Nana's boy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, the love of my life, the father of our son, my partner in crime, my EVERYTHING! :) Hope you had a great birthday Jake! Connor and I are so blessed you are in our lives! We love you!

My little sicky

This image above is pretty much all I have seen since Tuesday morning. My crazy, never sits still, always on the go, 2 1/2 year old has been debilitated by a nasty virus. He has had a high temp, runny nose, sore throat, all the good stuff! :( It breaks my heart to see him like this. He just whimpers and doesn't know what to do with himself. Unfortunately there is not much mama can do except for love on him, give him chocolate milkshakes, let him watch Alvin and the Chipmunks around the clock, and every six hours give him his ibuprofen. I'm breaking all the rules here, but I don't care. He is sick...he could talk me into anything...even that tattoo on his arm, (which I didn't want on) but gave into anyway! :) Even though I hate seeing him sick, I couldn't be more thankful that this is all that is wrong with him. This is easy...this is cake compared to going through what a family at our church is going through right now. I can't help but think of Patty as she sits by her son Evan's side day and night and watches that awful beast we call Leukemia ravage her 16 year old son. Evan is a fighter. He will get through this just fine...he has a strong, immovable faith. He is wise beyond his years at 16. But Patty, I don't know how she does it. I know her heart just hurts watching her son so sick...so for now, I'll take the virus, I'll take the fever. In a few days, God willing, Connor will be up and running around. He will have his appetite and be that on the go little boy I know so well. I know in time, Evan will too. For now, I just thank God every day for my family's health. It's so something I NEVER want to take for granted.

My intentions are there...

I try. I really do. I so want to be a good blogger....I miss it. Writing used to be such a creative outlet for me so why am I not on here more often? An overactive 2 year old? Could be. More like lack of inspiration...I have been delving into the photography realm more lately. Recently I took some engagement pictures for a great couple from my church and I had a blast. They were more than happy with them and so was I. Taking pictures makes this mama happy. Very happy. Of course that little overactive 2 year old makes mama happy too! He has such the personality, and oh so sweet. I just love him more and more every day. He really is so smart. He can count to 20 now, says his ABC's and sings several songs. He keeps my days interesting that's for sure.

In the midst of my very long absence, I turned the dreaded 30! I have to say, it has been pretty good. I guess 30 isn't so bad after all. I mean, my 20's weren't all that fantastic..(well my early to mid at least) so I look forward to seeing what my 30's have in store. I know God has some great plans! My birthday fell on a Sunday and I had the nicest, most relaxing day! My mom made my favorite meal and then we went to the mall and just lounged around. The weekend after my bday, we went out to dinner and hung out with some couple friends of ours. It was a good time. Here is a picture of Jake and me on the big birthday!!

The day after my birthday on April 19th, my good friend Hannah gave birth to a little boy named Jeremiah Thomas. We knew ahead of time that Jeremiah had spina bifida. We didn't, however, know the extent. I don't think that even Chris and Hannah know all Jeremiah will face but they do know they love this little boy with all their heart. They are an amazing couple who love the Lord, and they know that He has great plans for little Jeremiah. Please keep this sweet couple in your prayers. They really could use it right now. They are still in the NICU with Jeremiah and are having to be away from their sweet 2 year old girl Elli, which isn't easy. I got to take some pictures of sweet Jeremiah. Meet the sweetest little boy I have ever laid eyes on...yes, I used to think Connor was the sweetest baby, but honestly little Jeremiah takes the cake. He just oozes sweetness....how I love him...

Well, there it is...I am really going to put forth an honest effort here...if not for anyone but myself. I used to journal and I don't anymore. I really love the idea that this can be something I will look back on when Connor is older. Hoping to stay with it...because really, my intentions are there. :)

Five Question Friday 10/15/10

I just recently came across Mama M's blog over at "My Little Life" and I really have enjoyed reading it. I was thrilled to be able to participate in my first "Five Question Friday!" Click on the link to read more or to participate yourself! :)

1. Worst trouble you ever got into as a teenager?

~ Oh wow....have we got all night? I think probably the worst trouble I got in was when I was out with friends and I decided to try some vodka and orange juice...except for I wasn't used to drinking and I drank waaaaay too much for my own good...so much so that my friends dropped me off and my parents had to end up making me sleep in their room because they were afraid I was going to stop breathing. It was awful. I will NEVER forget the look on my dad's face the next morning as he had tears in his eyes telling me how scared he was. I didn't remember anything and it was the worst feeling in the world, it scared me big time. I felt a centimeter big and hated that I hurt them so bad. I think that probably had to be the worst.

2. Are you a morning person or a night person?

~ I am MOST definitely a night person...so much so that I suffer from insomnia very badly. I have taken ambien in the past for it but it's hard to continue taking it because it can become addicting and it kind of made me feel worse sometimes. My normal bedtime is between 2 and 2:30 am and Connor usually wakes me up around 8:30. He makes my mornings so much easier to handle because he is so sweet and just so ready to take on the world. As much as I am a night person, I do love the occasional getting up really early and just enjoying the morning before everyone else is up....there is definitely something to that for sure.

3. Are you a one-handed or a two-handed Texter?

~ Definitely two hands! I am a big time texter and have an unhealthy addiction to my blackberry.

4. Democrat, Republican, or Independent..or maybe even Green Party (whatever that is).

~ Hmmmm I don't really know. I definitely am pretty conservative on mostly everything, as far as my beliefs go...but I grew up in a completely democratic town and see that side too on some things for sure.
Down with labels! Ha! I really have never considered myself to be anything....or by not being anything would that be independent? Who knows? Can you tell I'm not too into politics? :)

5. Are you a pet person?

~YES! YES! YES! I LOVE my beagle Bella and my two weiner dogs Sadie and Jack. Well technically, Jack and Sadie are my mom and dad's dogs but I still consider them mine. I would have a ton of pets if I had a bigger place. I seriously cannot go into pet stores or shelters because I get so consumed with taking them all home it's all I can think about. I hope to one day have more pets!

This has been fun! I look forward to participating more!!! :)

Long live the string dance!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

What you are about to read is EXTREMELY random so consider yourselves warned! :)

~ Our church is starting a 40 days of Purpose series and I'm super excited. I love the book "A Purpose Driven Life" and I really enjoy Rick Warren. We did this five years ago, but it was right before I started attending this church so we just missed it. I think everyone could use a refresher with this and I am VERY excited to do so! We belong to a great small group that meets on Tuesday nights and we will be following along with what is preached about on Sunday. I think it's a perfect refresher for the new year!


~American Idol starts tonight!!! WOO HOO!!! I think Ellen will really bring something to the table (no pun intended) HA! I love her sense of humor and I am so excited to see how she does! Of course, I love Biggest Loser too and this is on the same night now. What did I do before the DVR?! While we are talking t.v. I watched The Bachelor last night against my better judgment. Is it just me or does it seem super scripted and even more fake than usual? I don't know...it was a bit much...but I digress, I still tune it, so can I really judge? Probably not. Any Ugly Betty fans? Wed night is my FAVE night for t.v.! (with Thurs. a VERY close second because of the best show to hit the airwaves, "The Office".) I absolutely love "The Middle", "Cougar Town", and "Modern Family!" Now to add to my excitement they moved Ugly Betty to Wed nights! I have read though that the ratings are not good for dear Betty...I don't get it...I just love it. Sigh...oh well. Obviously you can see my love for all things t.v. HA!

~I'm realllllly trying to plan my meals better for the three of us and get all of the ingredients beforehand. It was kind of an unsaid New Years resolution if you will....of course so was working out and I haven't done that too well either. I need some inspiration. I feel like I make the same things every single week. I just stick with what I know and what is easy, but that gets boring. We'll see...

~My mom, Connor and I went with our friend Jen and her daughter Maya to the Children's Museum the other day. My mom had gotten us a yearly pass so we really need to go more often because Connor loves it and it is a lot of fun! It's a great museum! They had just opened up a new section and it was all about Barbies! Of course Maya was thrilled! I enjoyed it as well because some of the barbies brought back a lot of memories. It was fun and Connor even liked it! My mom even went down the big slide with Maya and Connor at the end of the day! GO GRANDMA GO!!!







~So that's about all the randomness I will bore you with. I feel like it should be Wed. or even Thurs. I've been in a blah mood today, I need to snap out of it! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

I ♥ Faces: Best Face Photo

Well since I am trying to get back into the swing of things with blogging, I thought I would try to participate in a few more I ♥ faces themes each week. This week is best face photo and I immediately thought of a picture that I took of my 2 year old son Connor last week. He was all bundled up and ready to go outside and play when I snapped this. He was so excited to go out and see the snow, we were just waiting for his dad to get his jacket on when this was taken. It seems like I rarely get a good shot out of him anymore what with him being two, extremely busy, and just all around sick of his mommy shoving a lens in his face....so I was thrilled with how this turned out! :)
If you want to see more "face photos" click on the I ♥ Faces link above and check them out! Also, stop by and tell this wonderful site a Happy Birthday while you are there! They are celebrating their first year as a WONDERFUL photography community!

119 Days

So it's been 119 days since I last blogged. I know everyone was waiting with bated breath and losing sleep wondering where I have been...o.k. maybe not...considering it's only really family that ever reads this (if even) HA! Anyway, on top of this being 119 days since I have last blogged, it is also my 100th post. Yeah...nothing too exciting, and let me tell you, I have been sitting on my 100th post forever (119 days to be exact) because I wanted something good, something really fun, something exciting...unfortunately I don't think I can bring all that to the table but I really, really want to become a more avid blogger. I enjoy it. I enjoy writing about my family, sharing pictures, stories, etc. It is something that I know I am going to be glad I did in the long run.
As for what's been up with us in the last 119 days....well, I'll just narrow down the big things. We had a very fun Halloween...Connor was dressed as Elvis and I thought it was creative, cute, and hilarious! We sprayed his precious blond hair all black and gave him sideburns. He was a hit! Thanksgiving was nice, we traveled to my in-laws for a delicious dinner and came back the same night. Christmas, however was very hard this year. My aunt Joyce (my mom's sister) passed away on December 23rd, all too soon. She was only 48 years old. Twenty years ago, my aunt suffered through Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She fought and she won! However, we had no idea that what once saved her life would eventually be the cause of her death. You see, she had gotten interstitial lung disease from the many bouts of chemo and radiation she had 20 years ago. It came and it hit her hard...and fast. My parents and I were able to go visit her in St.Louis where she was in the hospital. For this, I am incredibly thankful...I was able to hug her and tell her I love her...little did I know it would be the last time. This was in the beginning of December. She was weak and couldn't breathe a whole lot but we were hopeful! We prayed for a miracle, after all, God asks us to pray BIG! We did...we prayed big...but God had different plans. My beautiful aunt was given the diagnosis of having 6 months to a year to live while in the hospital. She was able to come home and hospice was brought in. We were planning on making a trip the first weekend in January to be with her. She sounded great on the phone, so happy to be home....four days after her coming home, we got the news. She had passed away in the early morning on December 23rd with her two boys by her side. My aunt was an amazing, amazing woman. She raised three children all on her own. Two boys and one girl. The yongest two...twins. She was SO much more than an aunt to me, she was a friend...the person I called in college when I had a problem and I was afraid to call my mom. She and I were so, so close. I miss her everyday....everyday. I cry at the strangest moments, but it is getting better. God knew what he was doing when he took Joyce home. She is walking in Heaven with my uncle Gary and my grandma and grandpa now! She is breathing freely and rejoicing with angels....thank you God for that!
Well, that's my update for the past 119 days. I'm sure I left a lot out, but I'm going to try to start fresh here! ;) OH and I made this layout today!!! It is my first attempt at making one and I'm pretty happy with it!!! I finally am putting my photoshop and html skills to use! How fun!! Let me know what ya think! :)

My little Elvis on Halloween with his Geisha girlfriends, Maya and Olivia.

My little sweetie on Christmas morning


Myself and the three most amazing cousins ever...Andrew, Jamie, and Ashley. These are my aunt Joyce's three children.

My BEAUTIFUL aunt

You Capture:Something New

This week's You Capture is about photographing something that you have never photographed before. I immediately thought of this past weekend because I went to the NHRA drag races here in Indianpolis for the first time. My dad goes every year and I have never been, but was able to go this year. Those cars are amazing! They go at least 300mph!!! I was very excited to take some shots at the race, but not sure how they would turn out. These are my favorite....they are taken just after Tony Schumacher took off on his winning run! I was thrilled to capture these! For more you capture's, head over HERE!

Da' Bears!

Oh how I looooooove football season!!! My husband is the biggest sports nut I know...seriously, like he is crazy about stats and stuff and can tell you who won the world series or super bowl in like 1956. Some call it geeky...I call it smart. Ha! So needless to say, Jake is happy when football rolls around, because I love to watch it and we root for the same team...the Chicago Bears!!!!! It doesn't matter that we moved to Indiana three years ago, our hearts will always be in Chicago. Never will we be Colts fans...no offense to any Colts fans who may be reading this. :)One thing we are certainly VERY excited about this year is one certain player and his name is Mr. Jay Cutler....

I have high hopes for him and so does Jake. We are so excited to see what he can bring to the table as the Bears new quarterback! Not to be left out, Connor is rooting right along side with us! We are raising our little man right, to root on the best team in the NFL! (in our eyes at least) GO BEARS!!!

Comfort

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

~John 14:27

Future Baller

So pretty much the only thing Connor talks about from sun up to sun down is basketball and football! Basketball trumps football though lately, even though we are constantly telling him to say, "Go Bears!" We will be doing his 2nd bday theme in basketball because honestly, I have never seen a kid so hung up on something. He shoots the ball all day long! He loves it! We took him to the park yesterday and I got some shots of him doing his thing!!! :) What can I say? My kid is a natural! ;)

You Capture: Black&White

I have been a follower of http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/ for some time now and I have never participated in a "You Capture" and I have NO idea why! I love to take pictures, it's pretty much all I do, and I love any excuse to take more! I am blaming it on the fact that my computer was gone for so long. :) Anyway, I have decided to slack no longer. This week's theme is black and white...perfect. I am a huge fan of black and white photos, so I thought it would be a great place to start!

Since there was no limit to how many we could use, I picked my most recent three favorites! The first two are of one of a friend of the family's little girls. We celebrated 4th of July with them, and I just love photographing her, she doesn't take a bad picture. (Her sister doesn't either, for that matter) In the top one, she was relaxing drinking her "sprout" (sprite) before we started the fireworks, and in the second one she was off on her own with the sparkler. I fell in LOVE with the sparkler picture even though it has a lot of imperfections (a bit noisy, blurry, etc.) All in all, I think it kind of adds to the character of it and it has come to be an absolute favorite.

The last picture is of my son at the zoo last week. He was just taking everything in while riding on the train. I just love how pretty his eyes look! :) I am a little biased obviously.







I had so much fun doing this and hope to participate in future "You Capture's!"

To see other great black and white photo's, or to participate yourself, click on the above link! :)

When I say, "I'm A Christian"

I know this has gone around several time and most people have probably heard it, but I really think it such an awesome read and it is something I think is soooo true. There are people in our lives that say to us that "we go to church, so we know what is right". Well, sure, of course we know what is right. We strive to do what is right and follow God's will daily. Does that always happen? No. Does that mean we are perfect? No. Do we slip up? Of course, more often than I would like to admit. BUT thanks to His all sufficient grace, we are forgiven when we slip up. I feel less than worthy most times, and I don't always understand why He continues to forgive me, but there are a lot of things I may never understand, and that's perfectly o.k. This is where Faith steps in. (Hebrews 11:1; Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.) We must be certain in Him...if nothing else, His love is what stays the same day in and day out, through all our mistakes, all our bad days, all our moments where we feel like he will never take us back. He does though, he always takes us back. I am so eternally grateful for Him being my one true constant.

When I say..." I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost"
"That is why I chose this way"

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are all too visible
but God believes I'm worth it

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.

Kids Commons

Jake has been able to take several Friday's off this summer because of some extra time he had to burn so one Friday we decided to head up to Kids Commons. It is a children's museum in Columbus about 20 min from where we live. I had heard that it would be perfect for Connor because it was geared a little more to younger kids. We LOVE the Indianapolis Children's Museum, but it can be a little crazy sometimes so we figured Kids Commons would be perfect. The nice thing was that there were not a lot of people there since it was a weekday. The museum is three levels and it is all very open and accomadating to little feet running from place to place. They even have a climbing wall, (which obviously Connor was not big enough for yet). They have a bubble room, a house that has a large toilet that you can actually get into a (a personal favorite of mine and Jake's) and several blocks and art projects. We stayed most of the day and Connor had a blast. It is for sure a place that I know we will be revisiting!

Summer Nights

These photos were taken one night last month across the street from where we live. We live right across from a elementary school that is pretty big and they have about three different playgrounds so we are able to go over there when school is out and play. Connor loves it there and it is so close and convenient for us. We love summer...Connor wants to do nothing other than be outside all. the. time. so having nice weather makes it so much easier for all of us. This night was just one of those nights that I was LOVING every second of my little family...the beautiful night, my sweet boy, my amazing husband, and a gorgeous sunset. It was one of those summer nights that I never wanted to end, and made me realize even more that it's the little things in life that really matter.