I Voted!

No matter how this election turns out, I fulfilled my duty as a Christian and American! It feels good to know that God is STILL in control! Even though I will spend the day praying and hoping the McCain/Palin ticket makes it to office!

Back porch.

Guest bathroom.

Our little man! Doesn't he just look ornery?!

Our cleared out master bedroom closet. It is a fairly large walk in closet, but before I cleared it out you couldn't even walk to the back!

Dining room

Living room.

Kitchen.

For Sale

Well, there is a good reason why I have not been blogging lately. Our condo is officially up for sale! I have been packing and reorganizing everything we own. The realtor wanted us to move everything we don't use on a daily basis into storage. She recommended we only keep 12 outfits here, but with the market being the way it is we are not expecting to sell in a few weeks time. I'm still amazed at how two people and a little person can accumulate so much stuff! We have a 5X10 storage unit FULL! The place does look much bigger though. Evan liked to "help" Mommy pack. He was so cute. He would bring his toys and put it into the box I was working on and then look at me and smile. So proud of himself! He is doing great! Saying more and more words all the time. When I take him to the park now he immediately searches for other kids to play with. Today there was a little boy about 4 years old that really took an interest in Evan. Evan had a blast following him around and trying to do everything the older boy was doing. The elderly neighbor man I was taking care of passed away on Sunday. We have been hanging out with his wife some because she has been so lonely and unsure of what to do with herself. She cared for him for so long she doesn't quite know what to do with her time. Also, this past Sunday we were able to have Tim and Sharron (Sherman) Teed in our home for the day. I went to Hobe Sound with Sharron. They are Fed-Ex truckers and were going to be in Tampa for the weekend. It was so nice having them here! We had a lot of fun! I forgot to take any picture. Other than that we haven't been up to much else. We are loving the cooler fall weather that has started here in FL!

15 Month Check-up and Updated Pictures

Evan had his 15 month 2 week check-up yesterday. He is 33 inches long and weighs 23 pounds. He hasn't gained any weight since his last appointment but he grew 3 inches. The doctor said he looks very healthy and is surprised at the fact that Evan hasn't really ever had more than a mild cold. He was impressed with all the words Evan can say and how well he listens when given directions. It was one of those days where when I said "Come here please" Evan immediately responded. I wish he did that everyday!:) Evan managed to escape any shots as the Hib vaccine is on national shortage and I opted not to have the flu shot or chickenpox vaccine given. Question for all you Mom's who read this blog: Did you give your child(ren) the chickenpox vaccine and why or why not? The pediatrician is really pushing for Evan to have it, but I really don't want him to have it. The research I have done seems inconclusive as to it effectiveness. My theory is that we (my generation) all had it and we made it just fine. The doctor did admit to me that children rarely develop life threatening complications from chickenpox. Anyway, Evan is doing great. He spiked a decent fever last weeks for a few days, but was in a jolly mood and we think it must have just been teeth. He did get a little lethargic with it and was a little cuddlebug. He is running now! Much to Mommy's dismay at moments! Thus the start of scraped knees and fat lips. Yes, he had both this past week! Putting his blankie in his firetruck!
Just waking from a nap. Yes, he still naps in his swing!:)
This is very unusual for him. He normally doesn't want to cuddle except when he isn't feeling well or in the middle of the night. I had just gotten him up from his nap and was scratching his back (which he LOVES!). Excuse my fly-away hair!

Stephen Nathaniel Brown

Marianne and Phillip welcomed Stephen Nathaniel into their lives at 11:40Am. He weighed in at 6lbs 12ozs. Momma and Baby are both doing great. Congratulations to the whole family! I can't wait to see my newest nephew! This will make five grandsons for my parents!:)

Fireproof- A Must See!

Justin and I took a date "night" Friday afternoon and went to see the new movie Fireproof. It was incredible! Maybe some of you have heard or read about it, but Sherwood Baptist Church out of Albany, Georgia has produced this movie along with two others (Flywheel and Facing The Giants). It is so rare for a good Christian movie to come out. I wanted to post this Friday evening, but my computer decided to be stubborn! It is about marriage and the foundation a marriage has to be built on in order to survive. It deals with some issues that I think the church as a whole has overlooked and that is the reasons why so many marriages are falling apart with in the church. There are so many people suffering silently and what better way to reach them. It also presents a clear Salvation message. For more information you can go to http://www.fireproofthemovie.com and read more about it. I don't have a clue who all reads this blog, but I would strongly encourage everyone to go see this movie.

Waiting for our food.

Daddy and Evan playing with Ginger!

What can I find to play with in here!

His favorite toy at the park. He loves to pretend he is driving!

So serious!

Justin and Adam out to eat for Justin's birthday.

Newer Pictures

This post is mainly going to be pictures of the past few weeks. Things are starting to slow down and I am regaining a little of my energy. Since I last blogged Justin celebrated his 28th birthday on Sept. 17. We had a nice dinner out with his family. We actually had a nice time just the two of us the weekend before. It's so hard to surprise him with anything, but I did manage to get tickets to a comedy show without him knowing about it. I have been spending quite a bit of time caring for Dave (the elderly gentleman two condos down from us). He has fallen twice in the past week and ended up with some pretty nasty looking wounds. It's nice to be able to put some of my nursing skills back into action. Evan is his usual happy self. He keeps us on our toes and we love every minute of it! He "talks" a lot more now. I'm amazed at how many words he actually says and know what they mean. Well, for some reason blogger is not letting me post any pictures. I may have to resort to several posts through Picasa or just wait until later to post pictures.

A little boy's best friend!

Well, we have welcomed a new member to our family. She is of the four legged kind. Her name is Ginger and she is 12 weeks old. She is a full blooded golden retriever. She was to be a show dog, but the owners little girl was diagnosed with brain cancer and they decided she would be happier as a pet. She will live with Justin's parents until we move into a house. This way she will grow up with Evan and when we move she can come live with us. Ginger has a wonderful personality and seems to have already taken a liking to Evan. Home to meet Daddy!
Follow the leader!
Hum, what's this thing?
Evan's first glimpse of Ginger. Not to sure what to think at first!

Update

Ok, so I know a few of you think I dropped off the face of the earth (sorry April, I am trying to do better!), but the truth is I have been to worn out to blog! We are still alive and well. Unfortunately, this post will have to do without pictures because I haven't gotten them uploaded yet! I have been so exhausted lately that I'm napping every time Evan does! I hate it because I can't get anything done. Come to find out my TSH (thyroid) level is high. I had this problem quite a few years ago and was back to normal with Synthroid. I started the medication to day although the doctor warned me it could take two months to straighten out. Other than that I have started helping an elderly man who lives two condos down from us. It's great because I can walk there in under a minute and I can take Evan with me. They love to see Evan and it works well with our schedule. Evan is doing great! He has twelve teeth now. He is really starting to "like" eating. He walks everywhere and tried to run every now and then. We are amazed at the words he can say! He loves to go to the park and seems to enjoy playing with other kids. The past two Sundays, he has been very comfortable in the nursery at church. I was a little anxious about it due to the fact that it's a new church for us, but he seems to be doing great. He took an instant liking to the senior pastor and reached out to be held the first time they met which is very unusual. Justin has been very busy with work lately. We are looking forward to things slowing down in the next few weeks! I'll try and post later this week with pictures, but no promises! Have a wonderful night!

Our Little Man is Growing Up!

Riding a carousel for the first time. He loved it!
In his little rocking chair. He also uses it to climb onto the bed!
It's so hard for me to believe how fast this past year has gone. I can remember crying when my parents where here after Evan's birth and thinking I would spend the rest of my life dead on my feet! Evan has started sleeping through the night the past two weeks. At first I was ecstatic! I'd waited 13 months for this to be a consistent thing. In the past he would go for several nights and then go back to getting up at least once during the night. When I talked with the pediatrician about it he said to just go with it because of the trouble we have getting Evan to eat. When he would get up at night he always took a full bottle. In the past few weeks Evan has really done a lot better as far as eating goes. Some days are a struggle, but nothing compared to what it used to be. Anyway, all that to say, I am really missing him getting up at night! I know, you probably think I'm crazy and have gone off the deep end! Seriously though, as exhausting as it was, those nights are precious memories. Evan is not a real big "cuddle bug". At night that would change. He would lay in my arms and seemed content to stay there forever. As if Momma was the most wonderful thing in the world. I know Evan has to grow up and I really do want him to. It's just the sentimental Momma in me that wishes she could keep that innocence for just a little longer. Each day he becomes a little more independent. We can't wait to see what God has in store for his life! No matter how long I live I will always cherish those nights that we cuddled while I prayed over his little life.

Descriptions of videos

Below are two videos of Evan taken in the last month. The first one is Evan liking an Elvis impersonator. We were watching a clip from America's Got Talent and for some reason Evan really liked this guy. Actually, he likes music in general and does this quite often when music comes on. We thought it was rather funny! The second one is when he was first getting used to walking. He now walks more than he crawls. Usually he doesn't walk with this toy, but for some reason the night I took this video he was pushing it around.

Evan

Evan's One Year Photo Session

For anyone who's interested the following link is Evan's one year photo session. Just copy and paste the link and put Jennifer Harris in as the customer name. The next page will have a line that says "Click here to view all your portrait images". If anyone has trouble just let me know.

https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTP72801021004JCP

These are some pics of the last week or so. I wasn't able to get them uploaded in order.

As usual, Evan has a very expressive face!
Trying out his new big boy cup. He actually really likes it. He loves straws!
Our weekend in Orlando. Justin bowling.
The mini golf place. It was called Pirates Cove and was about the best mini golf place I've ever been to. We decided to play the harder course which was called Blackbeard's Challenge.
Us!
Playing on the Bob the Builder ride at Chuck E Cheese.
Smile!
Cuddle time! He loves that blankie.
He decided Mommy hadn't given him enough so he dumped the box out and was eating from the pile. I had gone to get ready to leave and he climbed onto the couch to reach the box.
Proud that he climbed into his highchair by himself!

Our Week

It has been rather busy since my last post. Hence the lack of posting! Justin took me to Orlando for 3 days and 2 nights for my birthday. Actually we did it a few days early so Grandma and Grandpa could watch Evan. We had a wonderful, relaxing time! I am so thankful for such a sweet husband. We went bowling, to a movie and miniature golf while we were there. I did manage to take a few pics, but I haven't had time to upload them yet. I also have a bunch of new pics of Evan. He has learned how to climb into his highchair now! I walked out of the kitchen on Tuesday and he was sitting in his chair, pretty as you please! I thought I was losing my mind and that I had left him there until I caught him in the act. I also managed to catch it on video. He now says Dada, Dyda (instead of Daddy), Mama, Nighnigh (for night night) and Na (for no). We are working on drink and bye-bye. He has always been a pleasant baby, but the past two weeks he has started laughing at everything. We'll hear him giggling and go to see what he's laughing at and there is nothing that we can figure out. He's also becoming quite a Daddy's boy. He loves to follow his Daddy around and "help" Daddy with whatever he's working on. Justin has been busy as usual with the shopping centers. They are working on a deal right now with one of the bigger tenants that is in three of the centers. It has been slightly stressful so we are praying that everything resolves and it can quickly be leased. I will try and get the pics and videos uploaded in the next day or so. Have a blessed evening!

Before I forget, Charity (one of my blogging friends) posted the following this past week, "So!!! I'm challenging you as well. You've seen how denigrated men are in our society. I'd like to proclaim a "Praise Your Man in Public" week, and challenge each of you to post a little (or large) post on your blog next week telling us all how privileged you are to be Mr. X's wife. I've seen more than my share of women's groups fall into 'bash your man' groups. And 'if you think that's bad, listen to what MINE did' groups. Ugh! Let's be godly ladies, gals, and raise our man up in the process!" I had eluded to this in my Father's Day post.

Just for the record, I have been blessed beyond measure that God has given me the husband he did. Justin has been a rock in our marriage. He is always willing to say "I'm sorry, please forgive me" or "I was wrong"when he's been wrong. I know I can't always be the easiest person to live with, but he takes things in stride. He loves me for who I am. I appreciate the fact that he takes his responsibility as the spiritual leader in our home so seriously. He leads with a gentleness and humility. He is also an incredible Daddy to Evan as well. It melts my heart to watch him playing with Evan or to hear him tell Evan Bible stories. I love having a husband who is so sensitive to what God wants for him. I could write paragraph after paragraph about Justin. I love you Sweetheart! Thank you for being an awesome Husband and Daddy!

Our Vacation and Evan's One Year Check-up!

Yes, we are still alive! It has been a VERY busy few weeks. Sorry for the numerous posts. Blogger was giving me fits about uploading pictures so I had to use Picasa. Anyway, I tried to get everything in chronological order. We left for PA on June 21 and arrived the 22. My brother Jonathan and his family were there for the first few days of our vacation. On the 24th we had a little "party" for Evan's first birthday. Mom made a wonderful dinner! We had cake and then went out for ice cream. Evan played in his cake some but I had David take the pictures and I don't have them yet. He enjoyed all his birthday gifts and the attention he got! We mainly just hung out and enjoyed everyone's company. The Miller (my Mom's side) Family reunion was the 28th. It was great seeing my Mom's siblings. Some of them I only see once every year or so. We had a nice turnout. There was a ton of food at lunch and the evening found us at my parents for homemade ice cream and desserts. We left PA on Monday the 30th to head to the Outer Banks of NC. We met up with Justin's parents and his stepdad's family. Unfortunately, I didn't get one single picture of the house we stayed at and very few pictures of anything else! What can I say, it's hard to juggle a camera and all the things that a baby needs! The house was a beautiful 5 bedroom house in Duck, NC. We were a half a mile from the Sound and the ocean. If you went out on the top floor porch you could see both bodies of water. We took Evan to the beach, but he wasn't overly fond of it. Most of the time we just stayed poolside and enjoyed the water and sun there. Evan flew back with Justin's parents due to several physical issues. We felt it would be better if he didn't have to stay in a car seat for 15 hours. He did fairly well with the flights. Since we have been back we have had several appointments and a wedding which is why I am just now getting a chance to blog. Evan had his one year check up this past Tuesday. He weighed 21 lbs. and is 31 inches long. He had to get three immunization and two finger pricks. The doctor said he looks great and is very healthy despite being a little small in weight. He took his first alone steps this past Friday and now he is walking across the room by himself! It is so cute to watch him see something he wants then think about it before walking to where it is. He climbs onto the couch and recliner by himself and is finally learning to get down back end first. The first few times it was a head dive off onto the floor! He is still the happiest little man in the world. Laughing and smiling and trying so hard to talk. He is almost off formula now and is completely off baby food. He keeps us laughing and busy! We love being parents!

Before we left for PA we had a little Father's Day/ Evan's birthday party. These are the pictures from that occasion.

Uncle Adam being silly!:)

"My Dad Rocks"

Evan's new toy train. He pushes it all around the house!

Grandma and Grandpa with a not so thrilled Evan. He has an aversion to anything on his head!

Pappy and Evan on the swings!

Grandma, Pappy and Evan. He really loved those swings!

The "kids" Jonathan and Tonya! Their son was sleeping peacefully in the stroller beside the sandbox.

Our family on June 24, 2008.

Evan with Grandma and Pappy at the park. We had a picnic lunch on Evan's birthday and then played on the swings!

Baby Tyler completely oblivious to the world around him! Such a Sweetheart!

Tyler and Evan watching their Daddies play horseshoes!

Dad looking on as Justin throws a ringer!