John's First Word

Matt and I have fancy iPhones now and we snapped this video after tub time tonight.

Hanging on our Back Porch

The weather has been beautiful lately so Matt and I decided to clean off the back porch and enjoy it before it gets too hot. The kids have loved sitting out there and we have started to eat our desserts out there (Frosty last night, watermelon jello with whipped cream tonight).

Visit from The Brawners (minus Jason)

Alison came down for a visit with her folks in San Antonio and her sister who now lives in Circle C. She came over with Jackson and Mollie Jane on Friday and Mandy came with Elle (6 mos) and Birdie. The kids had a blast playing in the backyard. And Will just thought Jackson hung the moon. It was funny to watch how Will copied everything Jackson did. And Alivia and Mollie Jane are both very close in age and enjoy spending time together so much.

The next day we all met at Phil's Ice House and had good burgers, fellowship and ice cream! Once again, the kids just got along so well. We are looking forward to gathering again in August at the lake. We missed having Jason around who is doing some of his Army training and has been away from his family for about 9 weeks (3 more to go).

I long for Alison and Jason to move to Texas - anywhere in Texas. Although Austin would be my top choice! :-) We share such a history together and I enjoy being with her (and her sister) so much.

PS. Melissa is due with her second girl (Greer Alison) this June! She will join Harper who turned 2 recently.

Spring Break 2011

After a grueling slow start to our Spring Break week battling our latest GI bug, we managed to go to the Botanical Garden with Mimi, Emily, Avery and Paige. It was a pretty day and some of the flowers are starting to bloom. The kids had a great time exploring. It was a great morning outing.

Big Milestones for John!

1) His 2 upper teeth are really starting to show

2) He said "Uh-oh!" two days ago.

3) He said "Mama" while we were riding in the car to pick up the kids from preschool

4) He is starting to clap

5) He got his first haircut last week.

He is 11 months old and just is so cute. One of my favorite things to do with him is "eskimo kiss" where we rub noses together. He always giggles and smiles when I do it and seems to really like it.

The MacKays

I love Jim and Betsy MacKay for so many reasons. They are dear to my heart. They live in Portland, OR and graciously agreed to let me live in their daughter's bedroom (she wasn't using it!) for about a month when I started my residency at PPMC in 2002. Matt stayed on in DC for his job and came about 6 weeks later. The MacKays did not know a thing about me except that Bob and Cherry Raley knew me and The Raleys are good friends with the MacKays since they went through medical school together many years ago in Dallas. Jim actually graduated from the residency I went to!

I will never forget my first day of residency. I awoke in Sarah's room, had a little pity party because I missed Matt terribly, put on my clothes, grabbed my new white coat and walked upstairs. Thankfully, Betsy was there and helped me get a bowl of cereal and calmed my nerves. The last thing I remember saying to her was, "I hope I don't kill anyone today." (I didn't).

I also spent every Thanksgiving with them because I would send Matt to Austin to go hunting since I was usually working. They are both foodies and had an amazing spread at their house every year and made me feel like one of the family. I try to call them every Thanksgiving to check in.

Their oldest child, Andrew, has Down's Syndrome and they have handled it with such grace and humor. He just turned 40 and came along on their visit to Houston and Austin. They spent about 2 hours with me before they headed to the Raley's for the night. I am so glad they got to meet my kids. And Matt saw them briefly, too.

Thanks, Dr. and Mrs. MacKay for all you did for me.