I'm An Aunt, He's an Uncle and she's a cousin!!!!!

First of all, I must preface these pictures with...my sister is AMAZING!!! I didn't go through anything like she did. She labored for what seemed like FOREVER and then pushed like a champ for what seemed like FOREVER!!! She was definitely exhausted, but I know today, she feels like every pain and every hour was well worth it. I also must say that Justin was incredible too. He was a great coach and it has been so fun to watch him with his son. We are blessed as a family and we are so excited to welcome Dryver Jordan Cowart into our family...finally! A proud Gabby!!! Keatyn will have to learn to share!
A proud first time Aunt...at 3:45am...so tired, feet swollen and running on adrenaline alone!

A proud first time Uncle...if you know Stephen at all, by 11pm, he was sawing logs in the lobby...but that worked to my advantage, because I was able to catch some Zzzz's this morning from 5am until about 8:30am.

Waiting....Waiting...and more Waiting!!!!

Well, here we are at the hospital. We arrived about 3pm, they arrived at 11am. Everything is progressing nicely. These are just a few of the early stages. I'll continue to update as we have more. The nurses assured us that he would be here tonight...we'll see and we HOPE!!!

just a few pictures for you to enjoy...we did!

Just thought you might enjoy seeing some of the latest pictures we've taken on our camera.

Enjoying some time in her art gallery! And ps. her hair looks like we never comb it...I do have to be honest in saying that she won't let us touch it if she can help it.
Poppy's birthday...loved the icing!

Mastered the chopsticks...no she did not drink some of her daddy's drink!


Showing off as she eats with the chopsticks.



Working to master the chopsticks...you can see she had a little help from the rubberband at the end. Hey, you gotta start somewhere!

Super Keatyn...our little super hero in the making!

Trials and Transitions...

We have been working in the last few days to get Keatyn to go to bed in her bed and not in ours. She doesn't sleep with us, but we had helped her create a habit of falling asleep in our bed and then we would move her to her bed. It was very convenient in getting her to fall asleep, but what was not so convienent was the waking up and not going back to sleep unless one of us was in her bed with her. Soooooo we decided that before baby Addilyn gets here in April that we would try to create some better habits. WOW! Here I am only six days later and Keatyn is doing very good. The first night we did our ritual of reading books, breathing treatment, praying and then I stepped out of the room. Easier said than done! Keatyn came out of her room and was absolutely pitiful. I decided that instead of me just praying on my own, I would pray out loud over her to encourage her to rest and for her to hear me making my request. It was an amazing and spiritual moment for me, because I watched her peacefully fall asleep. I know as most of us do that our Heavenly Father cares about even the nights of sleep that we don't get as parents, but it was in that moment that I felt his protection and his peace in my parenting. Keatyn is growing up so fast and I want to be certain that Stephen and I are doing our part to lead her in a way that sets her up for a life of chasing after the father. Even if those moments are wrapped up in the learning of independence.

I praise God this week for milestones and rejoicing in the fact that not only is she falling asleep in her own bed, but she has also become miss independent in the ways of potty time. We are all about the potty in all aspects! It's the small things in life that truly make you smile!!!!!

New Camera

We finally got our own digital camera. We have been borrowing my parents for the last...well, a really long time. We are excited to own our own now. We bought it together with our Christmas money. Here are just a few pictures we took this weekend to get used to it.

This is me at 25 weeks! And with a fresh haircut!
Keatyn got to open this kite after she went poopoo in the big potty. Not mastered yet, but we're on the right track!

A morning ritual...the lights are too bright, so we gotta wear shades!

Keatyn and her daddy just hangin' out!

2007 In Review!!!!!

First of all...Happy New Year!



As I look back over the past year, so much has happened in my family. Starting back in January, we were just getting used to me being back at work. 2006 was a rough year for the Bills, so 2007 had to be better. Stephen had been working at Farm Bureau Insurance for almost 9 months and I had been teaching for about 6. Keatyn was truly adjusted to being in childcare and we were trucking along. Life was pretty normal a year ago. We were walking through a tough time with Katherine and Justin as they rummaged through what was happening with their family planning. That was tough for all involved and really all we could do was just pray for them. Soon March rolled around and Keatyn turned 2. We enjoyed a Cowgirl party and a bounce house. I almost feel like I need to do a year in review from that point. She is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to Stephen and me. We learn so much from her and we LOVE watching her grow and change. You've read in previous posts what all we have been learning in the last 4 months or so, so you know what the 2's have been like. In April, Stephen got an amazing interview opportunity with Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals and got the job rather quickly. We were stoked, because even though we knew insurance could provide for us, we were in desperate need of something more consistent and flexible. He officially started May 1st with several week long trainings and then a three week training in Willmington, Delaware...who knows where that is?! He was out in the field and on his way by summer time and absolutely loving it. Stephen has tried a few jobs since we left Truett Seminary and we believe each one had purpose, but as we look at his job now, he has found something that fits him. He is really good at what he does. I am soooooo very proud of him and the strides that he has made in this job. In July we found out that we were expecting our second child due in April. We couldn't be more excited about it. I am halfway through my second year of teaching at Pine Tree and I cannot wait to be back at home. We have also come to a place where we feel very strongly about me staying at home while our girls are young. Circumstances happen and we have to do what's best for our family, but we have since realized that me being at home is what we definitely want. A huge P.S. to the Month of May...Katherine and Justin found out that they were expecting their first child due in just four short weeks!!! Praise the Lord...this process took them 18 months and a fridge filled with fertility drugs! Summer time brought vacations, 10 year high school reunions, swim lessons and fun times in the pool. September brought a new school year, a new classroom and Keatyn starting a new phase in her life...potty training and programs at school. October brought our annual trip to Arkansas and I got to enjoy a little reunion with some girl friends from Seminary. November brought Thanksgiving and LOTS of embroidery for Stitches and Threads...we more than doubled our business since this time last year. We are really excited about what it to come with this little business endeavor!



Well, that pretty much brings us around to December. Stephen and I celebrated 7 years of marriage on the 16th. It has been an amazing journey and I look forward to many more years with him. Christmas soon arrived and we celebrated with both Stephen's family and mine and enjoyed time off together. I am amazed at how much Keatyn has changed this year and how excited she is about the changes we have coming.



For 2008 I look forward to...

*Adding to our family

*Being at home with my girls

*Slowing down and being healthy

*Learning something new...



I thank the Lord for the blessing and challenges of 2007 and look forward to the challenges and blessing of 2008!