The Weekend Ahead...

I really should be packing right now since Jonah is sleeping but I just wanted to give a quick update on the craziness happening around here...

First, I drove to Dayton last weekend with Jonah for a couple wedding showers for my brother's fiance Shelly. I left Erie around noon and after many many stops I finally pulled in my parents driveway at 9pm (should have been just a little over 5 and a half hours). My mother drove back with me on Monday and we made much better time.

Second, Josh had his last day of med-school rotations on Wednesday! He is graduating on Sunday!

Third, we've been packing up our townhouse because we are moving to Canton on Monday. Never thought it would happen but I am really sad to leave Erie. I love Erie in the summer time. I kind of wish graduation was in the winter time cuz maybe I wouldn't be as sad to leave Erie. Saying goodbye to friends has been hard. I had my last girls group on Wednesday and it was definitely emotional for me. But I'm only a little over two hours away so I'm hoping to come back for lots of visits. 

And fourth but certainly not least, Jonah is six months old! He had his six month appointment yesterday and my big boy weighs 16 lbs. 15 oz. (41%)! Shots went just okay, kind of had a rough night last night. Shots and teething are a bad combo, poor little guy. Hoping to get his six month post out soon. 

Better get back to packing. Please pray for our family who will be traveling here this weekend to celebrate Josh. He has worked so hard for our family and I am incredibly proud of him. 

Moving is hard

Josh, Jonah, and I are on our way to our new condo to have the gas turned on (which explains the lack of hot water last time we were there), finish cleaning, and move some of our kitchen things. As stressful as moving is, I'm thankful we aren't moving that far away that we are able to have these little day trips to get some things moved and to clean. But I am feeling really overwhelmed with everything that needs to be accomplished before next weekend. I just want to hang out with all of my friends here until the very last second and worry about moving later. The emotions of moving and leaving our friends is starting to hit hard. I remember when we first moved to Erie and my thoughts were "How long do we have to be here?" I definitely feel the opposite now. I'm excited about our next chapter and I love seeing how the Lord has abundantly provided for us during our time in Erie, but at the same time this is just really hard.

Catching up...

So much has been going on with us and of course I am way behind in blogging. First, I had an amazing Mother's day. Jonah was so excited to start celebrating he woke up before 6am. I was getting a little upset when Josh wasn't getting up to get him (not that I feel entitled but it was Mother's day and I thought it sure would be nice for Josh to get Jonah so I could rest a bit), but when I went in to get him I found my Mother's day gift in his crib. Josh conspired with my mom to find me a ring with Jonah's birthstone (citrine), let me just say I was completely shocked. Josh and I have a knack for not being able to surprise each other and I was completely surprised, I had no idea. The rest of the day was great, Josh made me pancakes, we went to church, Chipotle, and Jonah took the most amazing 3 hour nap for me! It was a great day full of wonderful blessings by my favorite boys.

Josh's mom was here last Thursday to Saturday to help us start packing. She will tell you that she didn't do anything while she was here but let me tell you, she kicked my butt into gear! We got so much packed! We've pretty much packed up our entire basement, half of our kitchen, books, and lots of decorations like picture frames. It feels so good to have a lot of this done. I feel a lot more motivated to continue packing.

Jumping back a couple of weekends...our Girls Group here had our third annual GG slumber party! It was such a blast and I would like to say I was the only girl to sleep over! I'm one wild mama! I didn't take many pictures because I was too busy making friendship bracelets, eating amazing food, listening to our mix tape (vol. 2), and playing Just Dance2 on the Wii. But click here to check out Brooke's awesome photos and here to see the decorations by the host our very talented friend Sarah. You definitely want to check out these pictures, see awesome photo below. Yeah that's right, the Biebster made an appearance at the party, awesome!

The next day we had a surprise party for Sarah and her husband Drew. They are on the road to adoption and we wanted to celebrate and honor them before graduation. Please click here to check out Brooke's pics. Brooke did an AMAZING job setting up and decorating for the party. My friends seriously need to start a business, they are so creative and talented.

 It was a little windy and super sunny at the party. Thanks again Brooke for letting us borrow your Bjorn and cowboy hat.

Did I mention my brother is getting married? In exactly one month! I'm really excited for big brother and his fiance Shelly. Here are two of the pictures that will be used on the tables at the reception with the table numbers on them.

Lastly, did I mention we found a place to live when we move to Massillon? We found a really nice condo to rent in Canton. I'm not super jazzed about continuing to rent but I know we most likely will not be staying in Massillon long term and who knows what the housing market will look like in five years. I'm just so thankful we have a place to live next year. We have seen the Lord bless us and take care of us over and over again. We will continue to look to Him as we begin a new chapter in our lives.

I think I'm all caught up. I'll try to post again soon and not wait until Jonah's 6 month post (on May 22). And praise the Lord for the amazing weather Erie is having! I think Jonah and I will be going for another walk today!

A Mother's Day Tribute: by Jonah (and Papa)

This is a tribute to my Mommy on her first Mother's Day.  I hope I made it a special day for you, because you make every day a blessing.  

Here are just a few reasons why my Mommy is so special:

1. She gets dressed up every day, even from the first day we met:

  

2. She is always willing to snuggle me and keep my buns warm:

3. She always gets me drunk on love:

4. She is always perfectly honest...especially in this case:

 5. She always teaches me and has me deep in thought:

6. She always takes flattering pictures of me:

     ...well at least most the time.

7. She lets me watch TV, especially when she isn't paying attention to what I'm doing:

8. She is always willing to give me a kiss, even when I don't ask for one:

9. She always watches over me:

10. She puts up with this guy (this might be the most difficult task):

11. She teaches me the ways of the most holy blogging:

12. She lets me eat anything I want, edible or inedible:

13. She brings me to cool parties with my friends:

 14. She let me have a GUN!!! (Probably the coolest thing about her):

15. She always keeps me squeaky clean:

16. She keeps me up in to date in the fashion world:

17. She taught me how to sing every Justin Bieber song:

 Mommy, 

    From this day that we met, I knew we would have the most special connection anyone can have.  You have treated me and Papa with nothing but love, and for that, there are not enough words we can say (even if I COULD talk).  I hope you truly realize how grateful we both are to have you in our lives and pray that we can give you back even an ounce of blessings you pour on us.  We know God will bless you in the future! 

                                                   We love you soooo much,

                                                                     Jonah & Papa

Easter 2011

I know Easter was a week ago, but the we celebrate Christ and His resurrection every day! 

Here are a few pictures from Jonah's first Easter.

Sorry for the smooshed face Jobu

Those cheeks! Those eyes! Those lips! Love them!

Easter baskets from my parents, me, and books from his Ruiter cousins. 

The candy in his basket on the right was for Josh of course and I think I ate most of it. 

Naps after church.

An Easter bunny from Me-ma and Papa-Tony (his great-grandparents).

Later that day we shared a wonderful meal with our Erie family. The food was amazing and of course what's a party at Sarah and Drew's without a game? Josh played chubby bunny with peeps. 

For more pictures of the party hop on over to Brooke's blog.

On the way to church my mother was sharing with Jonah what Easter is all about- Christ taking on the sins of the world by dying for us and raising from the dead so when He looks at us now He does not see our sin but His righteousness. Oh how I love that! I look forward to sharing more with Jonah as he gets older and hopefully start our own Easter traditions. I remember having Resurrection eggs when we were little and would love to do this every Easter with Jonah.