Two for One Bridesmaids

As summer is upon us, so is wedding season! Last September my friend Lacey asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, and I gladly accepted! Thanks be to God we found out we were pregnant prior to ordering my bridesmaid dress. Lacey, being a gracious bride, said I could order a maternity dress instead of the one she picked out. Let's just say that putting the dress on six months later, I was grateful to have the maternity style!

I began the wedding weekend by heading to Houston to see my parents. My dad hadn't seen my pregger belly, so I was excited to see him and for both parents to feel their granddaughter kick. Even uncle Rob stopped by for a visit. My favorite part was taking pictures with Rob, he was so sweet putting his hand on the baby bump. I'm so excited for my siblings to meet their niece! Before I left for San Antonio, I stopped by my Gran's house (mom's mom) to pay her a visit. We looked at all the baby quilts that she made for each first born great grandchild. I picked one out for our little girl.. pink and green with classic Pooh Bear patches. I can't wait to put it in her crib!

Later that afternoon, Cara Ralls, a friend from college, picked me up and we made our way to San Antonio for the wedding festivities. On our way there, we stopped off at a famous Texas truck stop, Buc-ee's. Cara and I were on the hunt for a beaver onesie, but we found adorable little Buc-ee's socks and a onesie with red cowgirl boots on it instead. I'm telling ya, this little girl will know her Texas roots!

The rest of the trip was filled with a bachelorette party, bridesmaid lunch, wedding rehearsal, wedding, reception, and then a visit to see one of my college room mates. I loved seeing all my college girlfriends, spending quality time with loved ones, and laughing... a lot! Being home is always refreshing and a sweet reminder of all my Texas blessings. :)

Uncle Rob and Baby Apples

Looking at all of Gran's quilts

Can't wait for Baby Apples to meet her great grandma! 

Buc-ee's stop and time to shop... Texas outfit for my Texas girl. 

26 weeks at the bachelorette party 

Two for one bridesmaid :)

College roomies... Lisas with our little girls! 

Busy, Busy, Busy...

Well I am only slightly embarrassed that it has taken me two months to write an update post for our family, but I guess that's just part of life! Here are a few updates from the last few months....

April

April was a very busy month for Josh and I. I was gearing up for our big Confirmation retreat with over 60 participants. The week before the retreat, Josh's grandfather passes away. We knew we needed to be in Oklahoma for the funeral, so we packed our bags, jumped in the car and made our way there. It was a big leap of faith to leave work right in the middle of last minute preparations and praying that I wasn't forgetting anything. Going to Oklahoma was by far the best choice we could have made. Spending quality time with all of Josh's family and getting to visit with his Grandma Harper was time that both of us will cherish forever. 

Our Confirmation retreat was a huge success, praise God everything went unbelievably smooth!  My core team was outstanding and took charge to make sure everything went according to our game plan. I think it was the best retreat we've planned in these last three years. We had a huge paint war on Friday night using the Hunger Games theme for all our rules. Saturday we did low rope team building and gave the teens almost 3 full hours of free time to run around and get to know their peers. All in all I am so thankful for God's grace that weekend. It makes me excited for the future of the youth program and I know God has good things planned. 

Early May

About two weeks after our Confirmation retreat, I was welcoming Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila to our parish for the Rite of Confirmation Mass. Talk about a whirl wind of a night. Planning a Mass, making sure all the teens knew what was expected of them, helping the sponsors to sit in the right place, setting up a photography station, and anything else you can think of had me ready to put my pregnant feet up by the end of the night. It was a beautiful Mass and again, by God's grace, everything went smoothly.

In addition to all the business at work, we attended two weddings in one weekend and celebrated my first Mother's day! Here are some fun pictures from our April and May events, enjoy!

Week 22 Baby is the size of a Spaghetti Squash 

Week 23 at a friend's wedding 

Happy Mother's Day.. 25 weeks! 

We were given a crib from a generous parishioner at church! 

 another picture at  25 Weeks    

                                                                               

The big group photo from our Confirmation retreat

My incredible core team after the paint war on Friday night of the retreat.. they are the best! 

With one of my teens who asked me to be her Confirmation sponsor

This baby will know she has Texas roots :)