Lovable Shrubbery: Long Time No Post!

Hello and long time no see to all the friends who usually keep up with this blog!

I know I've neglected this thing lately, and I think that it's b/c SO much has happened that I've had no time to post about it all!

Anyway, it's high time for an update and some fun pics!

Stephen: He's working on his last year of officially taking classes, and for this program, that's saying a lot! As soon as he is done with all of the requirements of classwork, he'll be free to focus on lab work and his dissertation. He's SO ready to be done w/ class, and I don't blame him! It's a lot of stress! However, proud wifey that I am, I have to brag that he is doing REALLY well. Even though it's tough, he's rockin out, and I knew he would. Keep him in your prayers that he can finish his classes strong!

Jen: An update on my current situation would take WAY too long, and I'm pretty sure that I'd be tempted to complain, so I'll just ask for prayer. I've started my nannying job, and let's just say, it's not what it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be a way for me to learn how to take care of more than one child, a chance for us to make some desperately needed extra money, and a chance for Elizabeth to have a new playmate. Unfortunately, that's not what it ended up being at ALL. Please pray for me to have strength, kindness, and wisdom in this situation, and that I will have the discernment to know if I should keep this job or quit for Elizabeth's sake.

Elizabeth: She's about to be 15months old, and she is amazing us at every turn. She understands a LOT of what we say to her, now, AND she's trying to talk as well. She still babbles a lot, but she can actually say a few words. Her favorite word to say is "hi." She LOVES to say it to everyone and everything we pass by! It's precious to see her try to communicate the best way she knows how. She's still a little firecracker, and we're constantly trying to figure out how to guide her in the right direction, so keep her in your prayers as well.

Events: In the following pics, you'll see our latest exploits! We just got back from a trip to Texas to see our friends Brian and Holly get married, and this past weekend, we took Elizabeth to a gourd farm to celebrate the fall with our friends from church. It was a blast, and we were reminded again of just how blessed we are with great friends and family!

Elizabeth's first order of duty when we got back to Texas was to find the biggest stuffed animal possible and jump on it! Ha!

Elizabeth is a total girl, and she LOVES to wear bracelets. Here she is showing them off to her doggie friends.

All of her grandparents were glad to see her! Here she is with her Pops!

Chatting with her Grandma B and petting Opie.

At Brian and Holly's wedding. It was outdoors...and GORGEOUS!

Brian made this beautiful arch for their ceremony!

Their flower girl and ring bearer got to sit on a little stool so they wouldn't squirm during the wedding....they did anyway! :)

The happy couple!

Stephen was a groomsman. Isn't he handsome?!

The reception was at a great country club, and there was a room JUST for the cakes! That's my kind of place!

Their cake-topper! :)

Patrick and Jeni (and Sheridan) Adair. He officiated the wedding! Such great friends!

Best. Picture. Ever! (And SO glad that Kristen Kay came in for the wedding. Miss her BADLY!)

Here we are at the gourd farm for fall festivities like pumpkin decorating and a corn maze! Elizabeth was NOT in a picture-taking mood...probably b/c there was SO much to do!

She found a BUNCH of pumpkins for sale and had to try to pick them all up!

One of the kids dropped a little plastic pumpkin, and Elizabeth decided to play with it the rest of the night!

Our fantastic friends!

A group shot of all the kids. We never COULD get one good one of all of them smiling...or at least LOOKING at the camera. Ha! But this is a good pic to show all of Elizabeth's baby friends.