Graduations and messy situations...

This past Sunday my step brother graduated from high school and will attend Columbia U. in the fall. Go Christian!! Jake and I went down for the graduation ceremony and party. I was such a proud parent that day. Jake was AMAZING. He literally sat for over an hour in a hot gym and was forced to be almost silent. I never thought in a million years we would last more than ten minutes. So, proud of my little man.with his very much adored pop popI know this is blurry, but this is when Jake was allowed to cheer...my cute sista!

Yesterday, Jake was not feeling 100%. So, I decided to distract him with a little fun painting activity. Against my better judgment I went outside to check a paint job of my own. Mind you I literally went outside onto my porch, touched a piece of wood and came right back in... what 30 seconds??? This is what i found... caught red handed...

then it went in the mouth... AND we're done...

Lastly, I have been working on some fun home projects and have finally completed both. The first was inspired by sister in laws, I copied the idea completely. It is a fabric covered bulletin board that I then framed with trim. Well, Jon framed it with trim, but it was my idea! hehe The second I saw in a Lowe's do it yourself magazine. They had a few examples of how to make your own headboard. One of bamboo, the other metal and lastly the one I loved fabric covered plywood. I then did a little research to find fancier version for my guest room. Taadaa!Very proud of myself, I made my own fabric buttons. It was SO easy too!!

Round' Here...

We are growing up quick around here. Jake is now in his big boy bed and sleeping very well! It is amazing actually. He was truly ready and it shows. I am a little sad to have an empty dusty nursery, but in time... We are also in the pool again every day and Jake is back to his old tricks. He LOVES the water and is now,"swimming." He doggy paddles a few feet and loves when we are not touching him and he is just treading water. I am so proud of him and I love that he is a water baby like I was. We also got a farm membership for the summer and fall. So, far it has been great and Jake is really enjoying it. Today, we had a wonderful day as a family. As Jon put it, it was a mommy appreciation day... love my boys!!!

So, he doesn't have the position right yet, but he is loving his BIG bed!

My little park ranger

kisses for mommyWorking hard at the pretend work shop

So sweet

Jake," Here ya go goats... follow me! Your welcome"

Thankful

When you hear of someone struggling and you are praying for simply their life... you gain perspective. Life is precious. I have known this for 7 years now. Today however, I am acutely aware. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the little things I am thankful for. May I never forget...funny one to start with, but... PACI.. enough said!

first time yoga session

a time when he fit in a bouncy seat

family involvement

trying to be just like daddy

when he fit into a drawer

first snow fall in jammies

sick days when he could only eat toast and snuggle with me in his robe

Target Adventures

Target is by far my favorite store; has been for awhile. I am the extra largest biggest fan of people watching and Target always provides me with an interesting story or two. Today my Target moment tops them all... picture the scene if you will...

Elderly couple in the cosmetic aisle... holding hands...
Elderly romantic man says," enough is enough sometimes."
Elderly adorable woman replies,"but I am not gorgeous"
Elderly romantic man says," paint don't make ya gorgeous kid... it's whats on the inside that counts"

true story... true love... Target...

Jake painted a "mini Jake," at his mommy and me class. He refers to it as mimiJake. He requested it come to Target with us today. "MimiJake at Target pweezz?" How could you turn that down??

and then there were 7...

This past weekend I helped out some friends by watching their 6 girls. Yes, six girls. That makes seven with Jake. Jon was away for the weekend which made it a girls weekend + Jake of course. We had a blast. They are such well behaved and lovely group of girls that it made the experience wonderful. I felt like the lady in the shoe that I have always wanted to be. I can say though, now I think I will just have three kids...
Here are some fun pics of the weekend!being sillypainting... a messy experience, but a fun onefull on baseball game in the playroom.
Ballers vs. Riversharks became very serious...
watching movies w/ popcornsoon turned into a popcorn eating contestnot sure what was happening during dessert...
Possible soprano impression contest???
"You wanna piece a this?"

JCC for the day

We met some friends at the local JCC today for an open house/carnival. Jon and I were both really impressed at how much the JCC offers. Jake loved all the festivities, especially the tour of a UPS truck! We will definitely go back next year if they do it again. Here are some fun pics.Balancing Beam, he loved this thingThe tour of the UPS truck. He even got to wear an official hat and drive!Moonbounce fun

Jake the firemanFist pump for "Swoop"

enough said.. awesome

In awe of "Dora"

not loving the pony ride

The M says mmmm

Jake and his buddy worked with the letter M today! They had so much fun!

Coloring the letter M and eating Mighty Bites

We made monkey masksI have always called him my little monkey, so this is fittingIn typical boy fashion, the boys turned a cute

"two little monkeys jumping on the couch" game into an X games event!

Mother's Day Poem

Mother's day to me has become a bittersweet holiday. I am SO happy and thankful to have my little boy and feel blessed to be," Mommy". And at the same time wish I could celebrate the Mommy I once had. I often write to her or talk to her even though I know she can't hear. It makes me feel that we are still talking in some way. So, I went to find a poem or song to help me express my thoughts tonight. I wanted to post something in honor of my mom or my feelings lately... but couldn't quite find it. So, I wrote my own. I am no professional, just a loser who likes poetry...be easy! No booing or banana peels please...

Dear Mom, Don’t Worry

You were my favorite friend

and mother in one,

we were a tight mother/daughter

and then you were gone

Like a cake left undone

Just plain and bitter

No icing to top it

No sprinkles or glitter

My heart had just opened

then it was torn all apart

I didn’t think it possible

To find a new start

Then along came this book

Amidst terrible grief

Foreign words upon paper

My life’s true relief

Stories of a great figure

A man who healed

One who provides comfort

My fate He had sealed

His plan all along

Made clear in my past

It was then that I realized

Life… it just does not last

As you so often told me

“It doesn’t go up with you”

I’ve learned that this life

Is not what’s important or true

The truth is in Him

And the life yet to be

So I will keep waiting

And live to be free

So mom don’t you worry

Don’t dare shed a tear

I have a wee family

And I am happy down here

This book that I reference

It tells of no time

That Heaven is tearless

and truly sublime

So “no time” would mean…

I’m with you right now

So mom don’t you worry

Go have fun, I allow!

Until then, I’m just waiting

And living for Christ

So mom don’t you worry

The cake has been iced!

L is for Luau of course

My friend Heather and I alternate taking the boys and we teach them one letter each week. This week was Heather's and she trumped any lesson I have taught the boys. They had a luau for the letter L! Now, I have to come up with something super fun for the letter M! So cute.