THE LOUTS

PHOTO OVERLOAD! ENJOY!

2011-02-16T15:35:00.009-06:00

I'm trying to get back in the swing of blogging.

I want to catch you up on our latest happenings around here so I figured the best way to do that is to show you the pictures. Hope you enjoy!

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This past Saturday, we celebrated our baby boy's 1st birthday!

Dylan loved being the center of attention!

On Colby and Eli's first birthdays, they were a little hesitant and about the smash cake. Dylan, on the other hand, dug right in!

And he enjoyed every minute of it!

But when the birthday crowd cleared, Dylan had to catch him some z's!

Passed out it Papa's lap!

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We got some new pets...donkeys!

They're actually Papa's but they are just staying at our house.

Eli's ride didn't go quite as smooth as Colby's. He got bucked off.

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We had a "Snow Day" as seen in the pictures above.

Colby rode on a sled that his Papa built, pulled by his Daddy in his "Hog Huntin' Pickup."

And Colby threw some ice at the camera...AKA his momma!

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We went Rabbit Hunting with some friends.

We built a campfire and roasted wienies and marshmallows.

Not a single bunny was remotely injured!

Colby and Braden

Eli "mud-hogged" with his four-wheeler in the mud puddle all day long!

Drinking him some "Pepper."

Eli loves Presley!

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Shad and the boys' latest hobby is Hog Hunting. They got a "hog huntin' truck" as seen above and they were looking for some "hog dogs." Shad found some online the night it snowed and they were in Dallas. Of course, Shad was ready to head out in the elements to get him some dogs. I, on the other hand, thought that was pretty ridiculous. He came up with a couple of different plans to get them here and nothing was working out. He had almost given up on those dogs. But on that Sunday, Superbowl Sunday, at church, Colby had a prayer request in Sunday School. He prayed that he would get his "hog dogs" on Monday. Well the Bible says that we "have not because we ask not." That wasn't the case with my firstborn son. He told God exactly what he wanted. At this point, I could have hopped in the car and drove to Dallas and got the dogs. But I figured if it was meant to be, God would answer Colby's prayer. You may have seen my post on facebook asking if anyone was coming this way from the Dallas area. Lo and behold, about 5 minutes later, I had a response from Delicia Eaves saying she was there and would be coming back home the next day. To make a long story short, we got all the details worked out and the very next day, we had two "hog dogs" in our backyard, Lobo and Ella! I believe God cares about the smallest of things, even "hog dogs" for my little man. That day, he got a good understanding of an answered prayer and I hope he remembers it as long as he lives.

He didn't want to stop petting them!

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And this is their first successful hunt with his new dogs! He was a very happy boy!

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Until next time...

xoxo~Casey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN COYE!

2011-02-09T15:30:00.006-06:00

Well...I haven't blogged in a while!

My last post was to announce the birth of our baby boy, Dylan Coye.

I figured it would be fitting for this post to be a

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY

post...you know considering today is his birthday and all.

SO....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN COYE!!!

We've watched our baby boy grow from a skinny little babe who couldn't keep much milk down at all to a chunky monkey who will eat anything that is poked in his face. He is one of the most pleasant babies I've ever known. He loves his big brothers and we love him! We are so thankful that God blessed us with him!

Happy Birthday my precious baby boy!

Welcome to the World!!!!

2010-02-24T12:19:00.002-06:00

The BIG BROTHERS waiting on their LITTLE BROTHER to arrive....

WELCOME TO THE WORLD!!!!

Dylan Coye Lout

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 ~ 3:33 PM

7 lbs 15 oz - 20.5 inches long

The proud parents of THREE precious little boys!!! And the most FABULOUS doctor EVER!!!!

So happy to be going home....the very next day!
Dylan was two weeks old yesterday and is doing great! Eating and sleeping like a champ and enjoying all the kisses from his big brothers! We are headed to the pediatrician for his two week checkup! Hope you're all having a great week!

More to come later...

Curveball

2010-02-01T14:44:00.003-06:00

So....after months of thinking we were decided on a name for our new addition, I finally blogged it. That same day, my husband threw me a curveball and changed the name on me! Sorry for all the confusion and please allow me to re-introduce to you....

DYLAN COYE LOUT

I go back to the doctor tomorrow and should have a pretty good estimate of when this little man will enter our world. Hope you all have a great week!

And, yes, pictures of the last few months are still to come. I keep waiting on a time when I have nothing else to do. I'm pretty sure that time is not coming...at least not for another ten years or so! :) However, they are STILL coming soon!

Casey

As of late...

2010-01-22T12:39:00.005-06:00

As of late....I have NOT been blogging.

Pretty obvious, eh? I was just reading through my last post...it was HOT Summertime, Colby was bald, and I hadn't even announced that we are gonna have another baby.

SO - without further ado...

WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!!!!!

And...IT'S A BOY!!!!!

And...he is due ANY DAY!!!!!!

Whew - that's alot of news right?

I am so happy to introduce to you...

JACOB COYE LOUT

So for those of you trying to do the math, Eli and Jacob will be 15-16 months apart.

Definitely a little overwhelming but I know it's all apart of God's plan.

Colby is very excited about getting another brother (after he realized we didn't have to give Eli back). He says we are gonna have TEN babies! Don't tell his Granny...or his DADDY either!

Eli is completely oblivious to the fact that he's about to be the Middle Man. I'm not sure how he will be once the baby actually gets here.

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After we found out we were gonna have Baby #3 we decided to close the sign shop in Carthage. It was hard enough trying to take TWO kids to work, not even gonna attempt THREE. So, in October, we moved all of my stuff to an office in Center. I can still make signs and still have some customers in Carthage but I'm not tied down everyday 9-5.

I'm absolutely LOVING being able to stay home with the boys! I didn't realize how much I missed it! I think they are happier too.

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I'll catch you up on pictures soon, I promise.

But for now - I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Casey

Important Stuff!!!

2009-08-06T14:17:00.012-05:00

WHERE IN THE WORLD HAVE I BEEN???

Kinda MIA on the blog I would say...Seriously, do I have ANYTHING to do other than BLOG. Well maybe just a few minor things....

For the most part, I am down to only working two days a week now and my computer is at my sign shop so my internet access is somewhat limited. On the days that I work, I kinda have to actually, um, work....sometimes. Yeah, I could drive up here on an off day just to blog...or NOT.

I have been super busy on my "off days" with VERY important activities.

Swimming with my boys, eating snowcones of various colors (because that's what Colby orders by...color, not flavor), staying in our pajamas all day, watching Colby get covered from head to toe in mud, holding my precious baby (he's recently becoming a bit of a Momma's boy...yeah, I'm LOVIN IT!), scrapbooking, sliding down a kid's water slide fully clothed (no pictures, lol) you know, IMPORTANT STUFF!!!

Anyways - enough rambling - I'll get straight to the "evidence" of these important things!!!

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FUN ON THE 4TH OF JULY

Sweet Sugars
Big Brother taking care of Eli
Paul
Presley
Levi

Claire

Mikah

Braden

Everyone loves to take care of Baby Eli!

I REALLY think Levi is wanting a little brother...or sister...or how about ONE OF EACH!!! That sounds like a perfect idea!

Fireworks on the Sabine River

Eli was mesmerized by the fireworks!

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Colby had already gotten a short haircut for the summer but Daddy decided to make it VERY short! He LOVED it!!!

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Some random pictures of Eli and Poppy

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We had a Sunday School Party/Watermelon Bash at church. Eli rode in this special little car.

And he was worn out!

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Yeah you know that mud thing I was talkin' about?!?

Even this pretty little girly girl got dirty!

And again...I think he loves the mud, what do you think?

But what little boy doesn't?

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Daddy got a new loader!

So there ya have it - a recap. I'll try not to be so long in posting again. But, you know, I have IMPORTANT THINGS to do! Haha!

Hope you all have a very blessed week!

Love,

Casey

P.S. Do you know how good God is? If not you should really look him up! I think He's pretty awesome!!!

Family Pictures

2009-06-17T09:51:00.006-05:00

We had family pictures made yesterday with Snell Photography!

Here's a sneak peek!

Let me know which one is your fave!

Love, Casey

So much to share...so little time!

2009-06-08T15:09:00.011-05:00

We have been SOOOO busy!

All Star Signs has FINALLY gotten very busy lately and for that I am soooo thankful!!!! (Just this week, I was able to pay a personal bill with sign shop money for the first time - and it was a big one! - you better believe Shad was super excited about that!)

BUT, with all of my time going to making signs and corralling kiddos, that doesn't leave much time for blogging!

So here goes the past month or so...in pictures!

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Eli's first take on baby food...

BEFORE

Not so sure about this!

Big brother helping!

I'm lovin it!

Big brother, the comedian! He loves to make him laugh!
And AFTER...what a mess!

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"Workin'" in the garden with Papa!

Havin' too much fun to be called "work!"

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Colby started swimming lessons on May 18 with Mrs. Teresa. He went everyday for two weeks and then on the last day he had a "Show Day." He did so good! I was a little nervous because I couldn't stay but after a few days he got used to the idea of us being apart for a while and I think he enjoyed it a little too much! :) He was sad when the two weeks came to an end!

Getting ready to leave the house...

On our way...

He was a little nervous about this at first! But by the end of the week, Mrs. Teresa had worked her magic and he wasn't scared a bit!

Floating on his back...

Jumpin' in!

"When's it gonna be my turn?!?"

Completely...

...fearless!

So much fun!

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MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!!

Claire Grace

Yep - I can drive! Ha!

What YOU lookin' at?!?!

Claire & Colby

Uncle Brent's so funny!

Miss Mikah!

Gettin' a lil' sleepy!

???

Matching buddies!

Is he handsome or what?!?

Too many drivers!

It was a fun day at the lake!

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Just a random picture of a precious baby!

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Well you know, since Colby is a pro swimmer and all, we had to show Papa & Granny at their neighbor's pool! And guess who got in? Papa hadn't been in a pool in at least 30 years but you know, grandchildren make you do things you never thought you would!

And I felt the urge to get in too...and since I wasn't prepared...I got in fully clothed! :)

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I hope you all have a super blessed week! I hope to be more talkative on the next post!

Love,

Casey

A Super Fun Weekend!

2009-05-01T11:00:00.014-05:00

Last Friday, Tammy, Adria, Gavin, and Sandra came to visit Mom & I. We also had Mikah, Claire, Paul and Levi plus my two. If you're keeping count, that's 7 kids and 5 adults. It was WILD but it was soooo much fun! We let the kids play outside and we enjoyed each other's company. We don't get together near enough.

The boys on the gator...Colby, Gavin, & Levi

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Then on Saturday, Mom, Dad, Shad & I took the WHOLE CREW to Disney on Ice. In case you need some numbers....that's EIGHT kids and four adults! I had been looking forward to this day for at least 2 months! It was a ton of fun! We managed to get through the day very well! We enjoyed the Disney show and then we all went to Tokyo to eat! When we walked in the door of the restaurant, they sat us in the VERY BACK CORNER. I was "almost" offended. I mean what were they thinking....we just had a FEW kids. Yeah well...I didn't complain.

However, I did silently wonder if the people in that restaurant thought that ALL of these kids belonged to Shad and me.

IMPOSSIBLE to get a decent picture of all of us! At least we tried!

Enjoying the show...

And the BEST FOR LAST!!!!

Have a blessed weekend!

Warning! LOTS of Pictures!!!

2009-04-15T11:54:00.010-05:00

I just HAD to post all of these pictures - they are all so cute!

While we were in Wichita Falls this past weekend, Claire and Paul had a t-ball game. It was so fun to watch! It was only their second game but they were hitting home runs like crazy. I might add this was a HUGE improvement from the first game where Paul ran around the bases the WRONG way...twice!

Paul on the pitcher's mound

Claire on first base

In the dugout

For the first 30 minutes at the ballpark, my angel of a 3-year old, chunked his wings in the trash and threw a monster of a F-I-T! Yeah, I know you would never believe it, but precious Colby did indeed throw a fit! Haha! I chose not to photograph the F-I-T! For the life of him, he just could NOT understand why he couldn't go out there and play baseball too. Finally he decided to accept this injustice and play a baseball game of his own with Levi.

And Miss Mikah was busy keeping score so I didn't get any pictures of her. She is so grown up!

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We drove in from Wichita Falls on Saturday morning and went straight to Granny & Papa's church for an Easter Egg Hunt, Fish-Fry, and a concert featuring HisSong. It was alot of fun and HisSong is a really great singing group. I had never heard of them before.

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My boys on Resurrection Sunday!

We started our Easter service with the kids singing. Mom and Dad walked in while they were singing and Colby just smiled and waved at them from the platform. It was funny.

Another funny story...my mom played the piano Sunday night. That's not the funny part. As she was coming down from the platform, she got about half way down the aisle and Colby takes off running across the church towards her before I could stop him. I have NEVER seen him run that fast before. I don't know what got into him. I just looked at the floor and turned about 10 shades of red.

Oh, the things kids do...

Catchin' Up & Happy Easter!

2009-04-08T14:05:00.006-05:00

Wow - it's been a LONG time since my last post. We've been REALLY busy with a new business adventure that is a whole other post in itself. But here is a glimpse of the fun things that have happened lately!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

(only a month late - so sue me)

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On March 22, we dedicated our sweet baby boy, Eli, back to the awesome God that gave him to us. It was such a sweet ceremony.

This was an attempt at a family picture...

And with our wonderful pastor and his beautiful wife...
Bro. Harris showing off our handsome baby boy!

The Commitments...

Bro. & Sis. Harris sang such a sweet song.

The Fam...

The pictures on the screen...

Thanks so much to the Harris' for making Eli's dedication so sweet and meaningful! We love you guys so much and are so blessed with such an awesome pastor and his family. We pray that God will always keep His hand upon Eli and of course, Colby too.

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Papa Jack figured out a way to hook a dolly on the back of Colby's tractor so he would have a trailer. I couldn't believe that tractor had the power to pull the trailer plus Shad and Eli. Funny stuff!

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And last but not least, a video of a happy baby boy!

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Hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend. I am headed to Wichita Falls to spend a couple of days with Brent, Jenn and the kiddos.

I hope you are blessed beyond measure on this holiday that celebrates the resurrection of our Lord.

Happy Easter with lots of love!

Shad, Casey, Colby & Eli

Dancin' In The Rain

2009-03-12T12:44:00.008-05:00

Hope you're blessed on this dreary day. And....if you're having a bad day, try dancin' in the rain!

Smiles,

Casey

Elmo & The Bull & Just Everyday Blessings

2009-03-06T12:15:00.008-06:00

Oh the fun we've had the past couple of weeks!

Meme and I took Colby, Braden and Eli to see Sesame Street Live. The boys thought it was "ok," although they were more interested in the $15 dollar JUNK toy and the $10 balloons! Ugh! We won't talk about whether we bought these outrageously priced souvenirs or not!

The first 20 minutes or so Eli was just jumping and clapping and soooo excited! I'm pretty sure Sesame Street Live is the most stimulation he's ever had! :-) It was soooo loud!

At intermission the boys were saying they were tired and ready to go home soooo we left, regardless of the prices we paid for these wonderful tickets.

Needless to say, I think it will be a while before we do anything like that again.

Well, on second thought, just about two months because we already have tickets for Disney on Ice in April...BUT I'm thinking that will be ALOT better! Hope so!

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My sleeping babies once again...I'm not quite sure why I've been taking so many pictures of sleeping kids. Maybe because a little bit of quiet time is a precious commodity although I enjoy every minute of the sounds of my kiddos! I just thought it was so sweet that they were sleeping so close together and they just look so peaceful!

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Just a couple of random pictures that I took on different mornings right after the boys woke up. There are only a FEW things better than waking up to my precious boys!

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Eli in his new jumperoo that Meme and Poppy got him for Christmas! He loves it!

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Last weekend we went to Bull Bash. It really was a TON of fun!

Attempting to get a decent picture of my cowboys before we left.

I just thought this was the CUTEST picture!! The Merriman family sat with us so those lovely pink boots belong to Miss Hallie! She and Colby are just a couple of months apart in age.

There was this CRAZY Mexican Bull that came out into the arena....the guy on the horse tried to rope it, several times without success...so the bull fighters were playing with it and throwing hats at it trying to get it to go out. They even let another bull in there to try to get him out and that didn't work either. My story-telling skills aren't all that great but just trust me when I say that it was GREAT entertainment....it went on for about 15 minutes and finally for the last couple of minutes I thought to get my camera out and video it. You GOTTA watch this video! As you will hear in the video, Shad's vote was to shoot the bull...literally! And you will see that I got a little scared and one point and almost dropped the camera. I guess I thought the bull could climb bleachers! Haha!

I hope you all have a blessed weekend! We will be celebrating Shad's 35th birthday!

----Casey----

P.S. My surgery went great and all seems very well, thanks to a prayer answering God.

One more thing...my mom got a new dog named Lucy yesterday and I just got off the phone with her and she and Colby have taken the dog into Walmart with them! She has officially gone crazy!!! I don't think pets are allowed in Walmart and considering she weighs about 3 pounds, I don't think she would classify as a seeing eye dog!

Fire...Sleep...Surgery

2009-02-18T16:25:00.008-06:00

I bet that title made you curious! Haha!

A few weeks ago, Shad and I took Colby to the fire station in Center. He absolutely LOVED it thanks to the very friendly fireman that showed us around. Now everytime we pass the fire station, which is just about everyday, Colby says "there's the fire station!" as if it's the very first time he has ever seen it! Haha!

And night before last, I got out of the bathtub to find everyone in bed....asleep. Surprising huh? So instead of crawling in bed beside them, I find the camera and take pictures. Believe it or not, they ALL slept throught the multiple flashes! Then I removed the two boys and put them in their beds and crawled into bed myself...just to be awakened a few hours later by Eli. He will sleep ALL NIGHT in his car seat but only a couple of hours in his bed - go figure!

Aren't they all just so precious and innocent looking when they are asleep...even Shad! Haha!

And now on to surgery...a few weeks ago I had a bad report from an annual checkup. After biopsies, my doctor wanted to wait three months and check again. But the initial report was scary enough that I wanted to get a second opinion. So....instead of just a second opinion, I got a third, a fourth, and a fifth! Yeah, I would say that's a little much. But I really didn't go to FIVE different doctors. My aunt Kim, who is a nurse took my reports to three of the doctors that she works with and they ALL said the same thing. So I went to Shreveport to the doctor that delivered Colby and he agreed with the other three sooooooo I had four against one. So on Friday, February 27, I will go in and have a couple of minor day surgeries. If everything goes as planned I should be home that night. With that said, I would really appreciate your prayers. Specifically that after these surgeries, everything will be back to normal and that will be the end of it.

I hope you all have a blessed weekend! Shad and Colby are gonna be at the camphouse on the river with Papa or as Colby calls it, "the Deer Camp." And I will be scrapbooking! I am so excited about that considering Eli only has two pages in his scrapbook! But all of that is about to change, hopefully, if I am as productive as I plan on being!

Love you all,

Casey

P.S. A few of us ladies are about to start a Bible Study on Esther in March. Email me - bizzeebeigh@yahoo.com - if you're interested in joining us! It's gonna be great!

Eli's 3 Month Pictures

2009-01-29T12:09:00.004-06:00

Mom & I took Eli to Sears on Monday to have his 3-month pictures made. He did so good! I can't believe he is already three months old!

I hope you all are having an awesome week.

Please allow me to be selfish for a moment and ask you to please pray for Shad, the boys and me over the next few days. We would really appreciate it!

Love,
Casey

Place Your Bid! Haha!

2009-01-22T14:01:00.006-06:00

Well...the bidding starts NOW on the infamous quarter!!!

It's out and Colby did great at the hospital. Thanks to everyone who prayed for him today - we really appreciate it. Here are a few pictures from today.

Good Morning from Christus Schumpert Medical Center

Colby & Clifford the big red dog

He was pretty intrigued by the IV. He was asleep before they put the IV in so he didn't have to feel that pain - thank goodness! But...when he woke up he was ready for it to come out!
This was after the surgery. Last time he had this done, he woke up screaming and I prayed that it wouldn't be like that this time. God answers prayers! He was so calm, just laying there in the bed, when they brought him back to us.

He was showing his IV to Eli and he wanted him to lay right beside him.
Colby is such a sweet big brother!

God is so good to us. I'm so thankful that He watched over our little boy today.
I will try to give y'all a break now from the updates! Y'all are probably tired of me posting everyday! Have a great weekend!

Casey

An Expensive Quarter!

2009-01-21T16:55:00.003-06:00

Well it all started on Saturday night - Colby decided that his tummy might make a pretty good piggy bank. He was being rewarded with quarters for going to the potty and he thought he would invest his money in the tummy. Soooooo....I called the Pediatrician to let them know that Colby had swallowed a quarter and he said "Wow, that's the 2nd in an hour, the first was a dime!" He told us that more than likely it would pass but if it hadn't passed by Tuesday to bring him into the office for x-rays. Nothing about my child is "likely!" Sooooo.....we headed to Shreveport this morning (Wednesday) for our appointment at 8:30. They took xrays and there was definitely a quarter still in there. They said the chances of him passing it on his own were one in a million. It is lodged at the "drain" of the stomach and the opening of the intestines so they told us we needed to have an endoscopy done to remove it. So.........we are scheduled for him to have an endoscopy at 6:30 in the morning at Schumpert in Shreveport. He has had this procedure done before back when he was almost two and having tummy troubles. He was a little younger and didn't really understand as much as he does now. I'm a little worried that he might be a little nervous in the morning. But everything went fine that time and I'm trusting it will all be fine this time too.

While we were there, Eli got his 3 month check up and they said he was a healthy boy. He weighs 12 pounds, 2 ounces and he is 22 inches long. He is really smiling and "talking" these days....such a precious boy!

Well please keep us in your prayers in the morning. And, by the way, after tomorrow, the quarter is up for grabs....to the highest bidder!!!!

Some Recent Pictures!

2009-01-20T12:04:00.009-06:00

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday! Here are some pictures of the last few weeks.

One Sunday Morning all dressed up for church! It was freezing outside but I had to get a picture of them all matching.

Daddy And His Boys!

My Little Cowboy!

On New Year's Eve we went to Wichita Falls and spent a few days with the family! Brandon and Presley even came for a couple days. It was so fun being all together.

Colby & Paul

Can't keep boys from wrestling! They have so much fun all together.

And this is what Sisters are good for!!! This picture will haunt him in a few years!

Levi with a headband!

Claire & Presley

Brent thought he needed to have his picture taken with EVERYONE!
He must think he's pretty handsome!

Brent & Jennifer aka My Role Model
Maybe one day I can be like her! I'm trying!

Brent & Mom

Brent, Brandon, & Daddy

Brent, Eli & Daddy

Brent & Mikah

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Here's a little story that I got via email today and it inspired me...maybe you'll like it too!

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, a beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the World. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said."What?" Mom asked."Let's run through the rain!" She repeated."No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,""We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said."No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm."This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?""Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!" Now the entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. "Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories.

So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. I can't wait until it rains again...you can bet Colby and I will be running in the rain and splashing along the way! I can't wait!

Have a "memory-making" week!

Love, Casey

A Glimpse of our Holidays....

2009-01-09T12:54:00.013-06:00

Hey everyone! I hope you all are wonderful! We had a fabulous Christmas with our boys and of course our families....here a few pictures from the holidays!

Breakfast with Santa at the Methodist Church

An attempt to get a family picture for the Christmas Card - it was unsuccessful.

Maybe we'll try again next year!

CHRISTMAS AT MEME & POPPY'S

Aren't these just the most precious kids you've ever seen?!?! I could just eat 'em up!

Levi Brent

Claire Grace & Presley Daniele

Mikah Ashton
Meme & Eli Jack
Colby Monroe, Paul Abram & Braden Thomas

BUSH CHRISTMAS

The most beautiful sisters in the world!

Aunt Kim, Aunt Tammy, Aunt Sandra, My Precious Momma

The girls and Braden

Shawna with Gavin and Eli

Gavin & Eli - they are four months apart!

During the holidays Shad was off for about two weeks and I closed my shop between Christmas and New Years. Although this was NOT good for the pocketbooks, it was GREAT for our family! We had sooo much fun being together - we are so blessed.
During the time off, Colby got to go squirrel hunting with his wonderful Daddy. He woke him up at 6 am and you think he would be grouchy but as soon as we told him he was gonna go squirrel hunting, he ran to his room to get ready. And of course, momma had to get up to take some pictures!

I promise I will be back soon with more from the beginning of our year! Stay tuned!

~Casey~

Yeah, It's Been A While and I'm Sorry!!!

2008-12-03T13:00:00.005-06:00

So I used to get onto Adria all the time - "You need to blog more" I would say! Well now she is saying that to me. So yeah, it's been a while and I'm sorry. But anyways - here I am blogging...YAY!!!!!

I had to take Colby and Eli to the doctor yesterday. Colby has double ear infections and the doctor put him on antibiotics. Eli is a little congested but hopefully it will go away. He weighed 8.5 pounds today so he has gained over two pounds in three weeks.

We are so excited about the Christmas season....all of the lights, parties, family time and everything that is a part of this wonderful time of year. Colby is so excited about Santa Clause this year and of course Eli could care less!

Shad's gone to the deer lease for a few days so the boys and I are just gonna hang out this weekend. The lighted Christmas parade is Saturday night so we are looking forward to that. I am really missing being home with Colby these days. He's growing up so fast and I feel like I am missing so much. Hopefully something will change soon...either he can start coming to work with me more or maybe I can stay home with him more. We'll see - maybe you can add that to your prayer list if you don't mind.

Here are a few pictures that I thought you might enjoy!

Shad and Colby went on a walk through the woods early one morning a few Saturdays ago and came up on the neighbor's cull chicken pile. There were two chickens that were alive and Colby fell in love with them. When they got ready to leave, Shad told him to tell the chickens bye but he wouldn't hear of it. He wasn't leaving without a chicken...actually make that two chickens! So Shad and Colby come in and wake me up and Colby is begging to bring his chickens in the house. I, of course, say no but I really thought they were kidding. I couldn't imagine them bringing chickens to our house - I mean what are WE gonna do with live chickens??? So, I finally got up and went outside to find two, real, live chickens under the carport. They were culls so they were a little crippled, enough so that they got put into Colby's dumptruck and hauled around for a while. Colby had fun with them and all the while I am telling Shad he is gonna get some kind of disease from handling those nasty chickens. Haha! The chickens stayed at our house for a few days laid up with the dogs if you can imagine that! Finally Shad carried them away and Colby hasn't missed them so far.

Eli at 4 weeks and wide awake!

Well, until next time, I hope you stay warm and well in this crazy East Texas weather!

~Casey~

Happy Monday!

2008-11-17T11:22:00.000-06:00

Bubble Bath Time For The Silly Big Brother!!!

Hey everyone! Sorry I didn't update on Tuesday. Things are a little busier with two kids. Eli weighed 6lbs 7oz at the doctor on Tuesday. I have really noticed in the last couple of days that he is really growing. He is eating great and sleeping well and overall just being a great baby! Colby is still being a precious big brother too.

Shad took Colby deer hunting this weekend at his Uncle Jimmy's. Colby HAD to take his toy gun to shoot the deer with. So Shad and Colby are sitting in the deer stand and out come some does. Shad shoots one, hits it and it runs off a ways before dying. Then Colby cocks his gun and pretends to shoot one. They found Shad's deer but Colby's version of the story is a little different. He says they found his deer but they couldn't find Daddy's deer. So Colby is so proud that he killed a deer.

Kids are so much fun! We are so blessed that God would trust us with two precious boys!

I am back at work now - ugh! Wouldn't it be nice if money just grew on trees? It's not so bad though. Eli is with me and Colby will be with me sometimes and with Mrs. Martha and Mr. Jack sometimes.

So that's about it! Keep us in your prayers!

Love,
Casey

Home...but on the go!!!

2008-11-07T15:26:00.000-06:00

"The Crew"

Paul, Mikah, Eli, Claire, Levi, Braden, Presley, Colby

Absolutely impossible to get a smile out of everyone at the same time!

The precious Big Brother!

Eli on his first day home!!!

Hey everyone! Well we made it home Saturday morning and it's been a busy week. Sorry I am just now updating! I just know you are DYING for more pictures of my boys!!! Haha!

We got home Saturday and had several special visitors, including big cousins, Presley and Braden, and we went to church on Sunday morning for the first time and received a very warm welcome. On Sunday night, my brother Brent, Jennifer and the kiddos came in to meet their new cousin! So we pretty much hung out at Mom's the first part of the week with them. We really enjoyed our time together. Colby had so much fun playing with his cousins! They headed home Wednesday morning and we have tried to take it easy but you know, that just never happens. We've worked a little and played alot and we are just loving life with our family!

Colby has adjusted so well. He absolutely loves Eli and doesn't want anyone to even mention taking him home with them. He wants him with us at all times! (And SO DO I!!!) He just talks to him all the time and wants to lay by him and hold him. He is such a great big brother!

Eli is sleeping very well. He wakes up about every 4-5 hours to eat at night and goes right back to sleep. He is a wonderful baby so far! So that's about it - we are doing great! I take Eli back to his pediatrician on Tuesday and I will let you know how that goes! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love,

Casey

God is Good!

2008-10-31T19:40:00.000-05:00

Wow-I didn't get to update the blog last night because we were really BUSY holding a precious baby boy!!!! Lots has happened since Wednesday. Eli was taken off of ICU status last night. He got to come to the room with us for the first time about 8:30 and Colby got to see him and hold him. He was so excited! He just kept rubbing his head and kissing him - so sweet. They brought him in every three hours last night to stay for about 45 minutes and then he had to go back under the light for his jaundice. This morning, they said his jaundice was better so he has been in the room with us pretty much all day long and he has been eating like a pro. Colby just wants to hold him all by himself, all the time. He just talks to him and giggles. He is so happy with his baby brother.

We are scheduled to be discharged in the morning (Saturday). He has to have his hearing screen done in the morning and hopefully we will be headed home soon after that.

If you want to come visit, you are certainly welcome. Just remember that Eli does have premature lungs so that makes him more susceptible to germs. We certainly don't want to end up back in the hospital.

We thank you all again for your prayers and support, visits and phone calls. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. We are excited to get home tomorrow and we can't wait for Eli to meet all of you! Enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Shad, Casey, Colby & Eli

An update on Eli

2008-10-29T22:50:00.000-05:00

In the hospital we remain. Eli is improving. He is off of the oxygen and he is breathing faster than he should be but hopefully that will be better tomorrow. They just started feeding him through a tube tonight. He didn't tolerate the first feeding very well but they said that was to be expected. They will feed him again at 12:30 and 3:30 and hopefully those feedings will go better. We are just hanging out. We haven't gotten to hold him but hopefully that will change tomorrow as well.

Thanks so much for all of the calls, visits and prayers. We really appreciate them. I will update again tomorrow.

Love,
Casey

Eli Jack Lout

2008-10-28T22:47:00.000-05:00

Eli Jack Lout was born at 2:47 pm today - October 28, 2008. He weighed 6 lbs 11 ounces and he is 19 inches long. He is, of course, so precious! He had a little trouble breathing at first but his bloodwork at 10 pm came back normal - Praise be to God! They are going to watch him very closely tonight and we are trusting that everything will be normal tomorrow.

Colby hasn't really gotten to see Eli yet so we don't have a big brother reaction yet. Hopefully, he will get to see him tomorrow and we will have the video camera handy!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us! We really appreciate it! Shad, Colby and I are about to hit the sack for the night and I will update tomorrow with the progress!

Enjoy the pictures

Love,

Casey

P.S. Shad, Mom & Aunt Sandra earned an extra star in their crown today. They were so wonderful for me and I love and appreciate them so much!!! I owe them big time!

Big News!

2008-10-24T12:58:00.001-05:00

Well I thought I was gonna get ALOT of blogging done before Eli got here! BUT - I went to Dr. Vineyard yesterday (Thursday) and I was dilated to a 3 and 50% effaced sooooooo if he doesn't come before Tuesday, Dr. Vineyard will be inducing labor at 7 am on Tuesday. Needless to say, this is not exactly how Shad had planned his opening weekend of deer season. Oh well, the deer will always be there! Haha! I am very excited but also very nervous and shocked! I had no idea it would be this soon! I will be posting all of the details and of course many pictures when he arrives.

Colby is getting very excited about his baby brother. I hope his excitement remains once he actually gets here. I took him to his pediatrician on Wednesday for his 3 year checkup and Dr. Pace said he was a very healthy 3 year old. He weighed 34 pounds and is 38.5 inches tall. I also took him to the Pumpkin Patch on Wednesday and took his pictures.

As you all know, I opened All Star Signs in Carthage in August. God has really been blessing our new business adventure. I have a very sweet girl, Megan, that is working for me and she will be taking care of the shop for me while I am out with the baby.

I am so looking forward to the next two weeks off with my boys! Please keep us in your prayers on Tuesday!

Love,

Casey

Wow - I never thought I would be a "blogger"!!!

2008-10-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

Ok so my cousin, Adria, has a blog and she suggested I have one too so that I can keep everyone up to date on our growing family. It wasn't very long ago that I didn't even know what the word "blog" meant. I'm still not sure I do! Haha! However, this is where I will post pictures and updates on our family!!! Hope you are all having a great week and I will let you know when I post my next entry!

Casey