Daily Dose of Love

It is so impressive to me how God can reveal his love in so many different ways. I am so thankful that my God is continuously placing people in my life that uplift me and encourage me. That is how I feel about my friend Angie. What started out as an attempt to lose some baby weight, has turned into a daily dose of love. (well, almost daily)

This is a typical evening for Ang and I. We walk two to three miles almost every evening. Pushing my double stroller is quite the workout and Miss Alivia is getting bigger each day too! We will often times take turns with the double so that we can each have a turn at the beast! Ha. Not only do I miss the exercise when we are unable to go (such as today because of the rain) I will miss our visits too. True to our gender, we talk about everything from clothes, and babies, to religion and relationships. We plan showers and parties, talk about homework and dinner. One thing that makes Angie so special is that she is one of four daughters as well.

I remember her telling me that until she came to LeTourneau, she never really had friends. She didn't need them. She was home schooled, and lived in Africa for a couple of years with her family, and that was all that she needed. Her sisters were her best friends. Then came John, her husband, and therefore had never had to experience the incredible love of a friend. However, then John was in training for the military for almost 6 months and Ang was here in Texas, pregnant and away from her family and needed friends. This past year has been a time of much growth for her family and for mine. At first glance that may seem sad, but when she told me that I thought "the love and bond that she has with her sisters is the sweetest story of love that I have ever heard." We tell each other we are each others sisters because we are both away from our sisters whom we love and miss so much.

I know that one day our walks will come to an end and one day, we wont live just steps away from each other, but for now, my daily dose of love from Ang (not to mention a little exercise too) has become a favorite part of my days.

Thanks for all the love girl! Hopefully this rain will clear up and we can hit the pavement again tomorrow! Tonight, I missed it.

Mascara

Miss Riley attempted to put on some of Mommy's mascara yesterday! It was semi cute until she did it a second time later that evening. Oh and if you cant tell, she did get some on her eyelashes :) However, I think it will be a while longer before we try that again...

Cheap Tent

This is Ethan. The little boy that I watch. I just thought it was too funny! The kids were upset when Ryne had to put his legs down! Haha

A Tea for Emma

Group Shot



The table. (the "e" isn't quite finished)



All the Yummy treats!



We even had "real" china. It was beautiful!

We played a game where everyone dressed up for the Tea Party!

These were our beautiful models!

Ang, Christie, Kayla, and me.

We had such a great time at our friend Christie's shower. We decided to throw a tea party for her and Miss Emma Mae. Everything looked beautiful. My friend Kayla is SUPER crafty. I have learned a lot from her! I can't wait to meet Miss Emma!

Alivia Faith Dedication

Praying over Miss Alivia



The Bartel Family



Look at that grin



Afterwards we all went to eat at Little Mexico!

Alivia loved the cross that Riley and Sam got her!

John and Angie, we are so excited that we could be with you guys on such a special day. We love Alivia and you guys so much! We will continue to pray for you guys and Alivia Faith. She is such a special little girl.

Pumpkin Carving

This is our college student budget of a pumpkin patch :)

Riley even helped me.

The final product.... A "Bergren" pumpkin!

I don't know where she gets it.....

This past Saturday Married Housing had there annual Pumpkin Carving. Ryne and I are still border line about how we feel about pumpkin carving in association with Halloween; however, we did decide to participate in the event and carve a beautiful (and difficult) Bergren pumpkin.

However, one thing that I am very sure of is my views on Halloween. My family never celebrated Halloween and now that I am a parent I am even more sure of that decision. Don't get me wrong, I love having fun, candy, and all of the adorable outfits, but you will not be seeing us in costumes. I do hope, though, that everyone enjoys these last few weeks of Fall. It wont be long before Christmas is here!!! (I think we are going to decorate early this year. YAH!)

Having some fun

The two older kids LOVE it when I say it is time to wake Sam and Emma up!
Can you tell?


We have been bundleing up to play outside. It has been such a fun change! Now we just need more Winter clothes.



"Mom, another picture? Really?"

"Mommy, what does Danger, Keep out, mean?"

Big blue eyes!

We have been super busy lately but we have also been having lots of fun! We love this cooler weather and we love having some new friends to play with!

Date night

Ryne and I are so fortunate to be able to spend some time together just the two of us. We snuck out of the house for Ryne to get a bite to eat and me to have dessert! (coffee) We are finding that dates where we just get to spend time together and talk are the best dates of all!

When daddy dresses Riley...

Babies, Babies, Everywhere

I am back tracking a little bit, but I just had to show pictures from last week. So many things have happened and we have beeen so busy!



Sam was helping Riley and I make homemade wheat yeast rolls.




This was Riley's first time to help make bread!



She even helped me knead it.

Time to let it rise mommy!

We didn't get a picture of the finished product but they were SO good. I hope we will make bread together many more times!

We also went to a Married Housing Football game. Ryne doesn't play, but we enjoy supporting the other husbands and of course visiting with the wives and letting the kids play :)

Some of the kids playing. Riley loves to play with a neighbor/friend Andrea!

This is Riley, Sam, and I delivering our baked goods to Facility Services. That was our biggest department to bake for so it was great that Maryanne offered to bake some too!

The kids (and us) even got a care package last week!

Riley checking out Sam's book. (even though they are both technically both theirs)

However, Sam wants to know what it is that Riley gets to eat. The chex mix was SO good.

Riley loved the Chex mix.

Just another picture of Riley. I loved her outfit and hair that day!

I love catching the kids snuggling with Daddy. With all the rain we have had lately, we have had lots of snuggle time!

A couple of weekends ago our old neighbors and friends Tommy and Desi came to visit. Except this time they brought their new daughter Avery! She was so precious!

The Taylor family! Thanks for coming to visit us. We have been dying to meet sweet miss Avery. Congratulations you guys!



I started a mothers play group on campus this year. For any LeTourneau Faculty/Staff/Student wives, we meet the first Monday of every month!

I am hoping this will blossom into a wonderful ministry. Right now we are just starting slowly but surely. Here are a few pics from our October get together.

Andrea helping Sam out.

All the kids loved having the wagon to climb on.

The piano was a big hit too!

We had a great time and I am already looking forward to next month!

Livi and Angie came over and the girls were wearing the same outfit! We didn't even plan it.

Riley isn't choking her either. She just REALLY loves her!

This was as good of a picture I could get.

WELCOME JOSHUA TAYLOR!

My friend who we threw the Celebration Dinner for had a beautiful baby boy!

I was so excited to get to go and see the new eddition to Married Housing. He is a beautiful baby! Congratulations Thomas and Christy! (and Nathan too. He is now a big brother!)

Small, Medium, and Large baby :)

So, the kids looked so cute in their t-shirts for bedtime but apparently Riley was VERY sleepy. She did not want to take a picture!

Sam is always ready to give us a grin though.

A little love before bedtime.

As you can see, we have babies everywhere! We have two baby showers coming up this semester and our friends Faith and Zach are expecting Levi in the next few weeks. Please keep them in your prayers. Faith is on bedrest and they are just waiting for Levi to make his debut. We love that we can live in a place where there are so many other kids for Sam and Riley to play with.