March 29th , 2014

Just chillin' outside while Mom and Dad clean out the garage.

 

March 28th, 2014

 

Cassidy got some good training today on how to build things using Tinker Toys.  One of the many perks of having a great brother!

 

 

 

 

March 27th, 2014

Me and my Sugar dressed up for the Sonora Chamber of Commerce banquet. 

 

 

March 26th, 2014

God is faithful and His timing is perfect. 

 

 This is something I was reminded of this week as I pulled  an oufit out from Cassidy's drawer.  It was January of 2008 when Matthew opened a gift that had this "Daddy says I'm beautiful" outfit in it.  It was how he found out for the first time he was going to be a father.   After 5 years of marriage, we were so excited to be starting our family. We were beyond thrilled as we saw that little heart beating for the first time.  Little did we know that growing baby inside of me would be taken from us before we ever got to meet it.  Before we even knew if our child was a boy or a girl.  Needless to say, we were heartbroken.  I have never felt so alone in all my life.  My husband, who is the man who always holds me up when I am broken, was torn himself and was in need of being held the same as me.  It took everything we had to try to support each other through this, but it was just so hard.  Looking back, I am extremely thankful for my mom and dad.  Having gone through this same pain themselves years before, they were able to be there for us in our time of need.  To hold us both up until we were able to stand on our own again.  I remember asking God why.  Crying for hours.  Praying.  And then leaning on Him knowing His will is perfect and His timing is not my own.  It was through many tears and prayers that I began to become strong again.  That I found His peace.  I had to let go of my plans and trust that His plan, whatever it may be, was where I would find joy.  I learned to trust Him daily, baby or no baby.  And that was a hard thing to do sometimes.  It was something I had to remind myself of every morning through prayer. 

 

These life lessons are what flooded my memory as I pulled this tiny outfit out of Cassidy's drawer.  And I smiled.  Because had Matt and I not gone through that terrible storm, we would not have the gifts of Wyatt and Cassidy now.  We had no way of knowing in January of 2008 that come December we would be crying tears of joy as we met our son for the first time.  And that in December, five years later, we would be crying tears of joy again as we welcomed our daughter into the world.  And that this week, in March of 2014, that outfit I bought in 2008 would finally be worn by our beautiful Cassidy Joyce.  But God did know.  He knew because He is sovereign.  He is Perfect.  He is The Beginning.  And He is The End. 

 

And I know that everyday won't always be as easy as it is today.  That I will face trials again that shake me to my core and drop me to my knees.  But I have learned to find His hand in the midst of the storms.  He is my rock in which I can always find shelter. 

 

 He is faithful and His timing is perfect.

March 25th, 2014

 

I had to take a picture of Cassidy wearing this sweet dog outfit that was once Wyatt's.  My Granny gave it to Wyatt when he was born.  She monogrammed Moonlight's name on the right leg...so I had to get a picture with him next to the outfit too, naturally. 

 

 

 

March 24th, 2014

Ok...so she looks a little ridiculous, I know.  I waited a little to late to take her picture...3 months too late to be exact.  The picture on the left is me on the day I came home from the hospital.  The picture on the right is Cassidy...at three months.  If you can tell, we are wearing the same outfit... but I was 8 pounds, Cassidy is 12.  Just a slight difference, right??  They were pants on me, shorts on her.  Oh well.  I got the picture before squeezing her chunky thighs out of it.

 

March 23rd, 2014

Having a little fun with some left over St. Patrick's Day goodies.  We like to call her "Pope Cassidy".

 

March 21st, 2014

Cassidy and I headed back to Sonora today, but not before stopping by Granny and Pawpaw's one last time. 

 

March 17th, 2014

Cassidy got to meet Ms. Ruth today.  And you know what she did??  She laughed!  She smiles really big all the time, but today was the first time she let out a little laugh.  Ruth was talking to her in Spanish and she must have thought that was funny.  I love that little girl!

 

March 15th, 2014

 

It was another busy day of meeting even more family members!      

 

 

March 14th, 2014

We had dinner in Dallas today with the Killough side of the family.  So many new family members for Cassidy to meet!

 

March 13th, 2014

Cassidy had the privilege of meeting Grandmother and Granddad York today.  The day after Cassidy was born, Matthew drove up to Dallas because Granddad was in the hospital and the doctors thought he wasn't going to make it.  What a blessing that he is home now and Cassidy got to meet him!!

 

 

March 12th, 2014

Fell asleep on her Granddad's lap.  So precious. 

 

March 10th, 2014

My little sugar is 3 months old today! 

 

 

March 9th, 2014

Cassidy got to meet Aunt Veriena for the first time today in Granbury. At one point, she held Cassidy on her lap and sang "Let Learning Happen" to her.  Cassidy smiled through the whole song.  Melted my heart!  

 

March 8th, 2014

Cassidy and I headed to Arlington today for the beginning of Spring Break.  Matthew and Wyatt stayed in Sonora.  They will be going camping with some friends for a couple of days before heading to Arlington themselves.  But before making it to Arlington we stopped by Granny and Pawpaw's house in Fort Worth. 

It was the first time Cassidy got to meet them.  I loved getting to watch her smile at the awesome lady she is named after.  Cassidy gets her middle name "Joyce" after my Granny, Joyce Carder.  She is the epitome of strength, grace, and love and has always been such a wonderful example in my life.  I have always admired her and I am so thankful that I now have a daughter that gets to share her beautiful name! 

 

March 6th, 2014

Wyatt ran in his first official race today!  He won second place in his division among boys his age.  We are proud of our little runner!

 

 

 

 

  

After the race, we went to take his official "5 year old" picture.  I can't believe it is already March and I still haven't taken it!  So I figured today was as good a day as any to get it done.  I loaded up his "Wyatt" wagon and we headed off to find a spot.  The first thing he does when we get out of the car is find a big stick.  It quickly becomes his favorite thing ever and he wants me to take a gazillion pictures of him with the stick.  So after several pictures of him and his new treasure, I got the shot I was looking for.