happy anniversary

Happy 8th Anniversary to this guy...

... the love of my life and my very best friend.

crazy town

This is one of my best good friends, Muffy.

She and Jesus came and picked me up at Crazy Town yesterday and brought me back home.

This is my favorite man in the whole world.

He daily has to walk with me through Crazy Town and still seems to love me a lot anyway.


They're both good like that. I love them (and Jesus, too).

to my daddy

Dear Daddy,

Mommy and I just wanted to say (even though it's almost not Father's Day anymore) how much we love you and appreciate you. Daddy, you are seriously THE BEST dad in the whole world. Mommy or I just can't imagine our life without you, and we don't want to. I know when I came along, I kind of blew your concept of "normal" out of the water, but you have been so great at going with the flow and learning how to perfectly care for me. But even though you take such good care of me, you also still let me live. You don't hold back on the wrestling, the ball playing, and all the good things boys should get to do. You make sure I FULLY live and realize that that is part of taking care of me too. Mommy can't believe that before I came along, you had never even changed a diaper. You are amazing, Daddy. I love our play times, our quiet times, and most especially our night night times. The way you read me book after book and never rush our rocking and singing time is so great. Thank you for never seeing time with me as a hassle or something you have to do, but always valuing it as a privilege. You are my hero.

Thank you for the bubbles...

the snuggles...

for always keeping us laughing...

and lightening the mood...

for the swinging...

for the wrestling...

the quality time...

the kisses...

the "Jonah slams"...

the laughs...

the smiles...

the love...

and all the hugs.

Mommy and I can never thank you enough for the man and Daddy you are. We are so thankful, so grateful, so blessed. We love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day.


Love,
Jonah and Mommy

go dash (or something)

The opposing team. BOO! (or something)

Matt, very intently studying the rosters and stats.

Like, very intently.

Me: "Hey, what's so interesting?" "Oh."

Me: "Hey, look over here. These photos are boring. Don't worry, I'll make them HUGE on blogger so they seem more colorful and interesting... albeit slightly chopped off on the sides."

Me: "Nooooow we're getting to the interesting part."

Jon H., I took this one for you. Now if a certain Father-in-Law starts bragging about making it to home plate, you have photographic evidence of the starting point. What can I say? That's what friends are for.

A real pitch. Sort of. This guy wasn't that good either.

There were a few of these that broke up the monotony, but I have come to the conclusion that I'm just not a baseball girl. (Interestingly enough, they did NOT put up this bright, exciting sign when the OTHER team made a home run.)

A shot of us shortly before...

We left because the guys behind us were sufficiently drunk and increasingly annoying. They were saying stuff like:

Idiot A: Do you know what a "butter face" is?
Idiot B: No, what?

Idiot A: An ugly girl with a good body. Everything "butter face" looks good.

AND

Idiot A (in loud, redneck voice): Come on, Man, ask me if I'm havin' a good time?

Idiot B: Are you having a good time?

Idiot A: Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?

AND

Idiot A: I guess that guy just got back from Mamby-Pampy Land.

Idiot B: (laughs... sort of)

Idiot A: It's going to be great when "Mamby-Pamby Land" gets out. It's going to spread like wildfire. And I started it."

On that note, Matt asked if I was ready to leave and go get dinner. (UM, does a one legged duck swim in a circle???) In my ten years with Matt, I have never known him to leave a sporting event early, so I knew they must be getting on his nerves...

So off to Chili's we went where I ordered the ever-delicious Margarita Grilled Chicken.

The End.

What's that? Who won? Honestly, I DON'T EVEN KNOW. Matt said when we got home that nobody else scored after we left. Huh. You would think that would tell me something. But, nope. NO CLUE AS TO WHO WON THE GAME. But man, I could give you some details on that Margarita Grilled Chicken. Priorities, folks, priorities.

to the BEST dad

Hey Daddy. It's me, Jonah.

I just wanted to steal Mama's computer for a second to tell you how much I love you. You're really special, and I hope you know how much I love you even though I can't really talk yet. All that arm slinging and kicking I do to work out a tiny little coo is to tell you I love you. I think you understand me, but just in case.

On Friday I laughed - really laughed - for the first time, and guess what? It was at you. You were going Ah-Ah-Ah-CHOO, and even though mommy's done it a thousand times, you, daddy, are just HILARIOUS. You make my whole face light up. I'm so happy when you are around.

I love how you sing to me, and I especially like it when you sing the Star Wars theme. I love when you rock me to sleep, and hold me up on your chest so I can look around. You always help mommy so much, and I like our middle of the night time when you're feeding me. You are so patient and kind, and even when mom is all tired and grumpy, you are so peaceful, and you never get mad at me.

Mommy thinks you are so calm and have such a great attitude. She tells me how strong you are, and how she doesn't think she could get through all of this without you. She says that you give her strength to make it through another day.

You are so great with me, and even though before me you didn't know anything about babies, you would never know. You've jumped in with two feet, and you do such a great job! And let's face it, dad, I'm not the easiest baby ever. But you are amazing.

And even in this world that can be so hard and cruel - in this place that may be hard for me at times - you see me as beautiful and perfect. And even though I will face a lot of pain in this world, you will be always be my safe place to come. You will make me strong and funny and you will teach me to love Jesus. And with you and mommy and Jesus, I'll be okay. And I just want to say thank you - thank you for all you've already done and all you're going to do. Thank you for the man I'll become because of you.

Thank you for loving me with all your heart.

And thank you, God, for preparing the perfect daddy for me. You made us for each other. What a gift you've given me. And God, I'll know how much you love me, because of the way I see my daddy loving me. Of all the great things he will do, showing me your love will be his most important job. And it's one he's really, really good at.