3 weeks and the HC Branding

Today, Gentry is 3 weeks old! She is a wonderful baby that is content until she is hungry. She is sleeping so well with 4-5 hour spans. She is awake more for longer periods of time. We can't wait to see what her personality will be like. Her newborn pictures definitely resemble her brothers. Hopefully, next post I can post all their newborn pictures together.

Here are a few pictures from today...

Lance brought the kids and I to Dalhart this past weekend so that we could be here for the HC Branding. Growing up on a ranch, there are things that I want our children to be a part of and to experience. Branding is one of them...the fellowship, the early morning ride, the new babies, the peace of experiencing God's creation in a way that is completely opposite of today's fast paced life...the list of things I love about it could go on and on.  I am so thankful that we could be here and that the boys could be a part. 

Rett left early with Ike and Colt and I headed over a little later. We made it to the pens in time to see them bringing the cows in. Rett thought he was so big. He sat with the men at lunch and tried to be a part of the conversation. He loved every minute. 

Colt wasn't as long as Rett's or it could have been that he woke up at 5:00 since the others in the house were stirring and heading to the barn. Needless to say, he was asleep before lunch! 

Here are a few of my favorite from today...

 Watching Ike saddle up

 Uncle Ike

 Almost big enough...watching them bringing the cows in

Gentry is here!

I'm two weeks behind but the events are definitely worth going back and covering. Gentry is here! She made her appearance on the 27th of April as scheduled. The night before we spent the evening eating, swimming and in fellowship with our parents and the boys. It was a perfect evening! I was having some strong contractions throughout the evening but nothing a little swim couldn't fix.

On Friday morning, Lance and I headed to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. We got checked in, and I told the nurse I was hoping to have her by 10:30 a.m....that was my plan. It was an on-going joke throughout the morning. My contractions were strong but would not get closer then two and half minutes apart. 10:30 came and went. By about 10:50 though, she dropped and we were ready for game time. This sweet girl entered our lives at 11:13 a.m...and our world changed forever!

 She is perfect! Frown and all! 

 Dr. Burley was wonderful! 

 I am so in love with this sweet girl! 

This is one of my favorite pictures! My boys headed back to meet their sister! 

Introductions taking place

 Such wonderful big brothers

 D-Dub and Nennie

After her first bath

Taking it all in 

 Rett and Uncle Garrett

 Colt and Uncle Josh

There are hundreds of more pictures and stories but I thought this would be a starting point. The last two weeks have been filled with the nothing but blessings. Gentry has been a wonderful baby and people have been so generous with bringing food and loving on all of us! We are so blessed! 

Preparing for Baby Wann #3

On Wednesday, I spent the afternoon making breakfast burritos to put in the freezer. I have started doing this to help in the mornings (especially when the baby comes) since my boys LOVE breakfast. 

The whole time I was working all I could think about was how different it is preparing for the addition of each child to the family. The first, you have ten months that is consumed with preparation on every detail. I am sure the preparation going into the second depends on how soon it follows the first. For me, it was 21 months, so we prepared by transitioning Rett into a big boy bed. We were blessed with a diaper shower and with it being another boy we had everything set and ready. 

Wow! What a different story it has been with the third. I find myself working on meals for the freezer and trying to catch up rather than getting ahead in preparation. However with the third, comes a relaxation that we will be fine even if the bedding hasn't arrived (which it hasn't) or that she didn't even have a blanket till March (thanks, A!). There is a peace in knowing that we can do this whether everything is ready or not. We are ready to love her and that seems to be all that matters. 

We had a sonogram yesterday, and all I can say is that Lance and I are already crazy about her. The sonogram is done in a different office than my regular OB/GYN. The nurse at the sonogram just kept laughing while taking the measurements noting the covering on her belly and that she seemed to be off the charts on all her measurements! Lance and I started laughing when they said she was weighing approximately 8 lbs 14 oz....with three weeks left. Now, I know these can be off so I promised the nurse that I was not holding her to it. All three (dr. and two nurses) made comments about her chubby cheeks and in the sono picture you can see them. We said we love chubby babies! Needless to say, today she has been loving referred to around the house as Cha-Cha (Chubby Cheeks). 

Dr. Burley decided that she would like to induce on the the 27th, and we agreed. I was dilated to a one so maybe she will make her appearance on another date...but whenever she comes her room may not be perfect and we may not have enough supplies...but when she comes we will all have enough love to cover our inefficiencies! 

He is Risen!

What a glorious reason for a celebration! He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!


We had a wonderful weekend in Roscoe! Saturday morning we got up and worked the new miniature Hereford calves and mamas. I must say that this little heifer calf is the cutest thing ever... I will let you be the judge...

The 1st Annual D-J Farms cattle working did not take as long as I am used to, so we were able to fill the rest of the day with fellowship and relaxing. 

Sunday morning we went to the early service with Mama Coy then went to lunch. Followed by the Easter egg hunt.

Here are a few pics...

 My boys refuse to look at the camera so this is the best one...

 My beautiful sister-in-law and niece, Natalie and Emma.

 These three have so much fun! We missed Mal, Carey and Brandi, though.

 Thanks, K-K, for our awesome Easter buckets!

 The race is on!

 Emma did not like the Easter bunny!

 Mama Coy and some of her great-gandchildren.

 I tried one last time for a good picture of the boys. I finally realized that this is real life. They love one another so much and have the best time! For this, we are so thankful. We will continue to try to teach our children to love as Christ loves. Nothing is as important as this...

LOVE! 

Say Yes to the Dress!

I couldn't go without mentioning that on Friday we spent the day wedding dress shopping for Whitney. Words cannot describe how beautiful she was and what a beautiful bride that she will be! We got to spend time with Garrett's mom and sister who are awesome. Whitney will be blessed with wonderful in-laws which is such a blessing since Allison and I married into wonderful families as well. 

Being 9 months pregnant, I held up well and was so glad that I was able to be a part! I cannot wait till August 25. I was going to post pics of the dresses that were in the top running, but then decided that it should be a surprise when the door opens as to the beautiful bride that she will be! 

Easter Play

Oh how I love that my children are learning God's Word with wonderful mothers and other children. On Thursday, they performed an Easter play. Rett and Colt played the Roman guards that were guarding the tomb of Jesus.

 My little Roman soldiers!

 Colt's headband stayed like this throughout the play. I find this is a trend...his caps do the same thing. Instead of fixing it, he just keeps looking out from underneath it.

 This was their main part...to fall when the Angel appeared. We had to work on Colt not falling on any other soldiers because it seemed to be his main objective. When it came to time, he did great!

 "He came from Heaven to earth to show the way"

 Fun resurrection rolls!

Praise the Lord! He Lives!

Mom's- Nothing better!

As I said before, my mom was in town this weekend and it was WoNdErFuL to have her around! I just wanted to share this sweet picture! We are blessed! 

Allison came, too! She is going to be a mom on November 17th. What a great mother she is going to make! My boys are crazy about her and all of their aunts! Just one more reason we are blessed.

**no picture added because Allison was not feeling like herself (like most pregnant women).

Love you, Aunt Allie!