Baby Dedication

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. " Proverbs 22:6. On Sunday we had the opportunity to dedicate McKenzie at our church. Luckily she slept late that morning which made her nap time right after the dedication so there were no tears just a happy content baby. They had a few mistakes and messed up with the name calling so for that moment McKenzie was named Duke....which didn't seem to fit a girl with a bow in her hair, but "Duke" sure did look pretty. Unfortunately neither one of our families could make it, but we were excited to have our good friends Ron, Misty, Lilli and Lola there to help celebrate. It was a special day and we are thankful that the Lord guides us through each day as we raise our kids.

Us with our pastor, Jack Graham
Family pictureRyan and Lilli trying to pose for a picture. These days it is hard to just get them to stand still.
Lola was having so much fun and was so happy for baby Kenzie.

Happy B-day Mimi!!!

Saturday was Scott's mom's 60th birthday. We had a small family party at our house and had a great time. We grilled burgers and Chris grilled us some wonderful shrimp while the kids ran around and played in the backyard. We of course ended with singing happy birthday and eating two yummy cakes. Mimi is so special to us and is a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. We are so blessed to have her apart of our lives and we were excited to help her celebrate her big day. We love you Mimi!!!

The birthday celebration

Ryan and Evan enjoying some cake

Chris making some GREAT shrimp

Kenzie found Papa's beard

Kenzie thought no one was watching as she tried to sneak some Cheetos.

Little Baby Girl

McKenzie had her 4 month appointment today and she is getting so big. The doctor said that she was growing rapidly for kids her age. She went from 75% in height to 90% in height in just two months. She is 50% in weight so even though she has those sweet little rolls on her thighs she is tall and lean. Her daddy, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle are all tall so we know where she gets those legs from. Kenzie is just such a joy in our lives. She is so sweet with such an innocent little smile. She rolls around everywhere and is laughing a lot. She had cereal for the first time this week and unlike her brother she did not like it at all. When Ryan was her age he was like a little baby bird with his mouth open wide waiting for the next bite. She on the other hand is wondering why I am torturing her with this nasty food. Kenzie is making her mommy happy and is sleeping 11-12 hours. She gets up once in the middle of the night because she wiggles her way to the top of the crib and gets stuck in the bumper. Half asleep I bring her back down, stick her paci back in and she sleeps until 7:00-7:30. I cannot complain!!! We are so blessed with McKenzie. Even though she has only been in our lives for 4 months we cannot imagine our life without her. I thank the Lord for our little baby girl.

Our sweet little girl

What are we going to play with now mom?

McKenzie eating cereal for the first time

Ryan eating cereal for the first time

Rough Riders

Every season Scott and I and both of our parents get partial season tickets to the Frisco Rough Rider games. They are so much fun because they are small and they have wonderful entertainment for kids. There is always something going on. They do skits (which Scott was apart of last Friday), give-a-ways, and Ryan was even able to run the bases a few times. His face was priceless running around that big ol' field. After seeing how proud he looked and how confident he stood afterwards we knew his little boy dreams had come true. We enjoyed the season and are sad that it has come to an end this year. The last game was the championship and Lilli, Ryan's BFF, got to join him in cheering on the RR. Except they didn't do much cheering just a lot of running around, but they had fun and slept really good that night so all was good in our book. Can't wait until next year.

My Papa John

John W. Bailey

August 14, 1922 - August 31, 2008

A week ago today my sweet grandfather passed away. He had many health problems so even though it wasn't a surprise it was still very sad. About 6 weeks ago, against his nurses best judgement, he managed to get up enough strength to get on a plan and fly to Dallas to meet McKenzie and to see Ryan again. He kept saying he just had to hold that little girl. Little McKenzie doesn't realize what an impact she had on him. It seemed as though that was one of the last thing he wanted to do before he died. Once he did it I think he realized that he was ready to meet his Jesus. Sitting by his side as he took his last breathe was his three sons and wife of 66 years. Papa has 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Being the youngest of 8 he always called me his "doll baby". He always told me even though I was now over 30 and had two kids I would always be the doll baby in the family. I remember when either we would go and visit him or he would come see us every morning for breakfast we would look under our plate and there would be a dollar bill. My brother and I of course thought we were rich and got excited about it each morning. They tell me when my brother was young Papa John would throw change on the street because Jeff got so excited to find it and pick it up of course not knowing it was Papa going before him and putting it there. When his great-grandson Mason would visit he would always ask Papa what he had in his shirt pocket. He knew he would find the dollar of the day. On the day of his viewing my uncle laid a dollar bill on his casket. To some people that was just a bill, but to his loved ones that meant so many smiles. I know Papa is in a better place and I know he is praising our Lord, but I do pray that God comfort my dad and his brothers as they live without a father and give peace to my grandmother as she lives without the man she has been devoted to for many decades. My cousin had a baby boy at the beginning of August and named him John Bailey so through that little boy his name will live on and in our hearts we will hold the memories of him forever.

At the funeral

We love you Papa John

Labor Day

For Labor Day we enjoyed celebrating with family. Scott's parents, aunt, grandfather, sister, brother-in-law and our nieces and nephew came over to enjoy a day of fun. Scott grilled us all some hamburgers and we enjoyed visiting and letting the kids play. Ryan loved playing with his cousins. The two girls are wonderful helpers when it comes to the two little boys and Kenzie. Ryan and Evan giggle at each other and enjoy being the "boys" of the group. It was a great way to celebrate the day.