Birthday Bonanza

Jeff had a fabulous surprise birthday party Friday night!!  Thanks to all who came and made his birthday so special!! Here's Jeff being serenaded by the Vida Loca staff and presented with some yummy (free) tres leches.  I told Jeff he didn't even smile THAT big in the wedding pictures!! Here's a picture of us with some of the party peeps: Jen and Jeff Spencer and Derek and Roxanne Rochelle.  Jenny, Wendy and Jonathan are not pictured.  Those little stinkers some how escaped my picture happy camera!Jeff is pictured here with the birthday balloons I got him.  I got him some last year and he loves them so that may have to be a tradition.After dinner we came back to our house and Jeff shared this lil' beauty with his friends.  I got Jeff a frozen custard cake from Ritter's.  He's a big fan of their custard with heath bar mixed in so the cake was that flavor.  YUM!  
Saturday night we celebrated just the two of us with dinner at one of our favorite hang outs: Hasta La Pasta.  They set us in the back room where they normally host parties.  It was really pretty and more intimate with fewer tables.  While we were waiting for our food to come, who walks in but, Frank from Trading Spaces.  I began freaking out as quietly and calmly as possible!!!  Of course Jeff had no clue who I was talking about!  I spent the rest of our dinner ease dropping on Frank's conversation with the other couples at he and his wife Judy's table.  I debated about going up to him a little afraid that I would annoy him, but I got the courage to do so at the end of our meal.  I waited for a lull in his conversation and came up with a paper napkin and a pen I got from our waiter.  I said some thing super cheesy like, " I haven't done this since I was 5 at Disney World, but can I have your autograph?!"  Then I preceded to tell him how much my mom and I love him.  He said he's really popular with moms. ;)  He also talked about their friendship with Doug from the show.  I also met his wife Judy and she sweetly commented on how pretty she thinks my name is.  Anyway, I was ecstatic leaving the restaurant!! Here is a pic of my new prized possession! Sunday Jeff's parents came in town to take us to dinner for his birthday and to help us do some home projects. They hung blinds in our little one's room and helped us do several projects to prepare for our fire inspection for the adoption. They are such a blessing because neither Jeff or I is very "handy"! We then all went to eat at the Texas Roadhouse before they headed home. What a wonderful weekend we had!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my hubby a happy birthday!
Jeff:
I'm so excited to begin this new adventure of parenthood with you! You'll be an amazing daddy! I LOVE YOUS!!
XOXO,
B

Spring has Sprung!

Jeff and I agree that spring is the best season, at least in Houston!!  Even when we were dating Jeff would plan special trips to the azalea trail in town or a car trip to see the blue bonnets.  Lately we've been enjoying our own flowers.  We have three varieties of azaleas in our front yard and they are beautiful and in bloom right now.  The weather is also very pleasant as we anticipate the coming long, hot Houston summer.  We have also been doing some spring cleaning.  We recently had all our carpets cleaned which is very necessary when you have a cat and a dog.   I'm also trying to find my inner organized self to plan how to organize the closets, under the bathroom sinks, and kitchen cabinets/pantry.  Any of my organized friends, or sister ;) want to give me any helpful hints?  Jeff suggested looking at the Container Store and I checked online.  Let's just say that what I saw online was for the fabulously wealthy organized soul, not me unfortunately!

And the winner is.....

We bought your pick (and our favorite too) and it will be delivered in the middle of April.  The store was running a financing special so we have 18 months no interest, plenty of time to pay it off.Dave Ramsey would be so proud!  Actually he'd prefer us pay cash, but whatever.  

Purchasing the furniture makes me so excited about becoming a mommy!!  I have a lot of other ideas for the room including vinyl lettering for the wall.  I'll definitely be posting about the progression in the next few months!!  We're also working on a list of requirements for our fire inspection including changing locks, installing interconnected fire alarms, and getting our air conditioner and gas line serviced.  Please continue to pray for us as I seek the type of employment that is best suited for our growing family and my gifts.  I'm still only working part time and need to contribute more to our income.  Thanks for taking this journey with us!

Happy Birthday, DAD!

We want to wish my Dad a very happy birthday!!  We're so proud of you and love you to pieces!  Three of my favorite fellas: Dad, Jeff, and Clayton share a birthday month.  Jeff's next!  His birthday is this Friday!

Adoption Update & Rock the Vote

This past week Jeff and I participated in 6 adoptive parent training classes. Jeff was a trooper and took off an hour early each day so we could drive a hour and a half in traffic to Spring for the classes! Combined with the 2 classes we took in February, we now have only 2 classes left to take in April in order to complete our adoptive parent training!! Jeff also has to take CPR/ First Aid, but is scheduled to attend this Saturday. We are working on the HUGE application and working on the steps to getting a fire inspection which include changing our locks, getting gas line and air conditioner checks, and purchasing fire extinguishers, among other things. We see the light at the end of the tunnel, but also are enjoying getting to know other prospective families with our agency. Now, to the fun part!! We are also searching for furniture for our precious little boy's room!! I have narrowed it down and hoped Jeff would be able to help me choose, but apparently he too is stumped. Here's where you come in! We're conducting a poll and would love for all of you to vote on the furniture you think would look best in this room: He will likely be 6-8 years old. Option A: Midtown Option B: Laramy Espresso Jr.
Option C: Santa Cruz
Option D: Ivy League
Option E: Claremont

Wrappin' it up

Well, I can usually tell how chaotic my life is by the state of my car. Currently it is full of all kinds of messiness: papers, trash, work bags, jackets, and the list goes on. I had to valet my car last night and was mortified!! I actually apologized.
Anyway, life is crazy, hectic and generally out of control right now! Jeff and I are both working 7 days a week and our hours don't even coincide. I just finished my last full week at DePelchin and will have my last day on Wednesday (3 more days). I'm also working at the psych. hospital from 9 am to 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. This week the full time social worker will be out, so I will work Thursday and Friday 8 am to 5 PM in addition to my weekend shifts. Jeff is supposed to finish year end on Monday, but he doesn't see how that is possible with how behind they are currently. In the meantime he is working until 11 or 12 on the weekdays and 10 am to 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Needless to say we are both sleep deprived. Well, I guess there's an end in sight.
Last night my wonderful DePelchin supervisor, Gabrielle threw me a going away happy hour at a Mexican Restaurant called Molina's. They have a great covered patio area where we all sat and visited. They are actually going to have a lunch next week in addition because quite a few people couldn't come after work. I enjoy the intimacy of a small group though so it was great with me! My co-workers are definitely what I will miss most about DePelchin! They are wonderful people and I hope to stay in touch with as many people as possible! Gabrielle got me a set of bubble bath from Sephora, which was much appreciated!
I also got this beauty from one of my sweet foster to adopt families this week. I LOVE it and am looking for the perfect place for it in our house! Maybe one day I'll have an office to hang it in. All in all, life is busy, but it is nice to feel loved and appreciated in the midst of it all!