Just Plain Fun

     As usual, we've been busy this week, but it was actually with FUN stuff.  On Tuesday Marcus and I met up with Whitney and Holden for an afternoon in the park. Holden will be one in June and is already up and running around.  It was amazing to see this child, who was physically smaller than Marcus, moving so well...and almost TALKING!  He's not only cute, but smart, too!
     On Thursday, Grandad Bolen came for a visit and spent most of the day with us.  Marcus didn't know what to think of this man with a deep voice at first, but quickly warmed up to him with giggles and grins.  They enjoyed each other so much that they hardly knew I was in the room (just kidding).  We ended the day at none other than the BBQ Inn.  The only sad part was that Marcus couldn't enjoy the good food like we did (he had his own mixture of different fruits - yum!).
     Finally, yesterday Marcus and I met up with our other good friends, the Creasmans.  Erin and sweet baby Adelyn took us to a local park in Brevard for a stroll while the weather was still nice.  Adelyn is almost 4 months younger than Marcus and just a doll!  The weather was PERFECT while we were there and only turned into nasty thunderstorms once Marcus and I were safe within the walls of our Buckshot Ridge home.
     As it was storming, I stood at the window with Marcus and watched the downpour.  His little eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement as the lightening struck and thunder boomed.  He never once seemed scared when he was with me, but was very intrigued with the whole thing.  It was a great reminder of how mighty and how STRONG our Lord is, yet how safe I feel when I'm in His arms.   No matter the storms surrounding your life, you can feel safe and secure when you know and trust Jesus as your Savior.

This is Marcus' 2nd time on a swing and he seemed to like it better than the first.

Our sweet boys, just a swingin'

This was the best picture I could get of the two of them since Holden was so active and Marcus wasn't really impressed with just sitting there, doing nothing.  Boys will be boys!

Now that he's sitting up in the tub, he seems to enjoy his bath toys.

"Gimme that fish."

Grandad playing airplane with Marcus.

Those are sleepy eyes.

Sweet smiles

Here's a picture of some of my favorite men.

Even though he can't crawl, he can still make quite the mess.

"Oh man!  I'm in trouble!"

Marcus already had a bath this day, but it was his 6pm fussies, so we put him in the sink to happily play.

Adelyn Eva and Marcus Paul

Here's our big boy, this morning, playing on the floor with a new found toy.

The Cove

    I love Saturdays.  Mark is home, we go workout together, and then have the whole afternoon to do whatever we want to do.  This past Saturday, after we went to I-Burn (and OH did it burn), we showered and went to the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.  They had an Open House on the whole grounds; Camp Cedarcliff, 106.9 (the radio station), the training center...everything. 
     We first checked out the radio station.  It was all open, studios and all, and in each one was one of the radio personalities.  We met or saw Matt & Heather, Jerry Woods, and also spoke with Jim Kirkland and Alice Knighten (GM).  It was neat to see how they do things on a daily basis and to talk about how they choose which songs to play.  We even saw their cubicles and desks where they work when they're not on the air.  It was neat.
     After that we drove up to the Training Center and it was BEAUTIFUL.  I can see how people can relax when they come to this place.  They were giving out free ice cream cones so we got one and took it out on the HUUUUUUGE back deck.  Of course there were rocking chairs everywhere, so we just sat and rocked a while and enjoyed the moment.  Before they shut it down, we checked out the conference center where many great speakers come and teach.  Right now in our Sunday School class we're doing Chip Ingrim's R12 study and it was filmed right there in the room we visited.
     Our last stop was Camp Cedarcliff.  It was waaaaaaaaaaay back there, over a mile past the radio station, tucked quaintly into the mountains.  We didn't get out since it was time for the Open House to end, but it looked  like a fun place for children of all ages.  They were just putting the horses away when we got there and we just missed the free zip line trips.  I couldn't help but wonder if Marcus would go to camp there one day.
     When we came home, Mark still needed to go visit his stores and pull up the bread, so being the great man that he is, he took Marcus and left me alone to clean in peace.  When they came home later that evening, the house was in tip-top shape and I was well rested, but the two of them were quite tired.  So I fed and put Marcus to bed, then did the same to Mark.  It was a wonderful day and a great prerequisite to a fantastic Mother's Day.

The Chapel, poking through the trees

This is Marcus' new favorite position.

This is the main lobby, when you walk into the front doors.

This picture makes me laugh so much because I look like Popeye since it was so bright and Mark said Marcus looks a little redneck since his hat is up so high.

Marcus' first taste at ice cream - He liked it!

"Yep, I'm just chillin up here in the mountains."

Mama and sweet baby boy.

Mother's Day - napping BEFORE church, still tired from yesterday

Ok, I give in...

     After years of denying it, trying to avoid it, and rolling my eyes when people talked about it, I have officially eaten my words.  (Deep breath, Leah...come on, you can do it!) I joined Facebook.  Taa-Daa!
     I joined a month or so ago, but only so I could get coupons.  Certain products do this whole, "like us and we'll give you a coupon" thing, so I thought, why not... I'll just join for the coupons.  And that lasted until last night when Mark got online to look something up about the Cove.  Since I had an account, it was already open and it showed many people we "may" know.  It's unbelievable how much information is on this thing, but needless to say, that's all we I needed to wet our my appetite and do it.  Mark says he's holding out, but at the same time is overly excited to see all the people who are on this thing.  I feel like I actually have friends again!  Well, I probably don't, but it's all about the feeling, right?
     In other news, we are going to the Cove at the Billy Graham Training Center today for an Open House.  I'm sure it'll be more fun for Marcus when he's older but we wanted to check it out nonetheless.  We'll post pics later on in the week, but there are tours of the radio station, Camp Cedarcliff, and the grounds, a rapid-response emergency truck, horse rides (I think), and everyone's favorite...free food.  We're looking forward to it.
     Finally, this little cutie of ours is moving!  He's learned that if he can't crawl there, he can just roll like he's in a burning building and he can get there.  He's up on all fours and rocking back and forth now, so I'd bet it's only a matter of time.  And I think his two little teeth that are creeping in are starting to hurt him.  He's had a few deep hurting cries lately and I think that's what it's from because I could find nothing else wrong.
     So with all that said, enjoy the pics and get a good laugh at me eating my words.  I'm sure I'll do it again really soon.

These Braves pj's are 12 months and already too small.  I wish I had put them on him sooner.

Last weekend when we went to Mt. Airy for my cousin's bridal shower, Mark and Uncle TJ kept Marcus.  When I got back, they were quick to get outside and throw the football. 

Aunt Liv stayed inside and put Marcus to sleep.

Stinkin' adorable (and those are pants...not shorts)

Marcus' new favorite thing is playtime in his crib with his 1990's shades.

Marcus is now sitting up in his baths.  He's almost too big for the sink, so I just stick to the tub.

Precious baby boy

During a nap this week, he slept on his side...this is new.

Morning hair (no joke - it was like that when he got up)

Pictures from Easter

     As promised, here are a few of those pictures that a lady from our church took of Marcus on Easter Sunday.  He had a little photo shoot and there were a TON of pictures on the CD she made us (yes, she's wonderful).  Either way, here are just a couple (or seven).

Big News!

     No, I'm not pregnant.  Deep breath everyone. :)  Marcus finally has a tooth coming, but not just one...TWO!  Sometimes when Marcus fusses I'll rub his gums with my finger and on Thursday I felt a little bit of something pokey.  Upon further investigation, I discovered it was his first tooth!  Each day we can see a little more of it coming up, but today, as I was face to face making him laugh, I noticed there are TWO teeth coming in, both on the bottom.  This time when I was rubbing his gums he chomped down on my finger and it actually HURT!  He got a kick out of it as he cackled with glee when I hollared, "ouch!"  When I told Mark about it, he reminded me how thankful we should be that Marcus isn't fussing or running a fever (so far).  We hope all his teeth come in this smoothly, but we're happy that he's not in too much pain thus far. 
     The other big news, Marcus is working hard on getting his big ol' tummy off the ground, trying to crawl.  He can rotate like the hands on the clock (like you'll see in the video below) and his reverse works great, but going forward is a bit of a challenge for him so far.  He's started the "rocking" process where he goes back and forth, and has gotten up on all fours a few times, but not crawling yet (and we're ok with that).  He's sitting quite well, but usually tips over sideways in an effort to reach a toy.
     Finally, it's great to live in Asheville.  The weather is UH-MAZE-ING right now and it's so nice outside.  This evening  Mark and I took Marcus on a walk down to our neighbor's home.  We visited with them out on the front porch then eventually had supper there as well (although we totally didn't anticipate it).  Marcus sat on the floor for most of supper, playing with stuffed animals and practicing his latest trick - spitting.  He will take out or spit out his paci just so he can spit and drool everywhere.  He's such a boy, because he LOVES doing it.  He also loves destroying things.  In the video below, you'll see him banging on the coffee table, having the best time.  Right when I thought he was tired and over it, he'd start right back up.  It is great to have a content baby who actually enjoys the non-toy items better than any toys we can buy him.

Here's Marcus working on crawling and moving, all while doing his best whining puppy impersonation.

Here's our little drummer boy.

Do not fear

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be dismayed for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

~Isaiah 41:10~

     Have you ever heard of SIDS?  It stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and the stats claim that it kills 7,000 babies every year.  When I was pregnant with Marcus that's all I heard about and once he was born, the fear of SIDS terrorized me.  Doctors and nurses said babies should sleep on their backs, avoid blankets and anything else in their cribs that they could cover their faces with and suffocate.  So what did I do?  Exactly what they said.  There is now nothing in Marcus' crib and he doesn't sleep with a blanket of any type.  He has a "sleep sack" to keep him warm at night, but that's it.  For the first 7 months of his life, this has worked out well, especially since he could only roll to his left.  When we put him down for naps or bedtime, we put him against the side of the crib, next to his left shoulder, and he was somewhat stuck, and would go to sleep.  Now that he can roll, scoot, and move around, this fear of SIDS has reared it's ugly head again.  Let me explain.
     The other morning, Mark went into Marcus' room before he left for work.  Marcus had moved around during the night and was on his stomach, sleeping.  As precious as this may have looked, it scares us both because we don't want him to suffocate, even though he was breathing fine, head turned to the side.  And again, yesterday when I put him down for a nap, he repeatedly kept rolling over, moving around his crib, then would get stuck and not be able to roll back over onto his back, so he'd get frustrated and cry.  I normally put him in his crib awake, but this time I wanted to rock him until he was allllllllllllmost asleep, and just to love on him some.  I thought, "If I hold him and rock him to sleep, he won't roll, therefore he'll go to sleep and be safe."  I don't know that I've ever heard the audible voice of God or not, but He plainly told me, as we were rocking, that even in my arms, if the Lord wanted to take Marcus, He could.  Marcus belongs to Him anyway.
     In my own controlling ways, I thought I could protect him, and to an extent, I can, but that's it.  However, all things that go on and that will happen to Marcus must first go through the Lord's hands, both good and bad.  Of that I have no control.  I can pray for protection and good health, but ultimately it's the Lord's decision.  So knowing all that, do I live my life terrified that God will just snatch away our child?  Do I put him in bubble wrap so he'll never get hurt (no, because he'd suffocate on that - joke).  Do I hold his hand, brush his teeth for him, bathe him, do his laundry, and spoon feed him until he's 25?  Uh, the answer is a resounding, "no."
     I will CHOOSE not to fear, because that's what God's Word commands me to do.  2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." I will rely on his promises, rely on his grace, and rely on his TRUTH that He'll never leave me, nor forsake me (Matthew 6:24).  God is the creator and ruler of this universe.  His thoughts outnumber the grains of sand on the beaches (Psalm 139:18), he knows the number of hair on my head (Matthew 10:30), and He is WORTHY of my trust.
  

     I will not be scared any more.  I choose to trust Jesus in raising Marcus and rely on His Word for guidance.  Period.

What a FUN weekend

     This past weekend was soooooooooo wonderful.  On Saturday, Mark, Marcus, and I rode down to Lake Norman for Seth Denton's 30th birthday party.  It was the first time that we, as a family of 3, we around other people near our age with children, close to Marcus' age.  It was held at a lake home on the most perfect day so far this year.  It was warm, but not too hot, there was a sweet breeze, and the sun was glistening off of the water.  There were toys for the children and plenty of open arms of people who wanted to hold a baby.  We had an amazing time with the Dentons and their family and other friends, ate great BBQ (you can't ever really go wrong with that meal), and just enjoyed being outside. 
     Then, the highlight of our weekend was EASTER SUNDAY!  We got up early and went to Sunrise Service at church and let me tell you...Marcus was EXCITED about it.  We kept him in his pajamas, but he didn't act sleepy.  He was talking and jabbering during a lot of the service!  Since it was outside and we were all standing, I could just walk towards the parking lot with him.  He was wiggling and squirming all over the place, but not in an unhappy way...he was quite hyper.  After the service we had an amazing Southern breakfast (including chocolate gravy...yum!) and then Marcus and I went home to change in to our Easter outfits (Mark was already dressed). 
     My mom had given us a tuxedo for Marcus to wear on Easter, so when I got home, that's what I reached for in his closet.  The bowtie wasn't attaching like it should've since he kept chewing it, but either way, he looked adorable.  When we got back to church for Sunday School Mrs. Abby wanted to have a photo shoot with Marcus in his tux.  It was precious, so if I get some of the pictures she took, I'll post them on here.  He didn't keep the bowtie and jacket on for long, but while it lasted, he was a stud.
     We had a packed house at church and learned about the different proofs that the resurrection was real.  If it wasn't, then our faith is built on nothing and therefore is nonexistent.  But the great thing is HE DIED FOR US AND HE'S ALIVE NOW!  It was wonderful to relish in the beautiful truth of what our savior did for us.
     After church we had lunch with our Asheville family, the Dorris'.  They have five incredible children, a sweet bird dog, and Dr. Dorris' parents were in town as well.  We enjoyed good ol'  fried chicken, deviled eggs, and coleslaw.  Does it get any better?  Poor Marcus only had a bottle and then a lovely mixture of peas, carrots, and spinach, but he didn't seem to care. :)
     Sunday night, all three of us went to bed early, happily exhausted after a fantastic weekend.  We had good weather, good friends, and best of all, the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel was preached for many to hear.  It'll be fun to teach Marcus more about the resurrection story next year, when he's able to comprehend a little bit better.

Before the party, I set up the tripod so we could have a family picture.  I thought this shirt was cute until I realized it made me look pregnant when I turned to the side.  Oh well, at least the colors were nice! :)

Marcus was big enough to be at the kids table, but not stable enough to stand on his own yet.

The other children played in the sand and water...Marcus just chewed the water gun.

Sweetness - sitting up on his own in the grass.

They even had little boat docks you could fish off of.

Here are Mark's two girlfriends before me: Mrs. Denton and Holly

Only in the South...

While there, Seth's cousin rode on the tube behind the boat.

This is Seth and Rebecca's son, Luke.  This is his smile after conning his grandfather into opening another coke for him after Rebecca told him no.  He knew what he was doing. :)

Daddy was making him laugh.

"You crack me up, Daddy!"

We took these last night, so it's not as crisp as it was this morning.

His bowtie was clipped to his vest here because he kept pulling it off when it was clipped to his shirt.

I had to hold his bunny up so he'd look up at me and not down at his bowtie.