Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
First Year
Paul,
I can not believe it has been a year since you entered our life. Before you were born a had a lot of people tell me that you would change my life. I knew you would but I didn't know how much. You have had such an impact on your dad and I. I didn't know such love was possible. One day you'll know how I feel.
Your first year of life has brought on so many small victories. Sitting up, rolling, crawling, talking, walking. All in which are things a baby does. However, we are so blessed that you are healthy and able to do all of these things with no hesitation.
You have fit into our life perfectly. And matter of fact have made life more enjoyable. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child again makes even the simplest of things spectacular. Sometimes as an adult you forget to stop and enjoy things (especially God's things) as a spectacular creation.
You are growing so fast. The other day I put you in your car seat and you threw your pacifier. I handed it back to you and you threw it again. I looked at you with those “mother eyes” (I'm sure when you read this later in life you'll know the ones I'm talking about) and said Paul (with some kind of discernment) and you said No and put the pacifier back in your mouth. At age one you already knew the next word that was going to come out of my mouth and decided it wasn't worth it and stuck the pacifier back in your mouth in mutual agreement. Can't wait for what the next few years may bring.
Love,
Mom



Sunday, April 5, 2009
Looking back on some of these letters I realize they are not well written. However, please remember they are written out of love and someday when you are a pre-teen and you think the whole world is against you (including me) may you read them and realize how loved you are.
That being said, each day is a new adventure with you. You are growing so fast. Life with you is so much fun. It's exciting to see you discover your world.
You and you dad are close "buddies." If daddy is holding you I can usually find you relaxing in his arms playing on the computer or lounging around in a chair. However, some of the sweetest moments are when I see you and daddy sleeping.
My favorite moments with you are playing on the floor. Playing on the floor leads to new discovery. But, my all time favorite moment is when you fall asleep in my arms. You look so peaceful. It's the time of day where all my stress melts away and I reflect on being your mom and you being my baby.
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Six months has flown by. It's amazing watching the world unfold before your eyes. You are experiencing and doing so many new things. You roll to get where you need to go, you can pivot on you stomach, sitting in the highchair and eating is no big task now, playing with toys is becoming more fun, and you can really go to town in your bouncy seat. You have been saying words such as mama, lala, uh oh, and on one occasion and one occasion only did you look at your dad, reach out your hand and say "Da". However, because your dad and I were so excited and tried to get you to say again, you simply won't say it.
My prayer life has significantly increased since you have been around. I'm constantly praying for God to keep you safe, to teach me to be a good mother, that you will grow up intelligent, that you will grow up knowing how much your parents love God and therefore may decided to follow him yourself. I love you so very much. I want the best for you. I know that I may not be there to protect you at all times so I ask God to do that for me. I know that sometimes my parenting may fail and I ask God to step in.
The bond I have with you is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I hope that will never change. You will always be my baby.
Love,
Mommy
Friday, January 23, 2009
I am way behind on my monthly letters to you. I blame the holidays. You are growing faster and faster each day. It does not seem like almost 6 months ago that we were in the hospital with you.
Since the last time I wrote to you, you have explored many new things. You tried your first baby food at Thanksgiving. It was sweet potatoes. It seemed to go well.
You experienced your first Christmas with my side of the family and daddy's side of the family. You received many toys and lots of fun stuff. It's no secret that people love you and just couldn't wait to spoil you.
New Years came and went. You celebrated New Years Eve by watching Horton Hears a Who. You fell asleep in my arms and your dad and I finished the movie : )
Little to your knowledge you were a part of history in the making. The first African American officially became the President Elect on January 20, 2009. I wonder if you will later read his inauguration speech in your history books.
As far as development goes you are gradually making progress. You are now rolling from your belly to your back, putting the pacifier in your own mouth, sitting up on your own (for the most part), and trying to become my helper as I feed you baby food. I believe your favorite baby foods so far are pears, oatmeal with apples and bananas, and green beans.
Your favorite toy right now is probably a horse with a bouncy seat in the middle that Grandma Rittenour bought for you for Christmas and a toy zoo with lights and sounds that daddy and I bought for you.
I am looking forward to the new adventures that month 6 will bring.
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
You are now 3 months old and growing like crazy. At your last doctors appointment on October 31, 2008 you weighed in at a whopping 15 pounds and 2 oz. You have learned to hold your head up, blow amazing spit bubbles, giggle, turn your head when you realize your daddy or myself are in the room, hold your own rattle, and you are trying to sit up but you still have support. You are also trying to roll on your side...you are so close you almost have it. I can't wait for that day! Among the many things you are learning and doing you are also starting to cut your first teeth.

You experienced your first Halloween dressed as a monkey. You looked adorable in your monkey suit. Grandma Kim, Pap, Aunt Lori, Uncle Dave, and Cousin Connor were among your adoring fans that came to see you dressed up and pass out Halloween Candy. You also had a few visitors: Sherry, Danny, Dylan, Lauren, Jenn, Ellie, Silas, and Sarah. You tolerated your costume well. You eventually got bored with Halloween and feel asleep.

Although you have no idea, you have witnessed a major turning point in our Country. Barack Obama was elected America's first African American president.
I am enjoying each month with you. I enjoy watching your many milestones. I am on the sidelines cheering you on as you explore your new world and learn new things!
I love you!
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Love will find a way
Monday, October 13, 2008
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
-Casting Crowns
What an interesting weekend! I got a chance this weekend to see why people may love Jesus but don't like the church.
*Disclaimer: if you are reading this it probably isn't about you. Please don't take offense to anything I say.
With the craziness of the weekend and Steve's message on Sunday I'm asking myself the following questions:
How can the church shed this image?
How can we show people that being a Christian is a good thing?
How can we love no matter what?
How can I shed this image?
Do people see Jesus through me?
What is my hearts desire?
Am I filling my life with junk?
Do I want to get well?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
How about that!
| What NBC "The Office" character are you? Your Result: Jim Halpert You are the kind of person that everyone likes. You are funny, laid back, and not bad looking. You love practical jokes and having a fun time with your friends. However, because you are so laid back you often let the things that are most important to you get away. | |
| Toby Flenderson | |
| Pam Beesly | |
| Angela Martin | |
| Dwight Kurt Schrute | |
| Kelly Kapoor | |
| Ryan Howard | |
| Michael Scott | |
| What NBC "The Office" character are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz | |
Friday, September 19, 2008
To Paul
Paul,
Everyday I watch you grow with such amazement. I can’t believe your dad and I created something so beautiful. You are the hardest most rewarding job I have ever had. I don’t know if it is even a job…it’s a privilege. I am privileged to be your mommy. Everyday I pray for you. I pray that you will be a respectable, loving, intelligent, sincere, empathetic, courageous, thoughtful, God loving man. I pray that I will teach you to treat others kindly and to always stand up for what you believe in.
I love you more than anything in this whole world. A parents love is something I can’t describe. It’s a deeper more passionate love. It’s a love I’ve never experienced before. You will understand someday when you have your own children.
I love that the moment you were born you recognized my voice. I love having such a connection with you. Although sometimes it is tiring I love feeling so needed. I hope that I raise you to be an independent man but I hope that you always make me feel needed in some way.
You are my heart and soul!
Love,
Mommy
A Pirates Life for Me!
My pirate name is:
Iron Mary Bonney
A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wish you were here
"You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remeber that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And you will succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!"
-Oh the Places You'll Go, Dr. Seuss
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mommyville
1. Little boys can not be trusted.
2. Babies can pee as much as grown ups. Pee can fly across a room.
3. If I cup my hands together it makes a great pee catcher.
4. There is such a thing as a poop volcano.
5. While being a mom you never reach a sound sleep. Any little noise makes your mom-dar go off.
6. You will do ANYTHING when it comes to your baby.
7. It's ok to ask for help.
8. You can pray several times a day for someone other than yourself.
9. Sleep is overrated.
10. There is such a thing as love at first sight.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Emmaus
There are so many stories I wish I could share but I can't. I can't because if anyone reading this would want to experience it and I told about my experience it would ruin things. I can say that what I experienced last weekend is almost unexplainable. I've waited a week and I'm still not sure I have the words for it. I'm not sure I'll ever find the words.
I know that since last weekend God has been working on my heart tremendously. I don't feel like the same person and I certainly hope that I am not. However, I think this is going to be a process. Almost a cleansing process of my heart.
I thought I knew how a Christian should act, dress, pray, ect... little did I know I had no idea the heart of Jesus. I had it all wrong. There are many people I wish I could go back and apologize to for the way I acted and for the views I so strongly fought. I had no idea how stubborn I was being or how wrong I was. I felt an overwhelming love by other Christians last weekend. I felt the overwhelming love of God and Jesus and I can only say I strive to be more like that. I actually truly and undoubtedly have a knew passion in my heart...to truly and tenderheartedly love others.
"I might believe in the Redeemer if His followers looked more Redeemed."
-Fredrick Nietczshe
My prayer is that Jesus helps me everyday to be more and more like him. I am far far away from perfect. I will never be perfect. I am just merely striving to have a closer relationship, a stronger faith, and a better heart.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Update
1. I'm glad for the green on the trees, the flowers in the ground, and that it is finally starting to warm up outside.
2. For those of you that don't know...Brian and I moved so things have been kinda crazy for us lately.
3. I'm trying to take down wallpaper so Brian can paint the nursery (the nursery will have a monkey theme).
4. I am in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy. I really enjoy the pregnancy but can't wait for the conversation to be off of the size of my stomach. lol! We are 97% we are going to name the baby Paul. We do not have a middle name picked out yet. And finally, yes I'm nervous about getting him home but can't wait to have him here!
5. I'm really enjoying Monday night small group at the church. If you aren't going you are missing out on some good discussion.
6. I am really enjoying the youth group. I am so sad about the seniors graduating this coming Sunday. I'm so attached. I don't even think most of them know how much I love them and how proud I am of them. They are such a special group of kids!
So, that's a quick update. I hope everyone is enjoying the weather!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
I had to play along
You're Inherit the Wind!
by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
To you, the learning process is inherently about controversy. If
people aren't having their minds stretched, how could they possibly be learning? This
makes you a good but unpopular teacher, and the people around you are ready to make it
a federal case. All you're asking them to do is evolve a little. But they would like
you to be more creative. You would make an excellent lawyer, even though people think
you love monkeys.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Lawyer...hmmm...imagine that. I must be in the right field of work afterall. And, I do kind of think monkeys are cute....but to think we evolved from them isn't all that flattering.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Baby Update
Brian felt what he knew for sure was the baby moving yesterday. That was a pretty exciting experience. It’s amazing how we are starting to evolve into feeling like parents.
Now on to the big question…what are we going to name him? Answer: we have no clue. It’s not that we haven’t put thought into it. We have put a lot of thought into this but we just don’t have an answer. We have looked through baby books and nothing just stands out and says “That’s it!” Our heritage is German, Irish, English, and Scottish for the most part. We also like Biblical names. Any suggestions?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
I am a Christian
By Maya Angelou
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!