11.28.10 -- Aubrey Meets Santa

Over the holidays we took Aubrey to meet Santa. Grant would not even come around for a photo and Aubrey was less than thrilled with the entire situation. We are Christians and yes we stress the true meaning of Christmas but we still enjoy the fun of Santa. Well not so much fun in this case but you know what I mean.

11.24.2010 -- Thankful

I am just reflecting tonight on all of the things that I have to be thankful for and I pray that He will keep my focus correct and focus on all the good things and blessings in my life rather than the alternative. I am so blessed and I am so very thankful for all of the wonderful people that God has placed in my life.

I would also like to share our new family photo for Christms. A couple of weeks ago I met a friend and photographer to take our Christmas photos and I am very pleased as usual with the photos that Sabrina at Southern Grace Photography took.



The kids are growing so fast and I really enjoy rocking Aubrey to sleep at night. I just can't believe how fast it is going by and I am trying to enjoy every moment. You can really get a glimpse of Aubrey's personality from this photo and Grant is turning more and more into a young man every day. Today I slipped up and called him David (as I frequently do) because he reminds me so much of him. I am so proud of him.

May you have a blessed holiday!

10.9.10 -- Light the Night

Grant & His Cousin Ryan


Aubrey & I


My Sister Paula, Me and My Mom

Tonight the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held their Light the Night walk in Downtown Houston at the Discovery Green Park (really neat place if you have not had a chance to enjoy it). Grant specifically asked me if we could do a walk in memory of his dad and I told him that I would look for one. Well it kinda fell in my lap and I registered us as a team and we ended up raising over 1,200 dollars and we had ~15 people walk last night. It was really lovely and I am so glad that we were able to do this. It really meant a lot to Grant that so many people cared so much about his dad. I know that everyone there had other things that they would have rather done but they took the time out of their busy lives to make it happen and I am VERY GRATEFUL that they made this happen for our children.

10.9.10 -- Recent Happenings

Here is a recent photo of our little family. I love this photo, I didn't realize it at the time but I feel it represents us walking on in life together. We did not select this path but it was selected for us by someone that knows the entire story and we must accept it.

The kiddos are growing so fast and the days are flying by. Grant lost his two front teeth two nights before we had the above photos scheduled. The weather is starting to cool in Houston and we are really getting a reprieve from the summer heat. Every day is a new adventure with new challenges and obstacles to be overcome. I am taking one task at a time and trying to climb this mountain. Over the last month I was in a minor accident with both of the children. Thankfully everyone was fine but it was so devastating when the officer asked me to call my husband and let him know. I broke down and told him that I didn't have anyone to tell because my husband had died of cancer. Poor guy he just caught me at a bad moment where all the weight of the world rests upon your shoulders and I was upset. I could not help but remember the last fender bender that I was in where a lady hit me and I was so upset that I got out of the vehicle and locked my keys in the car on one of the busiest roads in our area during rush hour. David had to bring me a second set of keys to unlock the car as the crowd of officers that had collected enjoyed a great laugh. They were really shocked that he would claim me.

I also killed my first wasps (I know that this sounds really silly), there were two nests on the end of the house and I was more afraid that they would hurt one of the kids that I was afraid of the wasps (that helped a lot). I found the spray in the garage where he left it and I tested it out a couple of times first before developing the nerve to really use it. It was a success and they instantly started dropping to the ground dead. It was very rewarding to take care of the problem myself. I really appreciate the selfless sacrifice that my parents have made to help me deal with all of the happenings the last 20ish months but I am trying to become independent (for the first time in my life) so that I can eventually move forward and balance everything on my own. I was so totally unprepared for this becuase the thought of having to do it all on my own had never crossed my mind before all of this happened.

8.30.2010 - Light the Night

Well today I registered us for light the night Houston walk. Grant has asked if we could do a walk in memory of David and we were not able to last year so we are going to do it this year. It is a fundraiser for they leukemia and lymphoma and we would love for locals to join us. It will be on October 9th at the Discovery Green Park and I really hope to have a nice crowd so Grant and Aubrey know how special their Daddy was! You can register to walk or donate on their website it is team David McKay! Thanks bunches!!!!!

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8.29.10

Today is David's 33 birthday. We went to San Antonio with some family to get out of town for the weekend. We had a really nice time in San Antonio and went to Sea World while we were there. That is another thing that we





had wanted to do but figured that we had plenty of time to do. We had planned on doing something at dinner to recognize the day but we ended up not being able to because I was trying to get back to Houston at a decent hour! Here is a photo of Grant taking a dip in the super tiny but really beautiful hotel pool.


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8.13.10 -- Brennan's Chef for the Day

I was offered the opportunity by a friend to be the Chef for the Day at a VERY SPECIAL restaurant in Houston. I was very reluctant at first because I didn't really know what to expect but I am so glad that I participated in this once in a lifetime experience and I HIGHLY recommend it! It was my vacation this year and it was so worth it! I learned so much and I cannot wait to apply it in my kitchen at home!



I cannot say enough nice things about this special place, everything about it was elegant and classy! Here is a peek through a porthole window into one of the stunning dining rooms. This place is a wonderful meld of old classy style with a new twist. It seems timeless like it has been there forever, however most is very new because of the fire that happened during Ike.

8.5.10 -- The Kiddos

Well it has been exciting the last few weeks. I have started sewing and taking photos again. Here is a photo from a couple of Fridays ago in the outfit that I made Aubrey. It is so fun having a little girl!

This week one of my friends Christie brought Aubrey her birthday present that she special ordered for her and it was a baby be blessed she is adorable and Aubrey loves her. I absoloutely loved the special card that came with her saying how they had prayed for the special little girl that would be receiveing the doll. I totally love her and that was such a sweet and thoughtful gift.

We have really been enjoying the summer but Grant is really looking forward to seeing all of his friends at school again.

7/15/2010 -- Another Update

I am so happy to report that we started back to our home Church this past Sunday and it felt so good to be back where we belong. We had really been trying to limit the number of people that she was exposed to while we were waiting for her surgery. It felt so good to be back.

Last week was really crazy, we haven't taken a true vacation since December 2007 when we took a family trip to Disney World. 2008 was so hectic that we decided to delay and then in 2009 we we did not get to go skiing like we had wanted to because I was pregnant and David did not want me to miss out. We had all the time in the world to teach Grant to ski so there was no rush. Well Grant has had a pretty dull summer so I bought tickets to the Ringling Brother Circus and it was wonderful. Grant and I had such a special evening as we walked around Reliant and checked out the Animals. We even ran into David's Grandpa, Uncle Alan, Aunt Dianne, Cousin Ashley and her Husband Shaun. We walked around with them until it was time to take our seats. I did not really pay attention when I purchased them because frankly I don't believe that I had ever purchased tickets before. I just mentioned that I would like to see something and the tickets just happened to appear at our house. David just took care of all of the little details like that. Well to make a long story short it was AMAZING and we ended up on the SECOND row. I have never been to the circus before and I am really not sure who enjoyed it more but when I asked Grant what his favorite part was he could not pick one out he just smiled and said the whole thing! We both had a magical evening. It was so special and I am so thankful that we were able to share this evening together.

The next afternoon (Thursday) they were having an afternoon Astros Game and I had tickets from work so we ended up going to the game they were GREAT seats on the 29th row behind the visitors dugout and Grant was THRILLED! Someone at work had won them in a drawing and did not want to take vacation time to go so it was a really nice score!

Overall we had a fun week and I really hope that Grant dosen't expect this next week because I am too old for this, but it was really great QUALITY time together and with all the attention that Aubrey has had with the surgery and recovery I am glad that Grant and I had the special time together.

6.28.10 -- Updates

Well I finally had a break today and I am able to sit down and provide updates as to what has been going on lately. First of all Aubrey had her surgery on the 17th of this month and it went beuatifully! She is still healing but I could not be happier with the wonderful Dr.s, Nurses and support staff at the Shriner's Hospital in Houston. I have had quite a few hospital experiences and this was has been by far the absoloute best I can say that I have EVER experienced and I will be forever grateful to them for this.

I also want to provide an update on one of my best friend's daughter Katelyn, she passed away the morning of the 17th and her and Aubrey will forever share this special day. Katelyn went to Heaven and as Grant put it Aubrey doesn't have a cleft pallate any longer.

I am very sorry that my posts have been few and far between. I have been so very busy with everything from working my full time job to being a full time mommy to two very demanding kiddos. I am trying to live our life to the fullest and enjoy and savor every moment because I have learned that you can't spend your time at a computer instead of living life. We must make everyday a magnificent adventure.

5.26.10 -- Bluebonnet Photos

Here are our yearly bluebonnet photos.

5.26.10 -- Birthdays!

Well Grant's 7th birthday was on April 28th and Aubrey's 1st was on May 11th. Here is a photo of the kids from their birthday session (we did it together!)

Everything is going really well, we are just extremely busy now that Aubrey is into everything and Grant just finished up with baseball. Aubrey's Surgery was rescheduled for the 17th of June so that is rapidly approaching! Hope

4.12.10 -- At the hospital

Well on monday I received the call from the Shriner's that they had a sick kiddo so there was an opening. We packed up and went showed up on Wednesday morning to prepare for surgery on Thursday. After spending the entire day at the hospital she woke up from her nap with a fever so they sent us home. It was disapointing but hopefully it won't be as stressful next time.


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3.17.10 -- Psalms

I was reading Psalms 139:13-16

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
I know that full well.

I remembered the day that we sat in the office at the OBGYN and she was telling us that it was time to run the tests that give a % chance that something is wrong. David looked up and asked her if she would recommend having the test if we would not act upon it if it came back that something was wrong. She replied no, that if we did not want to know and would not act upon it she would not recommend taking the test but that it was our decision. David looked at her and told her that this is the baby that God selected for us and that we would take it regardless of it's potential flaws.

I thought for a moment what if we had taken the test, what if it had been able to detect that she had a problem, and what if we had made the decision to terminate the pregnancy. WOW! I would not trade my Cleft Pallate baby for anything. She is beautiful, amazing perfect and very smart. Has it been expensive, time consuming, difficult; yes it has but God prepared us for this and it is a challenge that I would not trade for anything.

3.11.10 -- Mutton Bustin

After the ribbon cutting I took the kids out the the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I had already taken a day of vacation from work so why not make the most of it. We looked around tried out Ag-venture, the petting zoo, went to the carnival and then Grant wanted to try out the mutton bustin. It was so cute, he loved it and it will be a neat memory for him.

3.11.10 -- Inscription

I was asked about what it says at the bottom (ad I just realized that Grant's arm is over the photo of David at the Groundbreaking Ceremony) it says:

Presented to
David McKay

In recognition of your support for the procurement of design and construction services for the Columbia Center for Human Space Flight Performance & Research Building 26 at the NASA Johnson Space Center.

Your JSC Family misses you and have not forgotten you.

Wow! I sure wish that Aubrey would be able to remember this. It was such a special and beautiful day.

3.11.10 -- NASA

Today we went to NASA on the 1 year and 10 day anniversary of Daivd's death and they held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new building that David was the Contracting Officer over the Design Work and the Construction of the Building. It was so special that they thought of us, honored his memory and gave his children (at least Grant) such a wonderful memory. Grant got to meet quite a few Astronaunts and they were all such wonderful people. That made my 6 year old little boy's day! We are so blessed to be part of the NASA family they are all such WONDERFUL people.

3.8.10 -- Weekend and Rodeo Houston

Last weekend was pretty hectic we had baseball practice on Saturday morning and Dad kept Aubrey at home for me while I took Grant to practice. Then off to a baby shower for a good friend from high school.

On Sunday I spent some quality time with Grant at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. This was our first trip out there this season. He loves the Jonas Brothers and we had a really fun evening just the two of us. We skipped down the ramp together when we were leaving the stadium and it was a lot of fun (I seriously doubt that I will see any of those people again and if they happen to know me they should understand!). I was really worried about just the two of us going but I felt very safe and we made it there and back safe and sound.

Why is it so scary tackling all of the things that we use to do together and I never even thought twice about??? I chickened out taking Grant snow skiing because I was scared of driving in the snow and I could not find any friends that were going. We had really wanted to take Grant skiing for the first time in January of 09 but with me being pregnant and lots of thing going on at both of our jobs we decided to delay it. I would give ANYTHING if we had just done it and then David could have taught Grant to ski but I really look forward to getting to teach him now. I am really blessed that David's family introduced me to it all those years ago and David spent the time patiently teaching me and I will always cherish the times that we have spent on the slopes together. I have a great photo of us on the slopes on our last trip to Steamboat Springs but I cannot find it on any of the computers and I have not figured out how to get into the hard drive backup's since the network crashed. That is on my to do list, and I know that they are safe and sound there until I get the chance to recover them. That was such a wonderful trip with our good friends Danny and Patti!

I leave tonight with a photo of of Grant from before we left for the rodeo. He HAD to wear his boots and hat. The lady that took our ticket at the gate told him that he was a nice looking cowboy and he was so embarrassed.

3.5.10 -- Award

I was nominated for an award from The Smith Family and I really appreciate it.



It says that you have to list seven interesting facts about yourself, so here I go...

1) I can touch my tongue to my nose (she listed this as one of her talents and it is one of mine as well)

2) I am an expert at tying cherry stems with my tongue. (Gosh I wish that it would pay the bills)

3) I can honestly say that I have saved someones life (I was a lifeguard in HS and I rescued several drowning people.

4) I got my dream house before I turned thirty. (I guess I don't dream too big but it was OUR dream)

5) I almost finished nursing school (at the very end I realized that I hated Dr's egos and hospitals so I decided that this was not a very good career choice).

6) I work in a power plant and I love it.

7) I am a borderline OCD hand washer. (this is really not a bad trait for a mom)

Now for my nominations:

THE BERGERON EXPERIENCE
She is a new friend and I really enjoy her perspective.

THE PETERS FAMILY CIRCLE
My Cousins that have a beautifully blessed family.

3.2.10 -- A Good Tuesday!

Tonight's Bible study was all for me (yes there were quite a few others present several thousand in fact) but it was for me! It began with "You need to know what to do when it is ONLY you." this is so true because everything can change is an instant and she continued with the theme and said...

When you wanted or want something so bad and God's answer was no it has to do with the purpose of your life and something HUGE is up. When God says no there is a reason and he will not do it lightly. -- Beth Moore (from the Bible study at Houston First Baptist tonight)

I may never know the reason this side of eternity and it may have to do with HIS purpose for my children's, children's, children. But I do know that God knows the entire plan and his decisions are based on the entire plan.

I was extremely suprised when I received a call this afternoon inviting us to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Astronaut Conditioning and Training Center that David was instrumental from the contracting side on development and building. I haven't told Grant yet because he is going to be so excited and he will ask me every day until it is here...but he will get to meet Astronauts (WOW!!!)! I am so excited and SO proud of my David!

2.28.2010 -- This Weekend

This was a very hectic weekend, dad went into the hospital last Wednesday (the same hospital I lost my David in last year (St Lukes)) Dad was released on Saturday and I went and picked him up. I am so glad and I was sitting in the turnaround I thought this is what it would have been like if I had been able to pick David up and leave. I am so glad that everything went well with Dad! Poor Grant would be just devistated if anything had happened. Harry (David's Dad) took Grant to baseball practice on Saturday morning. I was up and getting everyone ready when they called and offered and I am so thankful because it was cold and I really hate to get her out in the weather but I really had no other choice. While they were gone I was able to get some housework done Katelyn was having her birthday party (11th) on Saturday and we were all well so we were planning on going. Just as I had the kiddos ready to load up and go to the party Dad called and said that they were releasing and he would be ready to walk out in 30 minutes. So Grandma (David's Mom) took the kiddo's to the party while I made a mad dash to go pick Dad up from the hospital (Mom was at work). Then on the way home Dad dropped me off at the party. I am so glad that I was able to make it! I got there just as she was opening the gift that we got her (a charm for her James Avery charm bracelet).

WOW, tomorrow will be one year! One year ago tomorrow I became a WIDOW at 31 while 7months pregnant. Wow! I cannot believe that this is what God has/had in store for me and it amazes me thinking back to when I was a little girl and laughing almost at how everything has turned out. I would have never dreamed that this was what He had in store for me but I am sure that his plan is the best and I am waiting patiently as he reveals it and I would not change one thing if I could go back knowing what I know today. Many people live there entire lives and don't experience the joy and happiness that we had. I had what most people only dream of and I would not trade it for ANYTHING!

Tonight I called his number for the first time since right after he died and I left him a message. I am always thinking about things that I would like to tell him and tonight I did it! I told him thanks so much for everything and how I missed him so much and I told him how much Grant misses him, how he has started playing baseball and how wonderful Aubrey is! I am not sure if this is weird but it felt really good. It was so wonderful to hear his voice again.

2.23.2010 -- One Year Ago Today

Well I am posting this tonight because tomorrow will be so hectic because when I get off of work me and a friend will be flying across town to Bible study. If you live in the Houston area you shoud REALLY consider going it is at Houston First Baptist at 6:30.

One year ago I sat on the edge of his hospital bed and we spoke for the last time. We have done EVERYTHING together since we were 17. We grew up together we knew everything about each other, we were best friends and partners we did everything as a team and we were together until the very end. I still cannot believe he is gone. Some people have mentioned moving on and although I know that he is gone and what we had will never be again I cannot even bring myself to remove my wedding ring. I am sure that one day the time will be right but for now I am not ready. As far as I am concerned I have moved on. I wake up every day and continue to live just like he would have wanted. This will have to work for now.

2.20.10 -- Houston Museum

Today we went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Grant had a blast and Aubrey clapped almost the entire time. She was so excited! Grant was really interested in the section on Indians and he insisted that I take his picture inside the mock tepi. We had a really nice day.

It is amazing that we are approaching a year. Tomorrow will be the first day that David went to the hospital. Cancer was not a word in our house yet (ah the good old days) and our life was still normal. We have come a long way since then (even if you cannot tell if from my house).

I really love using David's bible as a matter of fact I have mine sitting on the shelf in our old study (my parent's room for now) and I have been using his since everything happened. It is such a treat to find the little notes that he has left. I found a note that he wrote that had several references to scripture on it and I really enjoyed walking thru them but also written on the piece of paper was "Biblical faith is confidence that God is who he says he is and that he will do everything he promised to do." I am sure that this was a point from a sermon from one of our Pastors and I am really not sure whether it was Brother David or Brother Mike but it made me smile to know that David now sees the rewards of his faith!

I am really looking forward to Tuesday night Bible study this coming week, Beth Moore is leading it at Houston First Baptist and it is on "A Heart Like His" she is amazing. The week before last she said something that has left a mark in my mind and I keep going back to it... she said "no one has ever fully embraced the concept of God alone apart from grave disappointment." I feel like I can totally relate to this statement because as Natalie Grant says "this is how it feels when the sacred is torn from life and you survive" How can you understand that he is there walking with you and carrying you unless you know that there is no way that you could have done it on your own. It makes me laugh when people tell me that I am strong (this is the person that had people spend the night with me when David traveled on business even after Grant was born and the reason we have a dog that is the size of a small horse!) I know that the only reason that I have survived and I WILL survive is because I know HIM and I have a personal relationship with HIM.

2.19.10 -- Aubrey Update

On Tuesday when we went to TX Children's they said that it is time to do Aubrey's surgery to repair her cleft pallet and scheduled the surgery. Well on Friday I decided to call the Shriner's hospital to see where she was on the list and to give up her spot because I did not want to hold a spot if we were going to move forward with TX Children's but when I contacted the Cleft Coordiantor he told me that he was going to call me on Monday to tell me that she had been accepted by Dr. B and to schedule an appointment!!!! I cannot tell everyone how excited I am I feel that God is working in our lives and making everything work out! I can't believe that everything would work out this well without his loving hand in our lives. It is so scary having to make all of the decisions for the children now that David is gone. I never had to worry about anything before because I always knew that he worried enough about everything for both of us!

I will keep everyone posted on how all of this works out but I am so excited that we have an appointment with the Shriner's Hospital in Houston on March 27th!

2.17.2010 -- Dr. Visit

I wanted to provide an update! Aubrey went back to Texas Children's to see Dr. S and he said that it is time to do her surgery. We are now waiting for them to call me back and schedule the surgery. Wow it is kinda scary but I am ready to cross this bridge and move on. Her Speech Pathologist came by and saw her and she said that she was very advanced and she said that she was doing really well.

Grant has his first real baseball practice tonight and Paw Paw took him (thank goodness) we are starting the three practices a week until the games start and I am NOT looking forward to all of this.

2.15.2010 -- Catching up

Ok, I am prepared to start this again. I am not going to try to go back and catch up. That is one reason I have been procrastinating, I am going to give a quick catch up and then I am just going to try to keep up in the future.

Lots has happened since we last spoke. We survived the holidays. I had begged Grant to not make me decorate the yard and so he went and begged several of the neighbors to decorate (without my knowledge) and once I found out I decorated. It was not fun because that was something that we have always done together but I did it and I am glad that I did.

Aubrey has grown up so much, she is now saying some words (mama, baba, nana) these are the only ones that she can say but she can mouth others (she will not be able to really talk until she has her surgery). She has also began to walk, and yesterday she was up to 7 steps on her own. We go back to Texas Children's this Wednesday to see her Doctor again and hopefully we will find something out. It is hard knowing that it is lurking over our heads and not knowing when it is going to happen. She just turned nine months old on the 11th and she is right at 17#'s now.

Grant had a nice time and Santa was good to him. Tonight was his first Baseball practice. We had wanted to last year but we decided to do soccer instead and hold off on baseball to this year. I am trying to keep up that plans that David and I made and this is one of them.

This weekend was busy, we went to a family wedding on Saturday another one of David's triplet cousins got married so two down and one to go! Then we spent Sunday at The Ward's house on the water and enjoyed their community's annual golf cart parade. Grant cleaned up on beads! He had a blast and it was a good way to end the weekend.

I have been attending a Beth Moore Bible Study at Houston First Baptist on Tuesday nights and she is ACTUALLY leading it!!! I cannot even tell you how amazing it has been. She is really speaking to me and I am enjoying her class so much. I have been taking advantage of Mom and Dad still being here with me and I know in the upcoming years I will be tackling this all by myself so I am enjoying it while it lasts (in my defense I do have a special needs baby and it would be extremely difficult to do this all by myself).

I recently had the kid's photos taken by Southern Grace Photography out of Baytown TX and I am so proud of them. I am sorry that I have not been doing a good job but Aubrey is quite demanding and I have been spending lots of quality time with Grant and Aubrey and we are trying to make lots of memories!

12.22.2009 -- Build a Bear

Today we took the kiddos to Build a Bear. This was what Mom and Dad wanted to give the kids for their Christmas Present. They all had lots of fun!