Our family has been so blessed in 2008 and we thank God for all that He has done in our lives. We know that the road is not always smooth, but we still look forward to all that 2009 has in store for us and our family because we know that God is in control no matter what! We wish your family a happy, healthy, and blessed 2009! Love always~ 
That's right... Bryleigh is now five months old and she is changing every day. The biggest change recently is that she got her first cold. She started with a little bit of a cough and runny nose on Tuesday of last week and then it kept getting worse each day. We've called and talked to the dr about 3 times during this period because the cough was just so pitiful and didn't seem to be progressing much at all. They told us that they thought we were doing everything fine and to just keep up the good work. Yesterday, she was just not herself and spent most of the morning fussing, coughing, and crying. Around 5:00 she had a fever of 101.0 and so we called the doctor again and started Tylenol. We took her in first thing this morning and ta-da...her first ear infection. They said that her left ear was DEFINITELY infected but that her right ear was in the beginning stages of an infection. We started the amox. and are keeping our fingers crossed that she will feel more like herself VERY soon! 
Brenden and Mommy waiting in line for the movie.
We didn't want Bryleigh to feel left out, so we let her wear Daddy's for a bit.
The Boys hanging out in their glasses! :)
Last Saturday was Bryleigh's first experience at the Bahama Christmas Parade. We know that she is still too young to realize that this is just one of the MANY Saturdays that she will spend at this event but it was still exciting for us to have her there participating/observing all of the activities. Brooke has gone to the Bahama Parade almost every year since...hmmm...well, forever and Bobby has joined in on the fun shortly after we started dating. It's definitely one of our most favorite events each Christmas. Sure, it's freezing cold most of the time...sure, we stand for almost 2 hours straight...sure, little kids throw hard candy right at our head...and sure, we always have to walk a mile to our favorite spot and then back to the car each year......BUT we wouldn't miss it for anything! it's a day of fun with our family, it's a day of excitement with our friends, it's a day of laughter with our kids, and it's a day filled with Christmas cheer allowing us to truly feel like it's Christmas time. Our camera died during the day, but we did manage to capture a few moments before it died completely. Enjoy!!!
Hopie was very excited about the parade!
This was our big girl sleeping in her crib for the first time...she's an angel!
We're so proud of her! Ever since we moved her, she has been sleeping in her crib successfully each night for about 8-9 hours straight! Hooray!
We took this picture last year when we found out we were pregnant with our 2nd blessing! We used the picture as our method of telling our families and friends about the great news! Irony...we took this picture exactly a year ago today! :) Thanks Leigh Anna, we enjoyed this!
Now we'll tag...Kelly, Jenn, Courtney, and Laura. Enjoy!
Today, Hope will return to school after her diagnosis and hospital stays last week. It has been a roller coaster ride of events for everyone in the family, but especially for Hope, Karen, and Steve. People keep asking us about how Hope is doing and we typically feel lucky to be able to say that she is doing well. Most of her shots and finger pricks are going smoothly, but there are still one or two times a day that are a little more difficult than the rest. This is all a HUGE adjustment for everyone and we're hoping that we'll see improvements in her tolerance daily. She is still running, playing, and laughing like her typical self. She still has bruises on her belly that she displays proudly to her friends. She is still smiling and living life to the fullest regularly. We're so blessed that God gave all of us such an amazing little girl almost 7 years ago!
However, with all of the success and gain, there are still struggles for everyone. Hope begs daily to not receive a shot or finger prick. Karen and Steve are still struggling as they try to figure out an appropriate schedule and eating routine for Hope. They are all 3 having to learn how to have faith in "strangers" this week when she returns to school. We are all trying to adjust our diets and put a stop to some of our annoying cravings. As an adult, it is sometimes easier for us to see the positive side of our struggles and to realize that we suffer for a good reason. It is not hard for us to realize that "it could always be worse" or that we're still blessed in the midst of our difficulties. It is because of this reality that our prayer for Hope has changed this week.
Philippians 3:7-11 (and ironically our pastor yesterday) reminds us that our suffering brings us closer to God. It tells us that our hope should not be found in material things of the world but should be found in the power of Christ. We should want to suffer because it is during that time that God helps us grow and allows us to experience the beauty of his blessings in our life. We pray that God will give Hope a tremendous amount of peace over her situation during this week. We pray that she will be able to learn at a young age that through her suffering she is only growing closer to God and that she must rely on Him during all difficult times. We pray that when she returns to school this week that her friends will be amazed at her confidence and that she will be able to boldly tell them of the ways that God has blessed her even during all of this. Our prayer is that this transition will not only be a smooth one for her and her parents, but that it will be one that will allow her to grow even closer to God because not only is that our prayer for ourselves...but more importantly...that will always be our prayer for Hope!
ou for always pra
ying!
The other night Brenden and Bryleigh both got a special treat at Nana and Papa's house. Nana had set up some chairs in a row (including Bryleigh's Bumbo seat), turned all of the lights off, and put Polar Express on the big tv for the kids to enjoy. Above is evidence of the fun night! :)
We had a very busy Thanksgiving Holiday this year. We feel like this was probably one of our busiest holidays so far. We're not quite sure if it was the activities, traveling, or just having two kids to keep up with that made it feel so busy. Below are the list of events that we had throughout the holiday and weekend...
These two pictures show what we're most thankful for on Thanksgiving and every day of the year! Parenting is not an easy job, but it's the most rewarding job we've ever had and a day never passes when we don't sing praises to God for all that He's done for us but especially for making us "Mommy" and "Daddy"!!!!
Today, Bryleigh is 4 months old! 4 months...wow, that time flew by! She is adorable and we're still so excited and easily entertained with every smile, coo, and new accomplishment. She went to the doctor yesterday for her check up and for her shots. She weighed 11 lbs. and 6.5 oz. and 24 1/4" long. She is very alert and loves to laugh and talk to anyone that will make eye contact with her...including herself in the mirror. :) She rolled over from her belly to her back 4 times this weekend, so that was a very exciting but sad time for us this weekend. It's scary to think about how fast she has grown and changed. She sleeps through the night (from 9:00 - 5:00 most nights) and loves to hold things in her hand and then suck on them. Yummy! The doctors were very pleased with her check-up and thinks that she is growing and changing right on target.
