Happy Thanksgiving

I'm already tearing up thinking about everything I have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  I have so many blessings in my life...a husband who loves me everyday, all the time even when I have my off days and who's face still lights up when I walk into the room.  My children who I adore and love more than they will ever possibly know.  A beautiful home that gives us warmth and protection that I really do love, even though I complain about the "construction" all the time, I am grateful to have such a great place to live.  My family that continues to support me, love me and grow with me and who I love making memories with.  My health...oh how I am thankful for my health.  My friends who make me laugh every day and also continue to support me.  My heavenly Father....you have given me a blessing this year that I was afraid to have again.  My sweet girl Isabella.  Words cannot explain what this baby had given me...given my family.  She makes me smile everyday, all the time, she is the sweetest most precious little girl and has put a light back into my life that I thought was gone forever.  I'm looking at her now just so thankful to have her and can't imagine my life without her.  I'm looking at my hubby rocking in his chair and so happy we have stuck together and made things work...even better than they were before.  I'm thinking about Christopher who kept me going and pushing on even when I wanted to give up.  That kid is more special than he will ever know.  And my sweet baby boy Jace who has taught me so much, lessons learned and wisdom acquired. My Mom who's grace teaches me something new everyday.  My Daddy who's strength inspires and amazes me everyday.  And I could go on...clothes on my back, food to nourish me, a car that take me here and there, a job that helps provide for my family and so much more.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and take time today thank the Lord for all your blessings, big and small.  

Thanksgiving

I was excited to get off work a little early today so I could get home and start my dishes for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner at Daddy's house.  For my part of our dinner, I will be preparing my wonderful and full of nothing but yumminess Dressing. My always requested and equally yummy, Double-Layer Pumpkin Pie and for a surprise treat I am trying a new recipe, Southern Pecan Pie Bars from the fabulous Paula Deen magazine. I'm especially excited about Thanksgiving this year because all of my family will be together.  My nephew Paul, who lives in Florida, is even here this year.  The holidays have been difficult these last couple of years without Mom so its always important to me to make sure we are together with Daddy to have dinner because I don't like him being alone.  I love Thanksgiving.  I love all the hard work that goes into preparing the meal, the day, the celebration, everything.  I was just telling the girls at work that one of these years I would like to take on the task of hosting and preparing everything for the meal.  I love cooking and baking, especially for the holidays.  Just once I would love to prepare the meal for everyone.  I know you are thinking I'm nuts but really...this would be fun for me.   I can't wait to dig into the turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, broccoli/rice casserole....oh my mouth is watering just typing this.  And then to relax on the couch and watch some football.  Ah...my perfect day.  Yep....Thanksgiving will be good this year.  Stay tuned to see what I'm especially thankful for this year. 

Pilgrim Christopher

Christopher's 4th grade class put on a Thanksgiving play last week called, "The Turkeys Go On Strike".  it was sort of a traditional Thanksgiving play with a twist of humor.  They had the turkeys, Pilgrims, Indians, cranberries and squash for the traditional side but it also included reporters and football players for the twiest of humor.  Christopher was a Pilgrim...and mighty cute one at that.  I was so disappointed with my picture taking skills at this play.  We were in the back of the cafeteria with the lights off and I couldn't pick up anything.  The pictures I tried to take were awful so I don't really have any of him during the play.  I did get this one...its a little blurry and fuzzy but its my little man in action.

This play, in my opinion, was by far the best his class has done at his school.  They perform a play every year and I enjoyed this one the most!  Every kid was dressed in a costume and I really got into the play, which is another reason I'm so disappointed I can't show you more pictures of all the cuteness.  It was a really fun play and I'm very proud of my boy for a job well done.  Here is a picture of Pilgrims Chris and Nick after the play.

Rainy Days

I love rainy days...love them!  Most people think I'm crazy when I tell them this.  Like the coworker who walked in this morning and said, "oh man isn't it beautiful outside" in her sarcastic tone.  My reply was, "yes it is, I love days like today" in my enthusiastic voice.  She turned around and looked at me like I was nuts, loony, off my rocker and had curse her in the worst way.  There's just something about the rain that calms me, a thunderstorm that gets me excited.  I love watching the lightening, especially at night went it lights up the whole sky.  Now...I don't like driving in rain.  Hate it.  And I do prefer to be at home in a good comfy pair of pajamas, snuggled up on the couch with my favorite quilt playing with the kids or watching a good movie...but I don't want to drive in it.  Rainy days are good for getting stuff done in the house--no excuses for wanting to be outside.  Baking cookies, playing board games, coloring (yes I still color), doing laundry, cooking a pot of something good, Facebooking, sewing (I don't sew), making tie blankets (that I do), hanging out with good friends and catching up, snuggling with the hubby, eating lots of snacks, blogging, helping the kids make a fort out of blankets, pillows and sheets.  Oh I could go on....but I'll stop because I'm stuck at work today and I must get to work.  I love rainy days...the possibilities are endless and if you stop to look at the beauty of the rain, you too can enjoy it.

Quiet & Shy

I am a very quiet and very shy person.  Many times in my life this shyness has been mistaken as me being a snob...and it continues.  I am uncomfortable in many situations, just not knowing how to talk to people, always afraid of saying the wrong thing and looking like an idiot.  I stick to the people I know like glue in any social setting.  My poor husband has a permanent attachment for the rest of his life.  I think he is beginning to finally understand how truly sick to my stomach and nervous I get when I'm around people I don't know--even sometimes around people I do know. Jeff has never had this problem.  The man can walk into a room full of people he doesn't know and by the end of the night...he will know more than half if not all of them.  Me, I'm tucked off in a corner or attached to his hip hiding.  I hate being this shy and I try really hard but sometimes it gets the best of me.  For instance, when I'm shopping or running errands by myself, I many times will not see someone I know because I am in my shy zone.  I keep to myself because I don't think you want to talk to me.  On a confidant day, I just might see you and say hello.  Yes people, I am this shy.  But please don't take offense to this, I'm not being a snob, I'm not ignoring you the way you think I am, I'm just in my shy zone.  I feel like only people who are this way can truly understand what I'm trying to explain here.  This past Saturday our very own Angleton Wildcats football team was in a play-off game against Rosenberg Terry.  Daddy, Tony, Cindy, Chris and I all went.  Some of my former classmates were also at game.  After the game, the classmates all went to Pizza Hut to visit and celebrate our win.  I hesitated going but with a little nudge from Jeff, I did go...and I had fun.  I was a nervous wreck the entire time, but I had fun.  So I'm trying and after putting all this out there for y'all to read and laugh about, I will say I do feel like I have gotten better over the years.  Still not where I would like to be, but better. 

10 Months & Growing

I cannot believe 10 months have passed by since our beautiful baby girl Isabella joined us.  10 months!  The time has flown by in warp speed.  I can hardly believe that we will be celebrating her first birthday in just two short months.  I better get busy planning!!   Here are some highlights of Miss Isabella's progress...

You weigh 21 lbs.
18-24 month clothes
Size 4 diapers
Whole milk
Still some baby food but more table food--you love it!
You LOVE Zesty Tomato Lil Crunchies
You are moving and grooving all over place.  Your Daddy and I believe you will be walking in the next few weeks!
Will fuss if Mommy walks by and you see her.
If someone is in the room with you and they walk out, you sometimes fuss because they leave you.
You were recently baptized.
You recently had your first bout with head lice, no thanks to your brother!
You adore your brother, your face just lights up when you see him.
Will sit with Mommy, Daddy or your brother and watch tv.
Will lay on your pillow and drink a bottle by yourself.
Sleeping through the night w/o getting up for a bottle but you still fidget a lot.
Have started throwing fits a little.  they are cute so we don't mind.
If you have something in your mouth that shouldn't be there and we take it, you get really mad.
Your brother can make you laugh like no one else.  I LOVE hearing y'all play together.
Have started waving bye-bye backwards. 
When you see something you want, you go gimme-gimme with your hands (waving bye-bye motion).
Working on blowing kisses...you've done it once for us.
You are a VERY HAPPY baby.
Had your first Halloween--you were a beautiful pumpkin.
You still dance all the time and we love that too.

You are truly a blessing Isabella.  I hope one day you will understand the happiness and space you have filled in your family's life.  We are so lucky to have such a beautiful girl.  We love you!

Isabella's Baptism

Isabella Marie was baptized Sunday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Needville.  Father Joseph did a wonderful job with her...he was very easy-going and rolled with her when she was being curious and checking things out.  Her new Godparents Dina Rozner (my cousin) and Chuck Kovar (dear family friend) were beside themselves with pride.  Isabella was the only child baptized after Mass but she definitely had the biggest crowd with 20 guests.  There was supposed to be another family but they didn't show.  I think it surprised Father that all the people there were for this one special little girl.  She looked so sweet in her dress that I agonized, worried and fretted over for 2 weeks!  I wish we had taken more pictures of her in the dress where you could really see it but it didn't happen.  Maybe I'll dress her in it some day again soon...

Mommy, Godmommy, Isabella, Father Joseph, Godpappa, Daddy

Proud sweet big brother Christopher and Isabella. I just adore this picture.

The day was beautiful and everything went just fine.  I did have an uneasy feeling after Mass that they had forgotten about us because I didn't see any other families there with children dressed in white and I guess I was also expecting they would mention it at some point during Mass.  They did remember so all the fretting, worrying and agonizing I did about this was probably not needed but I feel a little better thinking that because I did do all of those things, the day turned out the way it did.  Beautiful and just fine.

Berger Family Gathering

Today we drove to Victoria to visit with Daddy's family.  Years ago after my grandmother passed away we decided to start getting together to see and visit with everyone other than at weddings and funerals.  We started meeting in the Spring but quickly added a Fall gathering as well.  I love these gatherings and I hate that we don't get together more often.  Its great to see how all the families are growing and changing but at the same time, its a shame that growth makes us so busy that we can't do it more often.  We always have many laughs and hugs and always plenty to eat!  This visit was especially sweet because all my Daddy's brothers and sisters made it to Victoria.  We took this picture of them...

Back row L-R:  Jim Berger, Tim Berger, John Berger (my Daddy), Al Berger, Pat Berger
Front row L-R: Sister Gregoria Berger, Carol Berger Rainbolt, Jeanette Berger Sprta

Aren't they a beautiful group?  I think so.  I enjoyed seeing everyone today and can't wait for the Spring to make another trip.  Who knows...maybe we'll get a wild hair and add in a third visit during the year. 

Happy Birthday Jeffery Durrand

On this day in 1973 my hubby Jeffery Durrand Bevers was born.  A few minutes before him, his twin brother Jerrell Jordan Bevers was born.  Yes, my hubby has a twin brother.  I know what you're thinking...my gosh, there are two of them running around!  The answer is yes but these twins are not identical.  In fact, you don't know they are twins unless they tell you because they are quite different.  And I wish I could find a picture of them to post but I have been flipping through pictures for a while now and can't find any so you will have to take my word for it.  I decided I would post a few pictures of my hubby...

A mug shot of himself...I love this look on him...little scruffiness makes for a sexy hubby. 

I'm pretty sure Christopher is telling his Daddy how he thinks things should be done....

Another sweet picture of my boys...a proud Daddy moment...

And while I was looking for pictures of Jeff to post, I found this picture of him and his brother Jerrell standing beside each other...along with a bunch of other brothers and cousins.  This was a very sad day in our family's life...the passing of Joe Brock, Jeff's grandfather.  All the grandsons looked so handsome dressed up that we had to have a picture of them.  The boys are all wearing a tie from their grandfather's collection.  From left to right are:  Stevan Cravey (cousin), Aaron Erickson (brother), Michael Cravey (cousin), Jeff Bevers (as himself), Jerrell Bevers (brother & twin), Brian Bevers (brother). 

What a crew!  And I told you they didn't look like twins.  I see the similarities when they are together and its scary at times.  These two guys have grown into two fine men.  I'm proud to have them in life and I'm grateful to be married the most handsome of the two...sorry Jerrell.  Happy Birthday My Love.  Here's to many, many more years to celebrate!  Cheers!

Happy Halloween

This Halloween was extra special this year because it was Isabella's first one.  Yes she was a pumpkin...I stuck with the tradition.  The boys were both pumpkins.  I had thought about a ladybug for my girl but when I found this pumpkin costume there were no more decisions to make...this was it.  It was girly and fluffy and I loved it. 

And I must say, she looks sooooo cute!!  I just loved her in this as did others.  When we walked outside to take pictures the neighbors were oohing and aweing over her.  She impressed all. 

Here's one with Mommy....

Later when Christopher got his costume on I tried to get pictures of them together but Isabella was done by then.  Isabella wasn't real sure who this masked person was....

She never cried but I did make him take his mask off so she could see it was her brother.  I'm not sure it worked.

A close-up of the Unknown Phantom....

The day before Halloween Isabella had an appointment with Dr. Patti.  We delayed her 9 month well baby visit by 3 weeks so we could check her ears from her last infection--we got an all clear (woo hoo) and my goal is to keep them that way!  She is doing great on her charts weighing in at 21 lbs., 2.5 oz. and 27.5 inches long.  We got the all clear to try whole milk and so far so good.  She doesn't particularly care for cold, cold milk so we warm it a bit and she takes that just fine.  Since it was the day before Halloween I dressed Bella up in her spider dress I found on Etsy.  It was a little cool outside so we had to warm it up a bit.  I know she looks all over the place with her dress, leggings and shirt but she still looked adorable. 

And I did put socks on her feet.  Her little feet are so chunky I have a hard time finding shoes so we stick with socks for now...and plus I read some article on Baby Center that said we shouldn't worry about shoes until they start walking so I said "okay"...that's less for me to worry about, right? 

Here's a close-up of my girl...

And here we are at Dr. Patti's office waiting to see her....

All in all it was a good Halloweenie weekend.  We only took Isabella to the neighbor's house to trick or treat because it was cool and a slight wind outside...for her, all the makings for another ear infection and as I said before, my goal is to keep her ears clear.  I made the block with Christopher and crew and visited two haunted houses or would it be haunted garages?  Brought home lots of great candy and made more memories for another year.  I love Halloween...I love to see everyone's creative minds come to life on this night.  It makes for great fun for everyone...young and old.  I hope all of you had a Happy Halloween!