...six...

Un-be-lievable. My boy is six months old today. He is half a year old. What?! And...the boy who decided to come late into the world...is trying to grow up...too fast!!! He has grown so much in the past month...changed a ton. His personality is coming out, too- and he is a funny little dood! I just love him to pieces! Let's see...Jude:

*has 5 teeth now- 3 on the bottom and two coming in on top...
*shakes his head at his daddy whenever his daddy whistles...
*rolls over from his tummy to back...
*and back to tummy- if i hold his butt up for him!
*grabs and attacks everything!!!
*drinks from a sippy cup...
*eats ALL kinds of solids, but hates squash (who can blame him!!!)
*has a wonderful bedtime routine and now can sleep on his own w/o being rocked (but I cheat and rock him sometimes!!!)
*sits up (which he's been doing for a while...but he doesn't fall over anymore....)
*has a "bigboy" carseat...
*has outgrown (in length) his swing...
*bounces in his bouncer like a crazy boy (except that he hates it after coming back from TN)...
*watches cartoons w/ mommy (I know...mommy of the year award...)
*has an incredibly LOUD and high pitched squeal...
*plays on his own...
*makes himSELF laugh- (what the heck?! I still can't seem to get him to laugh!!!)
*smiles and flails his arms when he sees me in the morning or when daddy comes home from work...
*grabs and pulls your face off- it hurts...and he doesn't seem to understand when I explain "that hurts mommy..."
*reaches for his friends (and sometimes, that includes pulling their face off too- poor Riley!!!)
*bathes in the "bigboy" bath seat instead of the lil tub...

Ugh! I always feel like I go blank when I'm writing these lists!!! There are so so so many other fun things that Jude is doing...I just can't think of them all right now! Maybe b/c I'm really tired...hmmm. Regardless- he is just the light of my life....I'm so blessed to have such an amazing son- and to raise him with such an amazing husband....I could not ask for more...


Dear Jesus,
While I am a selfish and whiny and undeserving woman- you have blessed me with such a precious gift. Thank you for trusting me to be Jude's mommy...and thank you for the partnership that I have with Derrick in this life. Please help Derrick and I to be a light and example to Jude. Give us wisdom and patience. Help me to always remember that his little life is in Your hands...I know that he is on loan to me in this world...I promise to take good care of him. I pray that Jude will grow to know You and serve You. I pray that he will live a life that is pleasing to You. Thank you, Lord...for my son.


PS- Yes...his shirt does say "Future Ivy League Student"...his halmoni would be proud!!!

...TN...

Besides Disneyland...Tennessee is by far, Derrick and I's favorite vacation spot. Shortly after we were married, Derrick's grandparents moved to Cleveland, TN. We've been visiting them every year since 2005. Derrick and I always look forward to sitting on their back porch, sippin' on some sweet tea, listening to the same stories...year after year. It's one of those vacations where you don't plan anything...but to sleep in, eat good food, and relax. It's always hard to leave, but you always look forward to going back.... We didn't think we'd get to go this year. We'd made it a "tradition" to go during the 4th of July holidays...but since I had just had Jude a couple months before, Derrick and I thought it wise to wait....then we didn't think we'd afford it....but God is good, so we made it! We HAD to go! Not so much b/c it's relaxing....but b/c we needed to introduce Jude to his Great Grandparents (Jude is blessed to have both sets of GG's from his daddy's side and one from my side)...

So. In order for me to NOT write an entire page worth of fun....here are the highlights:

*Jude's first plane ride: First of all- whoever booked a 6am departure (cough cough, Derrick)- not cool. Making momma wake up her boy at 4am to drive across town and wait in a noisy airport is just mean! :) But I'm telling you- Jude is close to the perfect child- although he woke up 4 hours early AND didn't really go back to sleep- he did great! He took the plane ride like a champ! We had a layover in Dallas....did great then too- and slept the whole 2nd plane ride until we landed in Chattanooga!

* Logan's Roadhouse: They opened one of these at 1-17 and Happy Valley...but for some reason...it just doesn't taste as good as the one in TN! Gotta love the butter rolls- talk about FAT KIDS! Typically, I don't eat bread w/ dinner- maybe one roll...but usually not....yep- I probably had like 4 or 5....sigh. So much for losing 20lbs!

* McCain/Palin: I don't think I've EVER seen that many signs in front yards supporting one candidate! I was shocked when I saw an Obama sticker...he was like the lone duck! (Sidenote- I don't think I've ever watched as much CNN/FoxNEWS in my entire life- I almost had to throw myself down the hill)

* Jude: What a hit this kid is! I know it's part "down south" mentality....but I've never had so many people stop to tell me how adorable he is...and how well mannered he is (sadtimes- and how he must "eat well")... GG Logan ate him up! Derrick's Aunt Liz (Aunt Sissy to Jude) and Uncle Mark and Cousin Jordan visited often too! (Sidenote- only I get to call him fat...b/c he's really not...he can't help his big bones!)

* Knoxville: We went down to Knoxville one night to visit w/ some family friends (they've known Derrick's family since DLo was like a wee lad -lol and I've gotten to know them pretty well over the last 10 years)... It was McKalie's bday celebration at The Butcher Shop. It was a delicious dinner- and then fun times chattin' w/ Chelsea and her new hubby Steve (great guy, btw). The best part of the evening, however...was the trip up there! Knoxville is a little over an hour away from Cleveland. It took us over 2 hours to get there...b/c there was a BAD accident on the I-75 just about a mile in front of us. We were lucky b/c they blocked off the interstate- like four cars in front of us- and we had to exit. Everyone else was stuck...and it didn't look like they'd be moving ANY time soon (we heard shortly after on the radio that it was 2 big rigs that collided- there was a fire and a fatality...). So...sad part aside- the best part was...people were getting OUT of their cars and chatting on the freeway!!! ?! What?! You just don't do that in AZ...maybe b/c it's a thousand degrees and you might get shot? I dunno... But the BEST BEST part...was when we were on the off ramp (is that what they call it in TN?!)...we kinda pulled over a little to ask the officer the best way to get back to the I75 and on our way to Knoxville....LOL. My words will not do it justice... So. This guy...spits this big nasty brown goop from his mouth...shimmy's over to us...and yells... "The innerschtate's closed cayn't ya see?!" Laugh OUT Loud. Every fiber of my being, folks, to not BUST out laughing! Derrick even had to suppress a giggle as he explained that we were from out of town... it was then that I saw that his bottom lip was puffed out 10 times the size of a normal human beings...that I put 2 and 2 together that he had spit out his ta-backy earlier! (Do officers in AZ even smoke on duty?!) Comedy! So then after he gave us directions (which was equally as funny), Derrick and I were on our merry way- laughing the entire time...and referencing "cayn't ya see" after everything we said. It was great!

* WVHS Marching Band: Jordan, DLo's cousin, is a senior in HS this year....makes me want to vomit...since I've known him since he was like 8 years old. Anywho- he pretty much kicks butt at the trumpet....he's 1st chair (for you band nerds) in like EVERYthing he's in...which- he plays for various different things...orchestras or whatever. So...it was his last regular season marching band thing at the football game. It was Walker Valley High (his school) vs. Cleveland High (they're rival schools). WV is known for...losing. They're a young school...and I think Liz said they'd won...3 games this year??? LOL. Anywho- we sat on the Cleveland side (to watch the band during 1/2 time) and we kept screaming every time WV scored...which didn't sit too well w/ the Cleveland folks! Hey- I don't like sports...so if I'm going to have to watch, I'm going to have fun doing it! The best part of the night, besides WV winning....was Dancing Man. After the 1/2 time show, we went over to the WV side....there was this short lil guy just standing and cheering (ps- it was a very different environment at this football game than say...one in AZ)...I thought...my word- he is a little man (he wasn't a midget or anything...he just had...really short legs or something...it was amusing and remember, I need to find something fun to do at games...) so...I took a picture of him. Immediately afterwards....he starts DANCING! Laugh out loud! It was fantastic! Then he jumped down out of the stands to where the cheerleaders were...and started cheering w/ them....he even did the splits...TWICE. I about peed my pants! ...then I had guilt...b/c I thought maybe he was "special"...

* "Heyyyy Jude.....": LOL. Derrick's uncle has a very ...distinguished singing voice. He's not a bad singer...I wouldn't say...it's...more...a...chorale voice? (You have to have DLo do an impression...it's awesomeness) So...he kept randomly busting out w/ "Hey Juuuuude...don't make it bad......take a sad sooooong....and make it bet- teerrrr" at the top of his lungs....even at restaurants! Every fiber....every single fiber...not to even make a face...not to even flinch...to even hint at a smile...b/c if I woulda let myself acknowledge what was happening...it woulda been full on scream/laughing!!!

* Hair on your crack: I'm not even sure at this point what the original conversation was...but something made Derrick tell his grandma "something something heroin and crack"....and she says "Whhhat?!" So Derrick repeats...and his grandma says... "Hair on your cray-ack?!" We all about died... and that would be why I can't remember the original conversation!!!

* GG: It was so wonderful to watch DLo's grandparents w/ Jude. It was so awesome to hear Grandpa Logan say "There's papa's boy, there's papa's man!" everytime he walked into the room w/ Jude....and to see Jude's face light up! Or to watch Grandma Logan give Jude the tour of her house on her hoverround...waving to the other Great Grandma's with her Great Grandson in the mirrors...only to have Jude fall asleep.... It was very hard to take Jude away from them on Saturday afternoon.... I hope Jude knows how loved he is!

Well... of course there were a ton of other stuff...but these were just my highlights....Sorry that I made it a novel....like I tried not to! I cannot wait to go back again...It was so great to spend a week on that hill w/ people we love....I wish we lived closer.... Sigh!

Some pictures:

..."don't expect...

...nuh-sing- dat-ch yo' cku-rrisuh-mahsuh prezzant"... LOL. Translation: "Don't expect nothing, that's your Christmas presant..."

It's about that time....usually every year (since I can remember) around this time, my mom will buy me something...and then say the aforementioned phrase. It cracks me up...b/c she never sticks to her plan and always spoils me. This year, I'm proud to announce, that the phrase has been passed down to Jude!!!! His early gift? A new carseat!!! Poor kid has been busting out of his newbornish seat for the past 3 months.... his new seat is a Recaro and after much research...I decided it was "the best" seat for my boy! (Recaro is a German based company that specializes in bucket seats for cars -and race cars!!!)

***EDIT: Please don't think me a snob by the price of the carseat....I shop a mean bargain- thus the reason Jude's been in a mini-carseat for 3 months!!! Although...I AM a wee bit snobby...I thought he deserved a better carseat than his last one- which we bought b/c daddy "liked" it and it turned out to be a lame carseat. I like knowing the Judester is safe while daddy- er- or mommy is at the wheel! :)***

...1, 2, 3- not it!...

I got tagged again...! I'm excited, I'm not gunna lie! I love stuff like that... Okay- 8 facts about Kim:

1. I was born in Korea...my dad is white...and was in the AF at the time. He and my mom were "hooked up" by friends. (Cute eh?)

2. I'm a cleaning fiend. Granted...I don't clean every weekend like I used to when we were first married...but I always have the house "picked up" before I go to bed...or else I cannot sleep....and- before we go on vacation, the entire house must be cleaned and vacuumed (you should see the carpet when it's freshly vacuumed- Derrick calls it the sea of carpet!)- which means...I'll be stressing out on Sat/Sun to clean since we're going out of town!!!

3. My mom, dad, and I once got into a "fight" at Disneyworld. LOL. No, no...not w/ each other...w/ another family. (I would like to side note...that I'm not super proud of it...but it WAS really funny). The other lady started yelling at my mom...and then the man at my dad...and well...you just don't mess w/ the Rackley's...and since my mom's English isn't the best...I had to jump in for her. It was pretty hilarious actually... (PS- although my mom's English isn't the best- she knows what she's a'sayin! And it. is. hilarity!)

4. I can't seem to take "professional" pictures of my son. Sure, I take a zillion pictures of him...but they all look like a proud momma who is a wee bit camera happy! I have an AMAZING photographer that takes our family pictures.

5. I've tried to start a photography business twice w/ two different people. The first one was kinda a joke...we called ourselves JK Photography- b/c we were Just Kidding (also Jaime and Kim)...the second business was legit...but timing wasn't good for me....I couldn't give 100% of myself to the company...and learn to be a new mom...and find other ways to supplement my lack of an income!!! (Plus- wow- it's hard to start a business!!!) I AM starting my OWN photography business though...nothing beats being your own boss!!! I hope to be fully up and running by 2009!

6. I'm a perfectionist. It's quite annoying!

7. I can't stand it when there are spelling typos. It really drives me NUTS... (see #6). There are many times I'll read through some of my old blog posts...and I'll edit it b/c of a spelling error! It makes me crazy! I think if I ever were to look for a non-teaching/photography job...I would try to become a copy editor! (You should see how I get when I catch a typo in a book!!! My students would be like "seriously, Mrs. Logan...move on!")

8. When I read...I read w/ different voices....It's pretty outrageous. I read the entire Harry Potter series outloud to Derrick...and I used different voices for the characters. LOL. Oh wow...I'm embarrassed... but my kiddos LOVED it... and...even though they're 9- it still feels good to hear 30 kids tell you that you're the BEST reader ever! (Bonus- I think the reason I do that...is my life dream is to be a voice for a Disney Character...I even had a student write a letter to Mr. Disney?! telling him that I would be good for the job! LOL...ah- the things you can get kids to do!!!- I totally miss teaching!)

Okay- I'll tag: Julie G, DLo, Amy K, and Nicole J.

...an ode...

Yesterday, my girlfriend, Jaime came over to borrow a book and drop off a Pack n' Play. Derrick and I kinda avoiding having to buy one...but with our upcoming trip, we were conflicted. Jaime graciously offered to let me borrow it until I needed...And that just got me thinking about all the stuff my girlfriends have let me borrow for my lil dude! It's been so helpful and such a blessing to not have to go out and buy something that your child will only use for a few months (especially, if like my kid, yours is growing at an incredible pace!)...

So. This is an ode to my bff's...

What would I do without you girls? It's been so bittersweet not working with you this year...I def. miss running to your classroom anytime someone did or said something hilarious...or to find out what the new team "drama" is of the week! Thank you so much for being in my life. Thank you for the support, love, advice, sanity, and baby gear! (Pictured: Jaime, Leslie- who gave birth to Brody 2 days later, Tiffany, and me... not all my BFF's of course) I'll never forget:

*walking to the Starbux at the Wigwam during our preps @ LES...
*countless dinners out @ Oregano's...
*Old Navy- will ALWAYS remind me of Les and Jaime...
*showers galore...
*loud screams...or laughs- you choose!...
*Tiffany's wild stories- (like- the musical cat that ate the string...or the mountain lion...or Oprah's favorite things...or "Hilary Rodham")
*game nights- we are too competitive for our own good...
*Starbucks- period.
*Sweet Tea from Sonic- which is totally why Jude is a fatkid!
*Cecil and lunch- and the creepiness factor
*"Seven"
*spray tans... oh my word...
*stealing Napodano's golf cart (from his bday cake) and taking pix of it at PF Changs...why are we so dorky?!
*Hayden, Elijah, Matti, Zoe, Lucy, Brody, and Tommy- They will always be like my own children...
*Becky, Tori, and Daisy- I will always think of them on the day they were born- and I will always be there to miss them w/ you...
*"DW"- I always knew, Jaime...I always knew...
*Christmas Ornaments- seriously though...can we start a new tradition...my tree is starting to get random! Maybe I should buy another tree...
*Love and Wii. If you've never experienced it...you've never experienced the Wii...
*JKPhotography...or "Faux"tography...we woulda been huge!
*Marc-ie Marc and his funky bunch- We kicked butt at every talent show...even if we only swayed back and forth and screeched out the lyrics... (What was that number for a job again?)
*when we exercised (all one time) in Leslie's classroom!!!! LOL
*Gina almost killing us during the treasure hunt...
*Jaime running- 15months pregnant w/ Zoe...and me w/ one shoe- in order to win the treasure hunt...
*Lorna and the Great Obstacle Race. Oh- my- word. Hilarious.
*Marc's interview. LOL.
*Auschwitz
*gosh...I could seriously go on and on and on...

I love you girls! Thanks for everything!

*Thank you also to Amy, Karen, and Jules for the hand-me-down clothes! And Rachael for the swing...You are awesome!

...censorship...

It's so frustrating sometimes. I don't feel like I'm fully able to express my feelings here on this blog....to vent out everything that is swimming in my head....I would hate for someone to read it and get the wrong impression of me...or my husband and what our family stands for. I am a very passionate person. When I'm happy- I'm jubilant. When I'm angry- I'm fuming. When I'm neither- I'm blank. I don't do gray areas....usually. With that being said....there are alot of things I've been thinking about lately....and it makes me feel like a negative person- which...sometimes I wonder if I am....there are many people I would love to speak my mind to- leaving my filter to the wind....but I won't- because it wouldn't be for anyone's benefit but my own. *sigh*

I will say... Get over yourself. The End.

...shhhh!!!....

So. When Derrick and I first got married...we used to do all sorts of stupid and childish things (don't think for a second that we don't still do those things, however)...we would often get into water fights in our living room...and scream at the top of our lungs....it. was. awesome. But anytime one or the other of us needed a break (usually to catch our breath)- we'd say...shhh- baby sleeeeeeping. What can I say. We. are. dorks! Of course there was no baby...but we would both immediately quiet down and start giggling. (I'm slightly embarrassed now that our secret has been revealed)... Well...one day, I happened to be looking in Old Navy- and ran across this shirt- and I LOVED it- that it said exactly what we said- not "Shhh- The baby is sleeping"...so I bought it. I'd been buying things for my future child since I was 18- random things, toys, clothes... whoa- run on thought. Anywho. So I bought the ON shirt....I've been SO excited for Jude to wear it... Of course the day he wears it, he totally doesn't take a nap (well...mommy WAS clothes shopping for the tyke- we are in need of 9month clothes and long sleeve stuff! Thank goodness for giftcards- which I saved for this very reason!) BUT...on an exciting front- some of you may have heard (did I blog it?! oy, I forget...) that Derrick and I have been trying a new bedtime routine w/ Jude- tyring to get him to bed earlier and w/o our assistance. Jude has become great at napping on his own- w/o me rocking him...but nighttime is a different story. Well. After a few days of crying- mostly me...- Jude FINALLY goes nie-night on his own!!!!! PRAISE. THE. LORD! I love it. And I love seeing how proud Derrick is of the little guy! (He seriously beems!)

Anywho- I feel like I've been very scatterbrained lately- I was disappointed in my list of things that Jude's been doing lately...so I thought I should add more! He's been so fun lately- growing up- too fast... I love it when Jude:

*rubs my chin w/ his fat little hands...
*lets go of my face- that he grabs w/ his vice like grip! (lol...although it's painful- I secretly love it! My strong little man!)
*blows rasberries...
*sings his sleepy song...
*smiles when I sing to him in the morning- every time... (I always sing the "Goodmorning medly" to him as I'm getting him outta his crib and changing his shiner)
*snuggles w/ mom- he is SO sweet- resting his head on my shoulder and just talking to me... (he's doing it now....melts my heart!)
*gets excited when daddy comes home...
*smiles at his Papa Rackley
*jumps like a crazy man in his "Jumperoo"
*"mmmm's" after every bite of food...
*waves one arm
*attacks his toys
*fligs his legs whenever his Halmoni is holding him...
*bites his hands whenever he's happy...

Oy- he's such a cutie! *Sigh*