Cowen Christmas

One of the MANY Christmas celebrations we had was at Matt's parents house with Matt's brothers and their wives, Becky and Emily, our nieces, Kelby and Kevyn, and Matt's Mom and Dad, Kathy and Bruce. It's always a good time and Kathy really outdid herself with the meal this year.

The Boys Playing Dominoes:

Kevyn showing off her goodies:

Family picture (me looking especially huge):

Kathy and Matt looking on from a safe place:

Kelby helping Grandpa open a gift (since she's a pro):

Kelby opening one of her many gifts (she opened like 20 gifts in 5 minutes--I think she was trying to break a record):

Kevyn, on the otherhand, liked to sit back and evaluate each of her gifts :):

Matty:

Both girls got sleeping bags from Grandma and Grandpa

Emily:

Kelby (calm before the storm :) ):

So Blessed!

This post has been a long time coming and I have no excuses for putting it off any longer. I'm sure everyone that has any point of contact with Matt or I knows that we're EXPECTING! We are currently 22 weeks along and will find out the gender on January 26th. I, personally, am feeling a multitude of emotions from excited to down right scared. This was definitely a planned pregnancy so there were no surprises but I don't think one could ever be completely prepared for such a life changing experience. Our little monkey isn't even here yet and I feel like I've had to already make life altering choices for both of us. Also, just knowing that I'm in control of his/her fate sends me into a state of panic once in a while. But of course, all this stress is worth it because in just a few months we will have something so much bigger than us to live for. We have truly been blessed in so many ways and I will never take for granted how lucky we are.

PS...I promise to keep the blog updated on the baby's progress and any news pertaining to him/her so please check back!

End of Summer As I Know It....

Being a teacher and having those wonderful summers off always has a downside--the grim reality that school always has to start again. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but doing what I want, when I want all day is an easy routine to get used to. Things I've accomplished over the summer: BOUGHT A HOUSE AND MOVED IN, spent time with family, caught up with my dear friend, Amy, made a few trips to Austin to catch up with my Austin peeps, had a few photos framed but far from done, lost 2 lbs. (I know, nothing to gawk over), earned 30 GT continuing education hours, remarkably managed to work in my classroom, and got all of my doctor appointments out of the way! Things I did NOT accomplish: going to see my other dear friends, Susan and Johanna, getting the rest of my photos framed and hung like I promised I would do last summer, be a better blogger, lose the other 8 lbs., and a few things better not mentioned. All and all it's been another great summer and I hope so badly that this school year goes by smoothly without a hitch...

Some random summer photos:

Ave and I at Sushi King:


The Whole Fam @ the Frio:



LBJ:



The Cowens:


My other nieces, Kelby and Kevyn:

Home Atlast

So, I'm extremely glad to come back to blogging and report that all went well in the home buying process. I cannot believe how lucky we were in the entire process of selling/buying. I just kept expecting something to go wrong because everything was going so perfectly. I guess that goes to show me that I need to stop being such a negative Nelly. I previously posted that our new home is in Brenham, TX. People around here say all you need to know about Brenham is the four B's: Bluebell, Bluebonnets, BBQ, and Baseball. Good thing for us, we love all of those things! Our home was supposedly built in 1965 and updated recently. Although, both of our Moms and Matt's grandma believe that it is much older than that because of some of the architectural features and details inside the home. It is 1.5 stories and is has 3 beds/3 baths and I have to say that we are truly loving it so far and can't wait for our family to grow in a place that already feels like home after only 1 week. Excuse the poor quality of the pictures. I desperately need a new camera (hint, hint Matt).

Backyard:



Den:


Upstairs bedroom (bath as well):

Formal living area (we are in the process of getting furniture):

Formal dining:

Master bath:

Kitchen:

Master:

Uninspired...

I've been a blog updating slacker lately...yes, I know. I really need to find some inspiration so that I feel I have something worth blogging about. There is one HUGE thing that will be blog worthy if it actually works out. We're under contract on a house that we are both absolutely in love with and if all goes well with the appraisal (my biggest stress factor), we close on July 28th. The house is in Brenham which is the most exciting part. College Station and I don't mesh well and is a little to blame for my lack of inspiration. So....give me a few weeks and I may return to blogging with some great news!

Feels like home...

I had another fabulous trip to Austin this past weekend. I can't help feeling like whenever I'm there, it just fits. I know the odds of Matt and I ever ending up there are slim but nevertheless, I LOVE IT! Hillary and I visited our cousin Rick and his roomate and friend Ian and Mike. If Matt would've been there, I would say that this is the funnest group of guys ever. I laugh so hard every time I'm there that my jaw hurt for days. When Hill and I got to Austin Friday we played Rockband and caught up. Saturday we grilled, played washers, and played dominoes during the day. Brent Green and Paige (a girl I just met) joined us and added to the festivities. That night we had a few cocktails (where else but Trudy's) and hit West 6th to do a little bar hopping. We partyed a little too hard but it's always worth it with this group. I'm trying to get in as much time with friends as possible right now because I know when our family starts growing, it will become harder and harder to get together with my cherished friends. Especially when most of my friends live 2+ hours away :( !

Pictures to come...

Time, where did you go?

I can't believe it's been since SEPTEMBER since I've posted : / . After many guilt trips I've decided to get back on the wagon. PLUS, I have something to blog about which always helps.

After 2.5 years Matt and I have sold our first place of residence. Why do I call it a place of residence and not our home you may ask? We we were able to live alone all of 2 months while living in this house so it never quite felt like "our home". Although it was a great place to start, we felt it was a good time to sell and move on. AND we had a contract in 2 DAYS! We really were spoiled with the easy process but at the same time, don't want to do it again for a looooooooong time. So now we're living the life of college kids in an apartment until we're able to find something we absolutely cannot live without. Our goal is to get to Brenham which is closer to our parents and just a really cute historical town. Also, Matt has an office there that he can work out of. I hope the journey of finding a new home is as easy as the selling process was. :)

So a new chapter begins as one closes....