every captive thought

We are half-way there!!! 20 more weeks! Yahoo! And only 2 more weeks until we find out the gender...which will be boy. I feel sure. Tonight we went over to our friends, Miah and Amber's. Chris and Sarah were there as well as Miah and Chris' dad from Oregon. I haven't seen him since our wedding so it was WONDERFUL to catch up. They are all like family to us. We love them. Madi is an expert hoola-hooper. James was clearly in awe. Sawyer Kate can hold her bottle with her tootsies. Charly, James and Madi. Jamesie loves these girls! James getting some love off of Madi. Madi showed Brad how to play a computer game. Brad, Chris, Mr. Heath, and Miah. Brad grew up with these guys...they have been there for Brad through thick and thin. Proverbs 17:17~"A friend loves at all times..."

After James' bath tonight I let his hair go curly instead of brushing it out. I thought he looked adorable. I love those blond curls! But then he happened to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror. I think he was a little weirded out at first. Then he became obsessed with feeling it. He couldn't keep his hands off of it. I couldn't either. So cute!

For the past few days James has not been acting himself. I took him to the doctor today and he has tonsillitis and an ear infection. Poor little guy. No wonder he's been so cranky. After the doctor, we came home, James went down for a nap and I got started on dinner and dessert. I made creme brulee first. I have to use tongs to get the ramekins out of the oven and one slipped and sent creme brulee flying all over the kitchen. It was no big deal until the blob that landed on one of the burners caught on fire while I was cooking dinner. I turned to see about a 2 foot flame coming out from under the red beans and rice. Scary. After I got that out I had to fan at the smoke alarm until it stopped blowing my eardrums out. Dinner was Jamaican Jerk chicken and smoked sausage kabobs which turned out terribly. I definitely did something wrong. I am too tired right now to figure out what or even to care. Hopefully the creme brulees will redeem me. Oh...and one more thing...James...

James had a very busy day today. First of all...he discovered a new fun pastime...toe sucking. Which, as his mother, I happen to think is totally adorable. Then he colored some pictures. A little more toe-sucking while helping Mommy dust. He sweetly read some books on his big boy bed. Then he ended the day with some cooking. (Thank you Aunt Christi for the BRILLIANT idea!!!) ~~~~~ I was reminded this morning of the Lord's graciousness and mercy to me. I am so thankful for that! Aren't you? He never fails. He has blessed me with more than I deserve with my sweet husband, son and family. Lamentations 3:22-23-The faithful love of the L ord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

I had a wonderful Mother's day. Brad got donuts for breakfast...along with all the other dads in Amarillo...then we went to church, ordered pizza for lunch because I did not want to fight the crowds, and then I took a nice long nap. Ahhhh. James colored this beautiful card for me! (Brad helped him with the writing). Tonight our good friends Lindsay and Bean stopped by to see us while they were in town. It was SO great to catch up. We haven't seen them since December which is way too long to go without a Bean fix. We won't see them again until July or August. Boo-hoo. James had a particularly lovely time with Bean and Lindsay. Well....especially Lindsay. Sorry about the incident L. I'm pretty sure James is in love. James showed them all of his best tricks. He was really on tonight. I've never seen him show off so much. What a little performer. ~~~~~ Also today, Brad taught James the importance of personal hygiene. Specifically keeping his toenails trimme...

I worked in the Vine up at church tonight. (The Vine is our church's bookstore/resource center/gift shop). They had a special section up for Mother's day and I saw this Karen Kingsbury book. So when things died down I read it. And I cried. OH boy is this one a tear-jerker. Just the title, Let Me Hold You Longer , was enough to get me teary. Anyways, the book talks about how we always think about all of the "firsts"...first tooth, first step, first words, etc...but taking time to start thinking about the lasts....last time he sleeps with his tattered teddy bear, last time he is able to jump in your arms and be held, last time he sleeps between mommy and daddy in bed. *sniff sniff* So being the pregnant emotional train-wreck that I am...I heard him still awake and making small talk with Puppy in his bed when I got home and I slipped in to see him. This is not something that happens very often around here. It is strictly forbidden to go into his room after he...