cCc: 2012

Awaiting Our Lil'

As we await the arrival of our lil' blessing this beautiful Advent (or perhaps shortly thereafter) I wanted to take a moment to thank my family and darling husband for showering me with love, prayers, and support. You've made my heart smile and for that I am grateful and blessed. Thank you for the daily reminder to "let go and let God."

Prayer in Waiting

Lord, I ask that you help us to give our anxieties over to you. We offer You our hearts and place our trust in You, desiring that You work through us in all that we do this day. We pray for a healthy lil' and for the labor itself. Draw ever so near and fill us with the fire of the Holy Spirit as we anxiously await not only the birth of our blessing but as we rejoice in Jesus's birth and are reminded of the blessing of new life. Thank you for always loving us! May these prayers be purified before they ascend to Your Divine Alter. Amen.

Magnificent 30th

Who knew turning 30 would be so magnificent ... loving cards from family, a bow case, a Ruger .243, tickets to the play "A Christmas Carol," Aggie clothes and a noisemaker for our lil'est one, a gorgeous wooden family sculpture, a memorable James Avery best friend charm to share with my husband engraved with our wedding date, a beautiful James Avery purple and pink glass charm, dinner at my favorite Olive Garden, Sony digital camera, ... the list goes on. I am most grateful however not for the materialism of these gifts but for the loving, thoughtful, and generous hearts of those in my life. Thank you for keeping the spirit of the season alive in your hearts and giving so freely the gifts with which you have been blessed.

Craft's Christmas

Rolling's Christmas

Madden's Christmas

Walter's Christmas

Lil' at 39 Weeks

Giving Thanks for "God is LOVE"

Lord, thank You for the gift of family and for the many blessings You bestow on us. We are incredibly blessed to be surrounded with Your love and the love of family which is magnified during Thanksgiving and through the upcoming Advent season. Allow us to take what is given and use it to Your service as we humbly kneel before You striving to honor, love, and serve You in all that we do, growing closer to Your heart. Give us patience Lord and pure hearts so that we may love each other and all those around us. I pray for strength in our faith and I pray that Your spirit may always be alive in our hearts. We love You, we glorify You, and we are grateful for Your grace. Help us to multiply the blessings you have given us today.

"God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him ... therefore, let us love God, for God first loved us."

1 John 4:16-19

The Colors of Fall

Fall is off to a wonderful start with the refreshing cool morning air and mild afternoons. We are full speed ahead with hunting season and of course you can't forget the excitement of Aggie football. Our fall began with Niki & Matt's wedding in Boerne, staying at the "Tucker Inn" in Bulverde. In the same trip we managed to play a round of golf at Buckhorn in Comfort and of course stop by the infamous Luckenbach for a cold beer! Our trip to DC to see the "Colors of Fall" with excursions to the wineries and hikes along the Potomac was a success. What a beautiful city! October, November, and December also bring generously hosted baby showers in Dallas and Houston, more hunting of course, and the simple holiday joys of spending time with our loved ones as we await the arrival of our lil' one New Years!

Luckenbach, Texas

Don Strange Ranch - Kendall Creek
Boerne, Texas

Bluemont Vineyards Virginia

Nicole, Aaron, Chase, and soon to be lil' Hobbs

Gorgeous Fall Colors

Chad, Aaron, and Rene

White House

Chuy's River Oaks

Tall Spike .30-06

Ashley, Me, Stephanie, and Sarah: Dallas Baby Shower

My lovely mom and sisters!

Winding Down ...

I must say that August & September weren't as packed as the summer months, however, in true CRAFT fashion, we didn't stray from the hustle and bustle and of course FUN ...

Family River Trip

New Braunfels, Texas