Jovie's 1st Birthday Party

yes, i know i'm incredibly late with this post. oh well, at least its done!

Jovie had a fabulous 1st birthday party!! i had visions of grandeur for her big event, but time got away from me. her birthday is just 4 short weeks after Christmas, our church plant launched 2 weeks before the party & both my kids were sick in that time period. really sick. so, i did the best i could with our budget & time frame. i'm pretty pleased with how everything went & came together.

for Jack's party, i did every single thing myself. food, decor, clothing, cake & planning. i did have some help from my sisters, which was great. but, i got so burned out. so, Ben insisted that i not do as much this go around. i did do a few things for her, but i also had a few things made/bought. and i'm so glad i did it that way. Jovie had NO clue about the decor, food, or clothing. but she did have fun, all the same. i think i will attempt to do more for her 2nd birthday, maybe she will be a little more aware of what's going on by then!

i did make her a birthday banner, cupcake stand & cupcakes. i had my friend, Katherine, make her a shirt and i bought her skirt & leg warmers. the theme for her party was "cupcake" so i bought her a huge GiGi's cupcake instead of making her one. i'm so glad i did that! for the food, we ordered pizzas & did chips/dip and snacks to go with it.

we just invited our families, church staff & 2 close friends. and it ended up being the perfect amount of people. Jovie got TONS of presents, and we all had a great time visiting. we are so thankful for so many friends & family that love our little girl so much. she is blessed!

here are some pics from our fun day:



my seester, Katie, made this amazing invites. i just told her the theme & colors & she did it all herself. she's uber talented. if you need some invites, blog header or anything of the such, go to her blog & ask her for some help. you won't regret it!


Jovie's GiGi cupcake.

i think it was plenty big enough. what do you think?!

the cupcakes & cupcake stand i made for the partay

my sweet MIL bought these for Jovie Claire

i had fun making her birthday banner!


my sweet 1 year old girl.

i do NOT want her to grow up anymore.

my seester, Lindsay, made the cupcake toppers.

don't they look so cute?!

me and my girl, take 1.

and take 2. best i can do with a BUSY 1 year old!

we LOVE having a girl!

time to eat cake. and she did not love the candle, or the singing.

checking out the goods

she went for it pretty quickly. she is not shy. unlike my sweet boy.


i'm pretty sure it was love at first bite

she made a pretty good dent in that icing mountain

oh yeah, that's how we do it!

Jack just loves our friend, Olivia!

and so does Jovie! they play so sweet together.

Jovie got TONS of gifts. she is blessed with sweet friends & family!

everyone watching her open gifts


opening her first Dora doll. and she loves it!

she got some blocks & a cute new bow!

i'm sure i have a few more pictures, but i think this is plenty for now!

i think Jovie really had a fun time, even if she didn't realize it was her 1st birthday. we had a blast visiting with friends & family. we are so thankful for everyone that came. Jovie is so blessed to be loved by so many sweet people.

Happy Birthday to our precious girl!

Flowers from Daddy

Jovie got a very special birthday gift. her daddy brought home a huge bouquet of flowers for her first birthday. he said that every little girl should get flowers from their daddy & he wanted to be the first man to ever give them to her. so sweet! she really did love them. she stood next to them & touched them for awhile. we put them up on the counter & she would frequently walk by them & point. Ben would pick her up & she would smile & touch them. so adorable.

i can't even describe how much it blessed my heart that he did this for our girl. what a sweet testimony of how much he loves her. Jovie is definitely blessed with the best daddy ever. i know she probably won't remember how he did this for her, but i will be there to tell her how her daddy loves her so much. Ben said he plans on getting her flowers every year, so excited to see how she responds the next time.

so thankful for my sweet, loving husband who loves our sweet baby girl so much. she & i are both so blessed to have him.

Jovie's 1st Year in Pictures

i'm so thankful that i took Jovie & Jack's picture each month. it has been so fun to look back & see how they have grown! what a blessing!

here are 12 pictures from her first 12 months. such a beautiful little girl, my Jovie!






what a wonderfully sweet year it has been with our Jovie Claire. she is such a joy. can't wait to see how she changes & grows in year 2.

We love you, Jovie!

Happy Birthday, Jovie!

sassy girl. you are 12 months old today. what a blessing to have known & loved you this past year. i can say with all honesty that this year of your life has been my most challenging, fruitful year of my life. your acid reflux gave us all a rough time but you have come through that & we are so thankful for what we learned. you have been an absolute joy. watching you grow has been so much fun & we look forward to your 2nd year!

at 12 months you are:

* weigh 21lbs 10 oz.
* around 29 inches long
* in a size 4 diaper, size 3/4 shoe, size 12 months clothing
* taking about 2 full bottles per day. you have started drinking more whole milk & you really seem to like it
* a GREAT eater! your faves are still green beans & oranges. but you also like ravioli, carrots, peas, oatmeal, yogurt, spaghetti, bread, bananas, chicken & cheerios.
* cutting 2 teeth. which will give you a total of 4.

we have noticed that you LOVE to walk around the house carrying something or wearing something, other than your play clothes. you love purses, shoes, scarves, gloves, socks, blankets, baby dolls & pacis. i think your favorite thing to do is play cars with brother. if he is interested in trucks, you are interested. i love that you want to play with him all the time! you still follow him around the house & giggle at everything he does! you tattle on him by grunting or fussing if he does something you don't like! you have no problem with stealing his food or cups. you help yourself to whatever you can find!

you are into everything. we can't leave doors or cabinets open around the house b/c you will get into whatever is within your reach. you definitely keep me on my toes. you have a natural curiosity about how things work or plug in to the wall. yikes!!! you can make a mess in about 10 seconds!

you are definitely a momma's girl. i think pretty much everyone has noticed it! and i must say, i love it. but, you have also really taken to dada lately. you cry when he leaves, reach for him when he gets home & give him your most slobbery sweet kisses. i love the special relationship you have with him.

Jovie. you have given us 1 year of pure joy. you are tons of fun, so sweet, quirky, silly, feisty, stubborn and sensitive. each day with you is such a blessing. you make me want to have a house full of little girls. we are loving every minute of raising you. i am praying that i am the mother you need me to be, in each phase of your life. our prayers for you are that you grow up to serve the Lord & tell others of Him.

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet angel. i love you so very much.

humbling

motherhood is humbling. truer words have never been spoken. it is amazing how caring for a baby, toddler or child can make you realize your place in this world! it is an honor to be a mother but the Lord is teaching me SO much through raising my children. and lately, it has been several slaps to the face. i need to get with it & get over myself.

being peed or pooped on by your infant or toddler: humbling
being thrown up on & then having to clean it: humbling
going through your entire wardrobe & to find everything is stained with spit up/snot: humbling
standing in the cosmetic aisle in Target & leaking breast milk: humbling
going out to eat with a screaming, fidgety, squirmy, busy, wild toddler: humbling
cleaning poop out of the bath tub: humbling
having every doctor or nurse in the delivery room see you naked: humbling
learning to nurse: humbling
cleaning up after your toddler (food, spit up, toys, clothes/general messes anywhere): humbling
being up all night nursing, feeding or rocking your baby/toddler: humbling
being "that mom" anywhere in public: humbling
your toddler says something embarrassing to a total stranger: humbling
going 3 days without a shower b/c you can't even think straight: humbling
having a child that hates the nursery, so you are constantly paged: humbling
your toddler throws an all out fit in walmart: humbling
giving up money in your budget for yourself b/c your kid needs something: humbling
losing your patience with your child & having to apologize to them: humbling
getting to a doctor's office with your sick child & suddenly they exhibit no symptoms: humbling
going anywhere in public & realizing your child is half dressed: humbling
giving up all hope of looking presentable should someone pop in: humbling
having someone pop in to your house: humbling
giving up your needs, desires & date nights: humbling
learning to discipline your child: humbling
caring for someone else every minute of every day: humbling
falling short & making mistakes when it comes to your kids: humbling
being convicted by the Holy Spirit b/c you want things to be perfect: humbling
knowing that you are responsible to raise your kid in a way that honors Jesus: humbling

every single one of these things have happened to me. just reading this list is humbling! good grief.

we had a rough morning. Ben got up really early to head to church & set up. so, i was here getting the kids ready. i was buzzing around the house, in a irritated frenzy, trying to find all the clothing, diapers, wipes, shoes, bottles, cups & pacis that we would need for the next several hours. Jack was SO concerned about lining up his cars & trucks in the perfect order & Jovie was following me around the house, whining & begging me to pick her up. i couldn't find anything to wear & just as were walking out the door, both kids pooped. when we went back inside to change diapers, Jack just would not cooperate. he desperately wanted to hold on to his fire truck & i just wanted to get him clean. he squirmed one time too many (as Jovie was pulling EVERY wipe out of the package) and i just snapped. i lost my patience. i scolded Jack loudly & whined about how i hated having the responsibility of getting both kids ready by myself every Sunday morning. i was throwing a massive pity party and being ridiculous. when i looked up at Jack he was pouting and had tears streaming down his face. to top it off, he was reaching out his arms trying to give me a hug. in complete silence, my son brought me to my knees. and the Lord tore me up.

i sat down with Jack, half dressed and Jovie screaming, and told him that i was wrong. i explained that i should not have overreacted & scolded him so inappropriately. i told him that mommy was sorry & that i will try to be more patient. he just hugged me & said "awww momma". wow. he had completely forgiven me & he was already moving past it. once again, the Lord tore me up. how quick am i to anger? how slow am i to forgive? i sat on my bedroom floor & asked the Lord to forgive me. i wiped my tears away, gathered up my children & we loaded up in the car. as my kids watched "Toy Story" on the way to church, i had a come to Jesus meeting.

the Lord reminded me how similar my relationship with Him is to my relationship with my kids. i am constantly being disobedient, only concerned about myself, distracted by things of this world & delaying the work He has for me to do. but He is ALWAYS slow to anger & quick to forgive. He humbled Himself for me. and it is my job to humble myself, under Him, for my kids. whew. that is tough stuff. a hard lesson that i am constantly learning.

i think my rough morning was a blessing in disguise. i've gotten too comfortable in my role as mommy. too often i think that i've got things under control. maybe i receive a nice compliment from someone and i think "i guess i am a good mom, others notice it." insanity. that is my flesh talking. i should be walking in the Spirit and understanding that i am just a sinner, redeemed and now walking in Him.

please do not think better of me for sharing this. i only wanted to share about what i am learning as a mom. i need to write it out so that i can look back & know that i need to be humbled. i do not have it all together & i am by NO means super mom. not even close. most days i feel like i barely did a decent job. if my kids are fed & clothed then i'm satisfied! ha! i have learned that my house will never be perfect, my kids don't need to dress perfect, and i won't have a perfect meal on the table every night. i just need to live each day in a way that honors the Lord & blesses my kids.

thankful for a Savior that is always working, teaching & loving. i need His grace. praying that i glorify Him in the way that i care for my family.

Psalm 18: 27
"you save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty"

Psalm 25:9
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way"

Psalm 147:6
"the Lord sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground"

Isaiah 2:11
"the eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day"

Matthew 11: 29
"take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls"

Ephesians 4:2
"be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love"

1 Peter 5:6
"humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time"


learning to humble yourself is a lifetime process. He is teaching me to take it one day at a time. so thankful for motherhood.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

i read on someone's blog that tomorrow is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. and i immediately thanked the Lord for my children. and it broke my heart for the millions of babies whose lives have been brutally ended b/c of the wicked, satanic action of abortion. i could go on for days and days about abortion & my HATRED for it. but, i won't. we all know its a sin against God. and its disgusting, infuriating, selfish, unnecessary & wickedly violent. but, i'll stop there.

i've always known that all human life is sacred, precious & important in the eyes of God. but now that i'm a mother, i truly understand that in such a different capacity. my children are a blessing. and i do NOT take my role as their mother lightly. it is my greatest responsibility (outside of living for Jesus & loving my husband). i believe in my heart that God has a plan for their little lives. He created them for a purpose. He has things that He wants them to do & its our job as their parents to teach them how to love Jesus & to serve Him faithfully.

i do not believe in accidents when it comes to the Lord. a human life may be created out of a terrible or sinful action or situation, but it is still a human life. knitted and formed by God and valuable in His sight. whether the baby is handicapped or diseased, the Lord created him/her for a reason. and its up to Him alone how long each heart should beat. i know there are crazy medical conditions & hard times where people must make hard decisions. but He alone is the giver & taker of life.

praying that we, as a nation, stomp out abortion. and that every life is considered as precious to us as it is to Him.

thank the Lord for your children. pray for those that are desperately trying & pleading with Him to bless them with a child. pray that His hand of protection will be on the unborn.

"I will give thanks to You, for i am fearfully and wonderfully made;
wonderful are Your works
and my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when i was made in secret,
and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
and in Your book were all written
the days that were ordained before me
when as yet there was not one of them."
Psalm 139: 14-16

3 Cheese Spinach Pasta Bake

i have been on the hunt for healthier meal options for my family. and since i'm counting calories, it has made my search a little more difficult. i have 3 other people in my family, not counting calories, so i need to think of them first. so, Ben & I have decided to go as organic as we can with our eating. but that's a whole other post! =)

i've decided to take each recipe i already have & any new ones i find & make them more healthy! for example, i just switch out spaghetti noodles for whole wheat noodles & pasta sauce for organic past sauce. you get the drift. its a little more expensive this way, but i feel better about what i'm feeding my kids & my husband. its so worth it to me!

anywho. i found this recipe on the kraft foods website. we love pasta around here & i can just tell you that i'm not about to give that up. ha! so, i just went healthy with it & it was fabulous!! we gobbled it up last night & i'm looking forward to the left overs for lunch!

i didn't take pics b/c i just forgot, but you can do it. its really simple. if you don't want everything to be organic, don't worry about it! and i should note that the original recipe calls for chicken but i didn't have any (ooops!) so i just left it out & it was still very filling! next time, i will add it!

3 Cheese (chicken) Spinach pasta bake:

ingredients:
* 12 oz box of wheat penne pasta.
* 9 oz package fresh spinach leaves
* 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces.
* 1 tsp dried basil leaves
* 1 jar organic spaghetti sauce
* 1 (14 oz) can organic diced tomatoes, drained
* 2 oz neufchatel cheese (its the same thing as cream cheese, just with 33% less fat. you can't taste the difference)
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
* 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

preheat oven to 375

cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt & adding spinach to the boiling water the last minute.

(i skipped this next step b/c i didn't use chicken, but i will add it in case you do want to use chicken!)
cook & stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet, sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat for 3 minutes. stir in spaghetti sauce & tomatoes; bring to boil. simmer on low heat for 3 minutes or until chicken is done. stir in Neufchatel (or cream cheese).

drain pasta mixture. combine with sauce mixture. add 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. spoon into casserole or baking dish.

bake 20 minutes then top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese & 2 tbsp parmesan cheese. bake 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

how yum does this look?!

my Jovie girl loved it!!

i promise this is so yummy!!! the spinach gives it a great flavor & its so good for you! i didn't use my entire 9 oz bag of spinach b/c when i added it to the water with the noodles, it seemed like too much. but when it cooked down, it really wasn't much at all. so, next time i'll add it all. i also didn't have basil on hand so i used italian seasonings. i also used a little more than 2 ounces of the cream cheese.

i added up my portion, as best i could. and it came out to about 520 calories. not too bad at all! hope you enjoy it!

Lose It!

one of my New Year's Resolutions is to get healthier. all the way around. part of that for me, is eating better, feeling better about my body, losing some weight & exercising. i'm determined. i'm not being silly & thinking i can drop 50lbs by May but i'm setting realistic healthy goals for myself & if (and when) i achieve them, i'll set a new goal. and i'll keep going until i feel like i'm at a healthy weight & size.

my sister, Katie, suggested i get the Lose It app for my iphone. i got it last night & i've really enjoyed it, so far. it is so helpful in counting calories & keeping up with what you've eaten. you can also use the Lose it website, if you don't have the iphone. it does all the same stuff.

basically, you enter your current weight and then the weight you would like to be. you also enter your gender, birthday & height. then it gives you the option of losing a certain amount each week. the options are:
.5 lbs
1 lb
1.5lbs
2lbs

after you pick one, it gives you the amount of calories you can have each day in order to reach your goal. for example, i want to lose 30 lbs. (to start out, once i reach this, i'll set a new goal).
so i chose to aim for 1.5lbs per week. the Lose It app told me that i can have 1,996 calories per day & i should be able to reach my goal by June 8, 2011. not too shabby!

you can enter the foods you eat by calorie, or search for foods in the database of the app. it records your daily calorie intake. then, if you work out, you enter the amount of calories you burned & it will add these calories to your total, allowing you to eat more. for example if you have 400 calories left for the day but you worked out & burned 250 calories, you now have 650 calories left to consume for the day. you can use this to break even with your goal, or beat it for each day! if you don't know how many calories you burned, you can look it up on the app. i love this option b/c if i go out to eat, i can enter in my amount of calories & still keep up with it. i think this will really come in handy for me! once i get to my goal weight, i won't freak out as much over calorie intake b/c i'll have a better idea of what & how much i can eat. which is really my goal.

i've also started working out on our Wii Fit. and i really like it! i highly recommend it to someone who can't leave their house, everyday, to work out. i needed something i could do within the comfort, convenience & privacy of my own home. i plan on getting the Zumba game this week & i'm excited to start that too!

i know that i'll never be a size 4 & i'll always struggle with my weight. i've come to terms with that. its really hard, but its just the way it is, for me. but i can be healthier & feel better about my body. i want to be in a healthier place when i get pregnant with baby #3. i'm tired of being embarrassed by the way i look, so i'm working hard to do something about it!

here are a few pics of how the app works, (the website is the same way). i found these pics using google.





if you are like me & you need a motivator or some accountability then i would say to get this app.
you can do it!!!!

i'm going to weigh myself every Tuesday morning to see my progress from the previous week! i'm not brave enough to post my weight on here right now but i'll post about my week & how much i've lost total! i'm excited!

here's to feeling better & being healthier!!!