Three Weeks gone by...

Alright, three full weeks have gone by, and Peanut is growing bigger...longer, I think...and gracious, I think he can wear a size 3 shoe already...according to my study at Target the other day. Boo is doing great too and constantly in tune to where and what Peanut is doing...

Here are the most recent pics...

We went to the lake to see Jeremy's family and my dear friend Mandy, and here is a pic of Boo waving to me after feeding the horse.

Here is Peanut in his car seat, ready to go...

My boys...

Boo and his crazy, spikey hair...

My sweet baby...

Love,

Karen

From this day forward...

I promise to love, honor and cherish this man that God has given me. Seven years ago today we pledged our love in front of God, our family and many friends and it was one of the most wonderful days we have shared.

In recounting our days together it adds up to something like this...

7 years

4 cities

2 apartments

2 houses - one we rented, one we purchased

2 degrees - his Masters and my Associates

2 kids

1 purchased car

2 gallbladder surgeries

4 grandparent passings - 3 of mine last year, 1 of Jeremy's in 2004; not to mention the 2 we had while we dated/engaged

4 nephews and 1 niece being born

1 trip to Africa

A lifetime of memories, pictures, scrapbooks and blogs = PRICELESS

There are just not enough words to express how I feel about this man. He is a follower of Christ with all of his heart, truly loves me and our 2 boys. He studies hard. He is funny and smart and challenges me. He pushes me forward with loving hands. He doesn't act impulsively, yet has spontaneity at times. He thinks about others first and is sacrificial. He loves reading and has a collection of books to prove it. He is tedious about details, particularly pertaining to our house. He works hard for our marriage and I love that. He works hard and people respect him.

As I have said many times before...I can't imagine walking through this life with anyone else by my side. Thank you, Lord, I am often reminded how much I don't deserve him...but by God's grace, I get to have him!

Jeremy, I love you.

Days gone by...

The days seem to pass quickly...guess that's because the clock is my solace in feeding and doing things. All things considered, the transition has been good. Jeremy was home last week and we have had people over the past few days. There is no such thing as staying inside...it's boring and the walls start closing in - Boo needs activity and playmates!

Life hasn't really changed much honestly...Boo wants to look and touch Peanut and talks so sweet to him, but other than that he doesn't really bother him. He doesn't like it when he cries, so he lets me know "he's crying mom!" He's my big helper and fetches anything he thinks Peanut or I might need.

Peanut is curious about his world...loves looking around and keeps a solid schedule. He has a fussy time, which he managed to move to the late evening time, which suits me fine, since it was in the middle of the night!!! He is cuddly and snuggly and we are enjoying that!

I am back in normal clothes (please do not be jealous) and I am enjoying that. I am not enjoying my lower belly, however, until I can get back to working out, it will just have to remain.



Next Monday is a significant day in our life...Jeremy and I will celebrate 7 years of marriage! WAAAHOOO! I don't know where the last 2 years went personally...consumed with working, ministry, juggling, teaching, and getting pregnant! Craziness abounds I suppose. I am working on the tribute to my husband...it will be up on Monday.



And last...a few pics of the kiddos...
still loving being a big brother!

is it too early to be sucking his thumb??? this disturbs me...he does NOT take a paci...he's so like his momma...

Boo reading to Peanut...(I LOVE THIS SHOT!)

My boys enjoying their new sofa...

Boo and best buddy Jackson, who leaves for Africa on Monday!

--Karen

Announcing Noah

He's here!

Noah was born Friday, July 11th at 8:28 AM. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 7 oz and 20 1/2 inches long! Weighed less than Boo did, but managed to be bigger in height by 1 1/2 inches! He will be referred to on the blog as Peanut, since that what we called him the whole time in my womb.

Everyone is doing well and we are finally sleeping better...at 6 days old, sleeping better means sleeping in between feedings for me! :) Last night was the best so far. Here's to more of those.

Here are a few pics:

--Karen

Accomplished (even more!)

Mom arrived Thursday, much to my delight and from 30 minutes away, to help me get organized and clean up the small things still left...not to mention, help Jeremy get some stuff done as well. So, the baby's room got all dazzled up with hangings on the wall and things put in their proper place. Jeremy finished the transitions on the floors and hung the shelf in Boo's room...which means we got all of the clothes out of his room and to the baby's room for future use. Boo and I even cleaned his room together and he managed to part with some things for the betterment of others as well....I was proud.
It was exhaustingly good...but the best part is Jeremy got a GRILL!!! Now, we had a grill that came with the house, but the new one, on sale, is FABULOUS! We put that thing to good use over a 24 hour period!! It's awesome. I have no doubt it will get some good use when my dad arrives in a few days too! :)
So, accomplished and prepared we are for the baby! It will be soon!!

--Karen

MY NEW CHAIR...

I know...a chair is not all that exciting in the grand scheme of things, but people, in my life, it truly is! I have been dying for a chair of my own - I occasionally let my husband sit in it, but most of the time he feels bad and gives it up to me - because our couch needed to hit the road a few years ago and there isn't another piece of furniture for me to sit in that's comfortable...it really has been the most annoying feature of this move. But, alas, I got THE CHAIR.

It first beckoned the call of my mom who saw it at the store and said, hm...doesn't match what she has, but bet she would like it...I give in to her prodding about going to see it and behold, I fall in total likeness with THE CHAIR.

So, here she is in all her glory...well, not really, because I am not actually sitting in it...none the less, she's cute and the total MOMMY CHAIR...which means if you ever come to our house you can expect to see me sitting in it. :) I plan to have numerous pictures of me in this chair. I am sooooooo thrilled!!!

VOILA....

Feeling Accomplished...

Ahh, it's the end of June and I am feeling pretty accomplished, if I must brag on myself... :) And I ask, what 37 week pregnant woman wouldn't want to feel accomplished the last day of month before she is due??

So, we survived VBS, swim lessons (last pictures and video below), a trip to the dentist and I managed to sneak in a playdate and birthday party for my friend's 1 year old little girl! I also managed to clean the house...and I must say my swiffer wetjet has been put to good use on my wood floors and I venture to say it will clean my bathroom later this week. :) Ahhh...yes, I am nesting and my mom is coming on Thursday to help me finish my nesting...I am thankful.

Boo finished his swim lessons last week and he tested well and then got to play in the indoor play area, which has a cool slide and lots of dumping water. It was a blast to watch him be so comfortable in the water. We topped that last day off with a playdate at our friend's pool - 3 adults, 7 kids...it was a sight! Totally fun though! Here is the video of him swimming and a few shots of the slide he enjoyed...

jumping in...The cool slide...

Countdown is on till Baby Greer arrives!

More things off the list...CHECK CHECK

Boo started swim lessons last week through the county...we were trying something different at the beginning of the month, but that didn't pan out well...so, all things said, we went back to the county swim lessons...ANYWAY, first day was iffy, little teary (for him and me!) but by the end of Thursday, holy moses, he was off the stairs and in the water with his whole face. It blows my mind honestly because I enjoy so much of seeing him get involved in something that is so new for his mind. Yeah, we have been at the pool, but that's unorganized...this is organized play with two "coaches" and about 6-7 other kids learning the same thing. Just watching his mind wrap itself around ideas and learning something new...well, it's just this momma's joy.
So, on to the video...it's short (about 28 seconds or so...) of "Dash and his Dash legs" (see the Incredibles) This is him going under and then kicking back with one of his coaches.

Here are some shots of them floating with lifevests...they linked all the kids together and made a "train", it was priceless. He was first, so he floated the longest. :)

Here's a close-up...

Waiting to jump in to the water...he's in the middle, if you can't tell...

The next thing we crossed off the list was a dental appt. Thanks to GRANDMA, Boo got his teeth examined and cleaned...and I did too before baby arrives! Here is Boo enjoying his time at Grandma's office...

It was so funny because I had my camera and I was in another room getting my teeth cleaned when my mom ran in to grab it and take pictures...everyone said he was so good...must have been a good day to go.

And gracious, last but certainly not least...here is my little man...in his FAVORITE NEW hat. He calls it his lucky hat and was disappointed to see that his father had taken it on Thursday and wore it while playing G-O-L-F. ENJOY!!! Ladies and Gentleman, I now introduce you to the next big golf player...

That's PING baby...I gotta say, the boy loves him some PING. He got the hat when we went to a demo day near the house and he and his daddy swung PING's for about an hour.

Backwards is just as cute, don't you think??

And lastly...Homey G.

Have a great last week of June...I'll be glad when it's over! :) Just days closer to July!!!!!!!

Father's Day Tribute

We had a great Father's Day! Last year Jeremy as in Africa and Boo and I were in Florida with my dad, so this year was a total change...Boo actually remembered that we spent last year in FL! When he woke up he immediately went to Jeremy and gave him a hug and kiss and told him Happy Father's Day! I rolled over with tears in my eyes...it was just the sweetest moment. Next year we will have two little men to come and say Happy Daddy Day! Ahhh, my boys.
I got Jeremy something pretty special...it was what he has been wanting and I was glad to purchase it for him. Boo was equally happy too...
We both got to talk to our own dads via phone and they both sounded like they were enjoying their day as well.
Here are a few pictures of our evening of goofy-ness and a shot at Boo's new haircut...voila.
Aren't my boys cute???

And here they are full of silliness...

Momma and her big boy...

And a shot that Boo took of Jeremy and I...

VBS - CHECK

I so enjoyed VBS last week for several reasons...
First, it was the first one I did at our church...I have worked full time the past two VBS's, so I was not able to take off a whole week for it.
Secondly, I did crafts...I gotta say, Crafts is where it's at! My big mouth got me to be the mouthpiece of the group, but I don't mind that at all. The crafts were great and watching 3rd and 4th struggle through a bookmark and making a gecko would drive anyone to some insanity, but none the less, it was funny! :)
Third, Boo was in a huge class of 3 year olds (they group you by class you just completed) so all of his friends were in there and he had a blast. He picked up on the songs and knew all of the motions by the week's end...it was incredible!
I was asked to talk with one girl on Thursday who had some questions about God and getting to heaven and it was purely my joy to point her in the right direction. After talking she prayed to receive Christ and I don't know who was more excited - her or me!
Here are some pictures...Jeremy prayed before we took up the last offering...Boo had to join him!Here is Boo singing "Outrigger Island" He's in the middle and a little left with his arms in the air.
Here is the pig that Big Al had to kiss if the kids earned more than $3500. They did it!
And here is the best shot I could get of the smooch!
It was a fabulous week!
In him-
Karen