We're here

Sorry it has been so long since we posted. I'm sure our 2 faithful readers were disappointed! Anyway, things are moving right along for us. This week is my 4th week at my new job at UCP. So far I really like it/ love it! I have been training this week and working with my supervisor to define my new role. I am the first behavioral therapist they have had. Though they are excited to have me, they don't seem quite sure how to utilize me yet. In the mean time I am doing a lot of observation and some consultation. I am also still taking my alternative teaching classes one evening a week and on Saturdays through the end of May.
Jeff started working extra for the quarter about a week ago so he too is staying busy. He has been trying to leave by 9:30 every night so we can see each other at least for half an hour or so. I go to bed early now that I'm up at 5:30 AM.
On the adoption front, we are anxiously awaiting our guy's furniture which should come any day now. We have also completed most of our requirements for the fire inspection and will be done after one more trip to Home Depot. Our application is in, our references are out and soon it will be a waiting game. I get more excited every day to meet him and am praying God will continue to prepare us for our new role as parents!

D-Town Fun!

We went to Dallas last weekend to visit with the Carpenter clan. We needed to get away and will find any excuse to go up there! We are anxiously awaiting this new addition to our drive: We definitely almost got run over while I was trying to get this picture before the sign changed again!
While we were in town we went to take family portraits with this lil' Texas beauty:
Jeff and I struggled, but we did get a couple good shots.  
I was trying to get a good picture for the cover of our family book for the adoption agency.
I captured this photo of Drew as he patiently waited for his family portrait.  What a cutie!
We also went to see the Herwecks while we were in town.  We enjoyed visiting them as well and Caleb is growing up so fast!  All in all it was a fabulous trip that ended with dinner at Jeff's parents on the way home.  Stay tuned for news about how my first week at my new job went!

Ariana arrives!

Thursday my BFF, Jenny and I met up for pedicures and a Sonic. I was worried about her driving around as she was feeling some pain. I literally pictured her pulled over on the side of the road to have the baby. She worked and drove around right up until the last minute. She's so independent!! Anyway, while I was waiting for her to arrive Thursday, I called her every 5 minutes to make sure she was okay. Well, Thursday night after the pedicure and Jenny's drive home, Jenny headed to the hospital! Friday, 4/3/09 at 6:15 am, sweet Ariana was born at 7 lbs. 7 oz!!! Jeff and I went to the hospital to visit Friday afternoon before heading to Dallas for the weekend. Ariana is quite a cutie and has a FULL head of dark hair! "Uncle" Jeff was instantly in love! Of course, "Aunt" Becca couldn't get enough!

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!