That's My Dad

I just found a draft I had forgotten about, it said: "Dave has the fortitude to take the Stoning of Stephen with joy. He has a strength I am so thankful for and love."

My mom said that about my dad the other day. We were talking on the phone and she was really talking about something else entirely, She was comparing and contrasting and said, "The Lord knew what I needed in a husband, He knew I needed Dave's strength. You know, Dave has the fortitude to take the Stoning of Stephen with joy." She proceeded with the conversation, perhaps not understanding the weight of what she said. It is just a simple truth to her. That, is who my dad is, that is who she married and it needed no explanation so she moved on to make her point.

It struck me so deeply that while we were still on the phone I typed this in a draft so I could save it.

All of you marrieds out there realize that a compliment like this, coming from a wife is a great compliment indeed. No one knows your strengths and weaknesses like a spouse. No one knows your sin better, because it is usually the spouse that is most affected by it.

So, when my mom says that my dad has the fortitude to take the Stoning of Stephen with joy, that carries weight with me.

My heart overflows when I think about this. I feel like shouting "That's MY Dad!"

That guy! The one who would give his life freely to the cause of Christ, and would count it all joy! That's my Dad! The one who doesn't fear death, because death is just the door to where His Father is. That's my Dad! The one who wants more than anything else on this earth to please His Father in Heaven. That, is my dad.

He's my example.

I've been told by many people that "Those Woods girls sure love their Dad."

Yes, I sure do! I couldn't be more proud to be his daughter.

My mom has said many times that the early years of parenting are the physically hard years and the later years are mentally/emotionally hard.

Things are pretty physical around here.

I feel as though I blink and the week is gone. Jonathan is everywhere. He loves to explore and look at every possible thing. He LOVES to be outside. I can't wait for the day we have a yard so we can easily be outside all the time.

I want to stop time. I want to take in every lesson the Lord is teaching me, I want to stare at Jonathan and observe every detail before he changes again. I want to sit and watch Kyle be a dad, to see how the Lord is growing him as a leader, to watch how he is being stretched and molded by the Lord. I get to see these things, but I feel as though I'm watching them in hyper-speed.

Kyle and I were driving to a Halloween party last night and Jonathan fell asleep in the car. We were a bit early so we just drove him around letting him rest and Kyle and I drove through a part of town we hadn't seen before and talked. It was such sweet time. Uninterrupted time. Just us.

I don't want to make it sound like this busy time is something I'm complaining about. I am so loving it I just wish I could slow down to love it more! I never could have imagined the joy of building a family. I can't wait for more babies (no, I'm not pregnant) I can't wait until we have 4 kids and Kyle and I are so exhausted that all we want is to sleep in on a Saturday morning, but instead our kids come in and pile on us! Because really snuggling on a Saturday morning is much better than sleeping on a Saturday morning.

I am so blessed.

I am humbled by it.

I hope I never lose sight of it.

a kiss on the forehead

 Everyone goes through busy times at work, and lately Kyle has been a bit busy. He hasn't complained and has kept a smile on his face, although I know there is one thing that is very hard for him. When he comes home late it means there are days that he doesn't get to see Jonathan.

It's a season, and I am sure that every dad has times when this is true of them as well, and I know that some fathers have it much much worse than we do. It has made me think a lot about the role of a husband and father. They get up early, they work all day, and they do it to provide for the people that they love the most, the people they leave at home every day and who they don't always get to see.

I get to experience the daily blessing of Kyle's hard work. I get to be a stay at home mom, I get to be there for every new thing that Jonathan does. (Kyle has missed every "first") I get to have leisurely quiet times on my porch where I sip coffee, enjoy the morning, and read. Granted, the task of motherhood is not easy, but the task of fatherhood is harder.

Kyle entrusts the daily raising of our son (and future children) to me and yet he is ultimately responsible before God for the state of our home. He is the physical, spiritual, and emotional provider of our home. We pull from his strength.

I am so thankful that Kyle also has a Father. His Heavenly Father provides him with the strength needed to fulfill his task. I am daily thankful for the Lords faithfulness to Kyle.

On those nights that Kyle doesn't get to see Jonathan, he comes home and gives me a kiss and then slips away to sneak into Jonathan's room and give him a kiss on the forehead.  Then, the next time Jonathan is awake, Kyle whispers to him. "I'm sorry we didn't get to spend time together yesterday, but when I got home I came in your room and kissed your forehead. I love you."

No, thank you.

2 Friday's ago I received a call from my dad. He wanted to know if I could come to Idaho the following day. My mom's father wasn't doing well and she needed to get to Alabama to spend time with him and help out the family. Which in turn meant that I needed to get to Idaho to help the family.

Don't misunderstand me; any member of my family would have done what they could to help out. It just so happened that I was the only person who was really available.

Isn't that how life so often works. You live your life to the best of your ability, pursuing the Lord, and then He is the one who lays opportunities of service in front of you. If you are to accept I believe that the one who serves is in turn more blessed than the people who were being served.

It was a long week, and a tiring week. ( I had at least 1 child in bed with me every night) But it was a fun week, and a week that opened my eyes ever more to all that my parents do for us.

My parents serve.

They serve their children with time, affection, finances, counsel, they lead by example, and they do all of these things at the sacrifice of themselves. I "walked a mile in their shoes" this week.

It was humbling.

I've been thanked over and over, from my sister and brother in law for watching their children, by my mom and dad for making it possible for Lisa to get to Alabama, by my aunt for being able to take a week and get caught up on life before she resumes responsibilities that Lisa performed for a week, and my my grandmama for "letting" Lisa come to Alabama and help.

I feel awkward saying "you're welcome".

Mostly because if anyone else in the family had been able, they would have done what I did (Which really was watching 5 kids I love to death for a week)

I feel my response should be "Thank you Lord for letting me serve." "Thank you Lord for letting me receive this blessing." "Thank you Lord for opening my eyes even more to my parents love." "Thank you for a week with such sweet little ones." "Thank you for a new friend." "Thank you Kyle, for loving my family and always putting them first." "Thank you Dad for the example that marriage should come first, and hard work should be blessed, making it possible for Jess and Caleb to get away by flying me up to babysit." "Thank you Dad for putting Lisa's family, and especially her dad first and giving her more time with them." "Thank you Lord for letting me be squeezed for a week and seeing what came out. For increased sanctification."

I also want to say thanks for the fun memories with my nieces, nephew, and little sister. They live far away and I don't get them to myself as much as I wish. The Lord gave us a week of memories.

Lastly, Jonathan crawled and sat up for the first time in front of his great-grandmother, and he listened to his great-grandfather play the harmonica for him (which is a bit of a family tradition, that I wasn't sure would happen again.)

teeth and crawling and sitting.. oh my! (and pulling himself up)

Our little man is full steam ahead, and I'm afraid he's not going to slow down. He's crawling all over the place, he's cut 2 teeth, he's pulled himself up, but his absolute favorite is sitting up. He sits up, looks around and then just smiles and smiles.

I'm not quite sure how, but I have the happiest baby ever. He is always ready for a smile and loves to laugh with you.

Every stage is my favorite stage.. and I'm sure the next will be even better, but right now I am so thankful to be this boys mommy and to watch him grow. How did I get so blessed?

My son hates to sleep

Jonathan will no longer fall asleep unless I hold him, and he has started waking up in the night again. 

We have tried, by our estimation, everything. 

I'm not afraid to let him cry it out in the crib. This just doesn't work. He works himself up and cries and cries and screams and you would think he'll fall asleep, but he doesn't. He does finally calm down, and then just plays in the crib until he realizes he's alone and starts to scream again. 

This week I probably won't leave my house because I will simply be trying to get his sleeping under control. Which means I won't sleep at all. 

This has made me think of all the times my mom and dad held me, sang to me, played with me, lost sleep for me, prayed for me, pleaded with the Lord that I would sleep so they could sleep, and sacrificed for my good. 

I am sure I won't ever fully know all the love I have been given. 

When Jonathan was fussy yesterday I found myself saying to him "Do not complain, you are too loved to ever complain. Mommy loves you, daddy loves you, and most importantly Jesus loves you."

I said this over and over until I heard myself say it. I was struck by it. How often the little truths we tell our children are the truths that we need. I need to not complain about my sleepless child. I am so loved. I am so blessed. The Lord has granted me a baby. It is my job to make him sleep, which is hard. However, it's also my job to make him laugh, and play with him, and watch him grow. 

I am too loved to complain. 

Ok, as I am typing this Kyle and I are in the living room of our little place listening to Jonathan scream instead of sleep... it's been 40 minutes... and Kyle say's: Man, that kid has all of our worst qualities. He does! He doesn't want to miss anything, like his dad. He is stubborn and curious like his mom. It's the trifecta of no sleep. 

Anyway, what was I saying? I am too loved to complain.

The Lord is stripping me of my impatience. One nap at a time. 

Put some clothes on

I was going to be supermom...( hold on while I laugh hysterically at myself for a moment. Seriously, I'm laughing out loud) Then reality struck.

I don't wear pants anymore. I'm not entirely sure when this happened. Recovering from a c-section I wore dresses or sweat pants, but once the weather warmed up, I ditched those and have been wearing my "Risky Business" attire ever since. (Tom Cruise pulls it off much better than I do!) -- poor Kyle 

I forgot to brush my teeth the other day. Yep. It's a good thing I didn't leave the house. It was crazy busy, I was doing laundry and cleaning, and Boone was having teething fits all day. I realized I hadn't brushed my teeth when, and I do not exaggerate, I was holding Jonathan, rocking him and kissing his cheek when he flung his head as far away from me as possible and simultaneously pushed my face away. I found this odd since he doesn't normally act that way, and went I put my head close to him again, he did the same thing. It then dawned on me that I had horrible coffee/morning/onions in my lunch breath. -- Poor Jonathan

I decided to run some errands and threw on a dress, put Jonathan in the car and before I got in the car decided to quickly check the mail. Right then I felt a breeze on my upper thigh. MY UPPER THIGH?! I thought as I put my hand on my leg. My dress was oh so nicely tucked into my underwear---Poor Neighbors

The Other day Jonathan was STILL TEETHING, and I was not feeling well at all. So, we napped most of the day, and also watched all of the Jane Austin movies. I didn't realize that this had affected me so much, until a friend nicely pointed out on the phone that I was talking differently. 

Friend: "Yeah, sometimes when I watch a lot of those movies I talk like them for a bit.

Me: "As I reflect upon your words, I realize that I too, can be prone to such behavior." 

--poor people who have to interact with me. 

90s Friday

I decided I was going to expose J to some of the music of my generation.. So, I put on Pandora's 90's Pop radio. So far this morning I have listened to a little of the Goo Goo Dolls, the Chili Peppers, Oasis (Wonderwall will always be one of my favorite songs) and currently Tal Bachman's "She's So High" is playing. I'm pretty sure this song was in EVERY teenage RomCom in the 90's. I'm jamming out in my pj's and my poor kid decided it was just too much for him and he needed a nap.

Next up, I think I'm going to indulge and watch Armageddon and have 'leavin' on a jet plane' stuck in my head for days.

Happy Friday!

(P.s. When I am notified that someone has added me to their circles... what exactly does that mean?)

All of His Details

I got to thinking today about different bits of advice I was given before I had Jonathan. One consistent piece of advice was to continue to go on dates and make your marriage a priority. Kyle and I would nod in agreement as we heard this bit of advice over and over and we would talk about how we weren't worried about this. We knew that we would continue to pursue one another and go on dates and that marriage would remain our priority.

I am thankful that, yes, we have done as advised. But, I will say this, I don't think many mom's go into parenting with the mentality that they will idolize their children and put their husband on the back burner. I don't think that many husbands go into parenting thinking that they will be more excited to come home to their baby than their wife.

Here's the thing. I spend ALL day studying Jonathan. I am looking for signs of health and development. I feed him, change him, wash him, play with him, read to him, sing to him, and the list goes on. I know every small detail of this little person. I know all of his moods, looks, smiles.. I know what makes him laugh, and why he cries.

As my mom would say, these early years with kids are very physical. It's all hands on. I realize my relationship with Kyle shouldn't look like it does with Jonathan. Kyle would find it quite strange if I fed him, washed him and I know he would really prefer that I DO NOT sing to him. (sometimes I do anyway)  But how do I spend my time studying Kyle. I don't want to get so lost in the detailed tasks of motherhood that I stop studying Kyle.

The other day I brought a little something home for him that I knew he would like. I don't even remember what it was anymore, I just remember his response.When I gave it to him he said why did you get this? "Because I know you like it" I said.. "How did you know?!" He was so pleased. "Well, I've been paying attention." ( clearly not close enough attention since I can't remember what it was ) He was so happy the rest of the night. It meant the world to him that I had known him well enough to buy things to his taste and preference as an act of love.

Kyle does a great job of coming home and greeting me before he greets Jonathan. I know sometimes this is hard though. I haven't changed since he left for work, but our little one has. Kyle doesn't want to miss a thing, so it's easy to come home and be all consumed with J. However, he always asks about my day and wants to know all the details, which are pretty boring really.

So, although that little piece of advice seemed a little redundant before having J, I am thankful for the reminder and am working to apply it now.

(In case I forget, I learned this week that Kyle does not like artichokes, really enjoys a pickle to go on the side of his sandwich.)

Voted most likely to be a stay at home mom

Yep, just like the title says, in High School I was voted tallest (Which was always funny to me since it's a matter of fact, not something that can be voted on.) and most likely to be a stay at home mom.

When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would tell my friends and family I wanted to be a mom. My family never said much about this. They supported my desire. However, it was regularly talked about that were my oldest sister not to get married and have kids, she would make a fabulous lawyer. My second oldest sister had many ambitions as we grew up, but the most consistent thing she stuck with was wanting to open a children's home. My younger sister with all of her talent could have chosen (and still could) any path. The battle was always between music and being a killer business woman. My youngest sister is still exploring her passions, (that sounded so new-age, but I meant it in a totally normal way) However, she LOVES animals, would love to live on a farm, and maybe be a vet.....

My friends would say, "yeah, yeah, you want to be a mom, we'll all be moms, but what do you want to DO?"

Always my reply was "be a stay at home mom".

Sometimes I felt like I was unimaginative, or like I had no ambition. Have you seen the Italian Job? Do you remember when they are all talking about what they are going to do with all their money and Edward Norton's character says, "That sounds good.. I'll take one of each of what you said". Later in the movie this scene is referenced as his weakness, a lack of imagination. Now, I am not in the business of stealing and I don't back-stab my friends for all of their stolen money like Ed's character did...  However, I felt a bit like him at times. Unimaginative because I didn't have a "real" goal. I just wanted to be a mom.

Fast-forward about 15 years and my oldest sister has 3 children. She's a GREAT mom. There are many ways in which she is a great mom, but let me tell you, the mind and talent that would have made her a great lawyer is now making her a great mom. She is going to home school her kids and you better believe they will get a great education and be thinkers.  My second oldest sister is also a GREAT mom, all of the love and tenderness that would have given her the strength to open a children's home and welcome in the needy, that same love and tenderness is lavished on her children. My younger sister doesn't have children yet, but if/when she does, I can guarantee you there won't be a dull moment in her home. The kids will be exposed to the arts and great literature, and they will each be instilled with a killer instinct to work hard and achieve their goals. I can't wait to see what my youngest sisters home will look like. I pray she gets her farm.

I only have one kid right now, and as you know he is almost 6 months old. So we are yet to see what our home will look like and how our kids turn out.. but let me tell you something.

I'm living my dream.

I am a wife, and I am a stay at home mom, and I couldn't be happier. I'm not perfect at it, not by a long shot. But, I get to live my dream! How cool is that?!

Every day I get to make my home a little cozier, love on my baby a little bit more, serve my husband a little bit better... How cool is that?!

I find I have more specific dreams than I did when I was little. I hope to have a yard and a garden one day. Small dreams, but they are mine.

Until then I will  "Rejoice always.... give thanks in everything...." The Lord has let me live my dream.
(1 Thess. 5:16-18)

A Summer Study

This summer a few women and myself have been studying Reformed Theology. It's something I have studied before and thought I had a pretty good grasp of. However, I really wanted to dig in deeper and so I emailed my pastor about what books he would recommend. He and our associate pastor recommended a number, but the top 2 were "Chosen by God" by Sproul, and "The Five Points of Calvinism defined, defended, and documented" by Steele Thomas & Quinn.

I have LOVED them! They really remind you of your standing before the Lord, explain opposing views, and really shine a light on the character of God... which is why I pulled out my trusty copy of "The attributes of God" by Pink to read along side the other two books.

So, if you find you don't know what to study, or you just want to brush up on your theology, or you need a crash course in being THANKFUL daily that the Lord chose you, well then give these books a try.

( I have a list of books on church history to do next..... so excited!)

In other news. Jonathan and I have been on the hunt for a good high chair. I want one that can strap to a regular chair. Our place is too small for a full high chair. Well, I got one at Target the other day that was a huge NO. It kind of leaned forward, so poor Jonathan couldn't sit up in it unless he really tried hard... here are some pics. (It is pure coincidence that the books I mentioned earlier are in these pictures)

Motherhood lately

Jonathan is teething. I have learned that there is teething... and then there is TEETHING.

We were sleeping in nice long stretches through the night, for about a week, and then the bad teething kicked in and he wakes up in pain throughout the night.

Yes, I have those "Wonderful Hylands Teething Tablets", and I think they are wonderful too, for the 2 minutes that they work.

Yes, I have infant oragel, and I think it's wonderful, for the 2 minutes that it works.

Yes, I have infant Tylenol. I love it, I love it because it works, and for more than 2 minutes!

I went from loving babycenter online (What a great place to ask some of your new mommy questions!) to hating babycenter. It's just a place where all of us new moms ask the exact same question and then guess at the answer, because none of us are medical professionals. So, all that we discover is that we all have babies that are going through the same thing, so we must all be normal right? Right? Please somebody tell me that I'm right and we are all normal!!! Also,the moms use abbreviations in ways I don't understand. They constantly refer to their children as "LO's"... My LO stopped sleeping through the night.... My LO is eating a lot more lately.. My LO is OT lately, am I keeping her up too long?.... All I know is that Jonathan is in no way an "LO".. I can't figure it out.

So, what is my solution to finding out the answers I seek? I make a list for my doctor. However, the list changes daily because my son changes daily. Thank the Lord for older sisters!!! I usually just call one of them with my non-medical emergencies and am usually told, that I have a baby, and babies change, and I'm ok.

Except for the other day.

I called my oldest sister because I had a horrible first mom experience. Below is how my sister has reported the story.

Since Bekki had baby Jonathan she has occasionally called me with "new mom" questions and they've all been normal until today. 
Bekki: "Um, Katie, so, well, I was changing Jonathan's diaper and (pause) well, well I didn't get him covered up fast enough and he peed, and it went straight in his mouth, what do I do?"
Me: Well, pretty sure there is nothing to do.
Bekki: I am the worse Mom ever

I did proceed to wash Jonathan's mouth out, and he did NOT like that. 

This is motherhood lately. It's a blast, it's a learning experience, and I am tired. I am sure that coffee is proof that God loves mothers.

Jonathan's Songs

I try and read to Jonathan and sing to him and play music for him at least a little bit every day. What ends up happening is that I get his songs stuck in my head and I sing them to myself all day. It's been a blessing in disguise. These songs are just a couple of lines and usually no more than 2 verses. But as simple as they are, they carry truth in their words. Simple truth's that remind me of child-like faith.

"Be careful little eye's what you see. For the father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see. ( and then it's hands, feet, mind, mouth, and heart)

"Trust and Obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

"I have the peace that passes understanding down in my heart... because.. I have the love of Jesus down in my heart."

"My God is so BIG, so Strong, and so Mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do."

"I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with Praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad."

my 2 cents

I don't know if there are an increasing number of "motherhood" blogs/posts/articles out on the web, or if I am just noticing them more because I am in the motherhood stage of life now. Either way, I am seeing a lot of opinions on the topic.

 I am constantly seeing articles such as "what nobody told me" "I never knew how tired I could be" "the 5 things about being a mom I wish someone would have said" "What labor is really like" "What raising kids is really like"... you get the picture.

Almost all of the articles talk about fatigue, emotions, feeling run down, having a constant foggy brain and the like. Some of the articles talk about the true hardships of being a mom that no one wants to admit to, some talk about how it's all just so much better than anyone could have explained, yay for rainbows and sunshine! Well, here is my 2 cents.

I was going to give a disclaimer about all the things I love about my baby and about being a mom so that you didn't think I was a horrible person, but that's not the point of what I want to say, so I'm just going to dive in.

It doesn't really matter how tired you are. How everything is different than you thought. How sometimes you just want to break down and cry. How you didn't feel "that connection" to your baby immediately. If you are a happy mom, that is awesome! Continue to dwell on the good, and thank the Lord for your experience. If you are struggling.. well stop reading the articles. They don't help you dwell on truth. They just make you feel better about yourself for a moment before you hear your baby cry and you break down again.

We are called to motherhood, If you are a mom it is what the Lord has ordained for you and He has given plenty to study and focus on about this topic in His Word. Obey what you are called to do and the feelings will follow. Maybe not that moment, or that day, but the feelings will follow. The Lord blesses obedience. Quit reading articles that feed your emotions (which cannot be trusted due to lack of sleep) and read the Word.

If you are a mom who is truly struggling... ask for help.  My 2 older sisters have had some truly hard times in their early motherhood years. I can't imagine going through some of the things they have. I learned so much from watching them put their pride away and ask for godly counsel, and then heed that counsel.

Today is the day that the Lord has made, REJOICE, and be GLAD in it!

a new stage

My little man is 4 1/2 months old. It's crazy to think that he's only been here for 4 1/2 months. He's changed our whole world. He's a complete joy and Kyle and I just love being parents. I keep on writing in his baby book, all of his "new" developments. How he has recently found his feet (thanks to his great-grandma), how he laughs and how his neck is ticklish like his daddy's. He smiles all the time... right up until the point he decides he's done and ready for a nap. Then the pouty lip comes out and it's one cute sad face that he makes.

I want to remember things about myself too, all the lessons I'm learning along the way. It's true that I'll never sleep the same again. I can be in a dead sleep and hear Jonathan roll over in his crib upstairs. Some day's it's not until I'm about to make lunch that I realize I haven't brushed my teeth yet, and some days I forget to make lunch all together. (I don't think I've completely forgotten about brushing my teeth, thank goodness!)

I have to say 'no' to activities a lot more than I used to. I am learning that I have to plan out my day just to run to Costco, and I have had to stop in the middle of a store and feed Jonathan his bottle more than once because I didn't make it home on time.

However, a midst all of the things that have changed, nothing has changed as much as my heart. I have seen the care of my Savior in a deeper way than ever before. I have seen my dependence on Him strengthen daily. I have felt a new kind of joy that I haven't experienced before, and a new kind of love. My prayer life has grown. I find myself just talking to the Lord throughout my day. Sometimes I am sharing the joy of motherhood, sometimes I am begging for energy and praising Him for creating the coffee bean. I pray for the Salvation of my boy, but mostly I realize on a new level what it means that the Lord is my father.

I am his child. I will never be able to understand fully in my human mind the love, care, discipline, and teaching that goes in to being my Heavenly father. But I have learned to lean on Him and trust Him in a new way. If he has shown me through making me a parent a fraction of the care that He has for me, how can I do anything but rely on Him, and rest in His arms.

In some ways I feel like a child again. I remember growing up basically thinking my Dad was superman (ok, I might still think that) I told kids my Dad was smarter, stronger, better, and bigger than anyone else's Dad. I always felt safe with my Dad and I always knew he'd take care of me.

I see how Kyle is with Jonathan, and I know how I feel towards my boy. We would do anything to care for him, protect him, provide for him, and love him. I find myself in a complete state of peace knowing I can't fathom how my Heavenly father is doing the same for me.

This doesn't mean I never worry, or stress. I'm just learning to take those worries to the Lord instead of mull them over on my own.

I can't imagine the ways the Lord is going to continue to humble me and stretch me through parenthood, but if it's anything like the first 4 1/2 months then I am truly excited to see what is to come.

Idaho trip #2

Well, we (J and I) got to go to Idaho again! What a great trip! I got to fly up with my little sister Abigail. I went to the wedding of a dear friend of mine... My grandmother and I drove to Sun Valley together for the wedding. What a sweet time we had together. I caught up with some old college friends. It was a blast.

Then I spent a week at home with my family. Boy, did J get loved on! (and so did I!) Here are some pics of the trip. I will post a couple more soon.

Waiting for our plane home

it took no time for Nana to be spoiling our little one

sweet cousin time. these kids LOVE to love on J

see what I mean?

play time with great-grandma

Abigail kept him squeeky clean.

the beautiful  bride and I

the happy couple

Elijah and J... he made sure to give J some boy time....

But not for long before Vanessa needed a turn

on grandmas porch with 2 of my favorite ladies

snuggles....and another of my favorites

this might be my favorite picture from the trip.

this is the runner up.

he was a trooper in the airport waiting for our flight that was delayed twice.

finally home with daddy

my loves

3 months

This little guy is 3 months old....

He rolls over in his crib when he wakes up, and plays with the mobile until someone comes and gets him. He is holding his head up great, and loves to sit up. He loves to look around, just a curious little guy. He gives the best smiles.... and my favorite.... When he's a little snuggly he looks at me and smiles and gives me what Kyle and I call the "I love you" coo. He only gives it to me, and it's kind of like he's saying I love you.

Ok, I realize that makes me sound like the super crazy mushy mom... but that is what I've become. I can't help it.

I know you

I know that J can't really understand what I say to him, and yet I talk to him all day long, and I read to him, and I sing to him (poor poor kid)

Well today, I caught myself telling him "I know you"

I do. I know him better than he knows himself. ( I should, seeing as he's only 12 weeks old)

I know that he loves to stare at the color red, He doesn't even know what red is.
I know how he behaves when He is tired.
I know he doesn't like to be hot, he doesn't know what heat or cold is.
I know how to make him smile.
I know how to comfort him.
I know he loves to roll over, but he doesn't know that he will crawl, walk, and run.

Then I started thinking this must be exactly how the Lord see's us.

I know I'm tired, but I don't know that the Lord is building my endurance for something greater than now.
I know there are things I enjoy, but can't explain why. The Lord knit my heart together, and put desires in my heart.
He knows how to make me smile, how to comfort me, and how to love me.

Oh how my trust would grow if I saw myself as an infant in the hands of my Heavenly Father.

Point and Shoot

It was my birthday this past weekend and my sweet husband saved up and bought me a camera. He knows me better than I know myself because I tried to print a few pictures that I had taken with my iphone and although they looked great on my phone, they were pretty blurry once printed. (I am not all that savvy with photo stuff.. so many of you might know how to take a great iphone photo) Anyway, I just thought of all the moments I thought I would miss, that is until Kyle handed me my camera.

It's a nice camera, but nothing too fancy (I'm not trying to start a photography business) just something that I can point and shoot, and print, and save!

He's the best!

So here is my first time taking pictures of J with the new camera.

I'm still figuring out how to use this.. and you can see why I am not going into a photo business for myself.. but I am pretty happy that I can print these and they will come out clear.

Baby Boone Travels.... to Idaho

The trip home was so wonderful. It was simple and sweet and pretty quiet. It was so nice to just wake up every morning and have breakfast with my Dad and Mom. To see my 2 sisters, brother in law, nieces and nephew, grandma and aunt and uncle... (if I am forgetting someone, I am sorry!)

Here are some pictures, (more to come later)  because really, they tell the story better than I could.

It was basically a big Jonathan love fest! I'll share more about the trip soon