7 Years

This past Sunday Aaron & I celebrated 7 years of marriage. I've never been happier, and I'm so blessed to live the most amazing life with the most amazing partner.

Entering the 30's

I just want to wish my awesome husband a very

Happy 30th Birthday!

You are an amazing man, and I hope your birthday was amazing and that this year is filled with adventure and blessings as God leads you. We love you!!

*I'll be posting more pictures later of all our celebrating.

EIT

Yesterday we found out that Aaron PASSED his EIT (Engineer-In-Training) Exam!!! We are so thrilled. This is a big deal because most people have to take it at least 2 or 3 times to pass it, and Aaron passed it on the first try! Now he will be able to apply for the PE Exam to get his engineering license. I am so proud of him!

Wedded Bliss

Six years ago today I married my best friend. Thank you for all the memories and the millions more to come. I love you with every part of me, and thank the Lord everyday for giving me such an amazing life with you. I can't wait to see what He has in store for us in the years to come.

Aaron is taking his pre-engineering license test tomorrow. He has been studying 8-10 hours a day for the past week to prepare. Aaron hates tests and this test is an 8 HOUR TEST! Say a little prayer for him tomorrow that the Lord will see him through and give him peace throughout the day.

Recent...

So much has been going on with us lately. This week was drama week at Prospect, and Aaron played the role of Jesus again. He did a wonderful job, and I'm always so proud of him and the job he does in this role each year. This is one of my favorite pictures of Aaron from the drama. If you'd like to see some pictures of the drama you can check here. Today Beth headed to THAILAND! I am so proud of her and the sacrifice she is making to serve others in this world who need to see Jesus in others. I know she is super excited about what all God is going to do during her stay. While she is there she will be celebrating Christmas with all the girls and delivering their Christmas boxes from their sponsor families. Please be in prayer for her as she ministers at the House of Grace over the next 12 days.

P.S. Isn't she AMAZING?

And I almost forgot, but Levi is now 18 months old! I can't believe it! He is growing up SO fast. He has his 18 month appointment next week, so I'll post his stats and such then, but for now here is what he is up to...

• He is talking so much these days. He says: papa, mama, ball, basketball, dodger, baby, Jesus, uh oh, juice, set, go, two, three, and a few more. Some he says more than others. He also understands tons more words like waffle, help, milk, and simple commands, but hasn't said them yet.
• He knows his ears, nose, fingers, bellybutton, toes, mouth, and eyes (sometimes).
• He's pooped in the potty once. He's just starting the training, but we are so proud of him anyway.
• He smiles really big when you say "Cheese."
• He loves balloons, cars, VeggieTales, Christmas lights (thanks Ky for your yard), his doggie, and sticks.
• He eats most anything - and sometimes eats me out of house and home.
• He still signs 'please' and 'all done,' but hasn't used any other signs on a continuous basis.
• He is very friendly and always waves hi and bye to everyone we meet.
• He is a ham! He loves being the center of attention and laughing.
• He loves playing. He will play by himself, but loves when other play with him especially if they chase him.
• He has his first ear infection last week, but is doing much better.
• He has 16 teeth!! His i-teeth are finishing coming in, and that gives him 16 total. He is a champ at teething and hardly ever complains.
• He loves to throw things - sometimes good and bad - and he has a real strong arm.
• He loves outside and would spend all day out there if I would let him.
• He hates the car and would rather play than ride.
• He loves to read - anything. His favorite books right now are Here Come the Firefighters, Jane's Flying Expedition (both are pop-up books), and anything Dr. Seuss.

Fort

Aaron and Levi made a fort this evening and have been having a blast crawling in and out of it and running all over the house. Like I said earlier, I couldn't imagine my life without them.

I wouldn't be able to make it through this life without these two by my side. I love you both!

Sunday Morning

Levi's new interest has become the toilet. He doesn't get to investigate his new interest very much since we keep the doors to the bathrooms shut at all times...well, almost at all times. This morning Aaron was trying to help me out by getting Levi ready for church while I got ready myself. He walks into our room to inform me that he wasn't doing such a good job. He shows me Levi and admits the outfit "looked better in his head" than it did on Levi. I rectified that by suggesting something else for him to wear, just for Aaron to inform me that Levi had thrown his shoes in the toilet! Yes, you read it right. Luckily, they were shoes he doesn't wear much anymore. There's nothing I can do about it, so I continue to get ready to leave. While ironing my clothes our iron catches on fire! I yell for help and Aaron takes the iron outside. After all that we still managed to get to church almost 30 minutes early! We all had dry shoes and the house did not burn down. Hallelujah!

From Hockey to Engineering

I guess we have a future engineer on our hands. Like father, like son.

Levi has something to say...

Happy Father's Day!

Zucchini

All I can say is my husband can sure grow zucchini!

A Step Away From 30

Aaron's 29th birthday was Sunday. We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday this past weekend which is one reason I'm just getting around to posting about it until now. Aaron is the most amazing husband! I love how he loves me and Levi. One of my favorite things about Aaron is his humor and ability to make me laugh. He keeps things interesting around here and everywhere we go. He isn't afraid to look like an idiot or be silly for the sake of a good laugh. I absolutely love that about him and that inspired my collage for this post. So here's to the best husband and papa around. We hope this year to come is blessed beyond your wildest dreams. Thanks for all the smiles and laughs. We love you!

Duck Toss

Ever since Levi was born, Aaron has always given Levi his evening bath. The other night I heard them both laughing hysterically and I had to find out what was so funny. I snuck into the kitchen and this is what I found.

A & J's Day of FUN!

This weekend Aaron & I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! Yay Us! We wanted to do something to celebrate, so we headed to Atlanta for the whole day. It all started with this wonderful bouquet and card I received from Aaron, and a book I gave him that he has been wanting. Aaron had his Upward soccer game at noon, so we went to his game, and then dropped Levi off at his parents' house for the night. We started our day at Fernbank viewing the Dinosaur exhibit. It was really interesting, and totally me. I have always been fascinated with them. We had a lot of fun in the sensing exhibit playing with all the toys and games. After leaving Fernbank we headed to our hotel, The Grand Hyatt, to check-in, clean up, and get ready for dinner. We ate dinner at Basil's, a really neat little Mediterranean restaurant. The weather cooperated and we were able to sit outside on the patio for dinner. It was very romantic and delicious. After dinner we went to Dad's Garage for Theatresports. It was kind of like "Who's Line Is It Anyway?," if you've ever seen that show. It was hilarious, and we laughed our heads off. I can't wait to go back.When then headed back to our hotel for the evening. When we checked-out the next morning I tried to get Aaron to stuff the pillows from the bed in his bag. They were so comfortable and I wanted to take them home. Needless to say, my husband is an honest man and wouldn't steal them for me. Even though he wouldn't steal the pillow for me, I had the most wonderful time with Aaron. Thank you so much honey for planning an amazing time of celebration for us. I love you!

On a side note, it was our first night away from Levi since he was born. He did wonderfully, and so did we. However, how could you not miss this...

5

Love is always bestowed as a gift - Freely, willingly, and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; We love to love. - Leo Buscaglia

Aaron & I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary today! There are so many reasons that I love Aaron, but this past year I have seen a new side of this amazing man. With the addition of Levi to our family, I have seen Aaron develop into the most wonderful father, and I love it. He has always been beyond outstanding, but seeing him be a father to Levi has been one of the greatest things I have ever witnessed. I don't know how I could love him anymore than I do right now, but I look forward to trying. Here's to the rest of our lives...

My first Mother's Day

Although I'm the mother to a one year old...almost, this was my first Mother's Day. It was totally awesome thanks to a very special little boy and his Papa. I love you both!

Master Builder

My husband and his masterpiece.

Will You Be My Valentine?

This was the most special Valentine's Day I have ever had. The primary reason for that is the little one pictured at he bottom of this post. His daddy isn't too shabby either. I must be honest and say that I didn't expect much for Valentine's Day. Actually, I didn't expect anything. Maybe a card or a "Will you be my Valentine?," but really not even that. To my surprise, I got much more than I expected. Aaron & I had gone out on a date last Friday. I kind of thought..."This will be our Valentine's date"...so I was completely surprised when he called me Friday morning to inform me he was taking me out. I was SO excited, but had no idea what he had planned. He made arrangements for someone to keep Levi and all I had to do was be ready when he got home. We took Levi to his grandparents, and then headed to Atlantic Station to check out the Bodies Exhibit! I was so excited! I know what you are thinking...dead bodies - how romantic, but I have been wanting to go to this exhibit for a while now, so it was perfect. The exhibit was so interesting and we had a great time looking at all the exhibits. Our favorite part was the exhibit on fetus development. This exhibit showed the human development in the womb. It was amazing to see. After the exhibit we went to dinner and then home. It was great, and that would have been enough, but Aaron had a little more up his sleeve. Saturday morning I gave Aaron a card from me and a card from Levi. I really wasn't expecting anything, but Aaron had a two cards for me. One from him and one from Levi. Everything was great, but my card from Levi was the icing on the cake. He then served us breakfast...Krispy Kreme doughnuts!! I know it wasn't some elaborate cooked eggs and bacon breakfast, but Krispy Kreme doughnuts are my favorite and an indulgence I rarely get, so it was a special treat. I've already told Aaron how wonderful he is, and now this is my chance to share it with everyone else. He is amazing, and I am so lucky to have him in my life. Thanks for being my special Valentine not just today, but everyday. Levi was my other Valentine, so I couldn't leave him out. This is him enjoying his special Valentine from Grandmama & Grandaddy. I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine with those you love.

Changes

Apparently Aaron's facial hair has left his face...

...and found Levi's head.