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.