RIP Uncle Danny

Death is part of life, we all know that, but it's still sooo hard!  One week ago today (Jan. 19) i received a phone call from my dad at 8:30 a.m.  My uncle Danny had passed away. WHAT?!?!?!  I was in shock.  Why?  How?  When?  Where?  Millions of questions ran through my head but all i could do was cry.   I was at work when I got the call.  Needless to say, it was a VERY rough day!  When I was able to talk I called Scott and informed him of the news.  Again, he was in shock and had all the same questions I did.  All I wanted to do was jump in my car and be with my family, but I knew the best thing was to just stay put.  I ended up working the rest of the day and spent Wednesday preparing for another roadtrip to Corpus (we were just there the Wed-Sun before for the Livestock show!) while Scott was at work.  As soon as he got off we were on the road again.   Death is NEVER easy, whether it is expected or not.  We all say we wish we would have known this was coming but really, it would not have made things any easier.  Danny apparently suffered some sort of heart attack in his sleep.  He died peacefully and painlessly....and that's more than we could ask for.  I am just so thankful that he did not suffer one bit!  We spent the next few days preparing for the funeral and what not.  Danny was such a legend to our little T-M community.  He touched so many lives during his life.  It has been absolutely amazing to see how many people were affected by this.  It seems like everyone knew him!  He had been with TMISD for 33 years, and spent the last 16 years at the Intermediate school helping out where necessary.  We went up to the school to talk to some of the teachers and the love that the teachers, students, and administrators had for him was just unbelivable.  The students made letters, cards, posters, drawings, banners, etc. for us and we were able to hang them up in the church for the funeral.  Some of the things we read were just absolutely amazing.  I feel so blessed to have been related to such an amazing man!

My fondest memories of my uncle are:

    * my first plane ride.  He took me to Houston on an airplane just to have my first flying experience!
    * Snow skiing in Taos, New Mexico with my brother and Kaley Smith.  We had a blast!  ( I think we were in 5th grade)
    * He dressed up as Santa every year and I was his little elf and we visited his co-workers kids.
    * We flew to San Antonio with my younger cousins Matthew and Cameron to spend a weekend at Fiesta Texas.  Both Matt and Cam ended up sick and it rained the whole time we were there!  haha

There are so many wonderful memories, above are only a few.

I just want to say THANK YOU, to all of you who have been thinking of, praying for, helping, supporting the family through this very difficult time.  Again, you all were very important to him and we sincerely appreciate everything you have done for us during this time.

Danny-we will see you again some day!  "Have Fun in Heaven!" (one of the kids wrote that on their poster and i just LOVE it!  We all know he WILL have fun in Heaven!!!!!)

We love you!!!!!!!!!!!

Always the aunt, never the mom.....

Another baby has entered this world...and I am an aunt...AGAIN!  My bestest friend in the whole wide world gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on January 2, 2010.  Jaxon Noah Cook.  He was born at 3:44 a.m., weight 6 lbs 11 oz & 20 in. long.  Tiny little guy...but he was 3 weeks early. 
I am just so thankful that he and mommy are doing great!  In the words of Lindsay's hubby, "she kicked labors butt!".  No epidural!!!!  I am so proud of her.  It killed me to not be there with her during the most special time in her life...afterall, I've been there for most of the others; high school graduation, college graduation, wedding.....this is probably the biggest.  I cannot wait to meet the little guy!  I already love him more than i can even imagine and i havent even met him yet.  His aunt Kayla is going to spoil him rotten!  I plan on spending some time with her when Jason goes back to work..i can't wait!  BFF and baby time! :)
Linz, Jas, and Jax -- The Gower's love you all very much!!!!!

So besides another beautiful blessing from God....i got to spend the weekend with my family.  (which is also a blessing!)  My side of the family came up so we could have our Christmas with them.  We had a great time.  Exchanged gifts, worked on projects around the house, ate way too much, shopped, black light putt putt golf, fireworks, etc.  Overall it was a fantastic weekend.  Scott and I really are blessed to have such awesome people that we call family...on both sides!  I just can't thank God enough for giving us such an awesome support group.  We love you all very much!

Next week we will be making our trek down to corpus. (Havent been there since beginning of October!).  It is my niece, Aubrey's, second year in the Livestock Show.  Scott and I were both big in livestock show growing up so it is really fun to be a part of it now that we are old and are able to give back to the kids.  Will post pics of Aubrey and her piggy "Grasshopper" when we get home.  Good Luck Aubrey!!!!

I havent mentioned anything lately about all my medical stuff thats going on, mainly because I don't know anything.  My female issues are taken care of for now.  Don't have to see the doctor for about 4 months.  The Tuesday before Christmas I had alllll kinds of tests done and I have not gotten any results back.  I have an appointment with my endocrinologist on Jan. 12 (my birthday) to go over the results.  Pray that they figure out what in the world is going on with me!  I am so tired of feeling like this!!! (had another bad day today.)

That's all for now!  Lovies!