Happy Father's Day!

I almost didn't make it with our busy weekend, but Happy Father's Day to the amazing dads in my life: Daddy, Pappaw, Yogi, and Will.

I've thought about it a lot today, and my dad was instrumental in my marriage to Brett.  For almost 25 years, my dad protected my heart from guys who didn't deserve it.  He would readily stand at the garage with an ax over his shoulder when a guy friend would pick me up (true story).  He wrote the names of my boyfriends on bullets, and told them he really hoped he wouldn't have to use them.  With Brett, it was different.  The bullets he wrote Brett's name on weren't loaded.  And Dad even gave them to Brett, implying that he trusted him with me.

Daddy, while I didn't like it at the time, thank you for using your incredible sense of discernment to protect me from men who weren't in God's plan for my future.  Thank you for being willing to hand me over to my husband of almost two years (tomorrow).  Your trust in Brett only confirmed what I knew about him.

I've said it once and I'll say it until the day I'm in heaven: my Pappaw is the BEST story teller (an art that is all too lost in my generation).  He is full of wisdom and common sense.  He is funny and strong.  He is the center of our family.  And while he turns 90 this year, he is still sharp as a tack.  He is one of the greatest images I have of a man who does not judge and loves fully.

I can honestly say, Brett wouldn't be who he is without Yogi.  I mean, you can think of the obvious with Brett following in his dad's footsteps with coaching, but there are so many more things besides their common love of the game.  Growing up, Brett saw Yogi and Gail take Yogi's players into their house and treat them as their own.  Brett saw how Yogi stood in as a father figure for a lot of these young men, how he disciplined them out of love, and how he gave them structure that they so craved.  I know Brett sees his profession as a ministry.  I'm sure part of that viewpoint is from the way Yogi loved the men underneath his care.  Yogi, that is one of the things that drew me to Brett: he doesn't see his job as a job, but as a ministry.  He knows without a doubt God's calling on his life.  I have you to thank for that.

Will is the newest daddy in the family, but I have loved seeing him interact with Laney.  He is HILARIOUS with his dancing with Laney, but I have seen his softer side with her when he sings to her.  I can tell when Laney looks at him that she just adores him.  You are a great brother to me and father to your precious little girl.

I love y'all so much!

Halloween Recap

This was Brett and my first Halloween as homeowners.  I made the mistake of buying Halloween candy about 1.5 weeks before Halloween.  Needless to say, half of it was gone by Halloween.  I had to go back to the store to pick up some more candy.  In total, I think I bought 6 bags.

Brett and I decided we would get some chairs and sit out on our driveway.  It was a great night, with a slight breeze.  It wasn't too cold, but it definitely felt like fall.  We had our first trick or treater roll in at about 5:45.  Uncle Si and zombies seemed to be the trend for this year's costumes. 

This Halloween experience was quite different than the ones I had growing up.  Parents would drop their kids off at the top of the street.  They would then either drive next to them as they went house to house or the kids would jump in and out of the cars.  We had a line of cars go down one side of the street, turn around in the cul-de-sac, and then drive up our side of the street.  It was actually quite funny. 

One of the coach's families came over to our house to get candy.  I love this family so much!  The kids are so full of personality, Quanza is super woman, and Issac is hilarious.  KaShanda also came over to get the Kit Kat monkey off her back. 

We ran out of candy at 8:20, with trick or treaters still in our neighborhood.  I felt sad having to turn off our porch light.  Next year, we'll definitely buy more candy.

I love living in a small town.  I didn't know how much I would like it initially, but we have great neighbors, everyone is so nice, and we live close to a lot of the coaches and their families.  God has definitely blessed us.

Our 4th of July Recap

It's been a long time since I've blogged.  Almost a month to be exact. This summer has been the summer of weddings.  In the months of June and July, I had or will have 3 weddings and 4 showers.  Phew.  Even though it's been busy, I have so enjoyed soaking up this time with friends and family.

In particular, the 4th of July was a great time spent with friends and family.  My brother was able to take off a few days and fly in from Montana.  I know I saw him in March, but it seems like it's been a long time. He just passed his boards to become a certified medical physicist (yay so proud) so he wanted to hang out and relax. We spent 4 straight days hanging out at the pool! So great.  And Brett found his new passion of treading water.  He reached 1 hour of treading by day 4.  Oh and Brett FINALLY started liking Duck Dynasty (he's watching it as I type).

Jessica was able to come over on the 4th to partake in our fireworks display.  Mom and Dad's neighbors even stopped by.  We had all sorts of goodies, capped off by something special by my dad.  Let's just say, if you've never experienced a Veale 4th of July, you're completely missing out.

Miss Priss

Tradition since I was in grade school.

The first time Jess has ever personally lit a firework.

Woohoo

Let's just say those large mud holes are from my dad's finale.

We had my birthday celebration a little early since all of us were together.  It was so nice to have Chris there to celebrate with us.  Dad made his BBQ chicken, my favorite food, and Mom made a 1-2-3 cake, my favorite dessert.  It was a fantastic celebration followed by some gun shooting.

Mom still likes to decorate the house, including a "The Party is Here" door covering.

Brett's not sure what to think about the Duke mug Chris got me.  Actually he does know what he thinks.

Used to be our triannual sibling kiss on the cheek.  Doesn't happen often with him in Montana now.

Funny how Dad and Chris' faces are similar. They love me. I promise

So happy.  With the hubby and brother. However, Brett told Chris to get his Duke shirt off him after this picture.

Hubby is starting to like this hobby.

Chris with the manly gun.

At least Brett seems to be having fun.

Love my little Japanese lady.

On Sunday, our friends Kyle and Amy with their little girl Grace Ann came over to hang out at the pool.  Amy and Chris go back to his freshman year in college.  I met Amy back when I was in high school.  She is such a sweet, honest friend. Kyle was one of Brett's groomsmen in our wedding.  This family holds a special place in our heart.

Anyway, Grace Ann loved the water! She is so brave too.  She already knows how to blow bubbles.  And let me say, she knows when there is a camera pointed at her.  She just stares at it until it is put away. She must get practice at home ;)

The aftermath of Chris' cannon ball. He's definitely my older brother.

Sweet girl

Chris lounging in his makeshift pool chair

GA looking right at the camera

Love these people

Overall, it was a much needed break full of lots of family and friends. Hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July weekend too!

Meeting Laney

Almost a month later, I'm finally getting around to writing about our Easter weekend trip to Brett's parents' house.  Not only did we get to celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, we also got to meet Laney for the first time.  This post will be full of pictures of Laney.  I won't even apologize for it because she's so adorable.  You need to see her.

We got to Gail and Yogi's very late, thinking it would just be them and Sam at the house.  We were so excited when we saw Will and Laura's car outside.  We were finally getting to meet Laney.  Brett held her first.  He is just enamored with her.  I was a little cautious holding her.  Mind you, I haven't held a baby since my cousin Kate's daughter Daniella was born almost 2.5 years ago.  

First time holding my niece

Laney is simply precious.  I don't know how else to say it.  She has the quintessential Hickman nose.  Her dark features are beautiful.  Needless to say, Brett and I fell in love with her pretty quickly.  After 10 minutes of me holding her, Brett asked if he could hold her.  Silly uncle.  We said goodnight after midnight, knowing we would see Laney the next day.

Before visiting Will, Laura, and Laney, Brett and I were able to meet up with my bestie Megan for lunch.  We killed two birds with one stone by eating at Bart's so we could see our future sister-in-love Maggie too.  It was wonderful catching up with my best friend.  It had been too long since I had seen her.

How beautiful is she?

Our good lookin' waitress

After we had lunch, we headed over to Will and Laura's.  Let me just say, they are naturals as being parents.  Will has a gentleness about him when he's holding Laney.  Laura knows exactly what to do with her.  There is just something beautiful about watching them be parents.  We hung out for about an hour or two.  Brett fed Laney, Laney pooped while I held her, then we watched her play with the activity mat we bought her for Christmas. Perfect afternoon.

She's practicing her touchdown motion for this upcoming season.

Wide awake

Uncle Brett loves her.

This is an Uncle Sam expression.

Love this face.

A daddy's love.

One of my favorite pictures.

Laney, Laura, and Will came over to Gail and Yogi's later that night for our early Easter meal.  Brett's parents are smitten with their first grandchild.

Laney and Nana.

We went to church the next morning, remembering what took place over 2,000 years ago: Jesus dying on the cross for our sins so we could be reconciled with God.  What an awesome thing to be reminded of.  After church, we had another lunch.  We spent a little more time with the family and then headed home.  I cannot wait until I get to see Laney again.  She'll be at least three months old before that happens.  Wow time flies.  Thanks for sending us pictures regularly, Will and Laura!

After Easter service

Laura is such a beautiful mom.

Kate isn't exactly sure what to think about Laney yet.

Laney in her Easter dress.

Another one of my favorites.

The happy family. Laney was fighting sleep again.

Love my niece to pieces.