Landon's Baby Dedication

Landon, your baby dedication was on February 8, 2015.  This was actually the second time we attempted to dedicate you. The first time we had to cancel the morning of because you were so sick.  Ginny, Katie, Uncle Lamar, Nana, and Puddin all came to watch you.  Eli got to go to big church and stand up there with us.

We know that your dedication doesn't save you, but Daddy and I promise to raise you in church and in a home that speaks truth and shows His love.  We promise you will grow up hearing the Word.  We pray there will be a day when you realize your sin and need for a Savior, and will call upon the Lord to save you.

This picture is my favorite.  Typical - Eli being loud and silly and Landon giving looks like what is going on!?  : )

Landon boy fell asleep at the start of the service.  Eli held your Bible you were given.

We love you, Landy!

Landon - 11 months

We've been so busy, Landon boy.  This post is so much later than I expected it to be, but better late than never.  In some ways it's been such a full year.  We've done so much and you have brought so much joy.  I'm getting nostalgic I guess with your first birthday coming up.  I can remember this time last year so vividly as we were counting down the days to your arrival.  You bring all of us so much joy and your smile just floods our hearts.  We love you, Landy!

Firsts: Babies III at school, Jones family party

News headlines:  Gas is about $1.89-1.99/gallon, the Patriots beat the SeaHawks 28-24 in the SuperBowl, Paris terror attacks

Milestones: you give high-fives, wave bye-bye, put your head down on my shoulder if I say "awww", you are climbing, standing for long periods of time with no assistance, and are walking while holding on to things.

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, some size 9-12 mths, but mostly 12 mth, clothes, about 18 lbs and 28-29" long

Like Mommy: We have a cranky/grouchy side.

Like Daddy: Blue eyes and smile.

Like Eli:  You are really into puzzles lately.

Favorite Toys: Puzzles, a Sesame Street toy, and your walker.

Sounds: Mama, dada, nana, bye bye, uh-oh

Challenges: You are really into picking up the toilet lid and letting it drop.  You're finger has gotten caught more than once.  You also like to splash in the water.  Gross.  Changing your diaper is also tricky.  You are like an escape artist.

Our Days: Bedtime is about 8:30 and I feed you as you fall asleep.  Some nights you sleep through the night.  Some nights you're up once.  You still feed once in the morning before school.  You eat breakfast and lunch at school, plus a banana for snack.   You usually have an after school snack with Eli when we get home around 4-4:30 and then Mommy feeds you and you nap about an hour before dinner.  You eat mostly all table foods and only take a bottle at bedtime.  You are using a cup at school all the time.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite- Listening to you talk and coo.  I love to hear your voice!  I also enjoy watching you and Eli interact together.

Daddy's favorite-Listening to you laugh in the car.  Eli talks to you and makes faces at you in the backseat and you adore him!

Nicknames: Landy, Landy-cakes (or Landon-cakes as Eli says), Landon/Landy boy

Upcoming Events: Your first Valentine's Day, your first birthday...wow!

January Reads

One of my New Year's resolutions was to read at least one book a month.  January I managed to squeeze two in.  Don't expect that every month.  I zipped through the first in between New Years and having to return to work.  It took the rest of the month to get through the second book on my phone every night.

First up was a book Wesley had given me for Christmas, Eleanor and Park.  The book is set in the 1980s, which makes for some fun little references, and tells the story of two awkward teens who develop an unlikely relationship.  I almost returned the book after the first chapter.  The language was so crude, but I'm glad I kept going.  The book's got great character development.  I don't want to give too much away, but it's a quick read so go get it.  I also heard that Dream Works is creating a movie based off of this book.

I downloaded The Essential 55 on my phone.  This was another quick read.  Honestly, I read this one because I wanted to see what all of the hype over Ron Clark was about.  I was a little letdown by the book.  I guess I was wanting to read more about what actually goes on in his lessons and in the classroom, not necessarily the rules.  I felt like there was no big game changer for me and how I approach my classroom (a lot of it was common sense), but I did enjoy the stories he told of coworkers and students:  inspiring and comical.  I would like to read his latest book though, and it's still on my bucket list to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.

I'm currently reading four other books right now.  Hopefully I'll be able to finish at least one of them in February.  What are you reading?

Donors Choose

Donors Choose is an awesome website where donors can partner with teachers and classrooms in education and choose projects to fund.  If you're looking to give, please consider helping my students!

Hi Friends,

I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed, so I just created a request for my classroom at DonorsChoose.org:

iNeed iPad for imPact

Give to my classroom by February 1, 2015 and your donation will be doubled thanks to DonorsChoose.org. Just enter the code SPARK on the payment page and you'll be matched dollar for dollar (up to $100).

If you chip in to help my students, you'll get awesome photos and our heartfelt thanks.

Thanks so much,
Rebecca

P.S. If you know anyone who may want to help my classroom, please pass this along!

Landy's Latest Trick

Landon has started shaking his head no when you do it or when you say to him, "no, no, no!".  He tilts his head down a little, as if he's being very bashful.  It's so cute.

All three of us have had so much fun getting Landy to show us his trick!

It reminded me a lot of when Eli learned this trick.  They were both about the same age.

Landon - 10 months

Landon boy, how is it that you are a mere 8 weeks away from being 1 year old?  You are the sweetest little guy and we love you so much!  You make us laugh and fill us with pride and joy.  2014 flew by.  You've made it the best year yet for us!

Firsts: Your first Christmas (it was perfect), first New Years, Auburn basketball game, taste of whole milk

News headlines:  Gas is the lowest it's been in years.  Currently, it's $2.09 here, though it's below $2/gallon in many parts of the country.  Auburn loses to Wisconsin in overtime at the Outback Bowl.  Alabama loses to Ohio State (first time a team from Alabama won't be playing for the National Championship since 2009).  Missing AirAsia flight vanished while flying from Surabaya to Singapore.

Milestones: You will start Babies III at school on Monday.  You have 7 teeth, but are a teething machine.  You have two more teeth on the bottom trying their best to cut through the gums.  You stand for moments at a time and walk while holding on to walkers, furniture, etc.  You are a climber for sure.  You try to climb the bookshelf.  You've figured out how to climb up on the fireplace.

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, size 9-12 mths clothes, about 18 lbs and 28" long

Like Mommy: We both love books.

Like Daddy: You are light sleepers.

Like Eli:  You love to make us laugh.  You are both such happy kids!

Favorite Toys: A small light-up basketball goal.  You also like to push Jam-mama's old stool around, and play in the kitchen drawers.

Sounds: You are a babbling machine!  You say "mama", "dada", "nana" (but not necessarily directed at the right people), sometimes "bye".  Your most common sound is "dah!" (whatever that means)

Challenges: You're becoming quite the little monkey.  You climb on everything!  We're also trying to pack a few more lbs on you.

Our Days: We're just coming off of Christmas break where basically anything went.  Mommy is going to be so, so sad to send you (and Eli) back to school.  I have loved every minute of this break.  I have tried to hold you and snuggle you as much as possible.  After all, babies don't keep!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite-Watching you shake your head no.  You tilt it slightly, as if you're being bashful.  It's adorable.  And of course being off work two weeks and spending all that time with all three of my boys.

Daddy's favorite-Watching you and Eli play on Christmas morning.

Nicknames: Landy, Landy-cakes (or Landon-cakes as Eli says), Landon/Landy boy

Upcoming Events: Back to school : (

Watch me grow!

You and brother side by side, 10 months old.

2015

As much as I love pulling out all of my fall decorations, and then all of the Christmas decorations, I love putting them up even more.  I function best when things are clean and organized, and the clutter is minimal.

I don't really like the word "resolutions".  I prefer to have goals.

We talked about resolutions and made goals together.

Rebecca:

*Read at least one book a month.  I don't do much of anything for myself these days.  It's usually all for the boys or for my school kids.  I love to read.  I certainly don't have a shortage of books to read.  It's really more about making the time for myself.

*Exercise more often.  Always a goal.  Finish losing baby weight.

*Blog more.  2014 was better than 2013, but until December, I was struggling.  Looking back on my old blogs and pictures is something we love to do.  So, I will be more consistent.

*And of course, be more intentional with my time with the Lord.

Wesley:

*Be all here when I'm home.  Put the phone away to spend time with family.

Eli:

*Pick up his toys after he's done playing with them.

(We gave him a list of several things to get better at this year, and this is the one he chose.)

Landon:

*I made a goal for Landy.  It's to gain weight.  (The complete opposite of mine.)

As a family, we choose a verse for 2015.  We wanted something we could pray together for the year, and that we could memorize.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

We asked Eli some good deeds he could do to let his light shine for Jesus.  Here's what he came up with:

*singing (He clarified with the B-I-B-L-E and Noah Built the Ark)

*obeying Mommy and Daddy Grandmama and Grandaddy (I think he meant Nana/Puddin' and Ginny/Pops, because this led to an in-depth discussion on who was who's parents).

I think that's a good start for a four year old.

Here's to 2015 and letting our light shine!