O Holy Night

God called all the angels of Heaven together for a special choir rehearsal. He presented them with a special song and they went to work, practicing long and hard to perfect the tune. God would not let them stop until they had it down perfect. After many rehearsals, God announced they were ready but it was not time to perform. The angels were anxious to present the beautiful tune after all their hard work. Finally God called the choir together and told them it was time.

In a field outside of Bethlehem the angels presented their song "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward all."

They knew it was a very special night but looked forward to the next performance. God told them the would not be presenting the song as a group again. One bold angel stepped forward to ask why not when they had performed it so beautifully. "Because now the earth must sing about my Son."

May God fill your homes with loved ones and your hearts with the everlasting peace only He can give. In the words of Hank Hill - "Jesus peace, NOT hippie peace!"

A sampling of our Christmas shenanigans....

Can I just say that I wore my sequin santa hat to THE NorthPark Mall and got compliments from gay guys, black women, and old ladies? I'll take it!

Just know that if you steal my camera and take pictures like this they will be posted Uncle Larry...

Getting lots of attention!

Hanging with dad.

Finished a few hours ago, just in the nic of time!

SANTA!

I had to take Chase to see Santa so I asked Brian if he wanted to go or if I could do it during the work day when the lines would be shorter. We talked about schedules and when we could possibly do it and he was like well I might could make it some evening this week but work, getting ready to leave town, etc....so I headed out to the mall with a good friend and we walk up to Santa and get really excited because there is almost no line. And then we see why. He was wearing a blue shirt with no red coat! Apparently that was his "workshop" out fit. My child cannot have his first Christmas ruined by seeing a Santa without his big red coat. So after feeling ridiculous for not getting his picture with him I call Brian and explain what happened and that Bass Pro Shop downtown had a "real" Santa.

I'm not sure why but he jumped at the chance to go and by the time I got home Brian was ready at the house. Practically had the car started.

So we went downtown and saw the real Santa and picked up a few presents. Chase had no idea what was going on but at least he wasn't a screamer.

You did what?!?!

oh no. Oh No. OH NO!

That's what I hear to run into the kitchen and find......

Ok so maybe it wasn't that bad but it sure was funny after I realized that we weren't going to have to replace any appliances or carpet. Brian was only trying to help clean out the dishwasher with a little dawn soap, but he ended up cleaning our floors with it too! My mom said he was trying to get out of ever doing the dishes again. It's a good thing I love him so darn much.

My Flyin' Brian

Merry Christmas Brian!

Not only did I go fly in a really old airplane, I liked it - probably had more to do with the Christmas lights we got to see than the plane...

For those of you curious (I know I wasn't) it was a B-47, the Southern Cross to be specific (direct any further questions to Brian). After the plane ride I patiently waited for an hour and a half while Brian walked around the Vintage Flying museum with one of the workers because they had to talk about, tour, and go inside almost every single airplane. As you can see from below, 90% of the planes weren't in flying condition but Brian was in hogs heaven! One of the other airplane enthusiasts commented that it was nice of his girlfriend to stick around in the cold so long. I'm his wife buddy, it takes diamonds to stand in the cold this long! Now I know what Christmas present I have to live up to every year!

Call it what it is!!

I'm going to be in trouble for this one. If I've talked to you in the past two weeks you've probably already heard this one...

I was changing Chase's diaper and I lift it up to wipe and "it" is pointing straight at me. "Whoa put it down! Don't point your thing at me!"

Brian walks in, "What's going on?"

"He's pointing his thing at me and I don't want to get squirted!"

Brian gets all huffy - "Don't call it a thing, call it what it is! It's a penis!"

Absolutely not. No way. Thing, it, teeny wieny, squirter, but not that.

How bout them Cowboys? (and their stadium?)

Meet the oldest living Dallas Cowboys coach - Jeanette Martin.

She knows the game, the players, the plays, the mistakes, and most of all how she would run things better. So for Christmas I bedazzled the bejesus out of a Cowboys shirt and took her for a tour of the new stadium. Can I just say it was AMAZING!!! We got to see the locker rooms, club boxes, and everything in between. Only bummer - the field was not rolled out - which is only 2 inches thick!

Fun Facts:

The screen alone costs five million dollars more than the entire old stadium.

Each of the African Sepia wood lockers cost nine thousand dollars.

Jerry Jones has a private elevator. Here she is in just one of Jerry's private veiwing areas on the 50-yard line.

The electric bill runs about half a million *per month* during football season. Before the Superbowl they will add 20,000 seats and increase the number of HDTV's from 3000 to 4000. My husband informed me there were flat screens above the urinals. I believe it because you could not look around without seeing 5 or 6. This is one of 6 levels you can access with a party pass.

Yes we got to go inside, no I did not take pictures. Really quick way to feel fat and ugly.

This is the path the team takes when entering the stadium for a game. Fork over enough dough and you can be there! The field is over 5 stories underground and it took 1/3 of the construction time just to dig the hole.

Only thing I did not jump for joy over - the Cotton Bowl will be moving away from the Fairgrounds. But here is the trophy in its new home!

As Granny put it - we knew it would be big, we did not know it was so nice! I have decided when I make it to a game I will go all out and get the Club seats. Brian did the party pass but I want to live it up! Club seats have access to areas that resemble night clubs but be prepared to pay 5 for water/soda and 10 for beer or wine.

Saw 'Em Off!

The other day at church the pastor, Brian and one of my good friends were talking until I walked into the room. I did what any senseible person would and shouted "Are you talking about me?!?!"

Good news - they were not talking about me.

Bad news - they told me what they were talking about.

People think Brian looks like Colt McCoy.

My first thought was "ugh!" my second thought was "does Tricare pay for plastic surgery?"

I am fully aware of Brian's lovable baby face but give me a break, he does not look like that guy.

SO......................Do you see it?

Domestic Diva

I woke up this morning realizing that my life is a complete 180 degrees from where I thought I would be just a few short years ago. Instead of being an awesome career woman I am a stay at home mom. Instead of working on my masters I'm in the Officer Spouse Club. Instead of staying rooted in my hometown I'm an Air Force wife. And I am happier than I've ever been.

Update on my life -

1. Chase is the best little baby. He sleeps all day, all night, and especially in his car seat. He's flexible and mellow and allows me to schedule anything anytime.

2. BUT - he gets fussy anytime I drink milk or eat chocolate. Seriously??? My favorites???

3. Sometimes when the toilet paper is about to run out I use the other bathroom to see what Brian does. Instead of changing it he's been using a roll on the counter for about a week.

4. Chase has met all 6 of his great-grandparents, we weren't sure it was going to happen so we're really blessed.

Meeting Great-Gamma

One of my favorite pictures, yes he sleeps with his arm sticking out.

Nap time with Great-Granny!

Great-Nanny, she'a natural with him.

Great-Grandad Ghandi (story - it's pronounced gan-dee but when I was younger I spelled it like that so I continue to do so.)

Great-Grandad, Brian gets a lot of his personality from him.

5. I watch Real Houswives wayyy too much.

6. I got the "mom haircut" and it's awesome. But sometimes I forget I chopped it off and use three times too much shampoo.

7. Brian was depressed when the Rangers lost. No really. He was. But Chase looked super cute!

Okie State Fair

2nd place!!

Living in China's time zone

Dear Chase,

Sleep.

Love,
Mommy

Really dude is that comfortable? Apparently it was because after I fixed his head for the 12th time I just left it there.




Sorry for the side boob shot but someone has stolen my little baby boy and replaced him with a fat kid.



On a happy note - if your yard is covered in weeds they might as well be pretty!

Happy Birthday to Me?

My birthday was yesterday, and Brian remembered! Safe for another year...

My birthday was yesterday, and Chase peed in my face.

My birthday was yesterday, and no one on facebook made a comment. I felt like a LOSER till I looked and found that I had taken my birthday off my info. Moral of the story, facebook makes the world go round.

Baby Chase Pics!!

http://www.kimberlystephensphoto.com/


I've had this booked since early spring, and also been saving since then too...go to main site and sessions...

Password is Chase

Enjoy :)

If the shoes fits....

Ask for the matching handbag for Christmas...Good job Brian!!!

The Birth/Labor Story

Ok so it took a little longer to get on here than I thought, but here we are! FYI if you are one of my newly preggo friends, this is one of those stories I would have read a week ago and thought "OMG I cannot possibly have a baby" so beware...I'm not sparing any details. Quick overview for those who don't want to read my novel (and I don't blame you, this is more for my memory in 3 years when I tell Brian I want to have another baby...) in "labor" for 18 hours but I only count four thanks to modern medicine, Chase was born at 11:01 pm at 7lbs 5 oz and 19.5 inches.

We arrived at the hospital promptly at 5 am after about 4 hours of sleep, both of us bright eyed and ready to go. We started the induction process with a hormone pill that is supposed to dialate the cervix, when they put it in they I was a one. Not really where I wanted to start...7 hours later and another dose I was a 2. Luckily the time was spent sleeping, praying, and watching tv with little discomfort. At 12 they broke my water with the warning that things would start happening and I could get an epi anytime. I was determined to see how far I could get without it, hearing the horror stories of it running out. Over the next couple of hours the contractions continually got stronger and got to the point that one wouldn't finish before the next one started. I'd heard of these double-backed contractions but I had quint-backed contractions. EEK! After a couple of those they came to check me and I was thinking if I'm at an 8 I can totally finish this out but man this sucks.....but I was 2. By the way Brian was super.

EPIDURAL PLEASE!

I had heard horror stories about epi's but I didn't feel a darn thing and had zero complications and it worked fabulously! Once I got the epi they started potosin but Chase didn't handle it very well so they had to keep adjusting the dosage and kept me on oxygen to keep his heart rate up. Until 6:30 I again spent the time sleeping, praying, and watching tv. By then I had not progressed further than a 4 and Chase was facing the wrong way. After a talk with the Dr. we decided that if by 8 nothing else had happened we would go for the C-section. I'm not sure why but after laying there all day I really came to the conclusion I didn't want to have to resort to that, so I prayed really hard and the nurses helped me rotate positions for the next hour. So when they checked me at eight I was thrilled that I was an 8! By the time they got the room ready and the Dr came back it was about time to push. While they were getting the bed ready one of the nurses found a Texas bucket full of brown dirt and with a puzzled look on her face went to move it and Brian stepped right in front of her and just said "NO." I'm sure she thought we were crazy but sure enough little Chase was born over Texas soil, it was the best we could do. I had wanted my mom to take pictures (just of the baby folks) but I couldn't move my right leg because of the epidural so Brian had to hold the right leg and my mom held the left. Then the epidural machine started beeping. Yes folks it was running out. Brian was the first over there and with a look of panic on his face sprinted out of the room, later he said he knew I would kill him if he let the drugs run out and he went to get help. Smart boy. Although the nurse promised I would make it through because he was in a great position they thankfully called the doc anyway. Really it worked out beautifully, I had a few good pushes that I could feel enough to figure out what to do before I got a huge dose of blessed numbing liquid straight in my IV. So we kept pushing. Again Brian was super and I couldn't have asked more of him. Then everyone got excited and said "we see hair! Do you want to see it?!?!?! Do you want to feel it?!?!" H to the no. So we kept pushing. Then they got the vacuum. And we kept pushing. Then everyone started whispering. Oh did I mention I was throwing up in between pushing?

I had enough room across but there was an "issue" with my height. Enter forceps. Now I did my childbirth classes and saw the vacuum so that didn't scare me. But now I know why they don't show you the forceps. Like monster salad spoons shoved up your crotch. My mom was pale as a ghost after that. But the Dr knew her stuff and was able to "manuver" Chase out. Her first comment was he's got a big head! I hit Brian with all my might but it was more like watching my wrist flop over. Chase was totally covered in goop was my first thought and he was really quiet was my second. I was really nervous when I asked if he was ok but he was fine and they promptly threw him on my chest. It wasn't like the movies where the mom pushes out this baby and starts glowing and smiling and tears up as she holds her newly born child as the light shines down from heaven. I took one look at him and said "He's gross." Away he went and I was left to watch the Dr continue sewing. 10 minutes later she's finished and I comment she was down there for a long time. She smiles sweetly and says "Well..." But praise the Lord! I did not feel a single thing from Chase slipping out to the placenta to the stitches. As they were cleaning Chase up a few feet away I start to get the shakes but other than that fine so all the family comes in once I'm taken care of and passes around the baby. It was really fun to watch everyone else light up over this baby. Then after being hooked up to six hundred machines that day with wires and tubes taped every which way and untangling them like 3 times, they stripped me. I kept thinking omg what if something happens to me? Don't you want to moniter me? Now I need to know what my blood pressure is every 15 minutes!!

Then like a brick wall all the pain meds were gone. WHAM! I began to feel every single stitch, I began to swell, and I began to cry like a baby. Family left real quick and I know Brian felt so bad he was so great but he kept saying "But look at the beautiful baby over there, think about Chase, think about how good you did..." I was maybe a little hormonal and I think all that made me cry harder. That was definitely the hardest hour of the whole day. But the nurse was a saint and gave me drugs that sent me into lala land until 4 in the morning. Then I woke up at some point with the room dark and Brian and Chase both sleeping. They had given Chase a bath and put him right next to my bed. And I fell in love.

First picture! And because everyone looks so lovely after giving birth, I have found the worst pciture of myself and the best picture of Brian for you to look at with horror, I know I do but Brian sure does make a handsome daddy!

And two days later...

Chase went home!

Last One!!

If you're wondering why my smile looks totally fake it might be because my maximum girth is 2/3 of my height. I've convinced Brian I can't reach my toes so he is going to paint them for me tonight, we'll see how it goes. I'm not sure what scares me more - labor or Brian with a bottle of pink polish...Look for an update on Tuesday or Wednesday for Baby Chase's blogging debut!

That's not saying much...

But already this boy has more clothes than Brian. Seriously. And Brian certainly doesn't have any footed pajamas with teddy bears on the feet.

Surprise Visit!

Awww brings back good ole Tyndall memories!! Sarah was in town long enough to visit new baby Israel and Momma Jan, get a snow cone, have her flight delayed, and have a great Italian dinner. Can't even put into words how good it was to catch up and have a great girly afternoon. One of those times you don't realize what your missing till it's half way across the US in beautiful Oregon. Till the next time we meet...

Could it be??

If it looks like a shoebox, weighs as much as a shoebox, walks and talks like a shoe box........the suspense grows.......

Shower Time!

Is this not the cutest darn cake you've ever seen? More airplanes for our family shower, Brian was in hog heaven, even if the planes were made out of fondant.

Can we all look that good as soon-to-be grandparents? Stay young MiMi and Grumpy!


Brian's family (not big smilers as you can tell), whatcha got in your right hand Nanny? Could it be a faint memory of my waist?

Lovely church group ladies!


I hope Chase inherits Brian's skin cause he's got lots of pale people in his gene pool!

We have a whole stash of these to provide us some humor in the early morning hours, these were some of my favorites :)

Shower Numero Uno

Thanks to Wendy and Jan for throwing a great shower this weekend, so beautiful and fun!!

Brian really enjoyed taking the diaper cake apart...

Trisha was a little off...


Ashley was right on...

One of my favorite funny faces from that day

My beautiful Mom, soon-to-be MiMi

Sorry Aunt Merrisa, you should have smiled! And soon-to-be G.G.

My favorite Sooner Wendy!



Lovely Crud team ladies!!

Day before Israel's arrival, I know it was the stress of the shower that made him come out!!