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. 

Jump for Joy! It's Leap Year!

I cannot believe February has come and gone so quickly, especially considering there's an extra day squeezed into this month!  I guess time flies when you're having fun!  Or maybe...it's time flies when you don't have time to sit around and watch it because your busy chasing after, cooking for and cleaning up after a twenty-two month old.  Better yet, maybe it's a little of both!  The above picture is from last night's PHS boy's basketball game.  They beat Farragut in the first round of Regionals, go Panthers!  John Thomas had a blast cheering for the team!  I have to say I'm not surprised that he loves being at the games considering I spent most of my pregnancy coaching girls basketball.

Ummm...this is what the dinning room often looks like after John Thomas gets done playing.  He didn't actually throw anything, just gently turned the room upside down and had lots of fun in the process.  I thought the foam letters would be a great idea, but now I'm beginning to realize it is more like a daily puzzle for momma to put back together.  Just think, I used to be one of those people where everything had it's place.  Needless to say, I've thrown that philosophy out the window!  Before too long, I might be throwing the foam puzzle out the window as well!

The good news is that, in spite of his love for making a mess, John Thomas actually loves to help clean up too!  His favorite chore is the laundry.  He will actually go get both my basket and his, push them to the laundry room and then load the washing machine!  Now if he just keeps that up, learns how to cook a meal or two and use the lawn mower, he's going to make some lucky lady very happy in about 20 years!

As I referenced the other day, my book, LYFE (Live Your Faith Every day) will be coming out sometime mid-summer.  Thank goodness my best friend, Sarah, is an amazing photographer and helped shoot a picture of me for the back cover.  Of all the photos, this is the one that I sent to the publisher.  I've actually gotten to see the front cover, but they are still doing some tweaking so I won't share it with you until it's done.  For the five of you all that actually buy the book, thank you in advance for your support!  And no, I don't plan on doing any book signings, since the five of you who buy the book would be the only ones there :).

Isn't this sweet?  John Thomas has been asking for Lola all weekend and today we happened to get invited to the Cole/McAffry Sunday luncheon.  Steak, mashed potatoes, mac n' cheese, sauteed veggies...YUMMY!  After a meal like that I think we're both going to take a great nap this afternoon!  I can't believe the next time I post it'll be the week before Spring Break!

Who Is That Masked Man?

Welcome back to our world of toddler adventures and baby boys that are growing so fast, it's hard to believe. First off, it's a good thing we didn't make a New Year's resolution to lounge around the house, because we would be failing miserably.  We have been busy busy.  John Thomas started "tee-teeing" in the potty a few weeks ago.  He doesn't ask to use it, but whenever he wakes up and before evening bath time, he will sit and go like a big boy!  I know there is still a ways to go before he's officially potty trained, but hey, it's definitely a start! 

He's also discovered a few new favorite things to do around the house.  One of his new hiding spots is in the kitchen cabinet.  He takes all of the pots out to make a hideout that's just the right size. 

 Whenever he comes out, he says, "I see you!"  Did I mention I'm crazy about this boy? 

We've also had lots of time with Gramma, Poppy, Nana Gay and Tony!  My parents came in town last weekend and it's been awesome having them here!  Lots of family time and help around the house.  We're seriously going to miss them when they head back to Wisconsin tomorrow!

Gramma also wanted to see how John Thomas would do at the barber, since he was in need of a haircut.  As evidenced by the picture, he wouldn't even put the cape on.  So it was up to Momma the barber to work her magic again.  When I say magic, I mean try to cut his hair as fast as possible while leaving his ears firmly affixed to his head, all while he tries to get away from me.  He actually did better than ever for this haircut. 

John Thomas has also started wearing everyone else's shoes around the house.  He puts them on himself and, so far, has put the correct shoes on the correct feet.  I'm pretty sure that's just coincidence and not that our nearly 22 month old can tell his left from his right. 

 He's an equal opportunity shoe borrower. 

And he looks equally cute in all of them as well.  I couldn't resist just one bath time picture.  The bath is really more of a miniature swimming pool these days.  So if you ever get to help with bath time around here, you might want to dress appropriately.  On Tuesday, I'll get to celebrate Valentine's Day with my little valentine who will officially be 22 months old.  I simply can't believe it! 

Ugly Beautiful

     So if you're coming to Kirkpatrick's Corner this week in hopes of seeing really cute pictures of an adorable little boy and his faithful dog, Chester, you're just going to have to check back in two weeks. This week, I feel like I have to share something a bit more real. So here goes...
     Let me start by saying, please don't comment on this blog, or "like" it on Facebook, or send me a text or card. I am not sharing this with anyone for any other reason than it's time to let go. Today, I'm letting go of my secret. It's not a secret to many of you, but it's definitely something I have intentionally edited from my public, professional and blog-posting life. For the last six months I have been coping with and grieving the greatest loss of my life. It's not the tragic death of a loved one, technically. Rather it's the tragic death of the loss of my marriage. I'm going to omit details and finger-pointing, because it has nothing to do with writing this post. All I'll say is trying to overcome the loss of the only love I've ever known has been devastating. But, with the grace of God, the love of friends and family and the will to heal---I have been working through it.
     Since I cannot change the past, and I have learned that I cannot control the future, I have realized that the best way for me to deal with my new life is to try and learn from it as much as I can. Here's only a brief description of what I've garnered so far:

1. I am not in control and, even though I tried very hard, I have never been in control of my future. For more years than I care to acknowledge, I truly believed that if I made the right decisions--everything would always be fine. In a nutshell, I've learned that I make a horrible god.

2. Before all of this, I've never had to rely on my faith so much. Until last summer, I can honestly say that I've never had to call out to God in desperation. What a blessed life. I had lived thirty-two years and never hurt enough to beg for His help. I have learned that He keeps his promises.

3. I have learned that happiness isn't a guarantee, but neither is sadness. Life if full of the ugly beautiful. The miracle of babies, the unexplained loss of loved ones, natural disasters, the undeniable beauty of sunsets on snow-covered mountains, the kindness of a stranger. What I know, is that those moments that make me smile or take my breath away are not to be taken for granted. I took many things for granted. But in the backdrop of my recent life experience, I know that those moments of joy, of laughing till your crying, or the warm hug of the people that matter the most in the world are the most precious gifts. And in this life here, in the ugly-beautiful, I should relish it a little more.

4. John Thomas will never know that he saved my life. When I didn't know how to get out of bed, or couldn't fathom eating, I did it for him. He is my joy. He makes me smile, he is the sole provider of most all my hugs and kisses these days, and I am a very blessed mother. I am thankful for the past thirteen years of my life with Jason and the product of our love was our son. I wouldn't change THAT for anything.

In closing, I feel like I need to acknowledge that I have made lots of mistakes in the past and I'm, in no way, blaming anyone for what has happened. Blaming doesn't lead to healing, forgiveness does. To those of you who have supported either one of us, thank you. I can't imagine being a celebrity and having to go through this very painful process in the public eye. And I know I'm blogging about this, so to ask for discretion seems absurd. But what we need, what anyone needs who is going through a tough time, is love, support and prayers.