Our Little Man

Our sweet boy turned 1!!!!! We celebrated in style with a Mustache Bash!

I made chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. I also made a strawberry cake with vanilla whipped cream frosting. We had hamburgers and hot dogs, root beer, and apple juice.

My sister in law and I made mustaches on sticks and we set up a photo booth!

Gary's parents, brother and niece came.

My brother and sister in law were there and my aunt and uncle and cousin came. It was a family affair!

I got Neck Tie napkins at a novelty store in Vancouver, WA

I never thought!

http://www.stripes.com/commandos-killed-in-afghanistan-were-fighting-war-few-see-1.151371

I never thought that a news story like this ^^ would bother me so much!

I never thought I'd have to care so much what is going on over there!

I never thought there would be a chance that the war and my best friend would ever collide!

Gary left for Afghanistan in July and he will be over there until next April.

I hate the thought of him being so far away!

I hate the thought of him missing out on so much of NJ's little short life.

I hate the feeling of uncertainty that comes with a loved one being such a dangerous area!

Sometimes I forget that there are other men and women over there fighting for our freedom as well. I forget that Gary isn't alone over there! I am constantly having to correct my brain by saying, "think how those other family members feel too." "You're not the only one!" It's definitely a sobering thought to realize that it's not all about my own sadness or feelings! There are men and women who have lost their spouses, children, siblings etc over there, and I'm freaking out about my husband being over there and sitting at a desk!

I know that God is in control, and I know that He has Gary's best interest at heart...but it is still so hard to just give it over to Him!

Upon Request

So, my sweet little boy is 9 months old! I am so amazed every month when I realize he is older!

I measured him tonight and he is now 30 inches long!

He's in 12-18 month clothes...but only for the length. HA!

He weighs 18 lbs.

His favorite word is "Dada".

He loves rolling around the living room floor, and scooting on his tummy.

He loves carrots drinking from his sippy.

Tonight, while in the bathtub, he picked up his bath cup and tried to drink out of it for the first time!

Usually I have to hold it up for him.

Since the weather has gotten nice we go for walks every day and besides bath time I think that is NJ's favorite activity.

I just love my little man so much...it's just so hard to believe that he will be 1 in three months!

Sunday Funday

Yesterday I let NJ fingerpaint! Oh my gosh he had so much fun! I put him in his high chair and I taped paper down and then squirted some paint on the paper and he just had a blast...pretty soon the paper started getting really soggy so I just put new paper down and then we even tried some shaving cream! He did so well, he didnt even try to eat it. I was so proud! We made fingerpaint art for Daddy for fathers day. Suuper cute!

Happy 8 months!

Today NJ is 8 months old! I cant believe how fast it's gone! He is now 29 inches long!!! He makes me laugh every day. He has started babbling non stop! Sometimes it's just so loud. He loves being in his jumperoo and he loves to stand. He's not crawling yet but I think he will probably start walking before he crawls!

dadadada

For months now I've been trying to get NJ to say "Mama" or "Dada"....well, last night I was on the phone Gary, and NJ just started saying "dadadadadada"! It was awesome! I put him on speaker phone so his dad could hear and he was so excited! I couldnt even be upset that he didnt say "mama" first because it just seemed so special for him to say dada first. Anyway my little boy is growing up! *sniff sniff*

Missing My Half

So, Gary will be gone for 2 months...maybe more...he went to training in New Mexico for afghanistan. He is just an alternet, but if someone gets hurt then he will have to for a year! I'm having such a hard time with this! I'm staying at my parent's and that helps but at the same time it's so hard to be a single mom! Gary is my support and my help and I just NEED him!

God speaks

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

Each time he said, " My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses,

So that the power of Christ can work through me.

That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses,

and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles

that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

-2 Corinthians 12:8-10

So, all last week I was just really struggling with NJ. It seemed like we were really butting heads. (I know, a grown woman butting heads with a 6 month old!) But, I was just having a really hard time. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and TIRED! I just had the tears welling up and sitting there waiting for something to push me over the edge.

Sunday came and we went to church as usual, and sometimes during the worship part of the service someone will come up and read scripture and say what God has put on their heart. So, this gal came up and she read the above scripture and then proceeded to say that she felt God was telling her that there was a mom who was feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and TIRED!!!! And, she felt God was telling her to read that scripture to remind that mom that God's grace is enough!

Needless to say those tears, that were sitting there for a few days, sprang to life! I just wanted to raise my hand and say, "YOU'RE TALKING TO ME!!!!!" . It was pretty awesome how God speaks through others. I was to overwhelmed with my issues to ask God for help in yet he was able to speak to me and encourage me through someone else! I just felt so incredibly blessed, and it has been a constant reminder this week that, when I'm struggling, I need to ask God for help and lean on him. His grace is enough!

*Sunday STATS*

NJ is 6month and 3weeks!

He is getting so big!

He is now in 6-9 month clothes, and He can almost sit up on his own without support.

He is such a happy little boy and such a joy!

He is stuborn, and outgoing.

He LOVES people watching, and he REALLY enjoys being able to know whats going on!

He LOVES his daddy, and gets REALLY excited when Gary plays with him.

NJ started picking up his snack puffs off his high chair tray with his first finger and thumb.

He's still figuring out how to put them into his mouth once they are in his hands.

He's just so curious! I LOVE watching the world through his eyes!

Peas Please!

So, I've been making NJ's baby food for prbably a little over a month now! He LOVES it! He wont eat the store bought stuff...I've tried and he purses his lips together and makesa gross face! Hahaha it's so funny, and it makes me feel really good that he likes MY stuff over the jar stuff! The pureed peas is my fav, just because I LOVE the way it looks! It's so vibrant and beautiful!!!! His fav is sweet potatos and he LOVES pears too! I feel like i'm doing something super healthy for my lil guy by making it myself! The ONLY thing thats in it is steamed veggie, a little water, and some breast milk! Nothing more pure!

The Lord is my shepherd

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessing. Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."

~Psalms 23:1-6

With all thats happening with the Government right now this verse came to my mind. It brings me such peace to know that God has my back! That WHATEVER happens He is here to guide and direct me and watch over me. It is so comforting to know that. With God I have ALL that I need!

Nathaniel Job

Nathaniel Job was born Sept 19 2010 @ 8:50AM. Weighing 7lbs 6oz and 21inches long! I was in labor for 12 hrs and pushed for 2 of those hrs...it was an easy labor and delivery! When they placed him in my arms I bawled! It was the greatest moment of my life! I couldnt believe that he was mine...I STLL cant bleieve it. I just feel so incredebly blessed!!!!!

We chose the name 'Nathaniel' because it means "Gift from God" and we chose the middle name 'Job' because we wanted to be reminded of Job in the bible. He had everything taken from him and inspite of it all he raised his hands and worshiped God.