40 days until Heather comes home and Haley Mae turns 3!

paper chain countdowns have evolved.

7 days till this...

8 days till i meet rome...

11 days till florence and i hang out...

15 days till i fall in love with vienna...

47 days till washington welcomes this...

anyone else want to get a spot on the counting?

Ginger Bell is growing!

Ginger can no longer squeeze through the BEAUTIFUL doggy gate Andy made! She is getting bigger and soon will be able to give Roxy a run. Now, Roxy gives her an attitude, but her "Small Dog Syndrome" is about to be challenged in real time!

Tanner is getting ready for Hollywood!

Tanner has been a fabulous patient and even gets to come home tonight! His doctor said he is getting him ready for Hollywood! His lips are so luscious and kissable! Botox baby!

BTW, Todd and Abby get the Beary Brave Award too, as this has been a long journey to pedal, but we are at the top of the hill ready to coast down! All is well and thanks for all the prayers and hungry bellies! xo

Superbowl Party!

This is the way the Hickson's partied for the Superbowl - white shirts, ties and fasting! We couldn't understand why no one wanted to come party with us!

The Tan Man is now a cup baby!

Most babies at five months are either nursing or bottle babies. Tanner is a cup boy! Not a sippy cup ... a real cup! ... and very proficient at it! In fact, he could gulp down 4 ounces in a few short minutes if you let him. It's incredible to witness and a comfort to see what a great job Todd and Abby have done to prepare for the next few weeks. Blessings, blessings! xo

President Gordon B. Hinckley

As a family last night at FHE, we shared our favorite Hinckley memories, and humbly feel the need to include him in our family blog. He has been in our living rooms and inspired us to BEcome ... he is family! We will miss him! xo

"I am no longer a young man filled with energy and vitality. . . . I'm given to meditation and prayer. I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, listening to soft music, and contemplating the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution.

I wish to be up and doing. I wish to face each day with resolution and purpose. I wish to use every waking hour to give encouragement, to bless those whose burdens are heavy, to build faith and strength of testimony. . . . It is the presence of wonderful people which stimulates the adrenaline. It is the look of love in their eyes which gives me energy."
(President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Testimony," Ensign, May 1998, 69).

A bright sunny day in Texas!

A great shot of Andy looking at me! Might have been safer to be scoping the landing spot - but fortunately he knows what he's doing!