Playing Hooky

 

My conscience has been killing me, so I'm just going to confess that John Thomas and I skipped school and went to Dollywood with Aunt Sarah and Lola.  Okay, so I don't even feel a little guilty because we had SO MUCH FUN!  We got to ride the Ferris Wheel, the bumble bees, the pigs, the ducks and John Thomas is actually big enough to ride the River Rampage!  He held my hand the whole time, but we had a blast!  Even after fluffing Lola's hair and putting a bow on the top of her head, she came up about a millimeter short (it didn't help her cause that she ducked every time they went to measure her).  Next time we go, I'm anticipating that we'll all be laughing and squealing our way down the river.    

 These two little buddies are so cute together!  I envision them being buddies for a long time to come, just like their Mommas.  And yes, Lola rocked those oh-so-trendy shades all day long!

Beside school finally wrapping up, the other big news is that my book is (un)officially out!  The official release date is August 7, but because I know the author--I'm able to get my hands on a few copies early.  In fact, the first batch that the publisher sent me is already gone!  I hope there is still some interest though, because I have another batch coming this week!  I have ONE BIG FAVOR to ask, if you haven't already done it, will you go to http://www.facebook.com/LiveYourFaithEveryday?ref=tn_tnmn and like the link. It just helps get the word out there and I really appreciate it!  Also, if you are interested in having your very own copy, and you live out of town, all you have to do is click the Paypal link on the top right hand corner of this page.  For all of you who have already showed your support, I cannot tell you how much it means to me.  I pray that someone else's LYFE will change through this experience :).  

 Our garden has also been keeping us pretty busy, not to mention it's a great excuse to play in the sprinkler :).  Every year I try a new veggie.  In the past I have had zero success in growing watermelons, cantaloupes, or eggplant.  But this year I planted some bibb lettuce, and so far it's looking perfect!

If all of our excitement weren't enough to write home (or a blog) about, my parents are also in town.  It has been nothing short of wonderful to have them around!  I hope that everyone has a safe and spectacular Memorial Day tomorrow!

Having a Ball!

Apparently bigger really is better!  John Thomas has opted to replace his average-sized bath time fare for his super gigantic bouncy ball.  I wouldn't be surprised if Chester doesn't end up joining him for bath time before too long :).

Have you ever been scared that you were going to run out of gas?  Well, I think the picture speaks for itself.  I was about 8 miles from finding out how many friends it would take to push a Ford Explorer to the gas station.  In all my busyness and running around, I forgot to take care of the most obvious need--fuel.  I guess that's kinda like faith sometimes.  I just get so busy doing life that I forget to make sure that I take time to refuel my faith tank.  Thank goodness God's fuel is free and endless and, yes, I have needed a friend or two to help push me His way.  

I just want to take a moment to wish every single mother in my life a very special day.  To my Mom, thank you so much for always knowing what I need.  To Gay, thank you for being like a mom to me in every way.  To my friends who are mothers or getting ready to be mothers to more babes, I love each and every one of you.  You are all beautiful women and amazing mothers and this little slice of the world is a better place because of the love you share.

Better Late Than Never

So Spring is officially in full bloom around the Kirkpatrick homestead!  For all four of my blog followers, I deeply apologize for being tardy on this week's blog.  We have incredibly busy! The hedges are trimmed, the flowers have been planted, the garden is installed, the yard has been mowed (twice) and I can barely move my fingers enough to type this blog.  Just kidding!

I have the cutest little yard hand ever!  Thanks to Nana Gay, he has all the tools necessary to help me work around the flower beds and garden.  However, he spends more time hiding in the bushes and looking for worms than about anything else.  

Look at this lil slugger enjoying the freshly groomed lawn!  Seriously, I see the Big Leagues in his future...or maybe just little league :).

We also threw a surprise baby shower for Kim!  Baby Kason will be here any minute and we are all so excited to meet him!

Confession time.  John Thomas ended up crawling into his splash pool.  I ended up taking off all his clothes and he spent the rest of the afternoon playing naked around the yard.  I'm sure the neighbors were wondering about my little cherub who was marking his territory on every bush and flower in the yard.

Here is Exhibit A from John Thomas' streaking extravaganza.  Please don't judge me.  

 Not sure what the boys are up to here.  It's probably a mixture of bug hunting and just plain silliness.

After a long, hard day working in the yard, it's time to rest.  And, if you're a two year old, silly boy, that means you find the most cozy bush and plop right down in the middle of it.  Oh the mind of a toddler!

TWO MUCH FUN! (Misspelling intended :))

Let me apologize in advance because whenever I skip a week blogging, I feel like I need to make up for it, so this blog is twice as long as usual.  The past three weeks have been jam-packed with lots of fun and adventures and the celebration of new beginnings!

Not only has the weather been A-mazing, but we had the chance to soak it up in all sorts of ways!  One of John Thomas' little buddies, Kinsley, turned two just a few weeks ago and she had the best birthday party I've ever been to.  They even rented a huge inflatable slide for all the kiddos to enjoy.  John Thomas didn't waste a second trying it out!

It was also time for another mommy haircut.  He really does better and better every time.  This time, he only cried for about a minute before he gave in and just let me do my thing.  Doesn't he make a handsome little fella?

And of course, last weekend was Easter.  We celebrated with several of our family friends.  I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in deviled eggs.  It really was a reminder of how blessed and surrounded by love we truly are.

At the Cole/McAffry family Easter, Mama Cole even put together an Easter basket for John Thomas.  Seriously, what a lucky boy.  As you can tell, all the egg-hunt practice Gramma did with him in Green Bay over Spring Break really paid off!

I couldn't resist the Momma/John Thomas photo op, since it's rare that we both are dressed up so cute!  I will say, I had the cutest date at church :).

But the biggest news of all over the past two weeks is that John Thomas turned two yesterday!  He had such a great day!  He literally got to see everyone he loves and had the best time.  Hung out with his dad and Grandma Molly and Grandpa Danny in the morning, talked to Gramma and Poppy over Skype (best invention ever), and had an afternoon full of all of his favorite things!

We had a little get together with all his friends at a local playground.  Thank you to Maggie, Jeremy, Caroline, Hannah, Denise, Adeline, Kim, Jason, Kinsley, Sarah, Andrew, Lola, Katie, Charlie, Brody, Dare, Angelina, Callie, and McKenna for all coming to help us celebrate John Thomas' big day!

He's been singing happy birthday to himself all week, but yesterday he relished in the spotlight when everyone was singing to him.  He even blew out the candle all by himself.  I'm not sure where he gets it, but he doesn't mind being the center of attention at all!

Of course, these two found a moment to steal away and be silly together.  They are always so happy to see each other, it melts my heart.  This morning at church, they grabbed each other's hand and walked from the sanctuary to the daycare room.  So sweet!

What birthday would be complete without a visit to Nana Gay's?  Thanks to them, John Thomas is all set for helping me put in the garden next weekend!

This is the point were I get a little emotional and throw my attempts at being a modest mother out the window.  Simply put, I think that my little boy is the most wonderful, precious, sweet, handsome, silly, clever, perfect little bear.  He makes me smile all the time (okay most of the time) and I know a joy I never knew existed when I think of the way he's changed and added purpose to my life.  He's learning new phrases all the time but my favorite might always be, "I lub you." It goes without being said, I love him too, more than he'll ever know.

Technical Difficulties

According to the Geek Squad, "the motherboard on my computer is fried.". So, I won't be blogging until I can get a replacement. Check back in next week to see highlights from John Thomas' second birthday! Happy Easter and thank the Lord for hope and new beginnings!

One For The Record Books

Call us crazy, but John Thomas and I might have been the only people in Knoxville who chose to go north for Spring Break.  I had no idea how to pack and was only hoping that it would be warm enough to enjoy a little bit of fresh air while we were there.  Boy were we surprised!  Green Bay actually had record-breaking heat all week!  No kidding, we even saw eighty degree weather!  My little jet-setter did super on the plane rides.  You can, no doubt, tell that he thinks he's pretty cool stuff globe trotting all over the place.

Gramma and Poppy had quite the week planned out for us.  We ate so well, I think I even gained a pound or two. And John Thomas and his Gramma are peas in a pod. 

My parents have a huge yard that has a view of Green Bay.  John Thomas wanted to walk the field every day, and on most days twice!  Gramma also helped him ready for Easter egg hunts.  She was running a regular egg-hunt boot camp.  Be forewarned, this boy leaves no stone left unturned when it comes to finding all those hidden treasures!

Gramma and Poppy also thought John Thomas might enjoy some time on a three-wheeler.  That look on his face is sheer terror.  He rode it for all of about ten seconds all week! 

We also discovered a local playground that happened to have a few of his favorite things: swings, merry-go-rounds and dinosaurs (or as John Thomas calls them, "dinos")! 

This was one of the sunsets we got to take in from my parents back porch.  Green Bay is such a beautiful place when it's not covered in several feet of snow and so cold your eyeballs freeze in between blinks.

 Poppy even did a little handy work and built John Thomas his very own plane while we were there! 

 And, John Thomas didn't waste a second before he took it on a test flight.

 Sound effects and all!

 Over the couch.

Up, up and away!  Thank you Gramma and Poppy for such an awesome week!  We couldn't have asked for anything more!

No Pillow Fights?

So do you remember those spongy letters I was venting about last week?  Well John Thomas has found a new purpose for them...an accessory.  It was a letter "C" but it doubles as a visor.  It was a letter "O" but it doubles as a bracelet.  I guess toddlers haven't learned about the box that most of us adults struggle to think outside of. 

The cover for my book has been finalized!  I actually love it!  Several people have asked what the book is about.  It's a seven week faith-based challenge to live a life more actively focused on and demonstrative of the call to serve.  I love that only one house is in color because it symbolizes how one person or one home can bring life, energy, and purpose to a neighborhood, church or community.  Essentially, if you want the world to be a better place, then it's up to you to do something about it.

 As always, the last two weeks have included some really fun times.  Meeting at the library with Aunt Sarah and Lola.  We also played at the park with some friends.

 We even got to go to dinner with our neighbors, and JT's favorite buddies, Brody and Dare. 

If that weren't enough, I threw a slumber party this past Friday night.  Five of my closest girl friends came over in their PJs, we ate pizza and ice cream, we played games and eventually called it a night at about one in the morning.  No, there weren't any pillow fights.  But there was plenty of laughter, a few tears and lots of fun!  By the way, this picture in no way demonstrates how much fun we had (well maybe except for Kim :) ), but we were too busy cracking up to stop and pose for pics.  Love these ladies.