "Yeah....(as she is rubbing my stomach) she likes for me to touch her"

A: "Laloy, can I touch her again?"
Me: "Sure"
A: As she rubbed my stomach she said, "SHHHHHHH, baby, it's okay...SHHHHHH"


This is obviously such an exciting time in our lives, but I can't help but be sad that our baby won't know Annalise in the way I wish he/she would. She would be such a great pretend big sister, and I know that she would love getting to be around a baby all of the time. However, jealousy might set in... so I don't really know what I would've done about that!

What a difference 2 days make!

On June 30th, my life was normal. I was fitting into all of my clothes, and my job couldn't be more wonderful! However, the next 2 days would change my life forever. On July 1st, I found out that I was pregnant. I felt like life couldn't get any better! I was just thrilled and wanted to shout it from the rooftop! The next day would bring sadness that I hadn't felt in a while. Annalise's parents told me they were moving to St Louis in October. Wow...I sure wasn't expecting that! In fact, I had never even thought "what if they move?"....it just didn't seem like it would ever be a possibilty. 

Let me rewind and give you some background on my relationship with Annalise. When I first moved to Dallas, I got a job at Callier Child Development Center. It is on the campus of several hospitals, so most of the kids in my class were children of doctors. Annalise was no exception, as her mom is an orthopedic trauma surgeon. When she began in my room, she was 7 weeks old (she's now 3) and was significantly younger than all of the other children. Therefore, I was her protector and we attached quickly. After about 4 months, I decided changing diapers all day just wasn't for me, and her parents asked if I would be her nanny. I accepted, and we've been best friends ever since. We've done everything together. From hearing her first words to seeing her walk for the first time to accomplishing the task of potty training, I've been there for it all. So needless to say, we are quite attached, and the thought of her moving still brings tears to my eyes!

Due to the closeness of our relationship, I never knew how I would be able to move on. Not that I wanted to be a nanny for someone else, but there would be a time in her life when she wouldn't need me anymore. This was something I really struggled with because each day we get closer and closer. I don't have to worry about that anymore... it was done for me. 

The Lord knew exactly what he was doing in all of this. I see Him working out His plan, and that truly brings me joy. Yes, I don't like the thought of someone else taking care of Annalise or her becoming close with someone else, but there's a plan in all of it... and I'm trusting the Lord with this one.