our party

On account of our ridiculously busy schedule, we are waiting to do John Mark's big birthday party until after August 17. The reasons for that date are too many, and probably too boring, to list here. So if you are a friend who is wondering if we have somehow forgotten to invite you to the 2-year-old bash, please know you are not forgotten! I just don't have a chance to breathe until summer slows down... but once life gets a little less hectic, you will all be invited to something ridiculously fun. Well, probably not all of you, because some of you are just stalkers that I could never invite since I don't know who you are. :o)

Anyway, last night we had a fun little "rigdon family" birthday night. We started off the evening with the first present. I casually mentioned the present when talking about the evening. Later I asked John Mark if he wanted to eat pizza, to which he replied "no, present" and sat down in the chair. So we got out his first present, a totally awesome sesame street school bus that sings the ABC's, which he has already thrown on the ground and broken. But he loved it for the evening!

Then I made mini pizzas for each of us, since pizza is John Mark's favorite food. Micah & JM got pepperoni and cheese. I got an oh-so-yummy pizza that I will post a recipe for later. After pizza, John Mark proudly proclaimed "Presents." So we got out his next presents. This was the hodge podge of gifts we bought to pacify him on the bus ride to Florida (I know, I know, I still haven't posted those pics yet... give me time, people!) that we never made it to. He got a Diego magna doodle, cars magnet set and little plastic tools.

After these presents, of course we had to eat cupcakes. Micah graciously made the cupcakes, since I had to work Monday and he had the day off. We sang "Happy Birthday" and John Mark attempted to blow out the candles. After very little success, we helped him out. He enjoyed the cupcakes quite a bit, if you can't tell from this picture:

That pretty much sums up our evening. Oh, he went to the doctor yesterday for his 2 year check-up. Here are his stats:
*Height: 38', 105% (they say if you double their height at age 2, that will be their adult height... that puts him somewhere between 6'3"-6;4")
*Weight: 35 pounds, 105%
Yeah, he's pretty much huge. But that's cool. We love him!

2 years

Today is a day for looking back...
for remembering that day,
two years ago when our lives changed forever.
I'll start at the beginning.

It was hot. Not the kind of heat you can ignore, but HOT. Sweat rolling down your temple as you walk to the car kind of hot. Imagine this heat magnified by an added 60 pounds and a 10 pound baby heater in your stomach.

I had just finished a fabulous lunch at Saturn Grill with Jamie, her sister Amy and baby Caroline. After a quick shopping trip to Target, we had headed to our respective houses to get ready for our monthly small group party.

Did I mention it was HOT?

As I walked into the house, I noticed I was a little more tired that usual. I didn't think too much of it, having spent a good part of the day walking. So I laid down on the couch. The longer I laid there, the more I began to realize something was going on with my big ol' belly. I began to pay closer attention. As the clock neared 5:00, I was guessing this was labor. So I did the only intelligent thing to do- I called Jamie. She assured me that this was, in fact labor and I should call the hospital.

Micah got home from work and we called the hospital. They politely informed there was no room. Feeling a little like Mary, I began to follow their instructions: lay down, walk around, drink water, take a bath... but nothing was stopping the pains from coming quicker.

We called again. They told us we could stay in the holding room. We grabbed our bags, cell phones and car seat and set out. Along the way, phone calls went out to everyone who needed to know. Mom & Dad headed that way from Central High... Tiffany & Russell went to the wrong hospital... Micah's family sat aside their evening plans and drove to Lakeside.

Time seemed to slow as they made all the necessary precautions. We made ourselves comfortable for a while in the room no bigger than a closet. Laughter and tears (ahem, TIFFANY) flowed as we all waited in anticipation.

Who would he look like?
Would he have hair?
How much would he weigh?

The moment came- come on back to surgery, they said. Jamie & Natalie waved at me excitedly as I walked back to surgery. I laid down on the table, quietly waiting for Micah to arrive in his scrubs. Meds were given, blue curtains went up, the doctor went in...

Micah & I sat chatting about this new life coming into the world.
Prayers were said.
A cry.
The announcement from the anesthesiologist-
"Good grief, lady, you just delivered a toddler!"
The curtain dropped,
My son.

waiting in the hospital

the "toddler" i delivered

family picture, 2007

florida, 2008

i need you so much closer

Late Thursday night I stood on the beach,

a salty breeze ruffled my sundress around my ankles.
All around me students were face down in the sand,
crying out for God to move.

I watched from the back,
John Mark sleeping soundly in my arms.
I was reminded of a time when I was desperate,
needing nothing except for Jesus.

Somewhere along the way life got busy.
Things grew hectic,
my passion began to wane in light of other things in my life.
Nothing bad, in fact, most of it was quite good.
But even good things can become burdens.

So on a clear night in July,
twinkly lights illuminating the sand around me,
I asked Jesus to move.

the distance is quite simply much too far for me to row

it seems farther than ever before
--death cab for cutie

We are headed to Florida for a week with the HS students from church.
I'll have lots of fun pics and stories to post when we return!

If you think of it,
say a quick prayer for us.
18 hours is a LONG time on a bus,
especially with a 2 year old!

one more day...

until a little bit o' this...

can't wait girls!!! love you!

fun in the sun

Tonight after work we let John Mark play in the water sprinkler in the front yard. I got a ton of cute pictures. Enjoy!

freedom day

I love the 4th of July.
I think it might be my favorite holiday of them all.
I mean, what's not to love?
Family, friends, great food, fireworks...
a celebration of freedom...
It's awesome!

True to form, we had a busy, but super fun, 4th of July weekend. We started on Wednesday with the Freedom Celebration at church. There was a concert and fireworks. John Mark loved running around in the grass playing with Caroline, and declared the fireworks "awesome." Thursday after work we headed to Central High to catch the big party at mom & dad's house.

Friday evening lots of our friends and family got together at mom & dad's for lots of good food, homemade ice cream and games. Jonas & Eric walked down to see us for a while in the afternoon. The boys had lots of fun playing in John Mark's kiddie pool.

Owen and Amanda were in town, so John Mark got to have lots of fun playing with his new friend Austyn. They had lots of fun being pulled around in the wagon, sliding on the slide and eating. It's always so much fun to watch John Mark play with other kids. They are all getting so big. I just can't believe it!

The neighbors always put on a great fireworks show, so instead of venturing into town, we just sat at the top of the driveway and watched the fireworks from all around.

Saturday we ate leftovers and rested after the long night. I had a lot of fun walking around taking pictures of mom & dad's backyard. Here are some of my favorites.

moon over central high

the antique tricycle mom & dad redid for John Mark

nanny & grandma- these woman are my truest heroes

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green..." Jeremiah 17:7-8

"but we have this treasure in jars of clay..." 2 Corinthians 4:7