The Weekend

Moms and Dads, remember what it was like before you had little children and it was just you two? No? Me either. I think about that sometimes and I really can't remember what that was like. I mean...what did we do?  I know at the time I had a outside the home job, so I guess my time was spent with that. I know we watched movies more and slept in more I'm sure. 

Well Justin and I got to experience what it was like with no children this weekend. And needless to say it was wonderful. My awesome sister kept our kids Thursday-Saturday so Justin and I could have some alone time while celebrating our 5 year anniversary. Thursday night we did some shopping. I was in desperate need of some clothes that fit me. All of the ones I had were too big. (which is a great thing!) I also purchased some pants 4 sizes smaller than what I was wearing! (I rewarded myself later by eating some delicious movie popcorn) So that was nice shopping trip. After that we went bowling. And I pretty much beat Justin in every game but one...because I'm awesome. 

Look at that great form! Too bad it didn't help. Hehe. I can't read that score but it says I won and he lost. 

Actually I didn't really know if I was good or not. I haven't played in forever. But turns out I wasn't too bad. It was lots of fun! We plan to do that again. 

After our fun bowling trip we went and saw the midnight showing of Superman. But first I had to have this. 

So yummy.

This was my first showing of a midnight movie. I am not a late night person. And if I am going to stay up late I better be able to sleep in the next morning or I will not be happy. The movie was just okay for me. I do love those kinds of movies...superhero stuff. But I've never been a fan of Superman and this movie was a little weird for me. I think I just compare every superhero movie to the Batman movies and nothing compares to that. (sorry Superman fans...please don't hate me) 

The next day we watched Iron Man 2 at home and then went and saw Iron Man 3 in Memphis....we had to make up for the lack of superhero awesomeness in Superman. And it did. We went to Huey's for supper and I had my first real burger in months! Oh it was marvelous. No regrets there...except for how miserably full I was after. 

Saturday we slept in and then went and picked up our boys. And after them being home for a few hours we were ready for another break...just kidding...maybe. But seriously, I'm so thankful my mom and sister live close so we can get breaks every now and then. I really think it's a must. I'm most importantly thankful my boys get to be around my mom and sister a lot. My boys love their Nana and Juju! Now if I could just get my mother-in law to move closer...that would be even better! 

I hope everyone had a good weekend and a Happy Father's Day! The rest of my week will be spent learning VBS music..that will be stuck in my end for years to come. 

5 Years and Counting...

June 14, 2008

That's the day I married my best friend y'all! That was 5 years ago tomorrow. So, today in honor of our anniversary I'm going to share how we met and started dating. I may also say some mushy sweet things about my dear husband, so if you don't like that...too bad. Also, as a special treat for you I have made asked my longtime boyfriend to share something sweet about our dating years and how we met. He's pretty funny so I'm sure it will be enjoyable for you.

I remember the first time I saw Justin Heck. It was the first day of Singers (the singing group we sang in together at Williams Baptist College) in the Fall semester of 2005. Here walked in this bearded man who was dressed really nice (for a college student anyway). My first thought was he looked like an old, really serious guy. Which just goes to show you shouldn't judge people by their looks! It was not a love at first sight reaction for me. We actually didn't even become friends until later on in the semester. Justin had a girlfriend at the time. I was single but not looking into dating anyone then. But we started hanging out with the same group of people and became friends first. It slowly began to become more as the months went by. I realized I was starting to really like this strange bearded man. He was a lot of fun to be around and of course made me laugh and I loved that! Our first (unofficial) date was Winter Formal at our college. I remember being in my suitemates room, on her computer and talking to him on MSN messenger (so cool). He then asked me if I'd like to go with him to formal and I said sure!

Formal 2006-So young.

Soon after formal we went on our first date, and soon after he asked me "Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Cute huh?

This was one of the first times he met my whole family. 

Second Formal-2007

There are a lot of other details I could go into but I guess you could say the rest is history after that. We continued to date for another year and a half and then he proposed the summer of 2007 and we were married the next year. I knew I was going to marry Justin just a few months after we started dating. (I didn't tell him that then...pretty sure he would have been freaked out) I don't know if any of you ladies (men too I guess) ever made a list of the characteristics you would want in a man/woman you marry some day but I did on several occasions I'm sure. After getting to know Justin he really was everything I ever wanted in a guy (minus the beard...now I love it. :) ) His love for the Lord and desire to know Him more was encouraging to me and helped me want to know Him more. I could also trust him, which is something I had struggled with in other relationships. He was liked by lots of people and was super funny. Justin also has this really great singing voice that you wouldn't expect to come out of his mouth. I remember the first time I heard him and I'm pretty sure I was in shock for about 3 seconds. He treated and still treats me with respect and takes care of our family. I feel safe with him. He's also a pretty awesome dad.

He became my best friend and our love has grown a lot since that really hot day in June 2008.  These 5 years have not been easy and all lovey dovey like it may have been when we were dating. But I can't imagine spending these years with anyone else besides him. I want to grow old with you my love!

Uh, hello.  I'm Justin.  

What first attracted me to Laura Beth was her Southern charm and intellect.  Just kidding.  It was her good looks.  My wife has already gone into detail on how we met, so I'll skip that part.  I guess I developed a crush on her sometime in January of 2006.  I don't remember if this happened before or after the crush, but I found out that her grandpa (Dr. Millikin), was one of my favorite preachers who I'd heard preach for years.  And I was like, I should marry this girl because her grandpa is cool.  (Her grandpa is cool, but that's not why I married her).

Sometime after the formal, my crush blossomed into a genuine liking.  So I asked her on a date.  We went to Jonesboro.  At Lazzari (they didn't have all the good restaurants back then), the attendant sat us down at the longest table ever.  We were literally 6 feet apart.  Uber awkward.  I moved to the side of the table so we could actually hear each other.  It was a good date.  We were the hottest couple in Jonesboro that night.

After a few more dates, I went to her mom's house in Trumann.  It was during March madness.  I was sitting in the recliner watching basketball with Laura Beth and Julie.  I think Rhonda was in the kitchen.  Something exciting happened on the game and I jumped up and yelled and tooted on accident.  I was super embarrassed but I guess they didn't hear me.  That was the closest I ever came to ruining our relationship.  (I don't toot anymore).

I stayed in Mammoth Spring that summer, serving at a church as the youth intern.  At some point during that summer, I knew I'd marry Laura Beth.  I asked her to marry me the next year (summer 2007), and we got married in 2008, hence the 5-year anniversary. 

5 years.

Half a decade.

1/5 of a quarter of a century.

2 kids.

She is my best friend, and I love her tremendously.  It's a heck of a life.  Teehee.


Thanks love! That was sweet and weird....just what I expected. Thanks for reading our "love story" of sorts. Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend (yes I know it's Thursday..early weekend wish)! We are about to go drop off our kids with my sweet sister. We won't see them until Saturday...so our weekend will be pretty great I'm sure.

So, I did a 5k.

Yes, it's really me and I'm updating this blog two days in a row! Crazy. Today was the Stars and Stripes Festival here in our little town. They have lots of booths/food/carnival rides/parade. It's pretty fun. Here are some pictures from the day.

Luke watching the "hip hip parade" Yes that's what he called it. 

Jude wasn't impressed...or just confused. 

Juju came and rode some rides. I have no idea why this picture is weird. 

This ride was super spinny. I was a little worried Luke was about to vomit on me or I would.

Riding the carousel with Juju. He loved it! 

That was our afternoon fun. But before all this started I did a little 5k. As I mentioned in my last post this was my first one to do where I tried to run the whole thing. I went in not really expecting to run the whole thing but try real hard! I wasn't concerned with time but I was hoping to get under 35 minutes. 

Before Race. I never know how to pose for pictures by myself. 

I was able to run a good majority of the race. I ran a lot more than I thought and I am super happy about that! There were about 5 of us who ran the whole thing and others who walked/jogged or just walked. I placed 5th out of the runners. I only had to stop and walk two times and it was only for maybe a minute or so. I also did my best mile! I ran a mile in 10 minutes. I know for some that's nothing but for me that's good! My final time was 30:48. I am very pleased with that time. I feel like I did pretty good with where I am in my training. I sill have not completed the C25k app. I learned a lot doing this 5k and how I can do better. So, I plan to use that in my next one and I can't wait to do one again! 

After Race. So much sweat is pouring on me.  Also my pose is so awkward. Justin told me to flex my muscles.

I also think every carnival/fair should have a 5k in the morning. That way you don't feel too bad about the yummy food you will consume later...and yes I did! 

Have a good rest of your weekend my friends!

Happenings

So, my new goal is to update this blog more than twice a year. We will see how that goes. I have just a short time to update and discuss a few things so I'm going to do be pretty brief (as brief as I can be)

- We are about to head to Conway to pick up my big baby boy. He's been in Oklahoma since Tuesday with his Gran Jan! I officially miss him now. Justin asked me on Wednesday if I did and I said not really. (is that bad?) I think it's good to get a break from our children every now and then. It doesn't have to be for four days but Moms and Dads we need breaks!

- I need someone to come teach my little baby boy how to walk. He will be 15 months this month and still no walking. Yes, I know he will walk when he's ready...blah blah...but I want him to now! This child is getting heavy. I'm pretty sure he wakes up and walks around his crib and does flips....he's a sneaky thing.

- I have officially passed my prebaby weight! But that's not my official goal. I need to lose about 10 more and I'll finally be in my "normal/healthy weight range" and "pre-pregnancy with Luke" weight. I haven't been there since Justin and I got married! So close...but still work to do. Losing weight after the second baby is a lot harder! But I love how healthy I feel and my clothes fit so much better. Actually, they really don't...they are getting too big! I guess Justin needs to take me shopping.

- Tomorrow I will be running/(a little bit of walking) my second 5k! I did one a couple of years ago in Jonesboro, but I didn't really train for it and my friend and I pretty much walked most of it. I have been training (using the c25k app) for about 7-8 weeks now. This is the farthest I've got with the program. My goal when I signed up was to run the whole thing, but I got behind in my training and got stuck on one of the days for a while so I probably won't be able to this time. I'm okay with that! I can run without stopping for almost 2 miles. So, if I can do that and then do intervals of running/walking the rest I will be super happy! I can do a mile in about 11 minutes. I'm trying not to focus on a time but if I can get under 35 minutes that would be cool. We will see and I'll be sure to update about it soon..not two years from now.

-My brother came to visit last week. We had not seem him in a year! I love when he's here and Luke adores him. Can someone please convince him to move back home?

- Next Friday will be our 5th anniversary! 5 years...it seems like it's been longer than that. I don't mean that in a bad way but I feel like Justin has been a part of my life forever.

Well that's what has been going in our little world. I wanted to post some pics but I'm out of time. We got to go get my big baby.

Have a good Friday my friends!

Kiwi Crate Review

I wanted to share something really cool and fun that I discovered through Pinterest or it may have been some morning show..can't remember. I know if I find things that I would love to try for my kids, I want to know what others think about it first before I spend my Justin's money. So I thought I would do this little review, in case any of you were curious about this product or are just looking for something fun to do with your kids!  Anyway, it's called Kiwi Crate. If you don’t already know, Kiwi Crate is $19.95/monthly and is geared towards kids ages 3-7. The box is filled with materials to create fun crafts. 

This is such a cool and easy thing to have if you are not a very creative person (like me). I always see all these cute and fun crafts to do on Pinterest, and I think oh that would be fun, but I probably will never do it. (and I don't...sorry...not really) Kiwi Crate makes it so easy because they provide everything for you in the box. There's scissors, crayons, paper...everything you need to make the craft they have for that month. There's a theme each month. Luke got his first crate last week and we loved it! Yes, I enjoyed it too...and it was so easy because everything was right there in the box. And that works great for me! This month the theme was secret detective. There were two crafts. The first craft was called "my disguise kit", we just called it a mask. This was Luke's favorite. 

He was real excited about this one. They provided all these different parts you could attach to the mask, as well as some stickers. Luke loves stickers, so he was super excited! 

Finished Product: He named him King. 

King wanted to play on the computer. 

He also went to visit Jude. Jude liked him...then tried to tear him apart. 

They also had this really cool "secret message pen". You wrote with the pen on the paper they provided. It was clear, but then you shined the UV light onto the paper and your message showed up. Luke really liked that too. 

The second project was a periscope. 

It was pretty neat. Luke enjoyed coloring it. He wasn't as excited about this one as the mask, but he still really liked it. He kept saying he was a pirate. 

Puppy had to look too. 

So, overall I think this is a great product! We will for sure keep up our subscription each month. It's $19.95 a month, free shipping. I think it's worth the price for sure! You get everything you need in that box, no going to buy paper, crayons, scissors and all that stuff that drives me nuts to go buy. You can also do "Sibling Add-On" for an extra $7.95 a month. They will provide the extra materials for the brother/sisters. I think that's a great idea. I don't need that now...but we will eventually! Also, if you are interested in trying Kiwi Crate, let me know. I can get you $10 off your first crate! Just leave me a comment on here or message me on Facebook. (it's not just a one person thing either) 

Let's Talk...

Let's talk about how my 2 1/2 year old son is pretty much potty trained now...oh yay! I guess I could say he is potty trained, but I'm too scared to say that and then he wakes up from his nap shortly and totally forgets everything he's learned. We started a few weeks ago and he's done really well. Actually, he picked it up pretty fast. By the afternoon of the first day of training he was already telling me when he needed to go "pee-pee". By the end of the week, I hardly had to ask him at all. He would just tell me. Now, he doesn't even tell me...I just hear the flush of the toilet and then he comes running and says "I pee-pee"! I never thought I could enjoy those words so much. He also has been waking up dry in the mornings and after nap for the past week. It's so wonderful to only buy diapers for one now and we plan to keep it that way for a while! It was also nice to have my best friend training her 2 1/2 year old (who happens to be Luke's best friend) at the same time. We got to vent and rejoice with each other! Now our sweet baby boys are big boys now....I can't believe it.

Which brings me to my next topic of discussion.....let's talk about how we are all going to the beach together..real soon. This time next week we will be relaxing in Orange Beach! I can't wait. Yes, our families are taking a vacation with all 5 of our boys who are 3 and under. It may sound crazy and when we first discussed this trip, and especially after Jude was born, I was seriously considering backing out. But now I'm excited about it. Our lives are crazy anyway, so I don't see it being any different when we go to the beach! My friend Kim and her bunch are leaving Saturday, we will be heading that way Tuesday night, stopping halfway to spend the night, and then arriving Wednesday. Luke has been talking about going to the beach for a looong time. I know he's going to love it, especially having his best friend with him. Hopefully, this will turn into a tradition we can do for a long time. :)

Let's talk about this 5k training app I've been doing. Okay, so I really don't like discussing my exercise routine or posting on Facebook how far I ran and in what amount of time...or whatever. I think I may have done that once and I didn't like it. I never want to make anyone feel inadequate or make myself seem prideful, so I just don't do it or try not to anyway. But I just have to say this 5k training app is about to kill me. I have this love/hate relationship with it. I love that I can run farther than I ever have or ever thought I could (which isn't even very much to begin with for some people). It's almost helped me have an enjoyment for running. (and the inches I have lost makes it not so bad either) But I am on week 4 as we speak...and I can not get passed it. I've been stuck for two weeks! I honestly think it has to do with me needing some new shoes...that's my good excuse and I'm sticking to it. Seriously, if anyone is considering taking up running/walking, try this app! I absolutely hated running (and there are days I still hate it) but this has helped me train and build myself up without wanting to die...sometimes. I'm not saying it's super easy...because it's not. I really have to pray my way through it somedays..really I do. And listen to some really good music...I think that is a big key in running...or to me it is! I am for sure not a professional at this...look, I'm having a hard time getting past week 4! I'm just hoping I can get a little better for the 5k Justin and I (and our friends Kim and Clay) hope to do in December. I would love to run the whole thing...I'm not even concerned about a time. I just want to do it! I did one last May and loved it. I just mainly walked, but would love to do more running this time.

I hope you folks enjoy your week and just think about how I'm enjoying the wonderful beach next week and be very jealous....:)

That will be Justin and I...our kids will be in the water somewhere. 

Luke Michael Heck

This blog post is dedicated to my funny, cute, and sweet 2 1/2 year old son Luke Michael Heck. I feel like he has got a little left out in the last few posts (sorry son), so I thought I'd make this blog about him and the cute, funny things he does (kind of a get to know him kind of thing...).

Birthdate: Luke was born on January 8, 2010 and weighed 7 lbs 1 oz (I can't remember the time or his length..and actually his weight may not even be right...I am bad at remembering these things! That's why I have my mom...she knows) This was after he put me through 24 hours of labor...but like they all say "he was worth it!"

Look at the sweet baby face...yeah he was worth it

Luke was always such a sweet, happy baby. He spit up constantly....I mean all the time, but he was happy about it. I could get all kinds of things done around the house and he would just entertain himself. (He actually still does that) 

Favorite Food: Luke loves some chicken! Really..this kid could eat chicken every day. Occasionally, Justin and I tell Luke some meats are chicken just so he will eat it...hey, we don't want him to starve! 

Best Friend: Other than Justin and I of course...Luke has had Malachi as his best friend since they were about 5 months old. Malachi's mom and dad use to live underneath us in the Seminary apartments and we all became like family (and still are). His mom, Kim, is my best friend. They are so cute together, especially now. They get so excited when they see each other...and eventually they turn to fighting like brothers, but in love of course! 

They are about 8-9 months here. Aren't they sweet, eating their puffs off the floor in their diapers?

And here they are at their 2 year birthday party...(this is the most recent and best picture I have of them) Kim, we need to take their picture! 

Favorite Toy: This varies a lot, but right now he loves his cars. He has developed such a great imagination and I love to hear him talking with his toys and cars. It's the cutest thing.

Favorite Movie: Well, he loves some Veggie Tales, but I would have to say right now his favorite movie is Toy Story (any of them). He watches the second one a lot, and can actually quote the movie as it's playing. 

Just watching a movie (probably Toy Story) with Mickey Mouse...he actually put him in that chair and made him "cozy"

He also really loves music. He loves singing and dancing. He will randomly throughout the day say "Mama, dance" So we will dance. He can pick up on a song real fast and will repeat anything he hears on the radio or whatever we are listening to. It's real cute. 

Just listening to some music.

Luke really loves all his family. He loves being around people he loves and that love him. He just gets so excited. And he randomly talks or asks about them throughout the day. 

He talks non-stop....really. 

He also has the best memory. Seriously, this child can remember anything. Don't think you can bribe him with something to get him to go to bed at night, and not expect him to remember the next day...he will! One example of how good a memory he has is one morning I asked Luke what he wanted for breakfast. He told me a waffle. I then realized we were out and said sorry we have to go to the store and get some. So, two days later we were getting ready to go to the store. I had already made my list. As we were walking out the door he says "Got to get waffles" (which I forgot to put on the list...thanks Luke!)

Luke has become such a funny little boy. He has such a great personality. He really makes me laugh every day. Let me share some funny/cute things he does or has said recently:

- He has this little farmer guy that goes with a barn toy thing...anyway he plays with this little guy a lot. He even talks to him...but my favorite part is he calls him "barner"  If he can't find him he will say "Mama, where's Barner?" And then I laugh and say I don't know. I just think it's so funny when he says that...you may not but I laugh every time. 

- If he really likes what I cooked for dinner/lunch, he will say "mmmhmm good supper"

- One day, on the way home from Walmart, I realized I had forgot to pick up Jude's prescription. That meant I would have to drive back another 20 minutes to get it, so I used the saying I learned from my mom, who got it from her mom and said "Shoot a Monkey" (that's the closest to cussing you get around here). Well of course, Luke repeats it, and then a few minutes later he says "Shoot a Elephant". It was pretty hilarious...I was sad I was the only one in the car to hear it. 

-Luke will call Justin "Justin" often. It cracks me up every time. Occasionally in the mornings he will go and wake him up and say "Justin, I want breakfast" 

-I just recently bought a treadmill (which I love..so far). I usually jog/walk on it whenever Jude is napping in the morning. So, Luke will play in the sunroom (where the treadmill is) while I workout. As soon as I'm done and get off he will say "Good job, Mama!" It is really encouraging, actually.

- I taught him how to tell people his name when they ask, accept he has a hard time putting Luke and Michael together..for some reason. So, you ask him "What's your name?" He will reply "Michael Heck"We are working on this. 

- His bed time ritual includes reading a book and singing songs. It also requires being "cozy" which means covering him with his blanky that he has to sleep with...really. It will be a bad night if we ever go somewhere and forget that thing. It also requires a "bear hug and a bear kiss". 

- I also love when he uses the phrases "Dangerous" "That's weird" "That's cool"...and he always uses them in the right way. 

- Justin's favorite things he does are when he sings "Call Me Maybe", which Luke sings as "Call Me Babies". Luke will actually request this song when we are in the car. Justin also likes when Luke repeats things we say....Justin can get him to say anything. Sometimes we are amazed at what he can actually repeat and it sounds really good. He can talk pretty well for a 2 1/2 year old. He also likes when he says "Buzz Ightyear" (that's how he says it) 

Well those are just a few of the funny things he does...there are tons more I'm sure. 

He really is such a funny and entertaining little child. He has his Daddy's personality for sure....and I love it! If you're ever having a bad day, just come over to our house...I promise he will make you laugh! I love the stage he is in now. (besides the occasional fit throwing..that is actually getting lots better) He is learning so much and amazes me and Justin every day. I love watching him grow and learn new things.  We love our little Lukey!