Anniversary #7

Derek and I celebrated our seventh anniversary today!

I'm not sure who created the idea list for anniversary presents. Apparently, the traditional 7th anniversary gift is wool or copper. The modern gift is either a desk set or pen/pencil sets. While we didn't stick to tradition-- we still gifted each other equally un-romantic gifts... new shoes.

They might not be romantic, but they are certainly pricey!!!

I guess this means that by year seven comes around, you can pass up all extraneous gifts and go for the practical things! We both have particularly tender feet and it's important to have a good shoe to prevent many trips to the podiatrist. I wanted to stick to the doctor's orders when picking out my shoes... and that led me to getting a pair of shoes that are only two velcro straps away from being the number one shoe sold to senior citizens. At least it has some pink. Derek's shoes are cool, though!

Truthfully, the best part of our anniversary is that Derek wasn't away at army training!! His unit is typically scheduled for annual training during our anniversary and thanks to a change in plans, annual training isn't until August, so we got to spend our anniversary TOGETHER! How much more romantic can it be?!? 

Well, Derek actually took today off as an optional holiday so we got to spend all day together! We ventured to new restaurant for lunch and to went to a movie. We were a good three decades younger than anyone else in the theater! ... at least they weren't texting!

We opted for a day time-date to accomodate Jackson's t-ball game tonight. Going to a ball game might not sound like an ideal anniversary activity, but I think it was just perfect. Seven years ago, we said our vows and committed ourselves to each other and our future family. Today, we spent the evening supporting our little boy as he played a t-ball game having the time of his life (other than the inning he didn't get to catch the ball...). 

Celebrating marriage doesn't always need a romantic getaway. Today, we found joy in the life we started together and brought us to where we are... even if that means cleaning out the gutters. We cherish our family, we're thankful for our house, and we love each other more than when we said "I do".

Jackson Date Night

Tonight was so much fun. It was probably the most fun I've had in a long time. Belle is staying the weekend with Grammy and so Derek and I threw together an impromptu "Jackson Date Night" full of Jackson's favorite things! Upon hearing the news Jackson replied, "What!? I have never been on a date before!!" He was pretty pumped. 

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings (one of his top three favorite restaurants). We even sat at an "up-high" table because we can't normally do that with Belle.

There was lots of silliness tonight! Jackson is really into taking funny pictures and thumbing through them later. 

We ordered some mozzarella sticks. He stretched every piece as fas as he could before taking a bite. 

And then we went to the movies! Or as Jackson likes to call it, "the place with the BIGGEST TV EVER!" (aside from Wal-Mart). Really those were his words. He asked if we could get a big movie screen at our house. Ha. Keep wishing, buddy. (You too, Derek...)

We saw Wreck It Ralph, which was really a pick out of the blue. I just looked at the PG movies and it seemed like the best option. It was a super cute movie and I'm not sure who liked it more-- Jackson or Derek! It incorporates lots of characters from several video games from Derek's childhood and he was hooked from the beginning. I imagine we will own it someday. Whether it's a purchase for Derek or Jackson is up in the air, but either way, we recommend the movie. :) (there were some parts that seemed intense for a 4 year old. Jackson was fine, but there was a little girl down the row who cried at one part.)

We had so much fun tonight getting to spend some much needed, positive, alone time with our little buddy. He probably needed it as much as we did. He's grown up to be such a need little person! 

And while I know he relished in the undivided attention, he kept saying, "We're missing a person! Can we go to Grammy's to go get Belle??" :)

Caller Number Nine

I left class early yesterday. I had just talked talked to Derek on the phone about how we were going to be playing pass-the-kids for the next few days and really not see too much of each other. I hate it when that happens, but some days are just busier than others and they seems to fall together in a big clump once a month.

So, then I’m listening to my radio station and hear: Caller number nine will win concert tickets for tonight. I decided to call in—and I was number nine {something I just have really good luck with}, which led to a whole restructuring of plans for the night, but it was such a fun impromptu date night.

Miscellaneous thought about the evening:

• I have really been wanting to include more live music in my life. And so this was a perfect opportunity to start.
• Amy Lee can sing. I definintely enjoy rock music more when a chick is singing. {And she has an amazing name}
• I love downtown and any reason to visit. Maybe I’ll be able to convince Derek someday to move into a loft in the city someday.
• And maybe we’ll start a band when we do. It will be called ACDC, ya know, for our initials. You may think that name is already taken, but instead of having a lightning bolt, there will be a heart in the middle. Totally different.
• Tuesday date nights that lead to not getting home until after midnight are especially rough at 7:15 the next morning.

Date Night

Derek and I enjoyed a wonderful date night tonight! It was more than just alone time away from the kiddos—it’s was about time together, period! All week long we’ve just been in and out in opposite directions! It was wonderful.

We went to the Plaza—my favorite place in Kansas City. I just love it. I love the atmosphere, being surrounded by lots of people. All sorts of shopping and eating! Of course, there’s always the sentiment of being the place where Derek proposed! And, they have the cheapest movie tickets around. Two tickets for $12. Heck yes.

We went to Jack Stack Barbeque for dinner. Yum! We’ve tried many different KC BBQ places, but had yet to try this one before tonight. I’m a fan. It wasn’t even too expensive. We shared an entrée and got an extra salad for me and we were both plenty full! Plus, we didn’t have to carry around a box of leftovers.

Derek was gracious enough to walk through a couple of stores as we walked to the movie theater. {That’s another thing I love about the Plaza—walking! I’m just a wanna-be city girl stuck in the suburbs}. Maybe one of these days when were not paying an arm and a leg for grad school, we can afford some of those designer jeans I was drooling over.

The movie of the night: Hunger Games, of course. It’s been YEARS since I’ve seen a movie on opening night/weekend. We used to go to midnight showings all the time pre-kids. So I’m feeling pretty cool, young, and hip! I’m sure mentioning those things disqualifies them all…
Here are my thoughts:

• I enjoyed the *this* book-turned-movie much more than others and I think it helped just knowing that the author helped write the screenplay as well. Like, even though minor things were changed/left out, it’s okay because I know she had a say in what the movie was about.
• I’m still recovering from a near heart attack from a certain part of the movie. Seriously, I’ve never jumped so much in my life. Derek laughed. So did lots of others. Kind of embarrassing. But seriously, I don’t do well with jumping out things.
• I enjoyed that a lot of the greatness of the movie comes not from what is say, but by actions and implications. The dialogue is minimalistic, but it’s speaks monuments.
• Overall, the whole Hunger Games series kind of stresses me out. The whole plot is a bit troublesome. I loved the books and I really enjoyed the movie. But like my professors at the Focus on the Family Institute always said, “A movie is never just a movie.” There are presuppositions and agendas. And while was aware while reading the book/watching the movie that this is fictional stuff, how far from reality is it? Is it fiction at all? But it’s also the thing about it I love the most. A movie with depth.

After the movie, we headed over to Yogurtini for a nightcap. Mine consisted of chocolate and birthday cake frozen yogurt with oreos, strawberries, chocolate syrup and strawberry puree. Derek has mint fro-yo with cinnamon toast crunch, fruity pebbles, cookie dough bites, Reese's pieces, and sprinkles.

And if you’re wondering if this date was so wonderful—why did I come home only to get on my computer to blog about it. Well, he’s reading the second book in the series. He’s addicted now too. Oh, I forgot to mention that he downloaded the ebook yesterday just to surprise me by reading it! I had mentioned to him that I hoped it would work out for him to read it before we saw the movie, but I didn’t think too much about it! It just made me feel so special that he rushed to read it just for me! We spent most of dinner talking about the book—and I love talking about books! Boy does he know me!

Fun, but tiring weekend

We had a great weekend. Derek's going away party was a great success. It is such an encouragement to know we have so many friends and family who are here to support us both in these upcoming months.

 Derek grilled the yummy hotdogs.

And HanNah made all the wonderful food!

Derek was so excited about all of the attention he received-- especially the kisses from Aunt Leah.

Our dear friends Billy and Gina traveled up from Springfield just to come. He was our campus minister at the BSU down at college and he has continued to be an encouragement to us!

Jackson walked into a cabinet on Sunday morning before church ending up with a nice big boo-boo on his eye. We went to Applebee's with Derek's parents after church and Jackson ended up falling asleep in his chair. I had to put my hand down to keep his head from crashing into the table to prevent another big mark on his face.

I had a host-parent orientation meeting yesterday afternoon while Derek and his dad looked at his car that wouldn't start (ugh!). My cousin Greg and his wife Andrea came over with their daughter Bethany last night for dinner. They live in Prague, but are back for a few months. It was good to catch up and visit.

We have a busy week ahead of us as it's Derek's last week before he heads off to basic. He has the week off work so we have lots of time to spend together--Yay! We are heading out this afternoon to go visit his brother in St. Louis for the night and we will be driving back tomorrow. Uncle Joe is coming over to help get started on getting the basement studded a couple days this week and one of these days we are going to go on a date night at Derek's two favorite places-- Burger King and AMC Theaters, and use the gift cards our wonderful friends Jeff and Missy gave us (who also traveled up from Springfield for the weekend, but I didn't get a picture.)

So anyway, I probably won't be on here much more this week. But I'll be back next week for sure. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for him to leave!!

Oh! And Julie arrived safely in the US yesterday and is at a two-week language camp at Bryant University on the east coast. Yay!

Jackson Rolls Over

We had an exciting end to our already fun weekend last night!

Friday night, Derek and I enjoyed a wonderful date night. We used a gift certificate from Christmas to go to Ruby Tuesday's and we redeemed a "Babysit Jackson" coupon from some friends. Dinner was delicious. Then after dinner, we unromantically went to CVS but I needed to go and it is just easier when I don't have to carry Jackson in and out, especially when it's freezing cold outside.

Saturday, Derek had Jackson all afternoon while I joined some ladies from church to make Jackson's Christmas scrapbook. Last year, I got a little pre-made scrapbook from Hallmark, so I just had to put the picture in. I worked a little on his baby book too, gluing in his hospital bracelets, a few pictures, etc... The ladies all had beautiful scrapbooks, but I just don't see myself putting in enough time and effort to have those myself!

Saturday evening we went over to some friends house for taco's and game night. Derek really enjoyed doing guitar stuff with Mike. They pulled out some old recorded tapes of their band back in the day.

Sunday lunch was spent with Derek's parents so they could hang out with Jackson a little bit. While Linda and I were upstairs with Jackson, Derek and Forrest managed to break their router.

Last night, Jackson was being really playful so we decided to get out the video camera just for fun. And then Jackson decided he wanted to roll over and it was so exciting to have gotten it on camera. He rolled over once before on New Years Eve, but hasn't been interested since. Now he is just a rolling machine! It was just so neat to seem him figure it out and put it all together.



And to make our weekend even better, Jackson has slept for 6 hours the past two nights. Derek and I were listening to an old broadcast by Dr. Dobson, who mentioned that one night when their son was little that they just got on their knees to pray for him to sleep longer than a few hours. I was thinking about that as I was falling asleep, but decided that I didn't really need to do that because Jackson isn't a horrible sleeper, but both nights it was as if God was saying, "I'd like to give this night of rest for you if you'd just ask..." So, I did and he slept.