Boogers, boogers, go away!

Our little guy is sick.  It is so sad, he is so little and there is no sadder sound than his cough.  Along with his cough he has a stuffy nose and had a slight fever.  With help from my mom, sister, and the Mercy Nurse, we have it under control, but I can't wait till my little guy is feeling his best again!

Still cute even when he is sick!

Daddy

Max really likes to help Jason with work.  Over the past couple of weeks, Max has gotten to spend a lot of time with daddy and we have even nicknamed him "The Closer."  Who wouldn't want to buy a home from these two handsome men?

Max helping daddy check his emails in the early morning.

"Mom, leave us be! We are working!"

"Dad, are you sure you are doing that right?"

All in a day's work.

One Year Ago...

One year ago, Jason and I got married!  The Lord has blessed me with such an incredible husband.  I loved Jason very much a year ago.  I remember the anticipation of becoming Mrs. Rude.  There were things that I thought would be amazing like waking up to Jason every morning, sharing meals together, becoming parents together.  All wonderful things but, nothing I thought or dreamed up was as great as being married to Jason really is!  As I have gotten to know Jason more and more over the past year, I am so pleased to say that I love him much more than I did a year ago!  So much more!

So much has happened in this last year.  One of the most amazing things is seeing Jason become a dad.  He is so great with Max.  They already have such a great relationship and I know that Max adores him just as much as I do.

Some of my favorite things about Jason include his laid back personality, his good looks, his ability to talk to just about anyone, his work ethic, his good looks, his relationship with the Lord, the way he leads our family, his good looks, and the way he knows how to love me.  Oh... did I mention his good looks?  :)

Here are the vows we made to one another a year ago.  What a great reminder of the foundation of our marriage.  Thank you, Lord, for an incredible husband.

"Amanda, you are my best friend and I love you and I know that you love me.  Because of this, I desire to be your husband.  Through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I promise to be faithful to you.  I will love, serve, adore, and lay my life down for you like Jesus laid his life down for the church.  I promise I will never divorce you.  I will never hold anything over your head.  I promise to lead you and our future family in a way that honors Christ.  I will honor and love you while we're together and while we are not in each other's presence.  I will laugh and cry with you.  And I will cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

"Jason, you are my best friend and I love you and I know that you love me.  Because of this, I desire to be your wife.  Through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I promise to be faithful to you.  I will love, serve, respect, and submit to you.  I will never divorce you.  I will never hold anything over your head.  I promise to follow you as you lead me and our future family in a way that honors Christ.  I will honor and love you while we’re together and while we are not in each other’s presence.  I will laugh and cry with you.  And I will cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Happy anniversary, BFF.

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Okay, no bears..

What else does one do on January 31st but go to the zoo of course!  Yesterday was another beautiful day in Des Moines; just about 60 degrees or so!  My sister called in the morning and asked if Max and I had plans.  We just so happened to be looking for some.  For Christmas, my grandma got Heather and her family a zoo pass that allows two guests.  Max and I were lucky enough to be those guests!!!

I got Max ready for the day, I don't know if you can see in the pictures, but he insisted on wearing his "zoo pals" shirt for his first trip to the zoo!

Max started out the adventure being a little bit skeptical.

We had so much fun spending time with Aunt Heather and cousins, Hailee and Brody.  Hailee was telling us all about the animals and Brody was so great at opening all the doors for Max and his stroller!

Aunt Heather, Hailee (age 4), Brody (22 months)

Heather and I grew up going to Blank Park Zoo and it was so fun to be there with our kids!  I felt so grown up!

Max slept through most of the zoo.

Hailee and Brody in a pouch!

Towards the end of the trip, Hailee was hungry, Brody was slowing down, and Max woke up ready for a diaper change.  Good thing the zoo only takes about an hour to walk through!

Max and me.

And...  If you have ever been to the Blank Park Zoo, you know that the red pandas are cute as all get out! Here is a video of Brody attempting to say "red panda!"