What's in a name?

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. - Shakespeare

If that's true then how come Lance & I had such a hard time picking out our daughter's name? But through it all there is one name we always came back to. Now before I publish it here is a disclaimer.... This is Lance & I that we are talking about which means that nothing is set in stone until the birth certificate is signed! So with that said, our daughter's name will be...

Samantha Lyn Maynard

Family Dinner

So tonight we had a big Colwell family dinner! Bobby, Tosha & family finished their vacation whirlwind here in Denver; they fly out tomorrow morning to go home to Houston. So tonight, mom, dad, Chris, Bobby & family, Lance & myself & some friends of ours - Bill & Nichole Kent & their 2 kids all went out for a big dinner. Once again I had high hopes & kept reminding myself to grab my camera; and once again I forgot. So instead, I stole some photos from Tosha's blog.

Bobby driving Zach around on the 4 wheeler.
Lance & Madison on the 4 wheeler (Madison lived on the 4 wheeler the entire time we were out there. She rode with everyone!)

The gals at the zoo.

Lucky number 11!

2 years ago today, Lance asked me to marry him!

We were camping out near Aspen, Colorado & went for a hike in the Maroon Bells. Once we got to Crater Lake, we sat on a log on the far edge of the lake to eat lunch. After we had eaten & relaxed, Lance pulled me to my feet, got down on his knee & asked the question! He put so much thought into the whole experience for me! He had gone to talk to my dad the Friday night before we headed to Aspen & then he planned the entire weekend. (Of course things didn't go completely according to his plan but they turned out perfect!) Now, in just a few short weeks we are expecting our little girl. A new husband, a coming daughter... life is completely different than it was 2 years ago! And definitely for the better!

This photo was taken by some hikers that we flagged down, about 10 minutes after the proposal, on the exact spot where Lance knelt down.

It's already June!

So I don't have any photos just yet- I'm not so good at always remembering my camera! But Tosha, Zach & Madison were up here this weekend. They flew in on Friday & drove out this morning. They are headed to Wyoming to pick up Bobby from work & then their first family (of 4) vacation through Yellowstone.
It was fun to get to hang out with them this weekend. We went to lunch on Friday & then out to my folk's new home & hung some swings on the tree out back of the property. On Sat we all went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for the day. Madison was captivated by the baby chimp & monkey. My last day to hang out with them was Sun. we all went to my folk's new home again for a picnic. Madison absolutely loved the 4 wheeler! Zach however wasn't so sure- it captured his attention every time he heard the motor; but it wasn't until dad took him for a small ride that he decided he loved it! It was definitely a nice weekend & best wishes to the 3 of them as they are driving all day today!

As for our little one; she is doing well & helping embarrass her mom already! I've had a few Braxton-Hicks contractions already but none that were painful or anything more than - 'oh there's a contraction'. Well Mon morning around 7am they started in full force! I had a couple an hour but didn't recognize them as contractions. They were nothing like I had felt so far. Since I wasn't exactly sure what was going on, I thought maybe some food would settle my stomach- BAD IDEA! Let's just say that with the next contraction all of the food came up violently & I couldn't run to the bathroom. I ended up violating the office, the hallway & the ladies room. My apologies to everyone at work. The janitor was so very sweet & concerned. Needless to say I was/am thoroughly embarrassed & decided that was a good time to head home to work. I gave the Dr. a call & all is good with us here. I am working from home again today just as a precaution (this is a work break!)

Well, we do hope you all had a great weekend & that your week is going well so far. Lance & I are off to our first Childbirth class tonight- they told us to bring 2 pillows & a sleeping bag. Hmm. Sounds interesting! Enjoy your first week of June!

Happy Memorial Day (tomorrow)!

I hope you are all having a relaxing & enjoyable Memorial Weekend. We visited Lance's grandmother on Sat. and got to visit with a few other Thomas family members as well. Then on Sun. we had lunch with my folks & little brother Chris. It was a full weekend as we're still making small modifications on the house. We replaced 4 light fixtures this weekend & are painting one more room. Lance & I both decided that we are now done until after the little one arrives! (although we'll probably get bored and start another item on the list...)

As I promised, here are the photos that our realtor used for the flier.

The Front of our unit:
Living Room:
Fireplace in the Living Room:
Kitchen:
The place looks great! & Congratulations Bobby & Tosha!!! You got your home sold! I'm so envious!

Michael Talmadge Colwell Junior

Michael T. Colwell, Jr. of Cumming went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2008. He was born June 27, 1976 in Monroe, Louisiana. Michael was a staff member and pastor at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA.

Michael was diagnosed with melanoma just over 2 years ago. Michael is my cousin. (His father & my father are brothers.) The one thing that overwhelms me about Michael & all that he went through the last few years is his faith. His & that of his wife, Jennifer. They clung so closely to God with faith so steadfast & trust so unswerving. Jennifer still is. It is absolutely inspirational to read her emails & see the strength & love in her words for God, Michael & their two sons, Kaleb (will be 5 in June) & Noah (3). When God says that He'll give us peace that surpasses all understanding, it's not an idle promise.

Michael started a blog not too long ago & you can read about his journey & his family here.
There has been a fund set up to help out Jennifer, Kaleb & Noah financially. If you would like to contribute, you can send a tax-deductible gift to:
Helping Hands Ministries
Account #63045
P.O. Box 337
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
(Please be sure to notate account #63045 in the memo section of your check. )

Viginia Florence Scoggins

Virginia Florence "Granny" Scoggins

VIVIAN, LA- Virginia Florence Scoggins was born August 13, 1909 and passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at North Caddo Medical Center after a brief illness.
She was a life long resident of Vivian and retired from the North Caddo Medical Center. She was a life long member of McCoy Nazarene Church.

Granny is my great-grandmother on my mother's side. Virginia ->Barbara (aka Nannie) -> Sheri -> me.