All the Ways I Love my Husband

With today being Valentine's day, I wanted to share a few of the reasons why my husband is such a blessing to me. Not to come across as if we have the perfect marriage or he the perfect husband (We've certainly had our struggles these past 6 years of marriage), but there are some nights when I look at him and wonder how I have gotten so lucky to have married him.

This is the earliest picture I could find of us- at our rehearsal dinner on June 2005

Here are a few things that come to mind today...

I love that no matter how tired or what kind of rough day he's had at the office... he is never too tired to help out when he gets home in the evening.

I love that he gives Jack a bath almost every night.

I love that on the days when I fall short (our house is a mess, dinner is not ready, I'm still in my pajamas from the morning, etc) he is not critical. Instead he is encouraging, loving, and knows just the right thing to say.

I love that he has come to every single doctor appointment with me with all three of my pregnancies. He does not care if he's the only man in the ob-gyn's office (which he often is).

I love the respect he shows his parents.

I love that he can make a crowd laugh in ways that I can't.

I love that he is taking guitar lessons and will hopefully be able to serenade me soon!

I love the he works hard at his job and provides for our family.

I am so thankful for him. I know he will fail at times and that I can't idolize him and expect him to meet my every need. I've learned through some tough lessons only God can do that, and when I put Him first everything else falls into place. But tonight I am truly thankful for the many ways God does use my husband to love and encourage me!

Best and Worst Mommy Moments

We are tired from a fun weekend in Orlando attending a friend's wedding. We had a wonderful time catching up with old college friends, and I will try to post pictures later on the week :)

My friend Kindra has encouraged me to write down the funny stories I've shared about things Jack has been doing lately. So here is my worst and best moment as a parent this past month.


Worst Moment

A few weeks ago my Wednesday morning bible study group went out ot lunch Chicafila. Most of us brought our children, which made it more fun as we usually meet without children.

It was a very fun outing... until Jack decided to poop in the playground!! And of course me being the wonderful prepared mom that I am- I had forgotten his diaper bag in the car. A few of the ladies watched Jack (mind you while he is sitting in his poopy) as I went out to the car to get the diaper bag. I then took Jack to the bathroom to clean him up, and he had poopy everywhere! Not only in his underwear, but pants... socks... and even his shoes. It was then that I realized I had forgotten to bring a change of clothes for him (Really, who forgets a change of clothes for their children?). Thankfully I had clean underwear but nothing else.

I carried him outside in his underwear, and when he realized he was not going back in the playground... he threw the mother of all temper tantrums! His head rolled back as tears are rolling down his face. I quickly gathered my things and left with Jack in nothing but his shirt and 'Thomas the train' underwear.

It was quite a humbling moment for me. At least I have been able to look back and have a good laugh. Being 7 months pregnant with a two year old can be quite the humbling experience!

Most Rewarding Moment

A few weeks ago during a conversation with Jack I asked him what he thought of going to see animals at the Zoo. Well Jack's response was...

" Yes Mommy, but me go ALLLL by myself" "No mommy come with me"

Umm... interesting I thought. So I asked him again "Are you sure you want to go to the zoo all by yourself?"

"Yes mommy- me big boy. Me go ALLLL by myself"

I responded with "But Jack mommy needs to come with you... If you get hungry, who is going to give you food? And if you get tired, who is going to pick you up and hold you?"

He looked at me straight in the face and quickly said... "Jesus!"

He said it with such confidence that it melted my heart.

Nesting Time

I am now 27 weeks along, and 12 weeks until the date when this baby boy # 3 should make his appearance! I am in full nesting mode as we've spent most of January organizing, rearranging, and cleaning the house in a borderline unhealthy way. And I am blaming it on my nesting instincts.

The first big project of the year was my 'work' area. We replaced this desk, with a longer desk and added shelves for storage at the top.

Before

After

I am so thankful and excited for the additional room. It allows me to do so much more and be more organized!

I've been spending most of my free time learning how to sew/embroider. I have been SO excited to learn and have really enjoyed it so far. But I must say it's easy to get caught up on it and spend too much time on this when I should be doing other things.

Here are two of my first fun projects

An embroired onesie for my dear friend Bethany who is expecting her daughter Piper in just two short weeks...

Hemming this dress from a gown...

To a cocktail dress....

(Will post the shorter dress once its done)

And hemming most of Jack's clothes which are too wide for him.

We have also cleaned and reorganized our entire garage. Although it took a lot of work, I think the new organization method will work well long term. Hoping it will anyways.

We are also cleaning out our guest room (aka. storage room) so we can turn it into a bedroom for Jack. We were able to clean out most of it last weekend but it still needs a lot more work. And we still need to order the bedroom furniture soon otherwise Jack might not have a place to sleep soon! :)

(Before cleaning it out)

I am focused on getting everything ready for this baby to join us. I am really excited and hoping it will be an easier transition than I anticipate it will be. Those first few months with Jack where very difficult for me. I am hoping this time around I will be able to enjoy the baby much more... but I have heard the transition from one to two children tends to be more difficult. Praying and hoping it will go well!

Final Multitude Mondays

It is the end of the list- 1,000 gifts! I am thrilled to have made it to the end and be able to look back at all the things to be grateful for. As I've shared before it has been challenging for me to keep up with the list, but I have enjoyed it and it has changed my perspective to focus on the small things to be thankful for instead of what I 'wish I had' or 'long for' at times.

The biggest challenge in keeping up with the list, is to truly be able to identify the things that I'm thankful for- and not just sharing an outline of the places and people I saw during the week. So at times I have chosen not to share names or places, but have shared specific moments during those outings that I was most thankful for.

I will miss Multitude Mondays, but hope to blog more consistently in sharing about Jack and this pregnancy going forward. Thank you for all your encouraging comments and words along the way.

I am thankful for...

Feb 23

981. For good news from my sister Mariela today

982. For finally getting into more of a routine in taking care of the house

983. For my friend Patti's encouragement and being ready to help when I am in need

Feb 24

984. For my father in law kindly inviting us for dinner, as he knows we've had a stressful last few days

985. For the excitement in Jack's face when he plays with uncle Brett and Miss Lauren

Feb 25

986. For the encouragement of my Bible Study Fellowship class

987. For how much Jack enjoys playing and being silly with Roman

988. For genuineness from my friend Bethany today

Feb 26

989. For learning from another mom of two boys and watching her take care of both

990. For the blessing of a new hobby

991. For Jack resting this afternoon allowing me to rest as well

Feb 27

992. For God's grace when I tend to focus on things that are not very important

993. For time to organize our home and get ready for the new baby

994. For unexpected energy tonight

Feb 28

995. For a fun time with our neighbors over for lunch

996. For Jack playing well with other children (specially the older ladies he he)

997. For unexpected gratitude and blessings

Feb 29

998. For the baby's continued movement and health despite me feeling very sick (nausea and allergies)

999. For Steve playing with Jack allowing me to rest tonight

1000! For the encouragement of our pastor and excitement as we get ready to start Crown Financial this upcoming week

And just because I loved this picture from today and was thankful for laughter...