Getting Ready

Getting ready for Munchkin's big birthday shindig here tomorrow night. All the grandparents and aunts and uncles will be here. We can't wait! If you would please say a little prayer for me. Munchkin likes Sesame Street, so I'm making a Big Bird cake. Do I know anything about decorating cakes - NO! But I would love to learn. I'm thinking about taking a class sometime. Want to join me? It would be great fun. Thankfully, my teacher friend Pete has taken classes and is amazing at cake decorating. Because she is such an awesome friend and aunt to Munchkin she's going to help me out. Ok, she'll probably end up doing most of it herself. But don't worry, I have a great idea for a thank you.

I'll be posting birthday party pictures soon!

First year photos

If you would like to see more pictures of Munchkin's first year of life, please head over to my sister's blog. She posted about his birthday and put several pictures up of his first year.

A Letter to Our Firstborn

Dearest Little Boy,

Exactly one year ago today, you were born. Not because the doctors said Mommy needed to be induced, not because Mommy and Daddy had decided they wanted a baby. No, you were born exactly one year ago at 3:27 a.m. because of God's choosing. And we are eternally grateful that He decided to make us your earthly parents.

What a year it has been! Seeing you smile for the first time, rocking you to sleep, hearing your first laugh, seeing your facial expression the first time you ate solid food, watching you learn to crawl, taking your first steps, hearing you say "dada" and "momma" for the first time - all priceless moments. In fact, too many priceless moments to even count.

Our prayer for you has always been and will continue to be that Jesus is the center of your heart. That you will have a personal relationship with Him starting at a very young age. We pray that you have an individual faith, apart from Mommy and Daddy's, a love and hunger for God's word, and the ability to always discern God's truth.

It is sometimes scary thinking about our young son growing up in this fallen world, but know that God sent you here for a reason - a reason that I may never know, but trust that God has plans for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you - regardless of what the rest of the world does. Cling to Him, love Him, and know that no matter what this life may bring, your Mommy and Daddy forever love you and want to spend eternity with you.

Blessings on your first birthday!

All my love forever,
Mommy

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Do you know what tomorrow is???

No, it doesn't really have to do with what is going on in this picture.

Teacher Friends

I know I said awhile ago that I would write about my teacher friends - so here it goes. My teacher frieds: Abby, AC, and Pete - these are some of my best friends ever! I met all these girls when I went to college at William Jewell. We call ourselves "teacher friends" because when we became friends we were all education majors. Now we're all teachers. Well, I guess not technically now that I'm staying home.

Anywho these are some of the most incredible godly women I know. Without a doubt I know God sent me to Jewell to meet these girls (and my other amazing friends from Jewell - and you better know who you are!) . Honestly, I could have gotten an education degree from anywhere, but I couldn't have made the friendships I did just anywhere.

We teacher friends have been there for each other since the beginning: surviving early morning classes, unbelievable assignments, talking each other into staying in education, sharing our faiths , living together, meeting each others' families, surprise birthday breakfasts, sharing engagements, surprise showers, weddings, graduating together, going on to grad school together, and even now all loving Munchkin. We're pretty much inseperable. Believe me, Hubby knows, and Pete's hubby knows, not to get in the way of teacher friend time!

We are all so different, and yet relate to each other in incredible ways. And the reason we are able to relate so incredibly is because of our individual relationships with Christ. I know they are always there praying for me, sending me encouragement, and just loving me like Jesus. I feel totally blessed to have them in my life. What a gift! I know that not everyone has these kinds of friends in their life, and I know they truly will be friends for life. But not just friends, kindred spirits. Walking on our faith paths together. And I'm so excited to know that not only are they my earthly friends, but we will be friends for eternity.

I love you girls!

Small "Helpers" make for Small Victories

I was trying to get my dishes washed and kitchen cleaned up this afternoon after lunch. As I was working at the sink, I had to stop and record this "conversation" with Munchkin.

K: "What's that Munchkin? Why yes, how did you know Mommy wanted you to take all the tupperware out of the cupboards? Oh, and thank you so much for taking each individual trash bag out of the box."

K: "Now Munchkin, you just are so helpful. How did you know Mommy needed some towels? Thank you so much for taking them all out of the drawer and putting them on the floor."

K: "Munchkin that is a great idea! I can't believe you thought of pulling apart a pad of sticky notes and putting the individual papers in the drawer. You are such an organizer!" :)

Friends, this is what my kitchen looked like after I got the dishes washed. It really isn't too bad. Believe me, Munchkin has "organized" much better than this for me before.

But hey, I still count this one as a victory. I did get my dishes washed which was my original goal. It may appear to be only a small victory considering, you know, what my kitchen looked like afterward - but small victories are what being a mother is all about!

One Reason

There is only one reason I haven't blogged lately: t-e-e-t-h-i-n-g
Need I say more?

Hopefully I will have more time and energy soon to be able to say more - well, at least blog more. But until then, feel free to lift Munchkin up in prayer (and me and Hubby too) as we try to stay happy and pain free!

P.S. I changed it so that anyone can make a comment on my blog. I know some of you had wanted to, but couldn't. So have at it people! I would love to hear from you.

My day with the Hubby was very productive! Thanks to Hubby's fam for babysitting. We started the day off with eating at First Watch. I had their hot chocolate - which I just love! Then we went to the mall. I'm not a big fan of shopping, I need to be in the mood. Thankfully we found most of the things on our list.

While we were there they had a new "ride" in the center of the mall. People are standing on a trampoline with cords hooked up to them on both sides. They start bouncing and the cords give them some "hang time" in the air. It was so much fun to watch the little kids having a ball. All I could think about it was how much fun it will be when Munchkin is older and we can do those sort of fun things with him. I have a feeling he will be very adventurous just like his daddy.

After our big day, I'm exhausted. Looking forward to making it to church tomorrow. Also tomorrow I'm getting together with my Teacher Friends. I'll tell you more about them tomorrow. They are three of my best friends in the whole world (and honorary aunts to Munchkin), and have been such a blessing in my life. I haven't seen them since before Christmas, so I'm certainly in need of some girl time.

Finally Friday!

Whew! What a week it has been. Today everything I got done, Munchkin managed to undo. Oh motherly bliss! :) But I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so blessed to have a son that is healthy and thriving enough to wreck my plans with plans of his own. I truly wouldn't have it any other way.

Tonight we celebrated Aunt Nicki's birthday by eating at Olive Garden with Hubby's fam. Yum Yum! It was Munchkin's first time ordering off of a kid's menu (well, I ordered for him, but you get the picture). Tomorrow Hubby's fam is babysitting to we can go have a date - consisting of running errands. Yep, it's official, our priorities have changed. But don't worry, we'll make some time for fun, too.

If you've never checked out my sister's blog you totally need to. She's having a contest. All you have to do is make a comment, and your name is put in a drawing for a super cute prize - but I won't tell you what it is. You've got to check it out for yourself. All I can say is I already have one of the things she is giving away, and I love it so much that I put my name in for a chance to get another.

what the...?

Ok, I posted that last one at 5:30, not 3:30. Why does my blog think I live in California? Hmm...

A quick note...

I received an email about the name of my blog. Please make sure you read NIV as Hubby told me not all versions will explain the title. If you have read NIV and still don't get my title, stay tuned. I plan to post about Deut. 6 in the future.

Munchkin is asleep right now and I'm awaiting Hubby's return from work. Supper is in the oven, laundry is almost done, Muchkin and I made a Target run today after playing outside, I cleaned Munchkin's room and then he messed it up again, and the rest of the house looks like a tornado struck. I'm off to pick up before Hubby gets home.

...or maybe I'll just sit down for the first time today!

Spring Fever

We finally made it outside today! With Munchkin being sick for such a long time - and going out in the cold only making his cough and breathing worse - we are certainly getting spring fever! Since it was almost 50 degress outside today, we went out! Woohoo!

We played with the rocks in our flower bed (don't worry Mom, we washed our hands very well after we came inside), sat in the grass, waved at our shadows, walked around the yard, and talked to some of the neighbors.


The hat Munchkin is wearing belonged to my brother when he was little. For those of you who know my brother, don't you think Munchkin looks like him in these pictures?

It is supposed to be nice outside again tomorrow (even warmer than today I hear) so we plan on making it out for some more fresh air!

As I close this post, let's all take a moment of silence in awe of how adorably cute Munchkin is in his hat. (Silent Pause) And everyone said, "Awwwwwwww. "

Thank you for indulging me! :)

Happy Inauguration Day

(I'm still trying to figure all of this out. The first picture goes with the end of the post, but I couldn't figure out how to move it. Just give me time and I'll figure all this stuff out)

Do you like Muchkin's bib? It was given to him by my sister (Auntie D). I told Munchkin this morning that I would be totally ok with him not being president some day. Of course it is up to him, though! :)

Have you been watching all the fanfare? I have. Munchkin has been very good this morning - quietly playing so mommy can watch tv. He even took an early nap that ended up being perfect timing - right before Obama was sworn in.

Regardless of who you voted for, I hope you feel the history that is being made today. I know I have. How awesome it is to be a citizen of this country. Sometimes I'm in awe that God would choose to put me on this planet, in this place at this time in history. Have you ever thought of that before? God could have created me to live on a different continent, in a different time, with a different family, etc. I don't try to understand why God has chosen to bless me like He has, I just try to live according to His thruths and know that as long as I am in a relationship with Him, I'm on the right track.

On a different note, isn't Munchkin cute in this photo? He was looking out our front windows (I assume wishing it were spring) and I caught this cheesy smile. What a kid. I just love that guy.

On the second day...

First of all, thanks for the comments. I'm excited to have so many blogging friends out there! Can't wait to read some new ones by people I didn't even know had them.

Secondly, here's a picture of Munchkin after supper tonight. Why do I sometimes feel like I have a puppy and not a son? What a goofy guy. Yep, he's chewing on a washcloth.

We've been trying to get pictures of Munchkin for his birthday party invite, but haven't been able to because he's been so sick. I told Hubby I didn't want his bday invite to have a picture of him looking sick on it. Munchkin is finally looking better today, and I think we may have gotten the photo I'll use for the invites. By the way, thanks to all of you that have been praying for Munchkin's health. He finally seems to be getting better. What a long two and a half months it has been.

My First Blogging Experience!

Over the past couple of months, I have begun reading some blogs that were recommended by various people in my life. I have found the blogs to be entertaining, thought-provoking, and admittedly, quite addictive. There are so many people in our lives that love our munchkin so I thought a blog would be a great place to keep everyone updated. I used to journal every day. You know, the "old fashioned" kind of journaling - with actual paper and pencil! It has been a goal of mine to get back to it. And now is as good a time as ever. I actually wish I would have started sooner. I'm excited at the prospect of being able to chronicle more of Munchkin's life. Good grief, he is about to celebrate his first birthday! So please check in every now and then and see if I'm keeping at it.