Full House

That's what we have right now - yes, my mom swore up and down a thousand times that she would never move in with her children (a lesson she has personally learned the hard way, unfortunately); and I really believed her...I did...but now I have evidence that my dear, precious mother just didn't know what she was talking about (or that she was a liar, but I prefer to say the first). Because yes - MY PARENTS MOVED IN TODAY!!!!!!! They are currently sleeping in our guest bedroom, with Lincoln in his crib (1st time during the night!) in the room next to them.
No, jokes aside, I love it. It's been fun and it's temporary. It's what this darn ice storm does- it brings families together. :) Their power is out and could be out for the next week or so, and since my dad just had knee replacement surgery and has to be hooked up to a machine, toughing out the cold and darkness for them just isn't an option, SOOOO being the wonderful daughter I am, Jason and I insisted they move in till power has resumed.

And like I said, it's been fun. My mom's a wonderful cook and she LOVES doing it, so we've gotten delicious meals the past three nights now...Lincoln's quite enjoyed the new company himself, and they even brought along their odd little dog, Oscar, so yes my friends - we have 4, I said FOUR dogs at our house right now. So at this point, what's a few more...thought I'd extend the offer: if you're power's out, we're open. :) You might have to sleep in the cradle swing or the pack 'n play, but we can work something out.

BTW - I finished Lincoln's prayer journal today...precious.

Prayer Journal

I've started working on creating a personalized prayer journal for Lincoln. I say "working on it" lightly though, because most of the work has been done for me thanks to Vicki Dees (btw, if you haven't read her blog, YOU SHOULD - link on my page). She led a women's conference back in November and one of the things she put together was a list of scripturally based prayers for mothers to pray over their children. They're WONDERFUL and I am working on creating a prayer book with all of them and some of my own that Jason and I can read through for Lincoln. I am going to arrange them in a scrapbook-like format, The prayers are all delineated into different categories like "Salvation", "Future", "Future Spouse", "Forgiveness", to name a few. Below is one of the 15 or so prayers Vicki wrote that I'm putting in there...

Salvation
Father, it is not your will that Lincoln perish, but that my child come to repentance. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you came to save the lost, including Lincoln and me. I pray that Lincoln will become a believer in you.
Matthew 18:11, 14; II Peter 3:9

I Heart Ice Storms

Well like the rest of you who probably read this blog, we too are in fact caught in the middle of this treacherous ice storm - okay I'll admit, I don't quite think of it as treacherous - in fact just the opposite. You see, since this big bad storm, I've been able to spend incredible amounts of time with my husband and darling Lincoln, haven't had to work, have gotten to both work out and sleep a reasonable amount of time, have had zero power outages, gotten to play Wii w/ my ever so competitive husband (not always a good combination), gotten to hang out with my mom (who is shacking up at the hotel around the corner with my dad) and have had numerous friends come over to our house for dinner (since we seem to be the only ones with power), laundry, & games - why aren't there more ice storms??!!
The above picture is one our dear friends, Vicki Dees whom was one of the guest we were fortunate to be blessed with tonight. Once Jason and I realized we were the only one of our friends with power, we invited a bunch over to provide a hot meal and have some fun. Jody and Michael introduced us to a funny "mormon game" that was random and fun (except I seemed to be the biggest loser of the night...). Oh well...
And now here I sit, close to midnight, really hoping school continues to be cancelled throughout the rest of the week...man that would be amazing. A great benefit about working in the schools. :) I actually feel like a "stay at home mom".
Below are pictures I took today...Jason was taking a nap and I took Lincoln for a little "photo shoot." I know I'm his mom and all, but isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen????? Geez.

Bundle Up

I'd rather have snow, but I'll take the ice if it means I get to stay home with this adorable bundle :)

Prepare Yourself

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090122

My husband just sent this link to me in an email while I was at work today. It's by this sport's writer whose articles he reads everyday. When I saw the link, I wondered why he ever thought I might be interested in reading an article that started with "htpp://sports.esp.blah blah blah" ...but trusting my husband who knows me oh so well,
I read it.
I related.
I cried.
And I'm still trying to gather myself.
Oh Jason.

I believe there's two kinds of people in the world: Those who love dogs and those who LOVE dogs.

Go Panthers.

Little Bug's 3 Months TODAY :)

Can't believe it. Time flies. I have those weird surreal moments where it suddenly hits me that, yes, I am a freaking MOM (even writing it now sounds weird and dream-like) and then there are those where I'm holding the precious bundle and feel like I've been "mom" for ages...just incredibly innate and natural. Today could be summed up as a mixture of the two. 3 Months is such a fun age. Lincoln was all smiles and "conversation" this morning as I was getting ready. He sits in his swing outside of our bathroom and watches us get ready in the mornings, and I've noticed I now get ready in record time (it probably shows, too, but it's worth it) because I spend so much of my morning routine staring at him, gushing at him, and getting captivated in his little conversations and smiles. SO ADDICTING.

Here are some things he's doing now:

1. The little sucker acts as if he's going to hold his head up perfectly any day now

2. He loves stiffening his legs (i mean, STIFF) to the point where some wonder if he's going to be a male gymnast (oh no), and

3. His aunt Amy plays a little game with him called "Spaceship" where he stiffens his legs and she wiggles him up in the arm by his armpits like he's a spaceship taking off (he LOVES this!)

4. He loves to talk and have conversations - especially right after his bottle when his belly's full

5. He's sleeping better, but still not through the night - boy's gotta hearty appetite throughout the evening hours (or he just doesn't like not seeing his mommy and daddy for 8 straight hours - can you blame him??!)

6. He loves to lay with his daddy and watch basketball (hint all the gobs of pictures I have of them doing this cause it's so precious!)

7. He notices our dogs now and likes to touch them and smile at them

8. He has recently started grabbing at everything - his favorite? fistfuls of my hair - ouch.

9. Sometimes, when he's feeling particularly independent, he holds his own bottle

10. He hates, I mean HATES tummy time - so we don't force that one

11. Most importantly, he has come to recognize everything about his mommy and daddy as evidenced through his happy shrills and warming smiles - gosh life doesn't get better, does it?

Mommy and daddy love you sweet little bug and can't wait to see what God has for you in these next upcoming months. You truly are the joy of our hearts and we still can't believe God trusted us enough to give us such an incredible gift!!!!!

Missing My Bug

Our sweet little fella is still under the weather, but the doctor said it would take a week for him to feel better and that he could continue to go to his sitter...so I had to drop him of with his weak little cry beore work this morning. Maybe I'll stop by the casino on the way home and try and win big so I never have to do that again...it's a thought. He slept great last night...the longest he's ever slept through the night and then I have to wake him up at 8:30 this morning (we throw schedules out the window when he's sick).

I miss you little bug ****lots of kisses and prayers all day long ****