Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Best Christmas Gift...Ever.

My husband bought me a Ginkgo Tree for Christmas. That's right...he bought me a tree.  You think this is a strange gift and he totally bombed, right?  Wrong.  Absolutely the most thoughtful gift I have ever received.  Make that the second most thoughtful.  The day before I received my tree (rather, a picture and money to buy one), he gave me a necklace with John Reynolds' birthstone in it for my birthday.  He totally wins in the gift department this year...and every year, really!

So, you might think this a strange gift if you don't know the history behind me and Ginkgo Trees.  Or maybe you've never seen one of these beautiful trees for yourself?  See below for pictures of my favorite one and you will see at least part of the reason I love this tree.

The Ginkgo is one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen. The one I first fell in love with is located on the Asbury Theological Seminary campus. I spent many of my days out on this lawn admiring this tree and its beauty, sometimes playing in the leaves and always enjoying the view. Rumor was that the tree was a gift from some missionaries to the Far East. Wherever it came from, it was and is one of my favorite things about Wilmore. It symbolizes for me what seminary was for me - a time of great growth and joy in my life.  The overwhelming vibrance of the leaves (on or off the tree) paint a picture of what I became while I was there.  I found myself in a lot of ways.  Seminary was for me a place where I discovered myself and made peace with my past troubles and prepared for my future. It was also a place of deep, abiding friendship...with God and with others. I'll save all of that for another blog, as it is worth reflection.  For now, I'm just excited about my tree.  I cannot wait to plant it at our new house (hopefully in the next several months) as a reminder of that wonderful season of my life and a celebration of life to come.

And yes, my husband rocks.  He amazes me with the creative ways he finds to show me love...and understanding...and patience...and joy.  My cup runneth over...



Wednesday, January 05, 2011

John's 2011 New Year's Resolutions


Yes, yes...I am aware of how terribly CUTE he is. I know I am biased, but he is pretty adorable.  Everyone says.  Even his pediatrician says so and she sees lots of kids.  He just had his one month check-up and everything looks great.  He is almost 11 pounds (10lbs 13 oz.) and has grown a bit lengthwise, too (22 1/8 inches).  He sleeps great already, only getting up for one feeding in the middle of the night.   I am aware that writing all of this stuff down might jinx it all, but I don't care.  I've been talking about what a good baby he is to everyone and he continues to be one so far!  He has fussy times, but it is usually just because of gas pains or because he is naked.  Little man does not like to be naked.  We think this is funny, though.

He is currently taking a mid-morning nap and asked me to blog his New Years Resolutions for 2011.  Enjoy!

1.  Sleep through the night.  I am pretty sure these people are going to feed me plenty and I need some rest.  I think I should be able to meet this goal early in the new year.

2.  Gain weight.  I cannot wait until these parent people start giving me some solid food.  I smell all this good stuff and all I get is formula that is kinda stinky.  Bring on the rice cereal and veggies in the new year!

3.  Sit up.  I heard my parents got me this cool seat called a Bumbo.  All my friends have one and they love it! You get to see so much more! I can't wait to sit in mine and watch those "Baby Einstein" and "Praise Baby" DVDs my mom keeps talking about.

4.  Turn over.  I really like spending time on my tummy, but I want to learn how to get back onto my back when I am done with that.  It seems easy enough.  Hopefully I can figure that out soon.

5.  Learn to crawl/walk.  I am hoping I will do this sooner than my mom.  I hear she waited to walk until 17 months old!  I cannot wait that long to crawl/walk.  There are things I want to do/see!

6.  Obviously, my major goals are: eat, sleep, poop and pee.  I am already doing great at this!  My dad thinks I should be potty-trained already and keeps talking about owing him 9-months back rent or something, but...whatever.  I know they will change my diaper regularly and keep me clean.  Although I don't really like that thing they call a "bath."  Ugh.  All I get is wet and cold. Dislike!  Maybe once they let me play with all those bath toys I see around I will like it?!

7.  Learn to talk. I have a lot to say and all I can do is cry, grunt, and coo (sort of...working on that!).  I have been trying to smile to show them what I like, but haven't got that down just yet.  The crying thing seems to work pretty quickly, so who knows what will happen when I can actually say something!

8.  Keep being the lovable, sweet, easy-going baby I have been so far.  I hear about these fussy babies and I just want to tell them, "C'mon kiddos, you know these people are going to take care of you.  Calm down and just enjoy these lazy days with these people! Cry when you need something, but none of this general weepiness.  No one likes a whiner!" :)

I think that is it for 2011.  If John tells me of any other goals, I will let you know.  These are the big ones for now.  Hope y'all have a happy and blessed start to the new year!