Happy Birthday to ME!

I love birthdays...if you have read this blog for more than a year, you will know that, because at the turn of August each year I declare it's birthday month! I begin to accept gifts, money, cards, emails, love and adoration on the first of August and despite the fact my birthday is today, the 24th, I will accept all of those things and more till the 31st. :) I used to circle and highlight things I wanted to receive for my birthday in all of the sale papers, but I have given that up...although I taught my child to do it, so it's not all lost on me getting older. :)
I enjoy birthdays for several reasons...I am an only child, so every day was "about me" so to speak, not in the actual literal sense, but in the sense that I didn't have to share every other day with anyone else, but birthdays were just extra special. I had 2 major birthday parties in my childhood...my 8th birthday and my 16th birthday. My 21st birthday was celebrated by a huge amount of friends at my one my favorite restaurants, Provino's, and since then I haven't really had a party. Sad, huh? I was hoping for a huge party last year for my 30th, but that didn't happen, but none the less, it's not really about the party so much...although I would love one again! :)
It's more about reflection these days...taking the time to look back and see all that has happened in the last year, all that God has done for me, and all the things He blew my mind with. This time last year was crazy crazy. I changed jobs to work at our church preschool - 4 days of 2 year olds, God help me - and my son was still in the midst of potty training at 3 1/4 years old. To top all that, we wanted another child. God's hand was all over it (duh!) and just months after we found out we were indeed pregnant. In the same month, we purchased a house and through the holidays remodeled it, then moved into it in January of this past year. Spring approached, my belly got bigger, and we ventured to the beach on vacation. As school ended, I spent my time playing and sleeping - both necessities - finished up teaching 2-year old choir and delivered Peanut last month.
God has been most gracious during this time...working through our finances; the love and support of people from our church and our neighborhood; giving me strength to endure sleepless nights and focus on what in hindsight is most important...loving Him.

Lord, thank you for the last year and the days, months and years to come...you have blessed me so much and there really aren't words to express my gratitude. You have been faithful when I haven't. You have been merciful and gracefilled when I didn't deserve it and you have given us life...life IN you, new life in Peanut, and life eternally WITH you. Thank you Lord...how could I ask for more?

Random shots from the past...

Here are some shots from the past week...

Tummy Time

Daddy and his snuggler...

My two boys...aren't they cute??

And the Peanut...I love him

Dedication

We dedicated Peanut to the Lord at church today. He got through it with out a whimper and only spitting up right as the pastor gave him back to me...

Here is our family shot of us right before we went up...

Aren't we cuteness?

BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!

It's BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHHOOOOO!! I love birthdays! Did I tell you that I love birthdays??? "It's my birthday month and I love it...and I love it...and I love it...you would love it too if it were your birthday!" And if it IS your birthday, you so have to leave a comment to tell me!!! It's my sweetheart, Jeremy's, birthday this month too - just 5 blessed days before mine...he's a year older. It's my friend Mandy's birthday (see blog - Five Powell's), my sister-in-law's birthday (see blog - Woman in the Tent), my niece's birthday, my father-in-law's birthday, my friends Michelle and Kim, like I said, Jeremy's birthday and my birthday, Michelle's twin girls' birthday, our friend Derik's birthday, my friend Joy - her daughter's birthday....I am probably forgetting someone....but needless to say, it's birthday month in our house...

I love birthdays!!! I bet you can't tell though...

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....