Caris's first visit to the Pumpkin Patch

It's October and of course we have to visit the Pumpkin Patch...Both hubby and I talked about not becoming one of those parents who will take their kids around and make them pose for photo opts. Well, too late! But hopefully Caris will look back and appreciate it all someday. It's all her fault for being such a cutie pie!

Mommy's attempt to put Caris in a cute(crooked) hat outfit

A family photo opt except someone is not cooperating

Caris & Mommy

Modeling for Caris how to smile for the camera
Caris listening for directions

October Birthdays

October was a busy birthday month for the Flans. We celebrated Patrick's on the 2nd, Pappaw Wiley's on the 13, and Grandma Tu's on the 25th. Lots of candles and cakes!

Patrick gaining momentum to blow out the candles

Who wants to be the first to blow out the candles?

Wilma, Wiley, Patrick, Me and Caris, Tu, and Nga posed for a family pic.

When God Speaks

I just have to post this message because the Lord will use anything to speak to you. This week, two of my friends, Amy and Corrine, both emailed me and told me about a radio broadcast on a Christian radio station in town with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She was doing a series on the Titus 2 Woman. I had never tuned into this broadcast before. But I thought if out of nowhere two people told me about it then it was a sign from God to have me tuned in. Of course arranging my baby's feeding schedule around the radio program is a different story. But I was able to read the transcript on line and thought I would share some of the key points that God used to speak personally to me. This particular day she was talking about Letting God Shape Your Husband:

"Regardless of what his sins or failures remember that it is no less a sin on your part to respond to his failures in a critical or harsh or unloving way."

"It can be dangerous trying to sculpt a creation that is not yours to shape."

"If you don't expect perfection in the creature, then you're not going to be disappointed when you find less than perfection."

"It's your job to love your husband. It's God's job to change him."

"Not to make a big deal of the little things that you'd like to change. But make a big deal out of little things-so called "little things" that are positive qualities. Make a big deal about those."

"The best marriage is nothing more than two sinners continually humbling themselves and knowing how to get to the cross and find the grace of God. The best marriage does not come easily and does not happen apart from the cross."

FYI, this is the link to the website if anyone is interested in tuning in. The program comes on M-F at 9:30AM on KHCB (105.7 FM) : http://www.reviveourhearts.com/

Thank heavens for little girls

Caris was born on August 9, 2008 at 7:44 AM. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 9 oz. and 18 3/4 inches long. She was born on the day the Summer '08 Olympics began. That doesn't mean anything, it's just how I will remember it. She was considered 3 days late but God's timing for her arrival was perfect. I'm sure every birth is emotional and mine was no different. I have never been administered into a hospital until then so I was a little nervous. I never did dilate during the entire gestation period so we decided to induce since the baby was already past due and the placenta was deteriorating. Then I had to have an emergency C-section because there was some umbilical cord issues that made her heart rate dipped twice. My doctor did not want to risk a third strike. It was touch and go and she was out in 4 minutes! I would of preferred a natural birth but I wouldn't change a thing since the C-section saved my baby's life. But I want to interject my soap box here because it's my blog and I can...I'm sharing this because I think some women are not empathetic in this area. Children are beautiful gifts from God period. Some women glorify certain aspects of motherhood such as: you have to conceive naturally, or you have to have a vaginal birth because your body was meant to do so instead of a C-section by choice or not, or that you have to breastfeed. Of course I think all those things are beneficial to your baby but God is in control so we don't have to be. Some women are not able to conceive naturally, or have a vaginal birth, or breastfeed. No matter what your experience was like, there should not be any guilt, any regrets, or any condemnation. Before I had my C-section, I was a little skeptical about it but God has used my experience to be empathetic to women in general in this area. Children are a blessing from God and we should rejoice in it!

Cutie Pie at 1 day old. A friend suggested I bring some outfits to the hospital for pictures so she wouldn't be stuck with just the regular pink and blue blanket they always wrap newborns in.

Catching up on beauty sleep at 2 days old

Daddy's little girl

Proud parents

Remind me again why I have to go home in this outfit?

The Joy of Motherhood

Her Daddy and I are madly in love with her! Known to me as "Care Bear" and called "Sweetums" by her Daddy. As I post this, she is going on 11 weeks. Like all babies, she cries(and we know which cries mean what) when she is hungry or needs a diaper change and when she is tired and wants to go to sleep. She doesn't like anything restricting on her legs. We have since stopped swaddling her and she can't stand those sleepers with the hemmed in booties. Her Daddy and I are having serious discussions about letting her sleep in whatever is comfortable but I want her to know that changing into her sleeper pajamas is part of her nightly routine. We'll see who wins on this one...She also loves taking a bath. She has never once cried while bathing. She can be crying because she is tired but as soon as we give her a bath she quiets down. She is already gearing up for the spa treatment. Wonder where she gets that from, hmm? She is also beginning to coo and it's music to our ears. We can already tell she is maturing because she doesn't cry when she first wakes up anymore but is starting to play in her crib. She is beginning to become alert and aware of her surroundings and looking around more. Her Daddy is already teaching her how to stand on her feet and the girl is not even 3 months! But my favorite part of being a Mom is when she is nuzzled against my chest sleeping. I can smell her hair and hear her shallow breathing as I rock her to sleep. There is nothing comparable to it, it's the best feeling ever! I used to do her middle of the night feeding and go straight back to bed, now I just like to stare at her after nursing because I know she will outgrow this stage and I will never get it back...One of my friend recently said,"the days crawl by but the years fly by". I'm keeping that in mind.

Yes Honey, you look sexy in that baby sling

This is Caris's favorite sleeping position

She is either dreaming about football or praising the Lord

I like to think she is praising God

This is why Baby Einstein products are so popular

She's easily entertained by the butterfly

Just hanging out on the Rainforest swing

And she's out!

Awesome Students

As I stated in my profile, I was a teacher before being a stay at home mom. My last and only year of teaching high school students was at Cy-Falls High School. My background was elementary so I was skeptical about this age group but they were wonderful! Being an ESL teacher was very rewarding because I learned so much from my students. They were such a resilient group of individuals who have been uprooted from their home country and have had to adapt to a whole new way of life here in the U. S. One of which was learning English. They were such sponges and I'm so thankful for the time I had with them. When they found out I was pregnant last December, they immediately volunteered to give a baby shower. Did I mention they were thoughtful too!

Gabby(from Ecuador), Me, and Ana (from Mexico)

The boys got involved too-Tony(from Puerto Rico), Me, Luis P.(from Columbia), and Luis H.(from Mexico)

Terrific Teachers

I was fortunate to have worked with such amazing teachers at Cy-Fair for the past 3 years. The New Arrival Center will always have a special place in my heart. It was such a blessing to work with these ladies who have become dear friends as well. They were so generous to give me a baby shower in May. It was a fun afternoon with everyone!

L to R: Jenness, Joy, Caree, Dana, Judy, Me, Janet, Anne & Adriana

What a spread

The Hostess with the Mostess

Me and my neighbor, Wendi

I'm so sad as I write this post since one of my favorite people in the world, Wendi, who was responsible for my fabulous baby shower in June, is moving overseas in November with her family to Qatar. She definitely has a knack for hosting showers with flair. We have been next door neighbors for the past 3 years and we were hoping to experience our kids growing up together...sniff, sniff! But thank goodness for emails and blogs(hint, hint Wen) we will hopefully stay in touch. I can't go on enough about this girl. Even if she doesn't know you very well, she treats you as if she has known you forever, she's also an encourager, and a prayer warrior too! Friends like that are a rare find.

Fabulous display for the guests

Notice the cute pink pacifiers hanging on the light fixtures

Beautiful table scape

Wendi made this chocolate dessert!

Awesome beverage

Too cute!

Wendi made the name blocks for Caris-this was where her creativity shined

Pretty table decor

Lovely fresh flowers

Classy touch!

All the hostesses: Wilma, Nga, Me, Tiffany & Wendi

Wilma, Me, and Tu (my Mom)

Melanie, Nga, Marti & Colette

L to R-Kristie, Marti, Emily, Me& Baby Emma, Misty& her Baby, and Anne

Tea Luncheon

We are blessed to have such a caring and loving church family at Grace Bible Church. We have really enjoyed getting to know everyone there. The ladies gave me a shower in June that was very dear to my own heart. Ever since I had "High Tea" in London years ago on one of my European vacation trips, I've developed a love for tea parties. What a blessing these Godly women are in my life!

The Guest Book

The tea luncheon was perfect theme for a Baby Girl shower

Mom holding Baby Caleb and Me

Mom, Me, and Wilma received the royal treatment

Bea, Margie, Stacey(her baby boy, John, was born one day before Caris), and Pat