happy birthday ceci!

Today, I celebrate the birthday of a very special friend…Ceci!  Ours is one of my very longest friendships!  I was privileged to be her first American friend, after her American parents adopted her from Korea!  She was 9, I was 8…it was a LONG time ago!  But through the years, we have been part of each others lives.  She lives in New York, so we get up there as often as we can to visit her.  There is NEVER a dull moment when we are together.  She has been such a good friend for me – always pushing me out of my comfort zone (I need that!) and getting me to try new things.  We love to reminisce and tell funny stories, look at photos of all our crazy hairstyles over the years and we love to SING together!    I have so many special memories that have her at the center of them…

Ceci, I love you so much and I cherish the times that we have together.  I am so glad that God brought you into my life.  I hope this is a very special day and very special year for you!

Happy Birthday, my friend! 

These photos are from our trip to NY in June!

::Happy Birthday, Chris::

On this day, 32 years ago, in Orlando, FL, a little baby boy came into this world.  His dad would name him Christopher Adam Jessee.  He would grow up and come to know the Lord…his family would become members of Metro Life Church where he and I would meet at the ripe old age of 12.  He and I would become friends, then best friends, then husband and wife.  Over the next ten years we would grow as a couple and as a family – adding 3 precious children to our home.  He would grow as a man, a husband, a father…a servant and a leader…he would grow in humility and self-control, in knowledge and wisdom. 

I am so grateful that Chris was born…that the Lord chose to give him life, even when his mom was told she couldn’t have children.  God had a bigger plan – a plan to raise up a man that would serve Him with every fiber of his being – who would love his family, his friends and his church.  A man who will quickly admit his failures, yet one who leaves an example that is worth following.

I am honored to have this man as my husband – the one I get to spend my life with. 

Chris, I love you more than words can express.  I pray that the Lord will help me to show you each day what a treasure you are to me.

Happy Birthday, babe…I love you!

***Ella’s 1st Birthday Party***

Well, the special day finally arrived…Ella turned 1 year old and we were able to have her party ON her birthday!  (It was convenient that it fell on a Saturday!)  We had family and friends here with us to celebrate.  Thankfully the weather was nice.  It was warm and a bit overcast, but it didn’t rain at all (which was good, because if everyone had been inside the whole time, it would have been a very tight fit!)

We had a wonderful time.  Our dear friend, Val Busser, made an AMAZING cake for the day!  Wow!  Yes, it was a bit over the top…(smile)…but it was SO MUCH FUN!  (Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU VAL!)  I am totally loving this whole girly-girl thing!  Of course everything was PINK.  Ha!  (I have never even been a big “pink” fan, but something about a little girl does it to you!)   

 Enjoy the photos below…

Our sweet girl on her birthday! 
 

 She seemed to be excited!  (She really liked the cookies, too!)

                 

The INCREDIBLE cake!                                  

This was the “smash” cake – “1″

With Mama & Daddy!

  

I must have forgotten to take this photo at the beginning of the day.  But there were a whole bunch of rubber duckies as party gifts for her friends!  (Since rubber duckies are Ella’s favorite!)

She got a PINK guitar from Grammy & Grandpa (they got the boys each a guitar for their first birthdays).  Check out how she is holding it – like she knows just what to do!

This was our gift to her…a little stroller that will help her learn to walk!  She is here with her friend Lucy!

She was having so much fun!

 

 Happy Birthday, Dear Ellllllaaaaaaa….

She did try to blow out the candle – we had been practicing…she just couldn’t quite do it by herself!

Hmmm…what do I do with this????

Yes, she just stuck her face in it and took a bite! 

Then, she stuck her hands in it…

mmmmmm….chocolate!

gotta love this face….

need…more…chocolate!

the “big kids” eating cake

Ella (after a much needed bath and change of clothes) with her friend Sadie (who turns one exactly one week later)!

I will post some more photos soon, but wanted to at least get these on the blog!  Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated our sweet girl’s birthday!  It was a day we will never forget.

**Ella is 1!**

I can’t believe that one year ago today, our little Ella Grace was born!   In some ways it seems like yesterday, but in other ways it seems like she has been with us for a long time.  What a blessing this little girl is to our family.  I am continually amazed that the Lord would bless us with such a gift.  She brings so much joy – even to people who don’t know her!  She has such a sweet personality, eyes that brighten your day and a smile that will light up a room. 

Ella is cruising even more and starting to let go and stand alone.  No actual steps yet – but I am sure they aren’t too far away!

She cut her 5th and 6th teeth this past month.  (The latter just cut through a couple of days ago, after about two weeks of pain for her!)  She is trying to say different words.  We heard a dog barking last week and she perked up.  I said, “that is a dog!”  She said, “Do.”  I said, “Dogs say “ruff, ruff”, She said,”uff.”  So much fun! 

She has started squealing a little more again.  It seemed to start back up as this tooth was coming in.  Chris measured her on a decibel meter – 116 db!!!   (And I know she has screamed even louder than she did at the time he measured her!  She has quite a strong voice!)

Her hair is trying to grow and seems to have a bit of a curl in it.  It can get a little frizzy right now!  Ha!

Today we are having a little party here at the house for her.  I can’t wait.  It is a big photo op, so you know I will post lots of fun photos of the day!  We are looking forward to celebrating! 

“Lord, Thank You for the gift of Ella.  We are so grateful that You chose US to be her parents.  Help us to train her in a way that glorifies You.  We desire that she will grow to be a girl and ultimately, a woman that loves to worship You.  We know that You have given her many gifts that will be developed, please help us to be wise in the way that we steer her through life.  Give us the wisdom that we need to raise this special little girl!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

February catch-up

So, I am playing a bit of catch-up on the blog…

Here are some fun things that happened during the month…

Both of our moms celebrated birthdays this month.  I had great intensions of writing about each of them on their birthdays to honor them.  But unfortunately I was sick that week and barely keeping up with life…so it didn’t happen.  But…I still wanted to say how much we love each of you and how grateful we are that God chose us to be your children!  We hope this next year is blessed!

My mom came to Orlando a couple of days before her birthday, so I fixed dinner and a special dessert and we got to celebrate with her in that way.  We went out to dinner for Emily’s birthday (no photos from that night.)  Here are some from my mom’s trip to town…

 

For Valentine’s Day this year, we went to Discovery Cove with our friends, Kyle & Taraleigh!  This is the 3rd year in a row that we have celebrated V-day with them!  It has become a fun tradition!  For those of you that don’t know what Discovery Cove is, it is a small theme park owned by Sea World.  It is an up-close and personal encounter with sea life.  We got to swim with lots of creatures in the reef pool, “swim” with stingrays, enjoy the lazy river, not to mention just soaking in the warm sunshine.  It was SO quiet and relaxing – just what we both needed.  We even got to watch a few couples get engaged out there.  So fun!  We had a great time with our friends and just enjoyed the “day-cation”!  The park closed around dinner time, so we met up with David and the kids at Gator’s Dockside for dinner.  We watched some basketball and had a great time together.  Here are some pics from that day…

More posts to come…

{happy birthday, caleb}

Yes, it is a birthday week in our house.  Today is Caleb’s 8th (yes, I said 8th) birthday!  Wow!  Eight years ago today, my life changed forever!  I became a Mama!     What an amazing journey it has been!  Even though it hasn’t always been easy, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!  When I look at the children God has given me, I am often reminded that according to the doctor, I should have had a very difficult time having children.  And yet, amazingly, He has given me not only one, but three incredible little people to care for, nurture and train!  He has been good!

Caleb is in the 2nd grade and is quite the reader.  I love to hear him read aloud – he reads with incredible expression!  No monotone voice here!    His favorite thing right now is playing legos.  He got several new sets for Christmas and spent 2 solid days in his room assembling the different vehicles, etc.  He is very serious when it comes to legos!  He also likes to ride his bike and play video games!  He is a walking Star Wars encyclopedia!  Ha!  Caleb has a very sensitive spirit.  He is growing in taking responsibility for things around the house and he loves to help with his baby sister!

Here are some of his favorites:

Food – spaghetti (what he requested for his birthday dinner!), apples

Dessert – vanilla & chocolate ice cream with “sweet bread” (pound cake)

Color – blue, green, orange

Toy – light saber, legos, playmobil

Movie – Star Wars (all – at least the parts he is allowed to see!), the Clone Wars, Disney’s Sing a Long beach party

Video Game – Wii – Lego Star Wars Complete Saga, Lego Indiana Jones

Sport (to play) – basketball & soccer

Team – Gators, Magic, Jaguars

School Subject – History

Here are some photos of Caleb through the years:

 

Here he is – just minutes old! 

 

Caleb in the hospital after having his shunt installed.  10 months

1 year old!

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old (first time on Tower of Terror!)

8 years old!  Happy birthday, Caleb!  We love you!

{happy birthday, alec}

It is hard to believe that is has been five years since my precious Alec made his appearance into this world!  Little did we know how much joy (and laughter) he would bring to us.  He is such a gift to us – we are so grateful that God chose US to be his parents!  We can’t wait to see all that He has in store for Alec’s life!

Alec has recently learned to ride his bike with no training wheels!  He is participating in Caleb’s school and even doing some PreK work on his own.  He LOVES video games (and is quite good!)  He also likes to play with Playmobil and legos.  He really enjoys playing outside, running around, riding bikes and scooters.

Some of his favorites:

Food – chicken, Mac’n'cheese, hot dogs

Dessert  – Cookies & ice cream

Color – Orange

Toy – legos

Movie – The Incredibles

Video Game – Star Wars Complete Saga (Wii)

Sport (to play) – Soccer

Team – Orlando Magic

That is just a little glimpse into Alec’s life right now! 

Here are a few photos!

Just a few hours old!

4 days old

7 months old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old!

Happy Birthday, Buddy…we love you!

*my birthday*

I have had requests for photos of my birthday, so here they are!  I had a great day – it was pretty laid back.  Mom and Dad were in town for the day – it was great to see them!  Mom made Chicken & Dumplins for dinner.  {yummy!}  David and Andy & Emily came over to celebrate as well.  (We missed you, Ang & Alli!) 

As Chris posted before, I got some great gifts!  The biggest of which was a WiiFit.  Chris and the boys got that for me.  When I asked for it a while ago he said, “No way, that will get me in trouble!!”  But I told him that I WANTED it, it wasn’t just a random “hey-you-need-to-get-in-shape-gift!”  I was very excited to get it.  We all took turns on it last night, which was quite funny.  Those balance games aren’t as easy as they look!   

Here are some photos of our evening…

   

My *WONDERFUL* husband!!!                                                           My Baby Girl!

                       My Sweet Boys!!                                     Of course we had to make silly faces!

 

                    My Mom and Dad                                   My beautiful Mom!

 

                 A Special card from Caleb!                      Alec helped with gifts!

 

Here, Alec came out and was an announcer, “LADIES & GENTLEMEN, BOYS & GIRLS – HERE IS MAMA’S GIFT!!!”

Yay! 

 

Thank you for all the birthday wishes, cards and calls!  It was a fun day!

Sorry for the delay…

Well, I didn’t mean to wait so long to update, but things have been crazy around here. I will post some photos soon, but text will have to do for now!

We have been up to a lot lately…

- Alec is doing great with his cast! It is covered with signatures! ha, ha! How fun. Chris had some tools out yesterday and he took the hammer and hit it (not hard) up against his cast…such a boy! He said, “look, it doesn’t hurt!” What a mess. So he seems to be healing well and he really doesn’t complain about it. He has been a trooper. We take him back to the doc in about 10 days and I think they will take it off then, but I am not positive.

- Birthdays…Caleb & Alec both celebrated their birthdays last week! Alec turned 4 on the 27th and Caleb turned 7 on the 29th! I can’t belive how old they are getting! It has been a long time since we had a baby in the house, so we are up for a lot of changes!

We were able to take the boys to Disney for their birthdays! (kind of a yearly tradition) Anyway, we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios…they got to ride Star Tours, Caleb rode Rockin’ Rollercoaster for the first time – and loved it, though he was a bit shaky when he got off! Both boys got to ride Tower of Terror for the first time! They both said it was “awesome” but I think Alec will have to be convinced to go on it again! ha! We also went to the Magic Kingdom and rode some favorite rides there! We (or I should say “they”) got to ride a lot of rides. I did a lot of sitting! But it was great and relaxing. Chris got me a wheel chair at the MK, I was just tightening up a lot and starting having a few contractions – so no more walking for me!

- Abundant Grace – The boys and I rode up with David to G’ville to be there for Abundant Grace’s grand opening and dedication Sunday! It was great to be able to celebrate with them! The building is beautiful! What an exciting time for the church and for my parents! They have given every last ounce of energy into this process! Hopefully they can get some rest soon!

- This last week has been consumed with preparing for and having a yard sale! Something about having a baby makes a family “need” to have a yard sale! Ha! It is humorous, though, since the last trimester isn’t exactly the prime time to do this! But, that is just how it goes! I did the sale on Friday and Saturday. We got rid of a ton of stuff and the rest is going to the Salvation Army on Wednesday, so I can’t wait to get everything out of here! The rest of my house is a disaster, but hopefully we can get things back in order this week! So grateful that the sale is over and we can finally move on to other projects!

That is about it for now. Hopefully I will be able to get some pics up soon.
Have a great week!