First of all I would like to say that I have discovered future posting. How did I not know about this? Future posting makes blogging doable for me! I still can't promise to be around all the time but this means I can take advantage of any random free time! HUZZAH!

Okay on to day seven of this challenge!

Seven Wants

These are in no particular order.

1. A big kitchen. 

I have never lived in a home with a large kitchen. That includes the home I grew up in. I have always had a postage stamp apartment kitchen or a galley kitchen. I LOVE to cook and have always dreamed of having a gourmet kitchen complete with a pot filler, a professional gas stove, double ovens, granite counter tops, a sub zero fridge and a walk in pantry. I daydream of spending countless hours baking and cooking in my beautiful kitchen while Isaac sits at the table with his homework... I'll settle for far less than this but eventually I would like to at least have a nice kitchen instead of this endless procession of horribly small, no storage space, OLD kitchens.

2. I want to see Egypt. 

I have been fascinated with the land of the Pharaohs since I was a small girl. My favorite series of books are set in victorian Egypt. I love to live the adventures of discovery that took place there in the 1800's. I would love to see the sights I have read about all of my life. It's a big dream of mine!

3. A vacation home in Paris. 

I LOVE Paris. The three short trips I was able to take while I lived in Germany completely won my heart over. The people were fantastic, the city is beautiful, the atmosphere is amazing and something about the pace and rhythm of the city just completely synched with me. Ryan felt the same way... I would love the opportunity to visit a few times a year and have a home to stay in instead of a hotel room... (Hey this is all about wants not possibilities!)

4. I want to visit Israel. 

Ryan went a few years ago on a TDY and he loved it. He walked in the footsteps of our savior. I would love to have the same opportunity. It's another lifelong dream.

5. I want to move back to Europe at least once. 

We loved it there. I want to go back... to see what we didn't see... to see things again through new and more grateful eyes... to just experience that lifestyle again... I LOVED it and I want to go back!

6. I want to show my son the world. 

Ryan and I both grew up in Phoenix in the same church. We have friends in our lives that we've had since birth and family in spades. We can't give Isaac that kind of stability because we are Air Force. Something will always be changing in his life... his home, his friends, his school, EVERYTHING. If I can't give him the stability that I was raised in then I want to give him the world. I want him to see and experience everywhere he possibly can. I want to make the very best of this lifestyle!

7. I want a daughter. 

There I said it. Ryan and I aren't going to TRY again to have another child. After 9 years of infertility I'm not starting down that road again... However we are not preventing and we hope. I would love to have a little girl. I would love for Isaac to be a big brother. I would love for Ryan to walk his daughter down the aisle someday. I would love to have a little girl to pass down my pottery to. I will be happy with whatever God ordains for our lives but I WANT a daughter!

This one was fun! Who doesn't like to wish without restraint?

Courtney

Eight Fears

1. Blindness.  I have long been impressed with the design of the eye.  God truly created an amazing instrument with which to show us this world... however I have long (for almost the same amount of time) believed that He didn't give enough thought to it's protection.  It freaks me out to think of all the things that could happen to your eye!  I would give you some examples but writing them out would literally send me into a panic!

2. Cockroaches.  *SHUDDER*  I think that they might have been cast out of heaven along with the fallen angels and not even that plummet could wipe them out.  They disgust me so much I can't even look at them.  They are the one bug that I will run screaming away from and go get Ryan to kill.  I feel almost the same way about pigeons and lobsters.  GAG!

3. Not being there in time if someone I love dies.  It has been one of my fears since I was a little kid that someone I loved would be sick and dying and I wouldn't get there in time to say goodbye... to let them know how much they mean to me.  This has actually happened to me... when my Grandpa Don died in 2004.  I was at the hospital about 15 minutes after he breathed his last. 

4. Raw chicken.  I struggle hardcore with raw chicken.  I'm a freak about the germs and over disinfect my kitchen after I've finished handling it.  I can't stomach the thought of the germs... any commercial that has to do with raw chicken prep sends me over the edge and the cooking channel kills me when they handle it and then just wipe their hands off on a rag.  By the time I'm done cooking chicken my hands are red from washing them over and over!

5. Going bald.  I have a funny shaped head... I love my hair... the two put together make me scared to death to ever get bald.  I used to have nightmares about getting chemo on accident and all my hair falling out.

6. Bedbugs.  An infestation of something in your bed with you that bites you while you sleep.  NOPE... I don't think that needs any more explanation. 

7.Going overseas and then getting Del Rio AGAIN when we come back to the states.  Seriously not something I like to think is a possibility but it's happened before to others!

8. Breaking the rules... because seriously... "If you break the rules God help you fool you've got Mr. T to fear!"

Okay so most of those were a little flippant.  I wish that fears had been down on the list at like 2 or 3.  I take the Bible very seriously about not living in worry and fear.  I simply do not live in fear.  When things try to worm their way in I push them right back out.  There is a lot in my life I could be afraid of and I chose not to be so this part of the challenge was a bit of a loss for me!

Courtney 

Nine Loves

1. MY JESUS, MY SAVIOR

Lord there is none like you
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that i am
Never cease to worship you

Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your Name

My Lord and savior Jesus Christ is the number one love of my life.  I have and never will doubt my love for or my faith in Jesus.  Call me saved call me brainwashed call me crazy call me blessed... no matter what you call it... I am redeemed and forgiven... I am bought with the blood of Christ and I am cherished...  the hairs on my head are numbered and my tears are stored in heaven.

2. RYAN

He is my husband, my partner, my best friend, my childhood sweetheart, my hero, nothing more and a thousand things more!  We've known each other since the day I was born... I've loved him since I was 7 and we've been married almost 11 wonderful years.  I can't imagine my life without him in it.

3. ISAAC 

I don't know if there are words for how much I love my son.  Nine long years of waiting... countless moments of despair and hopelessness... three angels in heaven... and then he came.  He rocked my world... in every way.  He is a gift and a great responsibility... I dedicate my life to raising him to be a man of integrity, honor and courage.  A man who loves God with all his heart...  That's how much I love him... and it still doesn't even come close to what's in my heart for this little man of mine.

4. MY FAMILY

I have this wonderful, large, and crazy family.  They are a group of people I can just BE with, pray with, laugh with, stay up all night talking with... They are my heart and they keep me going when I'm a world away.  I am abundantly blessed.

5. YOU

I travel the world and you're right here when I log on.  No matter what time of day, no matter where I am, no matter how I'm dressed, wether I'm wearing makeup, no matter if I'm fat or thin... You are with me through it all.  You encourage me, counsel me, check up on me, pray with me and stay by my side even when I'm not around much.  I have been so blessed with you.

6. MY BOYS

I know they are gone now but though the memories may fade I'll never forget.  God gave me two amazing companions in my boys.  They walked the world with me, tails wagging all the way and were forever faithful.  Oh how I loved them... Oh how I miss them.  I fully believe that they are waiting for me in heaven... just waiting for the moment when we can run and play again and I can't wait to see them whole and healthy running with the angels.

7. MY COUNTRY

I know that sounds cheesy but it's the truth.  I love what this country was built on... the principals and standards.  I love what it stands for in the dark of this world.  I love what it strives and hopes to be despite the dark place we are in now... I love that no matter the politics, corruption and hopelessness that is all that is visible at time America is not those things.  It is the little boy saluting a soldier in Walmart, it is the playground full of young children stopping play to put their hands over their hearts for the National anthem, it is a mother taking her children to church three times a week, a father reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve for his family, it is a 32 year old mother of 3 and a 65 year old black man chatting in line as they wait for their turn to vote on election day, it is a child choosing what they want to be from a list consisting of; a fireman, an astronaut, a pilot, a truck driver and a princess because they were taught that they can be anything!  We take all those things for granted but they are not available most of the world over... WE ARE BLESSED!

8. TRAVEL

We moved to Germany in the summer of 2006.  As far as I'm concerned we don't ever have to stop moving... I love seeing the world... I love living somewhere new... I love car trips and train trips, plane trips and boat trips.  I can't wait for my next adventure!

9. COOKING

I love to cook.  I love to make up something new, pull out something tried and true, wow my family with exotic spices or just lull them into easy conversation with comfort food.  I love to show the people in my life how much they mean to me with a good meal.  Nothing opens up conversation in my family better than the dinner table... It's my way of saying how much I care.  All that said... I love the act of cooking... the rush of creating, the adventure of trying something new, the flow and beauty of the colors and ingredients... it's a passion of mine.  Plus I just LOVE food! 

Until another day! 

Courtney

I have seen a few of you doing this and I just really wanted to take a shot at it!  I can't promise I'll finish it in ten days but I'm going to work hard to finish it before you forget that I ever started!

Ten Secrets

1. I hate puppies.  Yes you heard me right.  No I don't need you to cast out any demons.  I really truly in a most intensely genuine way HATE puppies.  When you look at a puppy and see a sweet ball of kisses and fur I see 12 months of cleaning up pee, poop, hair and teeth.  12 months of those horrible sinking gut moments where you KNOW that the puppy did not just eat your laptop screen, poop in your high heels three minutes before you're supposed to walk out the door for church, or pee on your son's toys three minutes BEFORE you took it out of your son's mouth.  Don't get me wrong I love Spock I'm glad he's a part of our family but in all honesty I can't wait for the magic moment when he turns 1 and this is all behind us.  SHUSH that belief is all that's keeping me sane.

2. I put a deposit down on my engagement ring BEFORE Ryan bought it for me.  I loved it so much and was so afraid that he wouldn't be able to afford it that I took matters into my own hands.  He proposed three days later with THE ring.  I snuck back to the jewelers and retrieved my deposit with a serious case of shamefaced.

3. I came seriously close to having the wrong spelling of Ryan's name on our wedding invitations.  I had known him my whole life with not one single occasion to see his name written down.  I thought his last name was spelled L-O-B-B.  Fast forward to a few months before our wedding.  My maid of honor, Emily, and I are out shopping for the wedding and took a break to have lunch with Ryan.  We had just discussed going to order the wedding invitations after lunch when Ryan walked in.  He was wearing a ball cap that had the word L-A-U-B-E embroidered across it.  I glanced at it and wondered for a second what it said and dismissed it.  About ten minutes later Emily piped up and asked, "Ryan, I've been wondering what your hat says?"  He looked at her with the most incredulous look and replied, "Uh it's my last name... you're joking right?"  I let our a horrified sigh of relief... I had been within an hour of ordering wedding invitations with the wrong name on them! 

4. I spent the whole three years we lived in Germany desperately wanting to go home and shop in a Walmart.  I am utterly ashamed that I did not take full advantage of the amazing opportunity that God had set before us and sometimes wonder if the horrific ghetto walmart I am now saddled with as my ONLY shopping avenue is His punishment for my ungratefulness.

5. I'm absolutely lousy at making friends.  It took me two years to make friends in Germany... I had six months with those wonderful ladies and I've spent two years missing them.  As a result I spend the majority of my time alone. 

6. I think that John Cena's arms are the sexiest things I've ever seen.  I watch truly terrible B movies just to see his shirts get progressively ripped up and his arms come out to play.  Rawr!  The funny part is that nothing else about him is attractive to me... just the arms.    (and this one is not a secret to ryan!)

7. Sometimes I miss being fat.  I feel like I've got a foot in both camps and that means I don't belong anywhere.  I identify with girls that struggle with their weight.  Sometimes I catch myself jumping into their conversations with an enthusiastic "I know exactly what you mean/feel" and get this look that screams "What is she talking about!  She's making fun of me!" and I realize that unless you know my entire back history I am just a skinny girl that is acting like my extra 10 pounds is the same as their extra 100.  On the opposite end of the spectrum...  I don't fit in with skinny girls because I DON'T understand being upset over a few extra pounds and I DON'T wear bikinis because they would show my scars.  I can't be flip about my weight because of the long HARD battle I fought to get here.  But until the day I walk around with "I USED TO BE A FAT GIRL" tattooed on my forehead... I just don't fit in.

8. I hate non fiction.  I try and try and try to better my mind by reading a biography or a self help book and in the 11 years since I graduated high school I can honestly say that I have finished reading exactly ONE non fiction book.  Forget bettering my mind... give me a good old fashioned paperback any day of the week.  I'm a speed reader, I go through hundreds of books every year but the 9 non fiction books I've been working on for literally YEARS are still stacked on my nightstand collecting dust!

9. Right after Isaac was born I peed my pants.  Ryan was taking a turn changing a diaper and Isaac anointed him as a first time father.  He shot gun diarreahed all over Ryan... it hit the wall five feet BEHIND Ryan.  It was in his hair... in his mustache... on his lips...  He absolutely froze in disbelief and I started to laugh so hard that I peed my pants...  Actually I peed my pants and all over the floor and as I ran for the bathroom I heard my husband yell, "Oh great now I have to clean up the boy without help and then you too!?  So yes, I peed my pants when I was 29 years old.

10. I am secretly terrified about this deployment to Afghanistan.  I trust God 100% with Ryan, Isaac, and me.  I know that nothing will happen to Ryan before God is done with him.  I know that God has full control of his steps and that he's safe as long as God ordains that he is... but there is always that little fearful voice in the back of my head that HAS to remind me that someday God WILL be done with him... and it could be one day in the next six months.

This took me FOREVER!  As in hours...  I have wanted to do this challenge since I first saw it and this was the challenge that tripped me up.  Simply because I don't have many secrets... I try to be an open book and it was like pulling teeth to come up with ten things! 

Until the next challenge,

Courtney

A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

A Reluctant Queen The Love Story of Esther by Joan Wolf

This book is a retelling of the biblical story of Esther.  She is a young Jewish woman who is called upon by her people to become the wife of a king to save them.  She goes through months of preparation before her meeting with this man and against all odds is chosen to become his queen.  When circumstances unfold that put the Jewish race, her people, in danger she must find the courage to put her faith in God and go before the king to save them.  It is a story of courage and faith that will inspire you.

This book caught me completely off guard.  I LOVED it.  I think that we all too often forget to give humanity to the people in the Bible.  They are so far removed and we hear their stories from such a young age that they stop being people and become characters.  This book was a rare gift for me... a chance to see this young woman with all her fears, insecurities, hopes and dreams truly put her faith in God and overcome.  I loved seeing the love story unfold between her and the king and to watch the hand of God work in her story.  I know that everything in this book was not historically accurate and that the author took admitted liberties with the story but for me it's a tool to help me understand one of the best examples about faith.  I highly recommend it!  I've known this story my whole life and today I feel like I've met Esther for the first time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond

After the death of her parents Susannah travels out of the states and into the territories to Fourth Siding, Dakota to marry a man she's only exchanged a few letters with.  Jesse is a homesteader with big dreams of building a farm that will feed many and a family that will fill his life and he doesn't want to face another winter alone.  When Susannah arrives she isn't what Jesse expected and he despairs that she won't survive her first winter in Dakota but chooses to trust that God knows His plans for Jesse and Susannah.  He just wishes that Susannah could do the same.  Will the winter ever end and bring the thaw of Spring to Susannah?

This book wasn't what I expected.  I enjoyed the budding relationship between Jesse and Susannah and their growing trust in God in their lives.  However the story feels like it spins out of control.  There is just so much packed in that I sometimes felt a bit overwhelmed.  That said it was a wonderful story.  I enjoyed the historical references and the friendships that the characters manage to forge in the harsh country they live in.  It brings a great admiration for those that came before us.  Overall I would recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I'm sure by now you're tired of hearing that I just don't know how time gets away from me.  I think it's time for me to accept that it just does.  It's time to admit to myself and let you know that I now know that I'm a 'once in a while' blogger for this season of my life. 

I miss it.  I miss the friendships.  I miss you.  I'll always be here, I've been here for 6 years now and I have lifetime premium from way back when they sold that so I'm NOT GOING ANYWHERE.  But it will probably stay this slow until Isaac is a little older.  I keep waiting for things to calm into a routine and I finally realized that they have... just without any me time!  No complaints... this life is more than I could have ever imagined and I'm grateful for every single moment! 

Until the day when I can come back even once a week please find me on Facebook if you haven't already.  It's just so easy to send pictures, videos and small updates there.  I have an easy way there for my family to get to know my son from a distance and it takes little time from my day.  I even have a phone that uploads right to my wall...  So I'm there for now.  I'll come here once in a while and try to hit the big points though... Don't feel obligated to comment or keep me but do know this...  I will always be here.  I read your updates when time allows and keep you in prayer.  I don't usually have time to comment but I do when I can.  Please don't delete me!  I know I'm now the creepy stalker lady but really you ladies are my only friends!  I have never found my niche here... other than a phone call to my mom once a week and maybe hearing from my sisters once a month you ladies are my it.  How pathetic is that?

Okay so while I have five minutes here's a quick update. 

Me - the docs had to redo all of my blood work that I talked about in my last post.  My thyroid came back normal but I was anemic and then the rest of the tests never got run.  So I'm still waiting... HUZZAH!

Ryan - He is currently in Dayton, OH at a class for work.  He'll return on the 23rd only to turn around and go for another class on the 6th of June if everything works out.  I can't give any details but he'll be gone by mid July for good and home sometime in the Spring of 2012.  He's going to Afghanistan.  I can't tell you where and I'll never be able to... I can tell you this... PRAY! 

I'm trying to hold firmly to the belief that he is immortal.  Got you didn't I?  He is immortal until the day God is done with him.  We have prayed hard for years and Ryan and I both feel complete peace that this is exactly where he is called to be and as long as he's walking with God in this life then nothing can touch him until God is done with him.  When God is done he could choke on a kernel of popcorn or drown in his toothpaste.  So I stick to the belief that God has all of us firmly in the palm of HIS hand and we will be held up. 

That all said... PRAY because where he's going is scary and what he does when he's there is not the desk job he has here and the current climate over there after the death of Osama Bin Laden is not good.  Pray that Ryan can clearly see the path laid down for him and that God favors his steps and that he makes a difference. 

Okay enough of that.

Isaac - He is amazing.  He consumes my every moment and I don't mind a bit.  My life is so completely different from what it once was but my heart is so entangled that I can't even remember my before.  We have spent 9 years in waiting... and he's here.  He says my name... he pats my face... he gives me kisses and holds my hand... my heart is lost. 

In other news he has yet another double ear infection so life has been a bit difficult while Ryan is away.   I have to take him back to the doctor today because he woke up in the middle of the night with a deep booming cough and I had to put him in bed with me to make sure he was breathing okay.  Poor little man... 

Okay I owe you some current pictures as well.  When we were home in Phoenix this past month we had the opportunity to have my cousin Heather do a photo shoot.  SHE IS AMAZING!  These are the result.  We asked for some goodbye deployment pictures so that Isaac would have them and as this is our 8th goodbye and we don't have a single picture I WANTED THEM.  Well we did it up and the results are stunning... and then after we did some that are just us...

For those of you that know me on facebook you might have seen these so I apologize for the duplicates.

Saying goodbye...

My hero holds my heart...

Farewell my love...

Funny story here... Heather says lets have a kiss and Courtney pop your foot!  Right as this kiss happened a homeless man started whooping and whistling.  It was one of those moments that I'll remember forever.  So funny!

Worth every blister and penny!

Then we changed clothes and set off on foot in downtown Phoenix to find interesting places to shoot.

Momma, fly me!

This picture weirds me out!  I look like a happy succesful 30 something mom.  When did that happen?!

Smush face!

Originally she had me hold him out... that lasted about 3 seconds before he started the journey down... My arms are pitiful!  That gave Ryan, Heather and her husband (who is my cousin) Evan a good laugh!

Old building makes cool backdrop.

Just us...

I love this man... I can't believe we've been married for 11 years next month.  My heart still pitter patters like we're kids!

Now let me ruin the romance... We can not be normal.  Nope not possible!

Perfect fit...

Seriously my hero in so many ways.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Ryan to a t.

This was his own doing... we set him down and he reached out and grabbed our legs...  This was a boy worth waiting for...

Hey guys she's watching!

Baby kisses!

Daddy knows just where to tickle!

My guys!

I leave you with probably my favorite picture of all time of Ryan and I.  This is so us... so completely.  My life captured in a moment...

I'll close with an I love you.   You really do mean so much to me.  Thank you for your words and encouragement over the years of my journey you've traveled with me.  This is not goodbye but as Amelia Peabody would say "A Bientot" (see you soon in french)

Courtney

No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe

A book review for Booksneeze

Griffin goes to London to stay with his uncle for the summer.  He knows nothing more than that his uncle is a detective and lives at 221 Baker Street.  When he hears about the great Sherlock Holmes he is beside himself with excitement!  What a summer of mystery and intrigue he's in for... and then he discovers that his uncle lives at 221A and Holmes lives at 221B and his hopes are dashed.  His uncle is a second rate detective living in the shadow of the greatest detective of all time.  Then Griffin meets a lady who was turned away by Holmes and he and his uncle take on the case!  Adventure and intrigue might be in his future after all!

I grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries and this book was a fun read that reminded me of them.  I got it more to share with my son when he's a bit older but I was completely captured by this book.  I loved following the story and guessing at the case.  I also loved the way God was woven into the character's lives.  It does not disappoint as a good hearty read for my little boy and  I can't wait to share it with him!  I love too that the end of the book is left wide open for more cases and I can't wait to find out what happens next.  Overall I highly recommend this read for your family (and for you!)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I have but a moment to say hello.  Ryan is on his way home for lunch and Isaac is about done with his nap.  I had to steal Ryan's computer to pop in as mine currently is suffering a serious illness and I haven't the time to fix it.

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be gone for a few weeks.  We are leaving tomorrow for Phoenix to celebrate Isaac's first birthday (WHAT?) Ryan's 31st birthday and for Ryan to say goodbye to the family before he leaves for Afghanistan.  I won't have time to fix my computer before hand... so I'll have my phone with which I can check facebook and email and we'll have Ryan's computer for work purposes but I'll pretty much be out of touch for a while. 

I'm caught up on everyone though I didn't have time to comment and I'll try to check in...

I hope to be back up and running soon and until then take care! 

All my love,

Courtney

Hello!

I have a few minutes of nap time left so I wanted to write a quick update!  It's SUMMER here in southern Texas... I think we might have skipped spring altogether...  We've been hitting high 80's and 90's since mid February and these past few weeks we've crossed the big 100 mark a few times.  IT IS HOT!

This weekend we hit the mid 90's with humidity in the high 80 percentiles and we just had to introduce some good old fashioned summertime fun.

Isaac has a first word besides Mommy and Daddy and No... It's... OUTSIDE!  He points at me then at the window or door and says "otside?"  Uh oh....  So this seemed like the perfect weekend for it.

Saturday we introduced Isaac to the sprinklers for the very first time.

He was so happy to just be outside...

Then he really got a look at the water...

And the fun began!

I can't get it Mommy!

Give me that hose!

And he got it... and soaked us all!  LOL

This is the very best picture of all time! 

Let me at it...

Time to dry off... Hey Momma can I have the camera?

Tree! 

Sweet baby cuddles...

Then he got his stick... I leave it out in the yard for him to play with every afternoon... and it's all fun and games until daddy loses and eye.  *SNORT*

He points at things with the stick and says... "Dis?"  (This?)

Hanging out on daddy's lap...

Fishing with Daddy?  "Like dis daddy?"

I dropped it!

What's that?

He makes this face when he concentrates... which is the same face I've always made... that I still make!  What a strange thing to see your expressions on your son's face!

Beautiful boy...

Hey Momma!

Then on Sunday we went to Wal-mart and picked up a cheap kiddy pool.  If the sprinklers were a hit how would swimming be?

The pool is almost ready... "He Isaac is this a hat?"

And it's a HIT!

This kid loves to be in the water... We were in for over an hour and he cried when we took him inside...

He loves to splash and jump... run around in his floaty... It was a blast... Other than the huge burns Ryan and I got!  OUCH!

I'm gonna get you!  Duh Duh... Duh Duh... Duh na na! JAWS!

In Isaac news... This is the part (please God) I will remember to delete before I send this on to friends and family in an email...  Isaac has completely weaned himself.  He nursed for the last time in a rare first thing in the morning session...  Then looked up at me, smiled, patted my cheek and said 'Mommy'.  And he hasn't nursed since.  He won't tolerate it at all... I didn't think I would be so emotional about it what with the major restrictions it's placed on my diet ect over the past year (well I thought I would be emotional as in "PIZZA HUZZAH!) but I'm surprisingly very sad about it.  The one thing that's come out of it is that he suddenly loves for me to cuddle him up and sing him to sleep.  That I could get used to. 

I'll leave you with my new favorite picture of all time...  

 Aufwiedersehen!
Courtney