10 Years Ago Today...

Andrew and I were engaged!!!!!

Okay, so I have to reminisce and tell how it all happened - bare with me. :) Andrew and I met when I was a freshman at Stephen F. Austin. He had actually graduated that summer and was in the process of moving back home to Ft. Worth. I remember seeing him on stage leading worship at the BSM during welcome week and thinking, "Now that is a very cute boy!", but as most of you know - the 1st week of college you see a LOT of cute boys. :) I can still remember what he was wearing and that he didn't have shoes on. Random, I know. We didn't officially meet that day, but I definitely noticed him.

As the semester went on, I was making new friends and I ended up hanging out with some of Andrew's friends. I took a road trip to the DFW area with a group of people and they kept talking about this "Andrew" guy. I had no idea who this guy was, but these people couldn't wait to hang out with him that weekend. Somehow we ended up sitting in my future in-laws living room waiting for "Andrew" to get back from a bike ride. (It is really weird to think that I met his dad and step mom before I met him!) Well, Andrew walked into the room and I knew instantly that he was the very cute guitar player I had seen the 1st week of that semester. I remember grabbing my friend Blake and freaking out about it.

That weekend we just hung out and I honestly avoided Andrew as much as possible. I know that it sounds bazaar, but I just knew I was going to have a future with him, so I wanted to make sure that he chased after me and not the other way around. I didn't want to be that flirty freshman girl and throw myself at him. Even more bazaar, I was on a date fast meaning that I was waiting for God's best for me. I didn't want to date just to have a boyfriend anymore, so I dated Jesus and let Him take care of those details. Back to that weekend - I took a "group" pic of some people in the back of a mini-van knowing that Andrew was in the pic. I then took that pic home and told my family that the boy in the baseball hat was the man I was going to marry - which of course brought some good times of being made fun of and them being like "what are you talking about?" I forgot to mention that weekend Andrew kept trying to single me out and talk to me. He actually called me his girlfriend all weekend! I thought that was pretty fun and very weird!

SO, I went back to Nacogdoches and he stayed in Ft. Worth. We didn't talk for a few months, but I made sure to keep up with him through his buds. Then, one night at Great Escape (the weekly college worship service) one of my friends says, "Hey! look there is that Andrew guy! He is sooo cute!" I couldn't believe it! It turned out that he was in town interviewing for a youth minister's position at the church he interned at his senior year. I couldn't believe that he was moving back to Nac! I really avoided him now because I knew that we would be dating soon and I wanted to make sure that was not manipulative at all. Andrew has always been a very popular and good looking guy and he had TONS of girls just throwing themselves at him. I even had several good friends that actually liked him during this time, so I had to be careful.

A couple of weeks later Andrew found me at Great Escape, said a very cheesy line - "Step into my office," and then asked if we could "hang out" sometime that week. From that week on we started dating exclusively. So many fun memories of fun dates, our first kiss, the first I love yous and just all the things that come along in dating your future spouse. Both of us knew that when I left for Waco my first summer that we were going to being praying about marriage and when it was going to happen.

Okay, so I am finally to the engagement night! I have to back up a little bit and say that I definitely knew engagement was coming. I was already super emotional b/c I had accidentally heard my best friend and roommate, Blake tell her then boyfriend that Andrew was going to ask me to marry him that weekend. She had no idea I heard. (It really was innocent too! I left our dorm room and had to come back b/c I forgot my toothbrush.) I remember running to the bathroom and being so excited, but so sad that the surprise was ruined for me. So, it is Tuesday night and I am thinking that we are going to get engaged on Saturday. I was really into intramural sports and I had a very important flag football game that night. I was very upset that Andrew said he was going to come and he never showed up until our game (that we lost) was over. All I wanted to do was to go home, take a shower and go to sleep. I definitely didn't want to talk to Andrew too much b/c I knew I wouldn't be able to keep in this HUGE secret I found out. So Andrew asked after my shower if we could run by the church for something he needed to grab. I was like that is fine, but I just want to leave my pj's on. He asked me if I wanted to put something a little nicer on and I almost started crying right there. I said no and we proceeded to go up to the church. During the drive he asked me what was wrong and of course I told him about finding out his engagement plans. I remember bawling and feeling so horrible, all the while he knew that we were actually driving to get engaged that night. So, he was like "I am so sorry that you found out. I will try and make it as special for you as possible."

So we get to our church and it was under construction b/c we were building a new worship center. He kept trying to get me to go over to that building, but I didn't really want to b/c it was dark and I just wanted to go home as quickly as possible. He convinced me to and when we reached the back of the sanctuary I remember seeing candle lights and a chair sitting on a blanket where the altar was going to be. My first thought was that someone was in there and then as we began walking down the aisle (even though it was just a concrete slab at this point) I started to get what was happening. I was so confused b/c I had just finished a conversation with him about us getting engaged the upcoming weekend and I also was more than a little surprised. My next thought was "I am in my pj's! I can't believe that I am getting engaged in pajamas and my hair all wet!"

Andrew set me down in the chair, he got on one knee, read Ephesians 5: 25-27 and then told me that he wanted to serve me for the rest of his life. So sweet! Then he gave me 3 roses - a yellow to represent our deep friendship, a red to represent romance and a white one to represent purity. He then proceeded to wash my feet to represent his servant's heart. Both of us were shaking and bawling the whole time. I am amazed that we got through it! He pulled out my ring and told me that he was originally planning for our engagement to be that weekend, but he picked up my ring that day and couldn't wait that long. He was so worried he would lose or misplace it! :) He then had some friends come in and take some pictures of us. (Yes, in the flannel pj pants and a sweat shirt! Good times!) It was an incredible night and one that I will never forget! As far as I am concerned, it was perfect and Andrew did an awesome job! I can't believe that was 10 years ago! Time has flown by!! Thanks for reading some of our story! Andrew, I love the journey we are on together that started so many years ago! You are still my knight, best friend, lover and the most wonderful godly husband with a servant's heart for your family. Thanks for asking me to marry you! I love you more and more each day!

This is our engagement picture taken 10 years ago.

And this is 10 years and 3 kiddos later! So fun!
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:25-27

Audrey - 18 Months

Our sweet little girl turned 18 months today! Audrey is such a beautiful little girl with a heart of gold. She was the easiest baby EVER and now as a toddler she is such a joy in every way! Some of the things she is into these days are of course her blanket she takes everywhere, reading any book she can get her hands on, she loves watching Curious George and this Baby Einsteins animal video that we have, she is fascinated by all kinds of shoes and mommy's cell phone and she pretty much follows her brother (or mommy) around all day long. She has always had a very special relationship with her daddy and continues to be a daddy's girl. I love to watch Audrey's eyes light up when she sees and plays with Andrew. There is nothing like a father's love. :)

It has taken a while for Audrey to talk (we called her our little cave woman b/c she would always grunt and point in the direction of something she wanted. :) Austin has always "talked" for her, but just in the last 2 weeks or so she is saying new words up a storm and we are very excited about her expanding vocabulary! I never worry where our sweetie is because she stays right next to me usually holding on to my leg. She is much more shy than Austin and takes a while to warm up to people as well. Audrey is still our little sleeper. Her brother usually is up 2-3 hours before her in the morning and if she has to wake up early she can be pretty grumpy. ;)

Audrey and Austin are best buds and I can tell that they love each other very much. They get so excited when they see each other for the first time in the mornings and one of Austin's favorite things to do this week is to leave his room during nap time and crawl into Audrey's crib to play with her. (Yes, he usually wakes her up in the process. Sigh.) I love the precious bond they are building and I love watching them play together. Honestly, nothing is sweeter (until Austin takes her toy and runs around the house with it while she is sitting there screaming and crying. Good times!) Audrey is also very much in love with her baby sister and she loves to help mommy when she can. She walks around the house looking for Ainsley's pacifiers to put in her mouth and I think she probably gives Ainsley 50 kisses a day. So cute! I can't wait to see what kind of relationship my 2 girls have! I am definitely one blessed woman! Here are some recent pics of our sweet Audrey:

Audrey on her favorite ride at Peter Pipper Pizza.

Austin loves to push and Audrey loves to ride this Thomas the Train toy! They can do this for hours laughing the whole time. I love it!
Happy 60th Birthday today to Grandpa Werley! And corgrats to our youth minister and wife, Mark and Terra Caswell on the birth of their beautiful baby boy yesterday - Jack Norman! We love you!

Thankful Thursday - Big T and JG

When I think about people in my life that have had a huge impact on me spiritually Terry and Jan Graham are definitely on the top of my list. This sweet couple began disciplining me when I was in high school dating their son. They didn't know it, but I was watching their every move in their relationship with each other and with the Lord. I know that they were placed in my life for a purpose and I would have to say that these two wonderful people are a big reason why I am the woman, wife and mom I am today. A funny memory that I have is 10 years ago right before our engagement, Andrew had to go over and officially "meet" Terry and Jan so that we could kind of receive their blessing. Andrew was so nervous and a little intimidated (and thought it was a little on the weird side that he had to meet an ex-boyfriend's parents. :) He did great and of course they approved of him and we were engaged shortly after. We also had the privilege of serving alongside them in ministry in Waco. It was great to live and work so close and for Andrew and Terry to build a bond. When both Austin and Audrey were born, they were at the hospital just like all the other grandparents and my kiddos have always adored their Big T and JG! I am forever grateful for the impact and the relationship me and my family have with the Grahams. They truly are incredible people and I praise God for them! Both of their birthdays have been in the past week - so, happy birthday again to Big T and JG! We love you!

Here are some fun pics with Terry and Jan that we took last fall.

Go Cowboys!

Last week for Andrew's birthday I surprised him with tickets to the Dallas Cowboys Monday night football game. I can't believe that I actually pulled this one off! He is a HUGE Cowboys fan and I am so proud of him and how he serves the Lord and others so diligently, so I knew this is what I had to do this year for his big 34. He had no idea what we were doing until he saw the stadium in the distance. It was awesome! We had so much fun! It was the last Monday night football game in this stadium and pretty much the last game we would have the chance to go to because of the rising ticket prices next year and the fact that most games are on Sundays and that is a big "work day" for our family. I purchased these tickets with the help of my brother, Cory in JULY. And I had to hold in the secret until September! It was a huge challenge because I tell Andrew everything, but it was totally worth it in the end seeing how surprised and excited he was. :) The game was incredible! We stood up the entire time and the noise volume was intense especially in the 4th quarter! Thanks to my sweet bro for helping me with the details of the day and to our favorite Nana (Andrew's mom) for coming to watch all 3 kiddos. (It was the longest time I had been away from Ainsley as well!) We just don't get to do things like this very often, so it was a fun treat!

Here is a pic of Nana with Austin and Audrey this summer.

It was lots of fun sitting in the end zone at such a high scoring game!

Cory, me and Andrew after the game.
This was a neat moment to watch as some players from

both teams came together to pray after the game.
Me and my incredible hubby

Ainsley is 3 Months Old!

Ainsley Kendall Werley

I love her big blue eyes! (we hope they stay blue!)
Kind of half-smiling.

(I was trying to get a pic of her cute dimples!)
My attempt to get a shot of all 3 laying on our bed.

Our precious little baby girl turned 3 months old today. We can hardly believe it! This truly is a milestone for us. Where has the time gone?! Ainsley is such a beautiful baby. People tell us all the time that she looks just like a baby doll and now that she has started smiling, she is definitely winning more hearts over. She is sleeping from about 9 p.m. until 7-8ish in the mornings and that means all 5 of us are finally sleeping through the night! YEA! Sleep deprivation is really a killer and both Andrew and I don't know what to do with ourselves now that all 3 kiddos are up in their beds/cribs asleep at night. It is wonderful! Sweet Ainsley has adjusted great to all of the noise her brother and sister make during the days and she can sleep through almost anything. She is an amazingly easy baby and we are so thankful for that! Austin and Audrey love their baby sis and even though Audrey still thinks Ainsley is her baby doll, she has begun to be a little bit more gentle when she is around Ainsley. Nursing is the hardest parts of the day because as you can imagine, it is very difficult to keep a 2 and 1 year old occupied and entertained while being "tied down". We are getting the hang of it though and I have gotten really creative during these times like feeding Ainsley outside while the other 2 play or playing in the game room where they are in a contained area of the house while nursing. It's good times! Some days as I am changing a million diapers and taking one child out of time out only to put another in, I have to remind myself that this is what I prayed so desperately for when we were struggling with infertility. That puts it all in perspective for me. :) All 3 of our children bring us so much joy. It might be crazy around our house during these days, but I like to think of it as "beautiful chaos". What a blessing the Lord has given us to be responsible for the hearts and lives of these 3 beautiful children. This "season" of life is already going by so quickly! My prayer as a mom these days is that I am being the best mom/role model I can be for my 3 and that I am not just existing each day as a mother. I want there to be purpose each day and Christ reflected in my life and our home. Some days are definitely harder than others and I know I have a lot to work on and work out, but I have found that there is truly nothing like the love of a mother. Thanks for your love, prayers and encouraging words as we are on this journey. We can definitely feel them! :)

Happy Birthday to My Incredible Hubby!

Today is Andrew's 34th Birthday! Happy Birthday, babe! This man that the Lord has so blessed me with is not only the spiritual leader of our family and my very best friend, but also the most incredible daddy to our 3 children. He is the provider and protector of our family and you would never be able to tell what a heavy load he carries as a new pastor. His passion for our Savior challenges me to go deeper in my relationship with Christ and his selfless love for his family is more than I could have asked for. Our kiddos have no idea how lucky they are to have Andrew as their daddy, but they love him dearly and some of my favorite moments of each day are when he gets home from work and Austin and Audrey run to meet him - so excited that daddy is now home to play with them. Life might be crazy these days, but at the end of the day I know that I am one very blessed woman and I praise God for this wonderful man He has given me. I love you, Andrew Joseph Werley!

Seminary Graduation December 07

Andrew's 30th Birthday - Us before Kids - Look how rested we look! :)

The Pink Blanket

There are some things that we cannot leave the house without - diapers, wipes, pacifiers (for Audrey and Ainsley), full sippy cups, snacks and Audrey's PINK BLANKET. This blanket is with my little girl all day every day. The hardest part of our week is when I have to wash the thing! Audrey will stand by the washer and cry through the cycle and it hardly ever makes it into the dryer. The embarrassing confession is that this raggedy blanket was actually my blanket growing up. (Several of you might remember it! :) It was the item I slept with every night as a child and a teenager. By the time I was off to college, this blanket was actually in two parts - the blanket part and the edges and I carried around both. My mom attempted to sew the edges back on like the week before I went to SFA. After I got married I tried to sleep without it, but I couldn't! (Yes, I apparently have attachment issues!) Andrew is such a wonderful man and he didn't make fun of me too often for being in my 20's and still sleeping with this pink thing. (He even turned around once to go back to a hotel where I left it in the bed!) You would think that once I started having children I would have forgotten about my blanket, but it was always still there - a pink (faded) blob underneath my pillow. Once we had Audrey, she would wake up in the early morning hours and we would bring her back to bed with us and I would usually cover her up with my blanket. When she was about 6 months old, she started wanting to have the blanket with her even when she wasn't sleeping in our bed. Then by 8 months of age, she had to have it with her everywhere she went. So, I guess you could say I have "passed on" to my daughter one of my favorite things. It might not be in bed with us anymore, but the pink blanket is still with me all the time. :) Here are some recent pictures of my precious little girl.

Sweetie!

She usually "wears" her blanket like this.
Dancing
Even Austin has a blanket he is fond of like his sister.
With Daddy watching the 1st Cowboys football game this year.

I have a confession to make...

I totally stress out when it comes to doing the "arts and crafts thing" with my kiddos! I just don't like it. I knew that there was a reason why I wanted to be a middle school teacher instead of an elementary teacher! I just started letting Austin play with crayons, markers, play dough, etc. this summer and I would have waited longer if he let me. I don't know if it is the mess that I know I will have to clean up later or if it is just how chaotic these times always seem to turn out. You see, I don't have a child that will just sit at the table quietly and color for a little bit and then be done. Nope. I have that kiddo that wants to tear the play dough into tiny pieces and then somehow it all ends up on the floor. He has these cute little markers and paints made for little toddler hands, but it kills me when when it ends up on his clothes or in his hair. You are probably saying," Lighten up, Angie! It will clean up and wash out." And I know that in my head, but I have to pump myself up for these "coloring" times during the week. It totally doesn't bother me when Austin gets messy playing outside in the dirt or when he gets food on him at meal times. (Okay, food on the clothing isn't fun for me either:) I am just hoping that this will get better with time because we have many, many more of these "craft opportunities" ahead of us. Yippee!

Here is my sweet boy!

He really does love coloring and painting. I just wish I did!

Thankful Thursday - Last Days of Summer

It has been in incredible summer and we are sad that it is over, but excited for what this fall has in store. Of course the most memorable part of Summer 08 was bringing our beautiful daughter into the world. Ainsley is a wonderful baby and she has brought us so much joy! Austin has grown so much since May and he acts more and more like a little boy these days. He is so full of life and energy and is talking up a storm! Audrey is our quiet and laid back child. She loves just to be held and she LOVES her blanket. The hardest part of her week is when mommy has to wash her blanket. She just stands by the washer and cries - it is a sad, but very sweet sight. I am so thankful for the family the Lord has given me. It definitely can be pretty crazy at our house these days, but I like to call it beautiful chaos. These are the moments I couldn't wait to have! I love being a mom. I just hope I can shepherd my children's hearts into the arms of Jesus!


Here are some pics from the last several days and Labor Day.

This is our little cottage at Lake Grandbury

And this is the view - we love it!

How cute is she?!

Austin loves to "swimp" and now can do it "all by myselp"

Sweet Audrey at the spray park we frequent often

Austin - always on the go

These are pics at the pool we have gone to all summer.

It has been so wonderful b/c no one is ever there!
This summer has gone by way too fast!

It's Hair Cut Time!

We have found this amazing kids haircut place called Sharkeys where Austin gets to sit in a yellow hummer seat and watch a video like Thomas the Train or Curious George while getting his hair cut. This has illuminated many of the issues we used to have when it came time to cut his hair. It costs a little more than what we would want to spend, but it is priceless when it comes to Austin actually sitting still to have his hair cut. The things they have these days for kids!

before his hair cut - doesn't he have great hair?

And look at that precious smile!

and after - so sweet
Audrey hasn't had her 1st hair cut yet,

but she loves to sit in the chairs and spin around.