The Thanksgiving Post I have been working on for over a week now..

I still can't seem to get this blog thing down.  I have very good intentions of blogging more often, but for some reason, it just doesn't seem to happen.

So, here is the post I have been trying to put together for nearly a week...

On Thanksgiving day, I was awakened extremely early, as in 4:20am, by a certain little someone.  I was none too pleased with being up this early because I was registered for my first EVER 5k that morning, and it started at 8AM.  I got the certain someone back to sleep, but I was up for the day.  I was nervous about the race.  For once in my life, I stuck to a workout regimen.  I completed all 9 weeks of the couch to 5k program, and I registered for my first ever race, the Wake Forest Gobbler's Run on Thanksgiving day.  You see, I have always had this picture in my head or maybe I should say in my dreams.  In the picture, I am a toned, athletic girl with very nice legs- you know the legs with definition of muscle- that can run forever.  I will probably  never be the girl in my picture, but I am doing starting the journey to get there.  I am a runner.   I have never been more proud of myself for anything as I was for finishing a race.  When I crossed that finish line, I felt accomplished.  I felt of worth.  I felt amazing.  I can see why people get addicted to racing.  My time wasn't the greatest, 38:20, but I am nonetheless extremely proud.  It can only get better.  I will finish the journey.

After the race, I came home and did some cooking. I made a yummy sweet potato casserole.  Paula Dean never disappoints.  (I was very glad I ran that race) We were headed to my in-laws for Thanksgiving day.  It was a blast.  We ate a lot of food, watched too much football, in my humble opinion, but it was great.  Jack had a wonderful time.

                                           Jack really enjoyed the appetizers.

                                           My cute little guy.

                                           playing with papa's tank.  He LOVED that thing!

                                            He loved hanging out with his cousin Olivia.

On Friday morning, we packed up and headed to Charlotte to visit my parents for the weekend.  We had a great time.  We ate another Thanksgiving meal, did some shopping, and celebrated my mom's 60th birthday.

                                           my mom and sister

                                           Yummy collard greens

                                            a southern Thanksgiving isn't complete without gravy

                                           my two lovely sisters

                                            playing with Uncle Dan

                                           Isn't my hubby handsome?

                                           Mom, celebrating her birthday:)  

                                           little monkey man

                                            Jack with Aunt Miriam and Uncle Dan

                                           Yummy turkey

                                         

                                            Pumpkin Pie

                                           Riding around on Thomas

                                           Thanksgiving toast

                                           With Mimi and Grandpa

It's so great to spend time with family.  I absolutely love seeing Jack play with his aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  It's precious.  I can't wait until Christmas!

Tomorrow, I am running my SECOND 5k with my sister Kaitlyn.  I just want to beat my first time by at least one second.  I hope to have some pictures of this race since we forgot the camera for my first race.  Wish me luck!

Thankful Thursday

I feel like I have seen "Thankful Thursday" as blog titles in the past, but today, I wanted to do my own thankful post.  I feel like I need to step back and be reminded of all the little things that are making me happy today.

Today, I am thankful for this little guy.  He gets this face every time I tell him he can't do something.  It's cute.  Even though I feel like it's happening a lot these days:)  Today this face appeared because I pulled him down from climbing the stairs.  I let him climb them with me watching, and then it had been long enough.  He didn't like that too much. He brings countless smiles and laughter every.single.day.  He shows me love.  I love him.

Today, I am thankful for Mickey Mouse Club House.  This 24 minute show (on demand) allowed me to write thank you notes for Jack's first birthday presents.  I know the latest reports:  no TV until 2, but really?  I think it's OK for my child to watch a little bit, and I feel thankful that Jack likes Mickey Mouse.  

Today, I am thankful for my new Stella and Dot ring which showed up in the cutest package in my mailbox yesterday afternoon. It was as if Christmas came early, and even though I knew it was coming, it's always exciting to get something in the mail.  (Maybe I should send more letters...) I know a ring sounds like such a  superficial thing to be thankful for, but since I rarely buy for myself anymore,  it is a very pretty, little treat.  I am wearing it as I type this, and I love looking at it.  Although, Jack really likes it too, which means I probably will only end up wearing it when I am not around him:)

Today, I am thankful for a girls beach weekend.  Tomorrow evening, I will be departing Raleigh and heading to the beach with 3 other wonderful friends from my childhood.  This trip is very much needed.  I feel like lately I have been stuck in a rut in many ways in my life.  I am praying that this weekend will a rejuvenation for all for of us.  A time to laugh, cry, and just be together.  I cannot wait:)

What are you thankful for today?

Jack's Birthday Party

This little boy had a birthday party.  A baseball-themed birthday party.  It was held in my in-laws backyard under a tent complete with 2 fire pits (as it was FREEEZINGGG).  I didn't want to go too over the top, since the party was mostly for me, as Jack will more than likely not remember it.  I just wanted my little one to look  back on his first birthday and say, "wow, my mommy really loved me."

Here was some of the decor:

                                           Old baseballs in hurricane vases with ribbon.

                                                           A birthday boy's high chair.

                                            A birthday banner made of card stock and ribbon.
                                           Thanks to my amazing sister Kaitlyn for her help!

                                         A timeline of pictures from birth to present.
                                             A picture for each month of life.
                              The wind wasn't too kind to this idea, but nonetheless, it was cute:)

For the food, I wanted to continue the baseball theme. We had hotdogs, of course, and nachos.  I also wanted more kid friendly food, so we had a chick-fila tray, fruit tray with yummy, low fat pumpkin dip (Try this recipe http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/11/pumpkin-pie-dip.html), brownie bites, goldfish (of course!), and baseball cupcakes courtesy of Whole Foods.  They did an excellent job on the cupcakes.  They looked just like baseballs, and made a special New York Yankees one for Jack (well, more for Jim, who is a HUGE Yankee fan).

                                          Thank goodness for Jim's dad who already had a hot dog cart!
                                                             It was perfect for the party!

                                                         Nachos and cheese station.

Jack wasn't as in to the cake as I had thought he would be.  He kept trying to feed it to me.  I guess he knows his mommy loves cake:)

The biggest hit of the party was the wagon that Aunt Miriam and Uncle Dan bought for Jack.  He absolutely LOVES that thing.  We put him in, his Papa pulled him around the yard, and he would grip the sides and just laugh.  It was so incredibly cute.  Plus, I think every little kid needs a wagon.  I can't wait to use it at the beach this summer.

We bought a little ball pit for Jack and the few other "friends" he had at the party.  He kept saying, "ba ba."

Presents:)

                                       
                                           Aunt Kaitlyn spoiled her nephew.  She got him:

                                           This little step stool that she painted his name on,

                                           his first pair of Toms,

                                           and this adorable monogrammed longall complete with polo and cardigan.
                                           He is going to look adorable!

                                           My sister Kaitlyn and I

                                           Kaitlyn and my mom

                                           Jim's mom, Nana, with Jack

                                           Uncle Dan

                                           Paige and Jack

                                           Anna and I (I know it's blurry, but it's the only one).  SO glad she came!

                                           My dad, Grandpa, and Jack

                                            My parents and I with Jack.

                                           Jack with his favorite aunts, Miriam and Kaitlyn.

What a wonderful first birthday party!  I can't believe my baby boy is already one.  I know everyone always says that, but seriously, I feel it was just yesterday I was carrying him around in the baby bjorn, standing next to the sink with the water running, singing Silent Night, and praying he would let me put him down. Now, I can't keep up with him!  

Jack's First Birthday

This past weekend, my baby boy celebrated his first birthday with a baseball party.  We had the party set for Saturday afternoon in my in-laws backyard since they have much more yard than we do.  I had planned to have the party under a tent, with baseball decorations, food you find at a baseball game, and baseball themed games.


I just didn't anticipate the torrential downpour. or the freezing temperatures.  or the 95mph winds. 


Ok.  I'm totally exaggerating, but it was a little rainy, cold and windy.  For me, a planner who pictures how something is supposed to be and doesn't want that plan changed in any way, the weather was not what I had pictured. or planned.   I certainly didn't picture, or realize how cold it was going to be.  I mean, last year, when we brought Jack home from the hospital I was wearing flip flops.  I have pictures.  This year, I was wearing my winter coat, scarf, and cowboy boots.  


As someone who is extremely conscious of what I wear, my husband wears, and my son wears, I had those outfits planned too.  The weather just didn't allow for them.  We all had to wear winter coats.  I ordered Jack a monogrammed baseball shirt from etsy to wear, but wouldn't you know it, it didn't get here in time.  I ordered it at the end of September.  It was in the mailbox when we got home from the party....


Despite the rain, the cold, and the wind, the missing monogrammed shirts, the forced winter coats, the tent nearly collapsing numerous times throughout the afternoon, we had a party that is filled with wonderful memories, that although Jack may not remember, I will never forget.


Stay tuned....Pictures of the party are coming:)

To my little boy, with love from his mommy

Dear Jack,

Last night, you woke up crying at 12AM.  I looked over at your Daddy desperately hoping that he heard you and would get you, but he was snoring away.  I pulled the covers back, sat up, put my feet on the floor, and with a big sigh walked to your door.  I pushed it open.  I walked to your crib.  I looked down at you, my precious son.  When you heard me, you looked up at me with tears in your eyes.  "Mommy, hold me," they said.  And I could not resist you.

I picked you up and walked you to the rocking chair.  We sat down hoping for peace.  I held your small, yet heavy body, clothed in the cutest fire truck footed pajamas, close to my heart.  As a stroked your hair, I sang to you.  I sang songs that hadn't been in my head for years.  Songs that my mother sang to me.  Songs of peace and comfort.  Songs of joy and love.  Songs of Jesus.  Peace came.

You fell back asleep in approximately 2.3 seconds, yet I continued to rock you.  I could feel your heartbeat.  I could feel you inhale and exhale.  I looked at you, my precious boy.  I prayed for you.  In that moment, I cherished you in a unique way.  I thanked God that He brought you to me in His perfect timing; He picked you for me, little one.

That early, early morning I thought about what a privilege and joy you are.  You have taught me more in your first year of life than I ever thought possible.    You have taught me patience.  You have taught me sacrifice.  You have taught me selflessness.  You have have taught me what true love is.  You have taught me about our Father's love for us.

I didn't really want to put you back in your crib that night.  I felt as if I could hold you forever.  I wanted to hold that chubby hand as long as it would stay in mine.  I wanted to feel your little body nestled close against mine for all of eternity.  I love you sweet boy.  I always will.

Love,  Mommy

Starting over

It's really difficult to start a blog post after not blogging for awhile. Im not really sure where or how to start again. So, I'm just going to start with this:

I read blogs daily. All types of blogs. My friends blogs, well-known blogs, decorating blogs, recipe blogs (skinny taste.com y'all!) but I also read blogs of complete strangers... I mean it's somewhat strange. I read blogs of people I don't know, but the stories of their lives entice me. I mean, just the other week I read someone's 2 year long blog. I read every .single .entry. I read about birthday dinners, decorating, cooking, a child's sickness, a ballgame, a snow day, halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, valentines day, well you get the picture....so I thought to myself:

Self, remember that little blog you once started, you know the one you were going to use to document your son's life? The one that was going to be great and well- written and informative and awesome? Well, your son is 2 weeks shy of his first birthday, and you haven't posted since he was one month old! Shame!

So, I'm gonna try it again. I can't promise anything exciting or great. I can't promise eloquent words. I can't promise delicious recipes or home makeovers. I can't promise advice, inspiration, or guidance. But I want to be real. I want to be honest. I want to share my life.