2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show us that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

As I have mentioned several times before, Liam loves his Cars cars. He carries them to bed and for naps, and sometimes in the car in this grey giftbag. He has taken to sleeping with the bag as well. Bill and I decided to try and find a Cars lunchbag that he can keep them in, because his giftbag has needed multiple repairs with duct tape. We scrounged through some boxes of gifts we had received when he was an infant and found a Cars lunchbox. Jackpot! We figured he would love his new carrying case for his cars. Nope. He has completely ignored it--and even gotten angry if we suggest putting his cars in it instead of his grey bag.

I know it's a stretch, but it just made me think that his grey bag is a "jar of clay" that he carries around his treasures. It doesn't matter what the packaging looks like, it's the inside that is the real treasure. My earthly vessel isn't looking so pretty these days--all big and bloaty :), but I have the treasure of a baby growing inside me, and most importantly the Holy Spirit. So, I guess we will continue to duct tape Liam's precious bag until it completely falls apart...

Birthday fun

Liam had a very nice second birthday, and I think that the pictures (photos courtesy of Baba Hoo Hoo) tell it best.

He got some more Cars cars and he just absolutely loves them. He even takes them to bed with him. We, along with Grandma and Grandpa Casey, decided to get Rori and Liam a small bouncy house for their birthdays because they didn't need anything as far as clothes and toys. Liam's greatest obsession is Cars and Grandma and Grandpa Hoo Hoo and Auntie Jenna and Uncle Ryan had that covered, so we thought it would be a fun gift. Liam spent the day going in and out, alternating between his cars and the bouncy house. It even caused a bit of a breakdown of indecisiveness at one point--leading to the "ostrich" position half in and half out of the house.

Noone has gotten hurt....yet...

Liam loved his Lightning McQueen cake--which made mommy happy because it was a lot of work.

Rori enjoyed it too :) The girl gets her appetite from her mama :)

Our nephew, Noah, decided it would be more efficient to eat cake in one hand and use his fork in the other :) He's so sweet, I could just eat him up!

And everybody loved on my niece Juliana

My no good very bad day!

My two baby boys (yes, the one in my tummy is a boy!) are working together to make me old and gray before my time. This story is a couple weeks old, but I haven't had a chance to write it out yet :)

So....a few weeks ago, Liam woke up in the morning and I went and got him. I changed his diaper, which was mostly dry, but I changed it anyway. He then proceeded to drink about 8 ounces of milk. All of a sudden I felt wetness on the leg of my pajama shorts. My initial instinct was that Liam had peed on me, but then when I stood up, it was all over the chair as well. My pajama bottoms were wet as was my underwear. So, I yelled for Bill that I thought my water had just broken. I was absolutely terrified because I was only about 21 weeks, and I know that there is pretty much zero chance of survival before 24 weeks. Since I didn't feel more leakage, I was praying that the bag had resealed, which I had heard of happening.

I called the doctor and Bill called his mom to come over and watch the kids while we went to the hospital. We were both basket cases. The people at the hospital were wonderful. Once we got checked in and saw the doctor--which took about 45 minutes, they did some tests to see if my water had in fact broken. They all came back negative--thank you Jesus! They then did an ultrasound and everything looked good. The whole thing took about 3 hours. Bill and I were emotionally spent!

I explained to the doctor what happened with Liam on my lap and I am pretty sure that she thinks that I just wet myself and was blaming my son. However, she was incredibly nice about the whole situation because of my history with Faith. She told us we did the right thing by coming in and was super gracious. But I can assure you, that I did not wet myself--it was all my boy. When we got home we felt his pajamas, which we hadn't thoroughly felt, in the moment of panic that we had, and they were soaked as well. Apparently I need diapering lessons because I am sure that pretty much all of his pee leaked out onto himself, me and the chair.

So, here I am--with a baby, happy and safe, still in my tummy--but with a few gray hairs.

My first boy

My first baby boy is 2 years old today (okay--actually yesterday, but we were busy playing with friends and didn't get home in time for me to post).

Dear Liam,

When I found out that you were a boy, I had no idea what to expect. I only knew all things girl. I shouldn't have worried because you are an independent strong willed child that has taught me how to play boy. You have managed to be 100% boy personality, even though you spend most of your time with two of the most girly girls ever (your sister and myself). You have been able to turn "girl" activities into boy ones--boy tea part, for example--complete with burps :)

You captured my heart the moment I laid eyes on you. People always tell me how adorable you are and I know it is true. You have the most beautiful lips, and when you smile--even if you have your nuk in your mouth, everyone can tell because of the way your eyes crinkle up. It makes my heart melt--which is sometimes challenging when you smile while you are being naughty.

You are a very spirited little boy. When someone tells you "no", you immediately go into "ostrich pose" laying face down on the ground with your rear end in the air. But, fortunately you get over it very quickly and move on to the next thing. (This, of course, isn't the way it always was with you). It always surprises me, because I expect a tantrum, but you just show your disapproval and then move on. It makes things much easier for momma :)

You bring me so much joy every day. You have a great sense of humor and you know how to make us all laugh. You love your big sissy to death and want to do everything she does, which sometimes gives me a heart attack. But you are one tough cookie. When you get hurt, you cry until someone kisses your boo boo and then usually you immediately stop and go back to playing.

I cannot believe that you are two years old already. It seems like just yesterday that I was in the hospital, giving birth to you. But, time is passing and you are getting bigger every day. I love you to bits and pieces and wouldn't change anything about you for the world. I am excited to see the man you are going to become. I pray that you grow to love the Lord and love your future wife and children with everything you have--and never forget your mommy, who loves you forever.

Eight Years Ago

Eight years ago today, I married my Bill and there has not been a day that has gone by that I have regretted it--not even for a second. When Bill and I first met, I had no idea that we would someday become one. He was a nice guy, but I was in college 4 hours away and he had a "15 minute rule." Which meant he wasn't willing to drive more than 15 minutes for a girl. Ha! I changed that, and in the process of changing that, I fell in love.

I am not meaning to brag, but I think what Bill and I have is pretty special and fairly uncommon. We WANT to be together. I would rather spend time with Bill than anyone else, and I like to think he feels the same way. We spend our evenings together after the kids go to bed. I will sit with him while he watches sports and he'll sit with me while I watch The Hills :) I am so blessed to have found someone that I know is truly in love with me, although I often ask him why. He loves me in spite of all of my flaws and I think, partly because of them. And I love him in spite of his one or two flaws--can't think of any right now...except for maybe waiting for my stove to become level for 8 years now...

Bill has been my rock through the difficult times we have gone through. We've gone through lay-offs, the loss of a baby, the death of our dog, the deaths of grandparents, and yet not once have I thought my life would be easier without Bill. Frankly, it's easier because of Bill. He has given me two, soon to be three beautiful children on earth and one waiting for us all in Heaven. I am so thankful for you, Bill. Thank you for the last 8 years and I am so glad that I know that when we made this covenant to each other, before God, it was forever, til death do us part. I am so thankful that He brought us together.