It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!

Today we got to celebrate Langston turning a year old with family and friends!!  When planning this party I found other websites that helped me out, so I thought I could share how this party came together and also some of the party itself!

First, deciding on a theme was the first decision.  I knew I wanted to go with the color red because it's his favorite, but I'm not initially a "theme" person.  So, after much debate within myself I thought "Red Wagons" would be a great tie in to the color red and appropriate for a 1 year old!

Next, I had to decide on who and how to invite.  I decided that we could handle doing friends and family, but I saved some cost by just creating an event on Facebook (I mean, we are 21st century America, right?).

We decided to have the party at home for different reasons, but mainly it was to have Langston in an environment he was used to.  It also comes in handy when you are planning on your child getting covered in icing or going down for a nap.

My friend, Amy, offered to make the "Happy Birthday" banner for the wall, the "Langston" banner for the high chair, and a poster! It all added the perfect touch to the party!

Next, I wanted to have something special for Langston to wear.  Our friend, Liz, has an Etsy shop <DesperateHousemoms> and she can make a shirt with just about anything you want on it, so we ordered a Red Wagon shirt with his name and a "1" in the wagon! Very cute and we got to use it for his one year old pictures as well!

Also, on Etsy <Little Mavens> I found cupcake toppers and favor tags that fit the Red Wagon theme perfectly! Our friend, Pam, made the cupcakes for us!  We had yellow cake with red frosting (eggless because one of our guests as an allergy....you want to take those things into consideration) and red velvet cake with white icing!  Both were so delicious!!  I highly recommend having someone make the cupcakes and cake for you.  There are so many other things to take care of when hosting at home, that you don't want the added pressure of baking (or at least I didn't).

Here was the menu I came up with that was friendly to young children and adults:

• mini corn dogs w/ mustard and ketchup
• fruit kabobs and fruit dip
• pretzels
• cheese and crackers
• soda and fruit punch

Langston's "smash" cake was made by yet another good friend, Tiffany.  I have seen so many cute pictures of kids getting into eating the cake and covered in icing.  They look so happy to have sugar and be covered in cake!  That is not how Langston reacted!  He was so very ready for a nap by the time we got to the cake and I don't think he liked all the excitement, but I guess unhappy, crying photos make for good memories too!

I requested that people wear red to go with the theme, and most complied and it was really neat to look up from opening presents and see a sea of red!  I appreciate people doing that!  I also appreciate all the gifts that were given!  It probably means that we will have to pair down and get rid of some other things!  He got a lot of things that we can use for outside, which I am excited to use this summer!

Overall, the party was a great success!  Our child is very blessed with people who love him and our family!  Jeremy and I are blessed to be able to provide and celebrate our child in such a way!  I know the 1st birthday is more for the parents, but I hope when Langston looks back on pictures and the video, he knows how much he is loved and see people having fun!

Happy Birthday to You!

If we didn't have birthdays,

you wouldn't be you,

If you'd never been born,

well then what would you do?

If you'd never been born,

well then what would you be?

You migh be a fish!

Or a toad in a tree!

You might be a doorknob!

Or three baked potatoes!

You might be a bag full of

hard green tomatoes.

Or worse than all that...

Why, you might be a WASN'T!

A Wasn't has no fun at all.

No, he doesn't.

A Wasn't just isn't. He just

isn't present. But you...

You ARE YOU!

And, now isn't that pleasant!

-Dr. Seuss

Dear Langston,

You are a year old today! You have been such a blessing to your daddy and me! On the day you were born we could not have known how much more we would enjoy life with you.

You have changed and developed so much over the past year....up until you were 3 months old you mainly slept and ate. The only reason you fussed would be either you were hungry or needed your diaper changed. And even then, your daddy described your cry as "apologetic" as if you were sorry to bother us. 

At 3 months we let you start sleeping in your crib at night in your own room. Mommy slept in there with you for the first few nights, but you easily adjusted. Your personality started showing through and you would start giggling and laughing when something struck you as funny! 

I went back to work when you were 4 1/2 months old and daddy got to stay home with you! Since mommy was coaching volleyball you got to come to the gym and watch games and visit with the parents of the players! Again, you handled this with ease! All the girls and the parents loved hanging out with you! Your sweet demeanor was easy to love. Some of the parents kept joking with us that we should get your hair cut, but we didn't relent...until later! I love that if mommy and daddy were working we could leave you with friends and they would always say how good you were! At church we could sit you in your Bumbo and you would play. 

Around 6 months old you really got the hang of rolling over. We quickly learned that we could not leave you on the bed by yourself. At that point, we could at least build up pillows around you to keep you from getting to the edge of the bed or couch. Then around 8 months you could sit up on your own. Also, this is when we finally gave in and got you your first haircut! We were in DeFuniak for Christmas and we went to a restaurant and on the way out someone said, "oh, look at all HER hair...."  and mommy told daddy we were going right then! You were so cute!! Somewhere along this time you started cutting teeth!  Currently you are up to 6!

I think the haircut really helped motivate you to crawl. I think it was because you could finally see everything! So, around 9 1/2 months you became truly mobile and started crawling!! You started getting into everything and searching and investigating! At this age you became more fussy because you just wanted to know what was going on at all times! You started fighting sleep and fighting sitting still at church and other places. 

From 10 months until now, you really have just blossomed.  You fuss and scream more (when you don't get your way) and you still don't want to sit still or go to sleep.  However, you are so smart!  You take things apart and try to put them together again.  You try to put your foot in your shoes.  You like to put a spoon in the baby food and then put it to your mouth!  You can pick up some foods and feed yourself.  You clap and laugh when we say "Yay!"  You wave goodbye and give us hugs and kisses when we ask. You love to take walks or swing outside. You absolutely love music and the color red!

Earlier this week, you took your first two steps without holding on to anything or anyone.  I know this is just the beginning of many new adventures! I admit that I am nervous (maybe a little scared) of the next few years when you are testing the boundaries and show that strong will!

This year has gone by so fast and you have done so many new things!  You are truly so sweet and kind spirited and all boy!  Ever since you were born I have thought that you are meant to do great things and bring happiness to the lives of many people! 

We love you with all our heart! Happy 1st Birthday Langston!

Mommy and Daddy



Prayers for Langston....

Last night, as I was casually scrolling Facebook, one of my "Friends" (who will be blocked) posted a graphic picture of a certain type of child abuse.  That is something you just cannot "unsee".....so, when I heard Langston stir after that, I rushed in to hold him and comfort him.  Then I sat on the couch weeping beside Jeremy....

Maybe I am naive.  Maybe I am wrong for not wanting to see pictures of that nature.  I am a teacher so I know that child abuse is real and happens in all sorts of households and in all sorts of ways. I am grateful for police officers, EMTs, social workers, counselors, etc, etc, who go into these houses and see abuse and do what they are able to help. As teachers, it is our duty to report any suspicious behavior or physical evidence, and I will take that seriously.

However, last night it made me sad and then angry.  When I hold and comfort Langston, I am overwhelmed by love and realize I have so many prayers inside of me on his behalf....

I pray, that when the time comes, he realizes his need to come in contact with the blood of Christ and then faithfully serves the Lord.....

I pray that he will value hard work....

I pray that he will be healthy and lives a healthy lifestyle....

I pray that when he makes mistakes, he will learn from them, whether that is with a math problem or relationships....

I pray that when someone hurts him, he is willing to forgive....

I pray that he does not seek to hurt others....

I pray that he finds something that he loves to do and finds a way to use that to provide for himself and maybe his family....

I pray that he will be comfortable in a crowd....

I pray that he will be comfortable alone, with a good book....

I pray that he finds good friends to surround himself with, that will encourage and support him in his Christian life, and that he can support and encourage them....

I pray that he recognizes his talents and seeks to honor the Lord with them....

I pray that he respects himself and others....

I pray, that when he is ready, finds a wife that will help get him and their family to heaven and treats him with respect....

I pray, that when he is ready, he is a husband who is a spiritual leader and treats his wife with respect...

I pray that he never experiences emotional or physical abuse, but is able to sympathize with those that are....

I pray he portrays a quiet confidence...

I pray that he craves knowledge and education....

I pray that he is loyal...

I pray that he is generous with his time and money...

I pray that when faced with adversity, he stays true to his faith...

I pray that when this life ends, he hears "Well done, good and faithful servant."

"It ain't about how hard ya hit...."

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” –Rocky Balboa

Every good blog post should start with a Rocky Balboa quote!  (If you didn't know, those are my favorite movies! True story!)

I have always loved watching or playing sports. Rachel Thomas, 6'2 basketball player at Walton High was my hero as a young girl. It's what I did with my dad. We would go watch games all over the county. Play outside on the carport or yard.

I've mentioned before that I coach two sports.  This year it's been volleyball and softball.  Over the past 8 years of teaching, it's either been just volleyball, volleyball and basketball, or volleyball and softball.  I had absolutely no interest in being a coach 8 years ago when I started teaching.  But, when Mr. Hughes calls you into his office and asks you to coach basketball and volleyball your first year of teaching, you reply with a definite, "Yes! Of course!"  After my 5th year, I had decided to take a break from coaching and work on my Master's, but I met Jeremy in March of that year, fell in love, and it just so happened to work out that Demopolis High School needed a volleyball coach.  So, here I am, 8 years later, still coaching. 

I have noticed more and more parallels between life and sports the older I've grown.  As Americans, we are bombarded with sports and I cannot understand why we can understand the "rules" of sports and not take lessons from them and apply to our life.  You don't have to be a super athlete or even like sports to see the lessons.

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” –Babe Ruth

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” –Babe Ruth

You don't quit just because you fail one time (or twice, or three times, etc).  How many professional baseball players do you know of that bat .1000 or pitchers who have never walked or hit a batter? How many basketball players miss their shots?  How many running backs have dropped a football?  Nobody is perfect.  Get used to it.  You can be good, great even, at something and not be perfect.  I'm a decent cook when I do cook, but sometimes the bread gets burnt or the noodles overcooked.  I can't just give up cooking altogether. 

“It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. It took one afternoon on the golf course.” –Hank Aaron

Every sport is not for everyone.  Yes, you have athletes like Bo Jackson, who are superior at 3 different sports, but he would probably stink at hockey.  We probably all suffer from this in our normal lives, but sometimes we have to accept that someone is better than us at something.  It doesn't mean that what we offer isn't good as well.  For instance, Jeremy is not good at hanging pictures in our house, but he can lift and move heavy furniture when I want to change things up.  In the church, there are people who can get up and deliver a lesson in front of an audience and those who are really great at sending cards to invite and encourage others.  We all have gifts or talents.  Which leads me to the next point...

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” –Phil Jackson

At school, every teacher is an important member of the faculty.  We cannot do our job without the help of each other.  One teacher cannot do the job of all.  When you play softball, there are 9 players on the field, in basketball there are 5 team members on the court, and in volleyball there are 6 on each side.  One person does not win or lose the game.  Whether it's on a team or in a family, you all have to contribute your very best for there to be success.  There's also a lesson to be learned at who you choose to be your teammates through life.  Jeremy often says, "Good job, Team Smith!" when we have accomplished something together.  Who you surround yourself with in life will affect you either negatively or positively.  And, as a coach, sometime you may have to cut the best ___________ (whatever) from the team because they aren't a team player or would only hurt the chemistry of the team.

“Many people say I’m the best women’s soccer player in the world. I don’t think so. And because of that, someday I just might be.” –Mia Hamm

You can always find some way to better yourself.  I heard someone say recently that there's only 1 person in the world "the best" at anything.  For instance, there's only one person who can speak French "the best" or play the piano "the best," etc.  A lot of times, that is just an opinion anyway.  The point is, just when we are feeling like we've reached the top of a certain ability, you probably need to start challenging yourself more.  Also, I would like to mention if your "best years" are in high school, I feel sorry for you.  The happiest people, I think, are those content at the stage they are at, and look for ways to become a better person.

“That’s what I like about sports. No matter if everyone playing the game speaks completely different languages, on the field, or the court, wherever they are playing, the language of moves and passes and scores is all the same. Universal.” –Rachel Cohn

Universal.  I mentioned Americans, but all over the world people play some types of sport.  Hence, the Olympics.  I think this parallels to Christianity and the church in life.  Christ did not discriminate against certain ages, races, genders, etc.  The Bible talks about salvation being for "Jews, Greeks, rich, poor, slave, free" and we should act accordingly.  If we allow anyone to play a sport (something that is temporal and in the grand scheme, unimportant), why wouldn't we want anyone to be part of the body of Christ, the church.  Coaches spend so much time getting players recruited to colleges and professional leagues, shouldn't Christians have more dedication to the cause of Christ?

“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” –William Arthur Ward

There will be tough times in life; break ups, economic trouble, unfair treatment, unforseen tragedies, sickness, etc.  It is your faith and attitude that will bring you through. 

“Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” –Lou Holtz

There were always people in school that were smarter than me and made better grades than me, etc.  Then there were those people in school who also were smarter than me but I had better grades.  What's the difference?  Not to brag, but in school I just had more self-discipline than others who were, on paper, smarter than me.  That just means I studied my butt off when I needed to do well on a test.  There are athletes that aren't necessarily more talented, but they have the self-discipline to work hard and get better so they surpass others with more talent. 

“football is like life-it requires perserverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.” –Vince Lombardi Jr.

You could replace football with any other sport and it would still be true.  And who would dare claim that any of the qualities/characteristics aren't useful in life?  Also, being prepared is important in sports.  You don't go into a game without practicing, so you shouldn't go into adulthood without learning and practicing some basic skills.  Just like when you are down 4-2 in the last inning of a elimination game and it comes down to the next 3 batters, sure they could rally back and get enough runs to win, but not making errors early in the game might've prevented you being put in a "do or die" situation.  When you can't figure out why your checkbook won't balance, you may wish you paid a little more attention in math. 

The hardest days during the school year are the days after I post who made my volleyball, basketball, or softball team.  I know that for that day, I am the most hated person at the school.  I am the person who makes girls cry when all they wanted was to be part of a group.  I always pray that maybe, just maybe, the girls who don't make it will either go home over the next year and get better and prove me wrong the next year, or find another group to be part of.  I also pray that the girls who do make the team become better people and players over the course of a season.  I wish that every young person had an adult who would teach and guide them through these difficult lessons.  All I can control, however, are those young people that I come in contact with. 

Things they DO NOT warn you about!

Jeremy and I had this thought as we were eating lunch today at Cracker Barrel in Tuscaloosa...

"There are just some things people can NOT prepare you for during the first year of having a baby!"

That got me thinking over all the things that have happened, and will continue to happen, that people don't warn you about or you just cannot be prepared for....

1. POOP!!  Your life during the first year really revolves around poop (or bowel movements, or "#2").  First comes the diapers right after they're born whose texture can only be described as "motor oil." Speaking of texture, there are at least four I know of, and it all depends on what they are eating.  The two really fun ones are the "GAAAHHHH!!! It's all up his back!!" type and the "OH POOR THING! I have to help you pass it!" type (yeah, this is not for the faint of heart)! There are times when your child will go days without pooping and so you will do anything (I mean liquid suppository ANYTHING) to help them out!  And, when they finally get over that and have some consistency, poopie is celebrated!! Because what you do know is that a poopie diaper means a healthy baby and that is always good news! Oh, did I mention the smell?!  Especially going from breastmilk to formula, or adding solid foods, there are times when it's like something has crawled up and died!!

2. Running Errands.....There is no, "Oh, I'll just run to the bank, post office, and stop by Wal-Mart for some toilet paper.  Won't take more than 30 minutes."  No!  It's a full-on, tactical plan about what to pack in the diaper bag and how many stops have a drive-through so you don't have to either a) lug the carseat in and out or b) remove baby/toddler from the seat 5 different times.  When the fridge and cupboards are bare, the trip to Wal-Mart should be by yourself, because there is no room for groceries when you have a child still in a carseat.  It does get better when they can sit in the seat up front, but heaven knows stopping in the middle of shopping to change one of those "GAAAHHHH!!! It's all up his back!!" types of diapers is not fun in public.

3.  "Agoraphobia"-The fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places. Fear of leaving a safe place....I think all parents suffer from this disease at least for the first four or five years.  When they are a baby, you wonder if there will be a sick person who will cough or sneeze within 500 feet (which is a legitimate concern in some cases).  Then, they become mobile and can't sit still or stay quiet.  That's when you start feeling "looks" out in public.  At church, sometimes no matter how many "soft books" or "quiet" toys you bring, they just don't want to sit still or they are fighting sleep so they keep talking to stay awake.  Thank goodness for training rooms or nurseries so you can go have your child scream and fight in peace.  In restaurants, they can finally sit in a high chair and eat their baby food, but you can't keep him from turning around every 5 seconds to look around and he may even put his hand on the back of a nice man's shirt.  His hand may or may not have baby food on it....and if he's not eating, he's throwing toys you've brought into the floor or reaching for your food or KNIFE!  I can only imagine how this Agoraphobia flares when you actually have to discipline your child in public....

4.  Personal time with your spouse-  Ummmm, what time?  All I can say, is when Jeremy and I do have time together without Langston, our "dirty talk" includes, "Guess what?  We can go to bed and....sleep!" :-)  Seriously though, even though it's very difficult to find, time to reconnect with your spouse is uber important to staying sane through these years.

5.  Zzzzzzz's- Sleep is a priceless commodity the first year.  People did warn us about this, but this falls under the category of you can not adequately prepare.  If you are breastfeeding, the getting up during the night falls on you obviously, so you have to really let others help you during the day when possible.  But, when you get to the point where it's possible to alternate nights, that eases some of the pain.  And just when you think you have a good routine going and they might even be sleeping 10 hours straight, something changes and messes all that up!  Either they have a growth spurt, start teething, or you've changed or added to their diet.  And the worst thing you can do is compare to other kids because there will always be someone at work telling you how their child is sleeping so well.  

6.  Personal care- I look at some women who are mothers and they have their hair perfectly straightened and fixed, makeup done, cute clothes coordinated with their accessories, and I look down and I realize that my zipper to my worn in jeans is down and my oversized shirt has spit up and baby food on it.  My hair is pulled into a pony tail because Langston likes to pull it, and makeup?  Who has time for that?  I know I am harder on myself and others probably don't see some of those things (thanks Mrs. Brock for telling me about my zipper though), but I really feel like I look worn down sometimes. That's something I have to work on, finding time to do things that will make me feel better about my "mom" body.  

Even though I am totally serious about all these things, it is ALL worth it!!  You can NOT be prepared for how good and fun life is with a baby/toddler.  Watching Langston learn and grow over the past year has been humbling!  Seeing his sweet, funny personality start shining through is such a pleasure to watch.  People warn you about how fast time goes with a baby and they are not lying!  At first, they just lay there and then you start wondering when they'll roll over, and then when he's rolling over, you start wondering when he'll start crawling, and then when he's doing that, you wonder when he'll start walking....it never ends!  Again, comparing to other kids is the worst thing you can do!

There will be many mistakes made by yours truly over the next few years when it comes to raising Langston.  I will not always know what to do or how to handle his stubbornness.  I will become exasperated at times and not always look put together, but I will always strive to do my best.  I will love and cherish every laughable moment with he and Jeremy on this crazy adventure called "parenting!"