Fun day with My Cuz

This afternoon, Jill and I spent time together with the kids. The sun has finally come out again so it was time to get outside! Enjoy the pics and videos.

Taking a wee walk

Swing Time

Lollipops from a friendly neighbor

Pretend night night time.
Jack's comment," Aunt Jo, you can leave and Jakey can sleep here."

Jeep time, hope this doesn't make you nauseous

Weird slow mo dancing, hopefully you can see it...priceless

Organizing

Lately, I have been in an organizing mood. I love to organize but find that I don't always have the time now with Jake. This weekend was so rainy that it was a perfect time to get some stuff done. I chose to do my bathroom closets which have been driving me crazy. I love using bins to organize and wanted to make homemade labels. Here is one of the closets! What do you think?

BEFORE

AFTER

Pumpkin Candy

Has anyone seen these in stores??? I love holdiays for the candy they bring. Easter I look forward to Cadbury Mini eggs (not the creme filled kind) but the type with the pastel candy shell. Christmas it is the Reese's peanut butter Christmas tree. Halloween it is the candy pumpkins. I have never really been a candy corn person, but for some reason I love the pumpkins. Where are they??? They used to sell them in bags separate from the corn. Have they discontinued my guilty autumn pleasure?? If you have seen them let me know.

Growing Up Quick

Helping Daddy move tree brush

Barney Spotting... SOO excited

Chatting Up Barney

Giving Five

Family Fun Weekend

Fall, oh fall...

I do love fall but things just seem to get a little too busy for my liking. Between tutoring, preparing for the Buddy Walk, decorating the house, school starting for Jake and bible study starting for mommy, things have been nutty. Jake has been such a good sport through all of it. I am happy to say things have finally slowed down and we are getting back to the park and our usual playdates. The past month or so has been wonderful with Jake. He is really showing his ability to learn and obey mommy. That is HUGE!! Of course we still have our moments, but overall I am soo proud of him. Yesterday, we went to the farm with friends and had a blast. He held my hand the whole time without a fuss and stopped when I said stop. I love days when I can see my hard work paying off. I am really learning the kind of kid he is. When he wants his way, which is most of the time... a little chat with mommy can usually calm the situation and then he obeys me. It's nice when I figure something out and see it worked the next time a situation arises. We have also been "teaching" him colors, letters and I'm trying to show him how to count. I love to see him pointing in his books and pretending to read. I will often ask him how many trees or buttons are there? He so cutely points and points the whole time saying four, four, four... so adorable! I always loved teaching, but seeing my own child learn is a very cool experience.

Feeding the ducks at Aunt Janet's

Jake wanted to sit all by himself on the hay ride

pumpkin in a pumpkin

so big

Jake and his buddy
Preparing for Halloween.. hint hint...

Here is a quick clip of my new favorite thing he does. I am trying my best to incorporate prayer into our day. Here is Jake's version so far!

School days and fun with cousins

Last Thursday, Jake had his first day of mommy and me preschool. It is a once week program where you attend with them. I was a little nervous because we have never really taken a structured class before and I didn't know how he would react. He LOVED it! He learned how to say school, play with play dough, he made a craft, met some new friends and "sat" for story time and songs. After each song he said,"YAY!" I loved it too. The teachers were so sweet and I like being in a school again. The other moms were really nice and I think it will be great for both of us! I also included some pictures and funny video of Jake with Jack.

1st day of school outfit, notice the belt...

here's why... skinny legs

Freedom park fun
Large, Medium and small together

This is Jack and Jake's new thing. Jack pushes the button for Jake and then
they dance to the music. When Jack stops we hear," more... more!"

Jake loves to roll. We were at a party recently and Jake had a hot dog roll. Someone walked by and said," do you have a roll?" Jake immediately got into position and began rolling. So funny.

3 Years with My Hubbs!!!

This past week marked our third wedding anniversary. I know 3 years big whoop... it is to me. I feel so lucky to be married to Jon. I believe he is the man God made for me in sooo many ways. We have accomplished a lot these past three years and really grown as a couple. He has been there for me through thick and thin. He even puts up with my soda addiction... hehe. I can't imagine my life without him and I am thankful each day for all he does for me and our little family. Jon is an honest, dependable, hard working, strong and secretly sweet man. I look forward to many more years with my cute hubbs.

Wrestlemania with Daddy

On Saturday we celebrated our anniversary by taking a trip to AC. Along with some of Jon's co-workers and thanks to Don, we had a private show with the band Yesterday. They are a Beatles cover band and nothing short of amazing. Jon is not a music lover like me, but he likes the Beatles. We had such a great time singing together. Yes, Jon sings... when he is super happy and comfortable. It was so fun sitting next to him and singing some of my all time favorite songs. After the show, we headed home for dinner with some of the bestest, Jess and Mike. We also had a baby free night thanks to Uncle Rick and Aunt Janet! I love how they are always mad when we pick him up! He is so loved.

Does anyone else find this speed limit funny?

Dancin' Fool...

Fall already??

The weather this week has been my absolute favorite. However, I will miss summer for all the fun times it brings. This has been the fastest summer of my life. I guess I am getting old! Here are a few things I will miss...
- Being in the pool
- Going to the beach
- Copius amounts of scrabble and Bradley's chicken cheesesteaks
- The occasion ice cream stop
- Wearing skirts and comfy cover ups
- Watching Jon and Jake cut the lawn together
- Bubbles and sidewalk chalk (big hits over here)
- eating outside in the screened in porch
- BBQ's
- and we will definitely miss being outside 24/7.

A few things I am VERY much looking forward to:
- Wearing jeans
- Wearing uggs and my ugly but comfy clogs
- Picking apples and decorating pumpkins
- Apple crisp
- Chili nights and soup
- Decorating for fall
- Going to school with Jake once a week
- The leaves changing
- Wearing a sweatshirt and taking chilly walks in the morning

I sometimes say that I would love to live somewhere that is 75 degrees permanently. The truth is, I would really miss the seasons changing. I love it!

Summer Fun

Here are some recent pics from Kid Junction and the St. Joan of Arc Carnival. Can't believe summer is ending!

Nice Wheels!
Being a postman, delivering the mail

Grocery shopping. He only wanted to buy fruit and bread

Playing the basketball game with Daddy. Needless to say we watched this game quite a bit.

Loving the dunk tank. He kept cheering," YAY." Every time the poor kid was dunked.

We are called to benefit the world

Beth Moore said it best when she said," We are called to benefit the world." I hold that phrase close to my heart and think about it often. (I'm actually looking for a place to hang it in my house, so it can be something my family sees every day) This post may seem random but, I have these... waves of emotion... every so often. That is the best way I can explain it. I've had them as long as I can remember. They definitely intensified after my mom passed away. It is as if I am being urged to do MORE. More what? I don't know. I just feel that I'm not doing enough with my time here on earth. It is a very hard emotion to explain, but it is very real and very frustrating for me. I know my roles as a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend are important. However, I feel there is something else out there. Some void I need to fill by helping others. I love doing charity work, volunteering and have always loved to fund raise. It brings me joy to see what I can give to others through my own perseverance. I am also very inspired by others stories of philanthropy. However, at the end of the day I am still left feeling like there is something more. Maybe I won't find out while I am here. Maybe God is preparing me. I am not sure. Only time will tell. I just keep praying for an answer and I try to be patient. Like I said random... but it was on my mind...

The Life of the Jake

Playing with a new fav, The Bus

Hiding in tuuperware cabinets
Loving his own reflection

Eating markers, but LOVES to color

Singing songs, I love how he always gets excited to point to his face and smile

More Decorating Fun

I'm having so much fun decorating. I am slowly turning my house from a more eclectic, contemporary style into more french country. Take a look at the kitchen before and afters.

Before

After ( so much brighter)

BeforeAfter
No more stained glass!!! Woo hoo! I also couldn't wait to hang up some of my mom and grandmothers china!!I like to be surrounded by things that remind me of her. It makes my home somewhere I want to be all the time!! There is so much more I want to do, but I am trying to take my time and do it right.