Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Little girls (and big girls!) love babies!
I took Caleb over to school today to visit some of my teacher friends before school let out for the summer. I went out to recess with the 2nd graders so I could catch up with Melody (a fellow 2nd grade teacher). Her daughter Brandi and her daughter's friend Lucy were there as well. They had a blast taking Caleb around the playground, down the slide, etc. And he loved every minute of the attention. It is so funny how a baby brings SO much attention...the little girls absolutely could not get enough of Caleb...playing peekaboo, tickling him, etc. Some of the boys would come over to investigate, but didn't stick around too long...they were off and running! Things to chase and stuff! :) Funny how God designed girls to have that motherly instinct, from such a young age. I definitely have my pick of future babysitters!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Looking like such a big boy...
These are just a couple of pictures from this week of my baby boy looking so big to me. He got this giraffe rocker as a baby shower gift from one of my students (since I love giraffes!) and he's just now perfect for it. I'm in absolute shock that his first birthday is so close. He is pulling up on EVERYTHING these days (and then knocking over everything he can reach!), still army crawling as fast as he can go, clapping, doing an "Indian noise" (sorry, not very PC, but I don't know how else to describe it!) with his hand and mouth, loving baths, "talking" all the time, loving older kids, eating mostly anything mommy and daddy eat, and drinking (with help) from a sippy cup. And did I mention he is constantly melting my heart and making me fall more and more in love with him every day? :)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Caleb's dedication
On Sunday afternoon we had Caleb's baby dedication at church. It was SO packed, and it was only one of two services!! My aunt and uncle from Northern Ky came down, and my mom came as well. Also our life group families (including the new parents!!!) came to support us and our friends who dedicated their little Hope. :) It was short and sweet-the children's minister spoke, and we got to go up front and recite a little thing saying we promised to raise our child God's way. He got his very own baby Bible, a certificate, some money from relatives, and I got a very beautiful rose! It was very significant for me...I really want to raise Caleb in a home where he will learn about God in a loving way. I love that we go to a church where I think he'll LOVE going...Caleb truly IS God's first, ours second...God chose us to be his parents, and I want to do a great job...it's such a huge responsibility to make sure you raise your child to know God in a personal way. It's also very very EXCITING to me!! I can't wait for the days he'll sing Bible songs to me, learn Bible verses, pray, etc. Here are some pics of the day.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The two little miracle boys
Here are the promised pictures of the twins our friends have adopted. Riley and Joshua. :)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Answered prayer
Our friends Korinne and Todd have been trying to have a baby for 9 years. We just met them last September, and they were in the middle of the adoption process, but unfortunately it fell through. They had gone through infertility treatments and many other things over these past 9 years. They are in their mid-30's and were starting to get really discouraged and heartbroken that they might never get to be parents. Well, just this past Thursday, they got a phone call that they were going to be parents...to TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How incredible is that?!?! Two fraternal twins, Riley and Joshua. They were born at 34 weeks so they are in the NICU, but doing great. We are so happy for them, because it has been a long, extremely difficult road. They are going to be absolutely amazing parents!! However, seeing their precious cuteness does NOTHING to keep my baby fever away!!! Hahaha. :) Seriously, though, our God is faithful. There have been so many times they've felt like giving up, giving in, and just resigning themselves to never being called Mommy or Daddy. What a sweet blessing that God has given them the desire of their hearts. I have pics but haven't uploaded them yet, I will though! Yay God!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Eight!
8 things I'm looking forward to...
1. Caleb's first birthday in July
2. Buying a house (hopefully this fall)
3. LOST Season Finale tomorrow night!
4. Getting my mani/pedi that was my Mother's Day gift!
5. Hearing Caleb say "mama" and then hearing him say "I love you mommy!" (I know these won't happen back to back, I'm just excited!)
6. Caleb's baby dedication
7. Bryan starting his new job
8. 18 Kids and Counting's new episode tonight :)
8 things I did yesterday...
1. Drove to Dave and Jenny's and was pleasantly surprised at the lack of traffic due to UK being out for the summer!!
2. Listened to Caleb scream bloody murder whenever I'd try to lay him down.
3. Met Bryan at the mall and let the kids play in the play area after letting them eat at the Food Court
4. Ate pretzel bites for lunch (yum)
5. Drove home from Dave and Jenny's
6. Came home, ate leftovers from Carrabas for dinner
7. Laid on the couch and watched Food Network's Diners, Drive-In's and Dives--great show!
8. Went to bed later than I'd intended!
8 things I wish I could do...
1. Buy a house right now
2. Figure out why Caleb is fighting every nap lately
3. Invent a machine that will fold laundry and put it away for me :)
4. Buy an SUV to cart these 3 kids around in!
5. Go on a vacation to Jamaica
6. Go to a great concert--don't really care who, just a good one! Preferably outside!
7. Take a photography class
8. Take a cooking class with Bryan
8 shows I am currently watching...
1. Lost
2. A Baby Story
3. The Office
4. 18 Kids and Counting
5. Sesame Street
6. Curious George
7. Super Nanny
8. Mystery Diagnosis
(Can you tell I'm watching a 3 year old?) :)
I'm supposed to tag 8 people now, so: Jennifer L, Tkeys, and anyone else who feels like doing it! :)
1. Caleb's first birthday in July
2. Buying a house (hopefully this fall)
3. LOST Season Finale tomorrow night!
4. Getting my mani/pedi that was my Mother's Day gift!
5. Hearing Caleb say "mama" and then hearing him say "I love you mommy!" (I know these won't happen back to back, I'm just excited!)
6. Caleb's baby dedication
7. Bryan starting his new job
8. 18 Kids and Counting's new episode tonight :)
8 things I did yesterday...
1. Drove to Dave and Jenny's and was pleasantly surprised at the lack of traffic due to UK being out for the summer!!
2. Listened to Caleb scream bloody murder whenever I'd try to lay him down.
3. Met Bryan at the mall and let the kids play in the play area after letting them eat at the Food Court
4. Ate pretzel bites for lunch (yum)
5. Drove home from Dave and Jenny's
6. Came home, ate leftovers from Carrabas for dinner
7. Laid on the couch and watched Food Network's Diners, Drive-In's and Dives--great show!
8. Went to bed later than I'd intended!
8 things I wish I could do...
1. Buy a house right now
2. Figure out why Caleb is fighting every nap lately
3. Invent a machine that will fold laundry and put it away for me :)
4. Buy an SUV to cart these 3 kids around in!
5. Go on a vacation to Jamaica
6. Go to a great concert--don't really care who, just a good one! Preferably outside!
7. Take a photography class
8. Take a cooking class with Bryan
8 shows I am currently watching...
1. Lost
2. A Baby Story
3. The Office
4. 18 Kids and Counting
5. Sesame Street
6. Curious George
7. Super Nanny
8. Mystery Diagnosis
(Can you tell I'm watching a 3 year old?) :)
I'm supposed to tag 8 people now, so: Jennifer L, Tkeys, and anyone else who feels like doing it! :)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Some Mother's Day pics
My first Mother's Day as a mommy was good. I awoke to a sweet baby boy and my husband greeting me in bed with presents and cards! I got a new Willow Tree figurine of a mom holding her boy (we collect these, love them!!), cards from Caleb, Bryan AND the dogs, a picture frame, a little book, and a gift certificate for a mani/pedi. We didn't make it to church due to Caleb's extreme grumpiness this morning...he is teething, refusing to take naps, etc. But by the afternoon he had perked up and my mom and brother came over for a Mother's Day lunch! We grilled out-it was yummy. Caleb STILL had not napped, so we decided to take a walk at the Arboretum, hoping it would put him to sleep. It didn't, but he was in a good mood and we got some great pics of him. Came home, gave him a bath, and he fell asleep before he had eaten hardly any of his bedtime bottle. Here are some pics of the day.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mother's Day musings...
I'm so emotional and happy about celebrating my first Mother's Day as a mommy tomorrow. Last year, Bryan got me a card from him and Caleb (who was still in my belly!) and it was so sweet...I couldn't imagine then how much this little boy would change my life then...so anyway, I thought I'd post some of my favorite pics of him/us/etc. from when he was first born. I so love being Caleb's mommy, and sometimes I can't believe it still...that he's mine! I get to keep him! :) It is especially significant to me because I was worried since I was a teenager that I wouldn't be able to even get pregnant. God answered my prayer and I'm so grateful...he is so sweet, cute, fun, funny, and every day he does something new or something I can't wait to share with the world. I love him.
Monday, May 4, 2009
25 Random Things...(mostly) serious version
Ok, so I did this on Facebook but it was more "fun" stuff, not as serious. I was inspired by another blog to make this one a more serious type list of 25 random things about me!!
1. God rescued me from an emotionally and physically abusive marriage. Jesus was literally my all in all, my everything, my ONLY thing, until I was in a healthy enough place to begin a relationship with Bryan. I lost myself for a few years while with that man, only to have GOD find ME when I was at my darkest point. I have never been so close to God before or since, never seen prayers answered in such REAL ways (oh, the stories I could tell!), and am determined to live the rest of my life praising Him for pulling me out of the depths of despair...He turned my mourning into dancing, my weeping into rejoicing...sometimes I get complacent and forget how monumental this was. I need a good reminder every now and then!!!
2. I thank God every day for Bryan. I don't think I would have seen how wonderful he is if I hadn't gone through what I went through with my ex. He loves me more than he loves himself, and is always trying to be better. He loves me when I'm unlovable and don't deserve it...he really tries to embody Christ's love for the church in his love for me. :)
3. I started attending my present church when I was in college. I grew up here, and knew the reputation of this church as "a mile wide and an inch deep" "Fort God", etc. b/c of its bigness (did I actually know anyone who went there? No....ahh, the ignorance of youth). I also knew it was a lot more casual and contemporary than the Methodist church I had been going to since middle school. I was shocked (to put it lightly) at the difference in style, music, etc. the first time I went, but walked away that day KNOWING I would never go back to my old church; that this place was HOME because, wow, it was alive!!! It was relevant! I felt like I got a little glimpse of what heaven is going to be like when we were worshipping (and this is still true today!). I was baptized there on Sept. 11, 2005, when I was deep in the trenches of the divorce. It was symbolic on so many levels of my new life and new commitment to a God who became more real to me than I ever imagined possible.
4. I never imagined myself with a son...all my baby dolls growing up were girls, I always wanted a little sister, I tormented my brother, I always wanted a daughter to have a great mother-daughter relationship with...but once I had Caleb, I can't imagine NOT having a son. He has stolen my heart and I cannot believe I helped make this precious little boy whose smile lights up my life.
5. I absolutely hate when friendships that I have treasured have gone by the wayside. Be it distance, or life changes, or whatever, it breaks my heart. I've always been someone who treasures quality of friends over quantity, so when one of those quality friendships are no longer, it makes me sad.
6. I have always wanted to be a writer. Once I wrote a book that was over 100 pages long (in middle/high school) but it was cheesier than cheesy. I've had several professors in college and grad school tell me to pursue this dream, but something always holds me back.
7. Teaching 2nd graders was the most fun I've ever had. It's the perfect age...not too little you have to do everything for them, not too big that they think they are too cool for school. They think everything you do is AMAZING. But hands down, teaching 7-8 year olds about the love of Jesus for them was the most rewarding thing I've ever done. If I could do JUST THAT for a living, I'd be happy.
8. I've discovered a love for taking pictures since having Caleb. I've already filled up 5 albums and he's not even 10 months old. It's going to be a long night when I pull out all his baby albums for his prom date...be prepared ladies!! :)
9. I think people like Corrie ten Boom, Rich Mullins and Jim Elliot are absolutely incredible. I wish I could have HALF the faith they had in their lives. They are 3 people who I can't WAIT to meet in heaven.
10. I've messed up a lot in my life...big messes, small messes, it doesn't matter. Thankfully God can pick up the pieces and make something beautiful out of my mess.
11. I used to make up songs and sing them all the time when I was little. I'd just wander around (usually outside) singing. I miss those days. I also used to pretend I was Harriet the Spy. I even had a notebook that I wrote in IN ALL CAPS JUST LIKE HARRIET. Too funny.
12. I wish I could show people I care about them better than I do. I always have good intentions, but life usually gets in the way. I need to be SO MUCH better at that.
13. I care entirely too much about what other people think. It cripples me at times.
14. My absolute favorite place in the whole world is Aldersgate Camp. I have the most amazing memories from those days as a camper, and a staffer. Campfires, square dancing, mail call, low ropes, singing under the stars, learning about Jesus, accepting Him as my Savior, seeing Him in the mountains and the people. I can only pray Caleb has a place where he'll have these kinds of memories.
15. I love that Bryan and I got married on the beach, just the two of us. It was so intimate and so US.
16. I love music. It brings me closer to God than just about anything. But I also love music that is significant to Bryan and I, or music from my childhood, or almost any kind really...I think being deaf would be one of the saddest things possible.
17. I think people who are hate-filled and judgmental are the ugliest people on the planet. ESPECIALLY when these people claim to serve the God I serve. I have a hard time knowing God loves them anyway and I should too.
18. I love animals. I honestly hurt when I see roadkill, I am such a dork! I couldn't watch the news for weeks after the incident at last year's Derby, it haunted me. Animals "dying" in movies rips me apart.
19. Once I was CERTAIN I heard Santa's reindeer on my roof on Christmas Eve. :)
20. I've only been to one Catholic service-a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in high school with a non-Catholic friend whose boyfriend was in the choir or something. It was very beautiful (but late!).
21. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be completely comfortable in my own skin. In my 30s maybe?
22. I wrestle with not feeling "good enough" a lot. This probably ties in to #21. I have to remind myself that I AM good enough and that I don't have to fit a certain mold or live up to crazy standards. God loves me regardless. Thank heavens.
23. I love that I know what a great example of a man Bryan is going to be to our son. I have no doubt that he will help raise Caleb to be a man of character and strength, someone who finishes what he starts, loves God more than anything, appreciates things like music, books and art, but who also loves to play and have fun, doesn't waste money, appreciates his education, isn't afraid to show emotion, among many other things. I'm so glad Caleb will have a strong marriage to look up to and see as a model to his own someday.
24. I can't wait to have a fireplace someday. I love curling up in front of one with a good book (and a good snuggle partner!!). There's nothing better on a cold, snowy day! (Why this came to mind in May, I have no idea)
25. I am so so so proud of Bryan for graduating from nursing school this week. It is just a stepping stone in his career path, but an important one. I know he is going to be an awesome nurse!! :) :) :)
Congratulations if you made it through all this!! :)
1. God rescued me from an emotionally and physically abusive marriage. Jesus was literally my all in all, my everything, my ONLY thing, until I was in a healthy enough place to begin a relationship with Bryan. I lost myself for a few years while with that man, only to have GOD find ME when I was at my darkest point. I have never been so close to God before or since, never seen prayers answered in such REAL ways (oh, the stories I could tell!), and am determined to live the rest of my life praising Him for pulling me out of the depths of despair...He turned my mourning into dancing, my weeping into rejoicing...sometimes I get complacent and forget how monumental this was. I need a good reminder every now and then!!!
2. I thank God every day for Bryan. I don't think I would have seen how wonderful he is if I hadn't gone through what I went through with my ex. He loves me more than he loves himself, and is always trying to be better. He loves me when I'm unlovable and don't deserve it...he really tries to embody Christ's love for the church in his love for me. :)
3. I started attending my present church when I was in college. I grew up here, and knew the reputation of this church as "a mile wide and an inch deep" "Fort God", etc. b/c of its bigness (did I actually know anyone who went there? No....ahh, the ignorance of youth). I also knew it was a lot more casual and contemporary than the Methodist church I had been going to since middle school. I was shocked (to put it lightly) at the difference in style, music, etc. the first time I went, but walked away that day KNOWING I would never go back to my old church; that this place was HOME because, wow, it was alive!!! It was relevant! I felt like I got a little glimpse of what heaven is going to be like when we were worshipping (and this is still true today!). I was baptized there on Sept. 11, 2005, when I was deep in the trenches of the divorce. It was symbolic on so many levels of my new life and new commitment to a God who became more real to me than I ever imagined possible.
4. I never imagined myself with a son...all my baby dolls growing up were girls, I always wanted a little sister, I tormented my brother, I always wanted a daughter to have a great mother-daughter relationship with...but once I had Caleb, I can't imagine NOT having a son. He has stolen my heart and I cannot believe I helped make this precious little boy whose smile lights up my life.
5. I absolutely hate when friendships that I have treasured have gone by the wayside. Be it distance, or life changes, or whatever, it breaks my heart. I've always been someone who treasures quality of friends over quantity, so when one of those quality friendships are no longer, it makes me sad.
6. I have always wanted to be a writer. Once I wrote a book that was over 100 pages long (in middle/high school) but it was cheesier than cheesy. I've had several professors in college and grad school tell me to pursue this dream, but something always holds me back.
7. Teaching 2nd graders was the most fun I've ever had. It's the perfect age...not too little you have to do everything for them, not too big that they think they are too cool for school. They think everything you do is AMAZING. But hands down, teaching 7-8 year olds about the love of Jesus for them was the most rewarding thing I've ever done. If I could do JUST THAT for a living, I'd be happy.
8. I've discovered a love for taking pictures since having Caleb. I've already filled up 5 albums and he's not even 10 months old. It's going to be a long night when I pull out all his baby albums for his prom date...be prepared ladies!! :)
9. I think people like Corrie ten Boom, Rich Mullins and Jim Elliot are absolutely incredible. I wish I could have HALF the faith they had in their lives. They are 3 people who I can't WAIT to meet in heaven.
10. I've messed up a lot in my life...big messes, small messes, it doesn't matter. Thankfully God can pick up the pieces and make something beautiful out of my mess.
11. I used to make up songs and sing them all the time when I was little. I'd just wander around (usually outside) singing. I miss those days. I also used to pretend I was Harriet the Spy. I even had a notebook that I wrote in IN ALL CAPS JUST LIKE HARRIET. Too funny.
12. I wish I could show people I care about them better than I do. I always have good intentions, but life usually gets in the way. I need to be SO MUCH better at that.
13. I care entirely too much about what other people think. It cripples me at times.
14. My absolute favorite place in the whole world is Aldersgate Camp. I have the most amazing memories from those days as a camper, and a staffer. Campfires, square dancing, mail call, low ropes, singing under the stars, learning about Jesus, accepting Him as my Savior, seeing Him in the mountains and the people. I can only pray Caleb has a place where he'll have these kinds of memories.
15. I love that Bryan and I got married on the beach, just the two of us. It was so intimate and so US.
16. I love music. It brings me closer to God than just about anything. But I also love music that is significant to Bryan and I, or music from my childhood, or almost any kind really...I think being deaf would be one of the saddest things possible.
17. I think people who are hate-filled and judgmental are the ugliest people on the planet. ESPECIALLY when these people claim to serve the God I serve. I have a hard time knowing God loves them anyway and I should too.
18. I love animals. I honestly hurt when I see roadkill, I am such a dork! I couldn't watch the news for weeks after the incident at last year's Derby, it haunted me. Animals "dying" in movies rips me apart.
19. Once I was CERTAIN I heard Santa's reindeer on my roof on Christmas Eve. :)
20. I've only been to one Catholic service-a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in high school with a non-Catholic friend whose boyfriend was in the choir or something. It was very beautiful (but late!).
21. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be completely comfortable in my own skin. In my 30s maybe?
22. I wrestle with not feeling "good enough" a lot. This probably ties in to #21. I have to remind myself that I AM good enough and that I don't have to fit a certain mold or live up to crazy standards. God loves me regardless. Thank heavens.
23. I love that I know what a great example of a man Bryan is going to be to our son. I have no doubt that he will help raise Caleb to be a man of character and strength, someone who finishes what he starts, loves God more than anything, appreciates things like music, books and art, but who also loves to play and have fun, doesn't waste money, appreciates his education, isn't afraid to show emotion, among many other things. I'm so glad Caleb will have a strong marriage to look up to and see as a model to his own someday.
24. I can't wait to have a fireplace someday. I love curling up in front of one with a good book (and a good snuggle partner!!). There's nothing better on a cold, snowy day! (Why this came to mind in May, I have no idea)
25. I am so so so proud of Bryan for graduating from nursing school this week. It is just a stepping stone in his career path, but an important one. I know he is going to be an awesome nurse!! :) :) :)
Congratulations if you made it through all this!! :)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bryan's birthday weekend
We had a fun weekend celebrating Bryan's birthday!! On Friday night we just relaxed at home since I was SO tired from my first week "working" again. Bryan made an awesome dinner and it was nice to have him home and not at the hospital. On Sat. night my mom came and watched Caleb while he and I went to eat at IChing (yummy!) and saw a movie..."Taken" with Liam Niesen (sp?). It was good but MAN it made me scared to have a daughter in the future!! Then today we went to church-great service; I cried, like, a million times-came home and my mom came over with lunch for us. My brother and his wife Ashley came over too, so it was fun to hang out with all of them and eat a yummy lunch. Then we went to life group tonight where we ate pizza and just hung out. I am SOOO full from all the food and desserts today!! Bryan's big gift is money towards a new bike...he's been wanting one for a while now-he has a mountain bike and wants a road bike. I was going to pick one out for him, but didn't want to pick out the wrong kind, so we're going to go shopping some day this week! YAY! I'm so, so glad he came into the world 34 years ago today, when I was just a mere glimmer in my parent's eyes...;) He is an incredible man, husband, father, and friend and I am BEYOND blessed to be his wife. Happy birthday honey!!! :) :) :)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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