Long Overdue

I am officially one of the worst mothers ever I know. All my loyal bloggers, it's been so long since I've updated. So here goes...
Emma is now 18 months old... so full of life and joy. She really makes us laugh all day long. She is so funny, the things she comes up with on her own. She loves being outside. We recently got a jogging stroller and have been taking her running outside. She loves it... she would be outside all day long if we'd let her. She enjoys coloring, reading and playing with her babies. She hugs, kisses and loves all over her babies. It is amazing that at such a young age that she is nurturing already. She is getting better with her words, still a lot of babbling, but she is saying more words everyday. She loves Barney and watching DVDs. She even knows how to turn the TV and DVD player on.. Very observant. She also loves Old McDonald, she'll walk around singing "E-I-E-I-Ooo". It's hilarious. The other funny thing is that every time a phone rings she'll say "Mama". I must talk too much... haha.
Cory is great... just working and being Mr.Mom. He and Emma go out for runs, work in the yard and make frequent trips to Home Depot. So cute!!
I am doing great as well. I am really enjoying clinicals for school. I am not enjoying my thesis paper I am working on, but the information I am learning from it is good. I am just ready to be done for so many reasons... but only 8 more months... there's a small hint of a light in the distance.
We have joined our church, Allen Bible. We absolutely love it, we now feel like we're at home and have a home in Allen. We've met so many wonderful people and young couples like us who have kids and live close by. We've been attending a life group as well, which has been a great experience. We went to a church picnic last weekend and had a great time. Emma loved the baby bounce house.
In August, Cory and I got away for my first time ever to Vegas for the weekend. It was a lot of fun... so neat to just walk around and see all the hotels. Then we were able to go to Nashville as a family with Cory's parents, grandfather and brother and his wife to see his oldest brother Chris. Chris had one record make gold and the other go platinum, while releasing a new cd. We were able to go for the celebration for him and his band.
I got to go see the Jersey Boys with my sis-in-law Brandy, my mom-in-law Donna and her friend Janette in August too. It was SOOO good. A girls night, a great meal and show to see! I also posted a pic of Emma and my friend Amanda's baby Aubree, they are close in age and we got them together a while back. They were so sweet together.
We got to go see my niece Kaila get baptized last month too. Such a wonderful experience to be apart of. She is such a smart little girl who has a huge heart.
I posted some pics with Emma and my sister's sweet babies Kaila, Nathan and Olivia.
Cory's grandfather is about to start his 2nd round of chemo and his first radiation round of treatment. He is tired and feeling the effects of the chemo, but overall is tolerating it as well as can be expected. His grandmother is doing well in the nursing home as well. Please keep them both and Cory's entire family in your prayers. This has been hard on so many of them.
New prayer request- my parent's best friends. Dee Dee has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it is a low-malignancy cancer and they caught it early thank goodness. But she is going to have to undergo chemo treatments and further surgeries. Keep them in your prayers, her and her husband Joey have 2 young girls. They have been apart of our family for over 20 years and we love them dearly. They are very good friends to my parents.
One more- my long time friend Jennifer is having her sweet baby in the next few weeks. Prayers for her safe delivery and for Olivia's arrival.
The 5K is only 2 1/2 weeks away. Cory and I are running in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (Cancer). I am nervous, but we are doing it for all those loved ones who are fighting or have lost the battle with cancer, it's the least we can do.
Thanks for checking on us...
Love to you all,
Tomlins
-- i'm posting a picture slideshow too..