Long 100th post!!

In honor of our 100th post, I've made a list of 100 things about us. Many of you already know these things about us, but there are some who do not! I've been working on this post for quite a while--since before Eli was born. Thanks to my bloggy friend, Amy, for the idea of doing the 100th post in narrative form! ENJOY!!



1. Matt was born on February 7, 1976.

2. He has a brother, a sister-in-law, a sister, a brother-in-law, a stepsister, a stepbrother, 4 nieces and a brand new nephew, born today around 2:00am.
3. Jennifer was born on May 29, 1978.

4. She has a brother, a sister-in-law, a sister, a brother-in-law, 2 nieces, and 3 nephews.
5. Matt’s mom died tragically in a car accident on February 13, 1990.
6. While Jennifer was in college, Matt served in the Marine Corps.

7. They didn’t know each other…yet!
8. Jacob was born on September 23, 1999.
9. Matt works in telecommunications for Wachovia.
10. He works from home.
11. Jennifer is a special education teacher by trade and at heart.
12. Matt and Jennifer were introduced (by Jacob’s mom…I know, it’s strange) the summer of 2002.
13. They dated briefly.
14. Jacob was only two years old.

15. Matt was a super nice guy.
16. He’s a true gentleman.
17. Jennifer broke up with Matt.
18. I know that doesn’t seem rational.
19. She wasn’t ready for a relationship involving a child.
20. Or a relationship involving an ex for that matter.
21. BUT, Jennifer never let Matt forget her.
22. She called and emailed every now and then.
23. She also did drive-bys (ladies, you know what that is—driving by the home of someone you are interested in)
24. Seeing that in writing makes that seem kinda “stalkerish”
25. Nonetheless, Jennifer dated a couple other guys.
26. Matt immersed himself in being a father, working, and hanging out with friends.
27. Matt and Jennifer found each other again in spring of 2004.
28. She ran into him at a local sports bar.
29. She literally ran into him and you can read about it at this post.
30. They were engaged on November 18th, 2004.

31. Matt went to Jennifer’s house after being out of town on a business trip.
32. He told her he had a really neat picture on his cell phone that he wanted to show her.
33. Jennifer thought it was something from his trip.
34. Jennifer thought like the monkey thought.
35. The monkey thought wrong. :)
36. Matt had taken a picture of the engagement ring.
37. He got down on one knee and proposed.
38. Jennifer readily said “yes.”
39. Matt and Jennifer were married on the beach on April 30, 2005.

40. Jacob was the best man.
41. They were barefoot.
42. It was a private ceremony with only 50 of their closest family and friends attending.
43. They were barefoot, too!
44. Fried chicken and barbecue was served after the wedding.
45. Matt picked the caterer.
46. They celebrated the marriage with a mini-moon at the beach.
47. The official honeymoon was scheduled for a later date because Jennifer was a teacher.
48. She taught children with autism (who need routine and have a hard time with change) and did not want to be away from the classroom for a whole week.
49. Jennifer taught in North Raleigh.
50. In July, they moved from Jennifer’s home town of Wilson to “fake Raleigh.”
51. They miss Wilson.
52. Jacob lives with Matt and Jennifer 50% of the time.
53. Jennifer and Matt miss him 50% of the time!
54. Jacob’s mom calls the area where they live “fake Raleigh” because it is not actually in Raleigh, but out in the country.
55. They do have a Raleigh address, though.
56. There are cows in the pasture behind their house.
57. Jennifer really likes the cows.
58. Scout and Eva really like to charge and bark at the cows.
59. Later in July (3 days after they moved…yes, they’re crazy), Matt and Jennifer went on their honeymoon to Kauai, Hawaii.

60. They did all kinds of great things like tubing down the irrigation ditches of a sugar plantation, going on a snorkeling tour, visiting a botanical garden, going hiking at the Waimea Canyon, and lounging on the beach.
61. While in Kauai, Jennifer got to see a Hawaiian monk seal.

62. Monk seals are endangered and there are only 1300-1400 left.
63. Matt and Jennifer want to go back…like right now, please!
64. They really like to travel and have a goal of visiting a different state every year for vacation.

65. So far, they have vacationed in HI, VA, MD, NC, FL, PA, HI.

66. This year it's SC.

67. After they returned, they began to make “fake Raleigh” their home.
68. They began visiting churches and after many visits to many churches, they found C3 Church.

69. C3 Church became their home church.
70. Jennifer got involved at church by leading worship in the children’s ministry, and now heads up the special needs ministry.
71. Matt got involved at church by serving on the parking team, and now heads up the Eli-care while Jennifer serves.
72. In the spring of 2006, Eva had a large lump on her side.
73. The vet diagnosed her with mast cell tumors and she underwent surgery.
74. She is doing well now!
75. Jacob began playing baseball with the local league.
76. He was on the Bees.
77. He is a great catcher!

78. Jacob is right-handed, but bats left.
79. He’s now playing his 5th season of baseball.
80. That summer we vacationed at Deep Creek, Maryland with Matt’s family.

81. Matt and Jennifer quit smoking on July 31, 2006.
82. They immediately began trying to get pregnant.
83. In August, Jennifer switched jobs and began teaching children with severe/profound mental retardation at a school closer to their home.
84. It was a terribly difficult job for her and she discovered that her heart is in working with children with autism.
85. Jacob celebrated his 7th birthday in September with a Knights and Castles party.

86. In January of 2007, Matt, Jennifer, and Jacob went to Washington, D.C.

87. They saw some very interesting and important pieces of history.
88. Later in January, Jennifer’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.
89. In February, Matt’s dad discovered he had experienced a heart attack and underwent surgery.
90. Both parents are now doing well!
91. We thank God for their healing and recoveries.
92. In May, Jennifer began taking a fertility drug to help conceive.
93. On the last day of school in 2007, Matt and Jennifer picked Jacob up from school early and surprised him with a trip to Disney World.

94. While at Disney World, they revealed to Jacob that Jennifer was pregnant and he was going to be a big brother.
95. They had a great time there and can’t wait to go back.
96. In August, they vacationed with Jennifer’s family at Emerald Isle, NC.

97. Jacob celebrated his 8th birthday in September of 2007 with a Star Wars party.
98. At Christmas, Jacob got a guitar and he’s now taking lessons!
99. This winter Jacob wanted to try a new sport, so we signed him up for Upward Basketball.
100. Elijah was born on February 26, 2008.

Our family has many adventures ahead of us. We can't wait to share them with you. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Scary shots! update

Just a quick update. The pediatrician accepted my alternate vaccine schedule!! Eli was so brave and screamed only briefly. He calmed so quickly once I picked him up! He was fussy in the afternoon and evening, but a little Infant Tylenol helped and he slept nicely. Thanks for covering us in prayer!

Double the Dentist!

Today, Jacob had a dentist appointment. Matt took off work to take him this morning, since Eli can be quite unpredictable. Jacob was scheduled to have a cavity filled. They wouldn't let Matt go back with him, but Jacob said they gave him some laughing gas and took care of the cavity. We suspect he also got some Novocain since his smile was a little crooked afterwards. Matt took a picture with his cell phone, but we can't figure out how to get it off. Overall, Matt said he was a trouper. Since he was ordered to stick with soft foods and/or liquids, Jacob's really nice daddy stopped and got him a large milkshake before dropping him off at school. The teacher should be grateful that Matt showed some restraint and said no to the chocolate milkshake!! No teacher likes a whirling dervish in her classroom. By the way, I learned what a whirling dervish is today from Where in the World is Matt Lauer on the Today Show. They are Muslims who dance as a form of prayer and you can see it here. Anyway, our boy was brave. Which is more than I can say for me...

...This afternoon after having a sore jaw for two days, I finally went to the dentist. In the essence of full disclosure, let me be upfront and say that I haven't been to the dentist since we moved here 3 years ago. I know, I know!! But, before that I was an every 6 months kind of girl. Anyway, off I go to the dentist. I chose a local dentist office after someone referred the practice. I walked in and right away everyone was super nice. They took me back and I was shocked by the size of this practice. From the outside it looks like a small office in a strip mall. Inside it is a labyrinth of exam rooms, offices, bathrooms, computer kiosks, and more! I followed the little blonde assistant like a lost puppy dog, which is what I would have been if I hadn't kept up with her. She was a fast one, too! So, she settles me into room 8 and introduces herself. Tasha was super nice, too! I climb into the dentist chair, which was surprisingly comfortable. Now, either dentistry has come a long way in 3 years, or my previous small town dentist was keeping the good stuff for the other folks. I lean back and what do you know...there's a TV with satellite right there in the exam room and Tasha asks me if I want to watch TV. Yes, I'm at the dentist and have the options of watching Ellen right there in the exam room. Well, being the good southern girl that I am, I declined (while inside wishing she would pass the remote). So, we moved on to the actual dental stuff. Tasha took an x-ray, which immediately popped up on the computer screen next to me. All this technology was making my head spin (which makes me think of those whirling dervishes again). Soon enough, the dentist walked in. He is all business, this guy. He got right down to it and said, "you have a wisdom tooth that we need to take out". "Okay" I say. I'm already thinking about what is a good day and time to schedule that procedure. I'm running through all the questions--Who can watch Eli? Can we schedule for a week when Jacob's at his mom's? Could they do it late in the afternoon so Matt can watch the baby?--when this guy says, I'll get the Novocain and we'll get started. EXCUSE ME!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN "WE'LL GET STARTED?" Mr. All Business proceeds to say that it is an easy procedure and there will be no pain. I look at Tasha and wait for her to give me the "Aww, we're just kiddin'! We don't do these procedures same day!" What do I get from her...nothing! So, being the good southern girl I am, I begin shaking and ask to call my husband. Long story, short (I know, too late) I now have one less tooth in my mouth and an appointment for another visit for a cleaning and full exam to see what other damage I've done in these past 3 years.

Let this post be a lesson to you.

Dental hygiene is nothing to fool around with! And, if your dentist doesn't have a TV in your exam room, you're being cheated!

Scary shots!

Tomorrow we have our two-month doctor's appointment. We are supposed to be receiving 5 shots. However, having done some extensive research, I am requesting an alternate vaccine schedule for Elijah. There are just too many chemicals, heavy metals, and other "stuff" in the vaccines! That's not to mention the possible side effects of each vaccine. They've known since I "interviewed" them (yes, I interviewed pediatricians before choosing one) that I was interested in pursuing an alternate vaccine schedule, so I'm not surprising them. I know they believe that the AAP and CDC schedule is what's best for kiddos. As a parent, I just don't think it's best for MY kiddo. That being said, please pray for favor with the doctor and the pediatrician practice as I make this request tomorrow afternoon. Also, pray that Eli handles the two vaccines I am requesting with ease--and that I handle them with ease as well! Thanks so much!!

Killing Two Birds...

Yesterday, in an effort to get as much done as possible, I figured out an easy way to bring the baby down from his nap and get the laundry downstairs, too! My hubby always says, "Work smarter, not harder!" Disclaimer: No babies were injured in this situation and the baby was not thrown out with the wash!

Date Night!

Matt and I went out alone for the first time since little Eli arrived. Jacob was at his mom's and my parents came to babysit the little guy. Being a first-time parent of a newborn, I've never had to leave a baby for the first time. No one warned me about the emotions that I would experience. Nervousness, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty thinking clearly--sounds like I'm detoxing from drugs or something. Anyway, we headed out to the local "nice" restaurant and enjoyed dinner. I almost got through the entire meal without bringing up the baby. I think I should get some credit for "almost" on this occasion. After dinner, we headed over to Pelican's for ice cream and snoballs--yummy! We were only gone a couple of hours, but it was such a nice treat for us. Eli was great for my parents, so maybe Matt and I can try to have a date night once a month! Thanks Mom and Dad!!

Brothers!

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown

The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out his nose. ~Garrison Keillor

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams. ~Author Unknown

A friend is a brother who was once a bother. ~Author Unknown

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

Here are our two cuties!

This is baby Jacob--8 years ago!!
This is baby Eli--8 days ago!