To Kevin: My Best Friend

There are so many ways that I could have titled this post: husband, soul mate, accountability partner, confidant, lover, sounding board, playmate, travel companion...the list goes on. The truth is, you are all of these to me and so much more. But the title, "best friend" seemed most fitting. You are the first one that I want to share my joys with, the first one that I need to talk to when I have had a bad day. You are the one who loves me in spite of my sensitivity and crazy emotions. You are the one who encourages me in my walk with God. You are the one who is calm and collected when I am totally stressed out. You are the one who knows when to bring me flowers and when I would rather have a Sonic Dr. Pepper. You know when to listen and when to hold me while I cry for no other reason but just needing a good cry. You are indeed my very best friend.

We have gone through many stages in our relationship together. From the early days of "puppy love" (and your gift of our sweet dog Sage) and wanting to spend every waking moment together (which we still love to do) to seeing you tear up at the altar on our wedding day. From fighting about whether we should get Advil or generic Ibuprofen in Wal-Mart exactly 2 weeks into our marriage (our first fight as a married couple...you won but I still maintain my stance that Advil really does work better) to marching into the kitchen on the morning of May 15, 2007 to tell you that I was pregnant. From first sonograms to welcoming our precious baby boy into the world on January 18, 2008...we've done it all. From Zimbabwe to Jamaica and everywhere in between, you are the one that I want to spend all of my days with!

I thank God each day for the honor of growing old with you. I am still amazed at how we ended up together...I know it must have been His plan. I am continually encouraged by your genuine love for people (especially the elderly...when most other people our age ignore them), your desire to be a spiritual leader in our family, your pure heart, your ungossiping manner, and your amazing ability to be a father to our son.

Caleb is amazingly blessed to have you as his daddy. You play hard and love hard. You have the uncanny ability to roughhouse and kiss him all at the same time. You shower him with affection. playfulness, and an abundance of love. I know that there is no one in this world that loves that little boy as much as his daddy (and mommy). You would do anything for him. Most of all, you pray for him and ask for God's guidance to help you be a Christian father. You are a living example of a Godly man and I am so thankful for you!

In the midst of clothing, diapering, wiping, feeding, chasing, entertaining, disciplining, cleaning, cooking, playing with and reading to our sweet boy...I often times don't have much left to give when you get home. On those days when your hours of work to support our family (so that I can stay home with Caleb) go unnoticed and unappreciated, let this serve as a reminder of how much I love and appreciate you! I know that in many ways our journey together has just begun and we will have our share of heartaches and hard times. Through it all, I want to be by your side...'til death we do part!

Family Appreciation Week

It's after midnight and for the third night in a row, I can't sleep. I'm not sure why, but thankfully Daylight Savings Time is still working its magic and my precious boy is sleeping 13-14 consecutive hours so I can sleep in!

Tonight I attended our marriage class at church (unfortunately Kevin has class for his MBA on Wednesday nights so he isn't able to go with me) and was reminded by our minister that one of the greatest gifts we can give our spouse is to praise him/her in public. Since the internet has now become my "public" as a stay-at-home mom, I decided to take the opportunity via my blog. :) As I was laying in bed, I was thinking, "Why just stop with Kevin? I rarely take the opportunity to tell others in my family how much I love them without it being on a birthday card written 5-minutes before the get-together." Knowing first-hand what it's like to not be able to tell someone how much you love them just one last time, I decided I needed to make this a priority. So...I officially declare the next 6-7 days FAMILY APPRECIATION WEEK!

Besides, when I taught first grade it seemed like we had an "appreciation" week every-other-week (teacher--my favorite, secretary, counselor, bus driver, custodian, librarian, boss, etc). Shouldn't we tell the people that we love most in the world how much we appreciate them too...not just those that we work with?

Stay tuned...(and be sure and tell your loved ones how much you care about them this week)

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." -Ephesians 4:29

Down!

"Down!" is now Caleb's favorite word. Since becoming a proficient walker, he has begun to exert his independent spirit! We went to the zoo today and had a really fun time. Whenever we would lift Caleb out of his stroller to see the animals, he would immediately say "down." Needless to say, we went through several "Wet Wipes" after his clumsy steps caused him to fall. :) Oh and he has the goofy "winter" hat on because he had an ear infection this past week and it was windy today...just trying to protect his ears (and my sleep).

We also got to see the grizzly bears eating/bathing up close! It is definitely the neatest bear experience I have had at the zoo!

Out of my sight for 1 second...

And this is where I found him...

His face seems to say, "It wasn't me, Mommy. I promise...I'm just cleaning it up." I guess that's what I get for being on the phone too long! :) Here are some more recent pictures of play time and teeth brushing. Whenever he gets excited lately, he opens his mouth really big and smiles with such an animated expression. Kevin and I were thinking the other day that if we had to sum Caleb's personality in 1 phrase, it would be "loves life." These pictures definitely depict that!

12 Years Later...

And we still love him and miss him as much as it were yesterday.

Picnic in the Park

The town of Sedgwick is really quite adorable. Caleb and I have gone out there once every week so that we can see Kevin during his lunch hour. The center of the town has this cute little park that takes up an entire block. Since the weather was nice today (minus it being a bit windy), we decided to meet Daddy for a picnic in the park!

I picked up McDonald's on the way...Caleb is really enjoying his "Big & Tasty"

Out of all the things to do, Caleb's favorite was just walking in the grass until he fell and then crawling.

Thanks to the camera's timer...we got a cute family pic!

Cupid's Cafe

Last Friday night, we had our 7th Annual Cupid's Cafe. This is a tradition that I started when Kevin and I were dating and have done it every year since around Valentines Day. Basically, it's just code for me making a nice dinner with side dishes (not JUST a main dish) and the table decorated in a "Valentiney" theme. :) Normally, I make the same thing: steaks (thanks Mom), twice-baked potatoes, sauteed zucchini, garlic bread, and cherry tarts. Last year, Caleb was 3 weeks old so he just slept through our dinner. This year, he was VERY involved and wanted to "help" me cook and set up. :) I decided at the last minute that we should dress up just in time for Kevin to arrive.

When Kevin and I first started dating, my little brother and sister were 11 (it is hard to believe that they will be 19 in a couple weeks). My sister made this adorable sign to put up at my parent's house for Cupid's Cafe and I really wish I would have kept it. Maybe in a couple years, Caleb can make a cute sign for us.

Cherry Tarts

It must be a special occasion...I NEVER set the table anymore.

I am amazed how much Caleb looks like Kevin in this picture...both are so cute!

My shaggy-haired little man in a suit! I know it is nearing the time for his first haircut, but I am fighting it all the way. He has cute little curls in the back and I am not ready for him to be big enough to have a haircut. Oh well, the shaggy look is in style now for baby boys...right?