Things to come

So God graciously gives us nine months to prepare for the little bundle of joy He sends our way. In our case this was necessary. I am only a few short months away from her arrival and I feel like nothing is done. So this week we decided to get our act together and start making some decisions and purchases. The most important ones being a new car, since we only have a coupe between the two of us, a parking spot to put the car in, a crib, a bassinet, and a dresser. So far we have succeed in buying a crib, a matching dresser, and we think a car. We still need to sign on the dotted line, but the decision is made. After a bit of a frustrating weekend we also managed to get rid of two of our three couches so that we have a room to put the baby in. Rachel lovingly calls this her room, since it was where she slept when she came, but I think the crib officially makes it Angela's room now. As soon as things are a little more in place I will take pictures to show it off. All through this process I am continually amazed at just how different men and women are. Things that seem so important to me or get so blown out of proportion (like thinking the crib may not come in until her due date) are just taken by Andy in a casual no stress way. In the same light things that seem rather unthought of by Andy ( having cute pictures on the nursery walls ) have come up on my radar as very necessary. Thank God that we balance each other out. I think that may have been the plan from the beginning. In the end our little girl will have a nursery filled with furniture (that is here before her), decorated beautifully, and hopefully this will all be done in a non-anxious manner. I'll keep you all posted!

MT Carrozziere

He was known by so many names. Boo, Boo Bird, Roo, Mick, Mick-a-rooney, Mick-a-roo, Mickers, and of course his given name Mickey Tyler Carrozziere. The Tyler was put in by Rachel who insisted that Tyler should have been a first name, but if it had to be voted down then it should at least be included as a second name. We all agreed of course knowing that any formal name should have a middle initial to go with it. To us he was brother, a son, a boy to do things with on a boys night (which usually meant dad and Mick watching football with popcorn). The Carrozziere's have a way of dramatizing everything, but in this case Mickey really fit each role; we weren't making them up for him. He learned to value real sauce over canned anything and usually would refuse to eat unless some marinara was mixed in. He learned the art of hearing a car pull in and being at the door to greet its passenger; however if the passenger happened to be mom Mickey's excitement tripled. No one held a higher place in his heart than mom. He adored her and would perk up his ears at even the mention of her name. If someones voice got too loud around her or he felt that she was put in danger he was sure to come to her rescue even if it was just dad trying to give mom a hug. On Christmas morning he too had to be held back at the stairs told to wait until he could devour his stocking's surprises...and on many occasions he found a way to slip past the blockade and run right towards the presents. He knew how to open presents as well, tearing the paper with his teeth. Of course this tradition was started at his first birthday party where the neighborhood animals and cousin's pets were invited. We had quite the turn out with every animal attending with a gift and participating in party games. Mickey was a perfect fit into our family. Mom and dad didn't know he was coming so soon, but their three teenage girls were so persistent that a we were missing a vital piece to our clan that they allowed the afternoon trip out to Cortland to look at puppies. Mickey came right up to me and licked my hand; from that moment on he was a part of our entourage, and a loved family member. When Andy and I started to talk about marriage I told him that not only did he have to meet my sisters and parents but also Mickey. Andy's proposal was a surprise because he had flown to NY without me knowing it. He has spoken to my father in person and then flew back to Houston ready to give me a ring. His opening line was that he had met someone I had been wanting him to get acquainted with. Having no idea he had made this trip I was utterly confused; when he pulled out this picture I knew he had finally met the last family member and gotten his approval. ( As well as my dad's ok) So in a way Mickey is the reason I have such a fun proposal story.



No one will be able to replace his presence in our household, and he will be deeply missed. We are so grateful for the amazing memories we have, and for the joy God gave us in sharing our lives with him. For those of you who also believe that all dogs go to heaven you'll have to come meet him when you get there.

Just some beautiful Fall pictures!!!

I just love fall! Here are some more pictures from New York:

New York!!!

So, life has been very exciting lately. After spending ten days with the Prescott's Andy and I took a trip to New York to spend some quality time with the Carrozziere's. Some of the hightlights where a Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas Morning (since Andy and I won't be there for the real thing), apple picking, hiking, and we even found time to try some of our frozen wedding cake; (my mom still had it in the freezer for our 1st year anniversary; but it wasn't as good as it was a year ago) My mother and sisters, also threw me a beautiful baby shower which was the theme of a tea party. I haven't had a tea party in years....it was a blast. Here are some of the pictures highlighting our trip.