Denae and I have put together a website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mccoy with pictures and updates of the girls. It's the fastest and easiest site we could find to upload journals and photos to. I'll be trying to update this site as much as I can with pics and journals of their progress.
Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, and phone calls...your support is amazing and we greatly appreciate it.
Please pass on this note as well. We need all the prayer warriors we can recruit!
Love,
Brian & Denae
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mccoy
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Otsukimi Oct. 24, 2010
Otsukimi (pronounced Oat ski me) means 'moon viewing' in Japanese and refers to a Japanese festival honoring the autumn moon. This celebration of the full moon takes place in the fall in Japan and is similar to that of the traditional American harvest festivals of Thanksgiving.
The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens puts this on each year and it is a beautiful display not only of the immaculately manicured gardens but also of the Japanese culture and traditions.
Even though the gardens are right down the street from our home, it was our first time visiting there and we were thrilled to be out and about on such a gorgeous Sunday!
Arigato (Thank You in Japanese) to the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens for putting this on!
D is almost 20 weeks (5 months) along!
The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens puts this on each year and it is a beautiful display not only of the immaculately manicured gardens but also of the Japanese culture and traditions.
Even though the gardens are right down the street from our home, it was our first time visiting there and we were thrilled to be out and about on such a gorgeous Sunday!
Arigato (Thank You in Japanese) to the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens for putting this on!
D is almost 20 weeks (5 months) along!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Happy Fall Again!
I think the last time that we posted anything to this was about a year ago when we said that fall was coming. Well....fall is coming again and we figured we would update you on what has been going on for the past year.
Last fall was full of excitement for us as we had just moved to the Fort Worth area. For the first time in our six years of marriage, we were looking to finally buy a house. I had started a new job with Chesapeake Energy and we figured we would actually be in one place for a little while to come. Just after Christmas, we closed on a house in a location we really liked. The house is a quaint little house of about 1500 sq ft and we decided to take on the project of doing a complete remodel with first focusing on the inside of the house.
We were able to spend a couple of months in the house planning and laying out what we wanted to do before tearing down a few walls, the kitchen, and what seemed to be about everything else. We went through a few contractors and several minimal sleep nights and after about 2 months, we were about where we wanted to be to officially move into our “new” house. With Logan, D’s brother, living next door and helping us out, (all three of us stayed in his one room apartment together for about 3 weeks…that’s love!!) and D’s great vision for remodel and design, the house turned out great.
It’s a good thing we finished our project when we did because it was just in time for us to find out that Denae was pregnant!! Our new remodel is turning into a rearrange now! The first visit to the doctor’s office back in early July, they confirmed she was pregnant and showed us our little zygote that was developing into our little baby. On the second visit a few weeks later, everything seemed to be in two’s: 2nd appointment, 2 people (D and I), 2 nurses and 2 babies. That’s right, two little twins with two beautiful heartbeats. They were about the size of an olive at the time, but stole my heart right off of the bat. We found out later that those two little twins would be identical little twin girls which are doing well so far with mama being almost 18 weeks now. We expect our little angels to arrive sometime early to mid-February.
So with D having twenty little fingers and twenty little toes in her little (but getting bigger) belly, we are settled here in Fort Worth and enjoying the house. We have had a lot going on in the past year and sorry we haven’t been better with the updates, but here are a few pics of the house, the girls, and our trip to Alaska that we managed to pull off thanks for our dear friends Chris and Claire. We spent around 2 weeks visiting them in Alaska and it was definitely a little slice of heaven—after all the stress we had been through with the remodel, it was really nice to take a much needed vacation. We’ll keep posting as we can!!
Take Care and happy fall again!
B&D
Last fall was full of excitement for us as we had just moved to the Fort Worth area. For the first time in our six years of marriage, we were looking to finally buy a house. I had started a new job with Chesapeake Energy and we figured we would actually be in one place for a little while to come. Just after Christmas, we closed on a house in a location we really liked. The house is a quaint little house of about 1500 sq ft and we decided to take on the project of doing a complete remodel with first focusing on the inside of the house.
We were able to spend a couple of months in the house planning and laying out what we wanted to do before tearing down a few walls, the kitchen, and what seemed to be about everything else. We went through a few contractors and several minimal sleep nights and after about 2 months, we were about where we wanted to be to officially move into our “new” house. With Logan, D’s brother, living next door and helping us out, (all three of us stayed in his one room apartment together for about 3 weeks…that’s love!!) and D’s great vision for remodel and design, the house turned out great.
It’s a good thing we finished our project when we did because it was just in time for us to find out that Denae was pregnant!! Our new remodel is turning into a rearrange now! The first visit to the doctor’s office back in early July, they confirmed she was pregnant and showed us our little zygote that was developing into our little baby. On the second visit a few weeks later, everything seemed to be in two’s: 2nd appointment, 2 people (D and I), 2 nurses and 2 babies. That’s right, two little twins with two beautiful heartbeats. They were about the size of an olive at the time, but stole my heart right off of the bat. We found out later that those two little twins would be identical little twin girls which are doing well so far with mama being almost 18 weeks now. We expect our little angels to arrive sometime early to mid-February.
So with D having twenty little fingers and twenty little toes in her little (but getting bigger) belly, we are settled here in Fort Worth and enjoying the house. We have had a lot going on in the past year and sorry we haven’t been better with the updates, but here are a few pics of the house, the girls, and our trip to Alaska that we managed to pull off thanks for our dear friends Chris and Claire. We spent around 2 weeks visiting them in Alaska and it was definitely a little slice of heaven—after all the stress we had been through with the remodel, it was really nice to take a much needed vacation. We’ll keep posting as we can!!
Take Care and happy fall again!
B&D
A picture of our home on game day. Go UT..but too bad they lost to OU. After 5 years of beign carted around overseas, Bevo finally busted out of his box to cheer on the horns with pride!
B and D at our friend's wedding on 9-11-2010. D is 13 weeks and 4 days prego.
Our little angels hanging out at 16 weeks on 9-28-2010.
Best of Friends Already at 14 weeks and 3 days.
Top picture is our sonogram from our first trip to the Dr. The second picture is when we found out there were 2 little miracles on 7-29-2010.
We found out on 7-2-2010 that we were expecting!
The old Copper Mine in Kennicott, AK--located in the beautiful Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This National Park is the largest National Park in the USA--it's 6 times the size of Yellowstone National Park.
Enjoying a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge and admiring the gorgeous weather! Beats Texas 100+ temps! Of course the pic was taken before we knew we were prego.
Hiking Root Glacier
The freshest and coldest water we've ever consumed!
Fly Fishing on the Russian River.
King Salmon Fishing on the Gulkana River.
Our nice King Salmon that we caught!
Pike Fishing in Minto Flats, AK
The Largest Pike we saw! Way to go Chris!
Flying out on the beaver to get to Minto Flats and the cabin. (Notice--we are definitely going to the middle of nowhere!)
The little cabin in Minto Flats.
Exit Glacier near Seward, AK on the Kenai Peninsula (near Anchorage)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
House Hunting in Cow Town!!!
We made it to TX and have been house-hunting for a month now...No luck yet on finding a house to call home!!! We'll keep you posted on our search!~ AND yes...we plan to update the blog sometime this year--we are way behind! Love to you all!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 3--Last Day of our vacation:(
East Mebon
Built: Late 10 century AD
Religion: Hindu (Shiva)
East Mebon is a large “temple-mountain like ruin.” It has 3 different levels and 5 towers. It originally sat on an island called Eastern Baray. This island is now dry. The temple is dedicated to Shiva in honor of the king’s parents. 
One day, I'm sure they will discontinue allowing tourists to walk, climb, run, or hang on the ruins.
The view from the back seat of our tuk tuk and Sam-na driving! 
Termite mounds anyone? 
Ta Som
Built: Late 12th century AD
Religion: Buddhist
This temple was like a miniature Ta Prohm. It was built in Bayon-style and contained numerous face tower gopuras, sanctuaries, and a number of outstanding carvings. Similar to Ta Prohm, a huge tree grew from the top of a gopura and was destroying the gate but it was a great photo opportunity.
This temple was really neat because not all of it had been restored.
Similar to Ta Phrom, this tree had completely grown around the building.
The colors here were fabulous.
We took a break to have some coconut water. We really wanted to try them. Mine was super sour, but it was worth the experience.
You put the lime in the coconuts....
Neak Pean
Built: Late 12th century AD
Religion: Buddhist
This was a small island temple and was one of the last temples to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area. The main temple sits at the center of eight pools. Our brochure states that “Originally known as Rajasri, Neak Pean took its modern appellation, which means ‘coiled serpents,’ from the encoiled nagas that encircled the temple. The temple is faced by a statue of the horse, Balaha, saving drowning sailors.” Even though this temple was originally dedicated to Buddha, it also contains several Hindu images. The waters here were thought to have healing powers. Unfortunately, we were there during dry season which gave this temple a quite different look.
This was the largest termite mound I've ever seen.
I guess this would look completely different during the rainy season.
Preah Khan
Built: Late 12th century AD
Religion: Buddhist
This temple was a huge monastic complex and was completed in 1191—it’s full of carvings, passages, and amazing photo opportunities. It used to be a Buddhist monastery and school with over 1000 monks. King Jayavarman VII lived here for a short time while Angkor Thom was being built. This temple was dedicated to the Kings Father. Some of the Buddha images here were vandalized in the later Hindu resurgence. Cylindrical columns on the temples western side are one of the only examples of round columns and could date from a later period.
Children hanging out near the temples to sell itmes to the tourists. 
This was amazing to see how the building was still standing with this gigantic tree perched on top of it.
Terrace of the ElephantsBuilt: Late 12th century AD
Religion: Buddhist
Well, this is exactly what it says it is: a long terraced wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas. The sculptures here were impressive and included a five headed horse and scenes of numerous warriors and dancers.
Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill)
Built: Late 9th century to 10th century AD
Religion: Hindu (Shiva)
This temple is actually built on top of a hilltop with a great view of the Angkor Wat temple and the Tonle Sap lake can also be seen from here—which makes it a popular spot for viewing the sunset. It was the first major temple to be built in the area when the former capital was moved to Angkor in the late 9th century. It served as King Yasovarman I’s state temple at the new capital city called: Yasodharapura. Black Elephants were available to take us to the top, but we chose to take the hiking path!
From the top of the temple, Angkor Wat could be seen from afar.
We basically had to climb down these steep steps. Check out the ladies above me.
The Black Elephants
One last look at Angkor Wat.
B wanted to get his hair cut and I was looking forward to a foot massage--so Sam-Na took us to a street where we could accomplish both. $3 later, B had a $1 haircut, $1 shave, and gave the guy a $1 tip. He came out with half a shave and tears in his eyes due to a dull-single-bladed shave with a straight-razor, no side-burns and B said he just kept cutting and cutting and cutting...hehehehehe--Chock it up to a "cultural experience".
We then headed back to the Soria Moria to watch the sunset, enjoy a glass of vino, and to rearrange our bags for our flight back which departed at 1040 pm.Cambodia will always have a special place in our hearts and one day we hope to return! I highly suggest reading First They Killed My Father or another book about the Pol Pot regime before taking a trip there to get a better understanding of what their culture has been through over the last 40 years.
These are the wild monkeys we stopped to see while we were on the tuk tuk.
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