I'd Like to Meet...

Wendy's interview question #3: If you could meet any of your blog authors (up to 3), who would it be and why?

Three is not enough, Wendy!! I want to meet more of my bloggin' gals than just a measly three! So this one like the hunger/AIDS one is hard too! :)

1. Wendy: I know I'd laugh and laugh. She has the great combo that I like in friends - able to be super silly but also really sweet and able to "get real." Plus, we could scrapbook because she has TONS of scrapbooking stuff.

2. Andrea: I'd like to see Evan and Jon David play together. Plus, she appeals to the new mommy in me. Our boys seem similar and she just strikes me as really cool - laid back and very real. My kind of friend... :)

3. Janice: Who would not want to meet the mommy of those beautiful Irish twins? She writes the sweetest comments and makes me think that she is a faithful friend.

This leaves off other favorites like Jamie and Susie and others... Again - Wendy, HARD question!

Not the greatest of pictures especially the orange mustache from lunch but they'll do. :)

Full Bellies for All

Interview question #3 from Wendy: If you had the choice to cure AIDS or stop hunger, which would you chose and why?

This one is hard! How in the world does one choose? My first thought was hunger. Maybe it's the mom in me but I hate the thought of hungry babies/kids - really anyone hungry. I take great joy in feeding my guys even when the food is not that super. I still like knowing their bellies are full and I love, love, love the sound of a just-nursed baby who gives a sweet sound of contentment (followed by a big burp).

I don't know why but I think this pose is too cute. I love how he crosses his one leg over. And I just love those little chubby legs!!!

Bend it like Jon David!

Jon David's grandpa (my stepdad) is from England and bought Jon David a proper English "football" uniform. So, we had this picture taken and gave it to Grandpa for his birthday. Grandpa was thrilled! Oh, how he wants to have another "football" player in the family!

Since Grandpa wants a little Beckham in our family, this is a good segway to Wendy's second interview question: what are my dreams for my children in the future?

That's a very easy question to answer. From 3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Yes, I do wish for health and happiness for my boys but ultimately, I pray that they bring glory to God and are used by the Lord in doing His good work.

Other dreams of sort - I greatly desire that my boys are close and have a strong bond together. I really want that special relationship for them. I hope that they know that they can always come to Mommy and Daddy (and later, Mom and Dad) and we will be there for them. We pray all the time for wisdom regarding their upbringing and I know the good Lord always answers prayers. So, we take comfort in that especially when we're so clueless sometimes!

I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine - Song of Solomon 6:3

Wendy's Interview Question #1 - How I met my husband and when did I decide he was the one for me.

It's appropriate that I write this today since it's the 5th anniversary to our engagement. I know this because it's the day before my stepdad's birthday and the day before Cinco de Mayo. Back to our love story...

My husband is the oldest brother of one of my dearest girlfriends and a former roommate. When she and I lived together in Raleigh, she would tell me of her cute brother in Houston. I found out that while I was home (alone) watching FSU football, this good looking man was a season ticket holder and AT the games. I informed her that I was just shallow enough to decide to marry him so that I too could go to the games. So, we affectionately started calling him my husband.

Fast forward 3 years (November 2000) to said girlfriend's wedding. Guess who they had stand together in the wedding party? You guessed it. Me and my beloved. We hit it off and even had dinner (alone) together the night of her wedding (it was an afternoon wedding). He returned to Houston and we kept in touch somewhat via email and occasional phone calls.

A few months later, we picked back up the emails. Then came 9/11 and that really put a shock to my hubby. He took stock of his life and decided to get with the program and start courting me. He came to Raleigh for my 30th birthday, started calling me every day and visiting almost every other weekend. Our phone calls lasted about 3 hours a night - just like high schoolers. :)

Basically, we started to get serious in December 2001, engaged May 2002 and married August 2002. "Get 'er done" as we like to say!

I fell in love with my husband from the get-go but I did not decide he was the one until I realized that this was a man who desired the Lord's will in his life. I saw how he treated me with such care and the seriousness with which he took his walk with the Lord. He showed me his ability to lead our family and I knew this was the man the good Lord had for me.

My husband makes me laugh every day. He is, as we like to call him, a "pusher of fun." He really is quite fun. He's brilliant, kind and extremely generous. He is patient with me and the best daddy I could ever hope for my boys. I love him so much and I thank God for him every day but especially today, this special anniversary of sorts.

He proposed in a hot air balloon ride over Sedona, AZ (see picture below) and then took me to the Grand Canyon (my first visit). He likes to tell that I stuck my hand out for the ring as soon as I said yes. I prefer to say that it demonstrates that even at that early date, I was already his helpmate and just trying to make it easier to slip that nice rock on my finger! :) Either way, it was a JOYFUL day and I am one blessed woman. Indeed, I am my beloved's and he is mine!

18th-Month Checkup

Our little man is 18-months old. Excuse me - how did this happen???? Just yesterday he was my little preemie in the NICU. Now, him's a big boy!! Here are some pix from his appointment.

Weight: 23 lbs. 15 oz (25%)

Height: 32 inches (45%)

Head Circumference: 19 inches (55%)

Everything else went fine. The crying from the shot lasted about 3 seconds and was quickly made better by another fine parting gift: a pink dinosaur (his choice). The doctor recommended introducing special time each day with Jon David just for very focused one-on-one time in preparation for the new baby. And to call out this time to Jon David, like, "Hey, Buddy. Ready for our special time? Do you want to play with the bubbles or color?" He also said that Jon David probably sensed something funky going on with Mommy. Interesting... I'm curious, wise mommies out there - any recommendations for how to prepare my boy for his baby brother?

Ahoy Matey!

These may actually be the CUTEST pajamas that I have ever purchased - EVER! Of course, they are from babyGap. I love the dog pirate and the leggings... too much! I don't know why but I've never even really looked at their PJs. I am too distracted, I guess, by all the other goodies there. But, dear hubby mentioned that putting Jon David in winter PJs when it's warm outside is goofy. I'm worried about him getting too cold because I like it COLD COLD COLD (though I'm really trying to not have it so cold) at night and he is still so squirmy that he does not keep a blanket on him for the entire night. Anyway, these PJs are TOO MUCH!! I love them!

This is the pleading look I got after putting Jon David down for a nap. He's been VERY into Momma lately. Not sure why and I'm not complaining!

4-Wheeling Dude

Now this is the kind of 4-wheeling that I can handle. In fact, I don't even care if my son wears a helmet! I shall keep him inside and let him be a crazy 4-wheeling dude - all safe and sound! :) Oh, if it were only going to be this easy forever!!

This is the fourth such toy we bought for our boy. My mom and I are probably on some bad buyer list at Toys R Us. We kept returning toys though I don't think Jon David really cared. There was always something wrong - like one, this Diego toy was SO loud and it had no on/off switch or volume control. You can't really tell how loud these things are until they are out of the box. Then, another Fisher Price fire truck had little people in it but they were glued in and I could tell my boy was frustrated that he could not play with the people. But these ride-on toys were sort of expensive - too expensive to settle, in my opinion. I know, it got a little weird with all our returning but I think we stumbled upon a winner. Still, we kept the receipt... just in case!