The "fever"

I’ve been trying to ignore it…but, I have to admit, it’s hit me: the baby fever. Is that bad that I already have it, and we’ve only been married a little shy of 8 months? I have a feeling that it has to do in large part to the fact that almost my entire small group of ten couples is either pregnant or has just had a baby. Literally, I think there are 3 of us that aren’t pregnant and w/o a child. Not to mention the fact that my boss is pregnant, my sister-in-law is pregnant, and I just found out the one of my other friends is also pregnant! Talk about a baby boom!

 I’m sorry to vent, but the past two weeks have been really tough, especially after going to small group. I mean I’ve left in tears, thinking, “where do I fit in with all these girls, and how do I learn to relate to them?” I love the fact that they are older, and wiser, but it’s hard to be so new in a marriage, and have so many people around you that are two years ahead of where you are. But, then I have to remember that the Lord has purpose for me where we are for the time being. I just tend to let that slip out of my memory to often than not.

When I really think about it, I can’t believe how crazy silly I’m being….I mean come on? A BABY!?! You see I’m not thinking about all the morning sickness, crying, eventual late night feedings, sleepless nights, dirty diapers, etc., etc. Nope, I just think about how fun it would be to watch my body grow, and feel a little person in side kicking around, and then cuddling with the little thing all day long while nursery songs play in the background……

 HAHAHAHA….I can imagine all you mothers are laughing at how naïve I am!Really…I know. It’s pretty ridiculous. So, I’ve decided to keep praying about this fever and trust the Lord will help to “go away” for a least another year or so. In the meantime, Sam and I have really talked about how I can use my energy to be better at what the Lord has gifted me to do….while I have the free time to do it!

So….that’s what I’m going to try to focus on…but I know this fever is not something that goes away overnight. Anybody got any crazy difficult kids they want to let me have for a night? That would probably cure me, for a little while!

Samson has a girlfriend

Yes...he's found her. Zoe, a 13 month old spotted Great Dane. They met at the park this afternoon, and I promise it was love at first smell (sight).  I didn't have my camera, but I did take a quick phone video to capture the two love birds frolicking around. I wish I could've taken her home, but the owner probably wouldn't have gone for that:)

The last month in pictures:)

I just looked at the last time I blogged, it was a month ago....sorry! So, I wanted to catch up with some pictures over the last few weeks. BTY, today is our 7 month anniversary!! This first year is flying by!! So a couple of weeks ago, we went to Atlanta to help Sam's parents move down from Connecticut....it's so great to have them closer by!

Samson is smiling for the camera. As you can tell he likes to be right in the center of things.

Sam's sweet mom in the kitchen cooking dinner for us. I love their new kitchen....it's fabulous!

Eileen visiting with Samson. 

Sam did a lot of this.....even though his mother said not too...haha.

Sam's two little ladies.

Samson was sacked out on the way back to Birmingham. He got up on the seat and somehow figured out how to lay down. So sweet....

Two days before the fourth of July, I went to Auburn to help Allie finish her room. (I have so much fun doing this kind of design stuff.) So, I ran some errands with her to get a better idea of what she likes, and then after she left, I spent Friday cleaning things up, and putting the finishing touches on. The best part is that I surprised her with newly painted bathroom, decor, and all.....and she loved it! I'm really glad I stayed late to do that because she is so busy right now with school and studying. Take a look!

      

She loves pictures and painting of flowers!

The newly finished room!

Her newly painted bathroom! She was floored!

This month has a been busy, but so blessed! I'm going to try to be a little more consistent with the posting. 

6 fingers for 6 months

That's right...6 fingers for 6 months...! Saturday was our 6 month anniversary.! Already? I can't believe that it's gone by this fast. It seems like we've been through a lot in the last 6 months: getting married, living together, a new place, new jobs, a new dog, and most recently a new car... all in the past half of 2009. There's been so many good days, and a good bit of bad ones to go along with those good ones. But the thing I love most about being married so far is that he is with me through all of those days, good and bad. I thought he was an amazing boyfriend, fiance, so I had high hopes for the husband role, and he has exceeded them ten fold. He is an amazing, godly husband....and I am so blessed to be his wife. 

Well we couldn't pass up the day without making a bigger deal than normal about our "6 month anniversary." So, we thought about going to the zoo, but the huge storm that hit Friday night nixed that idea, so we decided to go see "UP" the movie at the real theaters (usually we go to the dollar theater:) and they gave us these really cool 3-D glasses to wear during the movie. 

It was actually a great movie with a sweet story line of a couple that met when they were little pretending to be explorers, got married with every intention of exploring, but ended up just living a normal life. And to Elle, the girl, that was her great "adventure." They were in love though, to the very end....and it made me think...no matter what adventure the Lord takes us on, my hope is that we will be like Elle and Carl...together in every way until the end.

On a lighter note, Sam took me to dinner at this really nice restaurant down the street from us (he caught on to my little comment about wanting to go there earlier in the week, he's so good!). And we had a great dinner and time to talk and toast to the first 6 months. I just had to include these pictures because I made the mistake of tasting his dessert liquor! YUCK! It smelt like fingernail polish remover!  He somehow persuaded me to take a sip!

My faces say it all here! (FYI: it's very hard to type when your hubby wants to use one of your arms as pillow...) Back to the faces! There I am in all my glory! Those have to be two of the worst faces I've ever made. 

So...over all we had a great half year anniversary day....I'm so thankful for the past 6 months, and we both are looking forward to the next!

you just never know...

You just never know what kind of impact you have someone's life sometimes until later. I got this package in the mail a few days from one of the students I taught English to in Chengdu, China two summers ago. Her name is Alyssa, and she's probably about 16 now. She is such a sweet girl, and I remember our talks in her broken english so well.  She wrote me the sweetest letter on the box. 

this is what it said

the package slip above.....with all the manderin writing....

the beautiful handmade cross-stitched pillow of a bride and groom...

 with the inscription: "Happy Wedding Forever love." How neat it was to open a gift from so far away from someone I knew for only 5 weeks. What a neat thing it is to think that God must have used me somehow in the life of this little girl to make a difference. My prayer is that it will be an eternal one....

     

do dah day...in pictures!

I have been a terribly inconsistent blogger lately, I must sadly admit. However, I at least have a valid excuse: I HAVE A JOB! Yes finally, a purposeful, challenging occupation. I work with Moxii, a small Interior Design company that specializes in student interiors, i.e. dorms. So the 9-5 hours have been keeping me very busy, and spending time with the husband after work has taken priority, not to forget our big baby Samson, who begs for attention all the time. 

We did have an exciting weekend about two weeks when the annual "Do dah day" came to Caldwell park, the park closest to us. For those of you who aren't familiar with this crazy day, it consists of basically a few key things: a couple parks, some bands, hundreds of people, and even more dogs, of all shapes and sizes. It is a sight to see. (I must also add that I'm very proud of Sam, who gets very nervous around just a few dogs with Samson, braved the park full of dogs with no outward signs of a panic attack and no need for medication. haha) 

We had a great time....here's some pictures:

     the dog park

    

Samson and Sam

Me with Blue, a HUGE 180 lbs Great Dane

Blue and Six, the GREAT Great Danes

    Samson with his friend Isaiah, who was also huge

Fun times for all...can't wait for next year!

Dogs and Parks

Looking at this picture, you would think that it was the end of a perfect day, just relaxing on the couch, my 153 lbs Great Dane resting so sweetly in my lap. However, it was quite the opposite. 

I took Samson to the dog park near our place Wednesday afternoon like I've done several times before, just to get out and socialize with the other dogs. He seems to like it, as he's learning to play with other dogs quite smaller than him. So, he was playing with his friends for a good twenty minutes, and then all of the sudden I hear these loud growls and a squeal from another dog. I turned around to see Samson biting this other dog!! I was frantic and immediately ran over there with about 8 or 9 other people to get the dogs lose, and I tied Samson up. I couldn't believe that had just happened?!? Samson is NOT an aggressive dog. I wouldn't have him if he was like that; he could take ME down. So, as my head was spinning, I ran over to see the other dog, Buddy, and assess the damage, and it was bad. Samson had left 2 large puncture wounds in Buddy's neck, and they were both bleeding pretty bad. Buddy's owner took him to the emergency vet clinic, and after he left, I just stood there shell-shocked. I started crying, and the other pet owners tried to console me. "It is a dog-park," they said, "it happens every now and then, don't worry about it." They actually told me that Buddy tried to hump Samson and that that may have been what set him off. I was a relieved to hear that, but still so frazzled that Samson bit that other dog!

I had offered to pay the vet bill, which fortunately, isn't going to be but about $150 thanks to a vet friend who stapled Buddy up almost for free. I just don't want people thinking that Samson is a bad dog, because he's NOT! So...I say all this to explain the real emotions that are behind this sweet little picture. I think Samson knew that I was not happy with him after we got home from the park, and for the first time since we've had him, he got his entire body up on the couch with me and put his head in my lap.....after that it was kind of hard to be mad at him anymore! Fortunately, the other dog is doing fine, although with a few extra staples,  and was already back at the dog park the day after the incident. 

Hopefully we won't run into another problem with humping dogs!