A Different World

Jamie and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Saturday. My mom offered to watch both Jadon and Macy, while we went to dinner or a movie, but I just couldn't do it to her. They are such a handful, especially if you are not used to being with them all of the time. My mom works out of town all week long, and I'd hate for her to head back on Monday morning feeling as exhausted as I do from day to day!

So after very little thought about where we'd go, what we'd do, and when we would actually leave, we finally decided to take Jadon to dinner with us and leave Macy with Gramma. Macy is far more difficult to take to a restaurant than Jadon, so the choice was very easy. We opted to go to the Outback (fancy, I now) because it was close and because they never disappoint. We really didn't care where we went, to be honest. It was going to feel so nice to not have to carry Macy around and keep her entertained. Jadon was super hungry, and a few toys keep him occupied for at least 20minutes, if he does get antsy.

And that, folks, is what it was. Life is quite different than it was at the beginning of the story of 'us'. Six years, three apartments, one condo, one house, three States, too many jobs, a few cross-country flights, one trip South of the Border, many Christian concerts, a million laughs, countless roadtrips to so many great places, entirely too much shopping, more coffee than necessary, sleepless nights, lots of tears, thousands of prayers, and two sweet babies later, here we are...still in love, still best friends. I love you, James. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than watching the sweet face of our toddler "eat bread," while our smiley baby girl awaits us at home. There will be plenty of years for us to celebrate by ourselves again...for now, we celebrate as a family of four, and neither of us would have it any other way!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom!

Yes, Jadon, it's soooo funny that you have your hand down Momma's shirt!

Is it TMI that he likes to say, "Momma's doodies?" Guess that's what I get for always rubbing my Aunt Suzy's underwear, when I was little and had to rub something silky and suck my thumb :o)

So many attempts at a family pic, and these are the best we got. Always the ornery one talking, talking, talking away and not focusing on the photographer.

And the smiley one always smiles :)

Asheville/Biltmore in Pics

First stop, downtown Asheville, so we could grab some lunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe. You may have seen Rachel Ray eat here on the Food Network. My custom-made grilled cheese with HOMEMADE tomato soup is worth noting, as was the french toast made from chullah bread and fresh blueberry sauce and almond slivers that we got to go...yummy! Jadon enjoyed the limes out of our water ;)

While Gramma was inside buying some Tupelo honey to take home to Grandpa (which we later accidentally threw away :(, Jadon was outside throwing a fit because he couldn't run around on the city sidewalk...near all of the traffic. We're terrible parents, I tell ya!

After we finally caved in, he said he no longer wanted to live with us or be our kid, so...

he searched the local real estate magazines for a new home in Asheville :/

Too bad for him, but we don't mind the fit throwing, so Daddy scooped him up and carried him back to the car.

Time for a quick family pic:

And a quick climb into the back of Gramma's NEW SEQUOIA! Sweet!

First stop at the Biltmore: River Bend Farm petting zoo. Jadon thought this guy looked like Gramma's dog Ziggy, so that's what he called him ;)

And when Gramma lifted him up close to this big guy, he pointed at his HUGE peepers and said, "ICE." :)

He let the baby goat lick his finger.

Then went for a roll in the Fall leaves we'll never get to play in here in SC :(

"I know what these are! Pumpkins!" While Gramma and Daddy checked out one of the gift shops at the Farm, Jadon played with the toys and dressed up like a Mexican cowboy???

"Ole!"

"I think I can. I think I can."

"Then again..."

"Maybe I'll just hang out here and play with the leaves."

If you ever plan to visit the Biltmore, I recommend you go after 3pm because you get in free the following day, so you actually get 1 1/2 days for the price of one. So Sunday morning, we headed back to tour the rest of the Estate. We only toured the first level of the home, which looks like Buckingham freakin' Palace! No strollers allowed through the home, and with a diaper bag, a purse and camera case to lug around, 'twas not gonna happen this time around, which was fine with everyone honestly. There were plenty of other sights to see:

Examining an acorn:

And while Gramma and Daddy enjoyed the wine tasting at the Winery... Jadon and his pregnant Mommy enjoyed grape juice: "All done!"

Thanks again, Gramma, for everything :) Obviously this trip couldn't have happened without you! Jadon says to tell you sorry for being a wild monster in the hotel room and for making you sing every children's song you could think of for three of the five hours on the ride home :/ But he also says you deserved it for making him cry by saying the word "no" in the car...you temporarily ruined his life...just kidding. He LOVED spending the weekend hanging out with his Gee :) And P.S. You made mine and Jamie's life by taking us to Panera Bread, not once, but TWICE!!! Happy Anniversary to us!

Week 24: Curious?

Jamie and I celebrate being husband and wife for FIVE years today :) We are taking a trip to the mountains of North Carolina tomorrow, Asheville to be exact, so we can enjoy the Fall weather and tour the beautiful Biltmore Estates. Ah...the crisp, cool Autumn air, the smell of drying leaves, and the multi-colored scenery. We are so excited! We can't wait to take Jadon to the petting zoo at River Bend Farm; enjoy a Frontega Chicken and coffee at Panera, and maybe make a stop at this hip little place for some lunch one of the two days we are there :) All of this is courtesy of Gramma's Marriott Rewards points. Yay for generous Grammas!

And, oh yeah, almost forgot...(not really)...for all of you (Tiff and Tara) who may be interested in knowing our little girl's name, you must click here and read the latest entry on Jadon's blog. Pics from our trip to come...Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

See

Last night Jamie and I were blessed to serve as volunteers for Compassion International (and help get hundreds of children sponsored!) at a Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith concert @ Beach Church. I have to say that of the many Christian CDs we own, we do not have one of either of theirs. They are artists who have been in the industry for 20+ years, music veterans...icons, if you will. Jamie and I, for whatever reason, sort of viewed them as old school, in our tastes, though I do know many of their songs from listening to KLOVE, and they have so many beautiful lyrics.

Anyway, I have no idea why I passed the opportunity to blog about the tragedy that occurred in Steven Curtis Chapman's life back in May 2008, but I did (likely because of Jadon's b-day, etc.). Rather than write about it, I thought it would be better for you to see/hear the family in their own words (and I know it is 9 minutes long, but I ask that you PLEASE watch the entire interview...PRETTY PLEASE):


Of course, as a mom, as Steven told the story last night, I cried my eyes out. I knew I would, even before I went to the concert. I remember crying, as soon as I read about the story back in May. I cried and prayed for their entire family, and especially their son Will. I cannot imagine the blame and guilt he must have felt...and must still struggle with many days. Can you imagine dealing with that at the young age of 17?

There was comfort and hope, when Steven thanked each person last night who had prayed for his family, as I knew I had been one of likely millions who had. It broke my heart that it has still only been five months of grieving for them, but made me feel like part of something so much bigger to know that, as believers, we had come together to lift that family up in prayer. And as I woke up this morning, still thanking God for the experience, the question came to my mind, "Could Will see it that he had been used by God to bring Maria home to Him...not that he had caused the accident, but he had been used by God?"

If you are not a person of faith, you may think that is a crazy way to look at this situation. Maybe if you are a Christian, you might even think that is not the way you would see things either. But after hearing Steven's testimony last night, and after watching the following clip, this is how God has spoken to me (this one is only a mere two minutes...PLEASE stick with me here):

So as you all know, I have an amazing 16 month old little boy who appeared on an ultrasound screen before me (a full 8 weeks and 3 days into his existence), only 10 short weeks after my fifth miscarriage. It was the first heartbeat, other than my own, that I had ever seen inside of me. And now I am six months pregnant again, after seeing a (+) sign on a stick, only 15 minutes before his first birthday. I had NO idea that Jamie and I would ever have biological children. I didn't think I would ever feel a baby kick inside my belly, and now I do on a daily basis, pregnant with my second child...a daughter who will be named Macy Bleu (see, it was worth sticking with me, just so you could find out her name :))

The point is that we just don't know what trials or even joys will come in our lives. We truly have no idea what the future holds, but I know WHO holds my future. He is the Creator of ALL things. He is the Healer of the broken and sick. He supplies strength to the weak. He gives hope to the hopeless. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. And His yoke is easy. And His burden is light. He is my Savior, Redeemer, Best Friend...the Giver of my life in Eternity and also the of life that is within me, as I type these words. I desire Him to be at the center of my life and my marriage. My greatest desire as a parent is for my children to know and love Him with all that they have. I want to see with His eyes, hear with His ears, and speak the gentleness of His truth.

Am I a failure at many things He desires for my life? Absolutely...big time, on many days. Is our marriage a mess sometimes? Uh, yeah, we have a toddler, remember? That can make things a little stressful at times. Will our children fail? Bet on it! Will we screw up as parents? Sadly, I have to accept we will many, many times. But I cannot focus on those things...I can only learn from them. It is my prayer and greatest hope that Jamie and I can continue down this journey of life together with Jesus as the center of all that we do...striving to be love Him and be more obedient to his Word than we were the hour before...making each day count, as we know we are not guaranteed tomorrow..."cause all too soon, the clock will strike midnight."

It has been a beautiful and joyous journey to be called Mrs. Jamie Salamanca for the last FIVE YEARS, James. I am so blessed to have you in my life, as my husband and best friend, father of our babies, and spiritual leader of our household. You are my biggest cheerleader and so much more. Most days you do pay attention ;) and you know me better than anyone else...and somehow you still love me???

Do you remember the little note I placed in the prayer box I gave you for our wedding? I said, "Lord, I ask you this day to bless our marriage. Bless us with many years, happy days, and lots of brown babies. We give our marriage to you, and thank you for each other. May we continue to grow in You. Amen."

I surely know we will face things as parents and as husband and wife that we cannot imagine, both great trials and great joys (like the birth of our daughter Macy Bleu!). I'm thankful that you too know WHO holds that future, and you do your best to live a life that is centered around that faith. I pray we will always "SEE" what is most important in life, as we continue down this journey of life together. I love you! Happy Anniversary!

Coopers Rock, WV --- October 2003