1st Birthday Party

Garrison had a great time at his party.  We have a small house and had a lot of family and friends but I think everyone had a good time.  I spent a lot of time making the decor and didn't really take too many pictures of it :( but what matters is Garrison had a fun party.  He finally figured out everyone was there to see him when he started on his smash cake.  One of my other favorite things was the video that Jon made for the party.  It was called "Garrison's Firsts" and it was a short video of various firsts he had throughout the year.  The song that played was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" I cried everytime I watched it.  We went with a sock monkey theme with red and light blue as the colors. Here are some pictures.

Waiting the party - his sweet shirt has a 1 with sock monkey fabric and his name.

Some of our sweet guests -

Garrison loved this card.  On the mantle I had a picture of him at each month.

Getting ready to smash.

yay!

The big cake - so cute and delicious.

Some gifts on the porch.

Up close of the birthday banner.

Happy Birthday Garrison

Today is Garrison's birthday.  I can't believe it - the year has flown.  Being Garrison's mom has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done.  God blessed us with Garrison in his perfect timing.  Garrison is a great lesson for me to give everything to God because he is more perfect than I could ever have imagined.  God continues to amaze us and surprise us.  He is definitely in control.  I can't wait to see what the next year will bring.

Love at first sight
 

2 Months and loves to smile

Off to the Germantown Festival

7 Months

8 Months

Election Day - Almost 9 Months

Daddy's Swearing In Ceremony

2 of His Loves - Daddy and Reading

Big Boy!  I'm a toddler now

Jonathan A. Lindsey, Esq.

I remember over 5 years ago when Jonathan told me he wanted to go back to school and be a lawyer.  He had only been teaching a few months and it WAS NOT for him.  I loved teaching but he did not.  I could see how his eyes lit up when he talked about the possibility of being a lawyer.  I told him I would support him 100%. 

I knew it would be a hard journey but one we had to be on.  It was his dream.  So fast forward... he took the LSAT and we moved forward.  He started law school August of 2009.  He was so excited about his classes and inspired by his professors.  Then after his first semester we found out he made really good grades and was ranked #1 in his class.  He continued to do great with getting internships with judges, being hired by 2 law firms for summer jobs, working as Managing Editor on Law Review, and receiving multiple academic awards. 

He completely soared and it was so clear to me he was doing what he was meant to do.  How many of us can truly say that?  Not many!  It is something I want to teach Garrison as well.  Both Jon and I changed career paths and went back to school.  I started out in the business field and he in education.  It's not always an easy journey but one we had to take.  I am so proud of you, Jonathan.  I love you so much.  You are an inspiration to your family.

The Friday Five

1.  Garrison is "crawling".  Even though, he isn't on all fours he is scooting very fast and everywhere!  One minute he is in the living room and the next he has "crawled" down the hallway to our bedroom.  It is so much fun!  My dad helped us "baby proof" some last weekend, but I am finding lots of areas we missed.  I need mom advice here - what should I worry about?  Jonathan and I give thanks everyday for our miracle baby.  We love him so much.  Each month is my "favorite" month, so right now 7 months is the best.
 

2. My favorite season is  Fall!  We have definitely been enjoying the fall weather and all the outdoor festivals.  We went to the Germantown Festival, the Cooper Young Festival, and even the CountryWood Garage Sale(I know).  I'm so glad Jon took us - we had such a great time.
 

3.  I started going to a mom's group at Hope Pres. - thanks to my friend Alissa.  My particular group is a First-Time Mom's Group for mom's of babies born this year.  It is a great time to get together and talk.  It has also been a wonderful way to meet some new friends.  I look forward to Wednesday mornings.
 

4.  Jon loves his job!  I am so thankful.  We find out about the bar exam results in mid-October.  Please say a prayer about this.
 

5.I have started working as a sub at a wonderful private school.  They have a Parent's Day Out on campus so Garrison can go there while I sub.  I have only worked a few days.  It is hard to leave him but I know it is good for us both.  I am able to go check on him during my breaks.  I think this is a good way to ease back into working.  I do hope and pray that the perfect job is out there for me.  I am defnitely excited about what God has in store for me.  I love being with Garrison and I also love teaching.  I hope there is a way I can do both.


Happy Friday from this little guy!

The Reading Mother

Being a mom is one of the most amazing things I have ever done.  However, I do continually worry that I'm not doing everything I need to be doing for Garrison.  Maybe it's a teacher thing?  I wonder if I am challenging him enough (are we having enough tummy time, practice sitting up time, sign language, you name it).  Anyway, one thing we have always done from the time he was literally a couple of days old (see picture below) was read to little Garrison.  It is something I am very passionate about - especially after five years of being a teacher.  I have to share this poem that I love by Strickland Gillilan.  So I am at least doing one thing right...   :)


I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

Strickland Gillilan