"Jesus" *smile*

I seriously love my life.

It's Sunday morning, 9am. I just laid Corban down for a quick nap before Mass. Jamon is recruiting in Boston and I'm sitting here on the couch with some of my favorite tunes on in the background. The only thing that would be better is if Jamon was here. :)

This is bound to be a bit random but I just need to share... Lately I've been pondering my walk with God... like does striving to be a good wife and mom count enough to get me into heaven? Should I be thinking about getting to heaven every day? Does a "Good morning Jesus, we love you" with Corban count as my morning prayer? In all my thinking and praying I've decided that it takes more. I'm pretty complacent. Like I said before, I seriously love my life. However, I know God calls us to more, to be active. My first priority should be HIM, then my husband and baby boy. I'm feeling pretty convicted on the order of my priorities. What can I do? daily Mass doesn't work cause I'm working. (Jamon and Corban go daily though. I love those guys!) there is a perpetual adoration chapel across the street, literally a stones throw from my office... I should be in there more. At least to say "Hi" to our Lord. Spiritual reading... don't a lot of the saints talk about spiritual reading? Is there spiritual reading for wives and moms? I want something good, something that will really challenge me to live my life with a stronger purpose of getting to heaven. Sometimes I get a little concerned about praying for specific things... lately I had been praying for charity and patience... never again. ;) Jesus is just giving me opportunity after opportunity to practice it. Enough please. Anyway... say a prayer and throw any advice out there for me. I love Jesus, but I've got to get more on top of my walk with Him. My husband and son certainly deserve a Godly wife and mom. I've got to get on it.

Anyway... ready for a cute lil Corban moment? So every morning when Corban gets up we chat for little bit, and then when I pick him up we walk to the crucifix above his bed, touch the feet of Jesus and say "Good morning Jesus, we love you. Thank you for a good night." We've been doing this for a while. Now when I pick Corban up out of bed he looks directly at the cross and reaches for it. We also have a crucifix in our living room and if I ask him, "Where's Jesus?" he'll scan the room, find Jesus and smile. It warms my heart so much. I tear up just about every day.

Here are a couple of pics we've taken recently.

The first one is of the three of us at the "Firecracker 5K" we ran on the 4th of July. Corban's (And mine) first 5K. the kiddo slept through over half of the race. I told him it was okay... he was just good and loose. :) We finished in like 28 minutes... the guys could have left me in the dust, but thankfully Jamon hung back with me so we could run (jog) as a fam. It was a great time. The second pic is of Corban eating a lime. This was a huge letdown. We gave him a lime, camcorder ready for the "Hilarious" expression he was bound to make. Nope, nothing. he LOVED the lime. I think it's his new favorite fruit.

Good morning Corban

Good morning baby boy,

I don't know if you know it, but getting you up in the morning is the best part of my day. I get up and get ready for work before you even start squirming. I eat my breakfast and lay out my clothes and then I wait. I wait until I hear your precious little voice over the monitor. When I'm pretty sure you're done stretching and having your morning quite time I slowly open the door to your room. This is when my heart smiles. I can always count on you to be looking at the door waiting for me. You smile and get so excited. I'm excited too buddy. I kneel by your bed and we talk for a little bit. Your squeals and smiles make me giddy. Sometimes if daddy is home when you wake up, he'll come in there with me. I think it's his favorite part of the day too! When you and I are done playing I pick you up out of bed and you give me a big ole squeeze around my neck. One of these days you'll know that's a hug. You're a good hugger buddy. After our morning hug the day goes on. You get all clean and fresh, we may play with your toys, or eat breakfast right away... it changes everyday. The one constant I have is your smiling face in the morning. I go to bed excited, knowing that in the morning I get to experience your beautiful, pure joy and love again. I love you Corban, my sweet baby boy.

Love,
Mommy

God-Babies

While we were on our trip to Texas we we're so blessed to see all three of our God-Children. Jamon and I consider ourselves extremely blessed to have these three precious angels and their families in our lives. We pray for each of them every single day. We definitely do not get to see them nearly enough so these visits were such a treat.

First is Hayley Anne - also known as Lunkins. She's the youngest and feistiest of my nieces. She is so funny, such an entertainer and so full of energy and life. She is so quick to give hugs and kisses.  I love my lunkins. My brother Jake is her God-Father, but Jamon claims her anyway. :)

 

Next is Tate Russell, also fondly called Tater-tot or All State Tate. He is Russ and Amber's little boy. Jamon and Russ were both assistant coaches at Texas State together. Tate is an absolute hoot. His energy is out of control. Amber told me this past weekend that he was eating bacon and steak at 8 months. He is a big boy with a big heart. I'm crazy about this kiddo.

Our newest God-Son is Canon Dominic. We have a very special bond with the Blackwells. Chris and Stef (Canon's parents) are Corban's God-Parents. This past weekend was the first time we got to meet Canon and it was love at first sight. He is so precious and perfect. Corban and Canon are only 6 months apart so I can hardly wait for our family vacations together. Those boys should know now that they will be friends for life.

Jamon and I are so honored and humbled and feel very blessed to have these three little souls co-entrusted to us. We take our job very seriously and pray incessantly for our God-babies. Their families are incredible and we love each of them so much.

Lemons to lemonade

Two weekends ago I had to bring "Lightfoot" our white car into the shop. It was supposed to be a 45 minute max oil change deal. Then I was going to go to Target, do a little shopping and head home. Instead, it turned into me waiting at the mechanics for an hour and a half and thennnnn they tell me that the car will be in the shop for the rest of the day. Needless to say, i was less than thrilled. But then swooped in my huz. I called Jamon and asked if he and Corban could come pick me up (a 45 minute drive from the house.) They did and I was in an ugly mood. So Jamon withouth missing a beat says "Jess, it's so pretty otuside and we're in Naples, let's go to Gumbo Limbos (the restaurant on the beach at the ritz)." whhhhaaaat? Out to lunch... for no reason. Sign me up. So Jamon, Corban and I went and had the best lunch. After lunch we brought Corban into the ocean for the first time. He didn't really seem to care either way. i was really hoping for some response, a laugh, a smile... something. we got nothing. Oh well, the weather was perfect, Corban was an angel and overall it ended up being an incredible afternoon. Jamon turned my lemony day into sweet lemonade.

The next day was mothers day and Jamon insisted that it be special. I was happy with lunch the day before. We ended up leaving Corban at my friend Amy's house to play and J and I went jet-skiing. It was definitely fun. I saw 2 dolphins and Jamon saw a big-ole sea turtle... or manatee. He wasn't sure. Then we went to whole foods and grabbed lunch and ate it on the beach. It was such a perfect day. We got home and Corban was an angel.

I absolutely LOVE my boys and love my life.

This past week we were in Dallas and New Braunfels celebrating my soon to be sister-in-laws college graduation. We had such a good time and are so thankful for Dad Copeland for flying us over. it was a wonderful vacation.

As always, it's good to be home. Jamon and I like having Corban on his routine and having our own space. I think I'll stick around Florida for a little while now. We do, after all live in paradise. Come visit!

Catch up...

It's 1:00 am and I can't sleep a wink. You know that uncomfortable feeling when everything in your body is restless? Your legs aren't comfy, the pillow isn't feeling right etc... ugh, That's me. And now I just watch my precious hours of sleep dwindle down until Corban wakes up around 6:30.  Looks like a nap for me tomorrow!

Oh well, this is a perfect time for me to write.

Corban had his second haircut this week. Although this one was the real deal. We went to the local salon and Yessinia did a great job. Corban was so good. I'm such a proud momma.

okay...I struggled to get that first paragraph out which leads me to believe that maybe this isn't the perfect time to write... I had full intentions of being thorough and witty, but even though my body isn't tired my head is. That being the case I'm just going to bullet point the things I've been wanting to write about.

1. Easter with the fam in OKC. Jamon, Corban and I traveled to Dallas and then to OK. It was such a wonderful time. I LOVE my family. Almost all of us where home.

2. When I left OKC I left with two little presents I didn't expect. Denise gave me her beautiful necklace because I had briefly mentioned how much I liked it. And Trish packed an amazing shirt in my suitcase without me knowing. They don't know this but I was and am so touched by their generosity. They simply gave. No strings attached and for no reason other than to make someone, me, happy. I think about those selfless little acts of generosity everyday. I love my sisters.

3. Corban and I went to Miami to see my dear friend Jen. We had such a good time hanging out at a lil cafe then shopping. I've missed her and seeing her was such a blessing in my life. God is good to me in the friend department.

4. I love working in the athletic department. It is so much more laid back and definitely up my alley.

5. Our dear friends Chris and Stef had their baby boy, Canon Dominic, this past Monday. SO EXCITING. He is so precious and I cannot wait to see him and hold him and smell him. I already miss having a little baby around. Babies snuggle. Corban is quickly growing out of his snuggle stage. :( Chris and Stef are Corban's God-parents, and now Jamon and I are Canon's God-parents. Our families will be forever connected. Awesome.

6. Corban loves the pool... but only if it's warm like bath water. We went swimming for the first time when we went to Orlando to see the Blackwells. It was fabulous and now I can hardly wait for the pools here to warm up so we can take Corbs more.

7. Jamon and I had our first date in like 7 months. We went to the Ritz in Naples and ate at the restaurant there called Gumbo Limbo. We were able to catch the sun setting over the water. So glorious. God does amazing work!

8. Fridays I get together with other moms and kiddos. It's the highlight of my week. Because of these moms I really enjoy living in Ave. I love sipping my coffee and swapping baby stories with them. They are such a blessing in my life.

9.My cooking has really stunk lately. Now don't get me wrong, i haven't made anything bad, I just haven't been cooking. I've got to get back on that culinary horse. I think it'll be easier when recruiting season is over and Jamon is actually around for dinner. It's hard to be motivated to cook something delish when I'm only cooking for myself. I'm happy with a grilled turkey and cheese.

okay, I'm going to go stretch and hope it knocks me out. Here are a few more random pics to enjoy.