Taking a look back...

Mom and I gave a presentation at the Woman's Club on Wednesday to the Cosmorama Club. It went really well and it seemed that everyone really enjoyed it. This was the first time we have ever given an actual speech about what we do so I was a little nervous. It actually turned out pretty neat. I began to think back and saw how God has fit all the pieces together to get me to the point I am today. It made me realize how blessed I am to have such a supportive husband, mother & father, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and grandmother-in-law. If it weren't for each one of these people and their support for me and the jewelry business, I would not have made it. They all have played a HUGE roll in my life! I thank the lord each day for each one of them! Love you all so much!!!

Hi-Yah!

This weekend was Reese's Tae-Kwon-Do Tournament. This was his 2nd year to participate...as well as 2nd year to be the face of TKD on the front page of the Snyder Daily News! How lucky is that!

Reese received 2nd place in Forms and 3rd place in Sparing. We are so proud of him - he did an awesome job! His Nanoo (my mom), G-Lea (James Allen's mom) and Aunt Starling & Uncle Ronnie all joined James Allen and I to watch and cheer him on!

Reese in front of judges about to perform his Form

Reese doing his Form

1st, 2nd & 3rd place Awarded Reese & Stormy with 2nd Place Form Trophy

Reese geared up waiting to SparReese sparing (Reese is on the left)

The outcome: 2 beautiful trophies

Eye Exam

Last week at school, Reese failed his eye test with his glasses on so today we had an eye exam after school with his doctor. His vision has gotten significantly worse but Reese was thrilled to get to pick out new glasses again. He's quite the stylish little man! He now has to wear glasses All the Time (except when he's asleep :-0). This will be a whole new experience for us. He had been wearing them at school to read only. So, sports will be interesting. His eyes had to be dilated so he got to wear these awesome shades! I felt like I was driving around my 90 year-old Dad! LOL!

Baby's on the Move

Christmas day after dinner, when I finally took the time to relax, I felt the baby move for the first time! It was such a great day for that to happen! Ever since then, he has been a very active little boy! I can't ever get enough of it! This will be one of my most missed things about pregnancy, I have missed that feeling for 8 years now, since Reese was born. I'm sure every Mom agrees with me about this!

Last week I was in the laundry room being very quiet and folding clothes. Reese was in his room (opposite end of the house) and I went in the kitchen to call him... I yelled (not too, too loud) "REESE" and at that very moment the baby suddenly stretched out all of his limbs (I can just picture him doing that) and was so startled. It took a while for him to calm back down. I apologized over and over to the baby, I felt so bad! It was very funny, though!

We can tell our baby boy will follow in his big brother's footsteps and be great in Tae-Kwon-Do. When we go pick Reese up, he is always just a-kickin-away!

After school yesterday Reese wanted to feel the baby kick. Reese put his hands on my tummy in anticipation but no movement. So, Reese decided to play piano for him to see if he would wake up. Although very soothing, still no movement. But last night after dinner, the baby became very active and Reese got to feel him for the first time. He was excited!

It's a BOY!!!

Week 20 has come in our pregnancy and today, February 2nd also my Dad's Birthday, we went to our doctor's appointment in Lubbock. We had our sonogram 1st and was a really fun experience. We got to study every part of our baby's little body, including the one that said for sure "I'm a Boy!"

A baby in the 50th percentile right now would be 7lbs 4oz at birth. We, on the other hand, are in the 88th percentile so we are looking at having a Big Baby!!! James Allen's sister, Starling, recently had a 9lb. baby boy so I am saying it runs in James Allen's family to have larger babies, lucky for me :-)

The sonographer has been doing his practice for 20 years and has never been wrong. He said he was very sincere when he said everything is absolutely perfect with the baby and the placenta. He said "You probably think that I say that to everyone. I wish I could." So, everything is great with the baby. God is so Great!

Reese and my Mom and Dad went with us to the appointment and Starling and new baby, Ethan, met us there. Thank you for making the trip Starling and Ethan, it meant so much to us to have you there! We celebrated Dad's Birthday and our News at Olive Garden afterward.

Reese and I celebrated with some Yummy Pie!

Our growing family

Marie & Stanley

James Allen, Ethan, & Starling

Sweet little Ethan

Stormy & James Allen with Ethan