Mother's Day Out

So, we decided to enroll Claire in Mother's Day Out. I would like to say that this was thoroughly planned out, and that we had been on the waiting list at First Baptist Church Plano for the last 6 months. I actually had the brilliant idea about 2weeks ago! Luckily, they had room and there were no problems in getting her started. It was an awesome idea because she ABSOLUTELY LOVES going. She is a totally different baby on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She has so much energy, and is just so much happier throughout the day. It makes us so happy to see her so happy. Here is the pretty girl on her first day :)

15 MONTHS

I have seriously been slacking on the updates lately. So here goes... Claire is ALL over the place. She started walking about a month ago, and has been making up for lost time ever since. She has been eating much better too. Her favorites are banana, peas and ezekiel bread. She has lots of new tricks as well! Let's see, she's a MASTER winker...that's her tride and true trick. She knows how to bark like a dog and meow like a kitty when we ask her what sounds they make. She can say HI now, and says it all the time. Her favorite words are Daddin (daddy) and Doggin (Doggy). Cindy thinks she might be German because of this (oh yeah, she really is....Stanga is German). She also graduated at church from the Crawlers room to the big girl room! I just can't believe how fast time is flying.

On a different note, please be praying for me as I take my next round of boards in 2 weeks :( Also, I have officially been excepted into the training program in Florida I was trying to get into. Now we have to start deciding WHERE to open up my practice in the next year or so. It's looking like Dallas is full, and they are encouraging us to look at other areas. Please pray that God will reveal his plan for us, and that we will be open to hearing it!

Holding Tight... 1st Anniversary

"Marriage is intended to bring joy. The married life is meant to be the happiest, fullest, purest, richest life. It is God's own ideal of completeness."

1 year ago today, at exactly this time, I married my Mark.

It makes me well up with those same tears, l year later just thinking about it.

In 1 year we have already made a lifetime worth of memories.

We have welcomed a beautiful daughter into the world. Loved each other through the postpartum blues, the stresses of being in school and at work while raising a child, career losses and career gains. We've held each other tight through the joys of being first time parents as well as the fears. We've been through 3 moves, and 4 cars AND many many Stars, Mavs and Texas games :)

Laughed. Cried. Loved. Lived Life.

We have both watched our marriage grow as we have grown in Christ, and I thank God every day for bringing you to me. You are my best friend, my partner, and the guy that makes my heart go pitter patter.

It's true, the 1st anniversary might not be quite as impressive as the 5th or the 10th. But, it is the anniversary of the day our life together began - the day that makes all these days after it so incredibly remarkable!


Happy anniversary, baby!

Updates...

It seems like every day now Claire is learning something new. I literally can't wait to get home everyday to see what she's learned. She's definitely a little ham, and after she successfully completes any new trick, she will clap for herself and won't stop until we start clapping and praising her as well. She recently learned how to wink, and I actually caught her winking and giggling at a little boy today in the Dr.'s office(not a good sign). She bobs her head to music and ooohs and aaahs whenever music is playing. She even barks like a dog sometimes...I can't imagine why :) Here are some new pics in a cute new summer outfit...

Great Great Grandmother

Very few people can say that they've ever met there great-grandmother, much less there great-great-grandmother. Claire has done both now. My great-grandmother actually turned 100 years old the weekend before Claire turned one, pretty amazing! We unfortunately were not able to make it to the party so we decided to pack up this weekend and head to Amarillo to let Claire meet grandmother Sis. Words just can't express how happy it made me, to make my great-grandmother so happy. She thanked me over and over for bringing Claire up to visit, and I am so thankful to one day be able to show Claire pictures of her with her great-great grandmother.

Claire's Big Day

So, the big day finally arrived. We spent all morning preparing for her party...and by we I mean Lane. Man, I'm sure glad we have someone in the family that is crafty and creative! Lane managed to help us pull everything together with all of the little finishing touches that she added. My favorite, being the pictures of Claire that we hung from the chandelier with decorative ribbon...too cute! She was also our cake lady and made an adorable cupcake cake as well as a smash cake for Claire.


Despite the morning stress of preparing for the party, the day turned out great. Claire had so much fun with her little friends, and we got to hang out with some of our favorite people :)

Children and Subluxation

If you have children, or if you have spine for that matter...than this is a must see. I do have some pictures of Claire Bear's birthday party that I'll post later :)

Children and Subluxation from Ben Lerner on Vimeo.