First the Chickens, then the Egg

When I returned from the beach last Sunday, I found one small brown egg sitting in my refrigerator. Every day since then Oprah (the australorp) has given us one, ever larger brown egg. What fun!



I finally cracked one open and gave it a try last weekend.


My mom encouraged me to try it plain--no salt, no butter, no nothin'. And it was amazing! So rich! So delicious! I am convinced that people only started adding butter and cheese when the eggs they were eating were no longer truly fresh. You can totally taste the difference (and I am NOT and egg connoisseur).

(coincidence that I look like a chicken here? I think not.)

So what does Nathan think? Compared to his first encounter with scrambled eggs, I'd say we're getting closer. Maybe.


Only one chicken is laying, and already we have a surplus of eggs. So this is what I'm bringing to bible study tomorrow only this time I'll make it with fresh, golden yolk, organic brown eggs straight from my back yard!

After the Song

We stripped Nathan down to his diaper, we lit the candles, we sang happy birthday and here's what followed.

MAJOR DISCLAIMER: the behavior of a certain young mother is to be excused on the basis of pre-first birthday stress, pnigophobia and temporary psychosis. And no, you can't choke on ice cream.

Nathan, Cake and Ice Cream from m linn on Vimeo.

wow, where do I begin...Nathan turns ONE!

Way back in August, when it was officially summer and it was really hot (not just low 90's like it is now that it is autumn), my baby had his first birthday. Somewhere in the midst of my sister getting married and all of the craziness that comes with a new school year, I ran out of time to post pictures and tell wonderful stories. So here are some memories of the sweet boy's big day.

Papa Macmanus hand crafted this amazing rocking chair. Uncle Jordan designed the N. Papa brought it to Augusta in a box on the plane and assembled it once he got here. Nathan loved it! It was even more special because his momma has one just like it with a heart in it.

Papa Linn hand crafted this beautiful bench/work table. Now Nathan can work right next to me in the kitchen and store all of his work toys in the shelf below. Nathan loved it especially because his daddy had one just like it when he was little. What handy grandies Nathan has!

After nap time, Nathan awoke to a party to celebrate his best year yet! The party was "Brought to you by the letter N" so N's were everywhere.

Danny organized the favors going up the stairs

the cake

the birthday boy!

our wonderful friends and family

the kids made life-size self portraits and decorated them. It was so fun to watch them get so excited about being crafty and creative.

Nathan's crazy-looking smash cake and the "N" cake

It was hard to cut into that cake after spending so much time on it!

Nathan is so excited for his first bite of cake! Look at those chubby little thighs!

After mom's freak-out moment, Nathan was allowed to have at it. I'm still trying to convince myself that you can't choke on ice cream.

He needed a little help breaking in to the cake, but he quickly got the hang of it.

He just kept going and going...

friends stuck around until after 7pm, chasing the chickens, playing in the sprinkler and pool and having a lot of fun.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I am lacking in eloquence at the moment and still have a lot of processing to do, but wanted to be sure to get the word out on how good and gracious God has been to me this week.

Last Monday I was walking with my mom, a very good friend, my mom's two giant poodles and Nathan (in the stroller) when I was hit by an SUV going about 30mph (so he said). While I don't remember much of what followed, I heard that the seventeen year-old driver left the scene and went home, later to return with his family. I lay on the ground, 30 feet from where I was hit my head bleeding from the impact. Nathan remained in his stroller a ways down the road. Upon hitting the curb, his stroller tipped backward (oddly enough, since you'd think it would go over sideways as it hit the curb that way). The stroller was crumpled under him, but he lay virtually unharmed on top. I do remember him crying...

From my perspective all I seem to remember is his crying. I remember touching my head only to find it wet with blood. I don't remember the pain or fear. I only really remember the sensation of my hands raised and singing Great is Thy Faithfulness. The Lord was ever and only before me. I was completely at peace knowing my soul belonged to Him.

I've been told the ambulance soon arrived and I gave report on myself ("28yr old female struck by an automobile" or something like that) and instructed the EMS on how to place a c-collar and roll me on the the backboard properly. I lost consciousness on the way to the hospital and don't actually remember anything consistent until I was in my room on the Trauma Unit later that night. Slowly bits and pieces come back to me, but I am in no hurry to remember it all!

The Lord in His mercy was pleased to protect Nathan and me that night. It seems impossible that being struck in the back by an SVU going 30+mph, flying 30 feet and landing on the curb would produce only minimal injuries. I escaped with only a head lac that required 12 staples, some pretty ugly gashes on my shoulder and all across my back, a sore ankle and a nasty concussion. God is good! I was in the hospital for a while, and my family was so good to care of Nathan who, by the way, rode to the hospital on a backboard but went home soon after with nothing more than a dose of motrin for a pinched finger. I am so grateful He spared my life and Nathan's too. His protection and goodness are far greater than I can comprehend.

I serve a mighty God. A God who delights in saving the lost and healing the sick. A God who will work His purpose even in me. I continue to praise Him with hands raised high. Please praise Him with me. He is good.

Psalm 34

1 I will extol the LORD at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

2 My soul will boast in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

So this is ONE

This post does not contain First Birthday photos (we are still waiting on a few).

This post does not contain One Year Doctor Visit stats (that's next Tuesday).

This post intends only to try to capture what I have come to realize ONE means based on the past few days.

1. If he doesn't like something I do...he whines. If he doesn't like something he does...he whines. If he doesn't like the sound of his whining...he sobs.

2. A lot more crazy stunts.

3. A lot more bang-ups to show for it.

The poor guy fell THREE times on his birthday!
Each time he hit the same spot on his noggin.
I think his left brain must be doing a lot of growing.

4. New favorite foods that he'll want to eat for days on end!

Pirate Black Beard loves black beans.

5. And I'm thinking ONE also means he will start to dislike foods, too. We finally found something Nathan doesn't enjoy: eggs. Good thing we got those hens!

hmm...what is this?

interesting texture, i guess i'll try it...

gag!

So I did what any doting and nurturing mother would do...

Got the video camera and gave him some more!

All in a Sunday's afternoon

Perhaps I'm the only one that feels this way, but planning a birthday party (ESPECIALLY the first) is stressful! I've never done anything like this before and lots of people are going to watch me learn. So Danny and I spent the weekend trying to get things ready for Nathan's first birthday. We worked hard to get things cleaned up and prepared for a party.

On my To Do List was to bake a practice cake. I forgot to remove it from the pan before I left for the store, so poor Danny was left with the task. Needless to say, after and hour in the stoneware, half of the cake was on the rack and the other still in the pan. So hopefully I won't make that mistake again. My next challenge was to use fondant for the first time. It was GREAT!!! I had so much fun! The decoration is a little corny, I know, but I only wanted to mess with one color for the practice cake. Now I just have to figure out what to do with all of this cake.



After a dinner of cake scraps, I was feeling extra confident. Danny somehow convinced me to let the girls out of the coop. I told him that if they flew over the fence, I was going inside and he could figure out how to get them back (insert image of four chickens wandering down our shaded suburban neighborhood street). He agreed so out we went, opened the door to the coop and they all just stood their. Marilyn, the bravest of them all, finally ventured out but stayed close. The others watched her in amazement. We finally convinced the others that freedom would be glorious. The wandered around the yard, ate corn from around our feet and eventually made their way back to their coop. Nathan sat in his swing watching the episode and commenting on the crazy birds.




So that was our Sunday afternoon. What about you?

Linn Family Vacay (minus Danny)

Nathan and I spent last week with the ENTIRE Linn family EXCEPT Danny. He had to fulfill his resident duties (one of which is no vacation in June or July. Cool rule). So Nathan and I trekked out to Greer's Ferry, Arkansas for a week at the lake. Nathan had a blast hanging out with all his awesome uncles--all 6 of them--and all the ladies too, of course. He slept in the pack'n'play which was set in the enormous hot tub in the master bathroom (thanks Nana and Papa Linn), stayed up late and napped on the boat. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. (Thanks Kristin, for the pictures!)

Aunt Kelly lures Nathan in with a remote control. He would have walked to her anyway...he couldn't stop thinking about the Mint Chip.

Nathan and Momma go tubing...

waving "hi" to everyone on board

weeee!

Uncle Tim and Uncle Dan...giving Nathan WATER while REAR-FACING

Joey trying to flip the tube while Sammy gives a sinister laugh

Learning to drive the boat...

Time with Nana Kiki...

it was a tiring week! Nathan took a 5 hour morning nap PLUS an afternoon nap on the day we got home!