My friend Jill

My friend Jill is a regular Martha Stewart. When we lived together in college, she took a map and made a lampshade. Merritt, Lauren & I looked at the map and saw....a map. Jill looked at the map and saw a lampshade. We love Jill for Jill even if she's not good with details.

She got married Dec 31 and it was the monogramming wedding of the decade. Jill has her own monogramming business and she monogrammed everything for this wedding! It turned out awesome. I used the monogrammed matches just yesterday. For her bridesmaids, she gave us pashmina shawls and monogrammed clutches that she made (did I mention she's crafty?).

(again I'm realizing I need to learn how to take up close pictures well- geez)

I asked Kiran to hold open the clutch to show you people the inside that is polka dotted (fun!) but she just wanted to put her cracker in it. So next time I'm at a fancy party with my clutch, I'll have a snack handy.

Plus, Jill made my awesome purse/diaper bag that I get compliments on nearly every day. I love it b/c I can fit a diaper and some wipes (which are big) but it has lots of inside pockets so I don't lose my keys and cell phone in it. Plus she lined the inside with plastic- huge bonus for a mommy with a toddler!!! I love having a unique bag that fits my needs.
(Doesn't this picture look better? I used the macro button on my camera.)

So....all that to say.... Jilly is coming down the mountain to do a bag party for us! Its not a traditional party at someone's home- you will not be pressured in any way, shape, or form to buy something. I'm not getting any perks for having this party (or am I Jill? A new bag would be great.... just saying). Jill will bring some of her bags she's made plus baby stuff and whatever else she makes. She does custom orders too so you can see fabric and order something too. And you can come and snack and ooh and aah and not buy a thing. It won't hurt my feelings (I can't speak for Jill though). Anyhow- I'm doing it b/c I think Jill is amazingly talented and I think you will be thrilled with her work. And I'm doing it because I'm an extrovert and I like to throw parties.

So the party is at 7pm on Thursday March 13. If you want to come leave a comment or email me and I'll send you an e-vite (no I'm not putting directions to my house on the internet).

Giant Cupcake

Remember the Giant Cupcake pan? My MIL gave it to me for Christmas (see sometimes it pays to put stuff you want on your blog) and I tried it out for the first time this weekend. I was a little nervous because I'm not the best baker or the most creative. I researched it a lot on the internet and bought double supplies hoping that would cover me. I had promised to bring the cake for my mom's birthday lunch on Sunday- I said a cake. It could be the giant cupcake cake or it could be the Bi-Lo cake we picked up on the way over there. No promises.

I got two cake mixes, whipped them right up and measured out exactly how much batter to put in each side of the pan. I turned the temperature down on the oven and baked it for longer.


I oh so gently sliced off the bumps that formed on the pieces while they baked and smooshed the rest together.

I purposely chose a chocolate cake so that I didn't have to ice the whole thing! I figured I could ice the top only and it would look like a cupcake. I'm glad I decided that b/c my wrist was really tired of squishing the icing on to the cake.

And viola- the first giant cupcake!


(I'm sitting here thinking I really need to learn how to take better food pictures)

Happy Birthday Mom aka Grandma aka MeeMaw


How are you going to hold five of them on your lap next year???

February 22

As I was writing the date this morning, I paused thinking this date seems so familiar. My mom's birthday is the 23rd so that wasn't it. Jonathan's grandmother's birthday is also the 23rd. What was it?

Oh yeah....that's our dating anniversary. We haven't really celebrated it since we got married. Heck most of our celebrating before marriage took place at various basketball games. But today.... today its been 10 years since we became a couple. A Decade. We were 16 years old, juniors in high school, and we had just spent the previous 7 months convincing everyone at school that we weren't dating- we were just best friends. Ha.

I remember Feb 22, 1998. It was a Sunday and we were studying. We had 5 out of 6 classes together that year. Nothing spectacular happened at all; things just changed between us. We both realized (ok I realized) that this was more than a friendship. I think its good that I couldn't see the next ten years at that point. I don't think I would have been as patient letting things work out as they did if I had known what the next years had in store for us. Perhaps it would have scared off 16-year-old me. Thankfully, we get to take life one step at a time- boyfriend/girlfriend, engagement, married life, married life in another state, married life in another country, parenthood.

The years have been good to us. God has been good. More importantly, God has been faithful. I have never seen His faithfulness as much as I do now. I have never depended on His faithfulness as I do now.

Here's to 10 years!

I Have Never...

...voted for American Idol before tonight! I did it in honor of Adam & Andrea because we used to watch AI with them every week and they see it on a tape delay so they can't participate in the voting. It is a privilege to be in America and able to participate in the democratic process that goes into finding the next American Idol. Do I get a sticker that says "I Voted Today"?

Half of you were right....

We have a perfect, healthy baby girl on the way!! We were both stunned- I think we were just expecting to hear boy since so many people around us are having boys. But we are thrilled to have two daughters and hopefully they will enjoy each other. Now to find a name.... I have one I like but J isn't sold on it. So we are open to suggestions. William already suggested Buzz Lightyear, Bob and Smoky. So if you were planning to suggest those, he beat you to it.

Last Chance

Jonathan came home for lunch (twice baked potatoes that turned out really yummy- I love my Joy of Cooking book- thanks Uncle Tim!) and asked Kiran for the last time if she wanted a brother or a sister. Up until today, she has always just shaken her head no. But today when Jonathan asked her, she said something back. We both looked at each other and said that sounded like sister. So Jonathan said if you want a baby brother say Daddy and if you want a baby sister say Mommy. She immediately said Ammy. So....it looks like Kiran is rooting for a girl.

So the poll didn't really help me- it ended up exactly tied for team pink and team blue with 3 people (bren, lp and my dad) voting for both and Joey Brooks voting for other (although I am stoked that my favorite basketball player commented on my blog- I mean my favorite basketball player after Jonathan of course). I have no idea what we are going to see at our ultrasound (I know Dad-boy or girl not too many options). Its kinda like opening a present-or at least getting a little peek.

Kiran is going to stay at J's parents' house for the afternoon and night. I don't know what to do with myself after my dr's appt (and before Beth's book party). I can't remember the last time I was home by myself. Kiran often stays at a grandparent's home but it is generally b/c J & I both have something to do during that time. I'm so looking forward to a little bit of free time at home- I could clean. Nah I do that when Kiran's here. I could make some real progress on Grant's bedroom. That is a thought. I could stop by the library and pick up a new novel and lay on the couch and read the entire thing and not have to put on anyone's shoes or turn the toy on or turn it off or get a cracker or water no make that milk no water. Yea......

Ok this was a rambling post. There you have it. Adios amigos.

Dear Kiran

Dear Kiran,

Last night we hired the teenager across the street to come babysit you. It was a milestone of sorts. You pretty much take care of yourself; we knew you'd take care of the baby sitter. You stood at the back door and cried as we got in the car. But before we pulled out of the driveway, you had disappeared from the door, enticed by the promise of food.

When the babysitter was running your bath, you ran out into the den and grabbed your favorite book off the couch. It was the ladybug one- the counting one. You read that book multiple times a day-touching all the ladybugs, buzzing with the bee, talking about the fish. You ran back into the bathroom and promptly chucked your very favorite book into the bath. If you understood your actions it might not be quite so funny. The babysitter tried to save the book but its falling apart. We'll let you keep reading it until it disintegrates.

You were sleeping peacefully in your bed when we got home. You had your Santa and your blanket as well as another teddy bear in there. Somehow you convinced your babysitter to let you go to bed with your Bible- your other favorite book. I think it's your favorite because it has a handle but we'll just pretend its because you love reading about Jesus. You were sleeping deeply with the cover of your Bible in one hand and the inside pages in the other hand. It was a rough night for your books.

I'm thankful you love people so much and are so easy to take care of. That trait will enable your dad and I to go out more by ourselves. The saying goes that the best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother. We desire to show you that your father and I love each other. And it really helps that we can go out and not worry about you at all.

I love you. I love the things you do. I guess we'll start saving your allowance for a new ladybug book and Bible.

Love,
Mom or Ammy as you say