happy 4 months!

Dear John Mark,

4 months ago, at this very moment, I was lying in a hospital bed waiting to walk to the OR. 4 months- in some ways it seems like ages ago, and in other ways I can't believe this much time has gone by!

It seems like ages ago because I cannot remember my life without you. It's like you have always been here. What did I do before you? How did I have fun? You have completed a part of my life that I never knew was empty. It is hard for me to believe that my life was as colorful or alive before you.

On the other hand- 4 months... are you kidding me? This time has flown by so very quickly. And that makes me want to scoop you up, snuggle you against my chest and never let go. I want to capture every moment, every laugh, every tear, even every scream. I don't ever want to forget this feeling of awe.

The night before you were born, I laid awake in the gold chair where I rock you every day. I was reading in the Psalms, trying to go to sleep- but my mind was so full of thoughts of you... who would you look like? what personality would you take? where would this life lead you?

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life-
Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

I remember reading this verse... so many fears of being a mother and knowing what to do with you... so many questions that I didn't have the answers to. This verse is one of my prayers for you- that you would know His light, His salvation- that you wouldn't fear.

I love you so much, little boy. I always have, and I always will.

Forever,
your mommy

thanksgiving

Boy- what a thanksgiving we've had! We got to spend 4 days in Central High, visiting my side of the family. John Mark got to meet lots of new people too. He met his Aunt Susie and Uncle Earl from Las Vegas! He also got to spend a lot of time with his other family members too. I'm pretty sure that his grandparents are going through withdrawals right now. Nanny and Grandad even got to babysit while all of us went to see a movie.

Of course, besides eating way too much, we took about a million pictures. I don't think I could write enough to fill up the space of showing all these, so I made a collage.



This year alone, 5 girls that I graduated with have had babies, and 1 more is expecting twins in March. You may not think that is much, but when you consider we graduate with 30 people TOTAL, it's pretty impressive. Here is a pictures of 3 of us pregnant, and then with our babies.

Welcome to the world- Jonas, Jentry and John Mark! I'm pretty sure that I can speak for the other mommies in saying- we are SO glad that you are here! :)

We missed baby Eric, and we can't wait for the Reid twins to make their appearance! We'll have another reunion over Christmas.

I guess that pretty much sums up our thanksgiving. We had a blast, but I think we're all pretty happy to be back home and to a world that is just the 3 of us!

give thanks...

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good
His love endures forever."
Psalm 136:1

It is almost Thanksgiving.
And I feel like I should have something profound to write.

But I'm blank.
And maybe that's okay.
Because I really am so very thankful.
My heart is overflowing with gratefulness at this life that I have been blessed with.
And maybe that is the problem...
I have so much gratitude in my heart that I wouldn't know where to begin...
and I could never end.
So I will simply say thank you.

Thank you, Jesus-
for loving me,
for saving me...
for pulling me from the depths,
for giving me life.
You are beautiful-
and I love You.

an ode to dear friends...

JOHN MARK LOVES HIM SOME
WEHUNT AND KELLY...

and here's a few of the reasons why:

--kelly lets me pee all over the living room...

--mr. wehunt poops more than i do...

--kelly turns her hair into a car wash...

--kelly thinks that we missed germany...

--mr. wehunt looks just like my dad...

--they love me more than any other baby in the world!

what a day!

What a day for the Rigdon family! John Mark got dedicated during the service at church today. It was such a special, special time. He wore his "big boy" outfit and walked across the stage with his mommy and daddy. He didn't cry or fuss the entire time we were on the stage. He just sat there looking around at all the lights and people. He even had quite the audience from the choir behind us! :) We got video of it, but I'll have to get that from Kim to post on here.


John Mark also had quite the fan club. Here is a list of all the people that love him and were part of his special day: Big Poppy and BB Russell (mom and dad, for those who haven't heard their cool names!), Grandpa and Grandma Rigdon (they haven't decided on their names yet...), Great Grandad and Nanny, Aunt Kim and Uncle Kyle, Aunt Emily and Uncle Jeremy, Uncle Josh, Great Uncle Bob and Aunt Carol, Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Russell. I think that's everyone. OH, mommy and daddy of course! :)

It was also special because our good friends, Chris and Jamie dedicated their daughter Caroline (aka, John Mark's girlfriend) the same time. We just love those guys!!

After church we went to lunch and had so much fun. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Sometimes I think that John Mark is so loved that it's just not fair! I think about those poor babies that don't have anyone to love them... it's just sad!

Anyway, we love you all and thank you for being part of our lives- whether great or small, near or far- you are loved by the Rigdon family today! Here are the pics from his actual dedication. Sorry they're fuzzy!

small group thanksgiving

Tonight we had thanksgiving with our small group that meets on Sunday nights. It was fun times. We have been so blessed by our friends in this group. I was talking with the lady I work for today about how important it is to have godly friends who are in the same stage of life as you. It helps you to feel normal about stuff you're going through, and also gives a wonderful place you can be safe. They are definitely good people. Not to mention that there are LOTS of good cooks amongst us...

I can't believe that it's already Thanksgiving... with that comes CHRISTMAS!! I love Christmas. I broke out my 199 Christmas songs the other day and uploaded them to my i-pod. If I have my way, our Christmas tree will go up on Saturday! And in defense of that decision, I want to put it up BEFORE we go to C-town so it will be up after Thanksgiving. That and I just love Christmas...

We're having family pictures taken Saturday at Hafer Park. I'm very excited about this!! Our friend Sara is going to take them. Hopefully we will be able to put some of them up here. If we can't, well... you'll just have to wait for your Christmas card!

This is John Mark in his "coverall" outfit that Tiff and I got for him in honor of Grandad. It's pretty darn cute. Of course, the guys tonight tortured him and turned the collar up (to make him Elvis) and called him a painter and a janitor. Poor kid!

Well, maybe I will go to bed. It is midnight and that means 4 hours until someone needs to eat again!

the blue shirt photo shoot...

So I bought John Mark this cute little blue shirt at Old Navy for $1 last week. I then proceeded to take about 25 pictures of him in it. I decided just to make a collage of a few of my favorites!

He really is probably the cutest kid I've ever seen (no offense, other moms... you know you think YOUR kid is the cutest). I just love, love, LOVE watching him grow and change. Seriously, how could anyone ever go through pregnancy and have a baby, then watch that baby grow and change and NOT believe there is a God? Unbelievable! John Mark is probably the most tangible picture of the power of God I've ever seen. To think that this beautiful, smart, amazing PERSON could come from Micah and me... WOW! I just want to fall on my knees and thank Him!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

It also makes me realize how big my role in his life will be. I remember watching my mom study the Word and pray and that made me want to. It is my prayer that I will remain faithful to the Author and Perfecter of my faith, so that one day John Mark will be drawn to faithfulness to Him.

It is my prayer for each of you who read this that your heart will be drawn to the Lord and that He will draw your sweet babies to the saving knowledge of Him at an early age. And that we will be accountable to each other to grow in our love of Him. I love you all!

weird questions

So... for all you moms out there who read this- here's something I'm wondering. Do you get asked me most ridiculous questions EVER? I've learned to just laugh at the questions that people ask... if I didn't laugh at them, I would probably go insane! Here's a few of my favorites, and what I want to reply.

--Aren't his feet cold?
Don't you think that if my baby's feet were cold I would have him in socks? Or MAYBE the wiggle worm kicked them off between the car and here and they are completely MIA. Would you like to go to the baby section and buy some new ones for him? Oh and by the way- he is SWEATING.

--Is he hungry?
Maybe... or maybe he just likes to chew on his fingers. And don't you think that I know when he needs to eat?

--Does he have a pacifier?
What are you talking about? I have never heard of a pacifier. This must be some newfangled invention I've never seen... oh wait, I remember now... he HATES them. And if you want to hear him scream more- well, go ahead and try to stick that "magic" thing in his mouth... I dare you!

--How old is he?
This one isn't so bad... it always just turns into a ridiculously long explanation that he was huge when he was born- which brings me to another favorite that I get when telling people what he weighed:

--IN YOU?!?!!

What funny questions have YOU been asked?? :)

getting colder

It's finally getting cold and starting to feel like fall around these parts. I realized that John Mark probably needed a hat to keep his bald little head warm. Of course, NONE of the hats I had fit him. He had to get a size 12-18 month hat to fit his big head! :) Then again, he's not even 4 months old and wearing 6-12 month size clothes, so I shouldn't really be surprised.

I also got him an adorable little fuzzy suit to wear if we ever have to spend extended time in the cold weather. I'm not sure where I plan on using it, but it was just too cute to pass up! He didn't seem to like it very much though. Probably because it's so big he can't really move in it! The wiggle worm thinks he has to constantly be moving...

I haven't had any pooping stories for you in a long time- mainly because he's been keeping it in his diapers pretty well. Let me give you a little tip- don't ever think that you have anything figured out, because they spring it on you in no time flat! Today I was getting him ready to go. I had him all dressed and in his car seat when I heard "the sound." I knew he needed changing, so I got him out and fortunately held him away from me, not realizing what I was about to see... I laid him down on his blanket to change him and quickly noticed that there wasn't poop in the diaper- oh no, it was all down his leg... his pants... his feet... EVERYWHERE. And of course, nothing I needed was downstairs, so I left him screaming in his poop while I ran upstairs to get stuff to change him. Poor thing... and his outfit will never be the same. I spent 15 minutes this afternoon scrubbing and soaking- still has a lovely hint of yellow. And it was one of my favorites...

This is him all bundled up on Sunday after church. I thought he looked hysterical, so I took a picture. He's getting really good at putting himself to sleep at night. I can finally just lay him down and leave him in there. Now if only he would put himself to sleep when he wakes up every night at 2AM...

fall fun

Here is mister John Mark all dressed up as a little cow for Halloween. We went out to Waterloo Road's Fall Frolic to see his Aunt Emily and Uncle Jeremy. Of course, John Mark didn't really know anything was going on special, and this is what he looked like by the end of the night: