BLOCK PARTY INVITE

*WE'VE ADDED HOT CHOCOLATE TO THE MENU!




BLOCK PARTY DETAILS: IT'S SIMPLE. WE PROVIDE DINNER. YOU EAT.

WHERE: Our place 131 Spring St.

WHEN: Oct 31st from 6 to 8

WHAT TO EXPECT: Food & Candy

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Belgard Update

It's been a while since the last post. So... I guess I will start with “Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year”. I should have realized since we've been home from the NICU and only posted a few times that this would be the norm.
It's been nothing short of an amazing year, stock full of memories, and a journey that we will surely treasure for a lifetime. I wanted to share the latest milestones from our little guy, a few pics, and couple general updates for the Belgard family.
It's interesting how teaching your puppy to roll over and watching your child sit up for the first time are wildly similar, yet completely different. Nonetheless, your Facebook timeline doesn't lie about the amount of social buzz created by both events. I'm just glad that Marley is as equally fascinated with Boone as he is with her. It's a really sweet interaction between the two of them and I'm determined to catch one of those moments on film.
In the meantime, Boone has been a busy man the last few months. Here’s an “I can... ” list now that he’s almost eight months:
- I can sit on my own with just a few tumbles.
- I can make the “da da” sound, but I have no idea what I'm saying.
- I can grab my feet and roll around on my back like a Rollie pollie.
- I can and will eat anything you put on my spoon.
- I can get the ladies to smile by blinking my pretty blue eyes.
- I can be cranky because I'm getting my first tooth.
- I can hear my name and turn in response.
- I can reach for mommy and daddy.
- I can use my hands to sign milk.
- I can laugh and giggle out loud.
We are overwhelmed with love and joy every time our little guy reaches a new milestone.
It's true Boone is growing quicker then I would like; however, I know that he is here for a reason. I see the Lord use his precious little smile to shine His light in peoples’ lives wherever we go. As I reflected on the birth of Jesus over Christmas, I am certain there is a particular purpose for the circumstances surrounding Boone’s entry into the world. I have no doubt that the Lord is using our son for his glory, and I'm certainly honored to be a part of the bigger picture.
As we begin a new year, the Belgards are continuing the task of cultivating discipleship in married couples, young adults, and students in inner city Houston. Also, we are doing some family fitness. I am training for a 5K race in February with my incredible colleagues and of course the fabulous “Coach” Sharon. Casey is training for a half marathon in New Orleans with some of his buddies from Louisiana. Boone will be selling jars of his slobber while cutting his first tooth. And of course Marley will be training with me, which she loves, and also continuing her efforts in becoming Boone’s personal body guard.
Hopefully 2012 will bring new endeavors, continuing efforts, and of course a LOT of fun! Stay tuned for more updates on the Belgards which may or may not be sporadic.

BUSY? YES! GOOD? OH YEAH!

Yes. It's been a month since we've posted.

Yes. We've had a blast hanging out with the coolest kid in Houston. 

Yes. The bestest friends in the world come to Houston for an incredible visit. 

Yes. Casey took the WOBC students to camp.

Yes. We participated in UNIQUE Student Conference formerly known as SPAMARAMA. 

Click Here for Recap Video

Yes. We housed two churches from Louisiana in our church gym. 

Yes. We did VBS in the apartments across the street.

Yes. We went for our first family vacation to good ole Louisiana. 

Yes. We were exhausted. 

Yes. We are rested

Yes. Mel starts school next week. 

Yes. She is dreading it. 

Yes. Casey is still hearing impaired and thankful as Boone continues to develop his pipes.

So since that sums up July... Ha! Yeah right! You know we have to give you some details, pics, and fun stories. Looking forward to sharing those highlights with you soon. Probably in a string of posts when there is nothing else interesting happening here in Htown. But for now we're looking forward to a different kind of normal. At least, getting used to a "new" normal will involve a little more scheduling and rest time than the summer. Whew! It's sure been interesting. 

Boone Update: 

We are going to the doctor next week and are hoping to hear the same news as last time: 

- Weight on the low side but healthy. 

- Heart is stable/normal with no additional medications. 

- Apnea monitor will possibly/hopefully (I can't wait!) be going away by the end of August. 

- Overall great baby.

We'll keep you posted about the doctor visit sometime next week when Boone attempts Daddy Day Care on Monday. 

Prayer Update: 

Please pray with us for Boone's continued health and an easy transition for me into school. Being without him for a longer period of time is not exciting to me, but something I know cannot be avoided. We have a new principal at Clifton Middle School. This is helping me get interested in and excited about going back next week. Plus, I really do love teaching these inner city kids. They truly are amazing little creatures. (Yes! Creatures. Are you kidding me? They're middle schoolers. I'm not really a teacher. I'm just a zoo keeper.) 

Also, please pray for our ministry at White Oak Baptist Church as we continue in discipleship/mentorship of WOBC students, young adults, and young married couples. We are excited about the Lord's work in our faith family since we've been here and can't wait to see what he has in store this school year.  

Lastly, please pray for Casey as his endeavors increase in ministry this year with new responsibilities/opportunities around Houston. I'll let him elaborate in another post. 

There are so many ministry happenings the Lord has blessed us with being a part of this summer. We're so thankful that we've had this time to grow in relationship with Him, understanding His mercies, graces, and love in  new ways throughout our journey with Boone. Just in three short months, the Lord has used this kid to touch so many individuals and We are truly blessed to call him son. 

We'll be posting again soon to follow up on the events in July. Till then we gear up for school and UNIFY.DISCIPLESHIP on August 27th. 

HEARTBREAKER

A MOHAWK KINDA MORNING

CAPTIVATED...

"Captivated"

Click to Listen

Your laughter it echoes like a joyous thunder

Your whisper it warms me like a summer breeze
Your anger is fiercer than the sun in its splendour
You’re close and yet full of mystery
Ever since the day that I saw Your face
Try as I may, I cannot look away, I cannot look away…

Captivated by You
I am captivated by You
May my life be one unbroken gaze
Fixed upon the beauty of Your face

Beholding is becoming, so as You fill my gaze
I become more like You and my heart is changed
Beholding is becoming, so as You fill my view
Transform me into the likeness of You

This is what I ask, for all my days
That I may, never look away, never look away…
No other could ever be as beautiful
No other could ever steal my heart away
I just can’t look away…

It's a memory we long not to forget...Making our way down the steps to a table supporting 4 candles. 3 representing our families and 1 waiting to signify our commitment to one another. All eyes on deck Melissa and I enjoy a special moment we would cherish till death do us part. She was stunning...I was captivated.

Hearing the lyrics... 

Captivated by You,
I am captivated by You,
May my life be one unbroken gaze,

Fixed upon the beauty of Your face.

would lead one to believe that this song was being played to express my feelings towards my lovely bride. Though it appears that way and very much could be the case it is not. We chose that song because it reflected our purpose of being married. We are fixed and captivated by our Saviors love. It is clear that He orchestrated our lives together. We were to be molded into co-laborers of the Gospel. Responding to the call He had on our lives. From that afternoon we would embrace an adventure leading us to places we would not have guessed. I am thankful for God and His mercy on my life to provide such a wonderful friend, bride and mother of my son.  But most importantly... a sister in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is much more to share but we will save that for another day. I just want to be clear about my heart and how thankful I am for my wife/best friend for the past 5 years. I love you.

Here are several photos captured over the past 10 years... a walk down memory lane.

 College Retreat

Dinner at Moms

Raising Cane's Christmas Party

Dinner at Sullivans

 Engagement Pictures- LSU Lakes

Engagement Pictures- Mississippi River

Speechless... My beautiful bride.

Honeymoon- Playa Del Car

ATV riding during honeymoon.

 Beach Trip with family

Cruisin'

 Oak Mountain, Birmingham, AL

My boys in BHAM and Bump N' Grind Race Day

 The Mitchell's wedding

Brookhills Student Ministry

 Fun at Anytime Fitness

New Addition "Marley Sue"

Nicaragua- Feeding and School Program

Our Team

First Astros Game

WOBC Students

Christmas Tree shopping in shorts

Settlers with the Kraffts

First Family Photo

Baton Rouge Baby Shower

Pre-Game

Post-Game

Family Photo 

My prayer...

That our lives may reflect the Gospel encouraging you to do the same. Our family is here on earth to bring glory to things not of this world. A mystery that fathoms us all. We know our position and embrace His mission. Captivated by a love only Jesus Christ can display. 

Humbled... Thankful...

-Casey

NANA BANANA

Last week, Monday through Thursday, Nana came to Houston to visit. We had such a good time hanging with the Boonster, recovering chairs, visiting with some of our faith family at White Oak, and eating at Pie in the Sky (delicious)! It was great just to spend time with Nana and relax. Here's a few pictures of Nana with the "lil rat". Enjoy!

Thanks for coming to visit with us Nana. We can't wait for you come back. Hopefully we'll be able to get home soon to visit with all our family and friends in Louisiana.

-Melbel

PAST DUE

This one time I had a mess of books that were overdue. So overdue in fact that they cost way to much to admit in cyber space. Nonetheless I accepted my swift kick in the pants from the ill-faced villainous librarian and paid my fine so I could reinstate my library privileges. (I love the library and can't stand to have a momentarily unusable library card.)  Well, today someone that's not quite so villainous (Ryann) gave a similar nudge for me to keep up with the blog. She's so right about the blog being the only way to keep up with the goings on of the Belgards and this is my apology to the few followers that are still reading. I'll be more diligent about my posts and try to put something together at least three times a week. I promise. Ryann I love you and can't wait to see you in a couple weeks.

So with that said... On to the events from the last post until now:Monday-Sharon and Kristen Morin came to visit with us and Boone's heart monitor kept going off. Like 26 times in a two hour period. Yikes! Talk about stressful. We called the doctor and scheduled an appointment to see Boone's cardiologist.Tuesday-Today marks Boone's first week home. We went to see Dr. Horenstein and she gave us a great report on Boone's heart: N.O.R.M.A.L.!!! After she said it we made her say it three more times. She's a good sport and Casey told her that sounded awesome because this friendship was costing us a fortune. Insert laughing. She thought that was hilarious too. Leave it to Casey to bring the humor in a situation.

The doc said everything was normal: EKG, echocardiograph, assessment of his vitals etc.

We are thrilled and proud once again of Boone's progress. We went home on a Holter monitor for 24hrs and one less dose of Digoxin. She said one of the reasons his monitor kept going off was because of his medicine and also the perimeters could be lowered so it wouldn't go off so much. Whew! I was really stressing out over the sound of that thing. (I have a strong urge to chunk the monitor off the top of our roof when we finish with it.) All in all, Boone is looking  good at 5 lbs 14oz and 19 3/4 in. He will have his heart monitor for at least two months.  Since we went to the hospital we figured we drop in on my high risk OBGYN. She loves Boone and we love her.

Dr Ramirez is on the left and Dr Mastrobatista is on the right. Both Docs were working closely with us through everything. They were great and we couldn't have been more blessed to have them on our side. After we got home from the doc's office the Luces brought the best pork chops I've ever had for dinner. FYI: they are getting the little additions to their family this weekend and we are so excited about them. I'll give more on their new family members in another post.  To end the night, Casey and I watched The Voice and went to bed.

Wednesday-relaxing day with way less alarms and a few visitors.

Thursday-I went shopping with Boone for me and Casey's 5th anniversary and his first Father's day. Then we had dinner with the Bransons and Justin & Janelle, went to look at a sofa sleeper for the house, and waited for maw maw and poppy to arrive for their weekend visit with Boone.

Friday-Casey and I had lunch, did a little shopping for our anniversary, and I got a hair cut while Casey went mountain biking. Maw Maw Judy and Poppy babysat Boone and of course Marley.

Saturday-Today we had pizza and game day with the Kraffts and Lil Adam. So much fun. Rebekah Villareal brought over lasagna (amazing) and we went to bed early. Whew!

Sunday-Happy Fathers Day Casey and Pops! Even though my Dad is a state away I'm so thankful for him and the little nicknames like: "pooter" and "squirt". 

Pops

I didn't really get the first name until I was like ten years old. And yes I was totally offended when I realized what it meant. Thanks dad! Anyways. It was a sweet day and me and Boone gave Casey this:

The arrow is homemade complete with his birth date and represents the following scripture:

Psalm 127

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Casey is already an incredible father and I can't wait to add more colorful arrows to our quiver.

So those were the events of last week. I'll post the events of this week soon. It was a fun one chuck full of Nana snuggle time, a new baby cousin, and a visit to MD Anderson for the Brad Booth' surgery. Stay tuned. For real stay tuned. I will be making another post. Soon.