The Garrison Family

How can we help Haiti???

2010-01-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

This is how...

I just talked to a woman for a long time at Dillon International (a faith based adoption and Orphan Care agency) and she said the best thing to do right now is to go donate on line at their website (www.dillonadopt.com) to get money directly to their directors that survived the quake. They have been in touch and everyone survived, however, they are running out of water and food and gasoline to keep the generators running. She also said they HAVE gotten approval to get some emergency visas for kids that were ready to be adopted... The State Department has approved that on our end...thank God! They are now waiting for a 'safe house' near the embassy to be set up so they can take the kids in to town and get the needed paperwork done so those kids can go home...its just not safe enough right now to travel with the babies! She also gave me this site...www.usfch.org...this is the Orphanage and Hospital they support through donations given on line. She said 100%, let me say again, 100% goes to these Orphans at this Hospital! As far as signing up now to be an adoptive family to a Haitian Orphan...it will be at least a year before kids who were Orphaned from the earthquake will be even considered for adoption...the priority, obviously, with these kids will be to reunite them with family, if any survived! Many people have asked, so I thought I would post this...please go check out these sites! They need so much right now!

I Dont Want to Raise Successful Children...

2010-01-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

I read this article here and I was compelled by it. I was sort of stopped and wanted to go back and read it again. I think I read it 3 times. I think, on the surface, I know this is the 'right' thing but I wanted to check my heart on this topic. My deepest desire is not to shape my kids in to who I think they should become. We all have different measures of success. So, what in the world would that look like for my kids - or yours - or whatever... My deepest desire and prayer is that my 'will' and desires would be bent by Gods and that I would raise up my kids according to who HE created them to be! Not my version of my kids Lord - but YOURS! The examples she uses dont apply to my life, but they caused me to STOP and ask myself HOW I am praying for my kids? How I am dreaming for them? Am I listening to The Lord on their behalf instead of just praying into existence who I think they should become?! I long to go to their Creator for those dreams, and not impose my own. Anyway, I thought my friends in blog world may enjoy this...

I Dont Want To Raise Successful Children
by - Lysa TerKeurst

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

I don't want to raise successful children. That's a shocking thing to read, and a shocking thing for a mother to type. So, let me clarify.

I used to define success according to my child's report card. Good grades and academic achievement would surely equal a good child with great potential in this world. But then several of my children wound up being average students with average grades. Though we carted them off to tutors and spent many a late night at the kitchen table helping them, they remained average. And I remained concerned and frustrated.

One report card day I found myself facedown in the fibers of my carpet crying and wondering, "Where have I gone wrong as a mom?"

I dug into Scriptures. I begged God for wisdom and discernment. I prayed for God's perspective with each of my kids. Finally, one day it dawned on me - what if I simply chose to embrace the natural bent of each of my kids as God's way to protect them and keep them on the path toward His best plans for their lives?

What if my A student needs academic success to prepare her for God's plans while my average to below-average student needs to be steered away from a more academic future? What if my sports star kid needs that athletic excellence for his future assignments by God, but my benchwarmer kid is being protected from getting off course by her lack in this area?

And that's when it finally dawned on me. My job isn't to push success for my kids. My job as a parent is to recognize the unique way God created each child and point them to Jesus at every turn along their journey toward adulthood. Yes, I want my kids to learn and thrive and grow up educated, but it's not a flaw in me or them if they don't have straight A report cards and trophy cases full of sports medals.

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (NIV).

I am challenged to ponder these words, "… in the way he should go." Are we training our kids that the "way he should go" is to chase worldly achievement or to chase God? Whatever they learn to chase as a child, they will chase as adults. Therefore, we must be challenged to honestly assess the way we are pointing them to go.

My daughter, Hope, is one of my average students. She has also warmed many a bench in the sports she's tried, and can always be found hiding on the back row of the stage during school concerts. Using the world's benchmarks for achievement, Hope wouldn't be seen as a child positioned for success. But God…

This past January, my 15 year old Hope, shocked me when she announced she wanted to go to Ethiopia with some missionary friends of ours and live in the remote African bush for the summer. Yes, she may not have trophies and straight A report cards but she does have a heart of gold. And because she's not entrenched in sports and academic pursuits that could have created obligations for her summer, she was free to go to Africa. Free to chase God in a really big way.

One of the first e-mails she sent me from Ethiopia read, "Mom, I've fallen in love with the AIDS orphanage children. They rushed at me when I held my arms out and I tried with all my might to hold all 30 of them at once. I love it here."

Now, don't get me wrong. I do expect Hope to return to her studies this fall, give 100% effort, and finish her high school career having done her very best. She will most likely then go to college. But she probably won't be delivering the valedictorian address or wearing the honors cords and medals. She'll be the one with a vision of a dying AIDS orphan pressing against her heart ready to chase God's plans to the ends of the earth.

So back to my original statement, I don't want to raise successful children. It's true, I don't. Though Hope's sister coming behind her is an A student and can always be found on the front row of school performances - we don't chase after success for her either. I trust God that she needs those things in her life for the plans He's unfolding in her life. We train with that bent in mind. But, we don't chase it. Just like Hope, we point her in the direction of God at every turn and pray like crazy.

I stand by what I said and I'll say it again, I don't want to raise successful children. Because--- raising God-honoring adults who will set the world on fire for Christ is just so much more rewarding.

Dear Lord, being a mom is a really tough job. Please help me, teach me and show me how to define success for my kids. In Jesus' Name, Amen

A Sesame Street Sea World Morning with friends!

2009-12-29T12:59:00.000-08:00

Jessica and I took our boys (or if you ask Matthew, the boys took their Mommies) on a date! Sea World breakfast with Sesame Street characters!

It was a great morning and afternoon complete with dolphin feeding, climbing all over a huge playground, the aquarium, etc...it was a great time with our boys!

Me and the boys. We walked a lot like this. One because we were trying to keep Ryan Tootle from roaming off with some stranger and two because Matthew wanted to be held a lot so I bribed him to walk by telling him he needed to hold 'Ryan Tootles' hand! Matthew LOVES 'Ryan Tootle' almost as much as he loves saying his name! Always first and last together!

We started off the morning with a buffet breakfast with lots of Sesame friends. Is this Oscar? I was really bad at knowing who any of these people were besides Cookie Monster...although Matty and Ryan loved the pink and orange girls with their 'pretty dresses'.

The best date a girl could have!!

I am not sure who cute orange girl is, but the boys loved her!

We walked over to a HUGE playground that had several rope climbing walls, slides, tubes to crawl through...we often call Matty 'Monkey' because he LOVES to climb anything and everything, so he was a happy boy!

LOVE this photo - so cute they are! Melts my heart. And please note the awesome bed head that my sweet Matty REFUSED to let me fix before we left the house. I told Jess it looks like he has one of the "bump its" in his hair to make it look poofy!

The highlight for the boys at breakfast (besides the Fruit Loops and being with thier Mommies) was Bert and Ernie for sure. Bert and Ernie were so great with them..they stayed at our table and played with them for a while! I do not remember their noses being so HUGE...they were the size of the boys heads I swear...and Bert had this panic look on his face that really made me laugh!

Honk Honk! Matthew honked his Berts nose so hard his head almost came off! HA

Prettiest boys I ever saw!

I have to admit, I liked feeding the dolphins just as much as Matthew did! Minus the slimy dead fish, of course!

Sweet boys enamored with the dolphins!

Jessica and I laughed at this poor shark...he looked like he was missing a top lip...so wierd looking!

Thanksgiving in Dallas

2009-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

WE went to Dallas to be with Brians Mom and Family for Thanksgiving! It was so fun to be with family that we dont get to see very often! And, 'Grandpa Eddie' is a professional chef so we do a lot of watching and eating...the food is always out of this world!

Anna with 'Grandpa Eddie'

Matthew after he got in to Mommys make-up!

Matthew and Anna working together to "cook dinner" according to Matthew! They are starting to play together now which is so fun!

After we were good and stuffed, we went to play at the park near 'Grandma's' House. It is the same park Brian played in when he was a little boy!

Anna's first time to swing...she loved it! This is one of those pics you need to click on to see her sweet face close up! Such a happy girl!

the 3 things I am most thankful for!

Mommy and Baby Girl!

'Grandma' and Matthew playing together...sweet memory I had to capture...

THanksgiving morning with Dad! I LOVE footie PJ's!

Things I dont want to forget...

2009-12-14T10:37:00.001-08:00

We got our blog printed out...its amazing. We went to www.blog2print.com and ordered it and it came in a great hard back version. Matthew loves it, and always asks to see our "special book". So, being that this is officially our family/baby book, I need to keep track of all the little things I always say I dont want to forget!

MATTHEW - 2 years and 8 months:

You LOVE to sing and play guitar! I have to get good video of it because you look up, close your eyes and totally jam out!

You love to play "super guy" with your Daddy! You use this big guy voice and scrunch up your face like you are so serious and say, "Momma, I save you, I super guy. I have a stone like David"

If you are in a "mood" and know you are about to be disciplined, you will say, "I not obey Momma, you no put me in time out" pointing your little finger at me! Can you say strong-willed?!?!

EVERYTHING is a gun...a straw, a pencil, a crayon, a hammer, your hand - everything. Your favorite thing to play is "fire gun" with sound effects and all!

Yesterday, you woke up and the first thing you said when you saw your Dad was, "come on Dad, lets go shoot the dear!" So funny...I mean, Brian hunts, but not that much! How does he come up with those things.

You LOVE to pretend now. Its so cute. You make us lunch and check our temp and put us to bed and pretend like you are our "Daddy" so sweet

Last week, you said, "I want a baby brother and another baby sister and we will name the boy Samuel". Okay then!

You run and fall and jump and wrestle and dance and hop and move ALL THE TIME!

You love to sing Jesus loves Me, Away in A Manger, ABC's, Veggie Tales songs, etc...

When we get in the car, you find something that will reach the seat in front of you and say, "come on Momma, lets drum"

You love to make lists and run through what we are going to de step by step...at night, you will say, "Okay Mom, FIRST, we are gonna take a bath, THEN we will brush a teeth, then we will put on 'Poojays', then read a book, then Night Night....oh wait wait, I forgot to pray"...and the list starts all over!

You call your Pajamas 'Poojays"

You LOVE your cowboy boots! You want to wear them with everything! Even your poojays!

You love to wear hats...helmets, hardhats, whatever - all the time!

You are so funny and you LOVE to make us laugh! Especially when you know you are headed to time out!

Every morning, the first thing you say is, "is Anna awake?" You love her SO much!

The other day, one of my friends asked Matthew if he knew what his name meant and the conversation went like this,

Amanda - "Matty, do you know what your name means?"

Matthew - "Yes, My name means Matthew Josiah Garrison"

Amanda - "Thats great Matthew! That is your name. Do you know what it means?"

Matthew - "Yes, it means, I'm gonna shoot a dear!"

Amanda - (laughing hysterically) "Oh gosh Matthew. Thats not what your name means, your name means 'Gift from God'"

Every night before you go to bed, we pray and you say the same prayer with us every night, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might! And love your neighbor as yourself"

I love you my sweet passionate, smart, handsome boy!

ANNA FAITH - 8 months

You weigh about 17 pounds

You have 5 teeth. 2 of which are the top ones which totally change the way you look...makes you look like such a big baby girl!

You smile with your whole body still...and always the biggest at your brother who you adore.

You are still VERY laid back and gentle, but are getting more of an opinion all the time!

You threw your very first fit a few days ago...I laid you down to change your diaper and off you went, arching your back, screaming, kicking! It made me laugh so hard because I have never seen you do that!

You are a major paci girl...love your paci when its bed time...it serves like a switch to get you to sleep!

You seem so little to us because your brother was so solid and chunky and big at your age. In reality though, you are just about the 50th percentile in everything.

You are crawling...full on! My how life changes when babies become mobile! You are busy busy exploring your world and of course, everything goes in your mouth.

You have your Daddy's disposition for sure! So peaceful, gentle and calm and yet a little spice and strength when you least expect it!

You are not a fan of all the cute bows I bought you. You wrestle and grunt at me when I try to fix your bow...I did not think it would start this soon!

We love you sweet tender baby girl!

It snowed in Boerne!

2009-12-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

Well, the photos were so disappointing because you couldnt see any of the snow. It was REAL and big and fluffy and Matthew loved it. He kept running around looking up saying, "Mommy, when are the snowmans gonna fall down?" So funny! You can tell he is a Texas kid when he thinks that snowmen fall out of the sky already assembled! :-) ha ha!

Even though the photos are not great, I wanted to blog it to remember when it snowed!

You can see the snow in his hair so we have proof it really happened...

October 2009!

2009-11-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

WE went to visit Brians sister in College Station over halloween weekend!

Just could not resist taking this photo. This is how my little girl looks all swaddled up at 7 months - thanks for letting me steal your crib for the weekend Ella!

Brians sister Ginny, me, and all the kids in College Station...

Anna meets her new cousin Eleanor for the very first time - SO exciting to say the least!

We love Lolly at our house - Anna and Lolly just hanging out after Mommy and Lolly bought TONS of cute bows and flowers!

Anna hung out in her car seat. Matthew at the pumpkin patch! He loved running and playing and lining up all the pumpkins in a row. He had a blast!

More from Trail West in Colorado

2009-11-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

Here are more photos I wanted to post from this summer.

We are SO grateful to get to spend time at Young Life properties...this summer, we got to serve at Young Life's Family Camp called Trail West! It was AWESOME!

Matthew enthralled with the Tractor in the field and the awesome mountains!

The Fam!

Beautiful views EVERYWHERE!

Love the Conant kids! They took GREAT care of Matthew and Anna!

Jason and Matt were the program guys for the month!

This is usually how you could find Matthew - hand in hand with some of The Conants!

This is how Anna spent her first visit to Colorado! ALL THE TIME! Mommy had to work, so Anna got strapped in and off we went! ;-)

Fell in love with these people who were on assignment with us! Part of our Trail West Family
!

July 4, 2009 at the Minahans Ranch

2009-11-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

Matthew (2), Anna (2 1/2 mos) and Molly playdate!

2009-11-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

June 2009!

2009-11-24T10:41:00.001-08:00

Matthew, some summer fun and Anna's first swim!

Cute baby girl in her very first polka dot suit!

Getting all sunblocked up for her first swim.

Sweet baby face at 2 months.

I LOVE these photos of Matthew on the slide. It so captures who he is! Fun, fast and has no fear!

Hanging out with Uncle Scott while the Australian fam was here!

Brother loves his "sissy bear" (and that is what he calls her!)

One of the best things I have seen in a while...

2009-09-21T11:56:00.001-07:00

Take 4 minutes, smile and watch it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq6b9bMBXpg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Flcwondernet%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2Fsearch%3Fupdated%2Dmax%3D2009%2D04%2D21T07%253A00%253A00%2D07%253A00%26max%2Dresults%3D7&feature=player_embedded

Just some fun...

2009-08-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

The latest Summer of 2009 FUN had by the fam and the kiddos...

Matthew and Maliah - arent they a beautiful pair! Our friends The Martine's have 3 great kiddos and this is their youngest! We LOVE their sweet fam and they have become precious friends.

Matthew LOVES his sister more than I can describe. He LOVES to lay on her mat and play with her.

WE ROLLED OVER! I left her on her back on her play mat, walked in to the kitchen and came back and she was just like this! Darn it - I missed it!

Playing in the sand at Willie's with Cannon! FYI parents - GREAT place to take the kids!

Anna just loungin around with sweet Kylan Heare! Cuties...

Bathing Beauty!

Matthew is VERY into his Mama right now and I LOVE IT! He always wants to take pics of us together and then says, "let me see it Mama, you're cute"

Those eyes melt my heart!

watch this...

2009-08-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TATtI0F0PpA

Trail West, Buena Vista, Colorado

2009-08-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

We spent a month in Colorado at one of Young Life's properties called Trail West. Its our Family Camp. It was an AMAZING 28 days! My "job" was to love, pray with, work with, study with and just do life with 13 college girls who came to be on "Summer Staff" from all over the country. They were awesome and we felt SO blessed to get to spend time with everyone and play in the AMAZING Colorado weather! Why do we live in Texas in the summer?!?! There is no greater gift than to get to spend this time with other Young Life staff and Work Crew and Summer Staff...what a gift for our family and our babies!!

Matthew and Jackson making the most of the pool on our visit to Frontier Ranch.

Matthew and Jack all dressed up for the Square Dance! Pretty Babies!

2 of my wonderful Summer Staffers! Jocelyn and Sarah! Love these girls!

All of Summer Staff and Work Crew during our performance night for all the guests! We sang and 2 of our kids shared their "stories"! Such amazing kids! They come to serve for a month for free...just because they love the community and love Jesus!

When we asked Matthew what his favorite part of the trip to Colorado was, he said, "the rainbows"! They were amazing!

The fam...and sweet Alli...an adopted Garrison for a few weeks!

View from the deck in the main lodge

Who says girls are cleaner than boys! This is a small part of my girls room! So funny!

Took kids to lunch in town one day and saw this...so inappropriate I know..I so know! But it made me laugh out loud too! Sorry if it offends anyone! :)

2 little "mini bears"...we had a few of these little guys live with us in our Assign Team Housing. They are everywhere!!

Me and my some of my girls! All decked out for "Welcome"!

Jason and Matt - our program guys at Welcome. Preparing to welcome families!

The pool at Trail West. Every view is more amazing than the last!

My Summer Staff Peeps! Love you all!

We had a great month! Glad to be home. But, made some friends (The Conants :-)) that will be friends for life. So thankful to be a part of the mission and community of Young Life!

Summer Fun and One Happy Baby girl!!

2009-06-23T20:47:00.001-07:00

Big, pretty smile caught on camera!

We had a fun time playing in the backyard at The Millers. We were so impressed at the creative pool slide the kids created! I laughed so hard my sides hurt at Matthew going over and over and over and laughing so loud! Fun times.

Thanks for a great night Dad!

Anna Faith - we dedicate you back to The Lord!

2009-06-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Fathers Day, we dedicated Anna Faith. Scott asked us if we loved Jesus, if we would try to raise Anna Faith in the knowledge and love of Christ. We said "yes" and then he held her high above his head (really high because he is like 6'5) and said, "Anna Faith Garrison, we dedicate you back to the Lord from whom you came." It was awesome. I remembered Matthews dedication and I was tearfully thankful for my baby boy and girl! For my whole family.

My sweet precious girl. Yesterday, you were 10 weeks old. I laid in bed last night thinking about the night you were born. I remembered so vividly when your Daddy laid you on my chest and we both began to weep. We laughed and we cried all at the same moment. I loved you from that very moment in a way that is so hard to describe. As I reached out to touch you for the first time, I wished I could hold you, Matthew and your Daddy all in my arms. If only my arms could somehow hold all of you tightly and make everyone else disappear! It was so sweet.

The first 5 weeks of life ,my sweet baby, were hard. You had yucky reflux and would throw up most of your bottle. You were born with NO sucking reflux at all and so we would have to hold your tiny little mouth and massage your chin to get you to suck for the first 2 weeks of your life until you learned to do it on your own. And then, after all that work, you would scream and cry and throw up half of your bottle. Well, after a little medicine and a formula change, things have gotten settled! The last 5 weeks with you have been like a baby and mommy honeymoon! I am so glad you feel better!

I didnt know how I would fit the same kind of love I have for your brother in my heart! Would there be room?!?! Well, I knew there somehow would be and there is for sure! I love you and I think your the sweetest, most beautiful blue eyed creature I ever have seen!

Anna Faith, you are the most tender and content baby! You are precious and holding you will fix just about whatever may have you upset. You do not cry often! When you do, its because of a dirty diaper or time for a bottle, etc...you will look straight in our eyes and coo and smile at us. We got the first smile a few weeks ago. You shot it right at your Daddy! You DO love your Daddy! You search for him whenever you hear his voice. You will sit on your car seat for an hour, wide awake, just looking around and cooing. Your pretty blue eyes are so tender and sweet.

You still spit up a lot, but are drinking 4 to 5 ounces at a time and sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night! WHOA! I am serious! The Garrison kids can sleep.

Anna means grace and favor. May you always be under the grace of the cross and may you always walk with Gods favor in your life. Faith comes from Hebrews 11:1 "Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Oh how we prayed that for you from the time we found out we were pregnant! May you live fully in to your precious name and be a woman of great faith in your Creator!

Anna Faith, we dedicate you back to the Lord. We love you and we pray, by His grace, we will raise you to be a tender, loving, God fearing woman!

Below are the lyrics to a song that your Daddy listened to a whole lot before you were born. He and I both cry whenever we hear it and think of you...we have lived these very lyrics and it makes us ache a little inside at how fast it all goes by...

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin’ there in bed listenin’
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
Its gonna be OK

It won’t be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
‘Cause it won't be like this for long

Four years later ‘bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two

It won’t be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won’t even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won’t be like this for long

Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin’
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her
‘Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin’ her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows

It won’t be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin’ to hold on

‘Cause it won’t be like this for long

- Darius Rucker

The Vonage Lady!

2009-06-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

So, to the Vonage lady...

I sat on the phone with you today for an hour. That's right, an hour. Your prices are good, your service is reliable, so sure, I will sign up for your "Unlimited Calls, Amazing deal for only $24.99 a month". I've done my research and I know how much I will be saving. You dont have tell me every 2 minutes! But you did, and that's okay I guess. The call center where you answered my call was SO loud. All the other hyper Vonage representatives were speaking very loudly, and quickly - just like you! It was amazing really - you were screaming at me and you didnt even realize it. It made me anxious and my heart literally was beating faster because of you. Maybe yall should have some sound barriers at your call centers or something. But please, stop yelling - all of you! And the disclaimer that took you 25 minutes to read, oh my goodness, that memo you read that told me again, at least 30 times, what a great deal I was getting - PLEASE - stop! I get it. Enough! Could you just put it on line and ask me to read it later!? Please! And the memo about 911! Are you serious? I know its important. I know that I dial 911 if I am in an emergency. I know that I should not call the Vonage Customer Service if I need help in an emergency. But, in your sweet and strong Indian accent, I listened to you read me a 10 minute (not kidding) essay on how to use 911 Emergency Services and why its really important that I live in a place that has access to it. Sigh...actually I just put you on speaker phone and didnt listen to half of what you said. But, I did hear you say, twice, "Just a moment, let me catch my breath". Thats a sign you are making your people talk too much Vonage! They cannot breathe and say all that you require them to say. I almost hung up - twice! Really, I almost did. Sigh again. I am going to rest my brain...but gosh darn it, I am saving almost $12.00 a month by using you Vonage. So thanks and I forgive you for taking up an hour of my life...a little over an hour actually! And to the Vonage Lady, I have never heard someone talk so quickly or so much. You thanked me at least 10 times for being nice. That probably means people are mean to you a lot. For that, I am sorry, because you were nice. But, the things they make you say and the environment of loud screaming and phones ringing...its awful. So to you, sweet Indian Vonage lady...to you, I say, I am sorry!

Out and About...

2009-06-03T12:16:00.001-07:00

This family of 4 is officially out and about! Here are a few pics to capture our last few weeks...

We had a fun, "girls only" lunch with our sweet friend Jessica! Cannot wait to meet the friend she is growing!

At a baby shower with Ethan, Anna Faith and Rhyan! There are SO many babies being born at Riverside (our church)! They are all going to have so much fun together!

This is how Brian bundles up Anna Faith in her car seat. He takes special care of his little princess...mind you it was 85 degrees outside on this day, but heaven forbid his little angel gets cold or woken up :-)

Matthew LOVES to play his guitar, the drums, etc... He is very musically inclined! And, of course, anything is a drum! Here, he is sitting on an old bucket of animal crackers that we use to store blocks! He dumps out the blocks and sits and drums on it. A little background on this is that he loves to watch our friend Evans at church sit on his "drum box" during worship at church and play. So, he comes home and "plays" Evans! Very fun...

Matthew likes to return to babyland when "sister" is being held!

We spent a few days in Houston with Brian. He is remodeling a hotel there and had a few meetings so the fam tagged along. There was a great park just down from the hotel. Brian came and visited us between meetings.

This is what we call working while playing!

The fam at the park!

When did he get SO big?

Believe it or not, this is our very first McDonalds picnic! I know, my child is deprived!

The park on the water right across from NASA!

On our way in town, we stopped and ate dinner in Katy with our good friends Kara and Steve. Here is Matthew with their little girl Harper!

The fam!

Pics of my babies - thanks Cassie!

2009-05-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine came over with her cool new camera and took these cute photos of my babies! They are both growing so fast!

Anna Faith - 6 weeks, Matthew - 2 years and 6 weeks

3 posts in one day - this one is for Anna Faith...

2009-05-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

The other 2 new posts are below and dedicated just to Matthew, so I figured I better do an Anna update as well...

Daddy's girl! 19 days old! She has already changed SO much!

A little play time on my mat...

My sister sent this picture to me. Its me as a baby. She thinks Anna Faith looks just like me. What do you think?!? I cant decide!!!

Anna Faith at 1 week old. Sweet sleeping baby. Love her big cheeks!

On Matthew's Actual Birthday...

2009-05-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, Anna Faith was born ON her brothers birthday! The moment I found out I was pregnant with her, I said, "she can have any day but April 13! Thats Matthews day!" Well, thank goodness, God knew better, because now, I think it is sweet and perfect that they share their big days! So here is a little catch up on Matthews 2nd birthday! Check out the party pics in the post below for some Chuck E Cheese action...

HAPPY 2nd Birthday Baby Boy! We love you more than anything in this world. You are an angel and a gift straight from Heaven!

Here, Matthew is pulling up his shirt telling me baby sister is about to come out of his tummy! I told him, I promise you baby, she is coming out of Mommy's tummy...AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! HA!

This is Matthew's "coy" face...he does it ALL the time now when is being shy or flirty! So cute! He is making this face here because everyone in the room...nurses, friends, everyone was singing him "Happy Birthday" - you can see the cupcake in Daddy's hand!

Happy Birthday Matthew Josiah! Can we all please ignore that I am so swollen, when I smile, you cannot see my eyes!! WHOA! So, here is the proof for his whole life...a cupcake in the labor and delivery room for his 2nd birthday! Unforgettable for Brian and I for sure! So funny!

Okay, so I am SO thankful for my precious friend Amanda! She came and got Matthew when my water broke and then she and her family took him to the park for pizza and cupcakes to celebrate his birthday. She waited until I had gotten my epidural to bring him to the hospital so I could sing to my baby boy! Oh I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the Miller Family - especially on this day! They made my baby boys day a special one just for him! What precious friends!

A 2 year old Matthew update...

- Matthew LOVES "Appa Juice"
- Matthew LOVES his new "sissy"
- Matthew still loves balls...baseballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc...
Everytime we pass a baseball field, he says, "Mommy, Baseball hat, baseball glove, baseball bat, play Mommy, play"
- This morning, while he was playing with his baseball bat, I told him, "Daddy played football and Mommy played tennis, which one do you wanna play? He stopped, really thought and said, "baseball Mommy" The boy LOVES everything baseball!
- Matthew LOVES to tell stories...he will go on and on and we only understand about half of it, but half is usually enough to understand he is talking about what we did yesterday or whatever. Its very cute.
- Matthew is shy all of the sudden...he giggles and makes this shy little face when he sees new people. So funny! The funny part is he isnt really shy at all, he is just flirting and being silly!
- When Matthew hits, he spanks his own bottom and says, "time out" - its hard not to laugh.
- Matthew is very active, still! He falls and rolls and takes some tumbles that I am CONVINCED will end in stitches. Instead, he stands up and keeps going like NOTHING happened.
- Matthew loves to read, "Thomas books", "Elmo books", "The Bible", "Tractor Book", etc...he just LOVES to read period.
- Matthew has the "fake cry" down pat! He can turn it on and off...ugh! Not so cute!
- Matthew calls me "Mom" all of the sudden - ummmm - can we please take it back to "Mommy". I mean he is only 2! Is this suppose to happen so soon!?!?
- Matthew LOVES his "friends" and often does "roll call" naming them all and saying he wants to play!
- Matthews favorite word is still "no" - again, not so cute.
- Matthew loves to take baths and when they are over, Daddy wraps him in a towel and Matthew says, "Burrito Baby. Mommy take a bite". Obviously, we have told him that for a long time every time we wrap him up, and now, he says it, and giggles so hard asking for me to take a bite of "Burrito Baby".
- Matthew is starting to ask to go pee pee and poo poo on the potty. Mommy is not really ready to take this on right now with a 2 week old...so for now, we will just let the diapers stay! :-) Although we did buy our first pack of big boy underwear! His 2 year old little body in a pair of "tidy whities" is the cutest thing you have ever seen. You just wanna pinch that little butt!

There is much more, but thats a pretty big update. If anyone has made it all the way to the bottom and read all of this, you are awesome!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweet baby boy! We love you!

I love me some Chuck E Cheese!

2009-05-02T12:35:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Baby boy! Chuck E Cheese was a hit for your 2nd birthday party!

The party was a week before his actual birthday...I figured since I was 9 months pregnant, we could fudge a little..and can I say, thank the Lord for Chuck E Cheese! I never thought I would say that in my life, but there it is! They did EVERYTHING! All you do is show up with your birthday boy, and pay the bill! WHOO HOO! It was great being that I was sitting 99% of the time because I was having such major contractions!

Matthew had SO much fun that I could not get a single pic of him looking at the camera! A good sign that fun was had by all I think!

Plus One...Anna Faith Garrison

2009-04-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

Jesus is good and I am thankful! All babies are miracles and I got to take part in bringing my daughter in to this world...she has been perfectly knit together by her Maker and I cannot wait to get to know who He created her to be.

Anna Faith Garrison is here...she was born on April 13 at 11:41 pm. She weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces, is 21 inches long and is pretty and perfect and loved. She shares a birth day with her brother! Can you imagine how we love April 13 around this house?!!? 2 years ago, to the day, I remember so well, watching Matthew Josiah Garrison come in to this world at 6:30 in the morning. What a wonderful day..

Brian has all the great hospital photos on his camera and computer...will try to post them later, but most of you have probably seen them on Facebook...

Here are some I have of the fam and our "plus one" We love you Anna Banana!

I had a doctors appointment on the morning of April 13...he said, "we will induce you in Thursday"...so Matthew and I headed out for a little birthday lunch date at Chik Fil A (he turned two on April 13) and then headed home for a nap. Well, as I began making cupcakes for his birthday dinner while he slept...I started feeling a little...funny! So, I too laid down for a little rest.

By the time he woke up, I was having pretty bad stomach cramps and as I walked upstairs to get him from his nap, my water broke, and the rest, as they say, is history.

There are many funny stories from that day...like how I was having such intense contractiions as we arrived at the hospital that Brian had to run in and get a wheel chair. Well, the wheel chair was busted and I kept almost falling out. I wish I would have had it on video. I mean I am breathing heavy grabbing my stomach, telling Brian to stop going so fast because the wheel chair is busted as he is telling me to
"be quiet, you are not going to fall out". Oh it was funny!

Or how the little security guard who "escorted" us back to labor and delivery walked about as slow as any turtle you have EVER seen...not kidding! And how he said to the nurses, "we have whose water has broken ladies", and they all looked at me and smiled and went on about their business, until Brian said, "excuse me, do we need to sign in somewhere or something? Do you have a chair or pain medicine you can give my wife real quick?"

Or how I told the doctor who gave me my epidural that I would kiss his face if he'd let me!

Or how my doctor told me I asked 22 times "is she okay? is she breathing" after Anna came out...he finally answered back to me and said, "Courtney, I cannot hear you asking if shes breathing over her loud crying, can you speak up?!"

Or, how I yelled at my poor husband because as I was pushing, he was pushing my forehead down and back into my pillow because he was "convinced it would make my pushing more effective" What?

I am so thankful to my sister and my amazing husband who were by my side the whole time, cheering and praying for us. Brian got to help deliver his daughter...which he loved. It was an amazing day!

I cannot describe how much Matthew loves his "sissy". He asks for her when he wakes up, stops in the middle of his wild and crazy playing to run over to her and give her a "loud kiss"...she is covered in slobber from her brother loving on her. Wants to share all his toys with her...especially his tools! He randomly walks over to her in her cradle and says, "I Nun You" (which means I love you). It is awesome to watch...

We are tired and thankful and FULL of joy!

She's Coming!!!

2009-04-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Ok, so this is not Court - it's Linda. We are currently at The Methodist Hospital and all is well. Court just got an epidural and is feelin' fine! She was 5 centimeters last time they checked which was at 6:30 and so I am quite sure she has progressed to a 6! So.....we are all excited and guess what - today is Matthew's Birthday. Amanda is bringing him up in a while to share a cupcake with Mom and Dad - so fun. Court's water broke about 3:30 and then things went quickly. Brian raced home and Court arrived at the hospital in intense labor. Brian is doing a good job keeping up with things and keeping everyone calm. He is the happy, expectant, joy-filled FATHER!!

Ok - UPDATE!!! The nurse just came in to check and Court is 9 centimeters. WHAT????? The doctor went home to rest and so now phone calls are being made and arrangements put in place. SO YOU GUYS PRAY! The doctor told her that he hoped she could deliver naturally since her pelvic bone is on the small side. We are believing for an unbelievably easy delivery!!

Sweet Candace is here and doing a great job coaching - and Kristin - they are missing you! Ok! Gotta Run! Will keep you updated! Love, Linda

Celebrating Baby Girl...

2009-03-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks, I have had the chance to be with great friends and family at dinners and showers to celebrate our baby girl! NO - she does not have a name yet. We are still thinking...and praying...Brian insists he has to see her first.

I have been REALLY overwhelmed by how fun it has been to be with my sweet friends and family. THANKS to each of you who came and who hosted these celebrations! I am one blessed girl...okay, well, right now, I guess I am 2 blessed girls! HA! :-)

An update on baby girl...we had a sonogram last Monday. I was 34 weeks at the sonogram and our girl measured "just right" She weighs 5 pounds 8 ounces. Everything looks great. So, my next appointment is this coming Monday. I will be 36 weeks at that point and that means we only have about 3 or 4 weeks left until we meet her.

Lots of pink clothes have been washed, teeny tiny diapers have been purchased, and Matthew talks about his "baby sister" all the time. We are all ready! :=)

Here I am with my friend Cathi...my fellow pregnant friend! So thankful for the many conversations we have had over the last 7 or 8 months!

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My sweet friends from church - I love these girls!

Tenley Sue, my precious niece came to one of my showers. Isnt she adorable!??! I loved having her there to help open gifts and be excited about her baby cousin.

My college buddies came in for a shower...love you girls!!

Check out these flowers...beautiful!

More friends I love and am so thankful for.

Kara and Bridget working away in the kitchen.

It has been so fun to sit amongst friends and oogle over pink stuff for our baby!

Love you all!

Happy Birthday Tenley Sue!

2009-03-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

It has been YEARS since I have been to a roller skating rink...whoa! It was SO fun! Brian actually put roller skates on and went around with Matthew. I, being huge and pregnant played chase with Matthew on the roller rink in regular shoes...it was so fun! Happy Birthday my sweet niece...I love you!

The funniest thing was all the adults on roller skates...and ALL the major spills that took place. Many Moms and Dads woke up VERY sore the next day I am sure.

Dinner with our Aunt Charlene after the party!

Matty, Daddy and Uncle JT

Matthew and the birthday girl with a little cupcake evidence on the face...

Facebook versus The Blog

2009-02-22T19:59:00.001-08:00

Okay, enough said. I know - 6 weeks since the last post is ridiculous! I am trying people, but Facebook sucks me in and I neglect the Blog. The Blog sucks me in and I neglect Facebook! AGH! I need more blogger discipline!

Anyway, we have a lot of catching up to do to cover the last 6 weeks of life since our adoption update, but we will start there and I will work on getting us up to date in the next few weeks.

First, on the adoption front, we have passed our "30 day waiting period" since our trial. So, it is DONE AND DONE! We got Matthews new birth certificate in the mail...we cried again! It said Matthew Josiah Garrison and had our names as Mother and Father. WOW! Here are the pics we never posted from the big day!

The pics posted in RANDOM order, sorry...

Here we are at the "After Party" with Linda and some of The Heare's....Linda had the babies playing in the water!

The Fam at The Party...what a day!

The first "official" picture with the judge - this was right after the adoption was finished. Brian asked if we could take a picture with him so he graciously came down from behind the bench and could've just kissed him! The who is not in the "robe"is our wonderful lawyer Victor! This man was a gift straight from God throughout this whole process!

This is the actual moment when the judge was saying, "Matthew Josiah Zaimon" will now and forever be "Matthew Josiah Garrison"...can we all breathe a collective sigh... :)

Yes, Brian is entertaining Matthew with my eye lash curler. Sweet boy could've cared less where he was or who he was in front of. He was an almost 2 year old going on no nap...enough said!

Hanging with Jenny outside the courtroom...thanks for loving me Jen!

Just threw this pic in because I think he is the cutest thing ever! :)

Two of our favorite people at the "After Party". Thanks for praying for me Hinks!

Matthew's scowling because Mommy just told him he cannot play with the knife! Sorry to be so mean son!

Here we are holding the Adoption Decree in our hands for the very first time right after the trial! Again, a collective sigh of relief and thankfulness! :)

Things That are Hard to Believe These Days...

1. My baby is almost 2!
2. Matthew just moved to a "big boy" bed on Friday night. Night 1 - awful...3 hours of battling. Nights 2 - great! Did not get up once. Night 3 - the verdict is still out...been up twice while I have been blogging.
3. Matthew is talking SO much! New words and phrases all the time:

"Hod it" (hold it),
"ed cocs" (red crocs),
baseball,
"fooball" (football)
"hoop hoop" (which is basketball),
"eese" (Reese, which is a possible name for the baby in Mommy's tummy),
"milt" (milk),
"peese" (please, and usually said in a really high pitched voice...like if he says it sweeter, he will probably get what he wants)
"boobies" (while holding up his shirt and laughing)
"Jacky" (Jackson Patchell)
"banky" (blanket)
"NUN YOU" (I Love you...and he says it on his own now which is the sweetest thing this Mommy and Daddy have ever heard!)

And lots of other cute words...he LOVES to tell us stories now about things we did the day before or earlier that day! He just loves talking to us all the time.

MY FAVORITE MOMENT AS OF LATE: Before we eat, he holds out his hands and says, "Pay" (which means pray). On more than once occasion, we have forgotten and he reminds us demandingly that we must pray. And at bedtime, Brian has taught Matthew the scripture from Dueteronomy that says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." And he says it every night with hand motions and all that Brian taught him! WOW! Love those moments.

Will continue to try to catch everyone up and post some belly pics! I am 31 weeks today and counting...our little girl will arrive soon! :) We cant wait!

ADOPTION DAY!

2009-01-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

There is much to share and pictures to see which I will post soon. But TODAY needs to be marked! TODAY my baby boy's name has been officially changed to GARRISON! Today, we stood before a judge that said, "Courtney and Brian Garrison will forever and always be the parents of Matthew Josiah Garrison. Congratulations to his forever family!"

Praise be to God! "FOR YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A SPIRIT THAT MAKES YOU A SLAVE AGAIN TO FEAR BUT YOU RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP." AND BY HIM WE CRY 'ABBA FATHER'" So thankful we are called sons and daughters of an amazing God.

We are overjoyed. We are breathing more deeply. We are exhausted. It is done...on earth at it has been done in Heaven.

Thanks for your prayers, love and friendship.

Christmas Party...

2008-12-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

We got to go to a Christmas Party at Matthews school today! Its actually a Mothers Day Out sort of deal, but we call it school! :) It was so fun to play with him in his own classroom! He is so full of joy and brings us so many smiles and hard laughs these days!

First, this pic is really for my sister in Australia...per your request...a bump pic :) She's growing! And so am I ...

Matthew LOVES to play with baseballs, basketballs, footballs, you name it. ALL BOY!

Matthew meets the "big guy" who was actually our next door neighbor! He was the only kid in his class that didnt SCREAM with terror when he saw him. He actually liked the jolly old guy!

So excited to help pass out everyones gifts...or maybe he thought they were ALL for him! HA...

So I caught Matthew about to perform one of his two favorite things to do...jump off anything, no matter how tall. His other favorite thing to do these days is head butt everything...balls, the couch, the wall, his Daddy! We do not encourage this, however, this is him. He is rough and tough! A friend asked me laughing the other day after watching him play, "does he have that condition where you cant feel pain?" He plays rough and we tell him, "No, no, that will hurt you" way too many times a day, and yet, as the kids started crying in his class today, he went around patting them on the face and hugged them and in a sweet voice said, "no cy, no cy" He is a gentle giant just like his Daddy. It was a sweet parent moment to watch him be so tender to his friends today!

Playing with friends!

Could we have a longhorn on our hands?!? HMMMMM!??!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2008-11-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

AND I LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT...MY HEART BEATS JUST A LITTLE BIT FASTER ONCE THANKSGIVING WEEK GIVES WAY TO THE "ROAD TO CHRISTMAS"! I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!

SO...to share a bit of our "road to Christmas" with you, I say, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

...On my front door,

...And in my living room! I just LOVE my tree!

...On Main Street in Boerne with buddies for the kick off weekend of "Dickens on Main Street". Its a great time where they shut down Main Street, all the shops stay open late, Christmas Music is playing, there is snow for the kids to play in, food booths, horses, dogs, people, babies, its just awesome! It happens every weekend from now until Christmas!

My baby LOVES "orsies". I grabbed a pic of this horse strolling down Main and then turned around to see...

...One mesmerized little boy whose Daddy had already pointed it out! Got both shots!

Matthew meets Baby Jesus...he was SO confused.

Main Street all lit up. All the shops put up white lights all the way down Main Street! Like something out of a movie! Have I said I love this time of year yet?!?!

Another view of another "orsie" - could not get enough! They just kept coming and he was about to come out of his skin.

Playing in the snow...it was a small little area, but the kids seemed happy enough! We take what we can get as far as snow in Texas! :)

..And, I ordered my Christmas cards and cannot wait to get yours! :)

MUCH to Celebrate!!

2008-11-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

We have much much to celebrate! So many birthdays and so many lives...

So, first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS PAST WEEK TO...Brian, Craig, Jen, Lindsey, Phillip and all who I have missed! :) We had a fun week of dinners and lunches!

AND, YAY for all the babies who are coming and have recently come! Congrats to our friends The Kings on their new baby girl! Congrats to my friends (and there are SO many) who are expecting! Brian and I counted and we have 14 friends all having babies in the next 4 and 5 months! WHOA! Lots of little lives! And we have many friends on the verge or trying to get pregnant or adopt. We are praying...for all the families that we trust Jesus to grow and form in His perfect timing!

I got to have lunch with my friend Jamie...who is prego and on bed rest! We celebrated Jen's birthday over a much needed Chinese fix! Thanks for a fun lunch girls and Jamie...hang in there - you are doing GREAT little Ellie...keep cookin!

For those who don't know, we are expecting baby number 2! This time, she is coming to us through biology and not adoption...either way, we are BLESSED! SHE is set to arrive at the end of April...the 26th to be exact! We had our big sonogram on Monday and all is well. I am almost 18 weeks and she looks great. Praise God. We are excited to grow our family, and although we want to adopt again, we feel incredibly blessed to be growing our family through biology for baby number 2. God willing, we will have the opportunity to experience growing our family in 2 ways...through biology and through adoption...both such miracles...we are blessed, blessed beyond measure.

My friend Amanda gave me these yesterday...our baby girls very first pair of ballet slippers...and the VERY first pink to enter our home! I am sure there will be much more where that comes from.

Melissa and I are prego...not lindsey, but I think Jason looks like he may have a little baby bump..Hmmmmm! NIce Jas!

We had a fun dinner to celebrate Craig. He is surrounded by birthday boys here! What a month November is! :)

Sweet Braden LOVES Matty! As does Emily! How can you resist that face? The kids had fun at Craigs party too! :)

We went to STEAK NITE at The Waring General Store to celebrate Brian and Lindsey's birthdays! 34 and 28! Young Pups!

So glad The Crockers made it out to Steak Nite! Thanks to everyone who came!

The Steak Nite gang (minus Linda and Randy who were the photogs)! Fun Night. If you havent been to "Steak Nite" on a Wednesday night, you need to go! Its so fun! Live Music, great food, fun Texas atmosphere! Good Times!

And of course, we celebrate our sweet boy who is 19 months old! Look at that grin! Every time we tell him to say "cheese" to the camera, this is the face we get! PRECIOUS!!!!!

Daddys favorite Birthday gift...a card from his boy! All colored just for you Daddy!

Love you all! What a month!

Then..a Hot Dog! Now..A LION!

2008-10-31T19:16:00.001-07:00

Just like last year, we went to The Fall Festival at The Loft this year! IT was so much fun! Matthew had a blast and surprisingly LOVED his outfit! The cutest lion I have ever seen! Sadly, I forgot my camera! I KNOW...what was I thinking..so these pics are not that great as they are off my phone, however, thank goodness for Nama and Jenny who took pics of my Lion and are going to e-mail them to me. I will post more of my Lion (who did a great job roaring on cue) when I get them!

When we pulled back in to the neighborhood, we ran into a cute Pirate (Jackson and Jason and Lindsey).

I downloaded the photos off my phone and looked at last years pics...look how tiny my Hot Dog is!!???

Cutie!

ONE YEAR AGO...

TONIGHT...

A political statement ACTUALLY worth reading!

2008-10-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

My friend Ross wrote something I liked. Honestly, I try to stay out of political banter, for the most part. I think mainly because I just cant pump up one person over another without reservation. I know who I won't vote for (I think). I think since I have been of age to vote, I find myself voting for someone because I really think they may be the better choice of two not so great options. Now I am NOT saying I could or would do or know better, I am just saying that I have no stickers on my car or signs in my yard...and I don't know if I ever will. Anyway, its worth a read, so check out what he wrote here.

A few Summer Adventures...before its all over!

2008-10-11T11:32:00.001-07:00

First, this is what my living room looks like most of the time...well, at least every waking hour for Matthew if we are inside. Wouldnt change a thing...

Everything is a "orsie" if it is bigger than a dog and stands on all 4's. Here, we were at the Zoo and Matthew saw this "Dragon Lizard" and said "orsie, orsie" and hopped on. He was a little disappointed that it didnt take off or go anywhere.

Trying to get another swin in before summer weather is gone. Matthew found a pair of blue goggles in my pool bag (if anyone who has swam with us is missing them, here they are). IT was hilarious. He would NOT take em off. And, by the way, I think we may have the next Michael Phelps on our hands...he is SO natural in the water...holds his breath, has great balance, blows bubbles, etc...BUT, he has no fear which can keep Mommy on her toes around the water.

Missing Daddy!

2008-10-05T18:20:00.001-07:00

We are missing Daddy while he is in Israel and Turkey (check on his trip here...it will SO worth your while. The trip is amazing me!) so I thought we'd show off what Daddy and Matthew do EVERY day when Dad gets home from work.

Here is how it goes...

Matthew hears the door open. Matthew runs to the door saying DA DA. Brian gets down on his level and they hug. Matthew giggles and takes off running around the dining room table. Brian crawls after him and lets him go for a few minutes...all the while, Matthew is giggling so loud and hard, I think he's gonna choke. Brian catches him, they fall to the ground, hug and we all move on with the night.

It is one of my MOST favorite times of the day! And Matthew NEVER fails to do the exact same routine! I really need to get it on video so you can hear it too...you should click on the pics to see their faces up close...you can totally hear it with your mind if you see their faces :) We love you babe and we miss you! :)

In the Last Week...

2008-10-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

We had a fun week...post stomach bug that made its rounds from Matthew's school, to Matthew, to Brian and finally, me! The runny nose and stomach bug is almost enough to make me want to take him out of school. But, its now or later, right?!?

We also had a few messes, that I know you'd rather not hear about, but let me just say this...combine a kid with a stomach bug with a sick Mom changing a stomach bugged diaper and a kid who LOVES to grab his diaper and swing it around...well, lets just say, Mom ran to the bathroom, Matthew was covered...as was the wall in his room. Okay, so maybe that was an over share, but there you go. This blog is about life right?!?! That is my "real life" right now! :)

Young Life had its annual golf tournament this week. Good thing for Matty, Brian is not much of a golfer and they had a blast just driving around on the cart for hours.

Here he is hanging with some Young Life kiddos in the golf cart.

Here is Matthew with some of the other Young Life kiddos...having his very first chocolate chip cookie :) Happy Boy!

We could not peel Matty off the golf cart. He was in the drivers seat making car noises the whole time. THinking he is showing the bog kids how its done.

Brian said at one point, he jumped out of the cart for a "split second" (Dads terminology) and he turned around to find Matthew pressing the gas, with the break off and rolling forward. He made it about 6 feet before Brian caught him...way too tempting for a 1 year old is all I can say!

We always get a few good play days with the neighbors outside. Jack and Matty in a pink Barbie Jeep...cant you just see this same pose 16 years from now after a mudding trip? And likely not in a pink Barbie Jeep...

We totally have a golfer on our hands! He LOVES the small set of clubs Brian bought him..rain or shine!

MOST IMPORTANTLY!!! Big hugs for Daddy as he took off this morning for Isreal and Turkey. We are VERY excited for all the wonderful things he will learn and see, but there were LOTS of tears (mainly from Mom) before sending Daddy off for 17 days!

Praying for a great and rich trip babe, and that you will come back to us safe and sound! We love you more than you know.

"NO" and The Miracle of Life

2008-09-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

So, my child LOVES this word! I mean loves it. I have sent him to "time out" in the last week at least twice becasue of the overuse and ugliness of the use of the word NO! AHHHHH! Did I sai it too much? Why this word? It seems to be a universal love affair with all 1 year olds and the word NO! SIGH...

I was rocking my baby to sleep the other night. He was out, on my shoulder..you know, one of those moments where you just want to freeze time and hold him like that forever. I was praying for him and then said, "time to go night night." He did not move, but yelled, "NO!" I laughed out loud because I did not think he was awake...that word can seep out even in his sleep! Its a stage right? A stage...

In other thoughts..I have been thinking lately about what a REAL miracle every life is. Every single one! I have a good friend who lost her son at 23 weeks of pregnancy. I have had the honor of walking through this place with her and her family. It has made me think how amazing it is that any baby is born healthy and perfect! I mean, NO life is an accident...its too beautiful and intricate to ever happen by chance. Anyway, I started thinking about her baby boy, Caleb, who is with Jesus now and my baby and all of the babies I love, and I am really amazed. All those African babies who are hungry, all the Chinese little girls who are sitting in orphanages, all of them...beautiful gifts to this world that I wish I could figure out a way to love...every one of them!

MATTHEW LOVES GIVING KISSES! Those open mouth baby kisses are just the best...

BIG NEWS: Matthew started Mothers Day Out. This Mother doesnt quite know how she feels about it, but I am sure my social little boy is having a blast at "school". No pictures actually because the camera wouldnt turn on when we got to school..

In other news, Matthew LOVES brushing his teeth. We have a "melt down" a morning when the brushing has to be over. Wow, does he get UPSET! He wants to do it ALL on his own! I mean totally, here he is concentrating SO hard on getting the toothpaste open!

I never posted pictures from the time I spent with Young Life kids in Goergia this summer. I went to camp with kids from Boerne this summer...it was my first time to do anything with Boerne Young Life so I didnt know the kids very well. By the end of the week, I loved every one of them!

Countdown...Brian leaves in 3 weeks for Israel. We are excited for him but also sad because he will be gone for over 2 weeks :(

He will be posting updates here, so keep your eyes open!

Big post for a Big Summer!

2008-08-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

So many birthdays this summer...so much fun with friends and family...so much play time and, oh yeah, one small little surgery! What a full summer!

Matthew at "snack time" at church. How did he get so big?! Arent they cute all lined up?

Matthew pre-surgery. He was AMAZING! Such a trooper...laughing and playing pre and post surgery. His circumcision went well...poor little man. Never seen bruising so yucky in all my life. If you are going to circumcise your boy, I highly recommend it in the first few days of life!

Got a whole week of play time with Melissa! She is THE BEST! We would be lost without her!

Happy Birthday Hudson! So glad to play with you at your party..in the sand and water! :)

Had lots of playtime with Jackson this summer...wrestlemania is what we call it! I LOVE THIS PIC OF THE BOYS!

Matty met Chuck E Cheese for the first time at Jacksons birthday party a few weeks back...not sure what to think!

Swimming with ALL the cousins!! So much fun to all be together...

I cant believe we got them ALL looking..what a priceless photo!

Okay, so Matthew Josiah is a Daddys boy - in every sense of the word! When Brian goes in the restroom to shower, or shave, etc...Matthew waits and watches under the door like this saying, "Da Da" over and over until he comes back! Not much privacy these days!

Matty loves playing with the old school radio we have. DJ Master Matty working it out....

Love those beautiful dark brown crossed eyes...love em. Sorry I got so close Matty! You are just so pretty! :)

New game of the summer...playing peek a boo with my computer sleeve. Matty shoves his head all the way in it and then pops it out and says, "BOO" and cracks himself up!

Matty has a thing for horsies, or "orsie" as he calls them.

More fun at Chuck E Cheese for Jacks birthday!

The whole fam...all together! Happy Birthday Kris. So glad we got to be with you for your birthday!

Cousin Tommy was VERY into the birthday dessert! He was lapping up the ice cream like a puppy dog...sooo cute!

Cousin Tenley and Tommy with Matty at Taylors birthday party! Tenley making sure Matthew "was smiling" for this pic. She LOVES Matty and treats him like her little baby every time we are together!

Matty on another "orsie" at Tays party!

All the kids were playing hard at the party...and some Daddies too! :)

We have had a full summer and loved every minute...more birthdays and fun to come!

It's been waaaayyyy too long...

2008-07-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, Mom has been REALLY bad at posting, so I had to just figure this thing out and take over!

Ten Things in the Last Month:

10. Went to a Young Life property in Georgia with several HS kids from Boerne HS! Very fun! Loved the property and the girls! :)

9. Went to Colorado...first to Frontier Ranch with a friend and worked for a few days (I got to go with Mom to Frontier! It was VERY fun! Mom said Frontier is not 1 year old friendly...whatever that means!) I think she was tired!

8. I got 4 new teeth - BIG ONES! My mouth is tired and I now have 14 teeth! WHOA!

7. We went to a wedding - the whole family - in Denver! One of Mom's old Young Life kids! Mommy got to speak at the wedding! She was really nervous but very honored! Congrats Bill and Crissy!

6. Mom and Dad have been working on getting paperwork started for a second adoption! YAY! Maybe a brother or sister is coming soon...who knows!?!?

5. Mom read the book THE SHACK! Very good, hard at first, but great story! She recommends it...

4. Mommy has LOTS of friends pregnant and cannot wait to meet the babies that are coming...The Hinkebein Baby, Baby Hartlee Menn, and so many others! I cant wait to meet my new friends!

3. Mom went to be part of a fun team that staffed a Young Life property in Arizona called Lost Canyon. It was a week of Young Lives which means teen Moms and their babies! Very fun and amazing week.

2. I went to the ER for the first time ever! Got me some DermaBond (basically super glue for your skin) because I split my forward open...

1. Everyone is HOME! And our Aussie family is in town! YAY! We are all back together again!

Enjoy the pics...

Jen, Mom and Lindsey at Lost Canyon! What a fun team!

The 3 of us on Western Night at camp...Jen SO wishes she was a Texan! :) We love you Jen! You look SO hot in the awesome shirt we got you!

Baby Boy LOVES to sit in the car and honk the horn and make the car sound...vrooooom....

Here it is! Matty's first ER trip! All glued up! He was so tough!

Matthew still LOVES him some glasses!

Amy, Jessica and I - they were the Child Care Coordinators and they ROCK!

Sarah and I with one of the sweet babies from San Antonio! SOOO cute! Sarah is a teen Mom that is now in college and a Leader! She is so awesome...so proud of her!

Teen Mom's and their babies from San Antonio!

I fell in love with this little girl...her name is Malaysia and she is beautiful and sooo sweet!

A bunch of teen Moms at Club with their babies...what a site this was!

LOve you all and we will be better about posting! Both Matthew and I!

Peace!

Thoughts..

2008-06-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

have been wanting to post, but have been in one of those modes of life where...well, it could be a very thoughtful and deep post. So, I have sat down with my thoughts and my journal twice to try and post, but my thoughts don't seem formed yet...so, I push the computer away and have not posted in weeks. Our family has had SUCH a FUN FUN FUN summer so far. We've played and laughed and swam and giggled and been really blessed with life.

At the same time, I have been "thoughtful" lately. I have been thinking SO much about the beauty and mystery of adoption. Wondering what Jesus wants me do with all the things he has taught and showed me. I've been asked a lot lately about the adoption and where we are. When my response is "we are really at the same place", my sweet friends hearts sink a little and I see it in their faces. It makes me feel loved. Reminds me how Brian and I have not been alone on our journey. Thats awesome! That sounds like a trivial response to all of you who have walked through the last 5 or so years with us, but I don't really know that I have words other than...just awesome! Really awesome.

I wonder a lot lately about racial issues. Why do we have the views of other races that we do?

I wonder a lot lately about the poor. They matter so much to Jesus. I want to be with them and learn from them. From their purity and their hearts. I want to give what I have been given. But, do I do it from the right posture? My heart is pure, I think, in my desire to be with them.

I wonder a lot about spiritual gifts and things of the Spirit. I have SO MUCH to learn. I wonder so much about this.

I wonder about my wounds. Why I take offense when I do. Why I hold on too tight to people I love. Why I still feel "I am on the outside looking in" in so much of life. I want to be less prideful, more humble. I dont want to be opposed by God. Which is what the Word says about "the proud"

Wondering about healing. About asking for it, praying for it, looking for, trusting in it. Why doesn't it happen every time?

I found this quote and it spoke to me...

Ecclesiastes 7:4 states, “Sadness is better than laughter, for sorrow has great influence over us.”

I believe that part of the message within this passage is that the tears we cry in the midst of our pain, God uses—much like water softens hardened ground—to tenderize our hearts so we may have a greater understanding of suffering and have compassion on a suffering world, a world that doesn’t know our Heavenly FATHER, the one who adopted us.

So, I have been pondering a lot. This little man has taught me about joy and gifts.

When I took this picture, I looked at it and thought...this is how My Father sees me. My Heavenly Father. What if I approached him like this every moment of every day. What if I trusted that looking to him and raising my hands and life to him like this really made a difference?!?

I fear I write down more personal things than anyone really wants to hear...however, here it is. The Garrison family...

First Haircut for our Little Ham...

2008-06-06T09:43:00.001-07:00

Matthew loves putting on glasses...as you can see, he cracks himself up! I just love this picture...

So, the rat tail that was forming took us to the barber shop (isnt that what its called for boys?!?) Anyway, the "sucker" made it a great experience...

Such a big boy!

He did great until the very end...poor little guy!

Charleston, South Carolina

2008-05-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

The fam went to South Carolina for a little vaca a few weeks ago! I was just able to get the photos off our old camera...so I thought I'd share.

Brian has been doing work on a hotel down there and this time, we ALL got to go. Brian fell in love with Charleston and has been saying for almost a year he wanted us to go with him...so we did! I too fell in LOVE with the city.

For some reason the photos posted all out of order, but, here they are...

We went to see one of the oldest and biggest Oak Trees in the US. It was AMAZINGLY
Beautiful. The Angel Tree...

Whoops, maybe Matthew didnt see the sign!

I just love this pic for so many reasons. It also gives you an idea of how huge this tree is. Amazing. Really Beautiful.

I took this on the plane ride home. Not posed at all. "Bear Bear", Dad and Matty taking a little snooze! Precious boys.

We also made it to this great Aquarium. Matthew LOVED it. I thought he would maybe be too little, but he was captivated by all of it.

This is the road that leads to The Angel Oak. I thought it was so beautiful. Made me wonder all the stories that this road could tell...if it could talk.

Dad and Matt - just a swingin...

Isnt it just amazing. There all these supports and things holding up the limbs. Some of the limbs that laid on the ground had grown under ground and then back up. It was AWESOME... Some literature at the tree said that slaves use to get married under this tree.

The city has such OLD Southern Charm. Everything you imagine in an old Southern town with a lot of history. It reminded me of huge old plantation looking buildings in New Orleans, but more old school Southern feel. This is the downtown area.

Street after street downtown were shaded by trees like this one. Sort of felt like a movie.

And we are back to the fishies...

This face sums up how Matthew felt about the plane ride after he woke up. He was OVER it to say the least.

Matty loved running up and down the LONG hallway at the hotel.

This was the view of the bay outside the front doors of the hotel. So pretty.

I just loved this charming little house. I want to live here. There were streets and streets of houses like this one. All different and SO cute and charming.

This was right off the water. The Old Custom House where all ships and goods would be registered. Very cool old building. Lots of the houses were like this style with huge columns outside. They were like plantations without the land. One right after another.

I suggest Charleston for a vacation in the US! VERY neat and charming city with lots of rich history.

The Chapman Family

2008-05-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Steven Curtis Chapman (singer and songwriter) has an amazing heart. His voice and heart has blessed so many. Wether or not you are in to his music, we should all be inspired and challenged by how hard and faithfully he and his wife have fought for orphans. They have fought for and aided countless families find and afford to grow their families through adoption. They have done amazing things for The Kingdom...

Their family has experienced an unimaginable tragedy this week. Here is the story. We should ALL pray for them. Maybe we can shoulder some of the incredible burden.

A little bloggin' game...thanks Stac!

2008-05-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend Staci "tagged" me. Go see see her CUTIE family! She is wonderful and so....I am playing along! Love you Staci and really miss you too! Give my buddy Jude a kiss for me. He and Matthew were separated at birth I think!! HA! Don't you just love our passionate boys?!?!

So, here it is...

OK, on to the game. Here are the rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What were you doing 5 years ago?
1. Getting ready to go to Young Life camp with my new husband and our Young Life kids! Well, sort of new. We were still newlyweds for sure!
2. Living in a house we were remodeling in Alamo Heights. Interesting memories to say the least!
3. Teaching 7th and 8th grade English and coaching volleyball and basketball (funny)
4. Had just started attending New Heights and met Scott (our pastor) and Linda (my mentor) and those people have shaped our lives.
5. We were traveling to McAllen, TX house hunting because we thought we were going to be transfered there in September...

What are 5 things on your to-do list today (not in any particular order)?
1. update my blog (check)
2. Grocery shop for our home group coming over tonight
3. Go to the Y and work out (check - and arent you proud of me Staci!?!)
4. Finish cleaning out my downstairs closet and cabinet. I am becoming VERY type A in my 30's!
5. Do a load of wash - mainly Matthew's clothes...
6. Work on my bible study - doing Beth Moore's Stepping Up.

What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
1. raw almonds
2. a spoonful of peanut butter
3. goldfish and raisins (yes, together, I like how they taste together)
4. strawberries
5. trail mix...wih LOTS of M&M's

What 5 things would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Move my sister back to the US...ha! Not that money is the issue, BUT, I'd buy them a house here and retire my brother-in-law so they could split their time between here and there. I know they love it there..but I WANT THEM CLOSER!
2. Build an orphanage and feed the oprhans at New Grace School and Orphanage in Uganda
3. Give lots to our church for...Kingdom work...whatever God wanted to use it for
4. Buy a lake house with a fun boat and jet skis...big enough for LOTS of family and friends.
5. Retire my husband so he could do mission work full time :)

What are 5 of your bad habits? (STACI, I TOTALLY TRULY DID NOT HAVE TO CHANGE ONE THING. WE HAVE THE SAME BAD HABITS. I AMENDED THE STARBUCKS DRINK. FUNNY - NOT SURPRISING)
1. over-sleeping in the morning (OR WANTING TO)
2. eating when I'm not hungry
3. getting stressed out over getting things done
4. staying up late doing nothing on the computer, or tv that I have DVR'd
5. Starbucks--ICED GREEN TEA--too often :)

What are 5 places you have lived?
1. Dallas, TX (from birth to 3)
2. Herndon, VA (3 to 10)
3. San Antonio, TX
4. College Station, TX (for school and miss it)
5. And back to SA! I really only have 4.

What are 5 jobs you've had?
1. Retail (in HS)
2. nanny (in college)
3. English teacher
4. Children's Pastor
5. Young Life staff

What 5 people do you want to tag? (I cant do only 5, I am curious about all my peeps!)
1. Stacy
2. Jenny
3. Jessica (three sisters up first)
4. Megan
5. Hanna (cuz I think you are SO funny!)
6. Pam
7. Kim
8. Ryan and Lauren

Come on everyone - play along! Love yall!

Can I just have a Moment?!?!

2008-05-17T18:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was laying in bed the other night thinking of what my life has been filled with...just in the last week. If you are not interested...STOP now. If you are, read on.

1. Great parenting Moments!

a. Brian was out of town all last week, so, it was just me and the little man. The first few days were really fun. We went on long walks, had cereal for dinner, etc...but, by night 4, that is when it got good. Matthew, who I have said since he was born, is VERY passionate. Well, this particular night, he was VERY passionate and I think Mom (that would be me, but its easier to tell this kind of story in 3rd person). Anyway, Mom was, shall we say, at the end of my proverbial rope. Well, Matthew threw his little toy broom at me. At my face. Hard. It whacked me right across the bridge f my nose. It was about the 10th thing he had thrown at me. Anyway, I pick up the broom and, in that voice where your lips are moving but your teeth are pressed together, I say, "WE DO NOT THROW THINGS!" This would have been fine, right? Except for the fact that as I was saying it, I threw the broom across the room. Huh!?!? Great parenting moment...like I said. Matthew just stared at me like, "this woman has lost her ever loving mind!"

b. I cursed at the sippy cup. If you do not understand why, please see Jessica Tootle's blog. She will explain it far better than I can. But, Matthew has two sippy cups that WILL NOT not leak. Why? I have the little stopper deal shoved in as tight as it will go...no dice. Leakage - everytime. And the utter audacity of those sippy cups to have more parts than a top and a cup...why!??! Again, please see Jessica's blog. I was gonna go on and on about it, but, then, I read her blog before I posted and laughed out loud because I had fought with those stupid sippy cups this week! I too, thought I was finished with keeping track of multiple parts when we ditched Dr. Browns Jess...I dont get it.

c. I was playing peek-a-boo with Matthew this morning. One of our most favorite things to do. He never tires of it. We throw his blanket over his head, he pulls it off, we say BOO and he laughs hysterically. Well, being that his head is covered, and he can see nothing, dont you think it would (or should) occur to me (the parent) to make him sit down and not walk around with his head covered up!??! Well, it did not occur to me. So, this morning, head covered, he stood up, already giggling under that blanket...so excited at what he knew was about to happen. Well, he got so excited that he pulled the blanket off his head so hard that it thrust him forward and his forehead came crashing down on the corner of his dresser. Did it leave a mark? You betcha! A big blue line right in the middle of his forehead. Way to go Mom!

2. Matthew is a pre-toddler...who knew there was such a thing. Well, he is! Here is how we know...

a. He loves to throw his food on the floor. We tell him, "no, no" and he laughs and throws more.

b. He loves to walk over to the outlets that are at his eye level. He looks at them, puts his hand near them, looks at us and smiles this fake, all teeth smile. As if to say, "I know you are about to tell me no, but look how cute I am!"

c. He thinks having his diaper changed is some form of torture. Why? And why so dramatic about it? It has happened several times a day, for his WHOLE life! But, he screams, squirms, kicks and cries everytime. The ones that are poopy are the worst! How does he know that if he kicks hard enough and squirms hard enough, poop will end up on his back, on my arms and hands, and on whatever surface we are changing him on!??!

d. He knows how to throw fits. I mean serious, legit fits. He throws his head back, falls backwards (I call it the Neste plunge) and lifts his legs up and slams them down as hard as he can. All the while screaming of course.

e. He laughs every time we tell him no. Laughs - are you kidding? Am I saying it wrong? Why is it funny!?! I've used the word just how "they" say you are suppose to. (Who exactly is they anyway?)

f. I read somewhere that "they" (there THEY are again) say that it is time to start using time out. Are you kidding? How? He will no more sit in a corner than fly to the moon! I am all for time out. I even have a spot picked out. But, how in the world do you make them stay there at 1?? Just a question!?!? I'd love to know how THEY do it.

g. Matty does NOT like paint on his hands. Brian and Matthew did a little art project for me for Mothers Day and Brian said he stared at his hand after it had been placed in the paint and screamed. He did not cry, he screamed and held his hand out to Brian, like, "look what you've done?!!?"

h. MOSTLY though,he LOVES to give kisses, hugs, look at books, wrestle with daddy, take baths, blow bubbles (in the pool and the bath). All day, everyday, he searches for new books in his toy box and brings them to us saying, "bbbbooo".

He is precious and fun and wonderful and SO tender hearted. We are learning that he is equally as sensitive as he is passionate. He is all joy, and all boy - all the time! Even though I only showered 3 times this week, Matthew and I both ate food off the floor this week, and Matthew only got bathed 3 times this week, we made it, and it was fun!

So, Baby Wise...you got anything to say about those pre-toddler years, or months? Bring it on...

Matty, Padre and a shout out to Tootle Tot!

2008-05-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

First off, today, I worked out twice. Thats right - 2 times! Why? you ask! Well, tomm, evening we are going to celebrate the little Tootle Tot turning 1! Matthew is very excited to go see Ryan. Mom and Dad are too. So, why did I work out twice?

Thats why! We cant describe how yummy these burgers and fries and nachos and salsa are...oh, ALL of it! Cannot wait to come celebrate you baby boy.

We have had such adventures over the last few weeks...but, of course, the camera is not downloading! This thing is about to chunked out the window. So, we thought we'd update on our life...thanks to the camera phone and pics a few friends have e-mailed us.

There is a great little doughnut place on Main Street called Snowflake. The kids love it..as do the adults!

Ummm, Mom, can I have a doughnut. I so did not come here for a Kolache! Pretty please...

Whoa! I think I am in heaven Jackson...look at this giant doughnut case!!

Our little charmer loves to look out the window and kiss the dogs through the glass. VERY sweet. He is getting the cutest little tender personality.

We went to South Padre in April - WHOO HOO!! SPRINK BREAK BABY! Anyway, we went for a Young Life Regional "Conference". It was very fun and we got to go to a really nice dinner one night.

We did not plan these coordinating outfits...

Matthew Josiah is ONE!!!

2008-04-21T09:03:00.001-07:00

On April 13, 2008, Matthew turned 1...Our sweet Matthew Josiah...we love you! I cannot believe you are a 1 year old. The year has flown by and I cannot imagine life before you were part of us. You are our delight sweet angel. We love your passion and your laughter. You are bright joy in our lives and our heart. There is no doubt you have changed us and blessed us in ways we could not even have known to expect. We pray for your protection, for your heart, we pray you would love Jesus very much. Our family was created by God and we would fight for you and any other babies God gives us with all that we have. There is no hesitation, no doubts, we are a family created by God, and He is fighting for us! You are worth EVERY tear, every challenge and so much more. You are treasured beyond any words we can ever speak over you...by us and by God! We do love the words below..

"HOME"
by our friend Ross King

"Your Mother and I had a plan, and we knew the ending before we began.
An American Woman and American Man, with American Dreams...

How could we ever have known?
The God who can save had a dream of His own.
He opened our heart and He made it your Home and changed everything...

Not flesh of my flesh, not blood of her blood,
you are heart of her heart and soul of my soul.
Your mother and I, we were broken inside and you came and made us whole.
And now we're loved by your love, and you are named with our name
A real family is more than biology, it's more than looking the same.
Would we have prayed differently if we had known...that God would bring you HOME?!?

Nothing prepared us for this,
We never knew we could fall like we did.
Surely there is no one who has ever been given a sweeter surprise.

All we can give is our love,
And love is the way you were given to us.
We only pray we can love you enough for the rest of our lives.

Not flesh of my flesh, so much more than blood of her blood,
you are heart of her heart and soul of my soul.
Your mother and I, we were broken inside and you came and made us whole.
And now we're loved by your love, and you are named with our name
A real family is more than biology, it's more than looking the same.
Would we have prayed differently if we had known...that God would bring you HOME?!?"

We love you Matthew. We will always love you. We will always pray for you. You are HOME baby boy! Happy Birthday my sweet angel!

THE CAKE! Thank you CostCo!

His very favorite thing was bubbles...I bought out the dollar store with all sorts of bubble stuff...he did not put these bubble wands down the entire party. I am not kidding, he held on to the green one the WHOLE TIME!

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Okay, the only time he put down his bubbles was when he got his cake! But not for long!

2008-04-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

All the guys! Thanks to everyone for coming!

Okay, you get that side and I will get the other...the boys always working together!

Madison, Brooke, Annie and Em lounging in the pool...the sun bathing starts early with girls!

Mommy and Baby - I love you so much my sweet angel!

The Birthday Spread!

2008-04-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

Matthew did not even wait long enough for me to get his shirt off before he jumped in his frog pool! He loved it!

Jackson and Matty splashing in the pool

Bryce was SO excited to be at the party and in her suit...cant you tell!?!? HA! She was fine about 10 seconds later and everyone had fun!

The morning after...surrounded by toys and some serious bed head! We love you angel!

Prayer please...

2008-04-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hi friends...I would like to ask any willing to pray for one of Brian and I's very sweet friends...the Hanson Family. Matt Hanson (the Dad) passed away VERY suddenly this morning from a massive heart attack while working out. It was shocking and a massive blow to their sweet family. He leaves behind a precious wife Lisa, Matthew Jr. (a freshman at A&M and our old Young Life kid), Cara (soph. at SVHS), Joe (7th grader) and Josh (3rd grade). Their family is very close and amazing and I just ask for prayers that may ease their deep suffering and disbelief that their ROCK, their Daddy, the love of Lisa's life is gone from this earth! Mercy Lord, we ask for mercy! Thanks for your prayers!

Playing catch up...

2008-04-04T12:37:00.001-07:00

We often have issues with our little camera so it takes a bit longer sometimes to get pics from our camera to our computer - and then to the blog. So, I thought I would get caught up....Anyway, here are a few cute ones I thought I would share now that we got them off the camera. And a progress report on the playground and backyard projects!

Jackson and Matthew on Easter. Choke hold number one of the day...Jackson's favorite move to put on Matthew!

Ryan Tootle brought his Mom and Dad over and Matthew got to show off his new playground...not sure if Ryan was feelin the mulch! Isnt this just the cutest pic though. Looks like Matthew is explaining it all to him.

Moms and babies on Easter...we spent part of Easter with the Patchell Fam! Friends that are family - the best!

THE FINAL PRODUCT! WOW! This thing is sooo cool! WE are LOVING swinging outside every afternoon. THANKS DADDY! You are the best!

This is another backyard project - midway. We are covering our porch with a metal roof...Brian and his guys got it all framed up here. I cannot wait to hang out in our new backyard!

Happy April Fools! :)

2008-04-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

So I called my good friend this morning and told her I was pregnant. I am a bad jokster - I could only let it go on for like 5 minutes. There ya go - I did my April Fools joke! I would love to hear about any you all have pulled. Things like that can be really funny...oh, and no joke...Happy Birthday to Ginny my sister-in-law! Poor thing always gets the brunt of April Fools on her big day!

So around here, it is that time of year...yardwork, landscaping, picnics. I love this time of year. Days where I often think of California and am envious that they have this weather almost year round. Stacy, I just imagine you guys outside all the time! We have spent every night and weekend outside for the past two weeks. LOVE IT! We are in the process of working on our backyard. Landscaping, playground building, etc... I will admit, that is a very liberal use of the word WE. Brian is working so hard! I cannot wait to show before and after pics. Matthew LOVES to be outside as usual. He found the dogs water bowl. Oh so fun! He was proud of himself as he splashed and played in the water.

Brian is in the process of building Matthew's playground! Okay, so it is a little big for a one year old, but it his ONE YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY gift from Mom and Dad. I cannot believe he turns 1 in 2 weeks. This year has flown by! He already loves it...swinging, just walking around it and looking at it all. And he LOVES the slide. More pics to come of the action on the playground. It is looking great. Good job Dad.

And a little side note...I turned 30 last week! Thanks to my friends and family that loved me SO well! IT was honestly the BEST birthday I have ever had - ever!! And of course, I forgot my camera at home! No blog material to show for all the work they did and all the fun that was had! SO sad! If anyone has pics, please send them on to me! :)

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!!!

2008-03-21T21:39:00.001-07:00

"Good Friday" is coming to a close. Last night, my family took part in a Passover Seder (for Christians). I must admit, I was a bit distracted last night. Feeding Matthew, playing with baby Tootle, etc...it was all welcome and sweet distractions to say the least.

However, it made me think back, to the first time (a few years ago) that we took part in celebrating Passover as part of our "Easter" traditions. That first experience, I remember really being overcome. I remember eating all the elements, the bitter herb, the sweet Charoseth (made with apples), the wine, etc...and thinking on all that they symbolize...they all fully emcompass Christ. I remember thinking, "Why do we not celebrate this holiday?" "Why have we left so much of the story on the shelf?" I wondered when, in our history, all of this tradition was lost. I was sad I had lived for 28 years and not known about Passover...and how important it is to those of us who know Jesus as Messiah - as Savior! I was ignorant.

Now, it didnt mean I had been lied to or misled or anything dramatic like that. It just meant I had lived for a long time not knowing this richness of "The Story". Some of you may be thinking, what the heck is she talking about - we are not Jewish. You are right, obviously, we are not. However, our Savior came as a Jew...to a Jewish family, to a Jewish people. Therefore, if we are "grafted in" as scripture talks about, why are we so scared of the legacy that comes with Him? Maybe scared is the wrong word. For me, it was just ignorance. I didn't realize the richness that would come from embracing the WHOLE bible, the WHOLE story...Old and New Testaments. So, last night, I thought about that night 2 years ago when I learned so much. I thought about how excited I am to teach Matthew about Passover..about Jesus. I thought about how THANKFUL I am for The Cross! Geez...there are no adequate words!

Learning new depths of Truth I have known and studied for a long time has changed me. It IS changing me. Reaching in to the ancient beauty of learning about Jesus as Jew has been such a gift to me. It is shaping the way I understand the things He (Jesus) said and taught. They way He led and lived. It is awesome and I am thankful God has put me in a place to become...well, just that, to become more like Him.

Anyway, all of that being said...HAPPY EASTER FRIENDS! HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY! IT is a big deal. Maybe you will join our family this year in not skipping over some of the beauty that we often miss. Let's all just be students...of our LIVING God!

From our Bunny to yours...(for those of you thinking it...yes, I know, the bunny is totally not biblical...the kid is cute, what can I say!??!)

We love you Uncle Ryan and Aunt Lauren...

2008-03-19T20:56:00.001-07:00

We had a party the other night for some dear friends that are moving to the island of Dominica... Ryan and Lauren are like family and this whole "goodbye" party was fun, but there is something about goodbye that feels all too final. Yall are our family Millers! We love you, send you with love and prayers and cannot wait to see what the journey holds for you. It was a fun fun night with lots of our closest friends!

Jenny, Lauren and I

Matthew and his girlfriend...oh and Ryan too! :) Matty bats his lashes and giggles everytime Lauren is near...very sweet...

2008-03-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

I caught this great shot of Matthew and Jenny...so cute you two!

Not sure what to say about this hair! We are not cutting it...something Mom feels pretty strongly about for some odd reason. When the wind blows, you can really see how long it is getting!

I just love this pic because I LOVE every one of these girls! Love getting to all be together! We should do this more often...not just when someone is leaving! :)

Oh sweet Wendy! I told her this shot looks like an ad for birth control! HA! Ethan Heare and Matthew Garrison - they are best friends...they just dont know it yet! :)

Randy, Brian and John

The Garrisons LOVE being outside...

2008-03-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

And we got to be outside on one of the most beautiful ranches I have ever seen. Thanks Rick! One of Brian's good friends invited us to hang out on his ranch in Johnson City. I know I say this all the time, but it's true...Matthew was ALL BOY! We hiked, sat outside, and saw one of the most beautiful views overlooking the Pedernales River (this river is so not spelled the way it sounds) that I have ever seen in Texas! After we hiked all the way to the beautiful spot on the water, we realized we had left the camera back at the house! UGH.

Matty was playing in his birthday suit in the mud and water and running through the grass and over rocks, eating bugs and leaves...and taking part in what I think is some sort of male right of passage...he peed outside for the first time. I think I saw a tear in Brian's eye! HA.

Check out these views and this awesome log cabin we stayed in...

Notice the photo sans pants for Matthew. He played so hard and so fast that his diaper basically exploded and his pants were soaked. Whoops...sorry Matty! I guess I need to remember to check those things more often. I am serious...I think the diaper weighed 5 pounds.

Hilarious flash back!

2008-03-07T13:11:00.001-08:00

You just have to click and enlarge this photo...

Just chillin in the shade with the dudes...rub that belly Matty. Cant you just hear the boy noises and such from those faces! Oh so funny and how much they have changed!

LOOK HOW BALD THEY ARE! GEEZ...one looks so different with no hair!

Matty Face...

2008-02-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

Matthew Josiah is getting closer and closer to being a one year old...in every way. Here are a few things that happen daily...several times a day at our house:

1. Matthew prefers running to walking or crawling now. He still takes some hard spills..grunts, gets back up and he's off again.

2. Every cabinet in our bathroom has been opened along with every drawer. Every thing has been pulled out and put in his mouth...yes, I know, dangerous, I try to stay as close as possible.

3. Forget taking a shower with him on the bathroom floor surrounded by toys and a bottle anymore. I think today was the last time for that. I was in the shower, watching him play. I closed my eyes to rinse my hair and I open them...MAYBE 15 seconds later and Matthew has opened the top drawer and has a razor in his mouth. Thank goodness it still had the cover on it!

4. Forget cooking anything while he is awake. Every drawer, every cabinet...pulled open and every content pulled out. Tonight, we went to bed with a puffy foot because Matty pulled the Goerge Forman grill out and it plunked on his foot. Not one tear. A grunt and he was off!

5. We love brushing our teeth! Try taking the toothbrush away....just try it. We dont try it anymore. We wait for him to be distracted and grab it as fast as possible.

6. As I have said from day one...my baby boy is passionate. That being said, we have found a bit of a temper...I have teeth marks on my back and on my hand...from today. Thats right - one day! Can you put a 10 and a half month old on time out? I did today - twice! Oh, I thought I knew sooo much about kids...ha! I hope I am doing all of this right!

7. Our toys are boring now. We want to do a toy trade! Hey Ryan Tootle...are you up for a little toy swap?

8. Matthew has found a fake smile (closes eyes really tight and shows all his teeth) and a fake laugh (same as above except you hear a little squeal)

9. This might be my favorite age yet. His personality comes out in BIG ways everyday. And, I am moving so much, I am bound to lose weight! :)

10. Oh yeah, forget eating out. Ridiculousness is all I can say. Its more of a wrestling match than a nice meal time. I need more recipe's Stace...we are home bound for meal time for a while!

11. Oh how we LOVE the dishwasher...climbing in it, sitting on the door, pulling things out, etc...despite Mom's best "teaching moments", when the door closes, the tears come!

Enjoy the pics...

Here is Matthew taking his very first nap with Daddy at just a few days old...

Here is Matty this past weekend napping with Daddy at 10 months old! This is a rare site and Brian caught it on his camera phone! So thankful for technology!

Matty in his car seat at one month old!

Not much has changed...just 12 pounds more, more hair, and a big boy car seat! Again, a rare site. Matthew is not a big fan of the new ride...

We have been hesitant to introduce our new baby as we did not know if she was going to stay...but, here she is. Bailey. She is as beautiful and sweet as she is wild and out of control. She is the sister of Jenny Rudd's dog Lola.

We've been away, but we are not gone!

2008-02-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

Hi friends. Sorry it has been awhile. Life has been full and fast. I have not had a moment to sit and update or get my photos organized. So, here we are.

Matty updates:

1. MATTY IS A WALKER! He takes 4 to 6 or 7 steps at a time and then CRASH! Some serious bumps on the head...but he almost has it down! WHOA!
2. Matty weighs 22 pounds is 29 inches long and is solid as a rock! Tough little guy. We are no longer topping the growth charts...He is perfectly average in all his growth!
3. He is as active and cutie patootie as ever.
4. One of the questions the pediatrician asked me at his 10 month appointment was, "Does he respond to his name?" Wellll.....yes, I said. And then I thought how confused my little boy must be! Below are the names we regularly call him.
Matthew Josiah
Matty
Matty Jo
Matty Moo
Moo Moo
Mooks (I think this one slipped in randomly from Mooks Arnold! :) ha)
Mookie Face
Munchkin Face
Punkin Head
Angel Bug

What in the world does he think his name is!?! Funny...
4. Matthew is NOT a fan of wearing clothes, the process of getting dressed, undressed or diaper changed. All of the above require being restricted andB still...and being still - not fun to Matthew Garrison

ADOPTION:

We've been told that the birthfather (Aaron) is choosing to "sign". Meaning, he is suppose to go today to sign paperwork to terminate his rights. That being said, we do not know much else. We have not heard he has gone and it is 4:00 already. We really do not know exactly what has transpired that has given them a change of heart. Brian said, this must really be because of prayer! We will let yall know when and if we hear anything.

Here are some fun pics. Some of you may have already seen these photos on our friends blogs...but here ya go!

The boys hanging out at the play date...and the girls were in the kitchen eating cheese and drinking wine...only the Moms...not Caroline and Kirbs

Matthew showing off his new walking skills...a little wobbly

You know how boys pull little girls hair to flirt...well, when they are babies, they steal the girls paci's. Matty is after Caroline and her paci!

Attempt at a group pic. The girls were NOT having it. Ryan and Matty..." uhhh, what's wrong, where are we suppose to look? Mom, why are the girls sad?"

How Matthew feels about getting dressed! Not fun for anyone...

Come on...a little peace and quiet please!!

2008-01-20T20:18:00.001-08:00

So we have all had one long and tiring week this past week. It was full of high fever, an ear infection, diapers that literally made my Mom gag, sleeping LOTS during hours I should not have been, not eating, lots of crying, and we topped off the week with a rash. Ugh! What a week huh!??! I am so tired. Mom too. Although I have taken full advantage of the fact that she will hold me 24/7 when I am sick. Now that I am on the up swing, I can quickly turn it off and on when I need to be held. I will milk this puppy for ALL it's worth. And, truth be told, Mom's okay with it...she says I wont want her to hold me and cuddle me forever. However, I have this feeling that she will be wanting to cuddle me even when I am 30!

All I needed after a week of sick was some sound sleep. Mom cannot leave well enough alone and let a kid get his beauty sleep...I mean could you walk away from this cuteness?!?!

Ummmm...where am I and who are you?! Why am I awake? Please tell me I am not awake because you felt the need to flash a ridiculously bright light in my face while I was sleeping peacefully!??! Surely, you must have a better reason that that!

Okay, I am awake now, may as well make the most of it. Get me outta here!

OKay, so my sleep was interupted for good reason. I got to go to lunch and hang out with Grammy! She is SO fun!

Last week, before the sickness hit, we had a great time playing with Corbin Crocker. Poor Gracie (Corbins 2 year old sister) had two boys jackin with the bows in her hair! Sorry about that Grace! Here I am showing Corbin my best flexing pose...this will come in handy because like me, Corbin is no small man!:) We love you Corbs!

The Journey & Happy 9 Month B-day Matty!

2008-01-13T19:24:00.001-08:00

So I was laying in bed the other night thinking. I do most "deep" thinking laying in bed when I should be sleeping. It really is a problem...

Anyway, I was thinking about lots of different things in life...the adoption, friendships, marriage, starting new companies, my salvation. I was thinking how all of these things are about a journey. I think so often, we are a people caught up in getting to a certain destination or outcome. We are a people who are obsessed with results. We do something to get something or somewhere. BUT, I believe that God truly works on the journey..along the way if you will (to quote my Pastor). So it begs the question, Have I woken up with joy, no matter my circumstances, and looked forward to what the journey of that day holds? The answer is no, not all the time. But I want to try. I have been praying lately that God would "restore to me the JOY of my salvation". Salvation is amazing. I have been so caught up in thinking about how huge it is that I have been SAVED! This salvation has allowed me to enter in to this incredible journey with My Creator. Too often Christians have sold people what I call a "golden ticket to heaven" theology. You know, if you say this prayer you will GET somewhere you want to be in the end - Heaven. But I think that misses the beauty. It misses the point. The point, I think, is the journey. This journey of following this Jesus that laid His very life down for me to be able have life. Jesus taught His disciples "along the way"...Oh how I want to be so focused on His face on my journey.

As I think about this adoption. Have I spent more days consumed with it "being over" rather than enjoying this journey with my son. Do I remember more about when he was 3 or 4 days old? His first tooth? The first time he crawled? etc... Or, has this journey been defined by the latest phone call with my lawyer? Well, I pray by His grace I am a person completely PRESENT. Present in whatever circumstances the journey may bring.

Let us all be present in our journey's today...Let us remember with standing stones in our minds and hearts the moments that have defined our journey...

ENJOY A LITTLE FLASHBACK...

Matty at 6 days old! What a journey Motherhood is.

Matty and Dad at 5 days old. The journey of Fatherhood has TOTALLY changed my husband! Beautiful how Jesus has used this in his life.

FLASH FORWARD...

A bunch of us got together over Christmas break...controlled and sweet chaos. Love you all!

Speaking of the journey...girls who have journeyed a long time with me. Love you all and LOVE YOUR BABIES!

Matthew giving us his best side...bottoms up! Way to smile Sue!

Malyn is DONE! Matthew trying to console her by holding her hand..smooth buddy! And Caden and Sue...still posing for the pap! Love it! and love you all!

Happy 2008...

2008-01-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

from Matthew and Fam in his pretty MONOGRAMED Christmas outfit...too cute!

Our First Christmas!

2008-01-06T18:18:00.000-08:00

So it has been a very long time since I have posted and a few of you have phoned in complaints...thanks for your interest friends. Below are 3 new posts in one night...enjoy!

We had a great Christmas! Brian's Mom and Eddie (AKA Grandpa) came and spent Christmas with us. It was SO great to have them. Matty was SO happy on Christmas and Christmas Eve. He totally skipped his naps on Christmas. This boy is such an extrovert that he just pushes himself to stay awake and hang out as long as there are lots of people around - paying attention to him of course. So, my family came on Christmas Eve (pics to come) and then we had a great Christmas morning at home.

The Fam on Christmas Morning

Matthew got this activity table from his Tia Tris and Uncle Tot - they sent it ALL the way from Australia. As you can see by the huge grin, it is a hit.

Mommy put this silly stocking on my head. I tried to eat all my gifts! YUM!

Matt's very favorite thing on Christmas was the screwdriver set Brians Mom gave Brian. Matthew was trying to climb it and was cracking up - really belly laughing. So funny the things they want to play with.

A few days before Christmas, we opened gifts with the Patchell's and the Miller's...here is Matthew in the middle of it all!

Who needs Christmas Dinner...

2008-01-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

When you have all this YUMMY paper. Opening Christmas Gifts pretty much consisted of Matty eating lots of paper and ribbons...

Matthew meets his very first Shepherd...intense first introduction. And Mommy loved her new Nativity Set - thanks Babe!

Matthew chowin down...

Did he eat all that?!?! HMMMMM....

Enough with the gold paper...got to taste the silver! Between peek-a-boo with Christmas paper (like you see here - I swear he is under there)and snacking on the rest of the paper, we had LOTS of wet paper to clean up!

On Christmas afternoon, Matthew's biological Mother (Jasmine) and his sister Jalyssa came over to hang out and eat with us. It was wonderful having them here. Got lots of great pics like this one.

Do we have ourselves a little reader?!?!

2008-01-06T17:56:00.001-08:00

So when I say the child is climbing things...I really mean climbing. Notice in the first photo his feet are OFF the ground. He loves to climb on this bookshelf and pull of EVERY book and frame...and candle he can get his hands on.

So he loves this activity so much that we began to wonder if we had an avid little reader on our hands...

Or maybe not..

In all seriousness, when he is in the middle of meltdown mode (as we call it) reading to him usually is the only thing that will calm him down. Not this time Papa! This Christmas book is seriously escalating the situation. Brian just gave up and joined in!

Playing outside...

2007-12-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Per your request Stac... :)

Life has been good during this Christmas season.

Matthew's favorite things to say are...

BA BA BA BA BA BA and DA DA DA DA DA DA. We dont think he knows yet exactly that DA DA DA DA is Daddy, but let's not talk about that right now! He makes so many funny giggle noises...cracks me up. I think he is in a full conversation 90% of the time with his toys or with us. Must be frustrating that we don't understand him.

Check out the latest with us...had to put them in two seperate posts because my blog wont let me post any more then 5 pics at a time...frustrating! Anyone know what the deal is with that. Anyway, enjoy...

We went to the River Park down the road to eat dinner and took bread so we could feed the ducks. Matthew was so mesmerized! He was totally silent the whole night...I thought it was because of the ducks. Later that night, Matty and Daddy got a serious stomach bug...we are all recovering now. Maybe this is why he was so out of it. When the stomach bug comes a knockin, there is not much talkin.

Jackson is Matthew's best friend...he loves to play with him inside, outside - wherever! They are so cute together. Jax calls him Ma-U. So, of course, Matty's new nickname is Ma-U

Mom, I am hungry and this grass looks good...it's about to go in my mouth. Are you gonna stop me or just let this happen?

Got it. MMMMMM....YES! She always gets to me in time...not this time SUCKA!

Hmmmmm...maybe this is why she always stops me. This tastes...ummmm...I will get back to you on this one...

Look Mom...No Clothes!

2007-12-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Matty Jo in all his glory...

Matthew can hold his bottle now all by himseld. The funny thing is it takes all 4 limbs...once again, we LOVE our chair Cindy Knocke!

Happy Boy!

Boys will climb, crawl, run anywhere to get to their ball!

This is literally how I carry Matthew downstairs when I am doing laundry. He cracks up which makes me crack up...and of course, I had to snap a shot of it. If you click on the picture and enlarge it, you can see his two top teeth. Those top little suckers are hard to get pictures of...

The Garrison Elves

2007-12-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

HA! Check out our link...I stole this idea from my friend Megan. SO FUNNY MEG! What a find! You have to just copy the link below and paste it in your internet address bar...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1202464218

Family Time at Polar Bear

2007-12-03T13:09:00.001-08:00

In his young life, Matthew has gotten to hang out at 3 different Young Life camps...what a lucky boy! This weekend, we hung out with lots of our High school kids at Polar Bear...the winter camp. Lots of fun family time with our YL kids.

I just thought this pic was cute...random, but cute.

A side note...latest Matthew stats...

1. All four top teeth are in! That makes a total of 6 teeth!
2. Matthew LOVES climbing. Everything. The other day, I turned around and he was off the floor and on to the second shelf of our book case in the living room. Is this suppose to happen when a kid is 7 months old?!? ALL BOY is all I can say!
3. Matthew is going to meet Santa for the first time tomm. night. First Christmas' are so fun!
4. Latest sleeping patterns...to bed at 6:30 pm and awake at 7:00 am. The kid LOVES sleeping.

Thats it for now. Marry Christmas!

10 things...

2007-11-25T10:50:00.001-08:00

1. Matty loves his firetruck. Anything he can use to pull himself up is his favorite thing. We have lots of bruises popping up on his forehead from him forgetting he cant walk yet and taking some serious spills...We got him a t-shirt that says..."I do all my own stunts" Very appropriate for him right now.

2. Matty has also found a love for sweets...He would have devoured this whole plate if we let him...a boy after my own heart! He is getting all 4 front teeth right now at the SAME TIME! Poor guy...can imagine the pain!!??! He loves eating tiny pieces of real food so he can rub something on his gums.

3. What a fun night. Matty got to hang out with his cousins and Aunt Candace! Sweet pic!

4. Taylor loves Matthew. He told Candace that he thought they should go out to dinner with us so he could be in charge. But, he changed his mind when we started explaining how to handle a poopy diaper. "I'm out" he said! HA!

5. Matthew meets his first Christmas tree! I LOVE CHRISTMAS! We got all our Christmas stuff up on the inside of the house. Hopefully the rain will stop so we can get the lights up on the outside.

6-10

2007-11-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

6. Happy Birthday to Lindsey! We had a fun dinner for her birthday and then birthday cake after...there is nothing this girl loves more than birthday cake!

7. Happy peeps chowing down!

8. Here is proof of the blister I got (see my pinky toe) running in heels through La Cantera trying to track down a birthday cake for Lindsey. I , of course, forgot her cake at the dinner and I injured myself trying to rectify the situation. UGH - thats what you get for being forgetful! All I can say is my cheeks and sides hurt from laughing so hard by the end of this night! Can you get the mental picture of me literally running through La Cantera in search of a birthday cake - all dressed up in heels...Oh, I provide myself with my very own comedy...

9. The girls at the end of the night...and Brian snuck in the back ground..always the comedian.

10. I am THANKFUL for my friends and family! Love you all!

Blog Book

2007-11-13T14:04:00.001-08:00

Check this link out. You can get your blog printed out in a book format. Very cool!

http://www.blurb.com/book/blogbook?ce=google_blog&gclid=CNDH7NXp2o8CFUV0OAodDQfH8w

7 months!

2007-11-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

Goodness..there are so many things I did not know 7 months ago that I know now.

A few months back when Matty had his double ear infection, I remember holding him ALL day and just thinking about all these things. I journaled some of them...

I didnt know how, when you were so tiny, my chest would ache and feel tight because I loved you so much!
I didnt know that how intense the joy is when you smile at me.
I didnt know that I would love 2 little teeth SO much. I mean, who cares right, everyone has teeth! But those first two teeth are the cutest things I have ever seen.
I didnt know that your giggle would sound like a cackle and that I would do just about anything to hear it.
I didnt know how much I would care about a really good poopy diaper...means all the pipes are working right, and I didnt know that would matter so much to me.
I didnt know how I would think, almost every day, about how to get you to understand how much you are loved. I dont know how to do that. I didnt know it would comsume my thoughts. I am going to mess this up at some point, if I havent already. Are you going to know, even then, how much your Mommy loves you? Oh Lord, I hope you know.
I didnt know that your name would be who you are...Matthew Josiah...God totally named you!
I didnt know how much I would care about your fine little brown hair...every one of them. I look at them when you are sleeping and when I am feeding you and I think they are precious. I love your hair. It is fuzzy and fine and I love it. Scripture says that God knows the number of hairs on our head. I get that now...I get why He cares. We are His children and you are mine and I care about every little hair on your head.
I didnt know that having you would heal a place in my heart I did not know was wounded.
I didnt know that loving you would teach me more about how much God loves me than anything else ever could
I just didnt know...
I didnt know that I would pray for you to be passionate and funny and loving...I wonder who you will be!
I didnt know that your Daddy is who he is...you have brought out the life in him and awakened a place in him that I did not know was there.
I didnt know your Daddy would cry when he talks about how much he loves you and how worth it you are to put his whole heart on the line...
I didnt know that I would want to take ALL the ache in your ears and put it in my body...I hate it when you hurt
I didnt know how precious 2 little fat feet would be. Knowing those are the feet you will walk on and run on as you grow.
I just really did not know!

Kai and Matthew in a stare off...Kai is thinking, "Why does he get to live inside ALL the time?"

Bo an Kai and Matty. Bo LOVES Matthew. Kai could care less. I think she just realized Matthew lives here about 2 weeks ago. Bo knows where to go for a little treat.

We spend all this money on toys and this is what they really want!

I have a high chair...SO BIG!

"Hey, Mom, these sweet potato puffs are so good! Are you bringing me more...dont hold back on me!"

Does anyone care about the adults?!?

2007-11-13T12:15:00.001-08:00

Well, here is a little glimpse in to some time we have had with friends lately...Sorry, no Matthew pics in this one..oh and PS - in case you are wondering...YES, I have red hair...well, auburn really! :) HA! What a rebel!

This is the one pic I took from a retreat we went on...my friends Jenny and Michelle!

Our crazy friends and family! Love em all! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN! 33! Wow - so young we are!

ADOPTION UPDATE

2007-11-07T13:42:00.001-08:00

Just a little update on the adoption...

THE FACTS:

We are now in a stage of waiting to hear something as to the next step. We are unsure what that will be, and unsure when we will hear...so, we drag on...

WE ARE PRAYING, PLEASE PRAY WITH US...for:

1. That God would protect and secure Matthew's future...in his home - our home. We are claiming the promise we know God has already given us...that He will be Matthew's protector and savior.
2. That we have the grace to approach Matthew's birth family with a spirit of patience and love. That they might see Jesus in this whole process
3. That the adoption would end soon..that we would not have to go all the way to trial.
4. Pray for our attorney, Victor. He has asked for prayers for wisdom and discernment. He is a great man and says he can really see and feel a difference in cases that he is prayed for. PLEASE pray God would guide his very thoughts and decisions in such a way that we would see victory swiftly and peacefully.
5. Pray for JASMINE, our birthmother. She gave her life to Christ...made a decision to accept Him as her savior last night. She is a sweet child of God and I pray for her protection and that the Lord would hold her VERY close to himself as she walks through life in very hard and dark circumstances.
6. And, of course, that Matthew's adoption would be FINAL SOON! That we will be able to change his name to MATTHEW JOSIAH GARRISON!
7. Protection over our minds and hearts...that we would stand in God's promises and not fear.

HOW ARE WE?

We are doing well. We are enjoying our son. Enjoying our family. Matthew is changing so much and he KNOWS now, more than ever that we are his mommy and daddy. There have been great days and hard days. I told a friend the other day that when we are in the times of lull...when things are stagnant, I only think about the adoption and the battle a few times a day. When we are in times like this, we think about it 30 times a day. It can be mentally and spiritually comsuming which makes us very tired. As Matthew is becoming more and more attached to us...crying when we leave the room, stops crying when I hold him, the more real all this becomes to us. This is his home and we are his parents. Brian said the other day that, although this battle has been long and hard at times, he would NOT ever go back and do anything differently. He loves Matthew more than I can even put into words. Matthew is 7 months old and Brian still, often, looks at him and tears up. The joy he brings to our hearts and the love we have for him is overwhelming. Our hearts literally ache sometimes when we look at him and hold him...how do you articulate that kind of love? I hope, somehow he feels it and lives in it. We are ready for this to be over and to look at our son and KNOW that the courts have officially said - this is OVER, he is yours. Today is a good day. Yesterday was a great day. Tommorrow... I trust is in God's hands and I know that we need Him to be very near us.

Thanks, as always, for taking part in this battle. PLEASE, PLEASE pray!

Taylor and Tenley

2007-10-31T19:31:00.001-07:00

Okay, this is a pic of my sweet niece and nephew Taylor and Tenley Sue...they are beautiful and i ADORE them so much!

HOT DOG!

2007-10-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

I am quite certain that tomm. morning the blogger site is going to crash! Can you imagine how many Mom's and Dad's are updating their blogs after last night.

Well, around here, HOT DOG , Mustard (Brian) and Ketchup (me) celebrated the night at a FUN Fall Festival at The Loft Coffee House with lots of friends from church and the community at large. I love turning Halloween night in to a great celebration with Moon Bounces, our church band, bobbing for apples, face painting, great chili, etc... It was a great beginning to a fun tradition for our family! I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! FALL IS THE BEST!

Check our the CUTEST hot dog you have ever seen!

Truth be told, this outfit was bought at 3:30 today for $4 at Old Navy - clearance. Yippee! Love a bargain...especially when it turns out this stinkin cute.

It was a family affair. Hot Dog with it's condiments...ketchup and mustard.

Friends who love the Hot Dog...Bella, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Ryan and Tori

The Fall Festival was a great community celebration! Safe, fun and great people everywhere!

Sweet Braden and Matty

2007-10-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

As you can tell...the little people are done! And I mean DONE! Poor little train conductor and sweet green fairy angel!

Mmmm...mmmm - hot dog tastes good to Daddy. I mean mustard!

Takin a ride on the red wagon...

Hangin out with Jason and Linds

Sweet Emerson (50's girl) and our little hot dog!

Visit with Kirby Gray...

2007-10-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

We got to hop in the car and head to Houston to visit Mom's friends Megan and Kara...and thier families. We had SUCH a great time being with great friends and I had great play time with Kirbs! She is so much fun and has GREAT toys...and great eyes. :)

Kirby's Mom got the cutest pics so check our her site at www.kirbygray.blogspot.com to see the ones she posted. They are VERY cute! We loved staying with our friends the Gray's. Thanks girls!

Thanks for having us Kirbs and Megan! It was so fun.

Just a little Matty fix

2007-10-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

What a cute little sleeper I am.

Check me out on the lawn at the fall festival here in Boerne.

Me and Jax just chillin on the lawn...He was a train conductor. Mommy said I was a tree..I think my costume was a last minute idea AFTER she dressed me.

What a little angel!

Bath Time with Jackson

2007-10-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when Daddies are out of town or working late, Mommies have to come up with some fun ways to change things up! Here we are for those very reasons having a bath party!

Shopping, A cute outfit and a bald spot...

2007-10-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well, just a few things I would like to share. Hope you enjoy my outings as of late. My Mom cannot believe I am SO big and how mobile I am now! I keep hearing something about baby gates coming soon and baby proofing...none of that sounds very fun to me. All I know is yesterday, my Mom put me on the floor in her bedroom to play and she went to brush her teeth. Well, when she found me, I was in her closet, which is in the bathroom...I was just sitting in there chewing on Mom's shoes! WOW! That was the longest (and fastest) crawl yet. She was impressed I guess because she squeeled and starting saying "Way to go Baby!!!" and clapping. Mmmmmm, where can I go next?!?! Anyway, Mom has started going CRAZY taking tons of pictures of me lately, so, we have lots to share...here ya go!

It was chilly here in Boerne today! I got to wear my cool Baby Gap jeans for the first time. They were warm and I was cute! :)

Just so everyone knows...this is how I feel about my car seat! Can you hear me through this picture?!?!

Went shopping to Old Navy today. I got nothing but this cute little bear who rode shot gun with me through the store. It wasnt bad! Mom said I was a great shppping partner.

2007-10-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

I love to eat the lamb on my "Baby Bible"...mmmmmm mmmmm good!

My Mom thinks this is the "cutest outfit ever"! I dont know...what do you think> I hear her say it a million times when I wear the hoodie on my head!

My buddy Ryan and I shaking hands...we are making up from the fight in the earlier blog! HA! Check out the eyes on my cute little friend...man, he's a looker!

Gotta love a naked baby! I personally prefer THIS outfit to all others my Mom puts me in.

Check out my bald spot...Mom wanted to get a shot of it before it goes away! So funny! Even funnier that I sleep on my stomach...dont ask how this bald spot ended up here. Who knows!?!?

Thats all for now! See ya soon.

Matthew Josiah at 6 months

2007-10-17T14:27:00.001-07:00

Look out...here I come! I am moving and shaking! I turned 6 months on October 13th and there is a whole world out there for me to crawl around in! I almost have the crawling thing down pat! Still practicing like you see here.

Life is good..just jumping with some friends.

An Aggie already...well, really, my parents dont care what I become...but for now...an Aggie I will be! This is Mommy's friend Lindsey...we had all just hung out at the pool and Mom had to snap this cute shot.

Another shot of me practicing the crawling thing. I can go from sitting to crawling and back and forth...that is an accomplishment that my Mommy thinks is nothing short of amazing! Man, she is sure easy to please.

I just LOVE my new chair! Thanks Cindy Knocke...you rock! This thing is so easy for to lounge around in and I love holding my own bottle and eating all by myself in my new chair!

MEXICO! Happy Anniversary to us!

2007-10-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

So, this coming Friday is our 5 year anniversary! WOW! What a ride it has been. I can honestly say, though every day of the last 5 years has not been easy, that I would marry Brian all over again! I told Brian I wish there was a tradition where every 5 years, you got to have another wedding! I feel like I know him now and I am so excited at who he is and who we are together. We have learned from each other, we have at times wounded each other, and we have had to have the grace with each other at hard times to be commited to having a solid marriage through thick and thin. I know we are really at the beginning of this road together after only 5 years, but it has been a gift.

All of that sap to be said, my sweet husband totally surprised me with a trip to Mexico for our anniversary! Playa Del Carmen. It was awesome. We stayed at an all inclusive resort and we did not leave the place once! We rested and relaxed...and rested some more. Laughed a whole lot. Talked a lot and rested...again! It was awesome! The lengths that he went to to plan this thing was amazing...from arranging ALL of Matthew's care, packing Matthew's bag for 4 days (which any Mom appreciates the planning that takes), to arranging a spa day for us in Mexico, etc...it was awesome! Thanks to our sweet friends who helped with Matthew! We are thankful and it was precious time together! I had NO IDEA about this and I ALWAYS figure out surprises! I pride myself on not being surprised...ever! I know, no fun in that! Anyway, Brian woke me up at 7 in the morning on Saturday and said, "you have one hour to pack, we are leaving for the aiport at 8!" WHAT! I was a little panicked about leaving Matthew, but I quickly learned the lengths he had gone to to ease my mind and we were off...to paradise!

THE HAPPY COUPLE ON THE BEACH! I CANNOT BELIEVE I DID IT EITHER...A BATHING SUIT PIC ON THE BLOG..OH WELL!

ROMANTIC DINNER #1

ROMANTIC DINNER #2 - THE FOOD AT THIS PLACE IN PLAYA WAS AMAZING. THIS DINNER WAS HANDS DOWN THE NICEST ATMOSPHERE AND BEST FOOD OF ANY PLACE I HAVE EVER EATEN. BRIAN AGREED!

THERE WERE A LOT OF LAUGHS OVER THE FEW DAYS WE WERE THERE. THIS SHOWS ONE! IT WAS SOOOO HUMID AT NIGHTS THERE. ONE NIGHT, THE POWER WENT OUT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF...THIS IS MY HAIR ONE HOUR AFTER I BLEW IT DRY - STRAIGHT! IT WAS HILARIOUS! THE PLACE WE ATE WAS SO HUMID THAT THE WAITERS WERE SLIDING AROUND ON THE FLOOR AND TWICE ALMOST FELL BECAUSE THE FLOOR WAS SOAKING WET! THE POWER CAME BACK ON, THUS THE A/C CLEARED THE MOISTURE OUT OF THE AIR...IT MADE FOR A GOOD LAUGH THOUGH...BETWEEN MY HAIR AND THE ICE SKATING WAITERS.

THIS WAS OUR VIEW FROM THE BEACH CHAIRS WE LAID ON FOR ABOUT 4 OR 5 HOURS ONE DAY! AMAZING! LOOK HOW PRETTY THE WATER IS! WAS SO CLEAR...YOU COULD SEE ALL THE TROPICAL FISH. GOD IS SUCH A GREAT DESIGNER...EVERYTHING AROUND US WAS BEAUTIFUL!

THE VIEWS...

2007-10-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

THE VIEW FROM OUR BALCONY

OUR VIEW POOLSIDE FACING THE BEACH!

MY VIEW POOLSIDE! HA!

BRIAN'S VIEW BEACHSIDE! THATS ME WAVING LIKE A DORKY TOURIST!

YOUR VIEW OF THE HAPPY COUPLE AFTER AN HOUR LONG NAP ON THE BEACH - IT WAS THAT RELAXING!

I love you Bri! THANKS for all you did for our trip...you amaze me and bless me in abundance!

Lunch with friends...

2007-10-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back with a few great pics...thanks to my friend Jessica who brought her camera on our lunch date. We had a fun fun lunch with Caroline and her Mommy Allison, and Ryan and his Mom Jessica. We had a fun time with Mommy's and babies...sitting at one long table. To give you a picture...here is a synopsis of what our table looked like... Caroline in her carseat on the table, Ryan in his stroller taking a snooze after a minor little meltdown when he got the the restaurant. Matthew's carseat on the table while Matthew was sitting in the high chair. Covering the table was baby food, bottles, formula, toys, and all other baby loot scatered about. It was so funny. We sat at a table that could sit 6 or 7 people and there was 3 mommies and 3 babies and we were packed in with all our loot and the kiddos. People were bumping in to our gear and maneuvering around us. It was funny. I sat there thinking, "What did people do before all this STUFF?" Sometimes I think life with baby may have been a little easier and lot lighter of a load without all the loot. The conversation consisted of...eating habits, pooping habits, sleeping habits, developmental achievements...of the babies and the mommies! Ha!

Check out the pics below...

Sweet Caroline and Matthew admiring each other....they were grabbing at each other and staring...so cute.

Of course my boy is the blurry one in the pic...as he NEVER stops moving. So fun!

My very favorite. Ryan has a handful of Matthew's face...ha! The first of many wrestling matches between Ryan Tootle and Matt Garrison!

Sweet Caroline was over it, Matthew was serenading the whole place, and Ryan...just chillin.

As for other things with us...we are buying a new camera today. The other one is gone forever I'm afraid! We are going to a backyard concert tonight which should be fun! Hopefully we will have the new camera by then and we can share some great pics.

Matthew is crawling!!!!! Well, scooching across the floor is probably a more accurate description! But, he gets on his knees in the crawling position and just rocks and rocks. When he gets frustrated with rocking, he starts schooching! So, next step...a legit crawl. Will keep you posted!

Sweet Kriby Gray, we are so glad you are feeling better and so sorry you were sick!

For those who are wondering...

2007-10-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

For anyone interested...please be advised that the camera is missing! I am not slowly trickling out of the blog world...We cannot find our camera anywhere. Please pray we find it. So many cute pics not yet downloaded. So, things are trucking along just great here. Matty is growing and growing and is SOOOO close to crawling! Our 5 year anniversary is coming up and we are planning a little babyless outing! Should be fun!

Hoping to post pics soon,

Court, Brian and Matty

FATTY MATTY and his very first ear infection :(

2007-09-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

That's right, today, my boy was diagnosed with a DOUBLE ear infection...that's right - both ears. Poor little angel. He was not himself all day. SO cuddly and so sad! Although I loved the cuddle part, I HATED how sad he was. He was inconsolable! Dang ear infections! Hate em!

This is the version of Matthew with a double ear infection...very chill after his first dose of antibiotic and numbing drops...he was tuckered out from screaming all day!

Check out the rolls on my angel...love em!

A better shot of the fat rolls...

SITTING, STANDING and MY FIRST TWO TEETH!

2007-09-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

Check out my pearly whites! YEAH! No more 3:45 am crying sessions cuz my teeth hurt so bad! That is...until the next teeth decide to come on thru

Mommy thinks my teeth are SO pretty! She shows them to EVERYONE! Do you think everyone cares that much about two littly bitty teeth?!?! Well, she sure does!

Look at me standing up holding on to Daddy's arm!

And...I CAN SIT! With almost no help at all. I am still a littler wobbly, but I am doing great!

Mommy says this is the cutest pic of all! Sitting all on my own...what a big boy! About 30 seconds after this picture was taken, WHAM! I did a face plant in to the carpet...but, Mommy sure was proud for those 30 seconds.

A friend named "Bernie"

2007-09-17T19:31:00.001-07:00

Dont ask us why, but for some reason, the "Ernie" that Daddy bought Matthew has been re-named Bernie. Matthew cant talk, soooo, we cannot blame it on him. Dunno, we call him Bernie...and that's that!

Point is, Matthew loves him the most of every toy. He giggles and laughs when he sees him..cracks up is more like it. He will scooch across the floor to get to him. Bernie may actually get our boy crawling...GO BERNIE GO! GO MATTY GO!

Reaching for his buddy!

Gotcha!

Bernie getting a little bite on the hiney! OUCH!

A big KISS for my best buddy!

Whats wrong Matty?! Did Bernie have bed breath?! Who knows...frustration is running rampant here lately...Matty wants to crawl and run NOW!

TAGGED!

2007-09-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been TAGGED by my friend Stacy...this means that I have to share 8 random things about myself that nobody would know. And then, I get to TAG more friends... I dont know if I will share anything that is much of a mystery...I'm not a big mystery...but here we go...a few confessions at least.

1. I LOVE reality tv. That has to be the first confession. Love The Hills, Big Brother, Runs House, etc... I know, I know...but it is captivating! And when you have DVR, you can watch these great shows commercial free...yippee!

2. I secretly REALLY wish I was a star on Broadway...no, really! I mean it! I asked Brian before we got married that if I ever "made it big", would he quit his job and hit the road with me?!?! He said he would. You are now thinking..."I didnt know she could sing and dance?!?" I can't! It's a dream, okay!?!

3. I want to start a foundation called the Josiah Foundation that brings "hope and a future" to inner city, at risk kids...especially teen parents..I am praying about what this means...I just feel like God is beginning to press it on my heart.

4. I had the longest caterpillar in the 5th grade...what does that mean, you ask? For every book we read, we got to add a circle to our ceterpillar...I had the longest one! Whoo hoo! What happened to that little reader?!?

5. I had a margarita the other night with my friends Amanda and Lindsey..it was my first drink in about 5 or so years...I slept SOOOO good - best sleep I have had in a VERY long time. I may be forming a new nighttime ritual... HA HA!

6. Have any of you ever seen "Runs House"? I am married to Rev Run! Brian and I just laugh and laugh at that show because he is so much like Brian. We have had a few friends randomly say that as well...that Brian reminds them of Rev Run! HOLLA!

7. Okay, this is one nobody knows - for sure... There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "When Love Takes You In" and when Matthew and I are home alone, sometimes, I will dance with him on the middle of the living room to this song, "our song" and I cry! What a sap huh!!?! Here is a link to the video and song...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=demRHgul2Zk

8. I want to adopt again...right now! I am ready! I would love a house full of little people running and giggling! Bring it on!

Okay, so there ya go! Now, AMANDA, MEGAN, CHARLIE, CHRISTIE, AND LISA - YOU, MY BLOGGING FRIENDS HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

Outdoor Activities...

2007-08-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

So...Brian and I have very different ideas about how to "play" outside. As of late, he enjoys running, biking and swimming...as for me...love chillin by the pool with friends! What can I say?!? Seriously though, I am very proud of Brian - this is his 3rd Sprint Triathalon! But...you can still find me by the pool relaxin! :)

The whole gang! Very proud of you all! Way to go guys! Very impressive!

Brian and Randy at the finish line! Way to go boys!

What a way to end the summer - playing in the pool with Matthew!

Ryan Tootle and Matthew Garrison in their stylin SUV's poolside...

Arent they pretttty!?!?!? We had such a fun time with the Tootle's.