Easter 2013

With the traveling we did over Spring Break, Brett and I made it a point that we would all be at our house for Easter.  Brett flew back in Sunday morning just in time for church.  Although it was a rainy cold day, we very much enjoyed our time together.  We reflected on the holiday and what it meant, and thanked God for all of his blessings.

During Sunday School there was an "Easter Celebration" held in the nursery area.  They had all sorts of games and of course an egg hunt.

each age group had their own pools filled with paper and about 100 eggs

John William was searching for balls ;)

His mommy and daddy were thrilled to eat the candy inside

we were happy to have Mrs. Sharon around for help!!

John William was especially glad to see this guy return!

with us not all being together before church, and then straight to nap after church, we failed to get a family picture when we were all dressed nice.. so this "selfie" in the recliner will have to do!

 Since Aunt Ashley is in Mobile doing her clinicals she wasn't able to do one of her fab photo shoots with us for Easter.  A friend of mine told me about a "Mini Session" Scottie Jones Photography was doing here in Tuscaloosa, and for an awesome price, so we jumped on it, and I'm so glad we did!!  These turned out great, and I am so thankful!!  Thank you Scottie Jones Photography!!

here are just a  few...

January 2013

We had a wonderful first Christmas and are now ready to start a new year!

New Year's Eve was spent at home with our neighbors this year...  I think it only took us 27 tries to get that picture ;)  And yes, I'm the 3- and yes, it was hard! ha!  The beautiful think about living next to all your friends is being able to spend nights hanging out, and not having to go anywhere!  Or get a sitter!  We love our handy video monitor that allows us to see and hear John William while next door (while he's asleep and doors are locked of course!!)

Right before Christmas John William was wanting to crawl and scoot around SO BADLY!  He had the scoot and the army man maneuver, but he wasn't quite crawling, well about 3 days after Christmas he got it, and hasn't looked back since!  He's crawling and pulling up on everything, and loving every minute of it!

In late January our church, University Church of Christ, had it's baby dedication Sunday.  We were blessed to have prayers over our little family and sweet John William.

the many laughing faces of our boy.  Once you find his tickle spot, you will own him!

he's getting so big, and loving bath time!

We enjoyed watching The Tide Roll to #15

We had a little snow, and enjoyed a snow day at Preschool!

Brett had to do some traveling for work, and we were very glad when he was able to be home for dinner with us this month!

John William got his first pair of shoes

This little contraption is a net bag that holds food (banana in this particular case) in it and allows him to gum it without getting large chunks he may choke on.  He loved it... until I stopped holding it for him.  Stinker!

This rocking chair showed up at GG's house.  We're not sure where it came from, but we are enjoying it!

John Willliam is all over the purple room!  He likes to keep Jennifer & Jenn-Jenn on their toes!

Brett is playing church league basketball and John William and I were able to go to a couple games that weren't too late.  I love watching Brett play basketball, and always have.  It was very nice to see him in action!

Pops even came up for a game!

Mmmm, cookies!

We have had a great start to 2013, and are looking forward to the months to come!!

A Couple 'Firsts" for JW

Last week John William and I headed down to Destin with Brett's mom and sister.  Brett was working out of town that week and it was the last week before I was returning to work so the timing was perfect for us to go.  He did great on the ride down and back, and didn't have any problems being in a new place.  The weather was overcast the entire time we were there with a few hours of sunshine here and there and those good old beach thunder storms at night.  Even though the weather wasn't prime we had such a great time.  We didn't get burnt and a rainy day at the beach sure beats a rainy day at home!

When we first got there we headed to the pool while it was later afternoon so my sweet boys fair skin could handle it.  He LOVED it!!  He kicked his legs and grinned his precious smile at us and even thought about falling asleep in his float!

As for the actual beach... he didn't love as much!!  He slept on Mrs. Sharon's chest for a while (under the umbrella of course) and when he woke up we decided to see if he'd like the sand in his toes and waves on his legs... Plain and simple.  He didn't like it!!  I know this will change in the years to come and he and his daddy will be building sand castles, throwing the football, and riding waves on a boogey board.

Pictures on the beach were ok, so long as he didn't have to get any of that sand on him or get in the cold water!

he's already a ladies man

his first words may be, "Mom, stop kissing me!!"

He did great every night we went to eat!!  He was a great date!

We got back from the beach Wednesday night, and Thursday morning it was back to work for me!  After 15 weeks of being off, 14 1/2 of them with John William, it was a little surreal going back.  Do I really have a 3 month old?  Is summer really over?  Will I be able to get myself and John William up and ready to be at work every day?  But I was ready.  Ready to get back in a routine, ready to get back to co-workers that are great friends, ready to be a teacher again.  But I was also sad,  I wouldn't be with John William all day, I won't get to sit and stare at him all day, smile with him, talk with him, and give him every bottle.  But, if you didn't know, I have the best of both worlds and am truly blessed with an awesome job.  I teach in the Blue Room, the 4 year old class, John William will be in the Purple room just.across.the.hall.  Yep, I get a glimpse of him every now and again and if ever there was a problem I would be there already.  His teachers are awesome and could probably teach me a thing or two about raising this sweet boy.  That helps so much and is making this transition so much easier.  John William is so loved there and I am too.  We love UCP!!!!!

This was his first day!

He's having so much fun, he's pooped once he gets home!

He is doing great with school, and so am I.  I love being back in the classroom and around all the wonderful children there.  It's such a happy place and there is just something about the pureness of a child that can bring joy to anyone!

TWELVE

This was the theme of Winterfest this year... and what a powerful weekend it was!!  It's amazing to me how when Brett and I go on trips with Univeristy Church's Youth group (and spend any time with them for that matter) how much WE get out of it- how much God speaks to us!!  There were 12 disciplines that were challenged before us in order to become a better disciple for Him and how obedience to Jesus demands a radical transformation of our lives.  These disciplines will help us be more of Jesus and less of ourselves, these disciplines were practiced by Jesus himself- if we want to be like Jesus, then these disciplines give us insight into living like he lived.  These disciplines are:

Prayer, Meditation, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration

Each one of these were elaborated, and wow, were eyes opened on how far away from practicing these we  (I am) are.  It didn't matter if you were the youngest or the oldest person there, we can all relate to some of these issues, and we all have our struggles (and excuses).  There were some amazing speakers (Rich Little, Jeff Walling, Josh Ross, and Patrick Mead- amongst other talented speakers), awesome praise, and wonderful fellowship.  The weekend was great.  It's very easy to go away on a conference/rally and return home on fire and ready to serve, the goal and challenge is to keep it.  My plan is to go through the study book we were given and strive to discipline myself!! (Julie Kopf, you were missed, for I kept thinking of you and your March 1 challenge you are putting on all of us!!!)

I was very excited as we brought our camera along and carried it with us everywhere-- only, I didn't get it out as much as I had planned!  Next year, I'll do better :)

University Youth

and for some reason, these shirts were the hit of all!  You couldn't walk down the street without seeing at least 5 people in each group wearing one!

Sunday morning the artist started with a blank canvas, and while we began to worship, he began to worship through his painting.. in only about 45 minutes he had this..

 and when the lights went out, we saw this...

We had such a great trip, and this has become a trip we look forward to every year!

Of course the good food always helps too :)

we passed these goodies up this year.. (actually we ran out of time to go back and get them :) )

John Will enjoyed the trip as well, as he was kicking and rolling around inside every time we began to sing- I loved it!