I failed to mention...

that I got my hair cut 5 inches! Posting the previous picture without reference to my hair cut allowed me to realize that more than just the grandparents read our blog...we are humbled ;)

Is there anything better?

Oh the joy that fills my soul when I watch this...

Why I love my husband.

Three years ago Derek and I stood at the altar at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa before the God of all creation and vowed "until death do us part."  When we were engaged we were told numerous times that the first year of marriage would be tough.  Our first year of marriage was absolute bliss.  I remember us constantly saying, "if this is 'tough,' we've got it made."  I definitely don't want to make it out like we haven't had any bumps in the road, however, I am certain that I am incredibly blessed  to be married to Derek Irons. 

Happily married for three years!

I love him with everything that is in me and here are just a couple reasons why:

1. He loves the Lord our God with all of his heart, soul and mind.
2. He is selfless
3. He is strong (as in he isn't shaken)
4. He is generous
5. He is patient
6. He is compassionate
7. He is an excellent husband, father, son, coach, and teacher
8. He is a prayer warrior
9. He is witty and makes me laugh
10. He is self-controlled
11. He makes me a better person
12. He prays with me
13. He encourages me
14 He is careful with his words
15. He is committed

Yesterday morning Derek told me to pack a bag for me and eighteen one for Luke and to be ready to leave at 5 pm.  He was taking me on a surprise getaway and the little man wasn't coming with us.  I did just as I was told.  After dropping Luke off at the Yarbrough's house for the night, Derek and I headed to Enterprise to eat at the Mellow Mushroom (which just happens to be my favorite restaurant when there is no regard to calories).  I have to admit I was a little skeptical that we were in Enterprise, Alabama and my overnight bag was packed.  I kept thinking there must be something here that I'm unaware of.  We left Mellow Mushroom and stopped for some ice cream and then headed out towards the country.  After about 20 minutes of driving we pulled up to this:

This is our friends cabin and it is a beautiful, peaceful, and wonderful place.  We enjoyed the quiet and spent the morning on the front porch swing, coffee and muffins in hand, rejoicing in the Lord and how he continues to teach us to be better for Him.  I am completely overwhelmed by His goodness.  Thank you to the Sutton's, Yarbrough's, and my wonderful husband for this relaxing getaway.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.   -Psalm 100

IPhone inspired post

I was looking through the pictures on my IPhone this morning and came across a few I wanted to share:

Luke spent most of his time at the beach either in his swimming trunks or diaper.  It was just so darn hot and he was just too darn cute:

Last Saturday Derek, his brothers, and Drew Clayton played golf in Birmingham so Luke and I wasted the time shopping at the Summit.  It was more just "looking" but Luke spent a lot of time in his stroller getting attention.  It apparently wore him out:

Tuesday I took Luke with me to vote and the sweet little man handing out stickers had two ready for me as we were leaving.  Derek called him our little patriot.  He wore it about an hour until he noticed it and then he tried to eat it. 

Wedding Shower Fun

Friday night we headed to Trussville for a wedding shower for the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Irons.  It was a tool and gadget shower given by Haley's bridesmaids.  When we arrived, Haley grabbed Luke out of excitement and unfortunately, Luke was leaking poo out of his diaper.  Yep folks, that's right, my son pooped on the bride at a wedding shower.  Thankfully, Haley had a great attitude about it and Grana was prepared with a tide pen and hair dryer.  Oh lawd, I was a nervous wreck.  We have instructed Haley she is not to hold him on her wedding day.  After the eventful beginning to the shower we had tons of fun hanging out with Daryl and Haley's friends. 

The bride and groom (I don't think Daryl had a countdown hence the face)

Deron and Molly

Derek and I

Luke was excited by all of the wrapping paper. And sporting his emergency onsie since he pooped all over his cute outfit ;)

We can't wait until August 7th so that Haley's title of 'Aunt' will be official!

Making Messes

Luke is going through a phase where he likes to take everything out of fill-in-the-blank.



Whether it is clothes out of drawers:




Or toys out of the toy bin:




Or books out of the basket:




It can entertain him for an hour. Unfortunately he isn't into putting them all back :)

Destin

My sweet friend, Heather, is serving as a missionary in Jos, Nigeria.  Heather and I were roommates my last year of college in Tuscaloosa.  After graduation we both moved to Birmingham and lived together until I married Derek.  I miss her dearly.  She got to come home (I should say "my" home because she refers to Jos when speaking of home) for a month this summer and what a better way to spend quality time together than at the beach. She constantly encourages me through her willingness to sacrifice the luxuries of living here in the states to serve our Lord and Savior in Africa.  I love you Heather!

Me, Luke, Jesse, Kathleen, Katie, Heather, Holly, Karenina, April

I have known each of these girls since college and I wish I had the time to write a post about each of them.  I became a Christian my sophomore year in college and the Lord used (and still uses) each of these girls in my life in extraordinary ways.  I am so incredibly blessed to know each of them.

Katie and Heather

Our view from the 17th floor

Katie and Luke (Katie had the privilege of sharing a room with Luke and I)

Luke and I enjoying the nice ocean breeze

Luke on the beach with a flip flop in hand

Panama City Beach

Tuesday we left for Panama City Beach with Derek's family (minus Daryl and Haley).  We arrived at lunch time and ate lunch at Guy Harvey's at Pier Park.  After lunch we walked the pier.  It was a little overcast and it felt really nice outside. 

Papa, Grana, Luke, Uncle Deron, Molly and Derek on the pier

We checked into our condo and headed to the beach.  This was Luke's first time with his toes in the sand.

We went back to Pier Park Tuesday night for dinner and to shop a little. 

Uncle Deron, Luke and Molly taking a break from all of the shopping.

Luke sleeping on daddy while we waited on our pizza.  He was exhausted from a long day of traveling and playing in the sand.

Wednesday we spent the day at the pool because there were double red flags for the beaches.  The pool was packed with people but it was still fun and relaxing.

                      Luke had just woken up from a nap      Uncle Deron and Luke ready to swim

Wednesday afternoon Luke and I left the fun of Panama City Beach and headed to Destin for a girls trip.

Sleep Training Update

This is what I see when I go in Luke's room after he wakes up...what a hot mess!

I have had several people ask how the sleep training is going.  We are down to only a few minutes of whining at nap time and at bedtime he doesn't make a peep.  With that said, it is going really well.  He now naps in his crib for much longer periods of time and he sleeps in his crib through the night but wakes at about 5 am whining to get in the bed with us (gasp, I know, you're never supposed to put your child in your bed, well, we do, and I love this cuddle time I get with him in the mornings)  Also, we have no nap schedule.  He eats at the same time every day; 7, 11, 3, 7 with an 8 o'clock bedtime.  He can wake up in the morning anywhere from 5:30 to 7:00.  I'm not really sure how to get his naps on a schedule (any advice?). We give God all of the praise and glory for how easy this road to sleeping better has gone and we are so thankful for his grace that he extends perfectly and proportionately.

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."   Isaiah 12: 4-6

Making Headlines...

Okay, not really headlines, but Luke has been "blogged" about a few times this week so I thought I would link to those posts ;)

My friend Megan is so sweet to keep Luke for me pretty much whenever I ask.  She had this to say about our little stinker.

Last Saturday we got Luke's 8 month pictures taken.  This is an Irons family tradition and for 65ish years all of the baby boys have had their picture taken in the same outfit.  When I worked at Troy University the sweet people I worked with gave me a gift certificate to get pictures made so we finally used that. We had fun getting to know Janan and she wrote a little diddy on her blog about Luke here.