To announce...




Here is our newest little inch worm, taken a little over a week ago. At the time I was 9 weeks, 1 day...and the little peanut measured exactly 1 inch long. Perfectly perfect!

Our new baby blessing should arrive sometime around May 4th!! Braden and Avery were both 2 weeks early, so I am hoping for late April.

Thankfully, I have been feeling good...not sick like I was with B and A. I have been EXHAUSTED...much more so than I remember with B and A! Hopefully that will pass with the trimester here in a couple of weeks!

Please join us in praying for this tiny little one as it grows. I have been quite consumed with worry this time around, and am clinging to the peace that the Lord already knows this baby. He knows its every heartbeat, every cell, every hair (when hair comes). He has formed its tiny hands and feet, and is knitting it together just perfectly. He already knows the number of breaths this baby will take, and it is our prayer that He will be glorified with each one of those breaths.

We started a project this week...and quite the project it has become!

Here's our "land" as it was...






Well, we got our supplies...


And some helpers...


And we got to work...


Little did we know that our house sits atop a fabulously hard slab of sand rock. SO sturdy is it, that the tractor and auger had a rough go at it. Adam had to help out (a little) with his manly heftiness...


Hopefully soon I will have some finished fence to show you. Until then, pray for breeze, clouds, and softer grounds!!

Here's a peek at our Memorial Day weekend! We got some MUCH needed time in Hallettsville with the Henke family! Man, were we missing them!!!!

Our Memorial Day Acrostic:

M: Making Pickles with Grandma.

E: Enjoying these sweet cheeks.
M: Making memories with cousins.
O: Orange bouncy balls!!! (Can you see her excitement?!)
R: Resting at the picnic.
I: Ice Cream...homemade!!
A: At the Auction. Cousin William and his classmates sold their Kindergarten quilt!!
L: Licking MUCH NEEDED snow cones. Check out those red cheeks :)
D: Dancing with Cousins
A: Always playing dominoes!
Y: Yearly picnic fun!!

Six months ago Tuesday we held my sweet, sweet nephew. We kissed his sweet, tiny nose, and rubbed his perfect, long feet. We cried, and we wished our story had a different ending. We still do. Our hearts long to know him more, and our arms ache to hold that sweet boy again.

It seems fitting that we celebrate Easter this same week. We celebrate a King who overcame the grave. A God who is bigger than death. A Victory that we can claim as ours. We know, because of this week, and because of what happened on that Sunday morning, that we will have the opportunity to know Baby Chase deeper, and our aching arms will be filled one day. I am so thankful that our story does not end in that hospital room, just as Christ's story didn't end on the cross.

Sweet Baby Chase,
Your story is SO big. The lives you have touched are too many count, but what is even greater is the lives you have YET to touch. You have brought us closer to our God, and your legacy will continue to teach children, who live in modern-day slavery, about the freedom found in Christ. Your tiny, precious feet truly brought the sound of good news! You taught us so much. You changed our hearts.

We miss you so much little man! We SO wish you were here to cuddle with us. We wish you were here to laugh at your silly cousins, and to take grandkid pictures. We wish you were here.

We love you so much, Chase Allen!

How does a week "off" come and go so quickly? We had a great time, and enjoyed beautiful weather, and I officially have spring fever now!

SprInG WoRk:
At the beginning of the break we set a goal to have the game room and guest bathroom finished by the end of the week. We removed wallpaper, repainted, rearranged pictures, changed shower curtains, etc.

Game Room before/during:


Game Room after:
SprInG BrEak:
There is something about spring break that is so necessary. It comes at the perfect time, when students and teachers don't think they can go one more day. The electricity in the air is nearly tangible, and our bodies crave the mental and physical break from the daily grind.

Because of Adam's track schedule, we weren't able to get away this year, but that really turned out to be a great thing! It was the refreshing and re-energizing break that we so badly needed!!! We played at the park, roasted hot dogs and 'smores in the fire pit, played with cousins, and made a day trip to the ranch. We slept late (thank you daylight savings!) and RESTED! Even though we spent LOTS of time working, we did find time to rest!

Here is our Ode to Spring Break:

S for Spiderman ice cream, you were such a yummy treat!
P for you Pink Panther, your sweetness can't be beat!

R is for the Ranch, we love our visits there.

I for Independent dressing, and fixing our own hair :)

N for you, Nice weather. We are so thankful for you!

G is for Goofy faces, we know a thing or two.

B is for Buds, our cousins are the best!

R is for Relaxing. Just knowing how to rest :)

E for the Excitement, you brought smiles from ear to ear.

A is Another...we can't wait for you next year!

K is for "Komplete" because, Spring Break, you are almost done. Thank you for the rest, the memories, and fun!!