relaxing and planning

I apologize that I haven't been on here in a week or so.  The wedding was this past weekend--it was beautiful and I cannot wait to get my hands on some photos to share with all of you.  I promise to exaggerate further on the glorious day in an upcoming post.

Since returning home on Sunday, in all honesty, I have been doing a whole lot of nothing! There has been a lot of parusing the internet, facebook, and lazyness goin' on around here. But of course, my mind is slowly filling up with creative ideas for an upcoming, special day in April!  Can you believe it?..my little man is going to be ONE?!! We have decided to celebrate his birthday with a small group of family and friends.  The party planning extroidinare inside me, however, has wondered onto some great ideas. A small party can be a GREAT memorable party, right?! So here are a few ideas I want to elaborate on for Jonah's 'Animal' themed 1st birthday..tell me what you think! You can find the cupcake toppers at this etsy shop and the adorable animal sticks here. 

{Yellow} is a Valentine's day color

You would think that I would know what day of the week Valentine's day falls on this year.  After all, it is Jonah's first Valentine's day.  Even though Valentine's day is a commercialized day, giving reason for many to spend money on flowers and chocolates,  it really should be every day we tell others we love them. But of course, I give into the commercialism and love when this day rolls around.  I am all smiles on this day, because..well...that's me, and if I have an excuse to wear red, make cookies, eat chocolate, give valentines, and celebrate love..well then I am all in! It also marks the first day Patrick and I spoke 9 years ago (yes,..I am that crazy to remember that!) and I cannot resist the urge to celebrate my new love of 'mommyhood' so of course this year is special in, and by, itself. 

So, as stated...I thought I'd know when the 14th rolled around this year. For some reason I convinced myself that Valentine's day was Tuesday of this week.  I had celebrated the day on Friday of last week with Patrick, as he is currently on a trip and we'd miss the day together. I still had planned on celebrating the day with Jonah--fully equipped with the appropriate love attire, a menu of red/pink/white foods(yes..there are purees he can enjoy festively), and of course smother him with all the hugs and kisses I desired! (because I know there will be a day when embarrassment will set in--affection from mom will be forced to drop down a notch in front of his friends..I can just see it now!)  It was all ready, but all ready for Tuesday. Not today. 

Nope.  Today I dressed him in yellow. It did not appear to me until I was on the way to the gym that TODAY in fact, was Valentine's day. Really, Sarah?! He had the cutest little shirt to wear.  Yes, for a second I thought..I can turn around, go back home, and change him. (I truly am admitting that) I then decided not to.  It didn't matter.  The little boy in the backseat was babbling away.  Looking in the rearview mirror, I just smiled. I love that little man. His laughter and innocence makes my heart melt.  My worries of what he was wearing became so cynical in my mind.  At that point, it really didn't matter if he was wearing a snowsuit. 

Most likely Jonah will not remember his first Valentine's day, let alone what he wore.  And who really will notice anyway, except me?  He did manage to have some strawberry puree this morning..so celebrations are somewhat still present.  It just goes to show you that sporting your festive attire on the 15th, rather than the 14th states that we never need an excuse to celebrate love.  So tomorrow Jonah will be decked out in his, "#1 with the Ladies" onesie.  Today, yellow will be just fine for my little Valentine. :)   

--watch out world--

Yep.  Jonah is on the move!  He is officially crawling.  After many attempts to try and get it on video we succeeded last night.  Looks like it's time to baby proof too...sigh...my little man is getting so big!  No more sitting him down for a second while I put the groceries away or put a load in the washer--I've discovered in the past few days that my little guy can move pretty far in 5 seconds! Enjoy watching him explore:)

{taking a little credit}

Back in 2008 we set up my dearest friend Monika with Patrick's college friend, Aaron.  From the moment I heard that Aaron was single, I made sure to put in a good word.  Patrick and I did our part, frequently, in-planting little seeds of information about each friend to the other.  Finally, the initial phone call was made by Aaron and it has been bliss ever since! Boldly, we predicted that they would "click" and forecasted a wedding in the future. We were right in such a bold prediction, as they are getting married this February:) 

Their friendships mean a lot to both Patrick and I.  I've known Monika since 7th grade and our friendship has only gotten stronger over the years.  You know those friendships you hear about that last a lifetime?  I am sure Monika and my friendship is one of them..we are going on 17 years(that's crazy). Aaron has always been there for Patrick and visa versa.  When those two men get together the fun comes out in both of them.  It's always great to watch and listen to the two of them talk about all things from planes, music, and life in general.  

I have to mention that Patrick and I would have never even mentioned either of them to each other if we didn't think it would work.  I think we've both realized awhile ago that our friendships with each of them are special and we have always, in some ways, been protective of their hearts. Monika's outgoing, spicy, and fun personality needed that balance.  Aaron's laid back, easy going persona would do just that. We knew though, the moment that I heard the phone ring after their first initial conversation, that they would be a hit.  It sealed the deal when I overheard Aaron let Patrick know that Monika was-and I quote this, "a bombshell".  Hilarious.  That's just hilarious.  At the same time makes me giddy for the both of them.  

This weekend marks the first of many celebrations leading up to the big day. We are both in their wedding-Patrick will be the Best Man, and I am standing by Monika's side as her Matron of Honor. This past weekend Patrick hosted the Bachelor party up here and I went down to Oregon to partake in the first of several wedding showers for Monika.  Several pictures of all these celebrations will be in up-coming posts. 

Overall--we are so excited to be apart of such a special day. We like to take a least a little bit of credit in their pairing, but in all honesty both Patrick and I know that we were just small tools in God's plan of bringing these two love birds together.   

--many wedding posts to follow-- 

A mindful conversation

Remember the movie, "Look Who's Talking"?  Iam sure the writers of that movie had fun coming up with a script!   Sometimes I really wonder what is going through little Jonah's mind.  Is he just rambling to ramble, or truly having a conversation?  Is he mimicking sounds he's heard?  This video is pretty funny-just watching his motions and thinking what could possibly be going on in that little mind of his.  

Grandma Reimer

This Saturday will be one year since my Grandma passed away. I don't know if it's the time of year, or just the complexity of how our minds work that have allowed me to remember and reflect on who my Grandma was and the special place she will always have in my heart.

These past couple of weeks I really have sensed my Grandma and her presence. She's been all around me. The candlelit service on Christmas eve allowed me to reflect on the traditions she and my Grandpa bestowed. The simple act of baking cookies yesterday made me remember of when she taught me how to get all of the cookie dough off the sides of the bowl by scraping with a knife. It's always a flick of the wrist and knock of the knife on the bowl-something that I do to this day. The picture above reflects the last time I saw her-Thanksgiving 2009. I was pregnant with Jonah, and she asked me when I was due. I told her April 9th. She simply stated, "April 12th is a good day." That day signified love and hope in my grandma's life, as it would have marked my grandparents 65th wedding Anniversary. Of course, God knew that Jonah would come on April 12th. When my grandma passed, I feel like God gave that day to our family and simultaneously allowed my grandmother to leave her legacy.

Little instances like these have given me a picture of who my Grandma was- faithful, perceptive, and hopeful. Amongst the business of life, I love when I am reminded of her. I hope when memories come to the surface in the future that I will continue to see and learn of the wonderful woman my Grandma was.