while dad is away...

we play!!  link and i were SO SAD to miss out on dad's work trip to santa monica this week.  we had decided to go, but at the last minute, decided with both of our work schedules it just wouldn't work.  :(

so link and i decided we had to make the most of it and have a fun week anyway.  we spent a night at hunny and papa's house and they spent a night with us, which was so much fun for both (scratch that, ALL) of us.  really.  i just adore my parents and the fact that link does just as much makes my heart so happy it almost hurts.  seeing his joy when he talks about, sees, plays, hugs, kisses them just is almost too much!

we also had friend lunches, a couple of days at 'cool (school), a couple of fun dinners with friends, a lot of trips to the park, the gym, and the car wash (one of link's favorite things, haha).  and now we are excited to have dad back tomorrow!  

football in diapers

fun with rosie

rosie is a very special friend, like a third grandmother.  i had one of these special grandmothers growing up too, and i'm so happy that link does as well.  very special to have "non-family" members that really are just like family.  :)

this is link's newest face - he gets so focused and serious sometimes.  in this case it was on the car wash and his chocolate chip cookie, two of his favorites.  i love the furrowed brow.  kills me every time!!

link and his buddy wade, experiencing a-teenage-like-beatles-euphoria over the chick fil a cow.  jay's company does the chick fil a commercials and he said they have these costumes in the office...we may have to borrow one after seeing the kids reaction.  third birthday party?  haha... 

cool kid, cruising'

happy new year!!!!!

it's always funny to look back at last year's new year post and think about your frame of mind at that point all the way to this point.  and to think that next year i will look back at this time in my life and think about all that has changed.  in some ways a lot, in some, not so much.  

our biggest change to kick off this new year is that jay has started a new job!  he accepted a position with the richard's group here in dallas and is so excited to start his new gig.  we are excited for him and for the promise of new beginnings.

link is two, still growing like a weed and becoming his own little man every day.  what an adventure life is with him in it!  he is going to "school" two days a week and spending the others with me, where we create lots of adventures and i stay in awe of how wonderful it is to have the privilege to be his mom.

reflecting on the ups and downs of the last year, i've thought a lot about link's (and all of george mason's other infant dedications) baby dedication, and my favorite phrase that he uses that goes something like this..."god give him a good life, not an easy life."  i happily tear up every time i think about that phrase and the small baby he holds in his arms.  such promise, such hope, such comfort, and so much truth.  and it holds true through life, even to today, as adults.  and with His grace and strength, we keep moving forward, through the hard times and the good.    

i'm not gonna lie, i have high hopes for 2012.  we have some lofty (but attainable) goals we have set in place for ourselves and are already striving to achieve.  i'm excited to see all that God will do in the next twelve months.  i pray that we will live up to the challenges we have set for ourselves, be ready and willing to bend when necessary, and strive each day to be more like Christ. 

happy new year to you, my friends!  a few pics from the beginning of 2012...

at the park, link's favorite past time

with papa, watching some hoops (link's cousin, tra-tra, kyle)

breakfast tacos at rusty's, link's favorite spot

his first movie, with my parents and me, "muppets"

he cuddled with me during previews - so sweet.  :)

kissing the "cash cow" :)

mom, look at the "mamooooooth!"

hi five, bob!  your exhibit is awesome!!!

HAPPY 2012!