Every New Beginning Comes from Some Other Beginning's End!

It seems like only yesterday, we were loading up to come to Dallas.  Brent, my mom, and I were standing in the middle of the street in the dark.  It was a very unorganized and stressful moving week...the POD was full and the remainder of our belongings were lined up on the side of the road.  We had to have everything out of our house by 9:00 p.m. so the new owner could take occupancy.  I was crying.  Brent was telling me to calm down.  Thank the good Lord for Laurin, Brent's cousin in-law. His family owned a storage warehouse in Augusta. He and Brent spent the remainder of the night transporting the remaining items there until we could get a u-haul.  That was two years ago.  Wow!!  It's so crazy to think that time has gone by that quickly.  We have been busy, busy, busy preparing for our next move--it's only 25 days away now!

Before I reflect on the future...I need to back up a couple of weeks.  Brent graduated from his residency program on May 20th!!  He is officially a Pediatric Dentist!!!!!  Baylor's graduation comes a month before he is actually finished with his clinic work...so he has four weeks of residency left.  I always marvel at the amount of schooling Brent has completed.  He has been a student for 23 years!!  That's a lot of schooling.  The graduation was a wonderful day.  It was held in the Dallas Symphony Hall which was really gorgeous!  Brent's parents came in town for the graduation to celebrate his achievement.  I know he was very happy that they were there to share in his joy.  They have been very supportive throughout dental school and residency; we are very grateful for them!  I think it is an understatement to say that we are all PROUD of him.  He has worked unceasingly to achieve his goals and has done so with integrity and dedication.  He believes in his career choice and believes in providing quality care to ALL children.  What strikes me most about him is his desire to help others.  From the beginning of this process, he has said that he wants to serve children in need.  He has been fortunate enough to find a practice that also shares this same philosophy.  He has compassion for children and loves what he does.  He certainly isn't in it for the money...it's all about passion for him.  This is one of the characteristics I admire most about him.

 We had a lovely lunch after graduation followed by a little shopping for Ella. She got some adorable outfits at Baby GAP from her grandparents!    Then, we headed home to hang out.  Of course, Ella provided most of the entertainment--her Mimi and Papa never put her down!  The following day, they kept Ella while Brent and I headed out to the outlet to buy some "professional" work clothes.  He hated to the spend the money, but I convinced him that he needed proper attire for  his "first grown-up job" that starts in July (that's what we jokingly call it).  I was proud of him....he HATES shopping with a passion...but, he took the time to try everything on and picked out some really nice items.  It was a very productive trip!

We spent the remainder of the trip enjoying quality family time and fun.   Ella was showered with attention from her Mimi and Papa and took some adorable pictures too!   Everyone loved her sweet smiles and "talking"---she's been trying to see how LOUD she can babble lately.  Trust me...it's LOUD!!

I think Brent is glad that his fourth and final graduation is over.  I know he has loved his time at Baylor and is appreciative of the quality training he has received there.  At dinner last night, he told me that he was so happy that we came to Dallas.  I am too.  It's been a wonderful journey!  I can't imagine what our lives would be like if we hadn't had this experience...time certainly flies when you're having fun.  Now, on to the next chapter.

A heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to Brent on his graduation.  We love you so much and are proud of all you've accomplished!  I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds.  In the words of Semi-Sonic's, "Closing Time" (remember that song???)... "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."  We certainly look forward to what's to come!

Ella was proud of her daddy!!

Yay Brent!!

Family Pic-- Ella was too distracted
to look at the camera!!

Everyone!!

Sheela, Brent, and Katie!

Charmaine, Elham, Leslie, Sheela, Brent

The Stage

LOVE THIS PIC!!

Ella and Mimi!

All smiles with Papa!

When Baby Brother's Grow Up

I still remember like it was yesterday, going to the hospital with my dad to meet my baby brother, Jason--I was four months away from my fifth birthday.  My dad had done my hair that day, so my pigtails were cockeyed.  I spilled my milk at McDonald's during our breakfast.  I bought my mom a Precious Moments "Brother and Sister" figurine.  Then, I met my little brother, Jason.  I remember thinking he was so cute and tiny.  I was excited.  I also remember being slightly jealous...after all, I had been an only child for nearly five years!

As time went on, all that jealousy faded and I loved my little brother to death! Still do!  Being nearly 5 years older, I always felt like a mom-sister combo...I had to protect my little Jay.  But, Jason isn't so tiny anymore.  Standing just over 6'4" he certainly towers over me; but he'll always be my little bro.  Last Saturday, he graduated from Georgia Southern University.  Even though things have gotten hectic here with the impending move and Brent finishing up, we decided that we'd really like to go. Brent, Ella and I all got to be there to celebrate his accomplishment. The graduation ceremony was very nice, but very HOT!!  We actually got a spot on the lawn under the score board and could see him clearly the entire graduation.  My mom, my dad, and the three of us were all there to cheer him on on his special day.  This was a milestone for our family because it is the first time that all of us have "co-existed" at the same time since my parents separation/divorce over five years ago.  It was really nice that Ella got to spend time with her Uncle, Grandpa, and Nana.  That will always be a special memory for us!

It was a lovely day marked by a lovely lunch in Savannah.  We all spent time together laughing and reminiscing about the past.  I realized that time goes SO FAST.  In the blink of an eye, we will be sitting at Ella's college graduation and will be remembering the first time we held her as a tiny 5 lb 15 oz baby.  We are proud of Jason and know his future will be bright.  That night, Brent and I went out with Jason and his on/off girlfriend, Elise who also graduated too.  We had a blast.  The two of them are so fun and it was great to celebrate the happy occasion with them.  Don't worry, Nana kept Ella...she was thrilled to get to spend time her.  All in all it was a fabulous day.

The next day, we ate a nice breakfast with my dad.  Then, Brent and I went on a house hunt for a rental home in Savannah.  We were very grateful to be able to look while Nana kept Ella.  I think both of them had a wonderful time.  Nana said she got lots of smiles.  Ella's smiles are the best...she can make your day with that sweet smile.

Here's the good news!!  We found an awesome home to rent....newly renovated down to the studs!  Everything is brand new and updated.  We feel so fortunate and thankful.  We even gave Neely Saturday...the awesome realtor who brought us to the home...a big hug at the end.  We were so relieved because ALL the rental homes we had seen up until that point were just NASTY and really expensive.  But, it all worked out in the end thanks to Neely (and our friend Carey who set us up with her).  We are so lucky to know such great people in Savannah.

What a jam packed weekend!  We had a wonderful time and accomplished a lot.

Happy Graduation...to my wonderful brother aka. Uncle Jay!  We love you!  You are officially a grown-up.

Ella sleeping on the plane

Ella and Grandpa

Jason and Elise

The Graduates!

Family Pic!

Love this pic!

Uncle Jay and Ella...not her best smiley face!!

Yawning...It's been a long day!

Smiling!!

Ella and Uncle Jay....there's the smile!!

Posing...I can almost sit up now!!!

Phony Bologna

I think we've got a future Academy Award winner on our hands!  At the rate Ella is going, she will most certainly take the Oscar for Best Lead Actress in a Drama.  LOL!!  Why do I say this...well...at about 3 months old she started a new thing.  It's basically a fake cry (no tears involved) that she does when she wants something. It sounds so phony...almost like a sheep yelling. For example, she doesn't want to be in her jumperoo anymore...fake cry...she doesn't want to be in her swing anymore...fake cry...she doesn't want to practice sitting up anymore...fake cry.  Girlfriend has got it down to a science.  As soon as you pick her up or she gets what she wants...she's good as gold and smiling.  I tell you what...she is a character.

So here's a recent scenario...Ella was placed in her swing for all of 5 minutes so I could run do laundry.  I'm in the laundry room and I hear her "fake" cries.  I quietly snuck back into the room where she was in the swing to secretly watch her antics.  HILARIOUS.  She was looking around, trying to get someone to come...using her fake cry.  She wasn't even upset...it was all an act.  So, I decided to test my theory further.  I walked into the room...she saw me and amped up the "phony" crying.  Once I picked her up...she smiled with great pleasure.  She had tricked mommy...or so she thought.  We have decided from this incident and many others like it that we need to call her bluff and not let her get away with using her acting skills to get her way!!  Wish us luck...she's good--remember Oscar Worthy!!

We are trying to capture this all on video...but it's hard because you have to stay hidden and tape at the same time. I'll post it when we get it!   Anyway, we're convinced she knows exactly what she's doing!  They other day I was on the phone with my mom and Ella pulled a "fake crying" stunt.  My mom was like, "Oh my gosh...that sounds so fake and demanding."  We know!!  Our Ella is one of a kind...loaded with personality.  We can only wonder...what will the teenage years be like??  For now, we can laugh about it, but we'll have to make sure she channels her dramatics in a positive way as she gets older.  Today, the Oscar goes to...Miss Ella Grace Herrin...for her daily episodes of phony bologna crying.

See pictures from her performances below!

Don't want to be on my tummy...fake cry

That is not a tear you see...it is slobber she wiped on her eye by accident.
It certainly did add to the dramatic effect!!

My pout face...which often accompanies the fake cry

We are done with pictures....fake cry

Time to leave the Arboretum...fake cry

First Mother's Day...and the forgotten reflux medicine...

Ella and Mommy at Mother's Day Lunch!

Yesterday was my first official Mother's Day.  Brent planned out a lovely day...I got to sleep in, had a delicious lunch, spent the afternoon outdoors, watched a few episodes of Modern family, and he even put Ella to bed (which took over an hour)!  Sadly, we didn't make it to church because of Ella's church issue. I got an awesome new camera as a joint gift from Brent, his parents, and my mom.  It takes great pictures.  Brent actually went to Best Buy right after he finished Boards and spent an hour and a half talking to the "camera expert" about the best camera for me.  I thought that was really sweet...he was finally finished with Boards and was thinking of me :)  Such a wonderful husband.

I've yet to mention Ella on Mother's Day.  Mother's Day was a rough patch for Ella.  The morning was great, she woke up happy, Brent took her to the family room, and I went back to sleep.  Apparently when I fell back asleep, she was fussy and fought her morning nap, but finally gave in and took a nap.  Unfortunately, we totally forgot to give her her reflux medicine.  Bad call.  She was terribly fussy the ENTIRE day.  At five in the afternoon we were looking at each other like...oh my gosh, she has terrible colic again...oh no, no!!  Then we realized--she hadn't had her meds.  I give it to her everyday, but I had fallen back asleep.  When I got up, I showered, and we headed to lunch...didn't even think about it.  Well, that's a mistake we will never make twice.  Poor thing...for the record...she has terrible silent reflux.  The doctor kinda fought us on it...but we knew something was wrong...yesterday just reinforced that we were right.  So, we learned a valuable Mother's Day lesson--Ella MUST take her medicine daily.  We felt bad that she felt miserable all day...poor baby :(

Despite Ella's fussiness, I felt very blessed this Mother's Day.  Thanks to Little Ella, I have joined the "Mother Club."  Being a Mom is truly the most important job I'll ever do...along with being a good wife.  I never realized that you could love someone you just met SO much...but you do.  It's a love that is instantaneous, all-consuming, overwhelming, tremendous, and infinite.  Even on the hardest day, we wouldn't trade Ella or our life as a family for anything.  This Mother's Day celebrated the fact that at her best or her worst she is an amazing gift that God has blessed us with.  I love being her mommy--even when it's not easy--I think they call it a mother's love!!

But...don't you worry...we won't forget the medicine again.

Pretty happy!

Working on sitting on my own...fell over!

This is how I looked most the day :(

My partner in crime...daddy!

Family Milestone

Today felt like a major milestone for our little family.  Brent finally took the Boards!!!  This ends his nightly obligation to study and frees him up to spend valuable time with Ella and me.  After the test was complete, we met up with his co-residents at a bar & grill to celebrate the culmination of the boards...one last step toward becoming a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist.  I felt like I was inside a Wonder Years Episode with a million thoughts about life reeling through my head as we all gathered to celebrate this happy occasion.  All I needed was Kevin's voice to narrate it all.  It goes without saying that I am so proud of Brent and all he has accomplished.  It never ceases to amaze me what a humble, kind-hearted person he is.  He has breezed through college, dental school, and now residency with such ease...I don't think he truly realizes how smart he is.  But, those who know him do!  Like so many times in our marriage, today I was a proud wife!

But, something else really struck me about this occasion...I'm so proud of us as a family.  It has been four and half months since Ella was born.  She came into the world like a colic whirlwind.  I'm going to be honest, the past few months with Brent studying for boards and working six days a week, I have done most of Ella's care giving.  Not because Brent didn't want to, he just was doing what he had to do for the family which I really appreciate.  There were days when Ella would cry the entire day, Brent would come in, help me in the little time he had, and hand her back over to me when he had to study.  He always felt guilty, but you do what you have to do. I of course understood this, but some days I just longed for a break! But here's the beauty in all this...we made it through Ella's colic and Board Exams.  We didn't have any help, but we did it!  Ella's colic is almost completely gone, Boards are over...we can breathe a sigh of relief.  I realized tonight how independent and self-sufficient we've become while living in Dallas.  It feels really good...empowering!!

Moving to Dallas was such a blessing for us in so many ways.  Brent got to go attend an outstanding residency program, I got to work at an amazing school, we met wonderful friends, we were able to see a top notch fertility group to help us conceive Ella, and we were able to grow and evolve together...just the two of us (now three).  We've grown closer, learned to problem solve, talk out our differences, depend solely on each other, celebrate together, experience a new city together, take risks together, and have a beautiful daughter together.  We would not be the same people had it not been for this opportunity to live in Dallas.  We were blessed the day Brent was accepted to Baylor and will continue to reap the benefits of this experience.  We've done it all...depending only on each other!!  This has been a team building experience at its finest.  We came to Dallas a young couple far from home and will leave Dallas a confident, self-reliant family of three.

Life is such a journey...you never know where it will take you.  But, if you listen to God's voice in your ear, you will certainly find the right path.  Congratulations to Brent and the other pedo residents for completing Boards!  And thank you Brent, for making the life we've created better each day that passes.

Ella giving Brent a pump up talk before Boards!