Local Produce and Lady Gaga

We signed up through a local farm co-op to get organic produce 2x per month, so we've been cooking up a storm lately as we look for ways to use up all of the ingredients. We've been cooking everything from beet and dandelion leaf salads, to potato and carrot soup, to apple pear crisp for dessert (just to name a few of our many creative concoctions!) It's really nice because it's making us refocus on trying to cook more at home/eat out less and eat healthier.

The only downside thus far is that Dana ended up in the emergency room due to a small kitchen incident with a knife. I laugh because they gave him stitches in his thumb with blue thread, so of course it coordinates with everything he wears (since he loves blue).

Other than that, we've just been continuing to prepare of the baby (we find out the sex in 2 weeks!!!) and enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather. There's not much I love more than sitting outside by the pool while enjoying a good book, or taking a nice walk with Dana.

I've been getting quite large too with the growing baby bump. Here are some pics from about a week ago, when I was about 16 1/2 weeks pregnant. I really don't think they do justice to how big my stomach is if you see it in person. It already sticks out as far as my chest does, which should give you some idea of how much Baby Allen has been growing : )



The biggest excitement lately has been attending the Lady Gaga concert with Janelle, Kate, Shea and Jen Saenz. While Gaga is really quite talented, she's also totally bizarre. It was a crazy concert - but incredibly memorable. The people watching was out of this world since so many people came in costumes!

Action, Adventure, Excitement

Last week my team at work had an exhilarating outing to the Nascar track in Fort Worth, where we went to driving school and practiced driving real Nascar vehicles around the track at 150 mph. I actually didn't get to drive due to my pregnancy (bummer!) but I had a blast wearing the outfit and taking fun photos.



Friday night we co-hosted a Going Away Party for our dear friends the Blanchards. It was a fun night, but so bittersweet since they've been part of a core group of friends of ours for years. We wish them the best in Bentonville and hope that book club can survive without Gretchen!

From miscarriage to miracle

A few weeks ago I posted about how our 2nd pregnancy had ended in a miscarriage. Like our first pregnancy, we had had a lot of complications along the way, and after seeing the heartbeat at one doctor's appointment, it later went away and we were informed the baby had died.

However, this time a true miracle happened! 2 weeks later when I was scheduled for surgery to have the baby removed via a D&C, they did a final sonogram to double-check if anything was left and... the heartbeat came back! The baby was alive - something no one thought was possible. Praise the Lord. You should have seen the shock that myself, the nurses and doctors all experienced.

God has definitely been doing miracles for us along this process of starting a family. Both pregnancies were true miracles (I had 2 different doctors at the time that through blood tests and sonograms thought it was pretty much impossible) and now this. While we can never be sure of what the road ahead has in store for us, we can definitely tell you that we believe in miracles and we know that God is teaching us to remember to trust in him along the way.

We wish we could have shared the good news sooner since many of you were so kind to comfort us after the miscarriage, but it's been such a roller coaster ride that we didn't want to get anyone's hopes up again until the first trimester had passed.

We love you all and we hope you find some hope in our story of faith and miracles!

Superbowl 2011

Catching Up

It's been so long since I've posted that I don't know where to start, but I promise to get better this year!

In January we enjoyed some fun dinners with friends, including the Loredos, Cavins, Boyles, Chans and Raines. We played a lot of games, ate delicious food, and celebrated Haylee's 3rd pregnancy and Charlotte turning 2.


We were able to visit my sister Ana during a recruiting trip to Michigan, and despite frigid weather we loved spending time with our two nieces. They're only 4 and 6 years old but they seem so grown up already! Every moment we get to spend with them is precious since they grow so fast.

This week Dana's parents are visiting us, and we are so excited to head to the Superbowl this Sunday. Unfortunately they decided to drive cross-country, and the weather has been pretty horrible. Thankfully, they arrived safely despite -0 windchills and lots of ice!

One final holiday party

Our church community group got together for a post-holidays Holiday Dinner on Saturday. It was really a great idea to do it after the stress of the holidays. We had a great time, and thankfully the ice cream for Dana's chocolate molten cakes didn't melt in the car on the way there even though construction made the typically short drive take 1.5 hours!

Hancocks and Rutledges - we missed you!

You've just got to laugh about it...

So the thing I'm most looking forward to this year is a wedding. In May, my dear friend and inspiration in life, Kristie, will be walking down the aisle in Turks and Caicos... and I am honored to stand by her side (as she did at my own wedding in 2004).


The humorous piece of this though is everything that has not gone as planned so far with being in this wedding.

First, I found out we were pregnant last year and going to miss the first wedding date due to 3rd trimester travel restrictions. Kristie, being such an angel, moved the entire wedding 3 months later! Then, our pregnancy abruptly ended. So at this point Kristie has a wedding that is already scheduled 3 months later than she had hoped, and I have a babysitter with a plane ticket to Turks and Caicos that I will no longer need (it's okay Ana - we're still glad you're coming!)

Now take 2.... Once again we find out that we're pregnant (a second time). At this point I think I'll be 6 months pregnant at the wedding. Having no idea what size I'll be, I order TWO NON-RETURNABLE bridesmaid dresses from Ann Taylor in larger sizes. Then, once again, our pregnancy abruptly ends. So then I have to order a THIRD non-returnable dress in my current size since I no longer will be 6 months pregnant. At this point the other dress style is sold out in my size, so I need to choose a new dress.

So basically we now have: a wedding that's 3 months late, an extra babysitter flying to this island, two extra dresses that will likely never get worn and no baby. It's actually all pretty funny if I let myself appreciate the humor in it all.

Regardless of the path it takes us to get there, all that matters is that Kristie and Corey have a happy, happy marriage - and I know they will! I am very excited to share in their special day.

P.S. If anyone wants this dress in a 6 or an 8, please let me know! : )

Grateful for MORE family...

After a nice visit with the Allens, I had a wonderful time visiting the Galofre side of the family back in St. Louis this weekend. We missed you Ana!

I went to the symphony, tried a couple new restaurants (Nosh is awesome), did a little shopping, spent some quality time visiting with my grandfather, took a latin dance class, met up for brunch with a dear friend from high school (Erin Cleary Sullivan) and saw the movie "The Black Swan".

It was great to be back home and to see my mom's sleek new condo for the first time (even though she's lived in it over a year). The only downfall was that is was COLD, so it's nice to be back in Texas!

Grateful for Family

I am grateful for having married into a terrific family! Dana's father, Ron (not pictured), is the excellent photographer. I'm also grateful that my family loves them as much as I do!

Ahhhh..... fresh air

We're out in California this week and it's been so nice to get outside and hike around Monterey and Carmel and walk along the beach. Quite a beautiful place to be!


We also made it to the Monterey aquarium - one of our favorite places to visit. I LOVE the jelly fish exihibit! It's magical yet peaceful at the same time.