It has been a very long time since I updated our blog. I hope to make this a weekly endeavor, but since it's Monday, let's just say, I'll update when I can. Let me explain.

If the Allens make it to church on Sunday, Mondays are disasters. If we're lucky, a load or two of laundry gets done, Mom washes her face and brushes her teeth and supper gets cooked and eaten. Jonathan won't nap in his crib until Tuesday morning, Mom probably won't get out of the clothes she slept in and the house will stay dirty. I accept this. The fact that the house was recently listed has made me a bit more anxious about Mondays, but today I decided, I'm over that. I can be thankful on days when the phone doesn't ring because that means we won't be showing the house. I can also be thankful that I have finally allowed Monday to be a disaster. Let me qualify by saying that disastrous days are only really disastrous if you don't expect them to be. Mondays are now fully devoted to the reading/ singing of Snuggle Puppy at least a half dozen times, slobbery kisses, lots and lots of cuddles, living with the distinct possibility of b.o. and bad breath.... oh, and maybe this blog.

Don't get me wrong. I love going to church and I love taking my son to church.

We both need the socialization and he LOVES the ladies at church. The production involved in getting us there wears me out before 8 am, but I definitely want to be there.

Here's the rub. Jonathan's morning nap coincides with the Sunday School hour.

Jonathan will not nap in the nursery crib. Jonathan's morning constitutional

also coincides with the Sunday School hour. By the time Big Church rolls around, Jonathan is very tired, has a dirty diaper and is not at all happy about the shift change in the nursery. Melt down.

Mommy generally always has plans to cook after church. Mommy generally always persuades Daddy to drive through Cook Out or Dairy Queen (or both). Thank Heaven for Dairy Queen and Cook Out! Thank Heaven for spicy cajun fries, large chocolate/ vanilla twist ice cream cones and understanding husbands.

Jonathan was dedicated in Salem Church on February 27th. He was wearing a darling outfit that Giggie and Bop gave him for Christmas. Mommy held him in the blanket she made during the months she carried him. We were so thankful that we were able to have the dedication at Salem. Jonathan has spent his first year in that church and our church family has been very gracious... giving us a shower, putting up with nervous new parents and dealing with a baby boy in the nursery that is rarely separated from his Mommy. I'll enjoy bringing him back to the church when he's older.

Despite the fatigue and frustration of being new parents, we are feeling very blessed right now. This little boy is precious and we really cannot imagine life without him. He recently learned to clap and will clap every time Mommy and Daddy say "yeaaahhhh." He waves, but generally at himself. Jonathan is becoming so mobile that he doesn't want to stop practicing to eat or sleep. He is very involved in learning how to crawl, sit up and pull up. Jonathan also does a lot of talking. We're not sure what he's trying to say yet, but a lot of noise comes out of that mouth. This is what nap time has been looking like this week. Not a lot of napping going on. He actually managed to move the pillow in the back left corner and turn off the monitor today...

In less than three months, we will be leaving this little corner of the world, and returning to Texas. Although we still have a lot to learn, Jason and I did a better job of immersing ourselves in our surroundings this go around. It's going to be very hard to leave Elizabeth City and our friends here. Many of our friends have become like family. If we had the choice, we wouldn't move right at Jonathan's 1st birthday, but we are very thankful for Jason's job and thankful that we get to move to a place we know... closer to family and childhood friends. That will be a major relief for me as my Mom has not been able to visit since Jonathan was in his first week (due to illness). We repeat the same scenario from day to day. Mom only ventures as far as Wal Mart most weeks and we spend lots of time in the living room floor, practicing our new moves. This week we're traveling over to the TV cabinet and unloading the bottom shelf.

Here he is, picking out a movie!