Owen is One Month!

It's hard to believe that a whole month ago I gave birth to you, my precious baby boy! We weren't expecting you to arrive until September 27th, but God had different plans. On August 20th, Mommy and Daddy were told that mommy was getting sick with preeclampsia and must go on bed rest immediately. This forced mommy to take a medical leave of absence from pharmacy school. God knew what He was doing, because the very next day I was sent to Saline Memorial for monitoring because my blood pressure was on the rise. After they took mommy's blood they discovered that I was developing HELLP syndrome and must be taken by ambulance to Baptist in Little Rock to have you. Although Daddy and I were very scared, we were so excited to meet you a little early. God had given us such peace that everything was going to be alright. After a long couple of days, you finally arrived at 4:02 pm on August 23, 2014.

Here you are! 5lbs 1.8oz and 19.5 inches long!

Mommy and Daddy only got to visit with you for a moment before they took you to the NICU. Because you were born 5 weeks early, they had to make sure you were okay! You never once had to have oxygen, but had to be placed on a baby IV to give you nutrients because the medicine mommy was on to keep her healthy made you very tired and not ready to eat on your own. I had to wait 12 whole hours from the time you were born to see you again, but in the mean time daddy went straight to the NICU with you and took a bunch of people who love you back to see you for the first time.  Here a just a few pictures from your first moments. 

Beba and Papa Dennis meeting you for the first time.

You were so itty bitty, bubba. 

Nana and Papa Dwane meeting you for the first time.

 For the next 10 days you were in the hospital. This was the hardest thing mommy and daddy has ever had to go through. After I was discharged, Daddy and I had to start leaving you at the hospital overnight by yourself. I can't tell you how many tears we cried having to leave you there, but we knew you were in the best hands. Each day brought its own victories and challenges. Here are some pictures from your first 10 days of life in the hospital.

This is Mrs. Susan. She helped bring you into this world!

This was the first time I saw you after you were born…12 hrs later.

Not long after you were born you became jaundice and they had to put you under the bili light. We joked constantly that you were sunbathing. 

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

This is Miss Kristina. She was the first nurse to take care of you in the NICU. She played a huge role in helping Mommy and Daddy through such a hard time! She took great care of you!

Daddy loves his sweet boy!

Your first outfit!

 On Tuesday September 2nd we got to take you home. I can promise you sweet boy that this was one of the happiest moments in our lives!

Since you've been home you've brought us nothing but joy!!! Nana, Papa Dwane, Beba, and Papa Dennis have been down to see you a few times and they all love you very much!

You also watched your first Razorback game at home. None of your razorback clothes that we got you fit at this point, so we put on your razorback socks and let you cheer from your razorback blanket! The Hogs beat Nicholls State 73-7!

Woo Pig Sooie little man!

Our first Sunday at church as a family!

Just yesterday we took you to the pumpkin patch to celebrate the arrival of fall! We picked you out some little pumpkins that were just your size! 

Mommy and Daddy's Little Pumpkin

Today you weighed 7lbs and 12.4 oz. You eat 3 oz every 2-3 hours and you will sleep just about anywhere! We think you like your crib the most though! You out grew your premie clothes by 3 weeks old. Scooter and Daisy love you so much. They pop their heads up every time they hear you whimper. Scooter even runs to check on you from wherever she is at. You have peed on mommy and daddy several times, but are learning how to beat you at your own game! We have noticed that you are extremely calm and happy when Daddy plays praise and worship music for you. You even raised your hands during praise and worship at church. 

We have learned so much  in the past month with you, and we couldn't be more grateful that God has given us this most precious time together. We can't wait to see how much excitement this next month brings! Happy One Month Birthday! We love you Owen Michael!

Jonathan + Rachel said "I do." 7.6.12

I have to say year twenty-one has started off beautifully! Last week Michael's older brother Jonathan said "I do." to the love of his life Rachel Swart. I cannot tell you how much of an honor it was to get to stand by her side as a bridesmaid on their wedding day!
Jonathan and Rachel started dating in the spring of 2011. The first time I had the opportunity to meet Rachel was on Memorial Day weekend when Michael's family met up at their cabin in the mountains. She instantly fit in with the McCrary family. There wasn't anything we did not love about Rachel. She is definitely one of the most sincere and genuine people I know. We were all so excited, because a guy like Jonathan most certainly deserved a good woman like Rachel. Jonathan is also a kind and sincere person with a big heart! It didn't take much time for us to realize how serious they were about each other.
After several months of dating Jonathan decided it was time to pop the question, and of course we were all elated! It has been such a joy to be a part of their wedding planning and the wedding itself.
Jonathan and Rachel planned every detail of their wedding down to the forks and napkins, and all I can say is, "Wow!" I have never seen a wedding embody a couple so well! Of course I have to share photos, because I know you will all be SO impressed!
To start off the wedding festivities we had the rehearsal dinner at the Metro Church. Mrs. Brenda and Mr. Dennis (Michael, Jonathan, and Jennifer's mom and dad) cooked an awesome BBQ meal! It was delicious! They did such a wonderful job with the decorations as well! There was cajun boiled ham, pork loin, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, rolls, corn, and plenty of scrumptious deserts!

The sweetest set up for the rehearsal dinner. Brenda placed pictures in the mason jars then filled the top will burlap. The pictures were of Jonathan and Rachel throughout their lives!

We were so well fed! So good!

Practicing walking down the isle with her daddy!

She was so excited!

Welcome table at the church! The cutest guest book to boot!



On Friday morning the entire wedding party arrived at 'The Event Place' in Fayetteville to help set up the reception! All of the decorations were creatively crafted by Rachel and Jonathan themselves! This made the wedding SO much more special!

Welcome table at the reception. Rachel made this cute burlap type banners!

This was SO much fun! I think everyone enjoyed this treat! Jonathan built this photo booth himself and has even offered to let Michael and I use it at our wedding in December! :)



The cutest wedding favors! Now we all have music to remind us of their wedding!

Wedding day was a lot of fun! I wish I had more pictures from the full day. After setting up the rehearsal venue all of the girls went to grab some lunch at Firehouse Sub in Rogers. Thank you so much to Rachel's mom who so kindly paid for our food! We had a lot of fun just chit chatting before getting our hair done for the ceremony. Rachel went above and beyond and paid for our hair to get done at a very nice salon at Pinnacle Promenade. We all had a blast getting dolled up! Here are some of the photos from the very special day!

Rachel Ann and Jonathan Ware saying their vows!

They're married, they're married, they're married!

The Wedding Party!

With my beautiful sister-in-law to be!

My other beautiful sister-in-law to be!

With the handsome best man! I got a keeper!

We almost couldn't handle the excitment!

First dance!

Mother/son dance!

Love this girl!

McCrary sisters!

Bissel Grandchildren.

The dance floor was a hit with the younger crowd!

 I can honestly say that this was one of the most beautiful and fun weddings I've been a part of! I think I'm also a little biased because come December 15th Jonathan and Rachel will be my brother and sister-in-law! What a lucky girl I am!?

Jonathan and Rachel, I wish you all the happiness in the world. I know your marriage will be full of laughter and love to last you a lifetime. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you two. You deserve everthing good that can come your way. I love you both!



Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan McCrary