Exercise

I guess this is Zach's idea of a good workout.

Allie

Allie is one of my nieces. She is known for being loud and bossy...a girl after my own heart! When we are together, we try to see who can be the loudest. It's great!

This picture says it all. Not a care in the world! Wouldn't you love to be this age again!?

Outfit

This is the first outfit I bought for Zach after we found out we were having a boy, and he is finally able to wear it. I love it! It brings back memories of last summer when I would walk around and look at all the baby boy things in stores. I'm glad I did it then!

Birthday Fun

Yesterday was Hillary's birthday, so we helped her celebrate her fun day by going out to eat for dinner. I met all of these girls (Ashley, Holly, Kelly, and Shannon) through Hil, and they are all so sweet. An additional bonus was that Jason played with Zach at home, so I was a free woman for a few hours. Nice!

Memorial Day

As long as I can remember, I have celebrated Memorial Day weekend with my family and then Jason's family. It is also a special weekend because we celebrate Jason's birthday. Jason is SO hard to buy for so I have to get creative with what I do for him. I have a little something special up my sleeve for later on this week...

Zach loved the lake! We knew this, but he has never "camped" out like we do with all of Jason's family on the shore all day.

Not only does Zach have four grandparents, he also has four great-grandparents. Wow! They all have pep in their step, too. He is definitely missing out not knowing my grandparents, but I know he'll see them in Heaven one day! He is SO incredibly blessed.

Zach with Grammy and Grampie

Zach and Gigi

Zach admiring Papa's hat

All tuckered out

The three Johns

Papa jokes that he is "Old John," Jason is "Big John," and Zach is "Little John." Papa is anything but old!

Riley looked like a little beaver retrieving sticks. Every summer she gets more and more brave venturing out in the lake. A few times we had to call her back because she dog paddled out too far!

Never a dull moment...Cody cut Grammy's hair, and it looked good!

Zach is serious even when he is having fun. He went on his first four wheeler ride with G-Daddy.

Back at home watching Mom unpack

My Brave Man

Zach had his six month check-up yesterday, and the nurse gave him two shots. He is getting over it in this pic. He's such a strong little guy.

After his appointment, we met Hil for lunch at Panera. It made his day (and mine!). Happy early birthday, Hil!

Friends and Food

This afternoon Zach and I ran into Jamie and her daughter Caitlyn at the grocery store. What a fun surprise! Jamie (who is also one of my neighbors) watched Zach this spring semester while I finished grad school. GOD just placed her in my life right when I needed her. Caitlyn is three and just loves Zach! We have missed them so much.

Zach is thinking, "I've got a secret!"

More peas, please!

I'm Six Months Old!

Church Nursery First

This morning Zach went to the church nursery for the first time. I know, I know, it's about time! He did great, or at least that's what the lady said when Jason picked him up after our connection group. I'm so proud!

Here he is after Jason picked him up...he survived!

All smiles

Blessings

Last night our connection group from church got together for a cook-out. We had a wonderful time, and it was very refreshing for me to be around these friends! Jason played softball and basketball, and I just talked and laughed and caught up with people. Jason and I didn't leave until around 11:30, which is WAY past my bedtime. So worth it though.

Sarah, Zach, Kendy, me, Abby, & Stacy

Fun in the Sun

The weather was wonderful and warm this weekend, so we took advantage and headed out to the lake! The water was not so warm, so I think I'll wait until June or July to get in it...

Jason and Zach

Cody (Shannon's hubby) putting on suntan lotion

Jason surfing...BURR!!!

Our friends Mark and Abby

Zach is ready to drive the boat!

My crazy brother-in-law Andy and me

Abby and me

Cody hiding from the sun

Too much excitement

Yum!

While I was shopping for some flip flop houseshoes the other day, I found a pair I liked and placed them on Zach's blanket while I looked around some more. When I turned back to him, here is what I saw...

Poses

Just chillin'

This picture looks like he is thinking, "Now what did you just say!?"

Bows

Is this cute or what!? Jason took Riley to get a bath at a local pet store, and she had these precious little bows in her hair when he picked her up! She is really more of a bandana dog, but these little bows made me laugh!

They didn't stay in her hair very long, but she stopped long enough to pose for me.

Graduation!

My parents and I trying to figure out the hood the night before graduation...nothing like last minute!

My cute husband and me

My parents

This past weekend I graduated from grad school. I received my Master of Science in Counseling. What a journey it has been!

I never expected studying counseling would be so self-reflective. It surprised me. I went into it thinking I would help the world, but the LORD used my studies to encourage and change me! He usually works this way in my life…whatever works! GOD has used the last few years to smooth off many of my rough edges. He blessed me by bringing into my life people I never would have met both through grad school and working in the public schools.

Along the way, I began to realize that graduate school was not only about equipping me in the counseling profession, it was more about GOD refining my heart so that there would be more of Him and less of me.

Even though my path has not been “traditional” in any way, GOD has guided my every step. He has humbled me.

This is more of a personal victory for me, especially since at this point I’m not heading out into the working world again. I am thrilled to be a stay at home Mom to Zach. Some people may think I’m crazy (and I used to be one of them!), but all that matters to me is that I’m following GOD’s will for my life. My parents have always instilled in me that education is never wasted and will go with me always. I belief this to be true.

I use my degree all the time; I just don’t get paid for it. Ha! It’s more a labor of love.

I’m excited to see what the LORD has planned. I can’t thank Jason, my family, and friends (you know who you are!!) enough for praying for me and encouraging me through this process. I would not have made it without you.

“His grace toward me was not in vain…” 1 Corinthians 15:10

Sweet Taters

Yum!

Give me some more! I like to chew on the spoon, too.

I'm such a big boy!

Happy Mother's Day!

We dedicated Zach to the LORD at our church on Mother's Day. What a special day! My parents, Jason's parents and his brother Andrew came to the service.

Jason's Mom and Dad and Andy.

All dressed up and happy!

All pooped out...

I love my Mom SO so much. She is very close to my heart, and I hope I can one day be as amazing a mom to Zach as she is to me!

Jason has a wonderful Mom, too! She raised a handsome, Godly man who is my hubby. I am very blessed with a great mother-in-law. Zach LOVES his Gran and Bunny!