Two!

Wil and I laugh that Wiley doesn't have a comfort object, but instead a comfort number. TWO. Two passys, two dogs, two Elmos, two crackers, etc. So it is exciting that tomorrow Wiley will have two years--his favorite number! It has been fun for Wil and I to think about tonight in terms of where we were 2 years ago...dinnertime...Jello at Mexico Lindo with Julia and Wil...around 11:30...things getting interesting...contractions worse...by midnight...I'm golden thanks to the epidural. Tomorrow is going to be a fun day! We have a birthday party planned, and I just can't wait to wake up to a TWO YEAR OLD! tomorrow! Can you believe it?!! Here are some pictures to document where we have been....

Leaving the hospital


Wiley at the Lake

Wiley post-Christening

Fall 06

Wiley in the Fall


October 2006

Wiley "Sleep is for the Weak" Cooper

Wiley Walkin...Ignore the Duke shirt...


First Birthday

Cutest doggy you ever saw...

Go Deacs!

Christmas!

Recently...


Happy Birthday Sweet Wiley! We love you so much!

Not too bloggy...

Well, I wish that something funny happened to me since I last blogged that stands out in my mind, particularly regarding Wiley...Maybe I will think of something as I type...

Anyway, Wiley is turning 2 on Thursday and I can't believe it! Cliche, yes, I know. But indulge me. It seems like not so long ago that we were only 2 or 3 days away from flying home to Bham only to have Wiley a day or two later. (Can you tell I can't remember what day we flew home?) I feel like we have all come so far, and I just can't wait to see how we will continue to change and grow together.

Sweet Wiley who, 2 years ago, looked so pale (you think I'm exaggerating, but just wait till Thursday when I post pictures) and smooshy (yes, smooshy) in all his newborn pictures is now a not-quite-as-pale and not smooshey at all BOY! He's a real boy! (Pinocchio, reference, I think). But really, he is. And I have discovered that if you brush his hair in a side part to the left, he looks just like his daddy's toddler pictures.

The other day the almost-two-year-old was getting his diaper changed at the Teasleys...I was talking to him, telling him to stand up, when he got the most tender look in his eyes and he took his hands and touched/stroked my face saying "Sweet Mommy" and then he leaned down and gave me a hug. It was so wonderful, and I think what made it the best ever was that he just randomly did it. I didn't have to say "Give Mommy a Hug"--He just decided to love on his mama. But don't we all just love these random acts of kindness or love? Who doesn't love a surprise show of affection?

The other night Wil made me a special dinner that he cooked all by himself--I had delicious salmon and he had tuna. As we were eating and talking about the day, he just out of the blue said, "I can't see my life any other way. I can't imagine what it would be like to not have Wiley." And this is so true. I think two years ago we were in panic mode whether we acknowledged it or not. Two 19 year olds bringing a child into the world...good gracious! Children are much more resilient than people think. But two years later and we are in my-life-did-not-begin-until-this-child-was-born mode--thankful mode.

And as for me, for this place in life I am in right now, with a wonderful husband and an amazing son--there is no place I would rather be. I want to rest in it and enjoy each and every moment.

I am the wretch the song refers to.

So, I have this t-shirt and it says "I am the wretch the song refers to" across the top in kind smallish type and that is it. I received it from my Bible Study leader in high school for graduation. When I got it, she thought it was THE funniest gift/t-shirt ever. I remember just being like, "oh, that's funny...weird...hmmm...probably won't ever wear this." I just don't think I got it at all.

Fast forward three years, and I LOVE THIS T-SHIRT! I get it. And because I get it, I too think it is funny, but SO true and powerful.

So what happened in those three years that changed my attitude toward the shirt and consequentially towards Christ? A lot. My (Our) life was turned upside down and suddenly I was looking face to face with my sin. I think that through that experience as well as through the ministry of RUF, Wil and I both became more aware of our sin--its depth, its permanence in our lives, and thus our incredible need for Jesus. Not that we didn't think we needed Jesus before, but I think it was a more shallow relationship, not one where we completely understood the significance and depth of the relationship.

I know that this is elementary probably, and quite obvious, but how in the world was I able to appreciate Christ's love for me and his sacrifice for me without having a deep understanding of my sin? Grace doesn't make sense without knowing that I am in need of it so badly--yet don't deserve it in the least bit.

I'm not sure how I got through 18 years without really being able to "get" my t-shirt. I am ashamed that I didn't get it. I think that I am going to hold onto this one for awhile in hopes that perhaps the summer after Wiley graduates from high school, he, too, will get it.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

It's only TUESDAY?!

What a week!
I mean...what a couple of days! It certainly feels like it is should at least be Thursday! But although it has been crazy and awful at times, it has also been great!
Happily, Wil was able to go to the NCAA Basketball Championship with Gregory--so exciting. Unfortunately, his car died on me yesterday afternoon. As in, car won't crank a couple times, then decides it will turn off at a stoplight in a not-so-great part of town, then it just won't start at all that afternoon. It was towed to the dealership place here that afternoon.

However, the great parts of this are that I have the MOST WONDERFUL friends here. I know that I tend to go back to this topic but I mean really...Duncan offers to pick up a couple things at the grocery store for me that I needed, Brad saves me from sketchy tow-truck man, Paige loans me her car for the day so I can get to my appointments that can't be missed, then Maddie is able to do Bible Study on her own, and then I got to have a super dinner with Allison---and the day isn't over yet--
So many fun people came over to watch the basketball game and that was just so great to be with these wonderful friends!

Then--while today was hectic and early starting after a really late night...it is RUF night and American Idol night. And I have the best education group ever. And Carrie agreed to drive Wiley and I out to the dealership to pick up the sweet loaner/courtesy car we are using while Wil's is in the shop. [Where this guy who works there and pulled the car around goes, as I'm trying to wrestle Wiley's carseat into the "Beamer", goes "Is that your child?...Really??"--ah, it never gets old. Will someone think of something witty for me to respond to comments like this with that come from strangers?]

Oh, did I mention that Wiley is climbing out of his crib now? He just popped over the rail apparently last night while Allison and I were just chattin it up. We hear this thump and ran in and there he was standing up. As Millie says, "He is a boy now." "He love to climb." Oh and Millie--soo flexible yesterday when I needed her to stay later. We are certainly lucky to have her!

Oh, and Wil comes home tonight! That is definitely a happy!

Easter and more...

We had a great Easter, stayed put, and just had an overall restful weekend. The sweet Teasleys had a few of the students over, and the kids had a great Easter Egg Hunt. Wiley's Easter outfit I had bought and monogrammed, of course, did not fit him and looked quite silly. It was so cute. Blue and white tiny houndstooth pattern in flannel fabric with baby blue cordouroy piping. I thought it would be great b/c Easter has been freezing the past 2 years. Little did I know that he is much too big for a bubble that I thought would reach his knees and not look so much like a bubble. Point being, I am not allowed to shop in advance for Wiley b/c I obviously have no feel for how big he will be in a few months nor what is appropriate for a little boy to wear and not wear. Maybe they should have "what not to wear" for children??

In other news, the Carolina Cup was a worthwhile and such a fun event! I've never seen so much Lilly, Pastels, Madras, Sunhats, and Costas on Croakies.

Check out this clothing line for the men in our lives:
It is like Vineyard Vines, but southern. They have ties and clothes for men and headbands for gals. Some patterns include Cotton and elephants (Roll Tide). It was so fun to go on such a fun road trip with our friends! We even made friends while we sat in traffic to get in for 2 hours!

Wiley and I had a great date this morning at Midtown together. It was definitely one of those mornings that I wished I was in B'ham. Midtown is great but it sure isn't the Original House of Pancakes...nor could I call my dad (who is an early riser and loves pancakes, too) to meet us down at 5 Points for some high-quality delicious breakfast. But despite it not being OHOP and Big Dean not being there, we shared delicious pancakes, I had some great tea, some cheese grits (the waitress must have been pitying me or something since she didn't charge me for the tablespoon worth of cheese I wanted that they usually charge), and Wiley brought his family of elephants who gathered around his plate of pancakes and occasionally got to dip their trucks in the syrup. Yum.

Away, beach, aquarium, and family

Apologies to anyone who reads this blog and has missed my oh-so-very exciting tales of life in the college lane with a not-so-petite anymore baby.

We have been away for a nice "grown-up-almost-but-not-quite" vacation with our sweet, sweet friends about whom my writing and praises will never do justice to how wonderful they are. I can tell you that Wiley has had a great time with T and Pop, Da-Da, Uncle G, and Aunt Sissy this past week. He has a new collection of animals, including mommy, daddy, and baby elephant. He is especially excited about a fun trip to the Aquarium tomorrow and then the lake with Baba, Big Dean, B, and Gena and Charlie.

Mom and Dad just hope that there aren't aquarium lines, that the drive goes smoothly, and that there are a. penguins and b. otters at the aquarium.... for a. wiley and b. paige (we will take pictures) respectively. We also wonder if the aquarium offers a tropical happy hour for frazzled parents at the end?

Hope everyone is having great Spring Breaks, safe travels, etc

Ski and Hot Tea

I have no future as an editor.