our new normal

Well, we've been in Jerusalem for a little over two weeks now. I am just starting to feel like I'm finally recovered from jet lag and fully adjusted to the time zone change. Its amazing how long it really takes to get back to "normal".

It's still crazy we live in Jerusalem. Believe me, I never thought I'd say that.  I knew that Luke's basketball career would take us places....just never imagined it would be here. It is really amazing living in a city that means so much to my religion. It's surreal visiting places I've only read about in the Bible.

Garden of Gethsemane

 
 I know that life here will not always be easy. Living thousands of miles away from everyone you love is never easy.  But life is an adventure, especially our lives. We are going to do our best to soak up the experience and make the most of our time here in the Holy Land.

In other news...Cole is the proud owner of 4 new top teeth! He now has 6 teeth! With each tooth he gets he looks less like a baby, and more like a little boy.

He had a rough couple weeks because all 4 of those top teeth came in at once!! Now that they are in, he is back to his normal happy self. I think he likes it here in Israel. He is taking a couple steps by himself, but hasn't quite mastered walking yet. He loves to dance and he smiles all day long. He is looking more and more like Luke everyday. I still think he looks a lot like my older brother Adam too. He pretty much looks like Luke & Adam's love child.

We are so happy that we have a park across the street from where we live. Cole loves to go and watch the big kids play. You can tell he wishes he could run and jump like they can. Luke had the day off so we spent an hour playing in the sunshine. People were out BBQ'n and it was a gorgeous day. I could definitely get used to the weather here.

For a native English speaker as myself, Hebrew has got to be one of  the hardest languages. But Luckily, here in Jerusalem, they provide you with pictures too.  Clearly this sign is saying that dogs are welcome to poop in the park. right?

And now its naptime for all 3 of us.

a year in pictures

Cole's birthday is next Saturday. but I wanted to make a tribute to him before we left to Israel ....TOMORROW!!

Dancing machine

Israel part 1

Random fact about me: I love fortune cookies. No matter how stuffed I am from fried rice, I always make room for one at the end of a chinese meal. Today was no exception and my fortune cookie read, "you will find your horizons suddenly broadend"

I though to myself, "fortune cookie, you have no idea."

Last week Luke signed a 2 year deal with Hapoel Jerusalem. Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? YES.

BUT more than anything I am SO happy and proud of my husband for overcoming his hamstring injury. He is the most strong willed, hard working person I've ever met. An average man would of given up. But not Luke. When he wants something he goes for it and he always makes it happen.

In my wedding vows I said I would follow him anywhere. Those vows held true, first to Italy and now to Israel.

Our new adventure starts in September. Stay tuned,,, more info to come!

Until then I'll leave you with this cute video of Cole "throwing" a ball.

And oh yes, he's coming too!

freeze

Everyday I am in love with Cole, but some days I am EXTRA in love with him. He is growing up far to fast and I want nothing more than to freeze time and get to cuddle him and his chubby thighs forever.

I don't want him to turn one, or two, or three, I don't even want him to turn 9 months.  I want him to be 8 months and 3 weeks forever. 

confessions

Luke and I were driving in the car and listening to the radio. The Beyonce song "Single ladies (put a ring on it)" came on the radio. Luke confessed he heard this song when we were dating and thought "I should put a ring on it"

And the rest, ladies & gentlemen, is history.


I guess I have Beyonce to thank for this beautiful ring on my finger.


I somehow convinced my husband to go to a Sheryl Crow concert with me tonight. I feel bad for all you other ladies out there because I have the best man around. Period.

Flowers&updates

I used to love to take walks in Italy and admire the sights. Our town, and especially where we lived was right out of a movie. I mean cobblestone streets, huge wooden rustic doors, and flower boxes on every window seal and balcony. I loved the flower boxes. There is something about it that's so romantic.

Since our home has a Tuscan feel (sorta!) I decided we needed flower boxes too!

 

In other exciting news... Cole is 8 MONTHS old. Where does time go? He was just a tiny little baby and now he's a 22 pound beef cake! Cole has learned to pick up his little puff cereal with his fingers and feed himself.  I'll put him in his high chair and I'll sit next to him and he will entertain himself (and me) for a half hour or more.

 I love how he focuses in on one piece of cereal, then looks at his fingers like he's telling them what to do. After a moment or two of strenuous concentration ..he  goes for it. It takes him like 5 minutes to eat 5 pieces of cereal and most of it ends up on the floor, but it's cute.  I mean it's sooooo cute. You can tell he is very proud of himself.

He claps when you say "clap", (that's old news) he gives "kisses" and we are currently working on the high-five. Luke is trying to teach him how to "pound" too,  but I am hoping he doesn't pick that one up.

 He says "dada" all the time.  Luke swears he's head "mama" before,  but I think he is just trying to make me feel good. I've certainly never heard it. I do think its a little unfair that I'm the one who carried him for 9 months, gave birth to him,  gets up with him in the middle of night, and has changed 98% of the his diapers.....and he says dada first?  Whats up with that, Cole?

He's also mastered the sippy cup.  Look at that grin! How can you be mad at that face?

Ever since his bottom 2 teeth cut through he has been sleeping like a champ! He just wakes up around 6 for an early morning snack, then goes back to bed until 9:30 or 10. I haven't felt this rested in a looooong time. He is crawling around like crazy and into EVERYTHING, He is obsessed with trying to get our cell phones and the remote control.  He's fast too. If you leave them unattended for a second he will go for it and when he gets a hold of one he squeals with delight.  He's been pulling himself up on things. He wants to walk so bad! Doesn't quite have the coordination yet. Thank goodness. Not ready for that.

Cole is a ring bear in Uncle Joey & Heathers wedding in late August.  He is really excited! (and I am more excited)  I mean Cole in a tux with suspenders?? Name something cuter!?

We are taking a trip to Dallas in a month to see my brothers and their wives. We are hoping Cole will be on his best behavior and will some how convince them to all have babies!!!  (sooner than later!)

Speaking of babies...Jill and Shane are giving us a new NIECE in early September and we couldn't be more excited!

Luke is recovering nicely! He is working out hard and even playing a little basketball.  We are hoping and praying he will be ready to play next season. He's working really hard in our yard and it is really looking good!

He's such a stud.

That's all for now. It's sunny out and we are off to play outside.  

*Fyi our most recent family pictures were taken by Erich McVey. He is very talented if you are looking for a photographer!