Our Love- The Unabridged Version

Three years ago today, I remember waking up so excited. Not nervous, not scared, just filled with such anticipation, this was the day that I had been waiting for.

For those of you who don't know, I'll tell you Jon and I's love affair.

It started years before when Jonathan (who is from Belgium) came to Dallas to record a few songs with the worship band from Gateways Beyond. He came to Shady Grove and the Lord started doing a work in his heart. He felt connected here for some reason and vowed to come back and spend some time here. I vaguely remember the band coming, I remember my dad introducing me to everyone, but I don't remember Jonathan and he doesn't remember me.

Fast forward a few years and the picture will have changed. I had continued on my own path, not walking with the Lord at all. I was a hurting and angry young woman... when I think back on the years of 2002 and 2003 all I remember was anger. I don't know what I was so angry about, but I was really angry at anyone and everything. I did things I'm not proud of, experimented with things I should never have done, got involved with people who I shouldn't have, but in the end, nothing was different and I was still a vacant shell of the person I knew I was supposed to be.

That's when, after a series of events, I ended up on the island of Cyprus in January of 2004 to try to hit the reset button on my life at a discipleship school called Gateways Beyond, and it just so happens this is where I first officially met Jonathan.

During my time of wandering, Jonathan was dedicating his life to the Lord. He had joined the community at GB and was really going into the deeper things the Lord has for him. He was on staff there doing media related things.

When he met me, all he saw was an angry, selfish girl with fire in her eyes. He immediately loved the fire, but definitely was taken back by the person I was at the time, and not in a good way. Yet he was somehow drawn to me.
I remember meeting him after a few days of holing myself up in my room thinking WHAT HAVE I DONE, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE! I had decided to come out for dinner one night and Jonathan was there. At the end of the night we struck up a conversation and I found myself coming out of my self imposed depression and actually enjoying a conversation for once. He asked me where I was from and I told him Dallas/Shady Grove. He said, "Wow, that's cool. My commitment here is up in June and I have a free ticket to the states. I am planning on going to Dallas because I feel that the Lord has something for me there." I looked at him and immediately without thinking said, "I have an idea, let's get married and then you can move to Dallas and I can say I have a European husband. Everyone wins." We both laughed, but little did I know how true that statement was.

Over the course of the next 6 months, my life began to change. I dedicated my life to the Lord, I learned why I was created and I fell in love with my Savior. I let go of so many issues and was set free from addictions and pain, some of which I never even knew was there. I cried more than I ever thought possible. I learned more than I ever thought capable. I started to touch the heart of God for the first time... it was amazing.

And during that time, my silly crush that began that first night of meeting Jonathan came alive. I remember telling my sister that I had a crush on someone and her first reaction was "OH NO!" Guys have always been my biggest downfall and she was so afraid that I was going to get cheated out of a total life change... but then as the months went by and the way she heard me talking about him, she just knew. She has NEVER liked any of my boyfriends and she found herself totally on board with someone she had never met . She just knew it was right (though she didn't tell me that till later- God even gave her a dream about him). My parents felt the same way. My grandparents came and visited me in May and they fell in love with him...
Jonathan and I got really close, well as close as you can get in a place with a no dating policy :) We became best friends during that time and set the pace for an amazing relationship.
At the very end of June, the woman who came to the school in January was completely gone and in her place was someone vibrant and alive. Who loved and was loved by her God. I was completely different and Jonathan was with me during my entire transformation. Through the very low times, to the times of breakthrough, his friendship was my constant.

We had known eachother for almost 7 months and we knew we wanted to take this relationship to the next level. But on the same hand we were so afraid that the reason we felt this strongly was because we had been in a pressure cooker for 7 months and so we wanted to know that this was real. So we, with the blessing of our authority, decided to spend 6 months apart to really pray and get to know eachother long distance wise before we made the trip to meet eachother's families.
It was a long hard 6 months (and literally thousands of dollars worth of phone bills- long story), but we made it and came out of it closer than ever.

Jon came around Christmas time to meet my family and they instantly clicked, it was like they had known him his entire life, like he had always been a part of our family. He and my brother-in-law became best friends instantly and he clicked with everyone. Nothing was forced, he was just part of me and it was so natural.

I flew to Belgium to meet his family in January and just like in Dallas, everything clicked. It was like the blessing of the Lord was all over this. We even took our first day trip together to Paris which was always a dream of mine to walk around Paris holding hands and be in love :)

By the time we were in Belgium, we knew we couldn't be a part, so he applied for a Religious Worker Visa (sponsored through my church) and what normally can take up to 6 months to get approved, got approved in TWENTY FOUR HOURS! It was a miracle!
He moved here in February 15, 2005 and we got engaged on February 21st. :)

People have asked me when I knew that I was suposed to marry Jon and although I was in love with him, I was so scared of making a mistake. I remember one night in particular I had dropped him off at my sister's house where he was staying (this was a few days after he had met my fam). I was just listening to worship music, it was late and I had just turned on NW19th from I30. I was just telling the Lord how scared I was. That it felt so right, but that I didn't think it could possibly be the right timing. I had just gotten out of a bad lifestyle, shouldn't I have to be single for awhile so God could show me things, I normally always had a boyfriend of some sort, so this must be bad timing. I said, "God why would you bring my husband to me so quickly after I left my old life." and I heard SO clearly the Lord say to me "Because you are my daughter in whom I am well pleased." I broke down immediately and just started thanking God for his love and allowing me to love and be loved. From that moment on I never questioned that the Lord brought Jonathan into my life at that time in those circumstances. He wanted us to grow together from ground zero. He wanted me to have to be so open and vulnerable to Jonathan whether I liked it or not. On that night Jonathan became my always.

Well we got engaged on February 21st and he totally surprised me. I was studying for a french test on my lunch break and he talked me into going to lunch with him and my friend Tiffani... I SO did not want to go because I needed to study. So I get to the Ballpark (where Tiff's office is) and I am waiting in my car for him to come down, studying. He calls me and is like come up, we are waiting on Tiff. I lose my temper at this point and start yelling at him telling him he is being insensitive to the fact that I have to study and blah, blah, blah, he is like come up here and I hang up on him and stomp inside. I don't even look for him, but I just sit immediately down at Tiff's desk, not even really wondering where he is (or caring because I was so mad that he wasn't letting me study). I pull my book back out and a few minutes later he calls me and I'm like "WHAT!" and he says that he left me a card. I immediately felt bad and we hung up. I found the card and he had written me this sweet card and it had a key to the other office in it. I start shaking and go open up the office and he is standing there and he proposes.
I don't really remember what he said because the entire time I am thinking, I was so mean to him just now and he was trying to propose. He asks me to marry him and the only thing that comes out of my mouth is "I'M SUCH A BITCH" :)
We laughed, I cried, and I finally said yes and then I get into instant engaged girl mode and grab my phone to call my family. But then, who walks in, but MY ENTIRE FAMILY! They were waiting down the hall :)
We all went to lunch and I was just in heaven :)
We set the date pretty quickly and it was between August 5th or August 12th... we chose August 12th because Jon said it had a better ring to it.

So that brings me back to this day 3 years ago, August 12, 2005.
At this moment, I was having breakfast with my closest friends at Mimi's cafe.
Man I wish I was blogging back then, because I would love to be able to read about everything I was feeling... but alas, my blogging days did not start till the end of 2005... anyways.
We all got together and had breakfast, then went to get our hair done, mani/pedi's, etc. Poor Abby was our work horse that day as she pulled double duty of hair stylist and bridesmaid (thanks Abby!)

I was STRANGELY, almost eerily relaxed that day. I could care less about everything because this was the day that I married my best friend and the love of my life.
It was so windy that day and they couldn't get the Chuppah to stand up... I didn't care... We had forgotten to print the programs, so I just went and did it myself. While they were printing, I went into the back room of the church and played the piano and sang... it was a really sweet time for me... I was just so happy.
We get back and everyone was panicking because they didn't know where I was and I had forgotten to bring my cell phone.
We all folded the programs and I started to get dressed and ready for pictures. I was just so excited!
After we took the pictures, the bridal party and the women in my family/extended family all gathered around and we had a time of prayer. It was so special as we prayed for this night for so long and to see it come to fruition. I started crying at that moment and didn't stop for the next hour. I was so completely overwhelmed with love. I remember watching Jonathan walk out to stand in front of the wedding canopy and I am holding on to my mom and dad crying saying, "he's so beautiful".


My heart at that moment expanded past any physical, emotional or spiritual boundaries I could have self imposed. I saw him for what he was, a man who is pledging his life to me. To protect me and love me. To always be a support to me and to care for me like no one has ever cared for me before. This was the man that I was going to grow old with, every major event in my life would be shared with him from now on... we would create children together and watch them grow. We would travel the world together. We were going be an example to everyone of how God loves them by loving eachother.

I was completely overwhelmed with the honor that the Lord was giving me by placing this AMAZING man who was way out of my leauge into my life.
We are so alike, yet we meld together so beautifully. He is my everything and the sole person whose encouragement is like fuel to my fire.
As I walked towards him down the aisle, the song "Glance" by Misty Edwards (you can listen to the song HERE) was playing.
"I remember the first glance, I remember the first romance, I remember the first dance, when I fell in love with you... I thought that I would never know love, and maybe I would never know touch, but then you came and awakened me, and then you came, unlocking me..." it wasn't just my song to Jonathan, but my song to my Savior. On that day I officially pledged my life to both Jonathan and God...
In my vows above all I promised to love the Lord my God with all my heart and through Him I would love Jonathan. I gave the vow that Ruth gave to Naomi, "Where you go I will go, your people shall be my people and your God my God." I took on a mantle that day that I can never put down... we took the first step together towards our destiny...
We couldn't stop touching and loving on eachother during the entire ceremony. We both cried the entire time. To say we were filled with love overflowing would be the most ridiculous understatement.

The rest of the night was perfect.. yes things happened or didn't happen that I would probably change if I could go back... but seriously, all that mattered was that we were joined together.
We hadn't slept together before we were married so that night was so special and nerve wracking for us both.
Our honeymoon was AMAZING. We went on a cruise and then spent a few days in Orlando going to Universal Studios... I still cherish those memories and we talk about that time to this day.
So it's been 3 years since that amazing day and 4 1/2 since we first met... since then we've done a lot. We've traveled all over, had a beautiful baby girl, bought a house, bought 2 cars, gone on vacations, weekend trips, Jonathan got his US residency and now we are going to have our 2nd child in a few months... it's been amazing and the greatest part is it's only just a fraction of our lives together.

I've never one time thought that we should have waited. I never one time have ever thought we shouldn't have gotten married. I never have one time thought that I don't want to stay in this relationship.
We just click. We are one person and where he stops I begin. I love him more than anyone on earth and I am more grateful now for him than I ever thought I could be 3 years ago.

God gave me the greatest gift of all when he gave me Jonathan.

I love you honey and happy anniversary!

Surprise Anniversary Night!

I did it! I successfully pulled off a surprise night for Jonathan! :)

The reason this is a feat, is because I get too excited about things and end up telling the surprise, but this time, I did really well! :)

Friday I spent the day working on this:

That is all clean laundry. It got completely out of control. So I drafted 2 little helpers to help me in my dilema.
They actually helped a lot, and all it cost me was some macaroni and cheese and belgian chocolate.


The rest of the day was a blur of activity, trying to get everything together for my special surprise. Getting stuff hidden in the car, getting everything straight with Ry and Tiff, getting all of Lyric's things together, all without Jon seeing me.

Finally, at 4:45, I come in in a new dress and he looks up surprised. I then toss him a new polo shirt and he asks when I got it for him. I told him a few days ago. He asks me why I waited so long to show him and I told him I wanted him to wear it tonight. He was like cool. So I told him, well put it on now, because we are leaving in 15 minutes. He was really confused, but we dropped Lyric off and then I drove to Truluck's where we had dinner.

Here we are outside


And me in my cute new dress:


At dinner:


My yummy crab legs:


John's Red Snapper (his was SO delicious)


I had told him I just wanted to surprise him with a great anniversary dinner and he was so excited. I told him I wanted to go see a movie later and so after we finished our dinner, he grabbed his phone to look at movie times, and so I handed him a card.

In the anniversary card, I informed him that we were going to the John Mayer concert that night.
He was SHOCKED! He is a huge John Mayer fan, but thought the concert was the first week of September, so he was not expecting it one bit. He kept thinking I was lying.

Then we get to the concert venue and get in line to pick up our will call tickets. Jon hands them the credit card so they can swipe it and pull our tickets and BAM, the power in the ENTIRE venue goes out. So we sit there for an hour and 15 minutes till the power comes back on. It was no fun:




Well we finally get in, and of course the concert hadn't started because all the power was out. So at least we didn't miss anything.

The concert was amazing, some guy opened, then Colbie Caillat, then John Mayer. He shaved his head, and didn't wear a shirt the whole time.
He is such an amazing musician. It was an awesome concert!

We were on the lawn, but had a pretty good location, and I brought a pillow and a blanket, so I was comfortable the entire time. Here we are during the show


Here are some crappy concert shots:




And finally, this is how I rock:

I Married an Immigrant

As much as my husband's European pride doesn't allow him to admit it, he is indeed an immigrant. Yes, you read that right, he is a resident alien. How cool is that, I am married to an alien. Fun times right?
Sure when you think about the fact my 1 year old daughter understands French and English, that I get a "french" version of Ricky Ricardo when he gets mad at me and starts jumbling his English, I get awesome vacations traveling about Europe, and a great European outlook on life, but it's totally sucky when it comes to paying the freaking immigration fees! Are you kidding me! As discussed in a previous post they raised the immigration fees like a million percent. What used to be around $200 is now close to $600.
So anyways, here is where the fun part comes into play.
Jon and I both thought his residency expired on August 15th. I had printed off the petition at work and had brought it home on Friday. I wasn't planning on doing anything with it that weekend, but it was sitting on end table and I grabbed the folder and randomly decided to grab his residence card so I could fill in the number on the application.

WELL LO AND BEHOLD THE FREAKING EXPIRATION WAS JULY 15TH! THAT IS TOMORROW PEOPLE!

I seriously almost had a heart attack.
You see if we would have missed this deadline, Jon's residence would have immediately been revoked. I could have appealed, but the reason "I forgot" probably wouldn't have gone very far.
Jon would have had to immediately leave the country. Which means he couldn't work. We would have had to start the process over from the very beginning, which due to the hikes in the fees would have cost several thousand dollars.
I wouldn't have been able to float all of our bills on just my income alone, which would have left us in dire financial straits. Plus the simple fact that my husband just had to leave the country without me and I don't know when he is coming back and I am pregnant with our 2nd child would have not sat well with my emotions. Jon said that if this would have happened, we would have immediately put the house up for sale and moved to Belgium as it would have ruined us financially for me to try to stay here without him and try to keep everything together. He said he would have rather just started back over in Brussels.
I can't believe we came within 2 days of this happening to us. How totally crazy! But God is in control and I know that he gave me one of those silent urgings to look at his card in just enough time to get it all done.
So today I had to take a 2 hour lunch to run around and get affidavits from Tiffani and Nathan both attesting that we are married, have been married and are living in the "married life" basically saying "No, Jon didn't marry her for a green card".
Tiffani is going through a STRESSFUL audit this week (just 3 weeks before her wedding), but still managed to get me the affidavit (you rock!).
Then I had to get copy of our tax returns (I didn't have a copy of 2006), bank statements, our deed on our house, our home loan, Lyric's birth certificate, copy of her passport, and other misc. stuff. It wasn't difficult because obviously we are happily married and truly are living as man and wife. It was just kind of stressful getting everything together so last minute.
With US Immigration, you never want to make a mistake as it can be detrimental to your case. I normally like a lot of time gathering all my info to make sure that I am submitting everything that needs to be submitted. I did the best I could do with a 2 day notice, I'm just feeling nervous.
Oh plus I had to dip into our Belgium fund for the $550 filing fee. Fun, fun!

Anyways, the good news is Jon picked it all up and got it overnighted. It should be in their hands tomorrow at noon.

Crisis is indeed averted, but my nerves are shot. Thankfully this is the LAST immigration issue we will have unless Jon decides to become a dual citizen, which I don't think he is going to do.
My little temporary permanent resident will be a permanent resident very soon! :)

Now if only I could get him to wear an American Flag tshirt on July 4th! :)

Ok, in honor of our immigration issues today, I will leave you with some funny political cartoons/pictures:

Highly Involved Fathers

So the other day I was sitting on the couch while Jonathan was playing some sniper game on his new xbox, and I was writing in my pregnancy journal. I was all excited to be filling out the 10 week page and thinking thoughts of my future child, wondering what life was going to be like with 2 kids, trying to guess what week I would start being able to feel the baby move, I had a smile on my face and was just really happy. I look at my wonderful husband, father of my children, thinking about what an incredible father he is. How involved he is. How I can so rely on him.
Then I ask,

D: Honey, how many weeks pregnant am I?
J: Um... (shoot bad guy with sniper rifle).. I don't know, like 20 something weeks?
D: (silence)... you think I'm 20 something weeks pregnant?
J: I mean (shoot more bad guys)... like 30 something weeks?
D: (silence except for machine gun noise)... you know pregnancy is only 40 weeks, and you think that I am 30 something weeks pregnant.
J: (His guy dies a bloody death- frustrated sigh) Destiny, I'm not a doctor.

Yes, this is the highly involved father of my unborn child. :)

Gotta love him! :)

Happy Father's Day Jonathan!

So it's Father's Day and I must say that I am beyond blessed to be surrounded by the most amazing father's on this planet.

I am so proud to say that the best one by far is the one I am married to! :)

Jonathan really does go above and beyond the call of duty. When most mothers have to beg their husbands to get up in the middle of the night with a fussy baby, Jonathan is the first one to jump out of bed, without even a word from me.

He rarely balks at changing a poopy diapers or giving her a bath. It comes from a different place. Not out of forced responsibility, but out of a genuine love for Lyric.

He loves to be with his baby girl. He loves to hold her and play with her, read her books. He is such a hands on father. He loves hugs and kisses and every new thing she does is like a magic trick to him. His world revolves around our little girl and I love that.

Jon has a big responsibility in the morning. I have to be at work before Lyric wakes up. So that means, Jonathan gets her up in the morning, feeds her breakfast, picks out her clothes, dresses her, gets the diaper bag together and drops her off at Christina's house every single work morning. And the thing is I have never heard him complain once about it.
He looks at it different than most father's. He knows that the times he spends with her goes by quickly, and that these memories he makes with just her and him first thing in the morning are going to be with him the rest of his life. He cherishes the mornings with her, and I think that is just about the sweetest thing ever.

He is such a tender and loving father. Strong in discipline, but very gentle and kind. He is patient with her. Much more than I am.

I'm not in the least bit nervous about having two kids, and the reason is because I know I am not alone. It's not me raising the kids and Jon doing his own thing. We are both together in this. Parenting is equal and he tries to never makes me feel like it's all up to me.

He just the most amazing dad and husband ever! I am so beyond blessed to have him in my life.

So Happy Father's Day Jonathan! I love you so much!

My Hot Date

So Jon took me out on a hot date last night :)

I've been dying to eat some Chicken Mediera from Cheesecake Factory and also have been really excited about seeing the new Indiana Jones movie, so Jon called my sister and she agreed to keep Lyric for us and we went out!

Jon and I decided to Twitter/BU2 our date last night which was funny. Here are the pictures from his BU2.

Me at dinner:

Jon with our ceasar salad


Me with our YUMMY main course!


I really enjoyed the movie. It has a twist that is SO Speilberg/Lucas'esq that most people are not going to like it. But I really like that genre so it was fun for me to watch. I really enjoyed the movie. I'm glad that it was kind of cheesy because it HAD to be. I mean Indy is like 90 years old! But I thought Shai LeBeof was awesome. He has to be my favorite young actor right now. He did a great job!

But the saddest part of the night was... we didn't have cheesecake. I know! I know! It was because we planned on getting cheesecake AFTER the movie, but then when the movie got out I was SO tired and we just went home.

So the night was awesome! I had such a good time hanging out with my husband and I think we really need to start going out by ourselves more. It's just fun!

The only bad thing is when we go out on a weekday, after I've been at work all day... I REALLY miss Lyric and feel kind of guilty for leaving her. But you know what, my marriage has to be a priority too.

Tonight is my niece Ashlyn's ballet recital! It should be soooo cute and I'll take videos and pics (just for you Mom!).

Nothing like a day at the spa...

Well my dearest husband got me a spa day for mother's day. I'm still trying to decide exactly what I want to do.

I'm thinking 1 hour massage, facial and a mani/pedi...

I'm really excited about it though, thanks Honey!! I only wish that my sister and I had a spa day to the same place, but I'm not complaining... it's just more fun to go do a spa day with someone else... but I will suck it up and go at it alone :)

I just got an email from my mom today saying that they are spending their last day in Jerusalem. The leave at 3am to catch a sheroot to the airport. Hopefully they won't be delayed because President Bush is scheduled to be there today. They fly from Israel to spend a few days in Cyprus with their fabulous friends and then off on their amazing Greek Island cruise!

This morning, for the first 30 minutes I ran around like a mad woman trying to get a presentation folder together. I had done one, but found out I had to have 4 done. Well the people were walking in the building as I was walking back to my office to start on the other 3! I managed to get everything printed and together just as they were walking into the conference room. Unfortunately though, I hadn't had breakfast or anything so it made me feel exhausted!

I'm down to one Diet Coke a day now... and am drinking a bazillion gallons of water and taking vitamins... just trying to get healthy. Although all I want to do is eat Mexican food. But I think I'm balancing it right :) Anytime I try to force myself to eat healthy, I get crazy cravings for bad/carb filled food. Unfortunately, I have no self control and I always give in to the urges. Like today... Chipotle sounds SOOOO good. But last night I ate good, so go me!

Someone needs to email me some good receipes for fish. I really like fish, but I am not good at making it. So someone send me some good receipes (desandjon@gmail.com)

Well I think there is a toilet calling my name, so I best be going!

Contemporary Portraits Photo Shoot!

We had a fantastic family photoshoot with the lovely ladies from Contemporary Portraits! It was really awesome and we all had so much fun!
Thanks a bazillion ladies!

Here are the Vandeputs


















More to come in a few weeks!

The Zoo Pictures!

Here are the pictures from when we went to the zoo on Saturday.



Lyric and her baby. She has to be holding a baby all the time. She wouldn't let this one go almost the entire day.


Hanging out with Daddy


Thinking she is hot stuff


Right before she fell down


And got this, which is her first big owie that bled as much as that did. There was blood trickling down her leg and for those who know how I am with blood, you'll be happy to know I didn't pass out :)


She thought the elephant was super cool


Too much fun for her, so she just passed out


The happy parents


Then later that night (before the massive cleaning of the house), we ate fajitas outside and had so much fun. None of us got bit by any mosquitos either.

Lyric thought it was awesome


Jon cutting the meat


Lyric loves to use her fork now


Ok, that was our Saturday!

JON IS COMING HOME TODAY!!!!

Jon's coming home!
Jon's coming home!
Jon's coming home, ya ya ya ya!

That's the song I was singing to Lyric all morning, actually, not really, I was singing

Daddy's coming home!
Daddy's coming home!
Daddy's coming home, ya ya ya ya!

I'm so excited guys!!!

I got my hair done last night (Thanks to Jannette who did my hair at 8pm last night), shaved my legs, put on a cute outfit, dressed Lyric in a cute outfit that says "50% Daddy 50% Mommy = 100% cute!" Hopefully she keeps herself clean!

She did a little better last night as far as the separation anxiety. Except Court said that while I was gone getting my hair done, she had one melt down. But at least she didn't wake up any last night!

I am so hyper. The only bad thing is since I got my hair done last night, I wasn't able to finish cleaning the house. It's picked up, but the laundry isn't folded and it's not clean-clean. I didn't do the floors or the bathrooms or anything. But I think Jenae is coming over on Tuesday to do all of that anyways, I just wanted it nice and shiny for Jon. I also wanted to organize is office while he was gone. Ya, that SO didn't happen! :)

Only 6 hours and 42 minutes till I see his LOVELY face! I can't wait!
I think last night when I was getting my hair done, all I did was talk about Jonathan. I freakin' miss that boy! And since Lyric has officially started walking on her own, I can't wait for him to see it. Last night, she took 10 steps, stopped, turned around and walked back to the table. Then Court said she took about 10 steps last night at her house too. She just takes off on her own now and walks till she loses her balance and falls. She can also say bye-bye now, except is sounds like dye-dye. But still! SUPER cute!

Anyways, I can't wait to see him!!!! ahhhh!!!!!

Creative Writing Overdrive!

I feel like I have been on creative overload the last few days. I’m just constantly thinking about things and trying to figure out all the logistics. With work I’ve been doing a lot of re-designs of pamphlets and flyers. Personally I’ve been working on the new site and adding ideas to my novel. I’m like on creative writing overdrive!

I know, I know! There are no pictures from my week, but seriously! I tried to remember to get the camera from Court’s house and totally forgot!
However, I did get to go see a movie last night! Rachel Karlovich came over and watched all 4 girls last night so Courtney (and Judah), Christina and I could go see a movie. We saw Definitely Maybe. It’s was definitely maybe not the best movie in the world, but oh well. The worst part was that Judah was so fussy and so Court didn’t really get to enjoy herself. She just had to stand up with him half the movie. Poor sis! 5 week old babies are supposed to sleep through movies, duh! Of course he fell asleep right when the movie was over. Typical!
Also, why do babies always need to eat right when you get your food? That’s so annoying.

I haven’t blogged about our Oscar Party, because I wanted to post pictures. But Mom won for the second year in a row. Oh mom! I have found that now having a child, I never get to see all the Oscar movies because not all of them are out on DVD. I really want to see Atonement still. I did see Michael Clayton, but not There Will Be Blood or No Country for Old Men or La Vie En Rose or Elizabeth (but that one was on DVD, I just hadn’t seen it). So I think I came in like 4th or 5th. My big problem was I had never even really heard of No Country for Old Men so I never voted for it and they racked up the wins on Sunday night, so that definitely screwed me. I think Tiff came in second, but I’ll find out and post the top 10.

Also on Sunday, I finally got to see Abby's baby Sophie!! She is beautiful and to me looks so much like Korbin did! We have had sickness all around us, so I wanted to wait a few days to make sure I didn't get sick before I went over and held that precious little girl!
Here I am with Sophie Shull


I just talked to my husband and he is coming home soon!! They leave tomorrow at 6am our time to drive to Frankfurt where they will be leaving the next morning. Good times huh! I can’t wait to see my hubby! Only 2 more days!
Here he is with the team:


I haven’t had a chance this entire time to actually sit down and write more on my novel. Just jotting down ideas here and there. Not good I know. But I have been really focused on the website and being a single mom hasn’t helped in the area of excess time. So it will have to wait I guess. I want to get yesitsnormal.com up and running before I start on it again.
It’s funny because I feel so motivated and like I have something to look forward to outside of the monotony. Add that in the mix to great things and visions being implanted in my husband while he is in Belgium has just instilled me with a lot of hope!

And another thing to be excited about, I’m going to the Alanis and Matchbox 20 concert this Friday! I’m so excited about it!!! Except it’s just like 3 hours after the guys get back in, but it should be so much fun! Court/Nate are going with us. I can’t wait!!! I wonder if Court is going to take Judah? I think Lyric was 5 weeks old the first time I left her for an evening.

Well that is basically it for me! I need to go and pick up the tickets from the guy I’m buying them from today at lunch, so I’m waiting to eat till he lets me know when he can meet me. But it’s already almost 1 and I’m getting soooo hungry! Oh well!
I hope everyone has a GREAT day today!

My Husband...

NEEDS TO COME HOME!

I miss Jonathan so much!

This is the first night where I don't even want to go to bed because he's not in it.

I still have till Friday till he comes back and I am dreading it. I don't want to go to work tomorrow, I just want to stay home with my baby girl and write my novel and work on some of blogs and just relax some more. Though I can't complain too much because I've had a really relaxing weekend. But it doesn't make me feel any better right now. I'm just not ready to start the week alone, as a single mom.

I need Jonathan to help me and keep me grounded.

I left my camera at my mom's house, so no new pictures till I go over there any get it, which should be soon because I'm trying to post pictures every day for Jonathan to see our pretty faces.

Okay, well that is it. I really need to get in bed. It's already 12am... I'm so tired, but I just don't want to start the work week...

Much love.

PS. I love you Jonathan

Good Stuff!

Stephenie Meyer. She literally has to be one of my favorite authors. When I read her books I get absorbed. Like completely and totally. I forget where I am and what I'm doing and I emerse myself in the world she creates. She is actually the reason I want to write my own novel. She was just a mom who decided to finally write a story that had been in her head for awhile and she produced one of my favorite series of all times! If you haven't read the Twilight Series, you are totally missing out. At first glance, the fact that it's in the youth section and the fact that it's about vampires turns most people off, but if you can make it through half of the first book, you will seriously be hooked! The love story is so amazing! I felt like it was Carrie/Big/Aiden all over again! :) Well it looks like she's done it again in a whole new genre. I just read the excerpt from her new book The Host and boy is it freakin' good! If you have a minute, here read this. It's going to be good!

http://stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/thehost_chapter4.pdf

So American Idol girls went last night. My faves are still my faves. Asia'h and Carly are my girls!
My vote for who gets kicked off tonight are:

Amy Davis and Joanna Borgella
Garrett Haley and Luke Menard

Tonight is going to be good!!

I miss my husband! I've only talked to him once and for just a minute. He is busy, busy, busy. They ministered at a youth group last night. Landon and the team led worship, Nathan gave some words and Jon spoke. The leader's meeting starts tomorrow.... okay, never mind! He just called me while I was writing this! He must have picked up the I miss you vibe I was putting out. He is doing great, but they are eating my favorite meal tonight! I'm so jealous! They are going to be eating rocklette. You make it yourself with cheese that you put on a little shovel thing till it melts, and then you use the top to cook veggies and meat, etc. It's a fun meal to eat and socialize! :)
Here are some pics from my birthday in Belgium when we did this with Jon's family.







So they should have a great time tonight. I really wish I was there because I miss my Belgian family, however, someone has to hold the fort down here! I mean, what would Jedi do??! :)
I have pictures to upload from yesterday, but I left the camera in the car, so I'll do it later this afternoon. I will be up at the front all day because our receptionist had an emergency so my productivity will be low and my blogging will be high. :) It's the name of the game, I can't concentrate up here, don't have access to half the programs I need and am constantly interrupted. Oh well. That just means this day is going to looooonnnnnngggggg. :(

Okay, well I'm out! Only to be back a little later!

PS. I love you Jonathan

Contact made!

I just got off the phone with Jonathan and they made it to Belgium safe and sound! Everyone was laughing in the background, so it sounds like they are having a great time!! It made me want to be there so bad! I miss my in-laws!!
Well just wanted to let you know!!

PS.
I love you Jonathan

He's Gone...

Well, my Belgian waffle jumped on an airplane, headed to his homeland.
This trip is going to be really awesome. I'm so excited for them and the opportunities that I really believe it will bring. However, Lily and I will be missing the French flair around the house...

Here are a few pictures

The Vandeputs at the airport



The world travelers


Saying bye-bye to daddy




Poppy, Lily and Jon


Peek-a-boo


The Lowries


Saying goodbye at the gate entrance!


Bye again!


Bye!!!!


So ya! Jon's gone and I'm here and Lyric and I are awesome and we'll have mother/daugher bonding like crazy!!

PS. I love you Jonathan

American Idol!!!

American Idol is on tonight!!!
This is the first night where we can vote for people!
I seriously love this show. I have a few fave contestants, which I won't announce till I see everyone perform, but they are more on the female side than the male.

I must send another shout out to Grand Prairie's own Jason Yeager! No matter who you like most, make sure you vote for Jason tonight!!!



I am going to leave in about an hour to go and wish Jonathan farewell at the airport. I probably won't cry, so don't expect any tear streaked pictures. It's a ritual for me, I have to say goodbye at the airport. I can't do it at home. Part of my ritual consists of standing at the gate entrance where they run everything through the detectors. I like to stand there, and make Jon feel awkward. Every time he looks back, I keep waving, like the dork I am. It's really funny because he gets embarrassed at my "American-ness" as he puts it :) Whatever! I love my American-ness (and so does he, or he wouldn't tease me about it!)

So I'm about to be husband-less for 2 weeks. I think that calls for a girls night ASAP! :)

Ok, back to work. I'm trying to redesign our newsletter... oh the joys.

He's leaving tomorrow...

And man am I going to miss him. Seriously.
I HATE it when he leaves without me.
Part of it is the fact that I wish I was going with him and detest feeling left behind and part of it just has to do with the fact that my life functions so well with him, that when he is gone, there is a gaping hole.

So Jon leaves tomorrow for Brussels and I'm sad.

Absolutely NO laundry was done this weekend, so that means I get to scatter like a mad woman and do a ton of laundry so packing can get done tonight. Oh and my dishwasher is clogged or something. It won't drain. I told Jon that if he did nothing else, to please get that fixed before he left... guess what?? He leaves tomorrow and it is STILL not fixed! So on top of my incredibly dirty house, dirty laundry piled up in the bedroom and bathrooms that haven't been cleaned in weeks... I now have dishes beginning to stack up. Translated into NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN MY HOUSE!
It's best not to see how we are living right now :)

So one more night with my sweetie and then he's gone for almost 2 weeks. I really enjoyed our weekend together though. I don't even regret the extreme nothingness we did all weekend.

I mean seriously. We ate and watched a bunch of movies.
Friday- Olive Garden to go. Watched Invasion and Rescue Dawn. Invasion was great. I really liked it. Rescue Dawn, I didn't even make it through the opening credits before I was asleep. Jon said it was stupid.

Saturday- On the Border for lunch- roasted chicken and french fries for dinner-
Caught up on all Oprah's and Ellen's. Watched Reign of Fire and Sunshine. Both were great (I've seen Reign of Fire a few times) and Sunshine was good, though for some reason I kept getting lost- though it wasn't difficult to follow).

Sunday- ordered pizza mid-afternoon and ate it again for dinner. Watched Coyote Ugly and Good Luck Chuck. Good Luck Chuck is so stupid and crass. Don't recommend it at all.

So here I am, back at Higher Power after a long relaxing weekend...

I feel pretty refreshed! Except I'm covering the phones till Natalie gets here and I HATE covering the phones.

I think that is about it for me!

Direct to you...

From my very own laptop!!!

Okay, it might not be brand new, but it is new to me! It is my little brother Preston's, but he NEVER used it. So Jon got it and wiped it and upgraded it and so now I have a laptop again. It's really nice because I've had such the hankering to write and get thoughts down, but no real outlet to do it.

I have all these ideas that I need to get down. I guess that will be what I do while Jon is gone. However, my sister is afraid I will hole up in my house and not hang out with her (I tend to get really withdrawn when my hubby is gone.)

So that was my fun Valentine's present, along with a 1 hour massage and some roses and Belgian chocolate!!

We had a nice little Valentine's party with my nieces tonight. Really we just ate dinner at the Watkins and watched the girls decorate one cupcake each, but I still call that a party. I got them presents. They wanted Pet Shop Pets... strange.. ok, anyways.

We've been using Jon's mom's projector that Jon is bringing to her when he leaves next week to watch Season 6 of the Shield on Jon's computer. We taped up wrapping paper on the wall to suffice as a screen and it's been so much fun.

So that is what is calling my name right now. Or actually, Jonathan is calling my name. Off to watch Vic and cuddle with the hubba! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

When Dad's Dress Little Girls

Yes, doesn't she look so put together. Jon says she's warm and that's all that matters. He thinks she looks like she is going to go and workout.

He is always the one that gets her ready in the morning and then takes her over to Christina's house for the day. I'm constantly amazed at the clothes she is wearing... I means seriously. How hard is it to pick out a pair of jeans and a matching shirt?

He sent me this picture wanting me to think how cute she looked as he thinks she looks like she is about to go and workout.

I did laugh though! :)

Dad's should not be in charge of dressing little girls. It just doesn't work well!

In other news, I was hoping that Lyric was just teething and that is why she has been so snotty, slobbery and was waking up at night. But after another fitful night of sleep, she woke up around 5am with a hacking cough.

She is coughing really funny though. It's just one cough at a time, and it sounds more like she is about to throw up or is gagging. It does sound funny though.

Well that's about it. I have a meeting in a few minutes, so back to work!