Five Years and First Steps

Five years ago, Josh and I set out on a new adventure, together.

We've lived in Chicago, we've lived in Nanchang and we've lived in Dallas.  We've been through exciting times together, scary times together, hilarious times together, stretching times together, sweet times together, and painful times together.

We've created a million happy memories.

We've both taught each other a lot...about ourselves, about God, about love, about forgiveness, about grace.

Five years ago today, God blessed me with a man who is ridiculously smart, gentle, adventurous, opinionated, funny, and kind.

God blessed me with a man who is just right for me.

I would marry him all over again today if I could...I love him more today than I did five years ago!  I can't wait to see what the next five years bring.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Josh!  I love you!

Today, on our 5th anniversary, we are already embarking on another adventure.

It's called WALKING!!

Check it out, folks! :)

Italian Creme (Birthday) Cake by Josh

Whose husband would make them an Italian Creme Cake from scratch for their birthday?!

Umm, MINE!!!

I wish I could have shared a slice of my birthday cake with each of you, because it was SOOOO GOOOOD.

Beyond words.

Thank you, Josh, for making my birthday so special.

We originally fell in love with Italian Creme Cakes after trying the mini ones from our little neighborhood Italian deli, Jimmy's.  We love their cakes.

But let me tell you, Josh's cake left Jimmy's cake in the DUST.

I'm not joking. 

This was one of the moistest cakes I've ever eaten.  It's flavored with buttermilk and real vanilla, studded with shredded coconut and glazed pecans, and spiked with LOVE. :)

And the frosting?  Think cream cheese and more chopped glazed pecans.

Are you hungry yet?

I am!

Happy Birthday to me!!

It's a good thing I got new running shoes for my birthday. :)

Italian Creme (Birthday) Cake by Josh

Cake

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 egg whites
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (3.5 ounce) package flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped glazed pecans

Frosting

• 1 1/2 packages cream cheese (12 oz total), softened
•  3/4 cup butter, softened
•  6 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped glazed pecans

1. Preheat oven to 325. Grease (well) three 9 inch, round cake pans. Combine soda and buttermilk, and let stand a few minutes.
2. In a large bowl, cream sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup oil and shortening. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix buttermilk mixture alternately with flour into creamed mixture. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
3. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Gently stir in 1 cup pecans and coconut.
4. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
5. To make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar. Stir in pecans. Frost and fill cooled cake with cream cheese frosting.

Note:  The glazed pecans really make this cake extra special, but they did create a little problem when Josh was removing the cakes from their pans.  You can use plain pecans if this worries you...otherwise just grease your pans extra diligently, work carefully when removing the cakes, and don't worry if a little piece of the cake sticks to the pan.  Just glue it back on with frosting. :)

BIG fan of Daddy's cake!

Mama

Knox hit his 8 month birthday on Sunday.

For some reason it feels like kind of a big one to me.  For the first time I feel a twinge of sadness about how fast he's growing up.  He's still our baby but he's not our little bitty baby any more.  Every day he becomes a tiny bit more independent.  He learns another skill.  He communicates just a little bit more. 

He can find the "Mr. Monkey" on the wall above his changing table when we ask him where he is.  He can sit up in the grocery cart without the aid of his car seat.  He can pull baskets off our bookshelves.  He can put Cheerios in his mouth (well, a few at least...quite a few end up on the floor.)


And last but not least, he can now say MAMA!

He has said this word before, but until recently he reserved it for extra dire moments (i.e. when he was sure he was about to starve to death).

Since Sunday, though...the very day he turned 8 months old...he has started saying it all the time.  Whenever he wants my attention...

When he wants to get of his high chair.  When he needs help sitting up.  When he rolls over and gets stuck in an awkward position.  When he's ready for a nap.  When he needs a new diaper.  When he dropped his toy and can't reach it.

Sometimes, when he just wants a smile or a squeeze.

When I hear his sweet little voice saying, "Mama.  Mum.  Mama!" my head whips around and I come running.  Who wouldn't run toward that?!  He's got me figured out. :)

It's the most wonderful sound I've ever heard.