Friday, December 17, 2010

Be the Change, Save a Life....

I feel like the phrase "be the change..." is something I have heard a lot in my life. Usually in the phrase be the change you want to see in the world. What does that mean? Sometimes I think I know, but I usually fail to do it or actually strive to BE it.

Tonight on ABC they are doing a show called "Be the Change, Save a Life" and have these AMAZING and sad stories and then tell viewers how we can help. It is a year long series that ABC is doing and if you missed it, watch the trailer here. Then watch the full episode. As a Momma, I can't imagine raising my child with the fear that the next sip of water he takes could kill him. I have been to different countries, Mexico and Haiti, both on mission trips. I remember how a lot of people were living, but I forget. I forget that a bucket of water can be a bucket of JOY and HOPE. I forget that there might be a creek right in front of your house, but in no circumstance should you drink it. I just can't believe it...it makes me sad that somewhere there is a child my son's age who is thirsty but has no clean drinking water. So I heard about this charity and it has inspired me to make a difference.

Have you heard about donating your birthday? I think I'm gonna do it. Hold me accountable. I might want a new vacuum but the one I have works just fine. Why do I want a pair of Sperry's? Cause I think they will help me fit in in Raleigh. They won't.

My son comes first. And if I can help someone else's child...count me in.

So what about you? What kind of change will you be today?

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Getting in the Christmas spirit with Shutterfly!

Recently I heard about an AWESOME holiday promotion from http://www.shutterfly.com/ that if you blog about them and products that you love from them, you can win 50 FREE holiday cards! Not only do I LOVE Shutterfly, but I also LOVE free things.

They have some crazy cute cards to choose from this year....check out this one. I think Liam's cute face would be perfect on here! Shutterfly has some really cute Noel ones too, like this vintage one that I absolutely adore! You can check ALL of their cute designs for Christmas cards here though and choose one that fits your style. There are some cute holiday cards, this family Christmas letter card is a great idea if you want to include a letter with your picture card but don't want to write a whole separate letter. Here are the rest of the holiday card options. For real...way too many cute ones too chose from! I'm not sure which one I want to make yet!

The website makes it really easy to do your card. Create an account (new members get 50 free prints I think!) and all you have to do is choose a card (harder then you think since there are way too many cute ones!) and upload some pictures. I have used them to make our last 2 years of Christmas cards and am excited to make ours this year! Another thing I think I am going to make this year for the Gramparents is a calendar which you can check out here. Being 600 or so miles away from their only grandchild is hard so maybe looking at his cute face everyday will help the distance not be too bad. They are also super easy to make and make a great gift for the whole year!

Hope everyone is getting in the Holiday spirit as much as I am. I must admit though, I feel a little bit behind with the Christmas decorations and our tree but I need to remember...it's not even December yet :) We are getting our tree from a Christmas tree farm next weekend and I am excited! I have always wanted to get our tree from one of them and I am hoping Liam loves it! I think I am going to break out the rest of our decorations tonight even though the tree is not coming for a few days...gotta start somewhere with the decorations!

Have a great week!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Together again

Well, we made it! We are finally all moved in to our new apartment in Raleigh. Our weekend started early Friday morning by dropping off Liam and Ellie at our friends house, picking up the truck and then heading back to the house to start the packing process. Everything started out smooth, we packed up our house in about three hours then headed over to my in laws to pack some more stuff we had in storage there. Once that was finished, we waved goodbye to Louisville and headed to Lexington for the night. A bit of a side note here so the rest of the story makes sense: Liam had come down with a nasty stomach virus that was going around. He passed that on to his friend Olivia (sorry Ness :) but both of them had different symptoms...Liam had diarrhea and Olivia was throwing up. I didn't really think much of it since the most I ever get from Liam is a cold. HOWEVER...Thursday night my friend Amanda came over to help me finish packing and she did stellar! But at 5 am I got a text from her saying she had been up all night, sick to her stomach. Uh oh. Surely, I wasn't going to get it or I already would have....right? Hmmm. So Friday as we were finishing up packing at my in laws and I ate my mother in laws stellar tuna sandwich, I didn't feel so good. And by the time we got to my Mom's that night, I was done for. I skipped dinner, laid on the couch, and ended up crawling into bed around 8. By 9...I was sick to my stomach. I was up all night with the worst stomach virus I have had in years if not ever. And yep...I was getting up at 430 am to make the 8 hour drive to Raleigh. UGH. So 430 came around and I felt awful. I was still sick and got even sicker right before we left.

And then...a miracle. I was fine. My Mom drove the first 4 hours and I hung out in the back with Liam and by the time we stopped in Virginia, I had a sandwich and a Sprite and drove myself, Liam and my brother the rest of the way home. By this time, Liam and I were both on the mend and had no sickness...thank God! A miracle is all I can say. We had a lot of help from Justin's awesome co-workers, who by the way I was so embarrassed to meet as I was not feeling good and had driven all day! Anyways. That night, my brother got sick. He ended up staying with us an extra day while everyone else left yesterday at noon, desperate to escape the sick ward :)

Our first full day in NC was good until last night...Justin got sick. OY VEY. I was now taking care of my child who was so confused about where he was and was still trying to catch up on sleep, and two grown men who were sick as dogs. In a new town. Where I know no one. And know where nothing is. But thankfully, both started feeling better a mere 12/24 hours after they got sick and we were able to put my brother on a plane tonight so head back to Lexington. Justin is sleeping it off, he had an earlier bedtime then Liam tonight!

So I feel like right now is the first time I have had in the last few days to wrap my head around what's going on and where I am. I am thankful for Panera and free wi-fi so I can come at the end of the day, listen to my ipod and just think about this new journey. I am in such a different phase of life then I was when I moved to Louisville. I am praying that friends come quickly.  And a good babysitter. Mommy and Daddy need a date night :)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

This one's for the girls!

I have lived in Kentucky for 12 years now (moved here from Chicago). I haven't always lived in the same city in Kentucky but I have ventured from Lexington to Bowling Green to Louisville. Along the way I have met some amazing friends which was and always is a big fear of mine because I used to be really shy as a kid and when I moved to Lexington 12 years ago, I knew I had to change. I had awesome friends in high school, some who I am still close to, some am I not. But these 3 girls are the ones that I have been closest to since I moved here.  We have been through a lot-I can't even begin to explain the hilarious things that happen when we are together! Being able to share high school memories together is priceless...I love reminiscing over old stories (half of which I can't remember!!).
Inky's Circa 2008
 
After high school, I went to WKU and met another group of awesome girls. Without these girls, I'm not sure I would be who I am today. Together, we grew in the Lord, learned about faith and who we were and what we wanted to be "when we grew up". There were MANY times in college when I needed a good kick in the ass, and these girls were the ones to give it to me. What's really funny is that boys used to be scared to date any of us because of our bible study leader, Merideth. She really wanted us to date outstanding men of God. and sure enough, those of us that are married...we are married to AWESOME guys :) I am so thankful for these girls investing in my life!
Bemis Hotties Circa 2002

Then...after graduating in December of 2005, my husband and I moved to Louisville. At the time, we were involved in Young Life and became leaders right away. I happened to meet another amazing group of girls that were other leaders or who were involved in college/post college YL group. I have had AMAZING memories with these girls, I can't even begin to describe how fun they are or how influential they have been in my life. I mean...I never used to wear big earrings before I started hanging out with these ladies :) But seriously. What a blessing to have another great group of friends!
Louisville Girls Circa 2010

I pray HARD that I find amazing friends in Raleigh. And also that Justin finds some amazing friends too...it's important that the hubs has some good dude friends too. I am confident we will find good couples to share our lives with. 5 days and counting!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

One week!

I am back! I haven't blogged for awhile and here is why...I felt like if I continued to write, I would be a Debbie Downer. These past four months have been hard on me and I never wanted my blog to be depressing or a place where I was just complaining about the place in life that I am in. Typically, I am a glass half empty kind of gal (at least I know it, right?). When things get stressful or a situation doesn't work out as easily as I want or expect it to, I kind of freak out. It always works out in the end but for some reason, I sometimes don't have a cool head about things. That's kind of the way this whole moving situation has been for me. There were times when I could confidently say that I was trusting the Lord and I knew that when it was time, it was time. But then other times....whew. I was crying on the phone to my husband, or crying to a friend or crying after Liam went to bed.  Or just being really mad at God because I didn't know why our family had to be separated. Thank goodness for my husband! We really do balance each other out. When I freak out, he calms me down. When he doesn't think a situation through, I bring him back to reality. He has always been willing to work hard for our family while having a great balance of work and family. I think if we were both hot heads we never would have been able to do this :)

I would try to remind myself it could be worse....I have a few friends whose husbands are in the military and have been gone or are gone right now for a year or more. But...it has worked out. Like it always does. It has been quite a journey but I am excited to see this season of life pass us soon. Next week, we are packing up all of our belongings and headed to North Carolina! I am thankful for the person moving into our house. It's a cool story and a huge answer to prayer and I am thankful that our house will continue to be used as a place of ministry for our church and to our neighborhood.

In other news, Liam is amazing. As always. Was that ever in question? I am biased as I am his Momma but seriously. He is so cute and so wonderful.


Halloween was a hit :) Cute costumes, candy and getting to stay up a little past bedtime? He loved it all!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Inspiration

Have you ever had those days that you are just knocked down onto your knees in prayer because there really just aren't any words or anything else that seems right to do? Today was one of those days for me.

I have these two friends, Brooke and Brandon. They are friends of mine from high school. Brooke and I have so many fun memories together and Brandon was one of my first friends when I moved to Kentucky.  You know those people that everyone wants to be friends with? Brooke and Brandon are those people...they are so wonderful! Brooke got pregnant this year and found out very quickly that their baby had something called anencephaly which is a fatal neural tube defect. Due to medical reasons, Brooke was induced early (30ish weeks) on Thursday and in Brooke's words, Briar was born at 338 am to be with Jesus.  I have seen a few pictures that she has posted at her blog and they are precious and sweet. We know that Briar is with Jesus, but as a mommy, it is sad to hear and see something like this. I can't imagine something happening to Liam.  If you have time, read through Brooke's blog. She blogs about her pregnancy and her faith in the Lord during this tough time.

What an inspiration. She has just faced a huge trial and has her trust 100% in the Lord. I pray that my faith is this strong all the time and that my strength comes from the Lord. Last night, I was packing a few boxes and organizing the closet getting ready for a showing tomorrow and song came on on my itunes. It is called "I Have to Believe" by Rita Springer. It is an AMAZING song that we sing at our church Sojourn sometimes. I started to cry just thinking and remembering that God said He can move mountains and that He is our strength. Here are some lyrics:

I have to believe, he sees my darkness

I have to believe, he knows my pain
I have to lift up, my hands to Worship
Worship his name
I have to declare, that he is my refuge
I have to deny, that i am alone
I have to lift up, my eyes to the mountains, thats where my help, it comes from

He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain, he can move your mountain too

I have to stand tall, when the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong, when i'm weak and afraid
I have to grab hold, a hold of the garments, the garments of praise

He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain, he can move your mountain too

I have to sing praise, when the hour is midnight
He unlocks these chains, that bind up my soul
my sin and my shame he has forgiven, and made me whole

Wow. If you don't own this song, get it. It's wonderful.
If you can, pray for Brooke and Brandon. Pray for healing and for strength.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A (not so really) cuddly weekend

Liam woke up Friday morning with a bit of a cold. Runny nose, watery eyes, the usual stuff kiddos get from playing with other kids and being at the park everyday. I thought nothing of it until I myself started feeling bad too. Oh man. I never get sick. So as the day progressed I passed it all off on allergies but didn't really feel like doing much. So after Liam's super short nap (he couldn't breath from his stuffy and/or runny nose) we went and rented some Disney movies. I know...I need to buy them. But Disney movies are expensive! So...we rented Finding Nemo and Toy Story and got a bag of popcorn. On our way back home, I had visions of us cuddled up on the couch, watching Nemo, eating popcorn and possibly falling asleep. We got to the house, popped our popcorn and settled on the couch with juice, popcorn and blankie. Let me just say that Liam is EXACTLY like his daddy. He can not sit still for anything! Nevertheless, he LOVED Finding Nemo inbetween playing with toys, snacking on popcorn and jumping up and down on the couch. Pictures coming soon :)

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

More words.

Today's new words:

Car, Ellie and Yes.

What!? Every time I hear him say them, it's unbelievable to me that he is saying REAL words. What a big boy!

Things are kind of tough around here. The best way to explain it? I'm sad. Really sad. I miss my husband and a semi-normal life. I am sad for Liam, that he is missing out on time with his daddy. He was SO excited when Justin came home last week and we all had such a great week and weekend doing lots of fun things-going to the park, Hubers Orchard and spending time with Gramparents. Saying goodbye on Sunday was the hardest it has been yet, with me not being able to stop crying for at least 3 hours. And then the crying returns sometimes after Liam goes to bed. It was so wonderful to have Justin home, I just can't wait to be together in our new home.

Thankfully, I have great friends. One who willingly babysat Liam on Sunday night so I could go to the Rascal Flatts concert with another great friend who took me and cheered me up. I am thankful for the friends who willingly hang out at my house with me at night so I don't have to try to find a babysitter. I am thankful for my husband who is in North Carolina working hard for his family. I am thankful for all of the people who are praying for us and keeping their fingers crossed that our house sells quickly and that our family can be together soon. I am thankful for a supportive family. I am thankful for things like Skype that allow Justin, Liam and I to see each other in between visits. I am thankful for the friends that are housing Justin in Durham.

I know that the Lord has a plan. I was reminded of that a lot today. A good friend of mine had this quote on her facebook this week: "Ultimately our gift to the world around us is hope. Not blind hope that pretends everything is fine and refuses to acknowledge how things are. But the kind of hope that comes from staring pain and suffering right in the eyes, and refusing to believe that this is all there is." I'm glad I read that when I did. Spoke right to my heart.

Goodnight all...gotta get some good rest so I can keep up with my chatterbox child tomorrow!

Monday, August 23, 2010

New words.

Today as I was cleaning up from dinner (pizza, veggies and fruit..mom of the year right here folks haha!) I heard Liam in his room taking books off of his bookshelf. This is one of his many favorite things to do. All of his books are on the bottom shelf so he can reach them and he takes them off two or three at a time. He used to just dump them and then be on his way to something else or maybe flip through his favorites. But now, he flips through them and then hands them to me to read. So anyways, I put down what I was doing and went into his room. As I walked in, I heard him making a noise and couldn't figure out what it was. Then I realized he was reading this book called "Jungle Babies" and was on the snake page. Every time I read it I make a snake noise and poke at Liam and he was MAKING THE NOISE! I couldn't believe it! We have tried for months and months to get him to do a dog noise but he never does. So just to make sure, I re-read the book to him and asked him what it was and he made the hissing noise again. Ahhh...so awesome. This weekend he also started to say "na" for banana...as a matter of fact, he got so excited in the grocery store today when he saw them he was SCREAMING it. "Mama! Na! Na! Na!" Hahaha. I love it! And tonight when we were reading that same book, there is a monkey holding a banana and he pointed it out saying "na!"

It is so fun to be in this next stage of him talking and not just babbling anymore. Justin comes home tomorrow night for a short visit so I know that he will be shocked and amazed at how much Liam has changed. Liam was barely taking steps when Justin was home just three weeks ago and now he is almost running everywhere!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Where did my baby boy go??

Today was a day full of things that made me realize my baby boy is no longer a baby...

*We played at the park for over an hour this morning, going from the swings to the jungle gym and slides. He climbed all up and down everything on his own and needed just a little bit of help on the slides. He doesn't quite understand he needs to pick his feet up yet so his shoes don't stick.
*He walks EVERYWHERE. All of a sudden a few weeks ago, he just started walking everywhere. I don't even think I have his first real steps on video it happened so fast. Bad Mom right here.
*We went to the waterpark at the YMCA this afternoon with his best girl Olivia and her Momma. He still wanted to do the butt-in-the-air crawling on his hands and feet until I showed him he could walk in the water too. So then, holding my hand (insert heart sigh), he walked everywhere. And even learned how to crawl up a big netted thing up to the slides. So crazy.
*He uses a fork. I know, weird. But he really likes using it and is pretty good at it!
*He stole my Chick-fil-a milkshake tonight. I didn't let him drink a ton but when I did take it away he had the saddest face I have ever seen. Big pouty lip and everything. When I gave it back so he could have another sip (come on, what Mom can resist THAT face??) he laughed his bleating lamp laugh and smiled a big toothy grin! Basically, he was calling me a sucker.
*He does the movements from the book "From Head to Toe"...he especially likes the gorilla thumping on his chest.

Liam does millions of cool things everyday that make my heart melt...like when we say our prayers every night and he lays his head on my shoulder and then gives me a kiss. Seriously. Heart melting just thinking about it :)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Missing my guys

I am missing this guy a lot...

And this one...


At least I have Liam to keep me busy. Ellie stays under the bed 75% of the day and she does not like to cuddle on the couch like Toby does, so she is no help. I am continually praying that we get to be with Justin soon...being here alone is no fun but I am thankful for wonderful friends that keep me company.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Sweet puppies

Lately Justin and I have had a lot of conversations about these two cute little pups:


Ellie and Toby. My little four legged children. Ellie is the white and gold Shih Tzu who is 5 years old and Toby is the Yorkie/Chihuahua mix who is 4. Both are amazing, sweet dogs but we just aren't sure what needs to happen next. Since Liam has gotten older and is now extremely mobile, Ellie has anxiety according to our vet. She shakes a lot when she is nervous which is mostly when Liam comes near. She spends her days sleeping under our bed or sleeping in her bed in our bedroom. She rarely comes out now, unless Liam is sleeping or if he has snacks. She loves goldfish so she readily comes to hang out when it's snacktime! Toby on the other hand has become so much better with Liam but he will still show his teeth to him when Liam gets too close in certain situations. Other times, Toby chases Liam around, licks him and plays with him.

We are at a point right now that we just don't know what to do. We wonder if both dogs would be better off in new homes with older kids or to an older couple? I had a conversation with a good friend tonight who went through the same situation. Her and her husband had two awesome dogs but once the kids were born, they had to change something. They know where one of their dogs went but the other one they aren't sure. Both dogs are so dear to Justin and I but Ellie would be the hardest to give up. Thinking about it makes my eyes swell up with tears....oh man. What a tough decision. I know having kids doesn't mean you can't have pets but I feel so bad for my dogs...I can't handle walking them both with Liam by myself, I don't have as much time for them now and I just feel like they aren't enjoying their little puppy lives like they should be. What are your thoughts? Have you been through this situation before? Leave a comment for me :)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Neighborhood tattletale?

So here is a fun fact about me: I keep all metro service phone numbers in my phone. And I use them...often. It comes in really handy that I have them actually. Once, I was driving down Frankfort Ave. and saw a homeless man wearing a heavy camo jacket, no shirt, pants and no shoes with his little friend hanging out, peeing on the sidewalk...and people were WALKING RIGHT BY HIM!!! Ew. I don't really want to see that. So I called the police. In our old apartment, our downstairs neighbor left his dog alone way too much. And the dog barked...way too much. Once, he went on spring break and left the dog with someone who NEVER came to feed him or let him out. So I called metro animal services. And then I let the neighbor have it when he got back...not in a mean way. In a pretend, playing dumb kind of way but it got the point across that I was disgusted with his actions towards his pet.

I am sure there have been many more instances that I have called, I know there have been. Like today. For about three weeks now, Justin and I have been calling the city about our backyard neighbors. They are across the ally from us and I honestly had no idea what was going on until Justin showed me how to open the back gate (it's like a fortress! haha). I walked outside and was so upset at what our alley looked like. We believe that they have abandonded their house and apparently before they did, took every ounce of crap from their house and put it in the alley. SICK. So that's being taken care of now...or they will get many more calls from me :) THEN...baby boy and I were coming home tonight from dinner at my inlaws and there was our neighbors puppy running around everyones yard. So to make a long story short, I knocked on the door a few times and stuck the pup in our yard. Now, he is a beagle puppy and the thing about beagles is that they can squeeze through anywhere! So after calling metro animal services and finding a way to keep him in the yard, an hour later the owners came home and I brought the dog back. Meanwhile, it was thirty minutes past Liam's bedtime, Toby was trying to attack the poor puppy and Ellie went and hid under the bed like usual. Oy vey. Momma is cleaning up for a showing we have tomorrow (fingers crossed!!) and off to bed. I am wiped!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Liam

I still can't get over that my little boy is a toddler now! I kind of feel like he was born yesterday and forever ago all at the same time. I have a horrible memory so the first 3 or 4 months of his life are kind of a blur...lots of sleeping, nursing and changing diapers from what I can recall :) Here is our first family picture, the morning he was born...
And here is the two of us at Liam's birthday party:
Right now Liam is ALMOST walking-he gets mad when you want him to take steps holding your hands but he will stand on his own and then take a step or so at you and then fall towards you the rest of the way. Glad he trusts us to catch him! He isn't saying a lot of words or animal sounds but we work on them everyday. He mostly laughs at me when I do animal sounds! He points at EVERYTHING! If you say Liam where is the airplane, he points at the airplane. Liam where is the doggie, he points at the dog. He even knows that the ultrasound picture in his room is him. If I ask where is baby Liam he will either raise his hand or point at the picture :) He knows what things are but isn't saying the words or sounds yet. I am totally ok with that-he has taken his time doing everything else over the last year so I know when he is ready to talk he will.
He shakes his head no when I try to give him veggies.
He loves to wear his sunglasses!
He is an AWESOME swimmer. I am not even kidding. He does reach and pull, kicks his legs, and puts his face in the water. I admit, I feel like a proud momma bear when we are at the pool and he is swimming around and I hear other parents go "Look at that baby!" or "The baby can swim, you can do it too!" He loves the waterpark, we go at least 3 or 4 times a week.
He loves Toby and Ellie (our dogs) althought he isn't too gentle with them. The dogs put up with it but the vet told me Ellie has signs of really bad anxiety-gee, I wonder if it's because of a certain 1 year old who hurls himself on top of the poor thing??
If I put food on his tray that he doesn't like, he throws it over the edge or flings it backwards and thinks it's hillarious. Then he waits for Toby to come eat it. I guess one day if I'm wondering if he ate all his veggies or not I know where they went :)

Liam is such an awesome kid. There are times when I still think it's crazy that I am a mom. I still feel like a kid and that I am not responsible enough for another life. But I guess God thought I was ready and I'm glad He did!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

All the single ladies!

Ok, so I'm not really single. But being home without husband makes me feel a little bit like it. I was telling a friend last night that my schedule has not really changed-Liam and I are doing the same things as when Justin was here-but I feel different. I don't have to make dinner if I don't want to and that is kind of nice...kind of sad though too. So here are some things I have learned by day 3 of husband being gone:

1. I have to take the trash and the recycling out. Sick. I hate taking the trash out. And even worse is Liam's diaper pail trash bag. Sick. I hate going in the alley...I didn't even know how to unlock our back gate until Justin showed me last weekend. I just have never had to!
2. No one is there to turn my lamp off and put my book away. It's inevitable...I fall asleep reading every night. I used to be able to read for hours before bed if I wanted to and since Liam was born, I can seriously read one sentence and pass out. So the last few nights I have woken at 2 or 3 in the morning with my book next to me and my lamp on. Justin always does that for me.
3. I don't have a lot of laundry to do now! I love my husband but he changes clothes a lot. In one day he can change a lot...work clothes, working out clothes, after work clothes, etc. I knew this when I married him so I am not complaining but it makes for have to do at least a load of laundry a day to keep up with it and not get too overwhelmed. Right now, my laundry basket isn't even half full and I am kind of excited about that.
4. Leftovers. I don't usually have a lot of leftovers because ya know...dudes eat a lot. But now I do. No cooking dinner tonight you say? Sounds good.

With that though, I really do miss my husband. I would rather have no leftovers, do 5 loads of laundry a day and whatever else to be able to move to Raleigh with him right now. I miss him a lot and I know Liam does too. I am still praying that someone buys our house quickly. We are thinking of renting it out if something doesn't happen soon.

On a more fun note, Liam is starting to walk! He has taken a few steps away from his walking toys or the couch/chair towards me. It usually is like step, step, leap onto me :) Love that kid. Can't believe he is one! He loved all of his fun birthday gifts that he got at his party! We have great friends and family who helped us make his big day so special! Off to wrangle the kiddo who is "petting" the dog right now :)

Thursday, July 8, 2010

So long!

See, I knew I wouldn't be good at this blog stuff :) I haven't written in awhile but life has been busy! We've been packing up the house a little bit at a time, had Liam's first birthday party, trying to spend as much time with friends and family as possible, our 5 year anniversary is tomorrow and Liam's first birthday is Monday. Then on Tuesday...Justin leaves for North Carolina without us. So sad. I thought I would be ok and be able to suck it up and do it but I am really, really sad about it. He's my husband...of course I don't want to be seperated for who knows how long. And he's Liam's daddy...I don't want to Justin to miss anything new. Liam is almost walking and I don't want Justin to miss his first steps or some new words. I know we will be ok. That doesn't make it any easier though!

Going to visit family in Lexington today...I will write and post pictures of Liam's birthday later!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Reality

Well, the reality is setting in that we are supposed to move in 3 1/2 weeks and we probably aren't going to be able to move together. Let me explain...we all know that we are in a crappy economy right now to be selling your house but we live in in the top selling neighborhood in Louisville right now. Actually we are a bit of a mix of Schnitzelburg and Germantown (never figured out exactly what part our street is in) so we will just say the top 2. We still have hopes that it will sell soon because it's only been two weeks and we have to stay patient and trust the Lord. It seems God is ALWAYS teaching me about patience and not worrying. On my windowsill above the sink right now I have Matthew 6:27..."Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Yep. I sure can't. It's appropriate that I have it near the sink because I tend to start over thinking things when I am doing stuff like washing dishes or vacuuming. I could vacuum our three rooms with carpet for an hour because I just start thinking a lot! I digress though...the point is if our house doesn't sell, Justin will be moving to Raleigh on his own for a little while until our house can sell. We just can't afford two places right now. So sad for so many reasons. But my best friend is going to stay with me and Liam a few nights a week so that will be fun at least :)

Liam is doing really good...I can't believe he is 11 months already and his first birthday is less then a month away. Time flies! He is cruising around the house pulling up on everything and standing on his own for a few seconds at a time. I know he will be walking soon and I'm sure once he does he won't stop-just like his Daddy!! Lord, help me now!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

First trip to Raleigh...

Last weekend Justin and I went to Raleigh, North Carolina to visit our new home for the first time. Justin has obviously been a lot lately for his interviews but I had not been yet. We left Friday morning, leaving Liam at home with his Gigi (my Mom) and the pups. I wasn't nervous about leaving Liam with my Mom, I trust her 100% but let's just say we weren't even gone an hour before we got a phone call from our alarm company saying the police were being dispatched to our house. What the?!?

Let me start at the beginning...and I will try to make it short. Justin and I have "keychain" alarm keys..it turns the alarm on and off and has a panic button. Makes it super easy when coming and going because you don't have to constantly hit a code. Makes it not so easy when your 11 month old LOVES to play and chew with your keys. Mom, Liam and the dogs came back to the house after dropping us off at the airport. We had a showing that morning at the house so Mom came in to see if anyone had been here yet and when she realized they hadn't, she went back outside to get Liam's stroller to take them all on walk. To tide him over....yes...she gave him my keys. Now Justin and I know not to give Liam our keys anywhere in the vacinity of the house but we had forgot to mention that when we left. So, to make a long story short...the police show up at my house while people are looking at and Justin and I are getting phone calls at the airport about the panic button being hit and no one can get ahold of my Mom. The whole entire story is hillarious...I was totally able to laugh about it once I knew they were ok!

Raleigh was great though. I fell in love with it and we found a great apartment. If you haven't been yet...go. Better yet, come visit us. We would love to have you :) I also rescued a puppy that we found in the woods behind the hotel parking lot...poor guy. If we lived there already, I totally would have taken him home!

Keep crossing your fingers that our house sells quickly...I really don't know if I could handle Justin being in Raleigh and me, Liam and the pups here. Have to just keep reminding myself that God's timing is pefect :)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

And it starts!

Our realtors came over today, Dick and Linda Filippini. They helped us buy our first house and we have asked them to be our realtors now that we are selling the house.

WAIT. I never even shared the big news! We are moving...to Raleigh, NC!! Justin got a new job and has accepted the position at a YMCA in Raleigh as Aquatic Director (also what he has been doing here for the last 4 years). We are really excited about this opportunity...at first I was concerned that we were just convincing ourselves that this would be good but we have continuously prayed that whatever the outcome was from his interviews that we would accept it as what the Lord wanted for us. So here we are, getting ready to move in just 6 short weeks! What a big week that will be...moving to NC, Liam's 1st birthday and Justin starting a new job. Shoo. I feel like it might be emotional.

So anyways...Dick and Linda came over tonight. We love them. I adore them actually. They make the best team and are so honest and so wonderful. Dick said it best tonight...picking a realtor is like picking a bride. There are a lot out there and you definitely don't want to get stuck with the wrong one! We walked through the house, talked about updates we have done, Dick reminded me I needed to sweep out the furnace/water heater area (who does that?!) and promised a visit tomorrow per good weather to take pictures and to have a "For Sale" sign up this weekend. What the what?! Is this really happening?? I have talked for so long about selling our house but now that we are doing it, it makes me a little sad. This was our first house and it is so cute. I love our neighbors and this community here in Germantown. I will miss it for sure but am ready for new adventures. I told a friend tonight (who refuses to belive I am leaving until she sees something in writing haha) that I am most excited about possibly have a really big kitchen. Right now ours is cute and sufficient but I think of something like this and get excited. I know it probably won't happen in our next house...but one day :) A girl can dream right?

Anyways. Here are some of the cute pictures from the waterpark the other day with Liam and Olivia...





Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Today my life could change forever...

Well, as you can see from my first post...it's been awhile! Not only has Liam been born but he is almost one! I can't believe it...just about 6 more weeks until his first birthday. What the heck happened? Where did the time go?

This past Monday was a day that I knew would change my life. And I knew whatever the outcome was, I would cry. Both would have been a bittersweet kind of cry...the outcome that has resulted though was the one we have prayed for. And we prayed that whatever the the outcome was that we would recognize it as what God wants for us and we would do it. So...we are doing it and I can't wait! As for now, I am not going to say what the change was but I will say that I am not pregnant :) For some reason that is ALWAYS what my friends think when I say I have a surprise or big news, etc.

For now, I will say that I have a lot to do. A lot of meetings, a few trips, and a lot of hugs ahead. Hopefully I can post this weekend about the big news...I am waiting on Justin to do some things on his end first before I break the news.

Let's get back to Liam :) Yesterday was his first day at his daddy's waterpark! Calypso Cove is basically Justin's life in the summer as it is one of the many things he runs and staffs so Liam and I joined our friends Olivia and Anessa and headed over for some fun! Liam LOVED the splash pad and the spouts of water in the zero depth area. Olivia and Liam also love each other. I will for sure post some pictures of their cuteness as soon as I upload them!

As I sit here and write this I am looking around my living room, watching my baby boy play with the dogs and his toys and just think about how blessed Justin and I are. Seriously, I could not have asked for anything more out of a husband, a son, a church community at Sojourn and friends and family. I guess I am feeling sentimental today :)

Off to clean this house. Does the work of a stay at home momma ever end? I think not :)