Three Years of Bliss

June 2nd we celebrated our 3 year anniversary! What an amazing 3 years. There have been good times and tough times and I couldn't imagine doing "life" with any one other than Jess. I love him more than the day I married him! What an amazing husband and father he is! I have never met someone as selfless and loving!

Love,

Rachel

District of Columbia

Memorial weekend Jess, Canon, and I took a trip to DC for our 3rd Anniversary with our sweet little tag along. We have lived in Wake Forest, NC for 3 years now and hated to miss out on the opportunity to visit DC since we only live 4 hours away. Plus Jess and I just love to take little trips! I love that about our relationship. We live so close to so many fun areas, why miss out on seeing things... Anyway we packed up our SUV and headed out!

The first day we visited the monuments. Good thing we did it that day because it was the coolest of the 3 days we were there. Canon just rode around in the stroller only needing a couple breaks to be held! That first night we checked into our hotel (we stayed downtown) and ate at a local pizza place and got krispy creme donuts for the next morning! YUM!

The second day we went and looked at the White House. After the White House we hit up some of the museums. We went to the Natural Science and Space and Air Museum. We took our time and didn't have an agenda! It was nice! That night we got changed and went to Maggionos for a nice dinner! Canon decided he wanted to growl throughout the dinner, so that was fun. ha! He made friends with all of the people sitting close by and clapped for everyone trying to entertain him.

B26 plane. Jess's grandfather was a top gunner in a B26 and so was my great uncle.

Taking a bath in the hotel tub before bedtime.

The third day we packed up and headed to Georgetown. Before heading out Canon started gagging on his mangos and threw up ALL over the bed. Oops! Jess and I didn't even know where to start on the cleanup. I could not believe how much came out of him. Oh well, once he got it out he was fine! Anyway, we walked around Georgetown for an hour or so then had lunch. After lunch we went to Georgetown Cupcake for some sweet treats then headed back home.

We had such a wonderful time hanging out as a family. Jess has been so busy with school, work, and writing that it was nice to have his undivided attention! It's been hard not having him around these last couple of days! Ready for another holiday!

Love,

Rachel

Illinois Fun

Canon and I had the opportunity to visit my family in IL a couple of weeks ago. We had such a great time!

Here are a few things that we did:

-had a few cook outs

-went out to breakfast with mom, Sarah, Emma, and Canon

-ate lots of home grown vegetables

-visited with my grandparents

-able to see my best friend Brook and another close friend Ryan

-went to the church I grew up in

-mowed (I love mowing!) My favorite was mowing out by the pond, it is so peaceful and calm!

-able to talk and hang out with my parents

-got to enjoy the country (I have missed being out in the country, it is SO beautiful)

-able to spend time with my beautiful niece and play around with her

-caught up with my sister and brother in law

-ate Fazoli's twice (Yum, how I have missed that place)

Thanks Mom, Dad, Sarah, Bryan, and Emma for such a great time and loving on Canon! We miss you!

Love,

Rachel

Fun In The Sun!

Canon had his first swim in his hippo baby pool this past Saturday! He loved it for about 15-20 minutes and then was done! We will for sure do it again!

Here he is all dressed and lathered up with sun screen!

Playing with his toys! Don't you even think about taking one away from him without a struggle and some tears!

Mommy, I think I am ready to go in now...

Love,

Rachel

Seven Whole Months of Joy!

Canon is 7 months old. I can not believe it!

So here is another post about what he has been up to and learning during his 6th month.

-New foods he has tried: avocado, green beans, carrots, peas (won't eat them though), bananas, pears, peaches, mango, and yogurt. Most of the time he eats pretty well!

-Drinks juice 2x a day (tried sippy cup, but not quite there yet)

- Now likes to sit up and splash in the tub

-Sitting up on own and love to play with his toys while sitting up

-Had his first (hopefully only) surgery :(

-Has become attached to a stuffed elephant (Mr. E)

-Takes naps with Mr. E the elephant

-Is saying "maaa maaa"

-Weighed in at 18 lbs 7.5 oz at 6 1/2 months

-27.75 inches long

-Still in size 3 diapers

-Wearing mostly 9 month clothing with the occasional 12 month or 6 to 12

-For the majority of the month had 5 feedings with 2 baby food meals a day

-Taking 2 to 3 naps a day

-We read an average of 6 books a day (2 to 3 books before each nap), he loves books!

-He continues to smile and laugh all day long!

It's getting harder and harder to capture him with Big Al

Love,

Rachel

New Opportunities

Jess and I (more Jess probably) have been thinking about the future and where do we go or do after our time at seminary comes to a close (which we are a year away). We feel that it is very important for Jess to get some church experience so he will be better qualified when it comes time to get a job at a church! So with that said we have joined Union Chapel Baptist Church where Jess will serve as an assistant pastor. For now it will just be a couple of hours a week, but we are very excited for the opportunity to serve. I will be honest and tell you that it has been a struggle for me to come to grips with leaving our previous church. I LOVED the nursery, the music, the people, the preaching, the ministries, ect. but the Lord has been moving on my heart and I am excited for new opportunities and relationships at our new church. Union Chapel is a very small church, but I see great things happening! Everyone has been so welcoming and I think they are very excited to have another baby at church!!

I'll keep you updated on how everything is going !

Love,

Rachel

Updates & More Celebrating with Friends!

Canon is doing more and more everyday! He is now sitting on own and is playing now while sitting up. The poor boy doesn't have very many toys to play with while sitting up, so that is on my list! Canon is now eating fruits, but he doesn't like them too much right now. He is also getting pear juice everyday to help him go to the bathroom. Canon is saying "maaa maaa". I am pretty sure he doesn't know what he is saying, but it is sweet anyway. He is also starting to play in the bath tub and splash around!

Jess is staying busy with full time work and he is writing a book that will be out January 2010. We are also changing churches. This past Sunday was our last Sunday at Wake Cross Roads. Jess will be serving in a small role at Union Chapel Baptist Church as an assistant pastor. It is a small church, but it is going to give Jess great experience (it will be just a couple of hours a week). Jess has roughly a year left in seminary, so he is thinking ahead. We are excited to serve Union Chapel.

We also celebrated Jess's birthday with a few close friends this past Friday night. We are trying to take every opportunity to hang out with all of our friends before most of them move on from seminary this spring/summer. It is bittersweet because we are happy for our friends in the fact that they are answering God's call for their life and doing the Lord's work, but sad that we are losing out on being with them! God has blessed us with friends that pray for us, encourage, support, listen, and point us to Christ and are just down right fun! As a new mom I can not express how wonderful it has been to have seasoned Godly mothers to ask questions to or to receive encouragement from. I honestly don't know what I would have done or will do without them! We are thankful for all of our friends even if we don't see everyone on a regular basis or see them regularly.

The boys...

Canon's girlfriend - Faith. Canon has a priceless look on his face.

Holding hands!

Canon does not like when Faith cries, it makes him so sad... (no really it does)

The girls...

Thanks for reading this long post!

Love,

Rachel