Landon's big day

It was bittersweet celebrating Landon's first birthday. His party was a lot of fun, but it was hard to let go of my little baby boy. I will be the first to admit that I L-O-V-E the baby stage. I cherish all the cuddles and coos. I love carrying around my little guy. I adore the sweetness of my baby. But, life stops for no one -- not even a sentimental mama!

I won't explain all of the pictures because I have too many to share. If you'll put up with all the pics, I won't bore you will all the words!

(Despite having Chick-fil-a nuggets, green beans, & mac-n-cheese on the main menu...Landon simply ate two rolls for his birthday supper.)

(Landon didn't know what to think of his cake. He played in it for a few minutes, took (maybe) two bites of icing, and then decided that he didn't like it on his hands! It must say something about Scott and me that BOTH of our babies didn't like having messy hands!)

(Landon ate 5 bites of ice cream, and then he decided that he didn't like it. He wouldn't open his mouth for another bite. Crazy boy!)

(I had a present for Ella Beth just in case she didn't really understand that it wasn't her birthday. She would have been fine, except she gave Landon her present! I re-wrapped it and let her open it. She loved her skirt and wore it the rest of the night!)

What a fun birthday party for my little fella's big day!

Landon

Dear Landon,
Hey there, Boo! Oh, what joy can spring from such a big surprise. You, sweet fella, are my pride and joy. You let me know that my heart wouldn't have to share love...my heart just expanded and love multiplied. I am enjoying you beyond my wildest dreams. I had always heard about the mother & son bond, and now that I have experienced it, I know what it's all about!

So much has happened during the last year, yet I still feel that I haven't had enough time with you to call it an entire year. You are such a sweet fella. I am amazed at how out-going you are, when you want to be. Right now, you are going through separation anxiety, but usually you will stretch your arms out to anyone - even strangers in the grocery store! I am enjoying your separation anxiety right now (well, not so much at 1:30 a.m.); I know all too soon that you will be two and want more independence than I want to give you. I cherish those little arms in the air begging me to pick you up.

Your favorite person is Daddy -- by far. I try not to take it too personally (seeing as how it was me, Mommy, who went through labor a year ago today). I have enjoyed watching the amazing attachment that you have for Daddy. He is your hero. You have a great hero to look up to, son. Daddy's one of the few good ones. I hope you take after him.

Your sister is also one of your favorite people...when she's not harassing you, that is! I am amazed at how patient and forgiving you are with her. I know it will change, but I hope that some of it sticks around. She really does love you, even if she doesn't always show it in the best way! Her first words every morning, after every nap, or any time the two of you have been apart are, "Where's Landon?" You better watch out because you're going to have two "mommies" watching over you.

It's this Mommy, though, who struggles to put into words how much I love you. You are my sweet little man, and I am so blessed to have you as my son. I look forward to watching you become the incredible man I know you will be, but I don't wish that time to come too soon. Right now, I want to scoop you up and smother you with kisses any time I want. I will, too, for as long as I can!

Happy Birthday, Landon.

I love you!

Mommy

Getting there

So, where have I been?

Sick and with a sick boy. Life hasn't been loads of fun these last few weeks, but we're hanging in there. I have been fighting this horrible sinus infection going on 2 1/2 months now. I have been on three or four different antibiotics, tried that darn netti pot (with no success; sorry, Ashley), suffered through nose spray (yuck!), and just being sick of being sick.

But, I can't complain really. Poor Landon has had it all. From having RSV in December, to coming down with brochiolitis, croup, AND a sinus infection...then to have a stomach bug from !@#$ hit him last Thursday. The little fella can't catch a break. He has been such a trooper. Honestly, the stomach bug was the worst. He was in such pain for hours Thursday night/Friday morning that we almost took him to the ER. However, since it was 11:30-3:00 a.m., we didn't want to get Ella Beth up out of her bed for that trip. Luckily, his tummy is better...but it has left him an even pickier eater than before. Didn't know that was possible, honestly. I am telling you, over the last three days he has had nothing other than Cheerios, crackers, a little bit of milk, and a little bit of water. That's IT. I dread his 1-year appointment if he doesn't start eating better than that!

Well, despite our rough go, Ella Beth has been doing great! She still loves pre-school. She knows when it's Tuesday and Thursday, and she gets up out of bed saying, "Today's Tuesday! I get to go to pre-school today!" Gotta love that! She also loves Fridays, because Fridays are gymnastics days. I got a couple shots of her last week enjoying her class with her friends Ava and Brenna.

And, no post is complete with out a picture or two or three of Landon. :) Mommy snuck in one, too. Landon is my snuggle bug, and I just eat it up! Ella Beth likes to move Landon's chair into her room sometimes. And this time he actually got to play in it!

Hopefully it won't be so long until you hear from me again. Really looking forward to the time when Landon is well for an extended period of time. I'm hoping it's right around the corner!

Kenya or bust!

Wow...I can't believe that a life dream of mine is coming to fruition. I am happy proud ECSTATIC to announce that I am going on a Mission Trip to Kenya in June! Oh my word!!! I have been blessed to be accepted as a member of "Team Kenya June '09 Trip" (better name TBD).

Right now I am living on the high of knowing that I am going on an amazing trip, literally on the other side of the globe. Amazing!

I do know that I will struggle from time to time with the same fact that I will be on the other side of the globe. Oh yeah...did I forget to mention that I'm going alone? By alone, of course, I mean without Scott. I am still shocked by my sense of adventure here because I would never have thought that I would ever do this alone, but I am trusting God that he will replace my anxious thoughts with peace.

I would love for you to pray with me through this journey. The verse for our team is this:

Ephesians 2:10- "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in
them."

If you would, please pray that this verse will stay in the forefront of my thoughts, and be the foundation of my heart during these next few months as I prepare to leave and then as I venture off into the mission field.

Also, I am going to have to raise $3500+ dollars in support to be able to finance my trip. Please pray that I will receive money from those who desire to further God's Kingdom. Please pray that those who do give won't do so out of a sense of guilt or expectation, but rather that they will give out of a sense of purpose and a sense of awe in all of the amazing things to come in Kenya.

Wow! I'm excited! If you'd like to know more about the trip please visit http://www.410bridge.org/ . There are amazing things in store!

My "extra"

"He who has God plus stuff, has no more than he who only has God."
~C.S. Lewis

Since church on Sunday, I have been thinking about the "extra" that I have in my life. Although I don't always feel it or act like it, I am abundantly blessed.

Andy Stanley said something a few years ago that has stuck with me - "Comparison is the cancer that robs you of the joys of your life." When I compare myself to others, I can always find areas where I fall short (no pun intended by this 5-foot lady). There are so many different aspects where others are "better" or have "more" than I do. And, that's OK.

My goal for this week is to enjoy what God has blessed me with. When I think of my list, I am ashamed that I ever complain.

My God.
My church.
My husband.
My daughter.
My son.
My friends.
My freedom.
My house.
My car.
My jobs.
My food.
My clothes.
My warm water.
My clean water.
My bed.

All of these are what I consider necessities. Everything else, is extra.

My cell phone.
My computer.
Decorations in my house.
Clothes that I never/rarely wear.
TV + DVR.
A yearly vacation.
I won't go on...

I hope that you feel blessed today. If you don't, try to remember that you are. We all are.

An absolute heart breaker!

I had the pleasure of photographing this little fella a few weeks ago...

I had the even BIGGER pleasure of editing his pictures. Little "B" was easy on the eyes, let me tell you!

This poor mommy is going to have her hands full in a few years! Watch out! These brown eyes are going to steal many, many hearts.

And, what kind of mama would I be if I didn't include a picture of my own handsome fella?!?! (It's funny that these two boys are polar-opposites, but both as handsome as can be!)

Caffeine

Yes, this will be the second post in a row with no pictures...but you know I'll make up for it!!!

This morning I had coffee for the first time in years. Why the need for caffeine? Ella Beth was up 5 (yes, five) times last night. She has not been sleeping "through the night" for the last three weeks.

Does anyone have a clue what may be going on? Nothing significant happened or changed before her night wakings started. Actually, we just converted her crib to a toddler bed over the weekend thinking maybe that would help. Maybe she wasn't comfortable??? Nope. She didn't sleep any worse, but she didn't sleep any better either.

She has been cutting her 2-year molars over the last month, but she has never acted like they have bothered her. I've even asked her about her teeth, and she says they don't hurt.

Ugh!

So, I'm just throwing it out there...hoping for an answer from someone else who's had this experience.

Anyone?

OK - so a word of encouragement (or a reminder that being a mommy really is wonderful) would be gladly accepted, too. ;)