Birth Day!

As you can see, my man turned 31 today, and although we had a special lunch (grilled ribs and corn, watermelon, and cheesecake, yum!!) and gift (actually, I re-gifted the same present I gave him last year that he never used - a gift certificate for a massage....I'm about to use that thing myself!) we were pretty busy with church in the morning and a church potluck in the evening, where we spent about 2 hours laughing through a high-stakes game of "Minute to Win It" with our new church family.  If you aren't aware, our church, Hope Community Church, is joining with Rainbow Hills Baptist Church to become one big happy family :) we hope. :)  We hope that we'll be able to reach our mutual neighborhood better together and we're really looking forward to our future.

More to the point however, I just want to say that I have the most loving, funny, handsome, and God-fearing husband in the world!  I can't wait to see what God will use him to do in his next 31 years.  Please enjoy the following pics courtesy of Josh's dad.....I think somebody has a little look-alike in Jackie!

Speaking of Jackie, it was her 18 month birthday today.  Listen, if anyone ever tells you that toddlers are no fun, don't believe them.  I have been enjoying her more all the time, tantrums and all.  Jackie seemed to be going through a bit of an identity crisis lately...we would point at pictures of Daddy: "Who is that?" "Daddy!"  Point at a picture of Mommy...."And who's that?" "Gaddy!"  Hmmmm.....  "Where's Mommy?" Big smile, and she points at herself!  We've since come to the conclusion that "Gaddy" is "Jackie", but who knows anymore....Anyhow, now she makes a point to call me "Moomoe" and will stick her finger up her nose if asked to point to Jackie. It's all so complicated!

Jack Jack and Bear Bear 

She loooves to be like us!

On the walking front, Josh and I will usually spend about 20 minutes a night sitting across from each other in the living room, forcing Jackie to walk between us.  She usually lunges and staggers and giggles her way from one parent to the other, where she receives muchos smoochies for making it.  She doesn't seem too interested in taking steps outside this time, however.  Sigh....  Huge plus though: she will now walk holding on to one of my hands instead of two!

Painted her toenails....I couldn't resist

Toes!

Classic Jackie pose :)

She is certainly intent on communicating with us, however...Unless we repeat the word she is saying, it will be shouted constantly: "Star! Star, star, star, star, star!!"  "Ok Jackie, star."  "Yeah...  Wheel, wheel, wheelwheelwheelwheel!!!!!"  I love the talking, though, seriously.  It's so great to be able to teach her all the things I've been saving up!

What are you doing in the back seat, Mommy?

Big girl!