25 random things

Rules:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people, then click publish.)

1. I love being home alone during the day but once it gets dark I HATE it.
2. I have a love/hate relationship with the fact that my husband is not as neat and organized as I am. It make him laid back and fun loving and remind me that time spend with family and friend is more important that a clean house. But it sure does drive me crazy at times! I think of poor Martha and Mary every time I get frustrated.
3. I am a lot more organized in my head than I ever manage to be in life.
4. I have 1 dog, 2 cats, 1 rabbit and a ton of fish. I would love to have lots more. I would also love to figure out a way to have pets and not have to clean up after them.
5. Within 5 minutes after delivering my son (with no pain meds and being induced) I told the nurse and doctors I couldn’t wait to have 3 more.
6. I feel blessed that my husband was so proud of me after I delivered our son with no pain meds and being induced. He wanted to tell everyone.
7. I LOVE being a mom and a wife, even on the hard days.
8. I'm a pretty good multi-tasker, to the point where I dislike doing something if I can't do something else at the same time. (Same here Julie, I can’t even watch TV without doing something else most of the time).
9. I love being around children and animals.
10. I really enjoy doing the accounting/forwarding agent work for North Burma Christian Mission. I am a dork and love numbers and paperwork.
11. I love my family! I had a very blessed childhood growing up. The two things that really stick out was my mom always packed notes in my lunch box or suitcases when I was away from her and sometimes when I came home my room would have surprise in it. Also my Dad always made a huge effort to have lunch with me at least once a week when I went to public school. I loved that he was there with me.
12. My in laws (parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles) make me feel like I was always a part of family. I am blessed to have such great in laws.
13. I lived in Germany for 3 three years but I don’t remember any of it since I was only a few weeks old when we moved.
14. We bought a house in August. I love it but we are still not completely moved in yet.
15. My husband is my best friend and my soul mate. I know we were meant for each other.
16. My husband’s demonstration of Christian faith and love really made me want to become a Christian, which is funny since he always tells me my faith makes him want to be a better Christian.
17. My husband baptized me, I think that is the coolest thing!
18. I always wanted a sister and I got two once I got married!
19. My brother and I were great friends all growing up.
20. I love arts and crafts, especially scrapbooking and drawing.
21. I have been working on and off a drawing for our bedroom for almost 2 years and I FINALLY finished it. I just have to get it framed and hang it up.
22. I really dislike confrontation
23. I get really annoyed when my frig is not organized and clean.
24. I love Thailand and the people there. I pray that I will get to go back soon.
25. I am obsessive about turning off lights when no one is in the room. I have been told my husband and roommates it is weird to come home to a dark house except for the room I am in.

(P.S. I tag anyone who reads this)

Blast off Baby

I had intended on posting this video with the Christmas vacation post but had forgotten. I forgot if it was Grandpa, Dad or Uncle's idea but Landon loved it. When they first told me about it was was not too happy but if you get a look at his face he was laughing and smiling at the end. I guess he is a boy and they like stuff like that.

Friends

Ashley, Matt and Noah where in Florida for a few days. We met up with them at the Strode’s for dinner and games after shopping at Pet Co so Josh could advise Brandi on fish to get for her new tank. Bryan made yummy steak sandwiches with a homemade mayonnaise horseradish sauce (I really dislike horseradish but this stuff was good). Dynah and Clayton were very happy to entertain Landon. Clayton especially was great with Landon and so careful. You can tell he is a great big brother. I hope Landon can be just as helpful when he becomes a big brother. After dinner we watched

After the kids went to bed and the Bolins returned from visited at the Crowe’s we played Partnini. It is a twist on Cranium. It was fun but unfortunately for us girls the boys won. The to the boys excitement they beat us again in Mad Gab (I think that was the name). All in all even though us girls lost we all had fun.

The next week Josh, Landon and I joined the Strodes for dinner. Unfortunately, Brandi didn't get to join in the fun with us since she was not feeling well. Bryan made yummy Alaskan salmon caught in Alaska by one of their friends and a great garlic Caesar salad. Josh made his great crab bisque. I love that stuff! The food was great! Plus we also watched one of my favorite kids movies, Hook. After the food and the kids went to bed we played the Wii. Jonathan, one of Josh’s brothers, bought Josh the Wii Fit for Josh’s birthday. The Wii Fit for those of you who don’t know is an exercise “game” for the Wii. It tells you your weight, BMI and your center of gravity plus lots more. I got a great video of Bryan doing yoga. I was going to be nice and only keep it for our enjoyment but Josh being the great friend he is, he said post it. So he it is plus some other pictures.

Other good news, our small group started up again. Even though we are missing a few much loved people, we are still managing. I really love meeting in our small group. It energizes my spirit. Jesus knew what he was talking about when he talked about fellowship. I also want to ask for prayers for one of our small group members. Mrs. Vera is a wonderful women and she has touched my and Josh's lives. It is like having a grandma here, which is great since I have lost one of my and the other lives in New Hampshire so I don't get to see her much. Both of Josh's grandmothers live in Missouri so we get to see them every once in a while. Anyways, Vera is in the hospital right now because she fell and fractured her shoulder. The doctors were unsure if she would need surgery or not. I went and spend about a hour with her today. When though the reasons for visiting today weren't ideal, I really loved spending time with her. She will be in my prayers and I hope you will join me.

Sundays we have been going over to Jessica's and she has been making us lunch. Last week we had a yummy roast and this week we had tacos. It is nice to have lunch made for us plus spending time with Jessica is always great. Jessica and I took Landon for a walk this Sunday. He really loves bring outside. I love the picture of Jessica and him smelling the flowers.

Landon at 4 months

Landon's new talents and interests

Grasping at toys and holds them for several seconds to a minute.
Can roll over, although doesn’t seem to like an audience.
Laughs and baby talks a lot!
Ticklish
We think he is teething since he crews on his fingers
Sucks on his lip and fingers
Can stand with his own weight if someone or thing helps him balance.
Loves to be read too
Really enjoys playing with Ben his little baby friend at church who is 2 months older than him.
Loves being outside especially when Daddy or the doggie is outside.


He was so great at his 4 month check up. He was smiling, laughing and cooing to Dr Wyatt and the nurse. I hate watching him get his shots though. It was really sad because he was all smile and talking away and then the nurse stuck him and he looked a little hurt and just start wailing. Luckily this time we had the kite room which has a window so you can see the duck pond. He loves looking out the window so he cheered up quickly. I am glad I talked to Katie after he had his shot and was prepared. Landon has just been feeling icky most of the evening after his shots and the night was not a good one for him. He woke up with a little fever about 3 times. All he wanted was to be held. He wouldn’t even open his eyes. Poor guy! Today he had a little fever in the morning and afternoon but I think he is feeling much better now. Here are the results from the doctors.
Weight 14.5 lbs 50%
Height 25 inches 50%
Head circumference 44 inches 75% ( I guess he has a big head)

Landon with his Looney Tunes band-aid


Sorry for the lack of pictures this time. After we got back from Missouri I had another staph infection and couldn’t walk for about a week and half. Things are better now, and we are praying this was the last of it.

All of the pictures from the trip are posted

Here are the links, enjoy!


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2700792&l=63cb8&id=2022607

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2703471&l=bfd85&id=2022607

Christmas Part two: Traveling to Missouri (Landon’s first big trip!)

The day after Christmas we loaded up and headed out to Missouri. It is about a 16 hour drive and we stop in Paducah, KY on the way up and back. Landon did so well. I was very impressed with him. Luckily for us he didn’t sleep the whole time, he did take longer naps that normal but it didn’t mess up his night time sleeping schedule.

Landon got to see snow for the first time. It started snowing about 2 hours after we arrived. Unfortunately, by 2pm the next day almost all of it had melted and there was no snow the rest of the trip.

Well before Landon and I went out and enjoyed the snow (no one else was nearly as excited about the snow as I was). Landon met his Great Grandma and great uncle Mark. After the meet and greet me and my boy got to enjoy the snow falling. So now Landon has seen snow for the first time!

Most of the trip was spent visiting, playing board and video games. Landon met lots of family members- Great Grandma Williams, Great Grandma Monks, Great Grandpa Monks, Great Uncles Kim, Mark, Charles, Steve and Great Aunts Christy and Trish, 2nd cousins Carley and her husband (who are excepting their first little one in May), Caleb, Christopher and Andy. Some of the girls, Aunt Christy, Mom, Jamiie Jo and I, had a girl’s day out. We went shopping and out to lunch. Landon also got to go the girls, but I don’t think he minded too much. He did get some cool new clothes out of the deal. Considering that Landon was in a car seat a good portion of the whole vacation he did really well. I was proud of him. In April, we are flying up to Massachusetts to visit my family and I hope there are many more trips to visit family in his future.


Meeting Great Grandma Williams


Meeting Great Uncle Mark


First snow



Boy am I happy to be out of that car seat!


Hanging out with the family





Meeting Great Uncle Kim



Meeting Great Uncle Charles, Aunt Trish and cousin Andy










HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!







New Years Day/Josh's Birthday at Aunt Christy's house

Meeting Great Grandpa and Grandma Monks












Girl's (and Landon's) Day out







Car rides and breaks