It started with a leather jacket....

All I remember from the first time seeing my husband was the fact that he had this leather jacket (or shall I say bomber jacket) on with these large aviator sunglasses. He walked through the building I was working at and gave me a small wave and a hello and then he was off. I remember thinking "who the heck was that, and what was with the jacket?" I asked some friends of mine and they told me who he was and what house he was working in. (We were working with children and adults with developmental disabilities at the time) He worked 40 hr weekends at a home whereas I was working as a one on one with a girl that had autism. We were both working a ton of hours, and I was looking to pick up extra hours whenever I could. Well, I got a call early one Saturday morning and they needed me at the house where Jake was working. I got called to work a 12 hr shift with him and needing the overtime, I accepted. I headed over there and thus where the love affair began...not so much...Jake and I think back to those days and laugh because he was one tough cookie. Jake was a very hard worker and didn't take his job lightly (like a lot of people we worked with) He was so good with those residents, they loved him, and he did his best to make sure they were cared for and comfortable. This being one of the reasons I fell for him.
Now the reason I say he is a tough cookie is because he just was so short with me, he didn't really talk too much...it was the old adage "if they are mean to you, they like you" (which is referenced quite hilariously in the movie "He's Just Not That Into You", that is a MUST SEE! GREAT movie!) Anyway, point being, he would pick at me, he teased me and purposely tried to get under my skin...mature, right? He tells me now that he did like me, he just might have went about it the wrong way...but not really b/c I did marry him.
Jake was living in Champaign Illinois at the time and I was living in Charleston. It was about a 45 min drive. I had mentioned to him one night at work that I was going to be in Champaign and he told me that I should stop by he and his roomate's place, well of course I wanted to. I was crushing on him hard despite his childish behavior, and I wanted so badly to hang out with him outside of work. Well, he wrote me up this elaborate map to get to his place and I tucked it in my pocket and we made plans to meet up. I was thrilled. I drove up the next night, and called him when I got there (not before I called my mom freaking out b/c I was so nervous) He told me to meet him at a coffee shop in town and so I did...I remember what he was wearing when he walked in. I remember the look on his face. I remember thinking that there is so much more about him I want to know. I remember thinking, Dear God, please let this be the right move...please don't let me get my heart broken again...that night, February 23 exactly 3 years ago today was my husband and mine's first date. It was the night that fell head over heels for him, not the night I fell in love, but the night I realized I could. Thank you God for putting Jake into my life, thank you for answering that prayer.

Oh and side note....that leather jacket was hid away never to be seen again when I came into the picture...I can't begin to tell you how NOT cute this jacket is....awful, just awful. God love him...

Saturday Morning Cartoons

So this morning my son wanted nothing to do with me. Come the weekend, I don't exist...which is fine with me because he sees me 24/7 and he doesn't get to see his daddy as much. Well this morning, he was just whiny and wanting to be held, well, not by me apparently! He reached for his daddy and then when Jack's Big Music Show came on (which is his all time favorite show) he would NOT sit anywhere near me on the couch..he nestled himself into a little ball on his daddy's lap. (It really was super cute) I even tried to sit close to Jake and Connor gave me a death stare! HA! So, that's fine...I guess it works for me...I am totally o.k. with being invisible...really, I am. I think I might go catch up on some reading and take a bath...I love Saturdays!

The Motions

I don't know about anyone else, but one of my biggest struggles is just going through "the motions." I am going to try to make an effort to not do that so much...this song by Matthew West is one of my favorites by him because I think it is something we can all relate to as Christians. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Weekend

We had a pretty fun Valentine's Day weekend...it wasn't the most romantic of Valentine's days...I mean, some people may find "World Of Wheels" romantic...me, not so much. Nevertheless, my parents had asked if we would like to go to the fairgrounds with them on Saturday to the World Of Wheels. It is a car show and we thought Connor might enjoy it. Surprisingly, I ended up having a really nice day. I think Jake and Connor did too! Mom and dad kept Connor all weekend so that was nice. Jake and I had a nice little break...but boy was I ready to see my little man on Monday! They kept Connor on Sunday night as well because I got the opportunity to see my favorite Christian artist, Matthew West. He was there along with another group I like a whole lot, Sanctus Real and a new artist, Jason Gray. The show was amazing and I had such a great time. We had front row seating so I got some nice shots! I, unfortunately had come down with a pretty bad sinus infection the night before so I wasn't feeling the best, but it was all worth it....the concert was amazing. Jake had the day off today for President's day so thanks to him, I got to take a pretty long nap this afternoon (much needed) so that was very nice!!! It was a great end to a wonderful weekend!!! :)
Connor and daddy on Valentine's Day
Connor with grandma and grandpa at World of Wheels
Spongebob, Grandma, and Connor
He wasn't a fan of the Pink Panther...can't say that I blame him
My favorite shot I got of Matthew West
Matt Hammitt, lead singer of Sanctus Real

Wordless Wednesday

Enjoying a warm day in February, very windy...but he didn't seem to mind much.

I Am Second

This is a website called I Am Second that I stumbled across tonight and I had to share. I found it very inspiring and a very good reminder. It is a movement that shares people's stories about where the significance in their lives lie. Their stories are raw and personal and they are all different. There are t.v. stars, sports figures, musicians, and regular every day people that share their struggles. I enjoyed the videos very much and think this a very cool campaign. I can say with all my heart that there is no doubt that I am most definitely second...and I am so thankful for that.

Here is a clip of Josh Hamilton's story...he is a player for the Texas Rangers. This is just one of the many videos on the site.

Wordless Wednesday

OH I just love that little boy so much!