Beautiful Boy

Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run and your daddy's here,
Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.

~John Lennon

One Year Later

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of Jimmy and I finding out we were pregnant.  I cannot believe that it has been a year.  It seems just like yesterday!  I had the fortunate opportunity of finding out I was pregnant with Jimmy right by my side.  I have a lot of friends that have pretty fantastic stories about how they told their husbands they were expecting.  I didn't have to tell Jimmy...he was standing right by me as we read the test together!  It was a cold morning in Ohio, I got out of bed and took the test.  It was so cold that I jumped back into bed waiting for the 3 minutes to pass.  Well, apparently I was so nice and warm in bed I actually fell back asleep.  A few minutes later I was awoken by Jimmy's alarm going off.  He started getting out of bed to go and take a shower.  All of a sudden I remember thinking, "Oh, the test!"  So, I jumped out of bed and ran to beat Jimmy into the bathroom.  There it was, simple black digital lettering on a white stick...."Pregnant."  No "plus sign" or "two lines."  Just the word "Pregnant."  Who knew one word could change your life so much!  The whole time, Jimmy was standing beside me reading the test at the same time.  All I could say was, "Oh my goodness."  Jimmy grabbed me and gave me the biggest and longest hug he has ever given me.  He kept saying, "I love you, I love you, I love you."  He then stumbled back to bed and said, "I think I have to lay down for a while."  He had to recover from the shock :)
And now here we are, one year later, with the most amazing little baby boy.  I had a wonderful pregnancy, which I am so thankful for.  Jimmy and I truly are blessed.  I have never loved anything as much as I love my little boy.  He and Jimmy are my world.

10 days before Evan's birth

Jimmy and me 3 days before Evan's birth

Me and my men - Our first family photo :)

My perfect baby boy shortly after being born

     

Stephie the Artist

These past few weeks have been CRAZY to say the least!  Evan and I started out by flying to Ohio to visit with my Mom, Dad, and Steph.  We were planning on spending close to two weeks with them.  However, we ended up making an impromptu trip to New York for the funeral of my amazing grandfather Big John.  It was a very nice ceremony.  Big John was in the Navy, so it was a military service.  Jimmy was able to make the trip and wore his Dress Blue Uniform in honor of Big John.  I hated the reason why we had to make the trip but it was so nice to see my family and have everyone meet Evan.  I was able to spend time with aunts, uncles, and cousins that I hadn't seen in a while.  It was a wonderful relief from the mounting stress my family was experiencing at the time!  I have some pictures from our time with the family that I will post soon.  I would post them today, however I left my camera at my Aunt Rosemary's house and she will be mailing it too me soon!

I do however, have some pictures of a field trip Evan and I took to Stephanie's art school.  We were able to see her studio, print shop, office, and some of her pieces of art.  I was thrilled to be able to go!  We met some more of her amazing and talented classmates.  So much fun!  These pictures were taken with my phone, so they aren't the best quality!!

Her Studio

 Steph and her naked drawings..hehehe :)

 In the Print Lab

A print of Steph's that will be in her Senior Art Show.  My Mom has already claimed ownership after the show!

She also received a scholarship for her amazing artwork.  As a result, she was recently asked to participate in a news cast to help raise funds for the Wright State University Arts Program.  Click on the link below to watch :)

Steph the Super Star

 I am so proud of my amazingly talented little sister!  She has more creativity in her little finger than I do in my whole body!  I cannot wait for her graduation in June.  She has worked so hard for this and I know she is going to move on and do creative and inspiring work.  Love you Steph!

Our next stop is Aunt Katie's science class room in Alabama!!

Big John

This post is dedicated to my Grandfather, John "Big John" McEnery.  He passed away early Tuesday morning, February 15, 2011.  He was an amazing man and an even more amazing Grandfather.  Being military brats my sisters and I did not see our grandparents as much as we may have liked.  However, whenever we did it was so special.  As soon as we walked through the doors of 2100 Kirkwood Ave and you heard the words, "Hello Doll," all the months and days of separation seemed to disappear.  We were always treated as if we were the most important people in the world.  Big John was always there to greet us with a huge smile and a big hug.  He always had a witty joke to liven up a conversation or a humorous story to energize dinner table conversation.  He was a retired teacher and guidance counselor by trade and taught me many intellectual and life lessons I could not have learned in any class room.  His beautiful garden was the scene for some of my favorite childhood memories, playing with my sisters and cousins.  I am so thankful for all the time we had together and will always cherish the memories and love you gave me.  I love you Big John and miss you very much.  Say Hi to Grammie for me :) 

 Big John and Grammie on their 50th Wedding Anniversary

I will always Love and Miss you Big John.

What's Round on the Ends and HI in the Middle? OHIO!

Evan and I took a little trip yesterday....to OHIO!  YAY!  We've only been here for a day and half, but so far we've had a lot of fun hanging out with my Mom, Dad, and Steph.  Evan did wonderful on his first plane trip.  He basically slept the whole way!  I was a little - actually a lot - nervous about traveling by myself with him.  But, it was a fairly easy trip.  I know they have gotten a bad reputation recently but, I have to say, the TSA agents at the San Antonio airport are so helpful and nice!  And the Soutwest employees that I came in contact with were just as kind and helpful.  They all made what could have been a very stressful situation, a very easy and enjoyable trip.  I have only on regret and that is that Jimmy couldn't come with us. 

Today we spent the day hanging out with my Mom and Steph.  My sister Stephanie's school, Wright State Univeristy, was having a Bake Sale and Art Sale and Auction to help raise money for the Fine Arts Department's Senior Class.  Evan and I went to check out Steph's work and meet all of her friends (who were all super nice) .  It was a lot of fun!  I purchased two original lithography prints (of course they were Steph's).  One is called "A Rose" and the other is called "Crystal Rose."  Super excited to own my uber-talented sister's original art work!

(This photo doesn't do the art work justice!)

While we were leaving the Student Union at Wright State, Rowdy Raider - the WSU mascot - came walking by us.  And, even though Evan was sound asleep, I HAD to get a picture of him with Rowdy :)

I am kind of glad that Evan was asleep at the time because I am pretty sure he would have been scared by Rowdy and his big teeth!