TODAY MATTERS

A Proper Introduction

2010-09-25T17:54:00.008-05:00

Cheek, meet Headboard. Headboard, Cheek.

It's kind of hard to see because of the lighting in this pic, but Selah acquired a pretty nasty, big bruise on her left cheek Thursday night after a rough encounter with her headboard. Thankfully, it was her cheek and not her nose, chin, eye, forehead, any of which would have probably meant a donation to the Cook Children's ER in exchange for stitches. It seems to have been a memorable experience for her, so I'm hoping in the future she'll choose to head my warnings about jumping on the bed!

Hello.

2010-01-08T08:24:00.009-06:00

My name is Erin. I'm a blog slacker.

(Everyone) Hello, Erin.

:-:-:-:-:

Pardon me for my lack of consistency these days. Who am I kidding? Non-existence is more like it, as you can clearly see from the date of my last post! Hello, motherly guilt.

Wrangling two little ones is quite a task to say the least. Documenting it, as I've clearly demonstrated, has become even trickier!

:-:-:-:-:

The main issue that's kept me from blogging all this time is my tendency to be a little, um, let's say... particular about things. Okay, okay. I'm completely anal. A perfectionist. If I don't have time to do it right I'm not about to do it half way. This probably stems from my background in mathematics. I like order. Sequences. Patterns. Anywho... I've had to come to grips with the fact that there does not, in any part of my imagination, exist a world in which I have time to go back and document all of the wonderful, awful, big and little events that have taken place since January of 2009. There just isn't. And it's taken me awhile to accept that and be OK with picking up with the present and resolving to make blogging a part of my routine.

:-:-:-:-:

I will for sure recap a few important highlights (ie: holidays, birthdays, etc.), and don't think I'm not gonna back-date every one of them. It drives me crazy to read a post dated in August that actually happened in February! Have I mentioned I'm nuts?! But I digress...

Be looking for an on-slot of posts, both catch-up and new, in a few days!

:-:-:-:-:

For now, I'll leave you with this little morsel... and by "morsel", I mean photo. (wink, wink)

Matthan Paul Coursey

2009-01-15T21:27:00.001-06:00

Matthan arrived on Wednesday, January 14th at 3:45 pm, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces and 21 inches long. Here's how it all happened...

Matthan Paul's Birthstory

I thought I was going to join the small club of women who actually happened to go into labor naturally and give birth on their baby's due date. On Monday afternoon I started having what I knew for sure to be minor contractions. They would come every 6-10 minutes or so, and last anywhere from 60-90 seconds. They gradually became more intense as the day went on, so I thought, "This is it!" With Selah I never felt any contractions whatsoever, and was already 5 cm dilated when my midwife called me in nine days post due date. So I just knew that if I was having contractions this was the real deal. I took a shower, made sure every bag was packed, gave my parents a "heads up" call, and went to bed around 10pm. Well, I was WRONG! I wasn't in bed thirty minutes and the contractions completely subsided. Come Tuesday morning I was STILL PREGNANT, and disappointed.

We had an appointment with my midwife scheduled for Wednesday morning and were fairly certain that if things were progressing we would try some natural ways to help my labor along, so my mom went ahead and drove down Tuesday evening to stay at the house with Selah.

On Wednesday morning we said a tearful goodbye to Selah ( it's a strange, bittersweet feeling to leave one child to have another) and headed to Dallas. I remember reading and hearing from friends throughout my pregnancy that every labor is different, and to not expect this labor to be a repeat of my first. Well, strangely enough, things this time around played out very much like they did with Selah. Once we got to the birth center Carol, another midwife, checked me and I was dilated nearly 5 cm. We decided to strip my membranes and take a walk around the park next door to try and get things going while waiting for my midwife, Cherie, who was on her way. After about an hour and a half of walking contractions, we went back inside to talk with Cherie and see how much I had progressed. I began having very regular contractions while walking, but they were still pretty mild. Cherie checked me and I was now at 6 cm.

At about 1pm we made the decision to go ahead and break my water, and afterwards I immediately felt much more pressure. Terry moved all of our things into the birthing room while I called my best friend and doula, Kippy, who headed to the birth center. I really wanted to try laboring in the whirlpool tub because I've read a lot about the advantages of using warm water to help ease the pain, but I had also heard it could really speed up labor so I decided to wait for Kippy to get there.

When Kippy arrived around 2pm we decided to take one more quick walk around the park and then headed back inside to get in the tub. The warm water felt amazing! I lounged back and chatted with Terry and Kippy, pausing when I needed to concentrate on breathing through a contraction. After I had been in the tub for about an hour my birth assistant, Debbie, was concerned that I wasn't progressing because of the talking and laughing going on and decided that maybe I needed to be checked to see what was going on. Cherie climbed in the tub with me, and said to everyone's surprise that I was already completely dilated to 10 cm! I was shocked at how well laboring in the water masked the pain, so much so that I wasn't even feeling any urge to push!

I had really wanted to deliver in the tub, but when my water was broken there was a small amount of meconium in the fluid, which made waterbirth not an option because Cherie would need to aspirate the baby's lungs right when the head was delivered. Everyone helped me out of the tub, and the moment I stood up I felt the most intense pressure ever. I squatted to push a few times and then got in bed.

Terry was right on the bed with me helping me hold my legs back as I pushed and telling me what a great job I was doing. Kippy was right at my feet, encouraging me with each push and helping me hang in there by telling me when she could see his head. Cherie did an amazing job of letting me push when I wanted to, while at the same time giving me direction when she could tell wearing out and needed it. At one point everyone was laughing and smiling around me, and Kippy said his head was out and he opened his eyes and was looking around. A short 15-20 minutes of pushing and Matthan entered the world, completely perfect from head to toe! What an amazing blessing it is that God allows us as mothers to help usher a new life into the world!!

Blackmail

2009-01-05T21:10:00.002-06:00

This is how Selah appeared to me after her nap today...

...and trying on her baby brother's clothes.PRICELESS!!

Ms. Photogenic

2008-12-31T20:31:00.004-06:00

Since Selah missed out on her very first school pic (read about that here, still makes me sad), we took her to have some portraits taken at Portrait Innovations. It's been over a year since we had professional pics taken so it was more than overdue, and the timing was perfect because it made for easy, yet forever cherished Christmas gifts for the grandparents.

"Just like you, Mommy!"

2008-12-26T20:54:00.003-06:00

Selah has been telling me for months now that she wants a pair of slippers and a robe, just like me. Well, here she is in her most prized Christmas presents, courtesy of her Great-Grandma Condray!

Super cute polar bear slippers!

Admiring her new robe

Nice and cozy!

36 Weeks?...Bad Mommy!

2008-12-15T14:39:00.013-06:00

I can't believe I'm only 4 weeks away from my due date and I haven't posted a single thing about this pregnancy since the announcement post in May! I've been such a slacker mommy-to-be with this pregnancy than I was with Selah. She had her own website, and I updated it after every single appointment. It's funny how much the time flies when you're already busy running around after a two year old; no basking in the glow of your pregnant self, or lying on the couch for hours just feeling the baby move!

36 WEEKS

Selah loves giving her "baby brudder" lots of kisses.

That does look like a belly, right?!

KA-RIP!

2008-12-14T15:55:00.000-06:00

Bison-in-Training

Culinary Cutie

2008-12-10T16:35:00.000-06:00

BURRRR..ito!

2008-12-10T15:47:00.007-06:00

"I'm ready for winter, Mommy!"

"Where's Jophes?"

2008-12-07T15:28:00.006-06:00

Today we took our camera to church in an attempt to get some good Christmas pics of Selah. There was a really big nativity setup in the atrium, and we got some pretty cute candid shots, and some posed of Selah giving her "cheese!" smile.

Selah had recently lead me through a battery of questions about our nativity set at home, learning everyone's names and roles. When she rounded the corner and climbed up to see Baby Jesus her first question was "Mommy, where's Jophes?"

First School Pics...classic.

2008-12-05T15:05:00.005-06:00

I was so excited for Selah to get her picture taken at school for the very first time! We picked the perfect outfit, got her hairs did just right, took a few pics of our own at home to commemorate the day, and off to school we went. She loves to say "cheese!", so I had high expectations for the ridiculously cute pics we would end up with.

After leaving her just 30 min earlier, I received a call from her teacher that she was running a pretty high fever and crying non-stop, and that I would need to come pick her up. I got to school and it was clear that my poor little baby felt just aweful! STINK! No pictures that day, but her teachers assured me she could have them taken when she came back a few days later.

Well, after a trip to the pediatrician the next day (and a virus confirmed) it was clear she wouldn't be going back that week. DOUBLE STINK!!

So...we didn't get to have the whole first school picks experience, but I did get a few shots of Selah all dolled up that morning before we went to school.

She got upset when I told her I wanted to take her picture, but I didn't really think anything of it. In hindsight, clearly she was NOT feeling well! So, these are Selah's first school pics...

Silly Sayings of Selah

2008-12-04T18:56:00.014-06:00

OK, I realize it's been forever since I've posted, and I promise I'll try to catch up soon, but I just HAD to share some pretty hilarious things that have come out of my child's mouth over the past few days.

And they are...

~ "I'll be right back, people!" - said to her Papa, Daddy, and Mommy in the middle of a hard-core playing session when she realized she had to go potty.

~ "I really want to eat this dirty corndog, but I can't." - said to Mommy at lunch when she noticed a darker brown (crispy) spot on one of her favorite foods.

~ "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" - whispered in awe when she saw her very own little Christmas tree in her room for the first time.

~ "Y, B, B, O, L, Y, B, B, O, H. That spells Selah Blaire Coursey!" - said after a trip to Hobby Lobby with Mommy and she read the store sign, from right to left.

~ "Mommy needs to buy more toilet paper so I can wipe." - said to Daddy during a playtime potty break.

~ Daddy: "Selah, what color is your room?"
Selah: "Green."
Daddy: "And what color is your baby brother's room?"
Selah: "Blue."
Daddy: "And what color is my room?"
Selah: "You don't have a room, Daddy."
Daddy: "Well, then where do I sleep?"
Selah: "AMERICA!!"

Such a silly goose!

Heading South!

2008-07-06T13:24:00.015-05:00

Selah and I made the 12 hour trip to my grandmother's in Mobile, AL this week, along with my Dad and my niece, Bella. We normally visit that side of the family at Thanksgiving, but since I will only be about six weeks away from my due date we're going to have to stay much closer to home this year. So we left Terry a bachelor for the week and headed south.

We had such a great time and were able to see a lot more of my aunts and cousins that live in Mobile now that Mama has moved from Pascagoula. We all got to cook out and watch the fireworks together on the 4th, and had a very special 7th birthday party for Bella with all of her cousins. Here are some pics!

Sweet girls!

She loves to swing!

LOVES it!!

Pretty baby!

"calling" Daddy

Papa working?

Miss Independent!

Princesses Hayden, Bella, and Meg at the party

Watching fireworks with Papa

June 2008...in pics

2008-06-30T14:15:00.006-05:00

talking to Nena, Papa, RyRy, Bella... and anyone else she can think of!

pretending to be bashful!

showing her "cheese!" face, and baking with Mommy

reading with Nena

she loves riding her bike

playing with her new sand/water table

sweet hands!

this is serious business!

such a goof!

reading with Daddy

Mozart in training

"driving" Mommy's old car...the green machine.

That's right, I'm a girl and I drove a '69 mustang!

Old School!

2008-05-13T20:22:00.005-05:00

So, I think I've mentioned (and shown) before how much Selah likes to dress up. Well, I rounded the corner from my office today and found her like this, all dressed up in her daddy's socks and sneakers! I completely cracked up, and it reminded me of the days when it was cool to wear your socks pulled all the way up to your knees. Silly girl!

And...

2008-05-01T20:14:00.005-05:00

I'm PREGNANT!!

Yes, that's right! Terry and I are so excited that we'll be welcoming a new member into our little family in January 2009. Stay tuned...!

Proof positive!

This is the look Selah had on her face when we told her that she was going to be a big sister. Not unlike the look Terry had on his face when I told him the news!

Funniest thing ever! Seriously...EVER!!!

2008-04-14T12:49:00.013-05:00

OK, let me preface this post by saying, I know... I know it's been a ridiculous seven and a half months since my last post. I could run through the battery of excuses for why it's been so long but they are, alas, excuses. What can I say? Life is crazy! Anyway, I do have a list of approx. a gazillion events, funnies, etc. to post, and I will get to them. PROMISE! But something happened last night that was just too priceless to keep to myself. So be looking for an incredibly large amount of back-dated posts coming soon, but for now...on with the post!

Fairly frequently Terry and I will sneak a peek at Selah before we turn in for the night. She's at such an active age, so it's a really sweet moment to just watch her sleep peacefully and marvel at how big she looks all stretched out in her crib. Well, last night was no exception, so at about 10:30 we crept in to her room. As I walked over to her crib I glanced down to see her jammies lying on the floor. I thought, "how funny, she took her sleeper off". As I nudged Terry to point them out, he looked over the crib, turned to me and said, "She's completely naked!". I took a better look at the floor and there, by her sleeper, was her diaper. And in the crib, a completely naked Selah...dead asleep!!

Now, she'd been in bed for over 3 hours at that point so, of course, Terry checked and her sheet was soaked...UGH. So while Terry grabbed a clean sheet and new jammies, I ran for the camera. How I could I not document a moment like that?! And on top of it all, Selah stayed completely asleep for the nearly ten minutes it took to get both her and the crib cleaned and clothed again. We layed her back down with George (her giraffe) and blankie and she never knew the difference!

Terry and I went to bed cracking up at our funny little monkey and what a great memory that will be! Now, for the pics...

Jammies, diaper, and blanket...overboard!

Notice the large ring of pee-soaked sheet...obviously wasn't hindering her beauty sleep!

I LOVE me some Caedmon's!

2008-03-27T19:58:00.001-05:00

I finally got a girls' night out! Which are pretty rare these days, I must say. This night was super fun for several reasons: I got to see one of my very best friends from college (and bridesmaids), Sarah; I got to give my best friend, Kippy, a much needed girls' night out too; and I got to see one of my all-time fave bands perform live! Yay! Terry and I used to go to concerts all the time when we lived in OK, but I'm sad to say that prior to this night we've only been to one in the whole four years we've lived in DFW. Needless to say I was super excited!

Sarah and me, and Cliff Young

Kippy and me, and Cliff Young...again

Derek Webb, reuniting to tour with Caedmon's after going solo

Cliff and Danielle Young singing one of my fave songs, "Shifting Sand"

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T14:41:00.001-05:00

We had the perfect low-key Easter celebration this year. Went to church, hunted some eggs, at some ham. Good times...

Not really sure what this whole egg business is all about.

Or about the egg "ears"!

Now she's got it!

I realized after looking through the pics that I never did get a good shot of her all dressed up. Oh well, she does love dress up so maybe we'll just recreate the shot!

Poor James...

2007-08-31T10:42:00.000-05:00

Nearly every day after Selah wakes up from her morning nap I let her watch a little Sesame Street while I fix lunch. Well, today was no different. Selah was sitting in her little wooden rocking chair enjoying her TV time and I was just about to put lunch on the table when a new sketch started. It was James Blunt sitting with his guitar, clearly down about something. Telly comes running up, asks James what's wrong and James says that he's lost something very special. Very concerned, Telly asks James what it is that he's lost and James decides to sing about it.

The music to "You're Beautiful" begins to play and James starts out with "This shape was brilliant..." and proceeds to sing "My Triangle" (the shape of the day).

No sooner did James start singing and I hear Selah start crying from the living room. I'm so close to having lunch ready that I just call from the kitchen, "Selah, what's wrong? It's OK, Baby Girl." while I finish cutting up her food. The cries continue to grow with each line James sings, and so I round the corner to find Selah, in her chair, tears rolling down her cheeks, pointing at the TV.

James Blunt is making my daughter cry!!

As I'm about to console her I think, what a funny post that would be! So I run grab the camera and get a few quick shots. Bad Mommy, I know. As I take the last pic the sketch ends and Elmo's World comes on; the tears and crying are immediately replaced with clapping and smiling for her furry, red monster-friend!! Oh, the drama!

Of course, I'd like to think that my little girl is so very intuitive and insightful that she was being truly sympathetic to James' plite in the loss of his beloved triangle. But I guess I must admit that it may have been his scary falsetto voice and accent, or the sad music, too!

Anway, I thought the story and pics of James Blunt terrorizing my sweet baby was definitely post-worthy! Check out the pic and video below:

Don't cry, James!

"My Triangle" ~ James Blunt and Telly

WHAT?!

2007-08-16T10:25:00.000-05:00

Doesn't everybody drink like this?!

Like a weed!

2007-08-16T09:34:00.000-05:00

Selah's 12-month stats:

Weight: 21 lb. 4 oz. (50-75%)

Height: 31 in (95%)

Head: 18 in (50-75%)

Did you SEE that?! 95% on height! Dr. Raine thinks she might have a future in the WNBA or as a supermodel! Where does it come from?! Lord knows, NOT from her parents!

He gave her the gold star for sleeping so well through the night (11-12 hrs), which Mommy definitely appreciates! Apparently many babies her age are still just going 6-7 hrs/night at a stretch. CLEARLY they have not been "Sleep Sensed" (thanks Katherine)!

Funny story...Dr. Raine was going through the round of questions about her developmental progress and asked if she's pointing and vocalizing when she wants something. No sooner had the words left his mouth and Selah started yelling "Ah, ah, ah..." and pointing to her cup of crackers on the exam table. Dr. Raine started cracking up and said "there's my answer"!

Yes, she responds on cue!

TALL, BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT...she's got it ALL (including the attitude)!!!

New duds!

2007-08-14T22:50:00.000-05:00

Outfit courtesy of Ms. Summers,

crocs courtesy of Ms. Susan

What a look!

Old Man!

2007-08-13T22:43:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

New do!

2007-08-12T22:57:00.000-05:00

Finally hair long enough for pigtails!
Barely!

SPLISH SPLASH!!!

2007-08-11T21:41:00.000-05:00

We had a Birthday BASH! And boy, was it EVER!! About 40 of our close friends and family (including almost 15 kiddos!) joined us to celebrate Selah's first birthday. Since it was a typical August day with a high of 104, we setup a splash pool for the babies and a water slide for the big kids (including Terry and Brett!) to help everyone keep cool, particularly the babies. They were a HUGE hit!!

Here are some pics of the fun!

Caleb being brave on the big kid slide!

Watering the babies...

Splish!

Splash!

A little too wet!

Opening presents! Thanks everyone!!

First taste of cake!
Mmmmm...cake...
Here Jack, you need a little color!
STUFFED!
Mommy and Daddy with the Birthday Girl!

Not a baby anymore...

2007-08-08T09:49:00.001-05:00

Selah Blaire has officially entered toddlerhood. Wow! A year? Really?! This day is a little bittersweet. Of course it's exciting to think about her future, what will she learn next? Who will she become? But also sad that this year passed so quickly, my baby girl is now a little lady.

Let's take a look back at that day just one year ago when our lives forever changed...

Selah Blaire's Birthstory ~ Tuesday, August 8th, 2006

At 41 weeks, 2 days, I was 9 days past my due date of July 30th, and WAY beyond ready. After having had my membranes stripped twice within the past week with no success, I was waiting for the birthing center to open at 9am so that I could call and find out the next plan of action. At 8:40am the phone rang and it was Cherie, my midwife, calling to ask if there was any change. After telling her how things had gone the day before, she told me to come in and she would check me. We took showers and got ready for another trip to Dallas (the 3rd in less than a week) and before we left Terry asked if we needed to bring everything with us (bags, food, etc.). I naively replied that there wasn't any point because they would just strip my membranes and send me home again.

We got to the birthing center around 10:30am. Cherie checked me and I was 100% effaced and 5 cm dialated! Yeah! But still, I felt nothing. She told me to go walk in the park right next door and asked Terry to bring our stuff in from the car. OOPS!! Stuff?! We left it at home! So...Cherie sent Terry home for our bags, but wouldn't let me go because it was too risky considering I was fairly far along. The right decision, but it was still scary and upsetting to me that I had to stay there and work on getting my labor started without him! Today was the day we were going to meet our baby girl, FINALLY!

While Terry was gone I walked in the park. I walked and walked, taking many breaks for water and the bathroom.

When Terry got back around noon (the fastest trip to Arlington and back EVER!) we made a few more laps around the park before heading inside for me to be checked again. I was 6 cm, and Cherie suggested breaking my water to help move my contractions along since they were still barely noticeable. She broke my water at 1pm and things really progressed from there! I labored through mild contractions for a few hours, mostly rocking on a peanut shaped birthing ball. A little after 4pm Cherie and Debbie, my birth assitant, came to check on me and commented on what a quiet laborer I was. My pain really had not been bad at all to that point, so I was getting a little worried that I wasn't progressing and would have a long night ahead of me.

I ate a snack of crackers and juice, and then Cherie sent me to the bathroom and then she would check me. Terry came to the bathroom with me and the moment I sat down I felt a HUGE wave of intense pressure and pain. Now THAT must have been a contraction! Let's just say the quiet part of my labor was over; I grabbed Terry around the waist and buried my head in his stomach as hard as I could to try and counter the pressure with each contraction. After about 10-15 minutes, the contractions let up enough for me to head back to the birthing room. As I walked down the hall, I prayed that God would strengthen my body and my spirit to be able to endure what I thought was the beginning of true labor.
When Cherie checked me, we were both surprised that I was 10 cm dialated and ready to push! Praise Jesus for an incredibly short labor and transition! I squatted for the first 2-3 pushes, and then moved to the bed. With 3 more pushes Selah was born, and Terry got to "catch" her and put her on my stomach!

Selah was born at 5:14pm, weighing 8 lb. 6 oz., and 21 inches long.

I truly cannot imagine having a better experience and wouldn't change a single thing...except maybe remembering our junk!

Selah had a great first birthday! We drove to Dallas to eat lunch with Daddy, opened presents, and had our very first cupcake! A special day indeed!!

Birthday breakfast of waffles, blueberries, and strawberries. YUMMY!

Look Ma, no hands!

2007-08-06T16:27:00.000-05:00

Selah officially took her first steps on July 5th, but it was kind of a freak thing. We were at the Parks Mall playground with a new group of friends and another mom stood Selah up and said, "Walk to Mommy!". I said she would just plop down and crawl (she hasn't even stood without holding on yet), but when my friend let go Selah toddled 4-5 little steps right to me!! I was so shocked! This was it, right?!

WRONG!

Since then Selah could care less about walking. When prompted by Terry or me, she would barely take a step or two. Most of the time she would refuse to even stand up on her own. We decided to give it a rest for awhile. No sense pushing her, walking should be fun!

Tonight (after a few weeks of no pressure!) we stood her up just to see what she would do, and she took off across the living room! I thought I was busy when she started crawling, but I can already tell that THIS is a whole new ballgame!

We've got her on video, so I'll try to get it uploaded soon...

Lil' bit of everything...

2007-07-27T15:46:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted pics of Selah, mainly because there just hasn't been an event that was unquestionably "blog-worthy".

Here are a few of Selah's favorite things to do the past few weeks...

Playing in Toby and Maggie's water bowl! In...her favorite spot...
...Out!
Poppin' a squat on Mr. Turtle, and chewing on Daddy's watch!
We LOVE reading stories!
Daddy's favorite thing...Crazy Bath Hair!
Dressing up!
Taking "Peanut Butter" for a ride!
In...again...
...Out...yet again!

Coursey Construction Co., LLC

2007-07-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

Terry's parents and grandpa visited this past weekend and were so gracious to help us build a pergola over our back patio. This has been a long-awaited project on our "to do" list and I'm happy to say we can now check it off!

The side of our yard slopes down so steeply toward our neighbors that there is about a 2 ft. drop from the side of the patio down to the grould. It's definitely NOT attractive, but has never really been an issue until Selah started taking a few steps recently and will soon be toddling around on her own. Needless to say we had to get at least a railing up, and pronto!

Terry had a good time working with his dad and grandpa, and his mother and I had fun playing with Selah in the air conditioning!

Here a some pics of the masterpiece!

The much needed railing! No getting through there, Baby Girl!

My design, Terry's steady hand

Selah showing her Great-Grandpa all of her toys

Mission: China

2007-07-11T12:44:00.000-05:00

It has been an amazing past few days in the Coursey household! On Sunday Terry and our good friend, Jason Maurice, were approached by the preschool director at our church with the opportunity to travel with a missions team of preschool workers to China. At first we weren't sure if that was a possibility since Terry will be moving to a new lab in August and didn't want to create any problems by asking for time off before he even starts, but he has such a desire to go that he decided to take a chance.

On Monday he met with his new boss, Jerry, and explained the situation, prefacing his request by acknowledging that it was somewhat presumptuous, but that he really feels led to go. Without hesitation Jerry said he wouldn't even think about getting in the way of an opportunity like this and that they would work out whatever they needed for Terry to be able to go! Praise the Lord!!

Apparently Jason had a similar experience when he approached his boss as well, so it's a thumbs up for both of them!

The group of six will leave on September 28th for Shanghai, travel by train overnight on the 30th to the remote province of Hiiraan, spend the week of October 1st-7th working in two children's homes, travel by train overnight on the 7th to Beijing for four days of site-seeing, and will return to TX on October 11th.

Please pray for Terry and the others as they prepare to spread the love of Jesus during this amazing journey. Pray that all of the funds needed will be raised, that all of the preparations will fall into place, and that the whole team will make it there and back safely. Pray especially for the people of China who will cross paths with this team, that their hearts would be softened and ready to hear the Good News!! More info to come!

11 Months Old?!

2007-07-08T13:45:00.000-05:00

How can it be that our little girl is entering her last month of babyhood?

My experience as a mommy so far has proved all of the typical clichés to be true, and they've become very profound statements of parenthood for me, rather than just goofy sayings. So I must say that it really does feel like we just brought her home yesterday. Lately I feel the need to really cherish everything "baby" that I can like cuddling, nursing, etc. because I know that all too soon those things will be just memories as well.

We spent the day going to church in the morning and playing with Papa before he had to make the trip back to OK. Selah LOVES playing with her Papa, he's just SO SILLY!!

Root, root, root...

2007-07-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

For the Rangers! Selah experienced her first baseball game last night as the Rangers lost to the Baltimore Orioles. While the game was slightly dissappointing, we had a GREAT time!

We were joined by our good friends, Tom & Rebekah Louis, my dad, and Terry's friend and college roommate, Eric, who we haven't seen in over 3 years.

I wasn't sure if Selah would make it through the whole game, but she did really well. Even the guy in front of us thought so!

Mommy, I'm trying to watch the game!

SO COOL in Ms. Rebekah's sunglasses!

Selah and her Papa

Best seat in the house!

Proud to be an American!

2007-07-04T15:35:00.000-05:00

Today was Selah's first 4th of July, so we celebrated in traditional fashion. We attended the Arlington parade in the morning with our good friends, Jason and Katherine, and their son Jack. We managed to make it there without a single chair or blanket for sitting (Rhode's scholars, I know!), so we enjoyed the show from the curb. We had a great time with our friends, but I must say I the parade itself left something to be desired. I expected a little more out of a city of 300,000+!

We wrapped up the day with burgers, potato salad, and baked beans (YUM!) and Terry and I enjoyed the NYC firework show after getting Selah in bed by her usual 7pm.

Selah and Jack, enjoying something in the OTHER direction!

Daddy and Selah getting an upclose view

All dolled up in stars and stripes!

"Daddy's Little Sparkler" a Father's Day gift from Nena

All in a day's work!

2007-06-29T21:13:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Selah decided to be adventurous and start climbing...ON EVERYTHING! You would think she would do a little bit...feel it out...get her feet wet, but not this girl! When she puts her mind to something it's definitely full throttle, jumping in with both feet.

Here are some pics of her accomplishments!

And the finale!

Yes, that would be my daughter, too impatient to wait for more of her afternoon cheese and crackers!

Bridging the gap...

2007-06-29T19:59:00.000-05:00

In an effort to make up for lost blogging, here's a small filmstrip of Selah's life from Aug 8, 2006 til now. Of course, there are tons to choose from (3,917 to be exact) and tons that are really great, but for the sake of time, space, your interest, etc. I picked one from each month.

Selah Blaire Coursey, this is YOUR life:

August 2006

September

October

November December
January 2007 February
March
April
May
June

Isn't she lovely?!

Jumping on the bandwagon...

2007-06-29T18:22:00.000-05:00

So, when I found out I was pregnant with Selah I started a baby website and to say that I was religious about posting would NOT be an exaggeration. That is, until Selah was born. I couldn't find time to keep it up to date AND take care of this new little person in my life, so I canceled it. Plus, I was PAYING for it! I know, ridiculous.

Anyway, as of late it seems that almost every mom I know is blogging about their babies except for me, and I'm feeling a little left out! Not really, but I HAVE been experiencing some regret about not documenting Selah's life. Sure, I do the whole baby book thing with major milestones like rolling over, crawling, etc. But I'm realizing more and more every day that there are other random fun, cute, silly, scary, sweet, gross things that are happening all the time that aren't baby book-worthy, but I don't want to forget them!

So at the risk of being labeled a "follower", this is the first of hopefully many (hopefully entertaining) posts about our little family. Enjoy!