Still Here

I'm still here.  In case you were wondering...I was chugging along updating the blog on a very regular basis when the virus from #&!! struck our house...it won't go away...we've all had it now, some of us more than once.  Mark is its latest victim.  As I write this, it is 11:40 pm and he is out getting us a frosty.  The man knows how to be sick.  Ella has been hit the hardest.  She has been sick for most of the last 3 weeks.  She started antibiotics today, so hopefully, that will be the end of it.

We took Ella to the doctor today and I was reminded what a tough little kid she is.  The nurse did a strep test, and she didn't even flinch.  They said her tonsils were very red and swollen, and the inside of her nose looked terrible.  But, she has not complained one bit about it.  If it weren't for her fatigue we wouldn't have even known she wasn't feeling well.  I love that little girl.  She is fierce and fiesty, and sweet and loving, all at the same time.  She loves animals, she memorizes the names of everything and everyone (first, middle and last!), she's a scrappy little wrestler, and she would be on an all sugar diet if we let her.  I am so grateful she's my daughter, and I love her.

Anna turned 3 months old last week!  Wow!  That was quick.  She might be the happiest baby I've ever known.  The girl just does not get upset about much at all...she only cries if she is hungry.  Most of the time she sits around smiling.  Even if she's sitting alone, she sits and smiles...just because she is delighted that she can, I guess.  And when she spots one of us from across the room, she lights up.  We are having so much fun with her.  The kids adore her.  She is so peaceful and laid back.  This month, she has started sleeping through the night.  She has also started laughing out loud.  It is the greatest sound ever.  She laughs if you do funny voices, tickle her ribs or sway quickly back and forth with her (especially if you do this while using a funny voice...it's hilarious).  Right now, she is completely sacked out beside me on the couch...arms up in touchdown pose, and I love her.

Then there's Aidan...Aidan is a boy...all boy.  He tears holes in his jeans, laughs at potty humor, eats constantly, grows like a weed, hates homework, loves video games, just earned his bear badge in cub scouts, loves to go fast...except when he's getting ready for bed, or school, or doing homework.  He is sweet and funny.  His hair is too long, but he says all the girls like it that way (heaven help us), and when I lie down with him at bedtime, he tells me everything...everything that happened that day, good or bad, everything he's thinking, everything he's worried about, everything he thinks is funny, everything that 's in his sweet little head...and I love him.

And Mark...Mark buys me frostys late at night, takes off work to help me when I'm sick, and uses sweet little songs to be my ring tone on his phone...and I love him.

So, we're all still here...we're coughing, and feverish, and a little snotty and germy...but we're all still here...and I love us.  :)  I hope everyone else is enjoying better health than we are right now!

Anna Laughs, an I-Phone, and other Randomness

Well, today was the day...the day that will go down in baby book history...Anna laughed out loud.  She's been giggling for several days, but today was the first real baby book worthy laugh.  My mom was holding her and kissing her little chubby cheeks and Anna laughed!  What a great sound!  She laughs with her eyes first.  Absolutely precious.  She is a very happy baby anyway.  She is so peaceful and smiley all the time.  I can't wait to hear her laugh more and more.

Today was also the day that I got my i-phone.  I was a little hesitant to get it, and I've really had no interest in having one.  I think they just might be our downfall.  True story...a while back, Mark and I were at the most beautiful, romantic wedding I've ever been to (besides my own) and at one point I looked up and over half the people there were staring at smart phones...twittering about the wedding, no doubt...and missing the whole experience.  Anyway, all that to say, I never really wanted a smart phone.  However, my old "dumb" phone had stopped working.  It was always freezing up, and to get it to work, I had to take the battery out and then put it back in.  So, when I came due for a free upgrade, smart phones were about the only thing they were selling and the i-phone was free.  So, I reluctantly got one.  How do I feel now that I have it??  Eh.  It's okay.  But, it stresses me out.  It has a glass screen and I have 3 little kids.  Do I need to say more?  I feel like it's another thing for me to keep up with and take care of...and there is not a lack of that in my life.  So, it kind of makes me feel burdened.  I haven't gotten to play with it much yet, so I'm sure it will grow on me.  I know I'll like the calendar/shopping app, and the traffic and map apps.  There have been a few times when that would have come in handy.  But, if you see me staring at my phone and ignoring my family, please feel free to slap my hand and give me a firm, "NO!"  Oh, and did you know you have to pay extra monthly to have a smart phone...that's dumb, not smart.  Maybe I'm just getting too set in my ways.

Should I even start a paragraph about the NFL awards show that Mark is watching right now?  Do these people really need more awards and accolades...or attention??  Good grief.  I do love how the last two guys have made a point of thanking Jesus...Mark and I were just talking about how everything we do should bring glory to God, so, way to go NFL guys that I know nothing about.

Okay, I'll close with a funny, slightly disturbing story.
Mark was at Chic-Fil-A today and noticed that they were having Daddy-Daughter date night tonight.  So, he came home and said, "Ella, do you want to go on a date with daddy tonight?"
Ella said, "No."  He asked again, and she said, "why?"  I said, "you're daddy's little girl and he wants to do something special with you."  To which Ella replied, "why does my dad always want to date little girls?"  Oh, heaven help us.  Can we all just stop right now and say a little prayer that Ella doesn't go to church tomorrow and tell our pastor, or her Sunday School teacher, or ANYone that her daddy likes to date little girls?? 

One last thing.  Does the NFL really need an "official tire?" 

Oh, and one more one last thing...who should I root for in the Super Bowl tomorrow night?  It would not be possible for me to care one iota less about either of the teams that are playing.  So, someone tell me who I should root for and why and I'll go with that.  I could just go with Mark and pull for the Giants, but he doesn't really know anything about who to root for (Steelers fan...it's pitiful).  So help me out...I need to cheer for someone.

Okay, I'm done,
Jessica
The official blogger of the NFL
(not really)

Things I've Heard Lately...the Shirt Edition

Me:  Mark, that shirt is worn out.  It has holes in it. 
Mark:  I know, and I don't think I can get another one.  My mom got it at the gas station.
Me:  The gas station?
Mark:  Yea, the Shell Station in Ridgway has some nice shirts.
Me:  I don't think anyone over the age of 12 should utter that sentence.


Me:  Aidan, why aren't you wearing a shirt?
Aidan:  We're battling.
Me:  So, why aren't you wearing a shirt?
Aidan:  It makes me lighter, so I can kick better.

Thankful

Lately, I've been feeling very thankful for all the blessings in my life.  I've had several periods of being overwhelmed by God's blessings for me.  It's a good place to be. 

Here are just a few of the things I have been feeling especially grateful for recently:
Last night, Mark and I took the kids out to eat in honor of the anniversary of our first date.  As we sat there with our 3 beautiful children, I felt in awe of it all.  It all started with that first date, and now we have this sweet little family.  My heart is filled to overflowing just thinking of it. 

After eating, we went to Lowe's just to look around.  If I had known when I was younger that I would one day think going to Lowe's was a fun night out, I would have cried!  But we enjoy going and looking and planning projects for our house (that may or may not get completed!).  Last night we bought another bird feeder and looked at fruit trees.  We looked at materials for building a fire pit, and the kids and I looked at vegetable seeds and contemplated having a garden.  It was a really sweet family time and I felt very grateful the whole time we were there.  I loved that my husband just had to get the last platform feeder that was there...it looks like a porch swing, and Mark hung it in our tree as soon as he got home.  I am thankful to be married to a man that loves what I love.

I remember when I was little, every time I spent the night with my grandmother, she would get into bed at night and say, "I'm so thankful for my bed.  Lots of people don't have a bed to sleep in tonight."  I thought of her last night when I finally went to bed...aching and tired, I was very grateful for my bed last night, and grateful that my grandmother set an example of being thankful for what we have.

In the middle of the night, Anna woke up to eat.  I was so tired.  I could hardly keep my eyes open.  But, when I reached into her bed to pick her up, she gave me a big gummy smile, and I melted.  It was all worth it for that smile.  I held her long after she finished eating, with her little head against my cheek, breathing in her sweet baby goodness.  I thought about how fortunate I was to have her, even at 4:00 in the morning.  How many  people out there are longing to hold a baby of their own in their arms.  God is good.

In the morning, Aidan was up and dressed long before I even got up.  He was excited because he was riding his new bike to school by himself.  I could tell he felt older...he was carrying himself differently.  And, as I watched him ride down the street on his bike without ever looking back, my heart filled with pride and gratefulness for this boy.

After I went inside, I sat at the table drinking my coffee and watching the birds at our feeders, and thought about how good this life is that we've built together, God has lavished upon us.

And later, Ella and I sat snuggled up together in blankets on the couch watching cartoons.  She wasn't feeling well, so she was particularly snuggly.  I loved having her there by my side, safe and warm.  I thought about how abundantly God has poured out his love on our family.
God has been teaching me about contentment lately.  I am so glad I have been able to step back and see what I have and enjoy it all.  I have a good life.  I don't have everything I'd like to have, but I have everything that matters, and for that, I am grateful beyond words.

Christmas 2011

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already!  Time flies.  We had a great Christmas.  Aidan got a basketball goal, and lots of baseball equipment.  Aidan's gifts are starting to double as gifts for Mark too, because they both enjoy the same things now.  That's the thing with boys...you get to a certain age, and the interests stay the same...they just get more expensive.  Ella got horses, and a Little People zoo.  She loves anmials of all kinds.  In fact, she has a basket full of baby dolls and all their accessories in her room that she never plays with.  She will, however, use the baby bottles and her strollers for her animals. 

Ella also got lots of play doh.  She got the play doh pizza factory, the play doh ice cream shop and 4 canisters of play doh in her stocking.  That came to about 12 brand new cans of play doh...all different, beautiful colors.  Less than 24 hours after Christmas, she had 12 brand new cans of brown play doh...which is why playing with play doh with children stresses me out.  They always want to mix the colors...which would be fine if you could UN-mix the colors, but you can't.  And that stresses me out.  I try to remind myself that play doh is only 50 cents a can, and if it doesn't bother them, it shouldn't bother me, but it does.  It's one of my "things."

Aidan got several new wii games for Christmas.  One of his favorite things to do over Christmas break is stay in his pajamas and play his new wii games.  But, unfortunately, our wii broke 2 days before Christmas, and he hasn't been able to play at all.  He's been a little mopey about that, and I can't say that I blame him.  Many of his gifts were games, or skylanders.  Now, he won't be able to enjoy them until the wii is fixed, and I'm not sure when that will be.

I got a kindle from my hubby for Christmas.  I was skeptical when the kindles first came out, but I have to say, I love it.  I love being able to get books instantly...and inexpensively.  And, I love having them all in one place.  I also love that Mark knew I would love it because he understands and supports my insatiable reading habit. 

Mark got a coffee maker that he's been wanting for a couple of years.  It's the kind that has no carafe...you just put your cup up to it and out comes the coffee.  Mark says it's like having free coffee.  I hope he's not disappointed when he realizes you still have to buy coffee to go in it.  Mark makes me a yummy cup of coffee every morning (almost) and I will hardly drink coffee anymore unless he makes it for me.  He really does spoil me quite a bit.

Miss Anna Kate got a baby gym from Santa.  She was completely oblivious. 

We had a great Christmas.  This best part about Christmas for me, is having the whole family home for 2 weeks.  It always goes too fast.  I love having Aidan home all day.  As much as it pains me that he is growing up so fast, I have to say, I really like the kid he's becomig.  It's such a nice feeling when you realize you not only love your kids, but you genuinely like them too.  He's got a great sense of humor and he's very thoughtful and considerate (most of the time).  He has a variety of interests...from video games to science to sports, and he loves to read like me.  He's turning into a well rounded, pretty cool kid and I like hanging out with him.  I hate that I can already feel the return to school day looming in the near future.  Bummer.  How long until Spring Break?

Finally, I just want to say how grateful I am for Christmas...not only the gifts and Santa, and the festive decorations and the time with my family...but just for Christmas.  God has used several events in the lives of people around us lately to make me realize that without Christmas, we would have no hope.  Because of Christmas, we are full of hope!  And if that's not reason enough to wrap our entire house in lights, feast for days and spend a small fortune showering those around us with gifts, I don't know what is!  I hope everyone had a joyful Christmas.

Dear Mark,

It is a beautiful day today.  It is sunny and warm, but with a cool breeze.  The windows are open today, and Ella and I can hear the birds outside.  This morning, we snuggled in bed watching cartoons, until Ella decided she wanted to hide under the covers and pretend she was in a cave.  When she got tired of that, she sat at Aidan's little school desk and drew pictures for about half an hour.  We had lunch together on the living room floor.  Then we played dress up with her Nina Ballerina doll that she got for her birthday.  Later, we're planning on painting our toe nails.  Right now, she has every toy she owns in the living room and has been playing non stop.  We are listening to praise and worship music on the radio.  Soon, she will take a nap, in her own bed, surrounded by all the things she loves.  And, I will be the one to tuck her in and read her a story.  I'm hoping that while she is asleep (and after I pick up every toy she owns!) that I can finish the top for Aidan's quilt, and maybe make him a pillow case too.  It won't be long before Aidan gets home from school, and I will be standing out in the drive way waiting for him.  He'll want to have a fruit smoothie as soon as he gets home, so I already have the blender out.  The dishes are finished, the bed is made and the laundry is caught up.  Dinner is in the works.  It is peaceful here today.

Thank you for today.  I am so blessed to be here with our kids...loving on them all day, teaching them, playing with them.  I know, I couldn't do what I'm doing if it weren't for you.  Thank you for sacrificing so much so I can be at home.  Thank you for working so hard and for budgeting our money down to the very last blessed penny.  Thanks for being okay with not having extra money...to travel, to build that cover for the patio, to go to concerts, to buy new shoes!  Thanks for coming home and helping with the kids right away when I know you're tired after working all day.  Thank you for this life you are providing for us.  The kids and I will be eternally grateful to you.  I love you.

Love,

Jessica

Mark

Mark got up first this morning...to let the dog out.  And then, he got up again...to let the dog out.  (I'm glad the age old question of "who let the dog out?" has finally been answered...it was Mark.)  Then, he got up again, to turn on cartoons for Ella.  And, another time to make me pancakes and coffee.  It was almost like being in a spa resort...except for the 2 year old screaming at me with snot running down her face and needing help in the bathroom...and the 8 year old, also needing a little bathroom help (don't ask)...and the dog, chewing on my foot...except for all that, it was JUST like a spa.

And now, Mark is vacuuming...on a Saturday morning...and using vacuum cleaner attachments.

I love him.

Ten Things

1.  Going back to school after an unplanned week off for ice and snow is really difficult for an 8 year old boy.  He kept looking out the window...like everything would spontaneously freeze and school would be called off at the last minute.  One can always hope, right?

2.  The dog is driving me nuts today.  I guess since we actually got up and started moving around this morning, he is worried I am going to leave him.  Because he is constantly under my feet...I can't even walk in my own house.  I had to take him with me when we took Aidan to school, because he just about had a heart attack when he saw us headed to the car.

3. I am happy that the Steelers lost...but it was hard to be too happy because they're my sweet hubby's team.  Even Aidan was pretty low key about the Packers winning.  He felt bad for his daddy...isn't that sweet?

4.  Mostly, I'm just glad football is over for a few months.  The week leading up to the Super Bowl was especially hard...seriously, how much can you talk about a game that had not even happened yet?  Apparently, you can talk about it A LOT.  Enough to fill a whole week's worth of TV watching.

5.  If my daughter doesn't stop waking up in the middle of the night...only to walk in my bedroom and say, "mommy, can you take me back to bed?"  I am moving out.  Not really.

6. Dogs + tubes of yellow gel food coloring + carpet= tears of frustration and 1 partially yellow dog

7.  I made cupcakes with the Steelers emblem on them last night for Mark.  Because he asked me to.  He did not even eat them after I made them.

8.  I made an Aaron Rodgers cupcake for Aidan last night.  Because he asked me to.  He promptly ate and enjoyed it.

9.  I think my cupcakes had an influence on the outcome of the game.  Maybe the next time I make special cupcakes for Mark, he will take enough time away from the football game to actually eat them.

10.  My husband did not make me any coffee this morning.  I don't want to make it myself.  If he had made it for me, I would be drinking it right now.  But I'm not.

Family

I love this picture:

Not only was this picture taken in one of my favorite places...Pagosa Springs, CO...it also has a few of my very favorite people in it.  They are my family.  The people in this picture are family...they love each other. Grandchild, pawpaw, brother, sister, daddy, daughter, son...family.  Yes family, even though, with the exception of Ella, no one in this picture shares one bit of genetic material.  That's right, not one ounce of DNA is shared among any of these boys.  Yet, they are family just the same.  


I'm so thankful that real family has nothing to do with genes or chromosomes.  Real family has everything to do with love...and devotion...and commitment.  It's the people who tell you what you need to hear, instead of what you want to hear.  Family consists of the people you want to call when something goes right and the first to show up when something goes wrong.  They are the people on which you can depend.  


So, maybe these guys don't share the same eyes, or the same hairline, or any other genetic characteristic. But, they wholeheartedly love each other and take care of each other.  They are family.  I am so grateful that they are MY family.

The Ghost of Pumpkin Patch Past

We went to the pumpkin patch with the kids last night.  This is one of mine and Mark's favorite family traditions.  In fact, someone told me the other day that their kids, who are not much older than Aidan, had outgrown the pumpkin patch.  Seriously?  How do you outgrow the pumpkin patch?   I've got news for our kids, as long as you live under our roof, you're going to the pumpkin patch.  ;o)  I don't care if you're 18.

Our trip to the pumpkin patch last night, made me reminisce about our first trip to the pumpkin patch when Aidan was one.  Good memories...that I will gladly share with you!

Look at those cheeks!

Have you ever seen anything sweeter?

My sweet boys

Pumpkins!

And now...this year...6 years and one silly sister later:

On the Pumpkin Express

Goofballs

She's 2 pumpkins tall!

Love Him!

Her feet aren't even touching the ground!

I think we're going to have to get one of these see-saws for the backyard!

I love it when nice strangers offer to take a family shot for us!

More Summer Pictures

A few pictures from the volcano that we built.

And some from Colorado:

A few of my favorite people in Pagosa Springs:

Ella and Aidan ready for the fourth of July in Ouray

A few shots of scenery from our hike in Ouray:

Mark's parents with the kids:

Potato Sack Race in the Park:

Ella and Nana on the gondola in Telluride:

Mesa Verde:

Nates Meadow:

Cascade Falls:

More to come later....

Six Years...and no Seven Year Itch in Sight!

In honor of mine and Mark's anniversary today's post is all about Mark.  The first thing you should know about Mark is that he is going to LOVE that I devoted a whole post to him.  He loves when I talk about how amazing he is to other people.  :)

First of all, Mark is NOT perfect.  

He has more t-shirts than one man should be allowed, and I'm pretty sure that some of them are older than me.  There are places on his Zildjian shirt that you can see through!

He always leaves his shoes and socks in the floor wherever he takes them off.

He keeps a small pile of clothes in the corner of our bedroom...he doesn't want to put them away because he might wear them again, but they're not quite ready to go into the hamper either.

 He likes   LOVES Rush.

He brings me ice cream, candy and cokes when he knows I don't need to be eating that stuff.

He can quote every line from The Big Lebowski and Raising Arizona.

He has a small rectangle of 70's style carpet from his childhood home in our closet that he can't part with.

He is a complete glutton when it comes to ice cream, especially mint chocolate chip.

He frequently pours out my drinks before I am finished with them.

So, with all these flaws, you may be wondering how I've survived the last 6 years.  :)

Everyone always told me that marriage was hard work.  There are times that are difficult, I suppose, but overall, being married to Mark is easy.  It's easy because I always know how he feels about me.  He always makes our marriage a priority.  

He makes me laugh every day.  He supports me in everything I do.  He sacrifices financially so that I can be home with our kids.

He is an amazing father.  Our children adore and respect him.  Mark makes sure that our children are respectful towards me.  He not only teaches them how to be Godly people, he lives it out in front of them.

He loves God and tries to live a life pleasing to him; our whole family benefits from Mark's relationship with God.  

He is fun to be around.  

He is sensitive to my feelings...he always (almost always) recognizes when I'm having a rough day and steps in to make it better.  

He makes me feel cherished.

He has a heart for the less fortunate.  He is giving and generous, even when there's not much to give.

He is my greatest blessing and my best friend.  I love you Mark.  Thank you for being you.  Happy anniversary.