All Done!

When Gianna is eating, we use two phrases: "More" and "All done."  If she is playing at the end of the meal, or fussing to let me know that she's full, I will ask, "all done?" and Gia will either cram more food into her mouth or reach up for me.  After getting Gia out of the highchair, I will let Nola help me clean up the floor.  Well today when Gia was finished with her lunch, I asked her, "all done?," and suddenly Nola's ears perked up.  She sat "at attention," eagerly posed at the bottom of Gia's highchair, ready to get the scraps that Gianna had dropped.  I cracked up!  Looks like Gianna's not the only one who's learned a new word!

Nola patiently waited long enough for me to get a picture.

NOLA memories

I have so many memories from doing missions in New Orleans and living there.  While we were in New Orleans for the Southern Baptist convention, I tried to relive as many of these memories as I could.  And, I wanted to share the moments with Gianna.

We loved going to cafe du monde!  Although it was always crazy and packed, those bingets are so yummy & warm, and it was fun just to be in the middle of all the action.  

There's a tradition, where you blow the powdered sugar into someones face who has never been there before.  I didn't acutally blow the sugar into Gia's face, but I had to put some on her nose for a cute picture.

Next, we went to the platform right above Jackson square.  We sat on the same bench where we sat on our first date, holding hands and falling in love.  On the bench on this trip, we were able to pray for a woman who had traveled from Tennessee and had survived cancer.  What a special memory God gave us in that special place.  They woman, Yolanda, took this picture for us.

When Kelly Allen and I were in Westwego for the summer as NAMB missionaries, we went to the Godiva store and ordered what we thought was a frapachino.  However, it was really the most delicious chocolate milkshake that we had ever tasted.  I mean seriously, it was heaven in my mouth.  So, Bobby took me back to the mall so that I could get one... and share it with Gianna :o)

If you've ever lived in the New Orleans area, you know what a snowball is, and that we couldn't possibly have left NOLA without having one.  The prices had gone up since we left 2 1/2 years ago, and they only take cash at the one we went to, so Bobby and I split a Dreamsickle with condensed milk.  Mmmmmm yummy!  Gianna thought it was pretty great, too!

Bobby's favorite restaurant in NOLA is Canes.  For some reason, I didn't realize how fabulous it was when we lived there, but we ate there on this trip, and I loved it!  Gianna thought it was the most delicious thing she'd ever put in her mouth.  It's a chicken place, by the way. 

First Baptist Church of Westwego is the church where Kelly and I served as missionaries that summer in 2006, and where Bobby was the pastor of education.  It's where I met my dear friends who have forever changed my life.  Bobby and I met and fell in love there.  Kelly and I watched Phantom of the Opera over and over in the youth room upstairs, and ate Marcia's Boston Cream dessert for breakfast because she gave us lots of left-overs.  We facilitated the precious groups who came to help rebuild the city, and they stayed in that church with us.  So many sweet memories.

And finally, Baskin Robbins.  Kelly and I grew very attached to that ice cream shop during our summer in NOLA!  We had to go back there because, as Quint said, "Lindsay is here and it's what we always do."

Gianna's first birthday party

I realize that this post should have been up a month ago, but I almost didn't write it, and then decided that I wanted Gia to have the memory.  My hesitation was that we couldn't invite everyone who we love, and who love Gia, and I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by posting pictures of the party.  Our budget and our backyard just weren't big enough to invite everybody we would have liked.  But I hope that those people can forgive me, and know that I'm writing this post for Gia, and not to make anyone feel bad.
The weather on the morning of the party started out cloudy, almost as if rain was looming.  It had rained the Saturday before, so I was a little nervous that it might rain on her party.  And since the party was outside, that would have really put a damper on things.  Fortunately, before the party started, the sun came out & made it a gorgeous day!  My kid picked a good time of year to be born.
The theme for Gianna's party was a rainbow theme.  I love lots of bold colors, especially on Gia, and I thought this idea was awesome and original.  Of course, when I looked up "rainbow themed party" on line to get some ideas, I realized that it's a pretty popular theme.  Oh well :o)  That also meant that people had come up with some GREAT ideas.  Like a 6 layer rainbow cake, rainbow balloon banner and tissue pom-poms.  We had great friends show up and celebrate with us, making it such a special day.
Cori and Mari helped me make these.  I got the idea on pinterest, and decided to do two of each color.  Turns out, they are super cheap to make and make a great decoration!  I went to the dollar store and spent $5 on materials (but I ended up having to get more tissue paper at Target in order to make orange ones).  So, here was the finished product:

The balloon banner I got off a another blog.  I couldn't have done it without my mother-in-law.  She's amazing with a needle and thread.  I think it turned out really well.

For the food, I chose to do one food of each color of the rainbow.  This was my own idea, not from another blog or website :o)  Red = Watermellon, Orange = cheeze balls, Yellow = Lemonade, Green = green jello (it's a Utah thing), Blue = chips, Purple = Grapes.  Then I had some rainbow candy in jars and a vase of skittles with flowers.  I had a game going where whoever guessed the right amount of skittles in the vase got to take it home, but the vase got knocked over a couple of times, and Hannah ate some of the skittles, so I ended up giving it to Josiah.  He made a guess;  I have no idea if he was right or not.

We also had hotdogs for everyone, and a trampoline to entertain all the kids.  I think they had fun!

And then there was the cake.  I was nervous to make it because I had never made a 6-layer cake before, but I'm so glad I did!  Since Bobby's mom was with me, I felt more confident that she could help me.  She made the icing from scratch (it was awesome!), but I have to admit that the pilsbury dough boy made the cake.  I did dye each layer and stack the cake, though!  I was so excited that it turned out.  I got the idea from pinterest, but I put my own twist on it:  I put blue sprinkles on the top so that when you cut into it, it would be like the blue sky on top, white clouds on the bottom, and then the rainbow.  And then, because no cake is complete without some chocolate, I piped a litte and put mini M&Ms around the bottom.

Gia had her own cake that I had ordered from Smith's (only $2.50!), and she had fun with it.  However, I think that the watermelon was her favorite thing of the day.

Nola enjoyed it, too!

We used Gia's wagon (that Grandmama and Granddaddy got her) to hold her presents, and then we opened some of them outside.

The last neat thing that we planned was getting everyone who came to sign her scrapbook.  I got the idea from my dad, who made a birthday poster for everyone to sign at my first birthday party.  I am so touched that he did that for me, and love having it, but it's big and it just sits downstairs.  So I made Gia some scrapbook pages that she can keep in her room.  Years from now she can read back over these encouraging words and know how much she is loved.

You are so special to us, little girl.  We love you unconditionally and are so blessed to watch you grow.  Happy birthday, Gianna!  Mama already has next year's theme planned...

And thank you so much to Laura Ewton for taking all the pictures for us!  You have blessed us immensely with these memories!!

Sweet NOLA friends

We were excited to go to the SB Convention in New Orleans (and vote for Fred Luter!), but if I'm totally honest, my true joy was seeing all of my sweet friends that I miss so much.  This verse runs through my head everytime I think of my Westwego peoples:

"I thank my God everytime I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now... It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart..."   Philippians 1:3-7

I can't express the love I have for these people; my heart aches to see them again.  I desperately want to take them all to Utah with me!

I love these sweet children!  Canon, Bethany, Ella, and of course Gia!

I was always sad that we left Westwego just as Katie and her husband had joined the church and we begun hanging out.  And now they have a sweet baby, Tripp (which we helped give him his nick-name :o) )

Marcia, my dear friend!  I miss our talks and your Boston Cream dessert!  She always has a smile on her face, no matter the circumstances.

Janna and Daniel!  We love your humor and your music!  I miss hearing ya'll lead us in worship.  It was so special to spend time with them and introduce them to Gia.

Chris and Sena had us over for dinner one night, and we ate Sena's famous Red Beans and Rice!  There has never been a more sacrifical couple than these two.  They practically made our wedding happen!  I miss them so much!

My buddy Canon!  Such a special young man.  With everything he's been through, he has mantained the sweetest spirit I've ever met.  We are BFF.

Gia loved him, too!

WILL!  Bobby's roommate...that I had to kick out so that I could move in after marrying Bobby.  But he got my old room in the church, so it was a trade.  Right, Will?  I miss laughing with you, Will, and I know Bobby misses giving you a hard time :o)

Bill Taylor, Bobby's old boss and our dear friend.  He will never know the impact he has had on our lives.  And to his lovely wife Rose, not pictured, we love you as well!

Dana, I MISS you!!  I miss talking about Jesus with you and seeing your smiling face!  She never has a harsh word to say about anyone.  Such a sweet friend!

Pastor JayAHHHH!  Bobby and I could write a whole book on how you have changed our lives.  You are the reason we are married (well, you and the Lord), and you have deeply affected our theology and the way we view ministry.  We miss you so much, Jay.

Bryan and Amanda came over for a visit while we were in New Orleans, too!  What a fun couple!  I miss laughing and talking with you guys, and I can't watch Phantom of the Opera anymore because it makes me think of you, which makes me sad.  Come see us in Utah!

Amanda S, you have grown into such an amazing, capable young woman.  You are doing a fantastic job raising your son.  He's a great kid!  Keep seeking the Lord in what you do.  He will be faithful in your life.  I was so glad that we got to spend time with them during our NOLA visit!

The precious Adkins family!  My heart is so full of love for you.  Quint has gone from a smart, funny, loving little boy that I watched graduate from kindergarten, to a SUPER smart, funny, loving young man.  You are going to do great things!  Michelle, you have raised wonderful boys!  You are such a great mom.  I miss just hanging out with you and hearing your wise advice.  Sigh.  Come visit us!

My two favorite quotes from our week:

Quint: "We have to go to Baskin Robbins, because Lindsay is here and that's what we always do."

Canon:  "...and then I could hang out with my best friends."   Me:  "Who's your best friend?"   Canon: "You are!"

And finally, the Eslers.  Organized, talented Kelli, smart, laid-back George, caring, generous Bethany, and fun, spirit-filled Ella.  We spent the week at their house while we were in NOLA, and stayed up way too late watching the Duggars and talking theology.  I miss having these friends close to us.  Kelli, no one else (except the other Kelly) loves all the same TV shows that I do.  I wish we could watch them together all the time!  Thank you SO much for your hospitality, motherly advice, and friendship.  

Sweet Bethany, loving on Ella and Gia.

Bobby's buddy, Bethany.  

There are other friends that we love dearly who, for some reason, I didn't get pictures with.  Billy & Mae, Denise, the Crespos, and many others.  I have a full heart of love for you all, and I miss you so much.  I hope that we can visit you again (sooner than 2 1/2 years!).  And Denise, thank you for the Mardi Gras beads!  Gianna LOVES them!