Let's Get Down to Business

Many may know that my sweet husband recently started his own business.  This has been his dream since college and I'm so proud of him for just going for it!  He is an official registered LLC and has a tax ID and all....it's the real deal.

So while he's the designer, the owner, the design director, the art director, and the money maker....he considers this to be our business.  One day I'll stay home (to raise the babies and such) and to do some of the business side of things.  See, Matt hates numbers.  His brain doesn't really know what to do with them unless they're related to some geometric shape.  And I love them!  So I have been taking care of the bills and other financial things in our marriage (just on paper...not like I'm in charge or anything).  So eventually I'll take care of the business finances as well.

Recently, he asked me what I wanted my title to be in the business.  Like on paper, officially...

I've never thought of myself having any other title besides momma or retired fashion designer (that's what I call myself when people ask me if I used my college degree...)

These are some of the titles I came up with off the top of my head:

Queen

Queen Dictator

Executive President

Master of all things

Director of Purchasing

Queen of Purchasing (this one is my favorite)

 

Matt didn't think I was taking it seriously.  Oh, I was.  Queen of Purchasing is a viable option I think?!

Anyway....I'm not sure what he's decided on.  I think Director of Operations?

Whatever my title...I'm so proud of Matt for getting Metagramme off the ground and making his dream come true.  There is no greater satisfaction as a wife than to see my husband succeed!

On a selfish note, I love having him home all the time!  He is truly my best friend.  I only work two days a week so we get to see so much of each other...and he gets to see so much of Graham.

Plus...when Graham goes down for a nap, I can go for a run if I want to.

Queen of Purchasing....has a nice ring to it....

30 on the 26th

Happy Birthday Matt!

Matt's Birthday was this past Tuesday. We celebrated by going to lunch at this breakfast/lunch place, First Watch. I don't need to tell you that we love breakfast food and could eat it all day long. We battled a bad cold (as in all 3 of us got it in some form) all weekend and we were so glad to be feeling better enough to brave the land of the living. Anyway, little Graham enjoyed gnawing on a set of keys we made for him as well as going through several of the paper coasters, while Matt and I enjoyed some brunchy food. Yum.

The family celebration was a Sunday lunch at the Steel's. As usual, the birthday person chose the meal and Matt's taste buds were right on. We had filet mignon, grilled veggies, salad and bread. Oh, and blackberry cobbler for dessert. It was delish!

This is a big birthday year for my Matt... he's... wait for it... 30.  That's right. I like to joke with him that he's soooo old.  He's not, and he doesn't mind my kidding him.  

Here is a fun list of 30 fun things about Matt...

1. He started his own design business, Metagramme, and so far he's doing great!

2. He hates to get up early...I mean hates.  And by early, I mean any time before 8:30.

3. I love watching him become a better father every day.

4. Sometimes he sleeps in socks.  Like last night.

5. He loves surfing.....and may well up if he thinks about his lack of surfing in our marriage.

6. He loves to make people laugh but is quiet in crowds.

7. He recently made the switch from 1% to skim milk at my insistence that skim is just better.  He said that he could taste the goodness of the extra percent.

8. Sam Adams Lite is his favorite beer.

9. He picked up pipe smoking in the last year and loves it.  I also think he smells oh so good after smoking it....

10. He loves to read.

11. He loves to read to me.

12. He thinks I watch too much TV.

13. He doesn't believe me that he's wrong about #12.

14. He loves hot sauce.  Loves it.

15. One wouldn't know it for our small yard, but he loves  to work in the yard.  It's pretty sad that mowing ours takes 20 minutes.

16. He has a lead foot.

17. He picks out cars based on their ability to look good with surfboards on top.

18. He hates to read my blog because I put two spaces after a period.  I was taught this in all years of school but he insists that the standard was changed.

19. He sleeps like a dead man.

20. He loves to grill.

21. He loves to sit under his dad's preaching.

22. Cards are very important to him (like for Birthdays, anniversaries and such)

23. He loves picking out cards for other people but *usually* waits until the absolute last minute before going to get one.  That's right, he's one of those guys picking through the scraps at 5:30 on Valentine's Day night.

24. He loves and respects his parents so much.

25. Leather Reef flip flops are his favorite.

26. He goes walking with me even though he doesn't see it so much as *exercise* like I do.

27. He scratches my back almost every night.  And also rubs my feet....he thinks I have a tactile disorder.

28. He loves me and tells me every day.

29. Almost every joint in his body cracks at any time.

30. He loves the Lord and spends time with Him and in the Word every day.

 

Hope y'all learn something fun about my Matt.  Here are some other pictures of our First Watch lunch...

Hope you had a happy birthday Matt.  We are so happy to spend another year celebrating you!

 

just one more thing I over-eat...

This fruit dip rocks.  Seriously.  

After reading this, go to the store straight away and make some, you won't regret it.

 

The Best Fruit Dip in the World: (it's the technical name)

- One small container of Light Cool Whip

- One small container of Light Vanilla Yogurt

- One box of the fat free, sugar free pudding powder - Cheesecake flavor

 

Mix it all together, let it sit in the fridge for a little to set (though I can't wait so I skip this step), and enjoy!

My favorite fruits to dip are: Strawberries, Pineapple, Banana, Apple......probably any will work but judges have ruled that the strawberries are the best.

Hope y'all enjoy it as much as me because I need someone to share in my addiction to this treasure.

Mother's Day

I know that this is technically my second Mother's Day...but it's so different.  Last year I was still newly pregnant and not even feeling my little baby move yet.  It didn't feel real.  I had no idea what to expect.  I did not feel yet like a mother. 

Then our little baby grew, he kicked, he squirmed, he poked....he filled my belly.  He was born.  It was intense, painful, wonderful and beautiful...I felt like a mother.  Holding my little baby was so surreal.  I cannot explain the overwhelming love and wonder in my Creator. 

Motherhood is different.   I feel as though I am doing what I was created to do, I love it!  It is hard, it is tiring, it is overwhelming at times.... but the holding, the cuddling, the nursing all give me a tingle of purpose.  This is what I'm supposed to be doing. 

With every day that passes my little baby grows and will continue to grow and challenge me in being his mother.  We will hopefully have more children...which will stretch me more as a mother.  But He who has brought me this far will sustain me.  He will give me strength.  He will guide and direct my paths.  And I'm not alone, I have a wonderful husband sharing this journey!  I am so thankful to first be a wife, then a mother. 

I know that I have such little experience in the "mom" department in the grand scheme of life.  This has given me such a new perspective and respect for my own mom.  My little Graham is still in arms.  He still loves to be held, for me to nurse him, for me to smile at him and always be near him.  The day will come when he wants "down".  He wants to run free...and with my approval.  While I look forward to seeing him grow up, I do not wish it too quickly!  God has, in His sovereignty, given Matt and me this little child of His for a time...and we are to raise him in the nurture of the Spirit.  We pray that we get to see him grow up serving his Lord and claim the Spirit for himself.  But not  yet....he is still my baby.

Thank you momma for your example of faith, for your love, for your little nudges as I grew up.  For your support as I entered into the "mom club".  I still seek your approval....as I'm sure I always will.  I know that the journey of motherhood is not easy, it is not quick.  And I am so blessed to have an example still before me. 

On this my second Mother's Day I am thankful.  But I also pray that I have many more of these....many more days to examine my heart.  May the path of my mothering be one full of faith and joy in my Savior! 

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:4-7

7 months

daddy love

babies x 7

I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by a group of strong Christian new mommies these days.  On a semi *daily* basis I bet I call one if not six of them.  When one baby has a bad night or is being cranky we can always encourage each other since the babies range from 9 months down.  I know as I transitioned into mom-ville I had no idea what to expect - I thought I did, but oohhh was I short sighted.  These other women (I rarely use that word because I think it makes us sound old) are like my life line now.  There is only so much my dear Matt can handle when it comes to all of the *thousands* of things that run, race through my head all day.  These other mommies usually can relate!  Plus, while we catch up or ask what is usually not a silly question about the color of our baby's spit up and what not, the babies can all play (or cry) together!  

This last week was the first baby party post winter cold season.  It was sooo good to see everyone and how much the babies have all changed!  There are some mommy and baby pairs that are missing from this picture (but as soon as school is out they'll be joining us!).  But how amazing to get 7 babies all awake and happy at the same time.... wow.

The babies are oldest to youngest from left to right. *hardest picture ever.

Blaise (9m), Meredith (8 1/2m), Parker (8m), Graham (7m), Austin (7m), Will (6 1/2m), and Nora (5weeks).

Sooooo cute!

she's never very far

Mable is always close...just out of his reach.

The blur in Graham's hand is an apple wedge.  He loves to gum on them these days!

can't get enough...