My Mother's Day Present

So, for like the last 9 years, I've really wanted to get a tattoo. But, I've been scared. I've always wanted it on the top of my foot, and I had been told that that was one of the worst places to get it, because there wasn't a lot of tissue between the skin and the bones and tendons. However, I've never changed my mind about the design and the location.

For Mother's Day, Jim finally decided he'd listen to me complain about wanting a tattoo and not doing anything about it, so he took me to a place in Naples. I told them what I wanted, where I wanted it, and that I needed it done ASAP so I wouldn't chicken out. They got me in tonight.

The design is amazing. I drew out my basic sketch, and the artist, Mark, made it a work of art. He tweaked it a little bit, and I love it. The whole process took about an hour, but the actually tattooing was only about 30 minutes. Believe it or not, but I would not say the tattooing hurt. Some areas were uncomfortable, but overall, not bad at all. If I knew it would be that easy, I would have gotten it done 9 years ago!



A little background on my design. I wanted something that in 60 years, would still matter and be meaningful to me.

• The cross-now this one is obvious...this symbolizes Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for me on the cross, forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
• The ichthys-the symbol for early Christians; what is neat about this Greek word is that each of the letters that make up the word, stand for something else...so if you look at the letters, it comes out to "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior." Also, in early Christianity, during the time that Christians were persecuted, when two strangers met on the road, one would draw the top part of the symbol. If the other stranger completed the picture, they knew they were in good company. If the stranger did not complete the drawing, he was considered a foe.

So there you go. I love it, and that's all that matters!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Church was uplifting, Easter Egg hunt was successful and Easter Dinner was amazing.

I love our church. I have never left there on Sunday and not felt uplifted and ready to face the upcoming week. That's exactly what you need in a church...a place that tempers law vs. gospel and prepares you to enter the mission field and do God's work. The choir sang, and Ian was well behaved during the sermon...something that doesn't always happen. We've also started taking him up for Children's message. I know he doesn't understand, but it's good practice for him to go up and sit quietly. And, the older members in the congregation find it cute.

After church service, there was an Easter Egg hunt. I wasn't sure how Ian was going to do, since he had difficulty at my work's egg hunt, but he did very well. He was carrying his Easter Basket and knew to put the eggs in. He had a blast running around picking up the eggs.

We also found out on Easter Sunday that our loan has been approved by the synod and we now have the money we need to start building our church. The plan is that next year, we will have our Easter service in our new church.

Christ is Risen, He has Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Merry Christmas!

I know I'm a little bit late, but Merry Christmas to everyone! We had a wonderful Christmas this year, much better than last year. Last year, I was 38 weeks pregnant and miserable and with no family! This Christmas, I have a wonderful baby boy and my mom was able to be here, too.

My mom came in on Monday, December 21 and stayed until January 1. It was so nice to have her here, and it really helped with Ian. I know he really enjoyed having his Neena's undivided attention! Everyone got some really neat gifts, and of course, Ian came out the winner on the spoiled rotten front. He wasn't a big fan of unwrapping presents, and didn't really show any interest in tearing the paper, but he LOVED what was inside the boxes. He ended up with a lot of toys, and now my living room looks like a toy store.



Tuesday, December 29th, we all went to the Naples Botanical Gardens, and enjoyed walking around in the sun and plants. It was a really nice day and Ian enjoyed playing in the Children's Garden. Unfortunately, during the holidays, both Ian and my mom got sick. Ian with an upper respiratory infection, bilateral ear and eye infections. My mom ended up with a throat infection. Ian is definately feeling better, and I'm thinking my mom is on the mend.



It was very nice having family here for Christmas. Jim's parents are coming on January 2nd, and will stay for a week, to celebrate Ian's first birthday. I can't believe he's going to be a year old! Where has the time gone???

Christmas Letter 2009

Merry Christmas to our family and friends!

It is hard to believe that another year has come to an end! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting at the computer, struggling to breathe, writing our letter for 2008! What a wonderful year it has been, with joyous changes for the Florida Flemings.

At 5:12 pm on January 6, 2009, Ian James Fleming made it safely into the world, weighing in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and 20.5 inches long. It has been a wonderful year of watching our little man grow, from smiling, to rolling, to sitting, to running around. Yes, I said running! Ian took is first steps at 9 months and has been going ever since! Needless to say, it is not quiet in our house anymore! During the week, Ian goes to “school” and is thriving! While we would love to keep him home, we think this is the best place for him to be. He is learning to socialize and has made many friends.

Jim continues to work for Publix. In May, we got the wonderful news that he had been promoted to Assistant Deli Manager. He is still working at a Publix in Bonita Springs, which makes day care drop-offs and lunch drop-ins easier. After figuring out the learning curve, he is growing in his management skills and hopes to move up to manager in a few years. Jim continues to be active at church, recently being nominated for Education Chair. He hopes to help grow the Sunday school and youth program into a nice group. He does have his work cut out for him!

Amanda is still working at NCH’s Bonita Outpatient Rehab Center as a physical therapist and program leader. After an amazing 12 weeks of maternity leave, she reluctantly returned to work, stepping into the busiest summer she’s ever experienced! She recently was blessed with the added responsibility of supervising the 10 customer service representatives at the various outpatient clinics. Most days, things go well, but some days she wonders about what she’s gotten herself into! Whenever she can find that elusive “spare time,” Amanda enjoys singing in the church choir and spending as much time with her two boys as possible.

Our two dogs, Jubilee and Shakespeare, have handled the new addition quite well. Jubilee enjoys mothering him, often trying to finish the bath we obviously forgot to give him. She is not too thrilled with the fact that Ian is now mobile, but has quickly learned to get out of the way of grasping fingers. Shakespeare is excited that someone will play with him and drop lots of food on the floor. He has taken up permanent residence under Ian’s high chair.

While we admit we are not the best at keeping in touch with our family and friends, please know that you are always in our hearts and prayers. We hope that this year, each and every one of you feel the warmth and love that comes from the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!

The Florida Flemings

Jimandafleming.blogspot.com

Philippians 1:3

Little Drummer Boy

Friday night was such a fun night! The Christmas program was so cute! Ian's group started out the program and Ian led the way down the aisle. The other babies were either carried or pushed in a stroller, but Ian walked down with a drum strapped to him and a jingle bell in his hand. The "awes" were so loud and everyone watched the babies. Ian was the perfect drummer boy.

It made me a little sad thinking about it. I know Ian loves his teacher, Ms. Yazmin. She's been very good to us, and we're only going to be in her class for another 3 weeks. I'm not ready for him to move up to the one-year old room. I'm not ready for him to be one! My little boy is growing up so fast!

Christmas Program

We're going to Ian's first Christmas program on Friday. Jim and I were talking on Saturday, and Jim made a comment that before we had Ian, he was dreading all of the programs and recitals and things that we would now have to go to as parents. He vividly remembers dreading going to his sisters dance recitals, and was not looking forward to sitting through them with his own kids.

But, WE ARE SO EXCITED! We can't wait for Friday, so we can watch our little boy in the program! The "Baby Bungalow" group will start the program, with the "Little Drummer Boy." My son gets to be the little drummer boy! (Mainly because he's the only one in his class that can walk, but still.) We plan on taking lots of pictures, and being "those parents" with the video camera! Check back later for the details!

PS...my son is no longer a crawler. He is a full-time walking boy!

So much to be thankful for...

I am thankful for my wonderful, handsome, awesome husband.

I am thankful that I have a sweet, loving, HEALTHY baby boy.
I am thankful that I have a mother that is my role model.
I am thankful that I have a wonderful relationship with my older brother.
I am thankful I have sisters that I truly call my own.
I am thankful I have loving in-loves that raised a good, Christan man.
I am thankful that I know my daddy is in Heaven.
I am thankful that I have friends that understand even if we don't talk, I still love them.
I am thankful that I have a job that I love most days.
I am thankful that all of my needs and most of my wants are continuously met.

And above all...
I am thankful that I am a child of God, perfect because of his sacrafice on the cross.

Halloween 2009

Of course, Jimmy picked out Ian's costume. Jimmy is a HUGE Star Wars fan, and we saw this costume in the store and thought it would be perfect for Ian. We even had his nine month pictures taken in his costume! On October 29, we went up to Gulf Coast Town Center for Trick-or-Treating. All of the stores were passing out candy, so it was a safe, fun place to spend Halloween. Ian ended up scoring Mom and Dad, I mean getting, a lot of candy. We did let him have some, but we saved the majority of it for after he went to bed. Enjoy the pictures!