Thanksgiving 2010

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone!

We left early Wednesday morning, and had a very uneventful ride down to Jacksonville. Annabelle has become a champion traveler! We got to Grandma and Granddad's around 2, and Annabelle was shy at first. She started opening up a little bit, then was ready for a nap. After she woke up, we played and played! She was the the center of attention this weekend, and she did not disappoint! Singing, dancing, and just acting silly!

Thursday we ate and ate and ate! We had lunch at Grandma's Niece's house. We had the best time with family! We came home ready for naps, but Annabelle made sure we didn't close our eyes for a second!

Friday, we had an unexpected day at home. I woke up not feeling well at all! I think I may have caught Annabelle's Sinus Infection. I was exhausted, had sinus pressure, and a fever. I occupied Grandma's couch all morning. Finally, around 12:00 my fever broke and I started feeling better. Just in time for Grandma's birthday surprise! Debbie and Skipper arrived that afternoon to surprise Grandma! We had steaks and had a good time visiting with family!

Saturday, We had a relaxing morning at the house. The boys went to the Farmer's Market to get some fruit. That night we went out to dinner for Grandma's Birthday. We came home, and it was time to start packing to come home.

We left early Sunday morning to travel back home. Traffic wasn't too bad, but wasn't great either!

Annabelle loved seeing Grandma and Granddaddy Waddington, and Aunt Kathy...but, she LOVED her Uncle Mike! There is something about that girl and her Uncles!

Sick :(

Collin took Annabelle went to the doctor last Wednesday and was told she had a sinus infection. She is on Amoxicillin and Tylenol for the pressure. She just hasn't been feeling well. I was able to work from home last Thursday, and she was feeling better by Friday.

We had a really fun weekend! Thanksgiving with my family was on Saturday, and Annabelle spent the night with my parents. The rest of the weekend was packing, cleaning, and a little crafting! I finished my Christmas wreath Saturday.

We are headed down to Jacksonville to visit Collin's grandparents for Thanksgiving.
Can't wait to eat some good food!!

32 Weeks, Christmas, and the New Year!

Almost there! Annabelle thinks it's funny to kick/tickle me in the ribs at night. I seem to be woken up every night with her little foot in my ribs. Silly girl! Her room is still not finished, Collin still has to paint the furniture.

Christmas 2008 has come and gone. This year was a little weird. I can't quite put my finger on what was so different. But, all in all it was amazing! We started off Christmas Eve with a toilet overflowing...fun! After cleaning up that mess, I did some cooking for our Christmas dinner. Then Collin and I went to Carrollton to pick up last minute gifts. We had lunch at O' Charley's (courtesy of the gift card Collin's work gave him). That night we spent with my family. We first went to Sassy's and had dinner and watch movies and opened presents, then we headed to Mom and Dad's to open presents. I got a lot of stuff for the house, along with Grey's Anatomy Season 2, and a Vera Bradley Kensington large duffel. Collin got a grill with along with accessories and lots of gift cards. We spent the night with Mom and Dad, so we didn't have to drive back and forth. Christmas breakfast was yummy! I think that is my favorite part of Christmas.
We headed home at 11, to get ready for Collin's Dad and step mom, along with Carson and Laurice, to come over. We...I got dinner ready and Collin put together his grill. We had Taco Soup and some yummy desserts! We got some good loot from them as well. Gift cards, movies, and so much more! We finished the night watching "Walk the Line".
The next day...I did not leave the house! It was AMAZING! Collin's dad and Step mom left and while they were out, bought Collin a propane tank and some burgers, so we grilled out that night! It as yummy!
Saturday, we said goodbye to Marshall and Joan and got ready for my birthday dinner that night. We went to Carrabba's! So good! Got a coach purse from Mom and Dad, gift cards and money!
2008 was an AMAZING year! I was thinking about all the things that has happened this year:
Witnessed 3 marriages begin, Collin went to Africa, Found out we were expecting, Bought a house, and we celebrated a year of marriage! I knew 2008 would be BIG! 2009 going to be even BIGGER!
I mean what could be bigger than becoming PARENTS!

31 Weeks!

I just got back from North Carolina...it was such a fun trip! Now I am wrapping presents.

I am 9 weeks away from being full term! CRAZY! And we have a name change! Instead of Anna Belle...her name will be Annabelle Leigh! So now she is named after her grandmothers and her mother!

30 Weeks!

10 to go! Not to much going on right now:

• Got Anna Belle's Curtains. I LOVE THEM!
• Collin is going to start painting furniture this week. I'll post pictures!
• Anna has had hiccups every day since Friday. It's so funny to me when she gets them.
• I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions. Nothing to worry about...just my body getting ready for labor.

I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday. Hopefully my blood pressure won't be crazy. I am planning on traveling to North Carolina with Mom and Dad this weekend, and I hope my doctor won't tell I can't.

Collin and I went Christmas Shopping this past Saturday. We got MOST of it done. We went to one store and found out the item that we went in to get was only offered online now. So I ordered it this morning. We had a fun day on Saturday. Started out grocery shopping, ate lunch at Chick Fil A (where we ran into some friends from church), Shopped till we dropped, and finished the night eating dinner at Tokyo!

Week 28! Begin 3rd Trimester!

Anna is the size of an

EGGPLANT!

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes. - The Bump.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's all down hill from here! It's crazy to think that soon, Collin and I will be parents.
We traveled to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving. It was so good to spend some time with Collin's family! Everyone was so excited about Baby Anna!
We figured out that Anna LOVES Charlie Hall! We were on our way back and had Charlie Hall playing and she started kicking to the beat. Who knows...maybe she'll become a drummer like her daddy.
Thanksgiving was a very relaxing day. We went to Collin's Great Aunt Sissy's house. We got there around 11:30 and didn't leave till 6:30. It was so nice to visit with family we haven't seen in awhile. We stayed with Granddad and Grandma Waddington while were in Jacksonville. We came back with WAY MORE stuff than what we took. On Friday we went to the Market and they bought 3 boxes of fruit! Of course we were told to share (and we did), but we have 3 (!) bowls full of fruit on our dining room table. I have been loving me some grapefruit! Yesterday, we have Thanksgiving with Debbie and Skipper. Also, we had family pictures taken. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

T Minus 90 days!

WOO HOO!

I know I say this all the time...but, I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is going! We finally decided how we are going to do the nursery, and the best part...we don't have to buy ONE piece of furniture! What a blessing! We are going to paint my furniture from when I was a little girl and my aunt is giving us a crib! The only thing we'll have to buy is paint and new knobs for the drawers! YAY! Collin and I were talking about starting everything the first week of December!

Thanksgiving is this week! And we are headed to Jacksonville! I'm so excited about seeing Collin's family! We had Thanksgiving dinner with my family this week. It was so nice to visit with family and RELAX!

In other news: I'M SICK! Collin gave me his cold. You think it's not bad...but I can't take anything! Well, I can, but I don't want to chance anything with Anna in my belly. So I have been sipping on hot tea with honey and taking Vitamin C. I stayed home all day yesterday and I do feel better, but now I can't talk and I have a nagging cough! Poor Collin had had to put up with me like this! But he sure is a trooper!

26 Weeks!

Well...I am now 14 weeks, or 97 Days till D Day! Can you believe it! I can't wait till this little girl gets here!
Last week was pretty interesting. I was extremely busy with work all week, and Tuesday I called my doctor about my swelling left foot. She asked me to come in. I kinda freaked out a little. One, why did I need to come...was something wrong? and Two, I didn't drive in that day! So after calling a few people to see if they could pick me up...daddy said he was in the area and would be able to do it.
I got to the doctor and they took my blood pressure and it was kinda high, I thought to myself...oh no, it's Toxemia. My doctor laughed and said I read WAY TO MUCH! She just wanted to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. Everything turned out to be fine. She told me to stay off my feet and drink lots of water.
After that appointment, I decided this would be a good time to take my Blood Glucose Test. I really didn't want to take off any more time off work. I went in, drank the stuff, and sat around for an hour. Finally she drew my blood, not without leaving a GIGANTIC bruise on my arm!
The nurse called me on Friday and announced that my results were normal! YAY! I was kinda worried, because diabetes runs in my family.
Collin and I finished our registries this past Saturday! Lots of good stuff!
This weekend we are having Thanksgiving with my family and then next week we're off to Jacksonville! I'm so excited!

And then there was 1.

Collin arrived in Africa this evening. I got the call from one of our pastors around 6:15 saying all was well. Yesterday was a very emotional day! But, I am so excited about his trip.

Today I did a little retail therapy. First, I went to Merle Norman and bought a few new pieces of Vera Bradley. Then off to the mall. I got some really good deals from Old Navy, got my Easter dress at Gap, and some other miscellaneous items.

This evening I ate dinner with Mom and Dad a 2 ladies that they ride with. It was nice to visit with them.

Tomorrow is Easter. I am going to church and then to lunch with mom and 2 of my cousins. Then tomorrow evening we are going to have dessert at the cafe at Serenbe.

On another note...We got the COMPUTER and my DIAMOND EARRINGS PAID OFF!

Sigh....

The holiday's are over...well with the exception of my birthday (which is today!).

Christmas was AWESOME!
We went to Sassy's house to celebrate Christmas Eve.
Later that night we headed next door to mom and dad's to celebrate Christmas with them.
I got lots of good stuff:
COACH WALLET!!!
COACH WRISTLET!!!
Vera Bradley small duffel, curling iron cover, and a luggage tag. (All in Mod Floral Pink).
Christmas Vacation DVD.
Grey's Anatomy Season 1 on DVD.
A family picture from Oregon.
I know there is more...I just can't think of them right now.

After opening presents we headed to Waffle House. It was so good. Before we left for home, I was getting Buddy's stuff (he came to spend the night with us.) and as I was getting his coat a broken glass lamp shade fell and I caught it and it left me a nice cut on my left hand. All is good...Dr. Daddy fixed it right up.

Christmas Morning we headed back to mom and dad's for breakfast, but we couldn't stay long because Collin's family was coming over to the apartment. It was good to visit with them. His dad and Step-mom stayed with us that night.

The day after Christmas...Mom, Whitney, and me when shopping. Stores had some amazing deals!

New Year's we spend with friends, and I slept all day yesterday. It felt AMAZING!

Today...I turned 22! I cannot believe I am 22! Collin let me open my present yesterday!
He did such an amazing job! He got me, 3/4 carat, round cut, diamond stud earrings.
They are BEAUTIFUL! Tonight we are going to mom and dad's for dinner with the family.

God was so good to us in 2007...He is doing something big in 2008!
I can't wait!

Just the usual...

Just a little update from the Ray's!

Collin has been practicing with the worship band for his trip to Africa. We were talking about it last night, and he gets so excited! Only 3 months and 10 days till he leaves...but, we have so much to do to get him ready to go!

Christmas time is almost here, and we haven't even started our Christmas shopping!
I think I'm going to try to do all of it this weekend! Also, I need to finish thank you notes for the wedding! So much to do!

Pictures of us decorating the tree:


Pictures of our apartment:

Merry Christmas from Collin and Erin Ray!

Click Here!!

Christmas Time and Africa.

This past Saturday, Collin and I put up our Christmas Tree. We had so much fun!
Last year, the day after Christmas, Mom took me shopping for decorations. So I have been waiting and waiting to put them up! But of us agreed...it really feels like Christmas now! I'll post some pictures later.

We had a meeting for Collin's trip to Africa on Tuesday. We got all the details we needed. He applied for his passport on Friday, and next up are shots.

Monday, Monday...

What a GREAT Holiday Weekend!

Thursday:
Got up and Collin cooked us some breakfast.
Go ready went over to Sassy's for dinner.
EAT, EAT, EAT.
Drove back home.
SLEEP!

Friday:
Changed my name!
Went to Target in Douglasville to get our Kitchen Furniture.
Went to Target in Carrollton to get our Dining Room chairs.
Drove back home to put everything together.

Saturday:
Got my new License!
Went to Best Buy to get a wireless network for the apartment...left with a new desktop computer.
Went over to Debbie and Skipper's for dinner.

Sunday:
Church.
Lunch with Mom and Dad.
They come over to look at the apartment.
Smallgroup.

Now...IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME! I cannot wait to put up our tree!

Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving Week!
I love this time of year! This holiday season is gonna be so different:
#1 My grandma passed away earlier this year. It's not gonna be the same without her.
#2 This will be our first holiday season as a married couple!
Although...we have it so easy! We will spend Thanksgiving Day with my family. Saturday with Collin's Mom, and his Dad it's even coming up...so it will be very relaxing!
I have offered to bring rolls to both dinners (I don't think anyone wants me to cook anything!).

Collin has the opportunity to go the Africa next year! He is so excited! He is going along with our church's worship band, and they will be playing for a retreat for the missionaries over there. It's gonna be AMAZING! He'll be gone in March...actually he's gonna be gone during Easter...for about 8 days (I think).

Married life is still GREAT! Every day, I'm getting more used to it! Our apartment is finally getting organized! We still need a dining table and slip covers for our couch and love seat. And hopefully this week or next week...I will change my name!!!