Jason

So, my kids got all the glory over the last couple of weeks. Thought I'd give a shout out to my main man...

• I knew I was going to marry him the first month we started dating.
• July 4, 1997: I watched fireworks with this boy I'd only recently met, but felt totally and completely at ease. He talked a lot about his family, and I knew there was no doubt I wanted to see this boy again. Immediately it was like we had known each other much longer than we did.
  
• Jason tells me the truth. We don't lie to each other. I don't think either of us could if we tried.
• The happiest times in my life have been with him.
• Jason accepts me for who I am. I know it can be frustrating for him at times, but his patience with my moodiness is immense.
• Jason is the best gift giver to me. He buys me things that I won't buy for myself regardless of cost.
• I loved, loved, loved my time with him in South Carolina. Because we only had each other when we moved there, our friendship grew beyond belief (and I thought we were pretty good friends when we were in GA). We bought our first home there and learned many things on our own. I remember sitting on our back porch with him on a Friday night talking about anything and everything. When we spent times at the lake with our "new" friends, we both knew it worked because we had each other. I can't explain what it was like. It was as if we were in a world all of our own. We hung out with many people and had plenty of visitors, but deep down, it was always just us--first the two of us, then the three of us. Although we like being near our family and friends again, I think there is a part of us that will always yearn for those times in Lexington.
• Jason makes our house better. He likes to improve our home. What I love best is he likes to do it on his own whether he's done it before or not (and whether or not I think he can do it)
  
• I love to watch Jason with the kids--especially the boys and even more so, Noah. He involves them in things that there is no way I would.
• Jason thinks I'm pretty. In fact, he tells me I'm beautiful, and it makes me feel like a princess every time he says it. He doesn't seem to mind that a tire has made its home in my mid-section or my boobs will be down to the ground by the time I'm done nursing a third child.
  
• In turn, I think Jason is one of most handsome men I have ever met. I still get butterflies like I did when we first started dating when I hear his Jeep pull up.
• Jason works very hard for us every day at his job, and he doesn't complain about it. He may complain about work, but he never mentions the stress of being the main provider for his family. It's a role he is good at--very good.
• He trusts me with our finances and never questions anything I do. I admire him for that.
• I love laughing with Jason more than anyone else in this world.
• Jason is better to me than I am to him.
  
• I have never seen anyone who can sleep like he does. I'm not saying this is something I love about him because he conveniently never hears the kids in the middle of the night. It's just a fact. :)
• His values match mine.
• He's a good dad. He really is good to Landon, Noah, and Lilah.
  
• I love that he lets Kasey sleep at the bottom of the bed under the covers even if it drives him crazy.
• I look forward to watching a father/daughter relationship develop with Lilah. He'll be good at it. That's just who he is.
• He has given me life's greatest gift--oh wait, he's given me three of them. Landon Charles Seabolt, Noah Baine Seabolt, and Lilah Anne Seabolt. That alone puts him at the top of my list.
  
• I know he misses the girl I used to be, and I only hope that he realizes she's always there. She's just tucked down under the mom and keeper of the household. She pops up every once in a while, and I love to see the smile in his eyes when she's come out to play. Don't give up on her, Jason. Don't ever give up on her.

I won't pretend that Jason is perfect. There are many days he makes me angry and irritated. However, I don't want anyone else. He's mine, and I like it that way. In late June of 1997, I was introduced to my best friend. The half that makes me whole. The man that I am in love with. The One.

This past summer when I was pregnant

Halloween 2003

Minutes after Landon was born.Jason with NoahSleeping with Lilah

Wish I had the time and energy to scan some old photos of us (pre-kids). I think I'll make that my next "to do" item. I love you, JBS!

Trust

Last night I was watching TV with Lilah in my arms. She was sleeping very soundly with no worries in the world. When I got ready to get up, I looked down at her and stared for a while. She was curled around my body, and the only thought that came to my head was "that's complete trust". How many people in this world can you fall into a deep sleep on? Not many. Although I trust many people in my life, there are only a very, very, very few who I would allow myself to fall completely asleep in their arms. Our children trust us with everything they have. Wow--what a responsibility. Wow-how lucky are we?

A Friday Photo Shoot

Hope

I did not vote for Barack Obama. He's a bit too liberal for me. However, I'm thankful for yesterday. I don't really care which man or woman would have been standing up there taking the oath of office to run this great nation of ours. What I care about is the hope and optimism it gave to this country. His words moved millions and made grown men weep. This country needed a fresh start, and I can only hope that he will be able to deliver on his promises and not disappoint those same people. Today I put aside my political views and pray for President Obama and this beautiful country that we live in. I ask God to give him the guidance that he will surely need over the next few years. I pray for his wife and children who no longer know normalcy. And finally, I pray for me and my fellow Americans that we can get through these tough times and become stronger and smarter on the other side.

Landon says it best whenever he sees an American flag flying high on someone's home or a business. "Hey, they're for the USA, too!". God Bless America!

Lilah

Something rare--a Seabolt girl!

Lilah Anne Seabolt

Born November 25, 2008

I will never forget the day we were told that we were having a girl-June 24, 2008. I tried to remain somewhat calm when the ultrasound tech told us the sex; however, when I went into the restroom afterwards, I cried some very happy tears. A girl. I was going to have a girl. I never realized I wanted a girl so badly until I was told I would have one.

I will also never forget the first phone call I made when I got to my car. I called my dad. My mom is always the first to get the calls from us, so I decided this one was going to him.

Lisa: Hi Dad! Do you think you can handle another granddaughter?
Dad: Are you shittin' me?
Lisa: No, Dad. We're having a baby girl.
At this point, it got a little quiet as we both starting crying. I love my sappy Dad! Happy day!

That day we also learned that our baby girl had cysts on her brain which is a sign of trisomy 18. Prayers were said by many, and God listened. After a quick but painful labor, Lilah Anne came out as healthy as can be. Still to this day, I am overwhelmed by her perfection. She is healthy. God gave us a big, strong, healthy baby girl. I can't say that enough.

Because of my sweet Lilah, I get to show a girl how to put on make-up. I get to go shopping for a prom dress and one day a wedding dress. I get to calm a nervous boyfriend as he meets Lilah's father. I get to support a little girl when she decides to play sports or take dance classes. I get to take my daughter with me for a mani/pedi. I get to hold her after a heartbreak and talk her through things I've already been through (even though she won't believe for a minute that I know what she's going through). I get to encourage her to be a strong woman who can do whatever she sets her mind to. I get to see her fall in love with "the one" like I fell in love with her daddy. And hopefully one day, I will be able to hold my daughter's child.

Lilah's birth has ignited something in me. She makes me want to be a better person. Her arrival has made me want to give more than receive. I want to bring a smile to a stranger's face and warmth to a loved one's heart. I want to see the good in everyone. I want my children to see and feel the love that I have for them. I'm working on being the woman that deserves the blessings that God has given me. I'm working on being a person that Lilah can admire and look up to. I'm working on being better.

So there you have my three children. Landon who teaches me how to be a mom. Noah who brings out daily smiles and laughter, and Lilah, the child who makes me strive to be better. God knew what He was doing when He sent these angels my way.

Holding my baby girl not long after her arrival.

Daddy's little girl.

Meeting her brothers.

One of my favorite dresses so far.
Doing what she's done most the past 7 1/2 weeksSweet smiles making life so worth it!
Wherever these feet may take her, I hope they always know the way home.

I love you, pumpkin pie.

Lunchtime with Noah

This is what happened during lunch with Noah today. I was feeding Lilah in the living room while he was eating his lunch. I could tell that he was probably feeding Kasey, so I yell out "Kasey-out of the kitchen". She didn't move at all which is somewhat odd. She at least acts likes she's going to leave him alone. I get up to see what's going on, and I walk into spaghettios (sp?) all over Kasey's back. The pictures below don't do it justice as she had already gotten a lot of them off. This, my friends, is a day in the life of Noah. Sigh.

P.S. I know I still need to do a post on Lilah. I plan to do it when I have more time--hopefully this weekend. :)

A great way to start the day

While we were eating breakfast this morning, Landon looked over at me and said "you look pretty today, Mommy". What a great thing to hear from your 5 year old--especially when you didn't take a shower and you just had a t-shirt and jeans on.