My Man

High school sweethearts we were not!  In fact, we ran in completely different crowds.  I was afraid of getting in trouble; Justin had a slight wild side.  I was shy and in all the advanced academic classes.  Justin was athletic, outgoing, and didn't always give his best in school.  But in our senior yearbook, our baby pictures were side by side.  In another picture actually took our senior year in high school we were sitting side by side.  It's ironic now to see since we barely spoke to one another. 

During our senior year, Justin and his parents began going to the same church I attended.  His dad became our youth minister and I started to see Justin more and get to know him better.  By the time high school graduation rolled around we were friends.  Not close, but good enough friends from church to have our picture taken together in our cap and gowns after the graduation ceremony.

Then we both moved away to college.  I headed to Athens to the University of Georgia.  Justin went out of state to Cumberland University on a wrestling scholarship.  However, we were AOL friends and instant messaged one another quite often.  We saw each other at Christmas, and during Spring Break we actually made a point to get together for dinner.  This was the start of our relationship.  We started talking more on the phone and hanging out when we were both home from school.  When we both came home for summer break we became inseperable. 

Within a month I knew I wanted to marry Justin Childress.  I couldn't stop thinking about him and enjoyed hanging out with him.  He was my good friend, and I fell in love with him.  We made it through a long distance relationship when I returned to Athens to UGA and Justin began his career path in Calhoun.  We were engaged after a year and a half of dating and then were married after another year and a half of being engaged. 

Marriage has not always been easy.  There have been hard times along the way.  Tears have been cried, hurtful words have been said, and feelings have been hurt.  However, the good times far outweigh the bad.  Memories have been made, children have been born, and our bond has strengthened and solidified.  Since we were so young when we first married we both inevitably changed and grew as individuals.  However, through our dedication to the Lord and committment to one another our individual changes have brought us closer together as a couple.  We are each others best friend.  There is no one else I think of first when I have something to share or celebrate.  There is no one else I want to vent or complain to when I've had a bad day. 

I thank the Lord every day that I have a man who comes home to me every night, who tells me he loves me every day, who is my lover, friend, father of my children, and who is my safe place.  7 years down and forever to go!  I love you Justin Childress.  Happy Anniversary!!!!

Motherhood

Being a mother is by far the greatest blessing I have.  I always knew I wanted to be a mother when I was a little girl, but I was not prepared for how unconditionally I would love my children.  My children bring me overwhelming joy and happiness.  There is no other sound than the giggle from Malone when she is sharing something she thinks is funny.  There is no other feeling than the slobbery, tongue, baby kisses from Jagger.  No one prepared me that the greatest compliments in life would come from my own children, like today when Malone told me how pretty I looked after I got dressed for church.  Wow, how incredible is that!

But motherhood also brings the greatest responsibility.  I am the one they run to when they are hurt and need their "boo-boo's" taken care of.  I am responsible for instilling good morals and values.  I pray daily for both Malone and Jagger.  I pray for them to have a love for the Lord, to want to do the right thing, for their choices in friends and future spouses.  I am responsible for getting them fed and bathed and for teaching them about being happy and loving. 

Motherhood also brings worry.  I worry about my children's health and happiness.  I worry about my children having broken hearts.  The worst feeling in the entire world is knowing your baby is hurting.  I know as Malone and Jagger grow they will face hurt and heartache.  But ultimately, I must let go of that worry and leave it in the Lord's hands.  I need to remember to pray for each situation and for my children to find ultimate happiness in themselves, their family, and most of all, the Lord. 

I believe being a mother is the greatest job on this Earth.  It is the most important role any human can face.  I hope that I am able to fulfill the role of mother of my children to my greatest potential and leave a lasting impression on my them that is love, faith, and friendship. 

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.

Proverbs 31

Turning 1 is Dino-Mite

My last baby is now officially a toddler :(  I'm heartbroken and yet so proud at the same time.  I have always known I wanted to have kids and be a mom.  Now that I have 2 who are no longer "babies" I'm wanting another one.  However, there is a big difference in wanting a 3rd baby and actually having one.  I am 99% sure we have a complete family, which I am so thankful and blessed to have, but a part of me aches that there will be no more small, tiny newborns of my own to snuggle and hold.  We celebrated Jagger's fabulous birthday with a Dino-Mite party.  We were so blessed to have our family and very special friends at the party.  I can't wait to see how our circle of friends grow as Jagger gets older and starts to form relationships with other kids.  He was such a happy boy that day (like he usually is) and was fascinated by all the deorations and gifts.

We had the party at our house so I had to transform it to be party ready.  We did a party room in the dining room with the food table and Jagger's high chair for him to eat his smash cake.We had pizza, chips and dip, and red velvet cupcakes for all the guests to eat.

 



Jagger's smash cake was so adorable and made by a lady I used to work with.  She makes fabulous cakes and cupcakes.  He was IN LOVE with eating the cake.  I knew he would be.  Jagger loves to eat and is not afraid to get dirty.  This was the complete opposite of how Malone was.  We had to feed Malone her cake because she did not like getting her hands dirty.  Jagger dove right in and ate almost HALF of the whole cake.  Here are the before and after pictures of the cake.

We put the presents in the living room with Jagger's 1-year time line.  I did a time line of his pictures at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months in order to see how much he has grown and changed.  Jagger was blessed with a lot of clothes for this spring.  He was not interested in opening the presents, but luckily all of the other kids who were at the party were very in to opening and they did most of it for him.  :)

I am so grateful for this wonderful year we have had with Jagger.  He has blessed our lives in ways I could have never imagined.  I love you Jagger-man, forever and always!

Moving Along

Time moves life right along, doesn't it? I can't believe it, but this past month I filled out and turned in registration papers for Malone to start Pre-K.  Where did my tiny 6 pound baby go to? 

Malone is more and more involved in various activities and social events.  She loves gymnastics and ballet, and we signed her up for t-ball this spring.  I can't wait to see if she likes it or not.  But I definately want her to have the chance to try everything she wants to.  If she likes it then great, but if not then we can move on to something else.  Malone has a great group of little girl friends and she loves playing with them! I can't believe how grown up she is and that we are already at the stage of play dates and best gal pals.

Time has moved right along with Jagger too!  I can't believe one year ago, I was about to deliver any day, and now we are about to celebrate a first birthday.  My sweet, almost 8 pound baby is about to enter "toddler-hood". 

Jagger is now cruising and ready to walk any day.  He is growing out of the stage where he wants to be held and cuddled all the time.  He wants to be mobile and on the go.  His little personality is shining and showing signs of being strong-willed, stubborn, and having a short fuse with a big temper.  I'm not sure where he gets any of those traits from?!  Haha.  He loves to eat and absolutely loves to play with Malone.  I think he is a little lost when she is not here.  Isn't that just so sweet!



I am thankful to have time with these two precious gifts!  I just wish it would slow down a little bit so I don't find myself opening my eyes tomorrow to an empty nest.  I pray daily that as Malone and Jagger grow they make wise choices and grow a love for the Lord.  I also pray time is kind to us and brings our family closer together with our bonds to each other and that time does not drift us away from each other.  Time: it can't be stopped, but it can be cherished.

Love is...

Love is...thoughtful!  Justin sent me flowers at home on Monday, the day before Valentine's Day, because he knew I'd be home all day and get them.  One dozen red tulips, which are my absolute favorite flowers, and I think they are so much better than roses.  Justin also took me to dinner on Valentine's night to a great restaurant in Buckhead that I love.  We had a great time being together and we laughed all night and had so much fun!

Love is...heart warming!  This sweet girl melts my heart on a daily basis.  She is full of life, laughter, and love!  She also got a flower from Justin.  A single pink rose from Daddy for Malone.  What a sweet Daddy he is!!  She also got a bathing suit for her valentine treat. 

Love is...happy!  Jagger is probably the happiest little guy in the world!  He is always smiling and lauging.  He absolutely steals my heart.  His first Valentine's Day was celebrated because he definately has our hearts stolen.  Jagger's valentine treat was a pair of shorts and t-shirt for the warmer weather this spring. 





 
Love is...enduring!  Although we should show each other on a daily basis that we love them, that is not always the case.  We all have rough days and forget to be thoughful, heart-warming, or happy.  However, true love endures the hard, rough days just like it does the good days.  Remember to tell those around you how much you love them.  Thank you Lord for those I love and those who love me!

The Greatest Birthday on Earth

Come one, come all to the greatest birthday on Earth!  Malone turned 4 this weekend!!  And we celebrated by having a circus themed party at Kidz Play. 

Malone had a BLAST!  All of her most favorite friends came and they had so much fun bouncing and eating chicken nuggets and cookie cake.  Malone is definately more social this year and it was so cute to watch her and her friends playing and interacting together. 

 This is Malone as the "birthday clown".  She loved her outfit and it went right with our fun circus theme! 

Last year Malone did not like being sung "Happy Birthday" to at her party or all the attention she got because it was her birthday.  This year she was ALL about it!  She smiled the entire time we sang and then blew out her #4 candle. I thought it was so sweet to see the difference a year has made.  This is Malone last year before her 3rd birthday party.  Look at how much she has grown in a year.



I can't believe how fast my sweet girl is growing up.  I remember how little and tiny she was when she was born and now she is growing like a weed.  Malone will start Pre-K this year and I get teary eyed every time I think about it.  She is not a baby any more, but a little girl that is maturing and growing with every passing second.  I amaze myself as she grows by being so excited and looking forward to the next milestone, but mourning the ones that have passed already.  I guess that feeling is just part of being a mother.  I am so thankful every day that the Lord chose me to be her mother and I cherish that responsibility to the fullest.  I love you Malone--to the moon and stars and ALL the way back again!

Looking for the rainbow

Lately I've been looking for the rainbow.  The rainbow that means the floods are gone and the sun will shine again.  It seems like everyone in our family has been hit with some type of illness or challenge.  It all started right before Christmas when Malone had strep.  She was so sick for about 3 or 4 days and it was pitiful.  That cleared up to be followed by an ear infection.  That was followed by a ringworm on her leg and a breakout of eczema followed that.  Then Jagger was hit with a stomach virus that was followed by a rash on his body caused by some type of bacteria.  And to top it all off, I've been having trouble with my back and have really had a hard time standing or walking for long periods of time (thankfully it has been feeling better this week).  Doctor visits, antiobiotics, steroid creams, etc  have all been in our life the past month and I keep thinking that soon I'll see the rainbow that means the storms have passed.

But the rainbow has been right in front of me all along.  Our storms and clouds are so minor in comparison to what we COULD be facing, and what others DO face on a daily basis, that our rainbow is actually shining brightly!  When I am stressed or freaking out over our problems, I need to remember that no matter how bad it gets we can get through it.  And even it if our clouds get worse (and my prayer is always that they do not) I know that God will see us through.  In the end, as long as we love and trust Him, the rainbow is ALWAYS there.