More weekend fun

More fun photos from this weekend...





Do you dig my new swim hat?

I am just too cute for words!

A family visit

This holiday weekend Mimi, Granddaddy, and Auntie Claire came to visit (this is Clay's family for those who haven't heard their "new" names). It had been a long four months for them...due to the ugly stomach bug, we missed visiting them in late April. I don't think they could get enough of our little boy... and he ate it up! He did just what a good little boy should do - showing off his adorable personality, laughing, interacting, and at moments showing that he isn't perfect. He endured much picture taking - not only by Mimi and Auntie Claire, but we also had professional photos taken for Mimi's Mother's Day gift - fortunately he likes smiling for the camera. It was a wonderful visit...and this time we won't have to wait so long to see them...only five weeks until the family reunion in Mississippi. These pictures show a bit of the fun!

Jbird and Granddaddy

Jbird and Mimi


Jbird and Auntie Claire

"Kissing" Auntie Claire's head...but you have to be careful since "kisses" can leave bruises thanks to four teeth!

Auntie Claire is apparently too funny!

I love to be upside down! This is so fun!


Here is my tongue!

Last day of school

Today is a day of much celebration in this glorious city of ours...it is the last day of school. I don't know who is more excited...teachers or students. I know my sister and several of my friends are looking forward to slower days - days they can spend as they choose - days they can tackle projects that have had to wait - days to play with their children - days to play with friends - days to breathe!

Today I salute those of you who give yourselves to the children. It is a job I increasingly admire - mainly because I am continually reminded that God did not give me the gift of teaching nor do I have the patience to deal with this young generation on a regular basis while being tied by government policies. Thank you for your love for these children...for your tireless efforts to help them achieve...for your passion to see them learn...for your dedication to inspire them to make a positive mark on this world...and more.

I hope today is full of celebration for many reasons...and I hope you enjoy your summer break!

More small steps

Today has been a day of small praises...Jonathan again flipped over to his stomach while sleeping last night (this is the third time) and he didn't fuss about it. The more comfortable he gets on his stomach the better! I stopped by my mother's house to drop off meat for this weekend and he took some good steps without much prodding (while holding on to fingers, of course). Again, the more comfortable he gets with moving the better! At dinner, he ate some french fries and part of my hamburger. I was excited he ate things with texture - and he even put the french fries and pieces of bread in his mouth himself. And the more comfortable he gets with feeding himself and eating textured things the better! Small praises...but these are things that bring me joy. I am constantly amazed as I watch him grow up...and I fall more in love with this little boy each day as he smiles, laughs, squeals, and learns. I feel so honored that God gave us this gift...and I praise Him for His blessings!

He's learned "no"

Well, our little man has a new milestone today - he learned how to shake his head in protest. What a small thing, and yet it has already changed life! Over the last weeks, he figured out he could protest things he didn't like; however, up to this point it has basically just been a scream/cry and reaching toward whatever he wanted (mainly his toys). It was during lunch today that he shared his new skill with me when he tired of eating slices of banana (mind you he had only eaten two small chunks). Small steps that change life...how can you not know there is a God when you watch a child?

A new sister

Today was a wonderful day of celebration... this morning my father baptized my niece along with four other young gals. The families of these five girls decided to throw a big party celebrating this special day. It felt like a piece of heaven here on earth... just a small version of the party going on with the angels. The girls had a grand time celebrating being princesses - knowing their King is the King of ALL kings! It is wonderful to have a new sister... and she is already sharing her love for Jesus with others. I encourage you to read more about it on my sister's blog... simply click the link called One Day at a Time... Kadyn's salvation story is dated May 13th...

Welcome to the family, Kadyn. May you bring many others with you.

Swimming fun

Today has been good day...productively restful. After getting a good night's rest (much needed for this froggy gal), we have gotten some things done and yet had time to play and rest. I love that Clay has every other Friday off. It is nice to have these longer weekends without using his vacation time. His company treats us well... and we are so blessed to have this job! I digress... Clay washed his car - even down to wiping every part of the engine! This took me back to my childhood days when Dad would spend his mornings (before the hot sun) washing cars and caring for us in turn. Back to Clay - he hung more blinds (only one more to go due to an abnormally sized window!), hung a couple of pictures, ironed, and cut his hair. I ran to Wal-Mart, painted a shelf, did some laundry, changed the sheets, along with the normal care of the little one. I hope to get a few things put away in the guest room before I go to bed.

The fun part of today was playing with the little one. He has been in an exceptionally good mood today. He slept so great last night, and he happily played in his bed after waking up at each nap until I got him. It is bright and sunny here (surprise, it's Texas!)... so we decided to blow up the swimming pool I bought him at Wal-Mart... this was the best $7 investment! He had a blast! He was a bit startled by the cold water at first, but he quickly began to splash around. He just squealed and laughed and splashed! Clay and I had the best time watching him. I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time on the deck this summer... I am glad I bought an umbrella for our table! Something tells me I may have a pretty good tan come August...
















One "tragedy" happened today... I ran into the coffee table with my toe... I thought you might get a kick of how black/purple it is! I don't think it is broken, but it sure does hurt! Clay has gotten quite a kick out of it - no pun intended!


Days like this make me feel good... things have been accomplished, but we have enjoyed each other, laughed, and relaxed. I hope you have a productively restful weekend!

Why are we so quick to grow up?

Why was I in such a hurry to grow up? You hear it all the time when you are young from those older than you..."being older isn't all it's cracked up to be". However, we fail to listen to them and simply rush through life always ready to be one step ahead of where we are. I have had much time for reflection over the last 10+ months... and in this time of relflection I realize how quickly I sped through life. God has provided me many moments of fond recollection of times past and how different things were.

No one tells you that when you get sick when you are older, the "magic fairies" aren't there to clean up after you throw up, change your sheets while you shower, or provide hot meals. Nope, they seem to disappear... and you are all on your own to clean up the mess, keep up the house, make the meals, and take your medicine. This hit home when the stomach virus hit our house... my mom did happen to be here at one point so that helped, but I still had to tell her where everything was! Then there's the whole paying bills, owning a house, car insurance, car repairs, clothing, medical payments... and the list goes on. A friend and I were laughing the other day as we made our list of things we each needed to fix around our home (actually, the yard was the focus that day) that everyone says you need to own a house, but fails to tell you how much work and money it takes to keep up that house and to make sure it doesn't lose market value. Our to-do list seems to keep getting longer! We used to have the entire weekend to play except for maybe an hour or so to clean... now we have to plan around home projects and budget for the big things and such. What fun is that? And now that I stay at home with my son, I don't really get a "sick day". Sure, I could totally neglect everything; but unlike earlier in life, no one will do the laundry, feed and bathe my child, fix a meal, etc. I miss those magic fairies! I thought of this today as I mustered the energy to fold clothes that had been on the kitchen table for 2 days, put up the dishes in the dishwasher and reload it, pay the current due bills, and straightened the living room - all during the boy's afternoon nap.

Don't get me wrong - I love my life! I love being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and more. But I didn't appreciate all that my parents did for me in those days or how easy life was back in the day. I was too caught up in what others thought of me and making sure I fit in. I thought if I could just be 13...16...18...21...life would be better. Thing is, I am realizing that better isn't the word to describe it. Different. Each stage has its pros and cons, but each is beautiful and fun and exciting in its own way.

The challenge is to appreciate what you have while you are in it instead of long after it is gone. Like I would have thanked those "magic fairies" (okay, okay, I know it was you, Mother) for all their hard work during many illnesses. I would have focused more on friendships instead of boyfriends. I would have done less of what I thought others expected of me and more of what I wanted to do. I would tell those who touched my life that they touched my life and how. I would thank those who challenged me, pushed me, and encouraged me. I would laugh more and take myself a lot less seriously. I would hope to realize that each stage is a fleeting moment and bigger things lie beyond. I would focus more on the moment instead of pining away for what I hope is coming... because it may not come and I sure don't want to miss this moment.

Being present in this moment... not missing what may seem mundane with my son because one day he will be too big to hold... laughing at the little things with my husband because we are not promised tomorrow... listening to God because there is much to learn each day. Being present in this moment so that my life is made of up a life lived instead of a life hoped for and dreamed about.

Learning from my child

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedodm, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:19-25

How often I hear a good sermon or have a great devotional or read a good book about Christian priniciples and forget what it says in less time than it took me to take it in. This hit home yesterday as my son stared intently at himself in our bathroom mirror. He loves to look at the little boy who seems to do exactly as he does. He is so fascinated with every move that little boy makes. How much more should we be intent on doing everything as Christ would? The righteous life I desire can only be achieved by intently looking at God and doing what I hear Him say.

A wonderful weekend

What a wonderful weekend... really, it's been a wonderful couple of weeks. Clay has done a fabulous job of celebrating me and making me feel more special than normal during birthday, mother's day, and anniversary celebrations. This weekend was quite full, but we had some great moments... and some pictures to share...

Saturday afternoon we attended Bailey's birthday party at The Little Gym. Bailey is another miracle baby... odds were against her being here, and her mother and I had become good friends while walking the infertility road. What a blessing it was for both of us to walk the road of pregnancy together! It was a great time... I think the adults had as much fun as the kids! Jonathan didn't get too into all the stuff since he isn't mobile yet. He did hold on to a small set of parallel bars and took a couple of steps. He also enjoyed bouncing on the inflatable walkway.


After the party, we headed to the park to visit with family - the parentals, the sister and her family, my aunt, and my cousin and her family... there were 15 of us!!! Jonathan took a brief nap in the stroller, but then really enjoyed the swing. I think he would live outside in a swing if he could. We enjoyed dinner together, and then we all came home and crashed.








Sunday, my first Mother's Day, was a joy as well. We gathered at my parents house for lunch - us and about 100 other people... or so it seemed. Mother couldn't stand to know other families would not have special family to celebrate Mother's Day with... so she opened her home to them all. Really it was only like 22 people, but 8 of them were children all 5 and under! It was a good time, and I know my mother's heart was full as we all enjoyed good food and good fellowship. My precious son slept through most of the time... in my parent's closet! That was about the only place left that was quiet enough for him to sleep, and since he isn't mobile I wasn't worried about him getting into something. He slept like a log for almost 2 hours!

Monday, we celebrated 7 years of marriage... amazing how time flies! Sharing about what that means to me is another blog... so I will close for now. It has been a fabulous couple of weeks of being celebrated. What a blessing it is to have family and friends that care so much and to know that love every day.

I like to smile for the camera

Well, it has been over a week since I added pictures of the little one. It's almost like he's turned a corner over the last week or so... he has gotten to be so much more fun! It's hard to believe he will be 10 months old tomorrow. Let me fill you in on some of his "new" things:

1. He got two new teeth in the last 2 days (the upper front teeth)
2. He fed himself a wheat thin, french fries, and Ritz crackers. He is also eating things with more texture (like pieces of banana, pancake, chocolate cake, sweet peas, and scrambled eggs - Daddy didn't know he wasn't supposed to have eggs yet!)
3. He played on his stomach for like 15 minutes yesterday without crying!
4. He started leaning out of his walker trying to get a toy
5. He started making a fish face, but it is a bit off... his top lip goes to one side and the bottom lip goes to the other!
6. And the best of it all - he learned to say "uh-oh" yesterday... and is having a grand time saying it! What a great first word!

I tried to capture the fish face on camera, but he is such a ham that he stopped and smiled at the camera every time. I caught a small version of it, but it isn't the funniest we've seen... anyway, I thought you might enjoy these most recent pictures... there are so many I could share that it is hard to pick what to post! He is just too photogenic!

A Thankful Day

Today, I find myself very thankful. I sat with God and simply wanted to bask in His goodness. Sure, there are many things on my heart - salvation of family and friends, those I know who are not walking closely with God, troubled marriage relationships, pregnancy of friends, those I know desiring to conceive, friends making big decisions, friends seeking the Lord's guidance for certain situations, and more - but today I find myself simply thankful.

Not only am I thankful for His grace and salvation, but for many little things - and big ones too: the safe arrival of my cousin's son yesterday; my niece's salvation; the good report from my mother-in-law's tests; a beautiful day; the joy of watching my son discover the world around him; a strong, growing marriage; watching my husband continue to become an amazing man of God; rejoicing with my mother as her new real estate business is exploding; being loved on by friends and family as they celebrated my birthday; the intimacy my husband and I experienced last week during our time together with God; realizing we've been in this town 5 years and it is truly home; pondering the last 7 years of marriage and seeing how God has and continues to make us one; a dentist who uses topical anestetic so even the simple act of getting your teeth cleaned causes no discomfort (until this guy, I HATED the dentist - I am not sure you understand - I HATED ANYTHING TO DO WITH DENTISTRY until I met Dr. Brian Dayton, a wonderful Christian dentist who is the best dentist on the planet!); the joy of living in the same town with my parents and sister - what a blessing to experience life together and really like each other; I have realized the depth of true friendships this week; the laughter I've had with friends and family; my son eating wheat thins and french fries and chunky pieces of banana - and feeding himself a few times; my son's new flexibility with his schedule; my new Chris Tomlin CD; my son playing on his stomach for about 15 minutes without crying; a husband who is fine that the bed isn't made every day (which it isn't today and I don't feel guilty); and...

I could go on and on...today I am just thankful. I am in awe that my God and Father would choose to bless me in the myriad of ways He has. Some days it simply blows me over and leaves me without many words. I will leave you with the words to two of my favorite praise songs (which happen to be found on my new Chris Tomlin CD called Arriving) as well as the words to another song on the CD I had never heard before.

Father, I praise you today and thank you for the ways you bless me far beyond what this wretch deserves. How humbled I am that you sent your Son for me and now see me clean.

Indescribable (written by Laura Story)
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea/ Creation's revealing Your majesty/ From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring/Every creature unique in the song that it sings/ All exclaiming... Indescribable, uncontainable/ You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name/ You are amazing, God/ All powerful, untameable/ Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim/ You are amazing, God/ Who has told every lightening bolt where it should go?/ Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?/ Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light?/ Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?/ None can fathom... Indescribable, uncontainable/ You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name/ You are amazing, God/ Incomparable, unchangeable/ You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same/ You are amazing, God

How Great is Our God (written by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio)
(chorus) How great is our God/ Sing with me/ How great is our God/ All will see how great, how great is our God/ (2nd verse) Age to age He stands/ And time is in His hands/ Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End/ The Godhead, Three in One/ Father, Spirit, Son/ The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb/ How great is our God/ Sing with me/ How great is our God/ All will see how great, how great is our God/ Name above all names/ Worthy of all praise/ My heart will sing how great is our God

Unfailing Love (written by Chris Tomlin, Cary Pierce and Ed Cash)
You have my heart/ And I am Yours forever/ You are my strength/ God of grace and power/ And everything You hold in Your hand/ Still You make time for me/ I can't understand/ Praise You God of earth and sky/ How beautiful is Your unfailing love, unfailing love/ You never change, God, You remain the Holy One and my unfailing love, unfailing love/ You are my rock, the One I hold on to/ You are my song and I sing for You/ Praise You God of earth and sky/ How beautiful is Your unfailing love, unfailing love/ You never change, God, You remain the Holy One and my unfailing love, unfailing love

And so it begins...

The fascination with the opposite sex... he is so intrigued - and was the whole time we were together!

Only God

An excerpt from a devotion by Gini Andrews found in the Women's Devotional Bible (pg. 1109):

"But even the most congenial marriage, the closest friendship, the most satisfying child-parent relationship is both transient and unpredicatble. Although some 1,500 years have passed since St. Augustine remarked that our hearts will never be at rest away from the One who made them, it's still true.

Just because he has created us as unique individuals, our Father knows the best way to fill each one's empty places. It is only God who can fill our deepest longings, who never has an appointment elsewhere, who never replaces us with someone he likes better, who promises never to leave us totally alone. He is the only one who wants to be and always can be the unfailing companion on our journey."

Thank you, God.

Not the best way to lose weight

So, most people would love to lose 4-5 pounds pretty quickly and not have to work hard for it - however, there is one way that I do NOT recommend - getting a stomach bug. Yes, the extra weight I couldn't seem to shirk after weaning my son is now gone, but the process of losing it wasn't worth it!

Mind you, this stomach bug has been going around for weeks...I think I even had a mild version about 4 weeks ago, but it didn't really put me down. Those around us got it, some even got it twice. We were feeling lucky...then 4:00 a.m. Wednesday morning arrived and I quickly began to feel like I was on my death bed. This is where it is a HUGE benefit my parents live in town - Mother rescued me from motherhood for the day so I could tend to myself and hopefully not expose the boy any more than I already had. The hubby took care of everything that night - including packing for a trip we were all supposed to take this weekend for a special wedding. Needless to say, the boy and I are home... I am a few pounds lighter and I am nursing the boy back to normal food after he threw up for the first time in his life yesterday (in the car none the less!).

For those we missed seeing this weekend, I am so sorry we weren't there. Trust me, I would much rather have taken the long trip than experienced this. Know that I love you, and I can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories.

Hard at play outside too

Here are some pictures of Jonathan playing hard... I thought you might enjoy seeing his intense concentration and curiosity - especially in the other two posts. He is such an inquisitive little guy... and the joy of our lives!

Hard at play 2

More pictures of playtime...

Hard at play...

More pictures of Jonathan hard at play!