Our 1 Year Anniversary

This past Sunday, Travis and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary at a bed and breakfast! I can't believe a year has gone by from when we said "I Do." I remember the day we got engaged and all of the planning began for a wedding in 6 months in Louisiana! We had so much fun putting all of the details together for the big day. My parents had to do most of the planning and details since we were away. They did an amazing job and it was a special time for my mom and I. Our wedding day finally came, and everything went better than we could have ever expected. When my dad walked me down the aisle, it was such an emotional moment for the both of us. I was so excited to see Travis standing at the alter so we can start our new life together as husband and wife. It was a day that I will always remember and will forever cherish. 

Thank you mom and dad for making this one of the most special days of our lives. 

Travis,  thank you for always loving me and being here for me. We have had some wonderful memories in our first year of marriage and I can't wait to continue our life with our new family and our new memories that we will make together. I love you with all of my heart!

At the Bed and Breakfast for our Anniversary

Our First Ultrasound

Today Travis and I went in for our first ultrasound of our little peanut. When we saw it appear on the screen, I was in such awe of our little miracle. The doctor went through routine photographs and then showed us it's heartbeat. I teared up watching it flicker on the screen and then to hear from the doctor that it was a healthy and strong heartbeat made it even better. It's heartbeat was beating at 136 beats per minute. I am currently 7 weeks and 2 days with my due date set for February 24th. We go again in 4 weeks and I can't wait to see how much it has grown since this first visit. It's so amazing to see this little tiny thing inside you be life that you created and are going to bring into this world. Travis and I have been waiting for this day to come. 

As far as being sick, I have been pretty lucky for the most part, so far! I have been very fatigued and queasy with a very little appetite. I even lost 7 pounds when I weighed in today! Nothing really sounds good to eat but I know I have to feed the baby so I try to put something in my stomach. I'll be glad when this passes! It's been nice to have the summer off to go through my first trimester. We are anxious for the next several months and to watch our little peanut grow. Here are a few pictures from our sonogram today! Enjoy!

Love Y'all,

Mary

I'm Pregnant!

It's true....Travis and I are expecting a new little bundle of joy in February and we couldn't be more excited. We returned to Dallas on Father's Day from a very relaxed, week long vacation in Florida with my parents. I knew I was a day late but was so scared to take a test because I didn't want to see "not pregnant" on there again. Travis convinced me to take one any way. So, he went to our neighbors house to get the mail and I ran to take one so I could be myself in case the results were not what we were hoping. When I saw "Pregnant" I started crying because I was thrilled beyond belief. I hurried up and called Travis to tell him to come home. He kept asking me if everything was ok. I simply said "Happy Father's Day!" Travis came running through the door with tears in his eyes. We just hugged and cried together because we couldn't wait for this day to come and then to happen on Father's Day made it more perfect for Travis. I think for the next hour or so while I called family, I carried the test around and kept looking at it because I couldn't believe we were going to have a baby. The first person I called was my dad. It was the best moment for me to tell him he was going to be a grandpa. I'm not sure who is more excited him or my mom. They are going to be amazing grandparents!

Travis is going to be such an amazing dad. I can't wait to see our little bundle arrive and how he interacts with our baby. We call it our little peanut and every day when he leaves for work and every morning when he comes home from work, he rubs my belly and says "I love you peanut." It's the sweetest thing! Of course, he's rooting for a boy and I would love to have a little girl but as long as it is a healthy baby then we will be happy with whatever God blesses us with. We are so excited about the next several months and are anxious to watch my belly grow. We go in for our first sonogram on July 10th and can't wait to see our peanut. Please pray for us as we go through this journey. Thank you for letting us share our wonderful news with you! We can't wait for everyone to meet Baby Terrell!

Love,
Mary

Good-Bye Brinker

Yesterday was my last day at Brinker Elementary. It was a day full of emotions. I was excited about my new career in Frisco but sad to leave my "family" of three years at Brinker. I came to Brinker in December of 2005 and was offered a job after I graduated in August. Saying good-bye to the kids was the hardest part. I have established special bonds with each of them and they have touched my heart in all different, but special ways. To my friends at Brinker....thank you for all of your support during this time. I cherish your friendship everyday and am so grateful that you are all a part of my life. I love you guys!

After the kids left yesterday, we had our staff party that afternoon. Barbara (our principal) got up and spoke about each teacher that was leaving Brinker. A book is dedicated in our name that goes into the Brinker library. Since I'm from Louisiana, it was only fitting that my book be "Zach's Alligator." The support and compliments that I received from the staff was amazing and it truly touched my heart.

I took some pictures with my kids when I said good-bye. This was one of the hardest things I had to do. I have written little blurbs about them and how I will always remember them. It's amazing how children can touch your heart forever. I will never forget them and the joy they have brought to me.

Gavin (2nd grade): You are the apple of my eyes. You amaze me everyday with what your knowledge. You have come such a long way since that very first day of kindergarten. I will miss seeing you in the hallways and you saying "Mterrel." It's amazing how you learned everyone's username in the school to their computer. I loved the fact that everytime you came into my room you went straight for the fireman that was on my shelf. You loved to play with him. I loved your hugs and your smile the most. You melted my heart. I will miss you so much and I am so proud of everything that you have accomplished!

Ana (kindergarten): Where do I begin? You have made such huge strides since your first day of kindergarten. I love that you are such a girly girl. I loved waiting to see you walk into the front doors every morning and you saying to me "Hey Terrell!" You brightened my day everyday. I never knew what you were going to say next which always kept me wondering. You could always bring a smile to my face even when I was having a not so good day. You loved asking Mrs. Brownlee everyday "Do I have speech today?" I will never forget the first time you came up to me and gave me a hug and said "I love you." That meant the world to me and I will never forget you and I will miss working with you next year.

Mikal (1st grade): You give the best hugs every morning. I love your smile and your willingness to never give up. I have loved watching you grow into an amazing student. You have so much to give and I know only the best is yet to come.

Matt (1st grade): You have made such huge progress this year. I remember how proud I was the first time you came in from carpool and stopped by room and told me Good morning and asked how I was doing. I was jumping for joy inside because you were generalizing your skills outside of speech. You amazed me everyday. I'll never forget the last day of school when you gave me my gift and said to me "I couldn't have done it without you. We are a team." I cried as you walked away because it was huge that you were able to express your feelings to me.

Annie (1st grade): You are so adorable and soft spoken. I remember when you came to Brinker you barely spoke a sentence and now you are talking up a storm. I am so proud of you. You are such a smart girl and you continue to strive everyday.

Penn (1st grade): You make me smile! I love your love for airplanes. You know everything there is to know about them. I love that you would come into speech and play air guitar and sing a song to me. It was always something different. The one that touched my heart the most was when you sang to me "I'm Yours." You are amazing and I will miss you so much!

Ian(5th grade-at the top): You are one of my favorites and I am so proud I was able to see you walk across the stage at our assembly as a graduate of 5th grade. You have made huge gains through the years. I love how you would get so excited to talk about dinosaurs and how you could name the different dinosaurs and tell me about them. Good luck at Renner next year! Your teachers will love you and you will do an amazing job! I will miss you!

Daniel (5th grade-at the top): WOW!!! I don't know where to begin! I remember the first day you walked in as a third grader and you weren't able to say anything but "Mama." In 3 years, you are now able to put complete sentences together. I am so proud of you! You never gave up and you always just pushed on so you would have a voice to be heard. I remember us sitting down together one day and you put your arm around my shoulders and said to me "You are my pumpkin." My heart completed melted. I told you that my dad called me his pumpkin and you giggled. You thought it was the neatest thing. In 4th grade, we started you on a communication device to help you form more clearer speech. The very first time you made a sentence and heard it said out loud back to you, you grinned from ear to ear. You knew that you would be able to communicate more with your peers. Mrs. Hughes and I started to cry because of how happy you were. You have come such a long way in these few short years and I am so proud that I have had the chance to know you and work with you! I will miss you next year! Good Luck at Renner! I know the teachers will love you as much as we love you at Brinker!

Now I begin my new journey in this path we call life...

Love to you all!
Mary

Staying Strong

This past week has been such a whirlwind for Travis and I. We went home for Mother's Day weekend to surprise my grandparents. It was so nice to be around our family. My Granddaddy and Mimi had their annual Mother's Day crawfish boil. They were so good. My Uncle Kenny cooked three sacks and I definitely had my share. Of course, the weekend came and went so fast and before we knew it we were back on the plane headed to Dallas.

Monday is when our life took an unexpected turn. I remember Travis calling me from work and asked if I was by myself in my office. My heart sunk because I didn't know what he was about to tell me. He told me that his company decided to have another layoff and they were just handing out letters to employers. I had faith that he wouldn't get a letter. He has worked so hard for the company. An hour later when I got home, he called me and told me he got a letter. I just broke down and kept repeating "What are we going to do?" You never think he could happen to you. He said he had until July to find something. I felt like everything at crumbled at that moment. He told me he would come home so we could just be together and figure out our next steps. When I got off the phone with him, I called the two most important people in my life....my mom and dad. I just cried to them and told them I was scared. I knew they would have the right words to say to me. I remember my dad telling me to just take a deep breath because I needed to stay strong for Travis. After talking with them, I finally calmed down and waited for Travis to get home. When Travis got home, we just stood there in each other's arms and said we would get through this together. It has been a tough week for the both of us. The thought of moving became an option but we didn't want to leave our house and our lives that we have made here. When you're going through this, you are filled with so many emotions and you're confused on what the best choice would be for the both us. Iam so proud of Travis for taking the initiative this past week and applying for jobs in Dallas area. We are just hoping for a call back soon. Please continue to pray for us as we travel down this bumpy path at this moment in our life. I know we will get through this with the help of our family and friends. We are so grateful for each and every one of you!

We love you!

Changes

Wow! It has been a while since I have written a new blog. Things have been kind of crazy lately. First of all, I have taken a new job with Frisco ISD for the new school year. It was such a tough decision. When I got the call that I was offered the job, I was so excited but so scared. I wanted to make the right decision and I was at a crossroads. Travis and I spent one weekend talking about the pros and cons for each job. By the end of the weekend, we had made the decision that I would move to Frisco. I cried many tears that weekend because I didn't want to leave my friends are my kiddos. It's amazing how some of my most challenging students were the ones that made the decision the hardest. In the three years, that I have been at Brinker, I have established some amazing bonds with my students and the thought of them being in someone else's hands scared me. They were my "little babies." Fortunately, my principal found someone to fill my position quickly and I had the opportunity to meet and work with her today for the first time. She observed me in therapy and we reviewed the paperwork/strategies that work with the students and teachers. I want it to be an easy transition for her since it is her first year. I remembered how I felt my first year....OVERWHELMED! I think the new SLP will do great. I will be working with more in the next few weeks. It will definitely be easier to turn my kids to someone else. I am scared about starting somewhere new and leaving my comfort zone at Brinker but I am excited about the new change. I know it is a great decision for Travis and I and for our futre family.

Secondly, Travis and I are in the process of putting flooring down in our house. WHAT A MESS! We are so excited! The past two weekends, we have been busy pulling up all of carpet and some of the tile. We had no idea how much of a mess pulling up tile would be. It took us forever to get everything free of dust. This past weekend, we finally finished getting our floors ready for when the flooring arrives and we painted our room which looks great! I am so excited to see the outcome! I will post pictures of our new floors as soon as their done and I promise to be better at blogging! :)

Love Y'all!
Mary

An Answered Prayer

As most of you know, last Thursday was a big day for Travis and I. His company was having a layoff that day and we had to wait for the outcome. It was such a nerve-racking week for the both of us...more so for him. We knew about a month ago that there would be a layoff but we didn't want to think it would happen. The day finally came and he was safe!!!! Travis told me when they got to work, his supervisor pulled several of them into his office and told them that they still had a job! WHAT A RELIEF!!! When hecalled to tell me the news, I couldn't stop screaming and I was beaming from ear to ear and completely speechless. It was such a relief for both of us and it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off of our shoulders. He is such a hard worker and I am so proud of him and all that he has done for the company, I knew he didn't deserve to be laid off. We were pretty confident, but there was still that little bit that kept tugging at us to be prepared if it went the other way. We turned to our faith and knew we had to leave it in God's hands.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who supported and prayed for us during this difficult and stressful time. I especially want to thank all of my friends at work. You guys were such a huge support for me while I was dealing with my job which at times can be stressful. Thanks for keeping me upbeat and positive. To my mom, thank you so much for listening to me cry countless nights on the phone because I was so scared of what could happen. You and dad were such great supporters for the both us. We love you!