Connor is Almost 2!

I had a post at the same time last year, when Connor was turning one.  I am in awe of how much this boy has grown in just one year.  To put it into perspective, here are a few pics to remind you of what he looked like at this time last year:

In just one year, he has evolved from the baby babbling, drunken sailor walking, beep beep loving baby into a sentence stringing, running/climbing/jumping, truck/car/train/plane loving BOY. I am so amazed at all this year has brought. 

He has gone from hating his teeth being brushed, to letting me brush them for at least 30 seconds (as long as we count it out!).  He now knows how to count to at least 12 (sometimes more) and is starting to grasp his ABCs.  He loves coloring in his coloring books (thank you Crayola for making Color Wonder Markers & Paper!), reading truck books, and watching car videos on youtube with his Daddy.  Another favorite is Skyping with all of our friends and family:  Mimi, Megan, Nana & Papa, and Brooke & Matt.

He has progressed from his crib, toddler bed and is now in an official "big boy bed."  He has stopped saying "beep beep" and now says "truck."  He knows how to hold my  hand when we're on a street or in a parking lot.  He recently loves to cuddle in bed before he falls asleep because he's afraid of the "scary man" (which I think is just code for mom-hold me).  He still loves Broccoli (but it has to be roasted), hot dogs and cheese, but has changed into loving chocolate milk (thanks James for that introduction). 

He has moved on from just loving one movie (Cars) to a whole multitude:  Toy Story (1-3), Finding Nemo, and Thomas the Train.  He has also become a BIG BROTHER and is amazing.  He really, really loves Jacob and I'm pretty sure he's ready for Jacob to get up and run with him already.  He has gone from the diaper wearing, almost potty trained boy.  He is currently learning how to hold it and when to head to the potty. 

Basically, a whole lot of growth has happened this year.  I love my boy so much-I am still in shock that he is TWO! 

James Knows his Bride

So, do you ever wish that your husband picked up on the random things you wanted?  I often don't realize it, but James does-every single time.  Case and point:  Birthday:  he got me a camera.  I thought it would never happen because they are so expensive, but he made a way.  Christmas:  a new North Face jacket. I always wore his because mine was purple and old, so he got me a new one.  "Just because":  a new water bottle w/ straw (because I've been trying to increase my water intake).

The point of this is that it's not what he gives, it's the fact that he picks up on my wants and desires.  The fact that he's intune with me and my desires.  He's so stinking good at it! 

I have mentioned a few times that a tea pot would be nice (for those random times I make tea or hot chocolate) and that some day I would like to get one.  Well, James picked up on it, and voila!  Another wonderful, thoughtful gift from my husband. 

His gift from me?  Well, since I know him well, I am not spending any money.  Mine is simple:  a clean house, a great dinner, and possibly some non frumpy pajamas.

Happy Valentines' Day!

True Bible Study

I had this random thought tonight...how many Bible studies actually study the Bible?  All too often, I think we go for the touchy, feely, insightful stuff, but in some ways, we're missing the point.  The TRUTH is is the Word, and by avoiding the Word, aren't we giving the devil what he wants?  We tried yet another church this Sunday and they were going through the book of Isaiah.  He preached Chapter 42.  Here is what made me think of this:

"This is what God the Lord says-
he who created the heavens and
stretched them out
who spread out the earth and all
that comes out of it
who gives breath to its people
and life to those who walk in it
I the Lord, have called you in
righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand,
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison,
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkess."

How can we do any one of these things if we are so focused on ourselves?  The focus should be taken away from you and should be placed first, in Christ, and second into serving others as a reflection of our love for Christ.

James FINI Flight

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Destiny

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"  Esther 4:14b

So, if you're a regular follower, you noticed my blog title changed...and it is based off of this verse.  I recently finished a study on Esther and only now am putting together what I think could be my destiny. 

t too long ago, I mentioned to my mom that I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life (meaning my reserve status, future, etc). You know what she said? "Courtney, I think you're already doing it and that your future is pretty set." Simple, yet so profound!

Growing up, I imagined that I would do something big or extraordinary and now I am realizing that destiny sometimes can be completely ordinary.  As ordinary as the daily grind of changing dirty diaper after dirty diaper.  Who knew that I would be in this place, at this time, and with this purpose?  Only HE did. 

I have finally come to realize that my role as a wife and mom is to do those mundane, ordinary tasks that seem thankless in the big world.  My husband hates mess.  Clutter and mess really stresses him out.  So do dirty toddler fingers.  As dumb as this seems, I feel my destiny at this moment is to help keep James as destressed as possible.  Even if that just means cleaning up before he comes home and washing Connor's hands every now and again.   Because he is the one with the big or extraordinary destiny-the task of protecting our freedom. 

The point is that destiny changes.  It ebbs and flows.  But I truly believe I was destined to be a mom.  Destined to be James' wife to serve him here in this place.  I am 100% okay with ordinary and refuse to miss out on life waiting for something BIG to happen when it's already here. 

The three reasons why I exist.

To Diet or Not to Diet

I stood on the scale this morning.  And to be honest, I'm depressed.  165...last week it was 157.  How did this happen?  I ate well all week and only splurged in one chocolate chip cookie yesterday.  My theory was that I could just exercise, eat well (lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats) and not count calories.  I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because the last thing I want to do is to restrict calories too much and mess with my milk supply. 

I'm extremely frustrated because I worked my tail off during the pregnancy to only gain 33 lbs.  When I went to the hospital I was 178 (my starting weight was 145), so I expected that I would at least be down to 150 by now.  I wish I could be one of those women that lose it all at once, but nothing in my life has ever been that easy. 

I remember my weight loss journey in college, then after Connor's birth and I HATE having to diet.  In college it was easy.  I didn't have another life to worry about (while nursing you should try to not lose more than 1 lb a week b/c of the toxins it can release into your bloodstream). It's a delicate balance now when I just want to go full force and get it over with.  It's also different because losing weight in college was a process of learning myself and working through insecurities.  Now, it's just me trying to get back to that place, which of course is also a journey, but different.  I'm not insecure at all and want my outside to match my inside.  And basically, I don't want to spend money on more clothes when I have awesome clothes that I just want to fit back into.  I'm cheap :) 

My goal weight is 135 and I know that I just have to be patient, but I am so ready to be back to normal.  So, I know that I have to do something, I'm just not sure what.  10 months on, 10 months off right?

The patch says it all.  If the plane you're training to fly can carry up to 72,000 lbs of bombs, this patch is fitting.  James gets "dressed to kill" everyday.