The Last Supper... for real.

September 16, 2007... The Fay, Owens and Doe couples went out to dinner. Sophia was scheduled to come the very next day. She didn't.. came one more after that. Regardless, we knew life was about to drastically change for us all. First, Sophia's arrival then Oliver a few weeks later. No more late nights playing games, watching seasons of "24" and meeting up for meals on a whim.

We called it... "The Last Supper".

Fast forward three years and a few months and 5 1/2 kids later

(the Fays really give this number a boost).

January 29, 2011... "The Real Last Supper" before we move away. Chelseas Kitchen, dessert at LGO and a few hours of laughter and great baby sitters... A perfect night.

We've experienced so much life with these friends and are so thankful for their friendship, loyalty and LOVE (Yea Michael?). It's so hard to imagine life without you. So with that said, we'll see you when you visit real soon. American flag button up shirts, fake Dubya accents and all.

There really are no words...

Just thank you and love you.

A friendship in photos

Sophia Loves Oliver

Sophie Doe and Ollie Mo from the beginning...

Love you "best friend"

xoxoxoxoxo

What has Sophs been up to?

Tonight is her first night in her real big girl bed!

We figured she should get used to the bed before we change her whole world in a few weeks. She's fallen out of her toddler bed a couple of times. It's about time. She REALLY wants her bed... and our new house... to be pink. I figured I better get the pink bed figured out cause she's gonna be disappointed with our non-pink house.

We searched a couple of stores tonight and didn't really find what we were looking for. When we decided to leave the store she said, "Mom, why don't we go home and think about it."

I agreed. So I put the only sheets I had that would fit on it tonight... snowmen. She came in for bed and said, "Mom, there's just one problem... it's blue."

Can't get anything past that one.

We found what we liked online and it'll be here soon.

She got to bake cupcakes with Jewell!

Here they are in their aprons ready to go!

The mommies had fun too.

She has reinvented SUPERCAKES!

Super Grover was my favorite on Sesame Street when I was little. I used to put my hooded towel on and run around the house as "Supercakes!"

I woke up one morning to Sophia at my bed side. Dad had turned on Sesame Street. She had on a hooded towel, her rain boots and had dug through her bath toys to find an 'S' that she was asking me to put on her shirt with "sticky tape".

She made her very own

Super Sophia!

Micah is 9 months!

At 9 months:

* 22.14 lbs- Yes, that's almost 23 lbs,

BUT he's only in the 80th percentile!

There are some large 9 month olds out there.

* 30"- 90th percentile.

Pretty sure I'm gonna be the shortest in this family in no time.

* Still has a twinkle in his eye, constant smile on his face

and usually has his tongue hangin' out.

* Loves to clap and dance

* Crawling on all fours

* Pulling up on everything

* Not a tooth in sight

Micah has been quite busy with the ladies lately.

Here he is with Jolee...

And Maya and Bella....

And here is his first ever attempt at dancing.

It isn't much here, but you should see him groove now!

Aunt Koo Koo got him moving.

I have no new photos, but...

I have a few minutes. By myself. With a computer. That doesn't happen often and probably won't happen much in the next four weeks so I better do this now.

It's the final countdown.

33 days left in my home state. It's gonna be a long AND way too fast four weeks.

The house already looks sad. We've done quite a bit of packing. Garage sale is this weekend. Lori is going to come down in a couple of weeks to hang with the kiddos and we'll probably do most of the packing that week. The truck comes the next week. It'll be paper plates, microwavable meals and/or take out until the truck leaves and we move into the Nutt house for a week.

I had my first good cry today. Karie called in the midst of it and being the best big sister that she is, there was a cherry limeaid at my doorstep with in five minutes. I love my family. I love my bestest friends here. I can hear Jared out in the living room with some of the boys now. Doing that comfortable, high-pitched giggle that he does around the guys he's known and loved for so long. I get so sad. I don't wanna leave.

Then, I remind myself to look forward. I think of my bestest friends and family in TX. I think of the new friends that God has already picked out for us (they're SO lucky ;) ). I think of what God is doing and how He's graciously allowed us to join Him in it. I get way excited. I really want to go.

I'm a hot mess, people. But I wouldn't change any of it. It's a peaceful place. Being right where He wants us. Doing what He's asked of us. It's humbling. I've already seen Him work in miraculous ways to get this church growing. I think of how our time at SCA, my time at Baylor, Jared's time at Anderson, our time at MMCC... It's all worked together to make this possible. It's crazy to look back on events in our lives and see God's hand completely directing us to this exact place, at this exact time, with these exact people. I can't imagine what's in store. The good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful. But I'm excited. Nervous and scared, yes. But mostly excited.

We'll try to keep everyone updated on our progress over the next few weeks. And Dallas friends, if you ever feel like giving us a call in the next four weeks and reminding us about how great life will be when we get there, well, I'll need to hear it. :)

Baby Sluyk!!

I was so thankful to get to share in a special moment in the life of Danny and Allie. They had their ultrasound for the new baby while they were in town and we got to go register with them after they found out they're having a...

GIRL!!

I'm so excited for you Allie.

You're gonna be great parents and this little girl is gonna be a knock-out!

That takes my count to...

7 nephews

and

5 nieces!

Christmas Morning!

We had so much fun Christmas morning.

Sophia woke up and asked me through half-closed eyes...

"Did Santa come?"

I said "Yes!"

She ran out of her room yelling "Santa! Santa!"

Then looked at me and said "Where did he go?"

Whoops.

Guess we didn't really discuss that he's not there when you wake up. There was a short breakdown until she noticed that there was stuff in her stocking.

After we opened presents at home we went to The Nutt House for Kevin's traditional English breakfast... eggs, bacon, toast, fry-bread, donuts, tomatoes, baked beans... you know... the real healthy stuff. My favorite is that we eat it on mom's christmas china. It's the Lennox pattern that she has loved since she was a girl. It took us kids close to ten years of christmas presents to complete her set but we did it.

And love it.

Emma and her mama.

Devin and his buddy, Micah

Auntie Allie (and baby-girl sluyk in the tummy!) and Micah

After the Nutt House we went home and got to skype with the Doe family up in WA to open presents. Then we all napped. Then it was off to Auntie AJs for Christmas dinner.

We enjoyed being with so much family and

Baby's First Christmas was a success!

Christmas Eve

Here are some pics of my precious little ones on Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately we never got a full family shot.

Micah had a blow out in the nursery during service and had Sophia's pink pants on and I just couldn't bring myself to take a picture that would probably embarrass him for the rest of his life. Notice we start in denim and end in khaki.

The candle was a great bribe to keep Sophs interested during the service. She loved the candlelight part. Pyro like her mama.

We went to More Grandpa's house after church.

Micah opened his first present ever.

Big sister helped.

Averie looked ridiculously cute. OK, Mom, you did too.

We had our friend Michael Fay create a documentary type video on the life of Grandpa Lawrence and surprised all of his kids. I'll share the video after it's final edit. :)

And as usual, the night ended with all of the wrapping paper on top of Uncle Tito.

Gosh, I'm gonna miss this. (High school senior moment)

Eve of Eve (EOE)

Every year my bestie and her sisters have a party on the Eve of Christmas Eve. We have never been able to attend, but made sure to go this year since it's our last chance (are you noticing a trend here... I feel like a senior in high school). Karie and Ashleigh accompanied us and it's safe to say a good time was had by all.

Love you Shells

Young Women's Bible Study (20s/30s)

The week before Christmas, I attended my last Christmas party and ornament exchange with the Tuesday night bible study girls :*(

Karie made an "ornament" with pictures from each of the pumpkin carving nights and get togethers from the beginning of the group. The girls sneakily worked it out that I ended up with it and I couldn't have been happier! It will have a place of honor in our home next Christmas for sure.

I adore you ladies.

You'll shoot your eye out!

Doesn't he look a little like "A Christmas Story" Kid?