Wednesday, December 12, 2007

his 29th birthday


reasons why i love this birthday boy:

1. he loves Jesus & his family & his friends with his whole heart.

2. he holds my hand and prays every night before we go to sleep.

3. he is passionate about living.

4. he practices what he preaches.

5. he sings in front of high school kids every week. he sings for me sometimes.

6. he drives while i sleep. if he needs directions when he drives, he asks.

7. he changes diapers without complaint (drama, yes, but no complaining).

8. his fingers do a funny wiggle when he claps.

9. he likes to dance. he smiles at me and his eyes sparkle when we dance. and he does a mean "dirty bird" (if you have not witnessed this, you must ask him to demonstrate immediately).

10. he cries. not too much. not too little.

11. he can make a complete stranger feel like a friend.

12. he loves where he comes from. trucks. mud. the whole 9.

13. he smiles in photos. and while i'm talking about photography, he knows how to take a picture.

14. he goes to artsy things with me (and usually enjoys it!).

15. he watches america's next top model & so you think you can dance with me (and always enjoys it!).

16. he appreciates me as a wife and a mom. he never makes me feel like i don't do enough.

17. he knows how to build and fix things.

18. he almost always feeds our dogs at night.

19. he goes to the counter to order kids meals for us at fuddruckers. i am afraid of the counter because they may discover we are not under 12.

20. he doesn't hessitate to give someone in need the $20 in his pocket when he feels a nudge from the Lord.

21. he acts like i am not crazy even when i act crazy.

22. he listens to christmas music when i am in the car because he knows i love it (even though he definitely does not love it).

23. he mows the grass. he doesn't mow the grass on sundays. he encourages me to rest on sundays...and other days.

24. he tells me he loves me several times a day.

25. he gets choked up when he talks about wanting his high school friends to know Jesus.

26. he helps me believe that i am beautiful.

27. he makes me laugh...and laugh...and laugh...and laugh some more.

28. he tells me that, when he is with me and maddie, there's nowhere else he'd rather be.

29. i know he means it.


happy birthday, my sweet charlie.

Monday, October 1, 2007

a season ending (part 2)

Well, a month has passed and I'm just now posting part 2. Such is the life of a working mom.


Here's a photo re-cap of our first summer as a family of three...


"aaahhh...i love the beach!"



"aaggghhh! i hate the beach!"





maddie's first boatride with daddy



putt-putt with friends...madison was good luck--i got a hole in one!



a walk in the bog garden with momma lu & granddaddy



baseball & a bottle with grannie annie & grandpa



happy fourth of july!



littlest orioles fan



tour of dc...the abridged version



hanging out with uncle jimmy



three friends at the lake



madison's 1st tea party (with mommy & momma lu)



a visit to virgina to see aunty sara



aunt neen-neen sure makes good coffee!



that's my name



a week at the beach...what a great way to end an amazing summer!






Thursday, September 27, 2007

a season ending (part 1)

As I open our front door only to run into a wall of humidity and then break into a sweat while I am cursing the car seat that I still can't seem to click in on the first try, I think to myself, "Surely it cannot be almost October." But the uncharacteristic temperatures are only a sidebar to the real reason I can't seem to believe autumn is already here. Although most bid their farewell to another summer back in August, mine is just now coming to an end. I begin work on October 1st...yeah, that's Monday, in case some of you are in as much denial about the harvest month arriving as I am. It's always a little sad to see summer go. Especially for those that are fortunate enough to have it off, the early mornings, rigid routine, and hard work of the school year are a sharp contrast to lazy summer days. But this summer is by far the hardest to say goodbye to. All my favorite things about summer--days at the beach, outings for ice cream, the smell of freshly cut grass and hamburgers on the grill, an icy fresh-squeezed lemonade a the farmers' market--pale in comparison to the joy of experiencing life with our sweet baby girl.
Tears well when I think about my time with her. We have laughed together and cried together (thankfully more laughing than crying lately!). I have learned her cries and she has learned my face and my voice. We have had lengthy conversations of "aaaggghhh"s and "ooooohhh"s. I have told her all about our dogs, how to load the dishwasher, and that the guy who just cut me off in traffic "did not to a very nice thing to mommy." I have entertained her by joining Timon and Pumba in a chorus of "Hakuna Matata" and by dancing a jig to Nickel Creek. She has entertained me with her always expressive face. I have taught her how to put her passy back in and she has taught me about selflessness and about slowing down to appreciate every blessing, small or big, that God has given me.

I am transitioning from my job as stay-at-home mom to school counselor; I'm moving from pouring my time, energy, and love into one tiny person all day long to sharing myself with 100 or so kids whose circumstances may necessitate just as much nurturing. My prayer is that God will fill me up so that my kids at school will stand waiting, mouths wide open, for the overflow. And that the overflow will be abundant so that Madison Grace receives the same when I return home.

My senses can easily recall a day at the beach; memories are so fond that I close my eyes and feel the warmth of the sun, the ocean breeze tickling my face, the soft sand on my toes, and the salty waves lapping at my ankles. I hope I will close my eyes 20 years from now and remember moments with Madison with the same vividness. What I will try to remind myself when I feel sad about going back to work is that as sweet as summer is, I love the fall too. As I look forward to the beautiful changing colors and the cool, crisp (hopefully!) autumn air, I also wait with anticipation for the next stage in my life as a mom. These months have been an blessed adventure. One that I know is not ending when I go back to work. The seasons are just changing...

Friday, September 14, 2007

mom jeans

Is this what mommyhood means? If so, count me in!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

romans 8:37-39


It's one of those days that everyone remembers. Where they were...what they were doing...who they were with. The first plane barreled into its target while I was gathering my materials for the storytime I was about to present. September 11, 2001--I was a children's librarian, sharing stories with kids by day and planning for my upcoming wedding by night. My mind was on happy things--preschool giggles and "Big Fun" by Greg & Steve...finding my fairytale dress and picking out lilies for my bouquet. Thinking back, I was almost as unaware of danger and evil in the world as the room full of 4-year-olds that listened to me read the sing-song verse of Tub-Boo-Boo while the second tower tumbled.

Over the last six years I have become more and more aware of the hurt that our world is in. I can easily succomb to fear--we are raising a daughter in this world! But I want to choose to recognize that I have a Savior that has conquered all hurt, all evil, and even death. And choose to not live in fear. And to choose, in the best way that I know how, to make change in the world around me.

A lot of you all are familiar with Starting Tuesday--one of the bandmembers is part of a family that is a very important part of mine and Charlie's lives (Bill, Joann, Rachel, & Daniel Goans). The band has recently changed their name to reflect their passion for and calling to change, through Christ. I encourage you to check out their message and their music: http://www.wavingwhite.com/ & http://www.thewarmusic.com/.
......................................
"...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

My Little Tooth Fairy

We've had some fussy days at our house lately, and last Friday I finally discovered why...Madison has two teeth coming in! Crazy!?! So, this is pretty much her favorite activity these days:


Anyone have any tips to beat the teething blues? I welcome your advice!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'



going...

going...

gone!

Monday, August 6, 2007

Say Cheese

Multiple outfit choices?
Check.

Favorite toys to elicit perfect smiles and giggles?
Check.

Bathed baby with hair...um, scalp? brushed just right?
Check.

Sears coupons?
Check.

All just preparations to spend our Saturday morning at Madison's first photo shoot, a big overstimulation fest that fell right in the middle of what is usually morning nap time. Maddie actually held up pretty well, and one smile (seriously, just one), a couple of cries, one spit up on the backdrop, and one dirty diaper later, we got to see the end result...lots of very cute pics of our sweet three-month old.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Thursday, July 5, 2007

a friend loves at all times

As early at 8 weeks, Madison is already blessed with friends. Anna Cate and Maddie "e-mailed" back and forth today after Madison got her shots. Needless to say, it hasn't been a very fun day for Maddie or her Mommy today.

Subject: dear maddie...

Dear Madison:
I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you today. My mommy has been praying for you. You will have to tell me ALL about your visit and what I should expect on Monday. I sure do hope that you feel okay and that you aren't too cranky for your mommy and daddy.

Love,
Anna Cate

......................................................................................................

Subject: RE: dear maddie...

Dear Anna Cate,
Thanks for your e-mail. All I have to say is that shots STINK! I am feeling pretty yucky today and just can't seem to get comfortable unless Mommy and Daddy are holding me. I hope you are having fun at the lake. My Mommy and I will be praying for you too when you go to the doctor on Monday.

Love,
Madison

P.S. I got to see our friend Charlie P. last night--he asked about you and your Mommy and Daddy:-)

anna cate & maddie grace

Thanks, God, for friends of all ages.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

the year in review

Since I am just now starting this, I thought I'd provide a run-down of the last year top-ten style (in order of occurance, sort of)...

10. I traveled. A bit.

june '06, frontier ranch in colorado--a week of camp at one of
the most beautiful places on earth with a bunch of my high school friends





aug. '06, biloxi, mississippi--my mom and i went on our first mission trip together & witnessed firsthand the devestation left by hurricane katrina (little did we know little madison was also with us!).





sept. '06, ocean isle--labor day weekend with our small group




nov. '06, windy gap--several of my young life girls served other high school folks through work crew at our fall camp.


jan. '07, ocean isle--a weekend away with my sweet friends…melissa & blair pampered the pregos--amy, whitney, and me.






feb. '07, myrtle beach--one last romantic getaway before the baby comes (this is not where we stayed, btw--if there are any Chris & Chris P1's out there, you'll understand the pic)



9. I grew. A lot.

20 weeks; 28 weeks; 40 weeks


8. I was reminded of my amazing friends and their love for me at all my
baby showers.


in december, emily coordinated the shower that happened at the heritage family christmas.


that same weekend joann & jane threw both of us a party with all our "old" and "current" young life kids (pictured here).


in the spring, melissa, melanie, amy s., millie, & becca hosted a tea party shower. here i am with sara and my 3 college roommates, laura, becky, & scottie.

then my best friends from high school, amy e., kellie, & sara and my sister, jenny threw me a shower in greenville.

i was also honored by another shower in g'ville, given by the neighborhood friends and a shower at work given by my sweet coworkers. needless to say, madison was hooked up even before she was born!



7. Three of my closest friends had their beautiful babies...then a few
more announced they will soon be having & adopting beautiful
babies!

melissa's asher; whitney's ollie; amy's anna cate


6. I enjoyed many celebrations with our wonderful family &
friends.

becky's wedding; new year's eve


5. Our precious baby girl, Madison Grace, was born May 4 (only 2
weeks late!).

4. I decided to leave my job at the middle school I was at and
accepted a counseling position at a brand new school for kids whose families have just immigrated to the US.



it was a difficult place to work to say the least, but kids like these made my time there feel worthwhile. i'm sad to leave a few of my coworkers that have become dear friends, but i'm so excited about this new opportunity!




3. Charlie and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary (that equals 10 years of dating and 17 years of knowing each other--whoa!
june 2002; june 2007











2. We experienced many very special firsts with our daughter.
first mother's day; first father's day; first vacation


1. My sister moved to the 'boro for GUPY (http://gupy.org/) this summer & to nannie for us in the fall.
aunt jennny with maddie--what a blessing that she will be here with madison when I go back to work!

Can't wait to see what things are in store for this next year!