My sista...

HaHa - I had to do it, Babs!

My birthday "sista" (aka: friend and co-worker) turned 5-0 last week, on February 17th too! Barbara's precious daughters threw an amazing SURPRISE birthday party for their mama! The shin-dig was so fun and Barbara had no clue!!! Way to go, Molly and Mandy! What a fun way to celebrate your mom!!!

Me and my other friend/co-worker, Danielle

3-0!!!

Last Wednesday (February 17th, to be exact) I celebrated my 3-0th birthday! The day before, I decided I would take the day off of work and spend my special day however I wanted! The morning of, my sweet and thoughtful husband said, "You are only 30 once, let's drive to Fredericksburg and hang out!" Now, this meant A LOT to me since Scott did have to work (shhh, don't tell) and he also really didn't feel good. So, after a yummy breakfast-taco brunch and a quick trip to REI to get my bday gift, we were on the road! Our day was simple and sweet -- we started out at Torre di Pietra Winery where we sat and shared a bottle of wine, cheese, hummus, crackers, and chocolates! Then, we strolled around town -- didn't buy a thing, just enjoyed the beautiful weather and each others' company! Amidst the day, I received an abundant amount of calls, emails, texts, and Facebook messages (not to metion the gifts and cards I had already received) from my precious family and friends! I seriously felt like the luckiest and most blessed gal!!! What love I felt on my milestone birthday! Thank you all for making my day so special, esp my main man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all!

OH YEAH - and later that night, we met up w/my co-worker, Barbara, and her husband to celebrate her birthday -- same day, just different year! We are sistas who are 20 yrs apart! She turned 5-0 on Feb 17th! We all enjoyed a yummy Thai dinner - the food, as always, was amazing and the company was super fun! Happy Birthday Babs! I love you!

p.s. I was really hopin' my bday present, this year, was to be pregnant and that was almost the case. We suffered another miscarriage again - one that actually ended w/me having to have a D&C on Feb 12th. I understand most of you already know this info, but I wanted to thank EVERYONE for their prayers and thoughts that have seen us through this difficult time. Scott and I are sad, yet hopeful. It was hard for both of us and still is. I know God will give us our PERFECT GIFT, but only in His time -- whether it's my birthday or not. I can't wait for that gift and I will treasure it more than anything else I have ever received in my entire life -- you can hold me to that.

Jeremiah 29:11

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.' "

Painting With a Twist

Last night, several girlfriends and I went to this precious little shop called "Painting With a Twist"! You pay $35 and get a blank canvas, all the paint you need, specific brushes, and a 2-3 hr step-by-step lesson on how to paint a particular picture. It's BYOB and you can even bring in appetizers or dinner, if you want! I didn't know what to think about our little "outing" since I am not a painter and really don't consider myself talented in the artsy department! HOWEVER, I had an absolute blast and I really dig my little owl!!!! If you live in the Austin area, check this place out! You can get on their website and see the painting classes they put on all month long - you just choose which piece you want to paint and make a reservation for that particular day! It was so awesome! Thanks Katie, Shauna, and Courtney for a super fun time!

Girly Girls

Chris brought Macee and Max to our house yesterday so they could all be out of the way of Katie (who desperately needed some rest) and the cleaning crew (who was on hand getting their house spic and span)! Of course, we loved the visit and Macee and I really enjoyed some girly-girl time! I could get used to this!!! Thank you Chris for coming our way with the kiddos and especially helping Scott scrape our master bath popcorn ceilings! We appreciate you!

TT and Macee snuggled up about to watch The Little Mermaid!

Mani and Pedi time -- Macee requested PINK!!!
And what's girly-girl time w/o putting on tons of fabulous
necklaces and parading around the house?!?

Ashley's Baby Shower

Last weekend, I had the privelege of helping host my good friend Ashley's baby shower! Baby Girl Sahl (as she is being called for the time being) will make her debut mid-February! I am hoping she lands in this world on Feb. 17th - my 30th bday to be exact!!! We had a fun time getting together w/Ashley's family and friends to shower her w/many fun gifts so that she and Daniel can prepare for their little girl!

My sister-in-law's rockin' diaper cake - she was proud!!!

A personalized banner made by yours truly!
Two beautiful flower arrangments made by a true master,
Addie, who also opened her home for the shower!

Just a little shower keepsake for baby and mama...

The hostesses and baby mama:

Addie, Maianne, Ashley, Katie, and me

New Mexico

The week after Christmas, Scott and I both had the WHOLE WEEK off work - together!!!! We were first planning a motorcycle ride somewhere different and fun, then we thought the lake might be a cheaper (and somewhat warmer) plan for us, until...I received a sweet call from my dear friend Bridget, right before Christmas, asking if we wanted to join her, her husband Brad, stepson Bryce, and in-laws, in New Mexico for a few days -- on a fabulous 30,000+ acre ranch, nonetheless, w/free lodging! We just had to get there! ROAD TRIP! We didn't have any other specific plans but to arrive when everyone else did and just relax and have fun! And that is exaclty what we did! We explored the ranch by riding around in the Jeeps and Rhinos (looking for wildlife), chatted for hours (it was SO FUN to catch up w/the newlyweds), ate such yummy food, watched several movies by the fire, visited Raton, NM and Trinidad, CO, and above all - had some R&R!

After about 5 days on the ranch, it was time to say our good-byes. I have also always wanted to visit Santa Fe, so before Scott and I trekked back to Texas, we decided to detour in Santa Fe for two nights to ring in the New Year! We had a blast in that precious little town! I was in tourist heaven w/all the shops, eateries, and TURQUOISE everywhere!!! We walked around the square both days and went into the San Miguel Mission, Loretto Chapel, and the St. Francis Cathedral! We also visited two breweries - a fave pasttime for sure! Everything was so beautiful in Santa Fe - esp since all the buildings and streets were dusted w/snow! Even though our week long trip meant many miles spent in the truck barreling down the highway, Scott and I would not trade that vacation for anything! It allowed us to get away from our reality and enjoy God's beauty of friendship and nature! I loved welcoming 2010 that way!

P.S. A special THANK YOU to Brad and Bridget for the invite and The Moorhouse's for allowing us to invade your space (and family time)! We missed the other Walker's - Jess, Seth, and Charlie!

Tongue River Ranch

Antelope -- everywhere!
Elk, seriously! They were so magnificent to watch!

A view from our Jeep ride up into the mountains

Our very beautiful and relaxing accomodations

The view from our kitchen window

Standing on the front porch

Beginning our Rhino ride into the mountains - it was so COLD!

Brad and Bridget Walker - they are so adorable!

Me and my "Bridge"

A quick, and cold, pic on the side of the road b/c the moon

looked so amazing! This picture doesn't do it justice!

Santa Fe, NM

The square/market area

and, at night w/all the Christmas lights still lit up!

Loretto Chapel - known for its miraculous staircase!

The famous staircase

San Miguel Mission

Scott and I lit candles, in prayer, at the Mission

(and to ring in the New Year!)

Our fave spot...

CHEERS to a super fun trip packed w/great memories!

Happy 2010 Ya'll!

What a whirlwind the past 2 months have been for the Chessher's! Nov. and Dec. have come and gone and, *POOF*, now it's a brand new year!!!! I hope all of your holidays were fun and spent with the ones you love! I also pray that each of you is looking forward to God's blessings in this new year!

November and December provided Scott and I many opportunities to go, go, go and hang out with the people we love the dearest! Between friends and family coming into town, a yummy Thanksgiving, camping in Lost Maples State Park, Christmas parties galore, and a blessed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there is no wonder I have so many pictures to share and just not enough time, or space, to post them all! In an effort of trying to allow you a glimpse into what we've been up to lately, I just decided to select some of my faves to share...(they are a little out of order and kind of backwards; from Dec. to Nov.)!

A family pic, on Christmas Day, in San Antonio with Scott's Mom, Meemaw,

and the rest of the crew!

My Christmas work party -- we just had to give

each of our colleges a shout-out!

Our "Chesahl" Quarterly Couples' Dinner Party at Daniel and Ashley's house!

I love this Santa, for sure! Scott made the perfect

Jolly St. Nick for the Dinner Party!

Hiking with our good friends Looney and Katie at Lost Maples State Park!

It was gorgeous!

Leaving Lost Maples with our sweet friends Danny and Kelly!

My family came to our house for an early Christmas celebration! Mom is always so good about stuffing stockings, even if we aren't celebrating at their house in the Falls! I love this pic!

With everyone in town, we decided to take some family pictures! I think this one is cute b/c we all look like we are trying not to giggle! :)
Mid-November, my dear friend Lauri and her daughter Payton came for a visit! We loaded up the kids and had a fabo day of shopping in Fredericksburg! Max and Payton didn't quite make the pic - they were in their strollers!

Scott and I on Thanksgiving Day in San Antone! My parents drove in from WF and joined us at Scott's Mom's house!
This final pic will always hold a special place in my heart because on this day, Scott and I shared a very special little secret! The day before Thanksgiving we were delighted to take two POSITIVE pregnancey tests! We decided to keep things quiet since it was so early on, but you can imagine our excitement and utter joy of the secret we were sharing that day - in front of many of our loved ones! Unfortunately, the day after Thanksgiving, I had a miscarriage. I can honestly say that it was one of the saddest days of my life. I was heartbroken, and still am. We have prayed hard and have faith in our Lord that He will, NO DOUBT, provide us with a baby when it is HIS time and the most perfect timing it will be! Knowing this comforts both Scott and I, but the emotions are still there and we battle through them quite often. We are excited to know we can actually have babies and this gives us hope! Please lift us up in prayer if you think about it! All my love, Tina