Do unto others...

A few weeks ago, we had the amazing opportunity to be part of an upcoming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project. Part of the Cox family business, Kirby Stone Company, partnered with Acme Brick to donate the stone for the house. The family that was chosen lives in Lancaster, which is south of Dallas, and we went for one of the building days to watch the stone being placed on and in the house. You can read more about the family and their story by clicking here. The husband, part of a SWAT team, was shot in a narcotics raid and was paralyzed and lost his hearing. He is in a wheelchair and has cochlear implants to hear. As usual it was an incredible story and I have thought about them every day since I found out Doug decided to help make it happen. Words cannot describe how we felt just being there while the house was being built. For those who watch the show and wonder how it gets done-just know that it is meticulously planned and really does happen from start to finish in a week. I watch the show all the time and cry like a baby EVERY WEEK! I had tears in my eyes watching the build just thinking about what the episode will be like and knowing that I was there-and I didn't even do anything!!! Well, I did help provide some of the entertainment for the volunteers-Caleb was a big hit as usual and kept everybody smiling! We met some awesome folks from Cousin's BBQ-they are a "family chain" of restaurants and they were catering lunch and dinner for the volunteers that day. They were all so great and the food was incredible-they even sent us home with some to-go boxes! Look them up and go eat there if you are near any locations-there are 2 in the DFW airport. Wonderful food and even better staff! It is truly an amazing ordeal and I know every felt so blessed just to be there and to play a little part in it. I cannot wait to see them move that bus! The new season starts back up towards the end of September, so be on the lookout for this episode!

Here is the front of the house...Kirby Stone looking good!

Here is a close up of some of the work in progress.Assembly line of volunteers passing stone from the pallet to the platform for the guys to chop it and place it on the house.More assembly line...so many wonderful folks volunteering for the cause.Ty!!! We did get to see him in action filming a segment of the show...he's a little dude!And here is what they saw when they moved the bus! Such a gorgeous end to a wonderful week of people helping people! My favorite part about being there was just watching how happy and willing everyone was to be there working in the 100+ degree Texas heat. And one of the homebuilder's main guys took Doug, Bo, and Chris around to see the layout and where all of the stone would be going. He told them that one of the things that Mr. Marshall said(the man whose family they were building the house for) was that he didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him for being disabled. He just wanted to be able to help his wife in the kitchen and put his children to bed at night. HELLO! Tears in my eyes just hearing that and again as I type this. Let's take more time to think about those simple things that most of us take for granted. Slow down, breathe, take more time to help those around you who can't help themselves. Spend time with your loved ones, TELL them you love them, and PRAISE GOD daily for blessing us with all of the wonderful gifts He has given us. And then share those gifts...Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Watch out world...he's on the move!

Never go against the family...

So Doug thinks Caleb looks like a mobster in this pic and I have to agree! Love it!!! Dang it feels good to be a gangster.

"You talkin to me?"
More soon...

Sir Talks ALOT!

Fourth of July

This is Caleb's favorite new face. He crinkles his nose up at everything now and has a silly grin on his face. I think he's just trying to show off his giant tooth that is coming in! Here is his first time with bubbles...he was very amazed! And he thought it was hilarious when Charlie tried to jump and eat them all!

John and Val came over to eat some excellent fish that Doug grilled and fried for some July 4th festivities. Caleb was loving the challenge of trying to get to John while he was in a "cage". We had a great time that afternoon and ate some delicious food!

Here he is doing one of his favorite things-swimming!

God Bless America! Showing his patriotism in some red, white, and blue!

Wordless Wednesday

Love never fails...

Four score and seven years ago...oh wait, that's something else!

No really--Seven years ago today, Doug and I were married in Galveston, Texas. In my opinion (and my opinion is a very important one) it was the party of the century. And many people have shared that opinion as well, so I know I'm not too biased! It was a day that not too many would forget. Nevermind that it was the happiest day of our lives-we had to call the fire department for crying out loud!!! In case you are one of those whose memory has failed you (Dad calls this CRS-I'll just leave it at that), let me give a short recap:

The ENTIRE groom's side of the wedding party PLUS the photographer PLUS his wife got stuck in the elevator for AN HOUR! And it was right before the wedding was supposed to start. They got out 10 minutes before the ceremony!! They still claim it is my fault since I wanted them to get some pics up on the penthouse floor by a really cool pool table/lounge area, but I didn't tell them all to get in ONE elevator. All 15 of them-seriously. So all of our guests were standing in the lobby waiting to see what was going on. Remember-all of the ushers were also stuck in the elevator, so no one could be seated! They called the fire department since not one person working at the hotel could figure out what to do and there was a dramatic rescue. The poor guys (and one gal) were all soaked with sweat and got a few minutes to towel off with some ice water and get situated to get me up the aisle. But nobody passed out during the short, sweet ceremony and the partying commenced! It was the greatest weekend ever!

In all seriousness though, these past 7 years have been so awesome! Doug is absolutely my best friend in this world, the yin to my yang, the peanut butter to my jelly, the wind in my sails, my boo fo shoo...you get the picture. I truly don't think anyone else could get me the way he does and vice versa. We have already experienced so much together as a couple, good and bad, and I look forward to whatever God has in store for us in the future. And I love the fact that we were both raised in wonderful, loving families that share great morals and values that have taught us the true meaning of family so that we are well prepared for our new family dynamic and adventures with Caleb.

Love you bunches! Happy Anniversary!

Wordless Wednesday