ANDREW GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL

Andrew's first day

Andrew at his desk

Andrew with Mrs. Orsot, his 2nd grade teacher

Jason with Andrew

Regina with Andrew

Summer is ending

Here is a picture of Andrew and his good friend Seth:

Well, this is the last weekend of summer. Andrew is spending it with his good friend Seth...the first time he has spent the night at a friends house. My lil man is growing up. I can remember when he was born and so tiny...then he grew and always seemed to be ahead of me one step at a time. Now, he will begin this Fall in the 2nd grade in a class with his closest friends. Andrew is me made over as my mom tells me on a daily basis. This is from he has to abide by every lil rule and won't budge on anything. For Example - wouldn't get out of the car on Go Texan Day until he saw someone else with a Cowboy Hat on. Won't wear pants to school until he knew it was ok from his teacher. Another, wouldn't do something at school unless I sent a note to his teacher with the explanation of why he was wearing socks with his sandals or why I sent a new folder to use as his homework folder...little things that we would think are silly seem really important in Andrew's eyes. These are things that I love about him. You know, the main concern he had for 2 days about sleeping over at Seth's house was where was he going to sleep...Gotta love him; I know I do...I know I will treasure these memories of him growing up so I can share this blog with him and Alex has they get older.

Sprinkler Time in the Sun

Buz Lightyear to the rescue

July 4, 2010 Kingwood Fireworks

Gruene Texas June 2010

Jason, Andrew, Alex infront of the Guadalupe River

Alex by a wagon in Gruene

Jason and Andrew infront of the eating place -Alex to the far right

Me by some pretty flowers

At the laundromat

No more roots!

I have gone over to the dark side!

Ice Cream Date with Mom

No matter what, ice cream tastes so good. Cold and creamy. Since I have gone back to work full time 2 years now, I don't get the chance to spend time with my boys..especially Andrew. I picked Andrew up from school early for a dentist appointment. We had some time so we grabbed ice cream and of course, I had to get myself an apple pie too...lol During our few hours alone together, I was amazed on how mature our visit with one another was. Andrew has really grown up on me without me realizing it. He may only be 7, but acts so much older. Just the things he would say as we drove down the road or sat in McDonald's, that would catch my attention. It made me realize how proud I am of my son and how much I need to spend more time with him. Andrew, you make Daddy and I very proud in all the things that you do. You always put your mind to something and accomplish it. Everything has to be done a certain way and the right way. I really enjoyed our day together. I hope that we can share more times like this as you grow up to be a wonderful man like your daddy. Ice Cream Date was a date that I will never forget.

Coming home from Orlando

Regina in the cockpit

Regina in the Captain's Seat with the Captain - Roger Olmsted

Regina in the Captain's Seat

Roger Olmsted - Pilot Captain

Our 757

Regina with Mrs. Betty Lou, the fabulous young lady who bared the plane ride and airport stay with Regina. Can't you tell we had no sleep...lol

Girls Night in Lake Mary

Allison, Amber, Diandra, Regina, Shannon

Night out at Chili's the last night in Lake Mary. We had a great time but was so sad to let the week end. We had all became great friends from first meeting in Phoenix.

Diandra and Shannon

Regina, Allison, and Amber

Chocolate Chip Paradise Dessert for Regina

Alex writing his ABC's

Alex is so proud of himself.

Almost done.

Yea - I did it!

Phoenix Trip

Here are a few of the pictures from my trip to Phoenix, AZ for work. Some friends of mine opened up their home over Easter weekend and showed me around the great sights of Phoenix. How beautiful the mountains and skyline were. I was amazed on how tall the cactus were.

Everyone who visits the desert, needs a pic of sitting on a cactus.

All of the flowers and landscaping was so beautiful in the Spring.

Another addition

Alexander Jackson Winkle came into the world weighing just under his big brother at 7 pounds 2 ounces and 20.5 in long, on May 11, 2006. We spent Mother's Day that year holding our miracle baby. Unlike Andrew, Alex just needed 18 hours of lights and he was released from the hospital 48 hours before I was released. That's a whole other testimony on God's miracles at work. Alex is mommy's baby and he knows it. We are so blessed to witness the miracle of life through our children's eyes. What a blessing it is to become a parent. We thank the Lord everyday for providing our home with sounds of giggles, laughing, crying, and even arguing.

Our Family began to grow...

After we were married 2 months, I had informed Jason that either I wanted to have a baby, buy a car for me, or get a dog. 1 month later we brought Tex, our first Min. Snauchzer, home. 3 months later, I pulled up in the parking lot in my Saturn Coupe. 5 months later than that, we had discovered we were pregnant with our first child. We were caught by surprise and filled with excitement. Jason and I had always wanted to have a family. I came from a family as an only child, which would not be an option in our household. I had no idea what the next 2 months would endure. As my belly began to pooch out, I eagerly awaited that Monday when I would go in for our 1st ultrasound. We never made it to see the heartbeat. That Sunday night, August 13, 2001, our Heavenly Father decided to bring our baby home with Him. I still remember that 1st miscarriage as if it was yesterday. I still remember Jason's face as it crumbled into pieces when I walked out of the bathroom and told him, we have lost our baby. I wanted to cry so hard, but had to stay so strong for him. I leaned so strongly on my Faith and I knew that it was the Lord who had the plan, not me. He had told me to marry Jason and I didn't know why, but I just knew he had a plan for us. 9 months later, I cut my leg shaving in the shower when Jason discovered the positive pregnancy test on the bathroom counter. 3 days later, the morning sickness began and never stopped until several months into my pregnancy. We saw the heartbeat of a healthy baby and knew that we would have a baby in the soon months. December 17, 2002, Andrew Paul was born after 12 hours of induction with an emergency c-section. 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20.5 in long. Came out looking just like his momma and his mighty proud grandad. Andrew put up a fight in the NICU for 7 days after he was born. We were told Andrew might have suffered complications from being under the oxygen hood. 7 years later, Andrew is at the top of the 1st grade class with a 4th grade reading level and tested 2wice for GT Program. He makes us proud on a daily basis and I know that he is a blessing from our Father.

Jason and I experience 2 more miscarriages before Alexander Jackson came along. We had know about 1 and after that one, Dr. Boyd became our new OBGYN by accident in our eyes, but again, that was God's plan. She ordered testing that discovered that I had a Chromosome Trans location Disorder. In this testing, they discovered by DNA I had had 4 miscarriages. Apparently, before the miscarriage in July 01, I had one earlier in the year then another one the summer before we lost the one in December 2005. How awesome that these discoveries came about. I had finally received closure and an understanding of why I was not able to carry a pregnancy to term. Jason and I had said that we were no longer try to conceive. There was a 60-85% chance of ending in miscarriage, we didn't want to endure any more loss. HAHAHA on us - said God, 6 weeks after all maternity clothes and baby items had been out of our house, I started vomiting again. Here came Hurricane Rita and we fled....I just started working at Clark Chiropractic. An ultrasound revealed a strong heartbeat. We were having another baby!

How we became a family

12 years ago, a very tall and thin guy had walked into church with one of our most handsome eligible singles. I had given it no thought for we all had become friends...2 weeks later at Becky Norris's apartment complex, we had our Singles' Christmas Party. This tall guy had ended sitting beside me during a game of UNO. Somehow, the "draw 4" card kept being dished when it was my turn. Our eyes had made a connection but again, I had given it no thought. I had not dated anyone serious in almost 2 years and college break was my concern. The next night after church we all went bowling...me, as you know, is the most nonathletic person around, but yet here I am swinging a 10 pound bowling ball. I kept noticing this tall guy walking down to watch me bowl and let me tell you that it was not my strike he was noticing. My final score was a 26...LOL...Lets say that I needed bowling lessons and who would be the best to ask for them - this tall guy who just bowled a 200. So, what'd you think I did - I went up and asked him for lessons...Ha - he took me up on it...5 days later, we went to bowl, eat dinner at Chili's (I still remember what I ordered this very day and what I wore too), then a movie (Patch Adams). Lessons had turned into a date. Our first date. 2 weeks later at our church's altar, God used me to lead this man to accept Christ as his Savior. As soon as this tall guy poured his heart and tears on that altar, the Lord told me that I would marry this man. This man became my husband 18 months later. This man who was very tall is my Jason. I will always be grateful to Michael Huff for listening to God and inviting Jason to church with him. Little did we know that God would use Jason and me to introduce Michael to his wife...Amanda Crane, now Huff. Amanda and I had always said that we should be sisters and since Jason and Michael are as close as brothers, we did become closer as sisters.

God sent me Jason to not only be my partner, lover, and children's daddy, but to be my best friend. Our love for one another and our faith has gotten us through many tough patches, but with His strength, we have overcame many.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phillip. 4:13

Florida Trip

The first full day we were in Lake Mary, Florida, we drove up to Daytona Beach. This is also known as Party Beach during Spring Break Season. Once we walked up onto the pier, all 4 of us were in awe at the ocean. It was such a beautiful sight. Much different than the view we see down in Galveston. Andrew could not wait to run into the water and jump the waves. Alex on the other hand, was not so sure of the water coming ashore to bring him under. The Atlantic Ocean is much cooler than what the Gulf of Mexico this time of year. You would see more beach goers soaking up sun rays rather than catching a wave. It was a nice experience to finally enjoy the visualization that I had always pictured of Florida.