Graham's 1st Birthday Party

So yesterday we had Graham's big party at our house. I had so much fun planning the party and I'm sad it's over. It was a success. Graham had so much fun and he was just mesmerized by everything. Here are a bunch of pictures.....

Happy Birthday Graham!!!!!

To my Birthday Boy.....

Today at approximately 8:20 p.m. you will be one! I was in labor with you for TWO days! I wondered if I would ever meet you. You were very stubborn and didn't want to budge. Finally, after two days of labor you were born. I never realized how much my life could change in an instant. People always told me how different my life would be, but I never understood the magnitude of that until you were here. The couple of days we spent in the hospital after you were born were so special. You had so many loved ones there that couldn't wait to meet and hold you. You Dad and I were starting to get adjusted to the fact that we probably would not be getting any sleep for some time. Breastfeeding was something I looked so forward to and didn't mind feeding you every four hours. It was pure joy. We were learning how to burp you, change you, etc.. It came to mind how on earth am I going to be able to do all of this at home without the nurses and my family. We did just fine. :)

Sometimes I can plan things out in my head and expect them to go a certain way. However I have certainly learned in the past year things don't always happen that way you want them to. My plan isn't always the Lord's plan. One of the hardest times in my life was right after you were born - not because of you. We brought you home from the hospital and a day later I had to leave you to go back to the hospital. I stayed there for four more days. All I wanted to do after you were born was be with you. I hated to be there apart from you. Then I have Doctor's telling me what's wrong and I was just scared. Scared in the fact that I wondered if this was going away and if it doesn't will I be able to take care of you the way I wanted. Luckily, during those days when I was in the hospital your sweet Gigi stayed with you and took care of you. You two really bonded those few days :) Your dad and Grams took you to your first Doctor's appointment and then you came to see me in the hospital. It made my day to finally see you and hold you again. Because of some issues I was having I was unable to breastfeed you. Looking back, I can see the Lord's hand in everything. The nurses sent us home with bags and bags of formula just in case we needed them. So your Gigi had plenty to feed you. I have always admired Christians that go through trials in their life and their faith in the Lord stays so strong. There had been many times in my life before you were born when I said to the Lord "I want faith like that whenever a storm comes my way."

In those days and weeks after you were born I sought the Lord...sought him more than I ever had in my life. The Lord wanted to teach me a lesson. He allowed that trial in hopes I would trust in Him more. And I do.

Graham - It's because of you that I'm walking closer with the Lord each day. It's because you my trust in the Lord grew stronger. It's because you that I've learned to truly cast my fears upon the Lord and not worry. It's because of you I've experienced joy beyond measure. Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you so much for everything! I love you sweet boy!

I feel so blessed to have gotten to stay home with you this past year. You are so much fun and I've enjoyed seeing you grow and learn new things. I look forward to all the things this next year is going to bring.

So what are you up to these days?????

- you weigh 22.9 lbs....getting a little chubby: )

- your wearing 12-18 month clothes

- I can tell your going to be tall...I'll get your height next week

- You've started to give kisses which is the sweetest thing ever

- You eat pretty much anything

- Tonight you actually took a couple of steps, but right now you prefer crawling

- You say "momma", "dada", "hi", "bye-bye" and "bath".....yes you LOVE bath time :)

- You sleep for about 11 hours each night

- You love to play peek-a-boo

- You take a couple of naps a day

- You are obsessed with wires and electronics....like father like son :)

Happy Birthday to the sweetest baby boy ever!!!!

Snow Day

Today has been a great day. We woke up to nothing but white outside. Jeremy stayed home from work so we bundled Graham up and built a snowman :) Graham was fascinated by the snow. All he wanted to do is eat it :) Now I'm busy packing Graham's bags b/c he is going to stay with his GiGi and PawPaw ALL WEEKEND!! I know he is going to have a big and fun time:) My birthday is next week so Jeremy and I are having a birthday/valentine celebration this weekend. Can't wait! Here are a few pics from all our fun this morning.

11 months

So here lately I've been a little sad. I suddenly realized that most of Graham's clothes are way too small. All of a sudden he is just HUGE!!! I cleaned out his closest and I have a mound of clothes to fold and put away in the attic. Yesterday I just imagined how life was going to be from now on....... buying big boy clothes and before I know it he'll be going off to college. Oh...I can't even think about that. Life is so short. It seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. It won't be long and he'll be walking. I'm already praying now where those little feet are going to take him in life. I pray he will follow the Lord, fear the Lord, and seek Him daily. I know one of the best things I can do is model that for him. So, I'm trying not to be sad that Graham is getting so big. Instead, I'm looking forward to the next stage in his life and I absolutely cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for him.

So Graham, you are 11 months old!!!!! What are you doing these days??

- You weigh 21.8 oz

- You're 29.5 inches tall

- You are in a size 3 diaper

- You wear 12-18 month clothes

- You take two naps a day and sleep all night

- You have 2 teeth

- You are strictly on table food. You eat nutri-grain bars, bananas, pancakes, french toast sticks, mandarin oranges, grilled cheese, peas, carrots, meat sticks, puffs, and much more. You will NOT let me feed you. You want to do it all by yourself. Mr. Independent :)

- You've said "mama", "dada", and "bye-bye". We've even heard you say "pawpaw". You know who treats you right :) Just today you started saying "hi" and haven't stopped

- Your following little commands. We'll say "go get you bath" and you take off to the bathroom. So smart:)

- You love for me to read to you

- Your favorite games are patty cake and peek-a-boo

- You're cruising along the furniture

- You've started Mom's Day Out for a couple days a week

-You are into EVERYTHING!! You are definitely keeping me busy.

You are the joy of our lives!!! We love you so so much!!!!!!

10 months

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart

Psalm 37:4

Graham, you are 10 months old. What are you up to these days???
- You weigh about 22 lbs

- You wear a size 3 diaper

- You're wearing 12 month cloths

- You love to listen, dance , and clap to music



- You're pulling up on everything

- You've stood all by yourself...just for a few seconds


- You have 1 tooth...and your working on another one:) Can you see it?

- You take two naps a day

- You love to ride in the car

- You LOVE your bath time. You splash so much half the water is on the floor when we're done.

We love you sweet boy!!!!

Christmas Eve

Isn't this sweet?

Graham had lots of fun opening presents tonight. However, he was more interested in the paper than the toys. :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Looking back...

It all began nine years ago.............

Jeremy and I started dating in 2000 which was also our senior year in high school. I love that we were high school sweethearts. Look how young we look!!!!!!!

We both graduated from LA TECH in 2005.

He proposed to me in June 2005. I knew something was up because we never did things like.....take a stroll along the river. He was so sweet though. I was so nervous I couldn't even remember what he said. I made him tell me all over again at dinner that night. ;)

and four years ago today we got married...

We went to the Bahamas for our honeymoon and had a blast! I can't wait to go back.

We have truly been blessed.......

Happy Anniversary Jeremy! I feel so lucky that we've been able to share so much together. I truly am blessed to have you in my life. I love you and look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.