Harrison went into the baby pool for the first time today... He loved it!!
I love this boy!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Spring fun
Harrison went into the baby pool for the first time today... He loved it!!
I love this boy!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Some pictures from the party
I made a cupcake cake
I also had some single cupcakes
I wasn't the photographer for the party (Which was great, but I was itching to grab my camera the whole time!) But my point is I am waiting to get all the pics from the party and then I will update :)
It was a good day with friends, family, and of course my little 1 year old!
Messy boy
I also had some single cupcakes
I wasn't the photographer for the party (Which was great, but I was itching to grab my camera the whole time!) But my point is I am waiting to get all the pics from the party and then I will update :)
It was a good day with friends, family, and of course my little 1 year old!
Messy boy
Monday, March 14, 2011
Where has Jen been?
You will understand my lack of updating when I tell you that I now have an ACTIVE 1 year old and I am in the process of putting his party together. It will be happening this Sunday! I am so excited!! Yes I know his real birthday was on the 8th and his party is in the 20th. I wanted to make sure that all the family would be able to make it, and this date was the one that allowed them all to join.
Here are some of the crafts for the Baseball themed party
- Home made banner (I really had this idea before I looked at a couple site where EVERYONE has them at their parties now! I am not a copy cat :)
- Home made birthday outfit! My friend Michelle embroidered/ appliqued the adorable shirt, and I made the pants.
- There will be yummy popcorn (ordered from the popcorn lady in Vegas!!)
Here are some of the crafts for the Baseball themed party
- Home made banner (I really had this idea before I looked at a couple site where EVERYONE has them at their parties now! I am not a copy cat :)
- Home made birthday outfit! My friend Michelle embroidered/ appliqued the adorable shirt, and I made the pants.
- There will be yummy popcorn (ordered from the popcorn lady in Vegas!!)
- I am making a cupcake cake as well as individual cupcakes. They will be decorated with the Rays decor.
Here is a glimpse of the pre party... there is MUCH more to get!
Monday, March 7, 2011
My little man is growing up
Harrison is turning one tomorrow! I can't believe how fast this year went. A year ago tomorrow, I got the call that Harrison was born... my life changed a year ago tomorrow. I became a mommy. God had answered my prayer.
I still can't believe that I was blessed with such a beautiful, sweet, adorable little man. He has been a perfect fit in our lives. Happy Birthday to my Harrison! I can't wait to celebrate more birthdays with you!
I still can't believe that I was blessed with such a beautiful, sweet, adorable little man. He has been a perfect fit in our lives. Happy Birthday to my Harrison! I can't wait to celebrate more birthdays with you!
Friday, February 18, 2011
A little boys birthday is around the corner!!
I am so excited to be getting things ready for Harrison's birthday party! I ordered his invitations today! They are so cute, I love them! I am planning on having a "sports" theme party. We are big Tampa Bay Rays fan, and so there will be a lot of baseball stuff. I am trying to get the menu in the works, and it will be a lot of finger food as well as ballpark food.
If you know of any cute sites that have decorations at good prices please fill me in!
By the way I can't believe this birthday has come up so fast!
Proud mommy!
Jen
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Harrison has finally said....
Momma! It only took him 11.5 months! I am loving everytime that beautiful words comes out of his mouth. Now I just hope he learns that this is not a random sound and that I am momma!
Loving this stage!
Jen
Loving this stage!
Jen
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My little bare
Yesterday I walked in to get Harrison from his nap... this was not the sight I was expecting to see. Lets just say his sheets were soaked, but thankfully he didn't explore his poopy diaper. I think that he will be in onesies from now on during his nap times!
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Journey of Love
On this Valentines Day I find myself counting my blessings of those the Lord has put in my life. Wow! God is gracious and I don't think that I can thank Him enough for how He is working in my life. I can see God at work just by thinking of how he brought 2 certain men in my life.
My Husband is perfect for me. When you are talking about starting a family with your soon to be spouse, you never imagine that infertility can or will be a factor. You dream that you will have no trouble and will get pregnant right when you start trying. I mean, God did call us to be fruitful and multiply right?
Well in our family there are infertility problems, and it would have been a lot harder if I did not have a supportive husband. God knew that there would be problems and he gave me the perfect man to help me get through these problems. (I also like to think that I have helped him to get through the heart ache as well.)
As I look back from the realization of the infertility to now, I see my husband through a new lens. I see a man who was never frustrated with how I have rode this roller coaster, but instead he got in beside me and held my hand through the lowest and highest parts. I see a man who wasn't quick to try to find a solution or angry that he couldn't fix our problem, but instead he reminded me that our God is in control. I see a man who didn't ignore or belittle my dreams of a family, but was more than willing to start our family through fostering and ultimately adoption.
Oh I love the man that God has blessed me with, and I love him more and more everyday. My heart is full!
Harrison, besides being the most adorable little boy ever, was chosen for our family. (I am already crying... oh the Lord has been so good!) I have to be honest. In the early years of our infertility I was stubborn, I did not want someone else's child, I wanted MY own biological child. I wanted to see Erick and I's features when I gazed into that baby's face! Adoption was not an option for the longest time. Oh I am so so so thankful that God changed my heart. Money was not even a reason for not wanting to adopt, even though there was no way that we could ever afford to adopt if we wanted, it was selfishness and stubbornness.
God was takingus me on a little journey through that mental jungle of, lets call it, immaturity. Erick was always open from day 1, but he didn't pressure or bring it up a lot, instead he let God work in my heart. If you have been reading my blog over the last 2 years, you know the miracle that happened that brought us to Harrison so I won't go back into that; but as I just recently went back through I saw myself "grow-up". I saw a girl who was constantly look inward and outward, to upward. Make sense? God didn't just yank my face up towards Him, but gradually got my attention on Him and when I came to complete realization that he is the plan maker, not me, he revealed what he has had in store for my family since day one. A small package named Harrison.
Adoptions are hard, not only because of the money but also because of the time table. This morning I was watching adoption stories, and a couple was wanting to adopt a baby and they found out it could take up to 10 years ... seriously that is nuts! Our adoption was probably the smoothest I have ever heard of! First of all we did not have to pay a dime (Thank you to our anonymous donors!) and we didn't have to wait barely any time at all. We found out about Harry in mid October and got to take him home in March! That is 5 months! From start to finish! AHHH why was I blessed to have such a miraculous adoption?! I have no idea, which makes me so much more thankful!
Back to the baby, Harrison is my son. When I look into his face, I see my bright blue eyes, the cleft chin that both Erick and I have, as well as a nose that looks like Erick's. My child is beautiful, he was made to be our son. He is super active, stubborn, funny, adventurous, and I wouldn't want him any other way. Perfect!
Finally but not the least important I wanted to talk about my Abba Father. I know that the words that I am going to write about Him will not even scratch the surface of his influence and impact in my life, but I wanted to give Him credit, since he is the reason for EVERYTHING.
Okay where do I start? Here is my God who have fulfilled my hearts desire for a family. He didn't have to, but he did! Here is my God who gave me my hearts desire for a loving, godly husband. He didn't have to, but he did! Here is my God who gave me the amazing, yet sometime crazy, support system of our family and friends. Each person has been a much needed part of this puzzle and wow and I glad he picked who he did!
This just came to me... If you have the mind set that you need to be a perfect Christian to get blessing from God I am proof that God blesses because he loves us, not because we are perfect and deserve it. I still struggle with this fact because I am a people pleaser, but God is not into that. He blesses you because He loves you and we are a part of His ultimate plan.
Friends and family who read this, first of all sorry for all the bad grammar and run-on sentences, (my husband always laughs and then sighs when he has to read something of mine. Probably just did) but I hope that you have realized that God is good to all of His children. I also hope that you have taken a good look at your life and can see the hand of God in all areas of your life, especially in the area of those who love you!
Ultimately blessed,
Jen
My Husband is perfect for me. When you are talking about starting a family with your soon to be spouse, you never imagine that infertility can or will be a factor. You dream that you will have no trouble and will get pregnant right when you start trying. I mean, God did call us to be fruitful and multiply right?
Well in our family there are infertility problems, and it would have been a lot harder if I did not have a supportive husband. God knew that there would be problems and he gave me the perfect man to help me get through these problems. (I also like to think that I have helped him to get through the heart ache as well.)
As I look back from the realization of the infertility to now, I see my husband through a new lens. I see a man who was never frustrated with how I have rode this roller coaster, but instead he got in beside me and held my hand through the lowest and highest parts. I see a man who wasn't quick to try to find a solution or angry that he couldn't fix our problem, but instead he reminded me that our God is in control. I see a man who didn't ignore or belittle my dreams of a family, but was more than willing to start our family through fostering and ultimately adoption.
Oh I love the man that God has blessed me with, and I love him more and more everyday. My heart is full!
Harrison, besides being the most adorable little boy ever, was chosen for our family. (I am already crying... oh the Lord has been so good!) I have to be honest. In the early years of our infertility I was stubborn, I did not want someone else's child, I wanted MY own biological child. I wanted to see Erick and I's features when I gazed into that baby's face! Adoption was not an option for the longest time. Oh I am so so so thankful that God changed my heart. Money was not even a reason for not wanting to adopt, even though there was no way that we could ever afford to adopt if we wanted, it was selfishness and stubbornness.
God was taking
Adoptions are hard, not only because of the money but also because of the time table. This morning I was watching adoption stories, and a couple was wanting to adopt a baby and they found out it could take up to 10 years ... seriously that is nuts! Our adoption was probably the smoothest I have ever heard of! First of all we did not have to pay a dime (Thank you to our anonymous donors!) and we didn't have to wait barely any time at all. We found out about Harry in mid October and got to take him home in March! That is 5 months! From start to finish! AHHH why was I blessed to have such a miraculous adoption?! I have no idea, which makes me so much more thankful!
Back to the baby, Harrison is my son. When I look into his face, I see my bright blue eyes, the cleft chin that both Erick and I have, as well as a nose that looks like Erick's. My child is beautiful, he was made to be our son. He is super active, stubborn, funny, adventurous, and I wouldn't want him any other way. Perfect!
Finally but not the least important I wanted to talk about my Abba Father. I know that the words that I am going to write about Him will not even scratch the surface of his influence and impact in my life, but I wanted to give Him credit, since he is the reason for EVERYTHING.
Okay where do I start? Here is my God who have fulfilled my hearts desire for a family. He didn't have to, but he did! Here is my God who gave me my hearts desire for a loving, godly husband. He didn't have to, but he did! Here is my God who gave me the amazing, yet sometime crazy, support system of our family and friends. Each person has been a much needed part of this puzzle and wow and I glad he picked who he did!
This just came to me... If you have the mind set that you need to be a perfect Christian to get blessing from God I am proof that God blesses because he loves us, not because we are perfect and deserve it. I still struggle with this fact because I am a people pleaser, but God is not into that. He blesses you because He loves you and we are a part of His ultimate plan.
Friends and family who read this, first of all sorry for all the bad grammar and run-on sentences, (my husband always laughs and then sighs when he has to read something of mine. Probably just did) but I hope that you have realized that God is good to all of His children. I also hope that you have taken a good look at your life and can see the hand of God in all areas of your life, especially in the area of those who love you!
Ultimately blessed,
Jen
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Prayer for my son
Lord,
As I am learning more about this little boy that you put in my life there are a couple things that I will be asking of you. First of all Lord I am still in awe that you have chosen Erick and I to be Harrison's mommy and daddy, we are so thankful and so in love! Lord I pray that you would give me patience, Harrison is at that testing stage that will only grow until . . . well actually it probably won't stop until he has his own kids, so Lord load me up daily, actually how about second by second. Next I pray for protection over his sweet little body. Lord he already knows how to stick his fingers in the sockets not to mention climbing and then diving or falling head first into the floor. (Thank you for the protection you have had over him so far, as he has already fallen off of two beds, yikes!) Third Lord begin to give Erick and I wisdom as how to react towards him and how he sees Erick and I react towards eachtother. I want to be an example of Christ to him, I want him to see his parents as being wise, confident, and in love. There are many other things that need to be brought to you in prayer for this little darling, but Lord at the moment help him to stop biting... he is going after my toes right now and it hurts.
Thank you again Lord for the opportunity of being a mommy, I love it and would not want any other job title in the world!
Love,
Harry's momma
As I am learning more about this little boy that you put in my life there are a couple things that I will be asking of you. First of all Lord I am still in awe that you have chosen Erick and I to be Harrison's mommy and daddy, we are so thankful and so in love! Lord I pray that you would give me patience, Harrison is at that testing stage that will only grow until . . . well actually it probably won't stop until he has his own kids, so Lord load me up daily, actually how about second by second. Next I pray for protection over his sweet little body. Lord he already knows how to stick his fingers in the sockets not to mention climbing and then diving or falling head first into the floor. (Thank you for the protection you have had over him so far, as he has already fallen off of two beds, yikes!) Third Lord begin to give Erick and I wisdom as how to react towards him and how he sees Erick and I react towards eachtother. I want to be an example of Christ to him, I want him to see his parents as being wise, confident, and in love. There are many other things that need to be brought to you in prayer for this little darling, but Lord at the moment help him to stop biting... he is going after my toes right now and it hurts.
Thank you again Lord for the opportunity of being a mommy, I love it and would not want any other job title in the world!
Love,
Harry's momma
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Resolution time
So here are my 12 NEEDED changes that I plan to make this upcoming year. I already shared these... but I put some notes from how things are going.
1. Quiet time- I have let this go to the wayside for far too long and I am feeling the parchness of not getting to spend time with my Abba Father. Ugh I really need to kick myself for not being more diligent this past year doing this! Being a new mom this is what I need to give myself my needed getaway.... I plan on going through the new testament.
2. Submissive wife- I have to admit I am still getting used to serving my husband. I don't know why this is such a chore for me... but I have to do it and I need to start realizing it is just as important of a job as being mommy to Harrison. I don't know how but I know this will help me to appreciate and love my husband more.... I am actually working on this already.
3. Finding a hobby and getting good at it- Okay so this may be an easy one because I have found a new hobby that I am loving already. Photography! Plus as an added bonus I have got the cutest male model I have ever seen and I can book him any time I want! Of course I am talking about my little Harry. To take this further though, I would like to go to the library and check out some books on how to use my camera to its fullest and to just learn more about lighting and settings etc.... I have been tinkering with some old 35 mm cameras, and am learning that you really need to know how your camera works and can't just point and shoot.
4. Eating healthy- Some may roll their eyes at this, because this is the normal resolution that everyone will make, but this is one that I need to make. I have multiple stomach issues from IBS, food intolerances, even a spastic colon :( Not full to live with! But lately I have been going semi-vegetarian, staying away from red meat and pork, and very rarely I will eat the white meats. But I have noticed a huge change in how my stomach has been feeling over the last month! That I have decided to continue this change in menu. I am not saying that red meat is bad, I am not going PETA or anything, I just feel for my personal self this is a must.... I have been doing great! I haven't had read meat or pork for the last 3 or more months.
5. Cooking- I grew up in a home where fast-food was dinner 95% of the time, and I was never really encouraged or taught how to cook. I have riden on this excuse for the last 5 years and will normally have my husband cook when he gets home from work. Well this needs to stop, my poor man just worked hard and needs time to unwind when he gets home instead of jumping into a new job. So I have been cooking for us lately and you know what, I am not too shabby. I made an awesome eggplant parm, stuffed bell peppers, I even baked some spiced applesauce cupcakes with a homemade cream cheese frosting! I am enjoying this new roll and plan on keeping it up!... I still need to take more of an initiative in this area... :(
6. Thank you cards- My Grandma and step mom are so good at this, and I really need to learn from them. This is a sweet, thoughtful, and easy thing that should be done when anyone gives you anything! Thank you cards are becoming old fashioned and this shouldn't be. I am going to pick this up and it is right in time for the holidays.... I need to buy some stamps.
7. Get Harrison outside more- I need to get my pale boy outside, he loves to go for walks...which I need to do more, he likes to play in the grass.... I need to get over my fear that he will eat it or another bug. I don't want to keep him cooped up to where he thinks this is normal and then becomes a couch potato and is sucked in by the TV's garbage!... It has been a little too cold recently, but soon!
8. Apply for a job as an online college professor- I figure that I could make a lot more money and would enjoy it so much more than my current online high school positon. If I am going to work online I want it to count to the fullest and I hate to say it, but I am not enjoying my "job" at all! It pays me barely anything at all, and the drama with high school students....need I say more.... in the works, waiting for a response.
9. Get back into fostering- I would be doing this right now, but we currently do not have a house of our own. But I would like to somehow figure out how we can so I can minister to these little ones who need some loving while their parents are out of commission. I really feel this is the ministry that God has laid on my heart and it aches that I can't do anything about it right now! But I am thankful that my mom and step dad are letting us live with them until Erick and I get our finances in order... I should write them a thank you :) We need to get into our own place first.
10. Get my sewing machine up and running- No need to elaborate... Got the plug now need to get some fabric.
11. Stop drinking coffee- Ughhh I have to make this one, I am reverting back to my college days to where I can't function properly in the morning unless I get my morning Joe. I used to be soo good at drinking my green tea, and I need to get back to that. There is less caffeine and it makes my breath a little more tolerable to Harrison :) Drinking more tea!
12. Move to Georgia- If the grandparents read this they would kill me... or kidnap Harrison. Since getting him, everyone in our family is happier, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, friends! Back on the topic I really want to live in Georgia... so much that I think that when we go up there for Thanksgiving this next week I want Erick to look for a job. I am letting God lead us, and I think he has for a while. I don't know but the appeal for GA is overwhelming... my heart yearns, and it doesn't do this often.... Not going to happen for a while.
1. Quiet time- I have let this go to the wayside for far too long and I am feeling the parchness of not getting to spend time with my Abba Father. Ugh I really need to kick myself for not being more diligent this past year doing this! Being a new mom this is what I need to give myself my needed getaway.... I plan on going through the new testament.
2. Submissive wife- I have to admit I am still getting used to serving my husband. I don't know why this is such a chore for me... but I have to do it and I need to start realizing it is just as important of a job as being mommy to Harrison. I don't know how but I know this will help me to appreciate and love my husband more.... I am actually working on this already.
3. Finding a hobby and getting good at it- Okay so this may be an easy one because I have found a new hobby that I am loving already. Photography! Plus as an added bonus I have got the cutest male model I have ever seen and I can book him any time I want! Of course I am talking about my little Harry. To take this further though, I would like to go to the library and check out some books on how to use my camera to its fullest and to just learn more about lighting and settings etc.... I have been tinkering with some old 35 mm cameras, and am learning that you really need to know how your camera works and can't just point and shoot.
4. Eating healthy- Some may roll their eyes at this, because this is the normal resolution that everyone will make, but this is one that I need to make. I have multiple stomach issues from IBS, food intolerances, even a spastic colon :( Not full to live with! But lately I have been going semi-vegetarian, staying away from red meat and pork, and very rarely I will eat the white meats. But I have noticed a huge change in how my stomach has been feeling over the last month! That I have decided to continue this change in menu. I am not saying that red meat is bad, I am not going PETA or anything, I just feel for my personal self this is a must.... I have been doing great! I haven't had read meat or pork for the last 3 or more months.
5. Cooking- I grew up in a home where fast-food was dinner 95% of the time, and I was never really encouraged or taught how to cook. I have riden on this excuse for the last 5 years and will normally have my husband cook when he gets home from work. Well this needs to stop, my poor man just worked hard and needs time to unwind when he gets home instead of jumping into a new job. So I have been cooking for us lately and you know what, I am not too shabby. I made an awesome eggplant parm, stuffed bell peppers, I even baked some spiced applesauce cupcakes with a homemade cream cheese frosting! I am enjoying this new roll and plan on keeping it up!... I still need to take more of an initiative in this area... :(
6. Thank you cards- My Grandma and step mom are so good at this, and I really need to learn from them. This is a sweet, thoughtful, and easy thing that should be done when anyone gives you anything! Thank you cards are becoming old fashioned and this shouldn't be. I am going to pick this up and it is right in time for the holidays.... I need to buy some stamps.
7. Get Harrison outside more- I need to get my pale boy outside, he loves to go for walks...which I need to do more, he likes to play in the grass.... I need to get over my fear that he will eat it or another bug. I don't want to keep him cooped up to where he thinks this is normal and then becomes a couch potato and is sucked in by the TV's garbage!... It has been a little too cold recently, but soon!
8. Apply for a job as an online college professor- I figure that I could make a lot more money and would enjoy it so much more than my current online high school positon. If I am going to work online I want it to count to the fullest and I hate to say it, but I am not enjoying my "job" at all! It pays me barely anything at all, and the drama with high school students....need I say more.... in the works, waiting for a response.
9. Get back into fostering- I would be doing this right now, but we currently do not have a house of our own. But I would like to somehow figure out how we can so I can minister to these little ones who need some loving while their parents are out of commission. I really feel this is the ministry that God has laid on my heart and it aches that I can't do anything about it right now! But I am thankful that my mom and step dad are letting us live with them until Erick and I get our finances in order... I should write them a thank you :) We need to get into our own place first.
10. Get my sewing machine up and running- No need to elaborate... Got the plug now need to get some fabric.
11. Stop drinking coffee- Ughhh I have to make this one, I am reverting back to my college days to where I can't function properly in the morning unless I get my morning Joe. I used to be soo good at drinking my green tea, and I need to get back to that. There is less caffeine and it makes my breath a little more tolerable to Harrison :) Drinking more tea!
12. Move to Georgia- If the grandparents read this they would kill me... or kidnap Harrison. Since getting him, everyone in our family is happier, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, friends! Back on the topic I really want to live in Georgia... so much that I think that when we go up there for Thanksgiving this next week I want Erick to look for a job. I am letting God lead us, and I think he has for a while. I don't know but the appeal for GA is overwhelming... my heart yearns, and it doesn't do this often.... Not going to happen for a while.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
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