Mother's Day 2008

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful women out there celebrating this day in some way or another. I was gifted with a beautiful digital photo frame today, so I spent some time looking through my family photos to find my absolute favorites, when I stumbled on this video. I had to post this here today, as this is one of the most significant moments in my life as a Mother to date... my only daughter meeting my only son.

There's my bit of sentimentality for the day, so thank you for obliging me. Much love to you all.

A whirlwind of events

I think we must have finished with one of the busiest two weeks we've ever had! We're back from Dallas after two hiring conferences, a visit with Stephen & Paige, a visit with Neal & Janice, and a short-notice trip to east Texas for a second interview! Whew! It's so nice to be back home, although we're still getting shockwaves from all the job stuff - not that we're complaining! Here's a rather lengthy update, but it's sprinkled with pictures, so hopefully that'll make it bearable.

We left last Wednesday afternoon for Stephen and Paige's house in Howe, which is just north of Dallas. Collin dropped me and the kids off and headed back to his hotel for the first hiring conference. The kids and I got a chance to visit with Paige and Stephen, when he was home, and we really enjoyed our time with them. It's so hard to be hours away from family that you miss so much, be we're so glad that it's not days and that we get to visit together every so often!

Me and Hope getting some time together while Daddy grills some hamburgers for dinner and Mommy makes the most incredible Chocolate Cobbler ever - yum!

Meanwhile Hope's cousins work on their mad bubble skilz!

While we were enjoying some family time, Collin was off in Dallas faced with the hard task of impressing multiple employers in an attempt to get some job leads. He would come back and join us on Friday evening, but not before we got these pictures in the rather unimpressive bluebonnet fields (it's just too late in the season) near Howe.

Ian was just thrilled to be forced to pose in a field of flowers with his girly sister. (Isn't his little face just hilarious? I couldn't help but post it.)

Collin drove up to be with us later that evening and we enjoyed our last night with Stephen and Paige. Unfortunately, Collin didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with them, since he was a the conference, but their hospitality to me and the kids was such a god-send. Without us having a place to stay during that first conference, we just wouldn't have been able to make the trip with him - thank you again, Wilhite family!

Saturday morning we set out for Norman, Oklahoma and the Judisch household. We were so excited to see my brother Neal and his wife Janice! This is the first trip we've all made up to visit them, and our first time meeting the newest member of their family, Lillian Jeanette!

Isn't she adorable?! I just love it when they're this tiny!

Moira was especially taken with her new cousin.

One of my favorite parts of this whole trip was watching my sweet nephew Aidan with his new baby sister. Doesn't this picture say it all? What love.

We were treated to some very yummy BBQ pulled-pork sandwiches, cucumber-tomato-feta salad, Outback recipe mac-n-cheese (working at a restaurant has it's benefits!) and wonderful company. Neal and Collin had a chance to catch up for the first time in quite a while, Janice and I talked baby stuff and the big kids spent the afternoon in their mini-bouncy castle. We all enjoyed it so much - Moira is still asking everyday if she can go back to her cousin's house and play!

Can you see I'm still working on Collin and the whole baby thing?

Later in the evening we all went up to OU to see the University and where Neal works. It's a beautiful school, and it still blows me away that my brother is Dr. Judisch of the OU Philosophy Department!! The kids enjoyed running around the beautiful campus for a bit, and then we went to BJ's, a really cool pizza place up there, for dinner together before pulling out of town. We had to get back to Dallas that night for the start of the next hiring conference early Sunday morning.

You didn't really think I'd forget to post a picture of me and little Lillian? It's hard living so far away from these precious little children, I have to enjoy every minute I have with them all.

I was able to snap this (rather silly - or shall I say joyful) picture of all 6 kids before they wouldn't hold still anymore! This picture really warms my heart - the ties that bind.

Sunday and Monday consisted of Collin spending most of his days at the conference while the kids, and I hung out in the hotel room, spent a little time at the pool, made the cutest little pom-pom animals (I totally recommend this book if you have toddlers of the crafty variety), and checked out the Galleria.

In the end, there were two companies that Collin interviewed with where there was mutual interest from us and the company, which is not too shabby! In fact, about 30 minutes after his initial interview with Covidien (a medical supplies manufacturer) they asked if he could come to their plant for a follow-on tour, get this, TOMORROW! Ugh, poor guy. He just hasn't had a break - again, not that we're complaining. So we loaded up the van and headed East for his 10am meeting in Commerce, TX the next day. After 5 1/2 days of being on the road, I was out of ideas on what to do to entertain the kids during yet another undetermined amount of time that we'd be waiting. Much to my relief, our hotel ended up being located right next to the Northeast Texas Children's Museum, where we spent our afternoon waiting for Collin.

After a 4 hour wait, we got the call to come pick Collin up. I was shocked to hear that he'd had FOUR more interviews with different members of management and a tour of the facility. Needless to say he was beyond exhaustion, but also felt really good about the interviews and the possible job opportunity. We were told there are 4 or 5 people interviewing for 2 positions, and that we wouldn't get any feedback until the others have had their second interviews sometime next week. We'll just have to see what God has in store for us.
The second company of interest is Bell Helicopter located in Hurst, a suburb of Fort Worth. They, too, seemed to really like Collin and he's really interested in seeing what they have to offer as well. During his interview with them, they told him they'd like to have him come out for a tour of the facilities and a second interview, so we're supposed to find out a tentative schedule for that trip today. It looks like he might end up back on the road (this time without the whole family in tow) next week. We're praying over this opportunity as well.

Finally, we were contacted by L-3 Communications, a government contractor, about a BMDS Flight Test Engineer position they're interested in him for. He had a phone interview with them yesterday, which also went very well, and they'd like to present his package to the government on Monday! That all sounds very encouraging, and Collin mentioned that it was a nice change of pace to be pursued by a company instead of trying to sell himself. The only down-side? The position is at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. We're doing some research into the area and position, and should be receiving a contingency offer sometime today. Yet another thing to be in prayer over.

Well, that about sums up the craziness that has been our last couple of weeks. We'll be sure to update everyone if anything big happens. Please pray that God would make His will very clear to us in what path we should take. Thanks for caring in the first place!

The newest little May...

She's here! Cambria Jewel May made her appearance into this world at 6:40 this morning after a 6 hour labor, Kim's longest and last (or so they say). She weighed in at 7 lbs, 13 oz and measured 20 inches long. She has a full head of brown hair, a perfect little face, and definitely has an opinion about what she likes and dislikes - it's already apparent that her favorite thing to do is snuggle into Mommy and stay that way! This is the first niece/nephew I've been blessed with seeing only hours after their birth since my first niece, Madeline, was born and I will forever be thankful for this experience. It was such a blessing to be a part of such a joyous celebration of life. So, prepare to be bombared with photos, as I was the resident shutterbug and proud Aunt today... but seriously, can you blame me?!

Our first glimpse of sweet little Cambria, and her beautiful Mother. Really, doesn't she look fantastic for having given birth a few short hours earlier? She's grace personified.

Valie, Avery and Carson meeting their new baby sister for the first time.

Carson holding his baby sister, with proud Daddy looking on. He's going to have some serious looking out to do for his 3 younger sisters when they reach teenagedom, but he already looks like he's up for the task!

An eager Valie, no longer the baby, had been waiting as patiently as any two-year-old can to hold her tiny little sister, when she finally got the chance.

A loving Avery, as if she's looking into the very depths of this new little life. What do you see sweet one?

An excited Grammie who has been waiting 9 whole months for this moment. She even had the newest additions to her gemstone Grandmother's necklace, two April diamonds, on display.

Papa meeting another perfect granddaughter. Is it possible that he's wrapped around her tiny little finger already?

Oh, what can I say? This moment was more than I have words for. Such innocent perfection.

(I think Collin might be in trouble...)

Ian meeting his newest cousin for the first time. He's decided he'd like a baby sister too!

So much love for someone so small.

She's already captured the spotlight!

Welcome to our world, precious one!

***

The blessing of Christ

comes to your home in this little child

We bless you and pray

the peace of the Son of Peace fill heart and hearth

now and each hour.

Grow gently little Cambria,

Christ be near you

now and each day of your life.

In the Name of God the Father

Almighty Jesus Christ His Son,

The Blessed Holy Spirit

The Sacred Three in One

Amen.

--A Celtic Newborn Blessing, adapted from the Northumbrian Book of Daily Prayer

GO SPURS GO!!!

Can you believe we got to go see the Spurs play their 2nd playoff game against the Suns last night?! The game was completely sold out, not to mention horribly expensive, but Collin's dad actually won 4 tickets from a Whataburger contest, and being the cool parents they are, they asked us to come along! So, we scrambled to find a babysitter (thanks for letting Cheyenne come on such short notice Candace - the kids LOVED her!) and we all got to go see the Spurs kick the Suns bootie again! It was a really great game to attend, and we feel quite thankful to have been there. Here are a few pictures from our night, just so you can be jealous! ;o)

Me and my Sweetie at the game

Mom & Dad Wilhite enjoying the game

Our boys in action!

I'm going to be super busy this week, (and already have been, if you haven't noticed my lack of posting), waiting for little baby May to make his/her appearance! We spent a good part of the day up in San Marcos with Kim yesterday, just in case. Tom was administering finals and will be again tomorrow, so my Mom, the kids and I are going to go hang out and hope for a baby while we're there! We'll be sure to let you know of any newsworthy events!

The newest little Judisch...

I'm so pleased to announce that my brother Neal, and Sister-in-law, Janice had a little girl on Saturday morning. Lillian Jeanette (Jeanette for our Mom) was 8 lbs, 2 oz and 20 1/4 inches and absolutely perfect! Of course it's killing us all not being able to be up there to see Lillian yet, but we know we'll get the chance soon. Here are some pictures of my newest niece, our 10th niece/nephew! Aren't babies such a nice way to start people?

Welcome to the world, Lillian!!!

May God bless you and keep you. We love you very much!

Gruene, TX

We love Texas! Saturday we spent the afternoon in a little town called Gruene (pronounced "Green" which is actually what it means in German) which is a historical town full of neat shops, restaurants and scenery. We had talked about going to the Poteet Strawberry Festival, but then decided it might be a bit too pricey, so we headed to Gruene instead. Not much to tell about the actual trip, we didn't buy anything, but did a lot of window shopping instead. We also split the Hill Country Strawberry Shortcake at the Gristmill Restaurant, which was very yummy, and sat on the patio with a beautiful scene overlooking the Guadalupe River. We had perfect weather of about 80 degrees with a cool breeze, and loved the excursion. Here are just a couple pics, so you can get a taste of our Gruene experience.

The original general store (across the street) from the 1800s

The original community center, now a dance hall, where George Straight was discovered

Us on the patio of the Gristmill Restaurant (which used to be a cotton gin) overlooking the river

Happy Birthday...

... to my sweet hubby! Saturday night we went out with Collin's parents, my parents and grandmother to Trilogy Pizza for some good 'ol Chicago-style pizza, which was really yummy. On Monday, Collin's actual birthday, we went to Pizza Hut (his choice again) for more pizza, and he chose a cookie cake from Great American Cookie Co. My mom came over to babysit that night, so we were able to get away and see "Jumper" and have some alone time. It's been so nice being around family for celebrations and free babysitters! :o) To a loving husband and wonderful father, we hope your 32nd year of life tops all the rest - we love you!