For You Ladies in Knoxville

Yes, you and you and you. I've heard your pleas. I'll answer your cries.

You need new. Your tired of looking at my dad. What if I compromise.

I'll give you a new picture of Jacob if you'll let me post another one of him and dad together.

It IS dad's birthday today...so you have to say yes.

Here ya go.

So here's what we've been up to. Monday we spent with friends playing in the water, watching movies and just plain ol'hangin out.

Tuesday my parents came in town. We ate dinner in the middle of no where. We visited Nett's Country Store and Deli in the Bethel community. My dad had read about it somewhere and just had to go. I'm always up for something new. Look how cute this place is. Some of the people rode up on horses to eat there. Of course ya gotta love that.

Speaking of something new... I took my first spin class yesterday. Oh my. My neighbor and I have become workout buddies. We kept looking at each other during class laughing. Definately going back.

And that brings us to Friday. Jake had a speech evaluation this morning. Of course he qualified for services. Soon he'll be getting speech therapy twice a week. The good news is that the therapist will come to our house.

My dream is to one day say. "Jacob, be quiet." Who knows, it just might come true.

The Tradition Continues.

I made it to another one. For many of my past 32 years I've spent one of my weekends in May at my hometown's Strawberry Festival.

I luv it. It's tradition. Fruit. Old Friends.

This year Dave's parent joined us for the parade. The rain held off and Jake spent quality time with both sets of grandparents.

I've gotten slack about not bringing my camera so there are not many pictures to show you.

But here's a few.

By the way.... I want to thank all of you for calling/texting me yesterday. I felt very much loved. You know who you are.

I just have to share.

Look at this adorable picture of Jacob.

We stopped by Crockett Park on the way home yesterday. Jake had been in either his car seat or stroller for the most the day so he needed some time to PLAY!!!.

He is walking so much better now. I just laugh at this next picture..because I think it's how we're gonna spend years to come... saying "come on Jake." That boy is curious!

So Saturday was a spontaneous day...which I love. Dave's buddy called and said come fishing/canoeing. Dave said "not without my family"! Actually it's more like ..."Is it OK that they come?"

Off we went to..... Gallatin. Yes I ended up in Gallatin yesterday. Never been there.

But I'd never fished with a fly rod either...and just looky-looky what I did.

Then while the boys headed off in a canoe,

Jake and I took a nap in the car. No way was I about to get my baby out on the water. Not in a canoe. A boat...oh yeah! A canoe...not yet.

From Gallatin we ended up in East Nashville. Dinner with a guy who got me to eat this. I don't mind some sushi... but this??

So Saturday was a fishy kind of day. Today... is my kind of day. Mother's day.

No pictures of the fam for now. We rushed to get to church and Jake's been asleep since we got home. Nice!! I got to watch a movie and eat hot tamales. But now I'm ready for him to get up.

Happy Mother's day to all.

I'm related to a celebrity.

Hold on world... you're about to meet my cousin Rachael.

At this moment a crew from People magazine is at her house doing a photo shoot and interview.

My cousin has done something incredible and I couldn't be prouder.

I'm not gonna tell you anything else. Why? Because I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Just look for in her in the edition that I believe comes out the first week in June.

Way to go Rachie!!!

Just so ya know who you are looking for...this a picture(not a great one) from a few weeks ago.

They're Posted.

We had new pictures taken of Jake last week. After checking Mandy's blog a million times... the million-and-first paid off.

Here's the link if you want to take a peak. Scroll down to Jolly Jacob.

I think you'll recognize him. We are so blessed to be able to use Mandy Johnson as our photographer. She is sooo sweet and her pictures are just my style. Actually they are really too cool for me. But I love, love, love them!!!

http://mandyjohnsonphotography.com/blog/

One Year In

Today is an anniversary. At 6:30 on May 6th 2008 we got a phone call.

The lady on the phone said my baby had Williams Syndrome.

She said my baby would be different. She said my baby would be special.

This is the baby she's talking about. I think he's pretty special...don't you?

To my sweet,sweet Jacob always remember one of our favorite books.

I love you best.

I love you most.

I love you high.

I love you low.

I love you deep.

I love you wide.

I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!!

Drum Roll Please....

The latest results are in from Jacob's heart....and..... it.... loooks.... the same!!!

Yeah!!

You know driving to the doctor this morning... I really didn't know what I hoped to hear. Surgery or more time. I just kept saying let it be what the Lord needs it to be.

But I'm sooo glad we have more time. Since everything is hanging out in fair-to-middlin-land we still have to go back in a month. June 5th is our next appointment.

For now we'll play the waiting game.

It's been a good day. I packed a pinic lunch for us so we could have family time after the appointment. We drove over to Centennial Park and everything was going fine until Dave went to the restroom.

He came back weirded out. Swearing some guy tried to pick him up. Even now...writing that makes me laugh out loud. I know crazy things happen at metro parks...but Dave?

It's just one of things where you just have to know him to really see how funny that is.

Oh my friends I could tell you stories. Interesting things happen to this guy. But I won't tell you because I like being married to him.

Thanks everyone for your prayers. I'm gonna go celebrate our good news by eating a little cookie dough. God bless the Pilsbury Dough boy. He makes chubby look good.

Here We Go..Again.

So, this week is an incredibly big week. Jake goes to the heart doctor Tuesday. You know how I feel about that. Just pray. I've been keeping my mind off of it by cleaning. I've not only cleaned out closets... I've painted them. I've had Dave helping me fix little things around here that bugged me for years. It's my own way of having control. Jake's heart... I can't fix that.

Control of that is not mine.

You know, I've written so many times about Jake's heart. So many times I've said... I have peace. I have trust. I know who is in control. It's all so true. But also know... it's a constant struggle. It's a daily choice of putting your mind in the right place. And yes, my mind wanders into scenarios that are not good. But I make myself hit the brakes... and get my mind back on the right path.

I'm not a girl who is always OK. There are days where I'll be driving and fear hits. I'll look up and say out loud.. Father I'm scared. You know what I hear him say? "Stay with me. I've got it. " And he does. I mean just look at what he's already given me. I'm one lucky girl.