Jake's Annual Halloween Party

This morning Jake and I had our annual Halloween bash. This year we had 20 little ones... such fun! We had lions, tigers, bears, butterflies and peacocks.. even a buzz light year! They were adorable! Check out the pics. Thanks to everyone who could make it. Jake and I always love having company.

Fun with My Jakers

Lately, we have had a lot of fall fun. I love fall for all the food, crafts and outdoor activity it brings. We have been trying to stay home each afternoon and just play outside. We have also been more diligent about going to the farm each week. I know our decent weather is slowly going away and I want Jake out as much as possible. Another fun event I want to remember is that Jake had his first field trip. He was so pumped to go somewhere with his little buddies from preschool. I was also really excited to see him interact with his friends and personally I was looking forward to get talking to the other parents. Jake had a blast and sat for an entire demonstration on pumpkins. He sat so still and was so focused, it was adorable! The only thing he stopped to tell me was that the man was talking...I guess he thought I wasn't focused? I am so hoping he is a school nerd like I was! Anyway, here are some fun pictures.

First "Punkin" choice

So excited about the bumps on the hayride

With his best little buddy

With his favorite assistant

Final "punkin" choice

Random- Cleaning "my woom" as he calls it

What's New

After a busy few days, thought I should update...

This past weekend we celebrated the life of a friend and church member. He will be remembered forever and his legacy lives on. His funeral was held at our church and his family specifically wanted it to be a celebration. I have heard of these before, but never myself attended one. Wow, for starters. The family played songs that reminded them of his life and legacy and we all sang together with tears. Then, they offered up the mic and people began speaking about how he changed their lives. This had to be stopped after an hour by our pastor because it probably could have gone on forever. Our pastor asked all the men in the room who were feeling inspired to leave a legacy and help other church members to stand and almost all the men were standing including my hubbs... It was inspiring. It was unbelievable how many lives he touched and I admire his courage and strength to share his faith and love with all he came across. Our life is forever changed from the lessons he taught Jon and myself about marriage, parenting and our purpose here on earth. Thank you God for Rich Crompton, treat him well up there until we see him again!

Around the House
Jon, Jake and I had a crazy September with weddings, events, preschool and MOPS starting. October doesn't seem to get much better. We try and enjoy any spare minute we have as a family and I cherish our nightly dinners and play time afterward. There is something amazing about only having one child for this long. I know it hasn't been that long, but most of my friends have had a second by now. I am truly enjoying all of our quality time and have realized just how precious it is. We have play time together, chats about everything and I love how we sing songs together. Jake usually tries to out-sing me of course (a Sharp gene).


Jake Saying
Here are a few more recent Jake sayings or words...
-"Let's do it Mommy!"
-"I love school... I love TV... I love that car..." Loves everything...
-No I not kind... I a big boy...
-"I love You Jake"..."NO... I love YOU!" (slightly cheeky, but LOVE it)
-Look Mommy...Watch Mommy... (80 times a day)
-"Just like me Mommy" when he sees anything he has done or owns
-Umm... Maybe... black park?... yellow park is cwosed (closed) He refers to parks in colors??? and often tells me the one he doesn't want to go to is closed.
-Blue school today Mommy? (every morning...) loves school so much and again with the colors?? artist in the making...
-Das silly Mommy.. Das silly Daddy
-"Mommy, I took a nappers!" after being in his bed for two seconds and is now standing in his doorway.
-"Jake pick up your crayon please, we do not throw crayons."- "Oooookkkkaayyyy Mommy, but I go weal swoooly (slowly)."
-"Dinner time buddy"- "No I not hungwee" Jake is never hungry and doesn't care much for sitting down to meals... he would much rather play
-Driving in crazy traffic-"Boy, where did all these people come from Jake?"-"God made people Mommy" (loved this, he is listening to me...)

Fertility
We decided to take this month off and it was the best decision I have made in a long time. I feel great and back to my old self. It is amazing when you are stressed or weary about something you don't realize how bad it felt until it's gone... I realized how anxious and sick I was feeling. Partly from the meds. I was on and partly from the thought of not being able to have another baby naturally. I know it is not up to me and I am sick of trying to control it. This month has felt amazing. God slowly got me to this point and helped me realize a lot about expectations and entitlement. I am not entitled to another baby, I will be blessed if I have one. And as a bonus I already have an AMAZING one... whom I love dearly. So, this has been "focus on the family" month. I have been working out and spending some time on me and spending as much time as possible loving our little family.

Adoption

We are approved and waiting!!! Our family profile should be loaded on the Bethany Website under "Waiting Families" very soon. Once it is I will send the link to everyone.Ummm, Jon and Jake will kill me I am sure, but ridiculously cute!Juggling act at a local festival, Jake LOVED it!
Jake is really into making "gardens." This is his latest garden.
He made a special place for his puppy.

More Reminders

This past weekend was a series of reminders for me that life here on earth is precious and cannot be taken for granted. I am feeling so fragile today and sad for the suffering I see around me. Jon's grandmother fell and is currently in the hospital awaiting heart surgery. A dear friend of Jon's had a massive heart attack and is currently on life support. We went to visit both on Sunday and there is no other way to describe it but, awful. My heart cries out in sorrow today. I feel reminded of God's love for us and that he is the ultimate strategist. He does have a plan. My faith tells me that, but it is hard to imagine in the moment what good will come of these tragedies. I can honestly say that I have seen good come out of my moms passing and I am sure there is much more to it than my eyes can see. However, it doesn't remove the pain and longing that still exists. Ugh, what can I say?... it is the growing pains in life that are the hardest to deal with. Today, I pray for comfort, peace and acceptance for Jon's friend, our grandmother and the loved ones that survive them.

As always... here is a song that brings comfort to me. Whatever your beliefs are... you need someone to cry out to during times of grief.

Cry Out to Jesus
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith and love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering


When your lonely (when you're lonely)
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Jake and I have been house bound because he hasn't been feeling 100%. Today we had had enough! We both needed fresh air and excercise. So, why not jump in puddles??

Oh and picture day was yesterday... I could just melt over this picture...

Approved and Waiting...

Jon and I have been given the official go ahead to announce that we are approved for adoption!!! After seven months of preparation and appts., I cannot express all of the emotions I have about what the future may hold. I am overjoyed at the thought of bringing a new life into our family through adoption. I have already begun to pray for the birthparent(s) who will give a little life to us. I cannot wait and my heart is aching with excitement. I know it will be an emotional and unforgettable experience because it already has been for me. This weekend I am attending an adoption conference at our church to continue the process of preparation. We will also have another full day conference in November. So, the process is not over... but now we are simply waiting for the phone call... ahhh...

This song was written by a christian musician who was adopted. It is beautiful and every time I hear it, I have to run the bathroom for a dozen tissues. God has really shown me that this is something he wants for our lives and I couldn't be happier!!

Come Walk with Me

Every year Jon and I try to walk in memory of my mom at the South Jersey Heart Walk. It is a fun filled day and it means a lot to me to do something for her and others like her. This year Jake will be walking with us and we wanted to invite all of you too. Join our team and help to raise funds for heart disease!! Our walk is Saturday, October 16th at Campbells Field Home of the Riversharks. To join our team or make a donation towards my goal, click on the link below.

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=338258&msource=boundlessfun

Lancaster Weekend

This past weekend we took a mini-vacation to Lancaster, PA. I love it there and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. We were lucky to have some family join in on the fun too. We first hit up our favorite place, The Gap Diner. Yummy and amazing sticky buns!!! Then, we headed right over to Thomas the train. He visits the Strasburg train museum twice a year and we were determined to take Jake this year. He loves trains especially Thomas! We had a fabulous time and Jake was so into the trains. We took an hour long train ride, played with trains, looked at trains, rode many rides and of course went home with some Thomas toys and even underwear as well! The next day Mommel, Janet and I were off to the outlets and the boys and Kimmy went to Dutch Wonderland. I LOVE shopping at the outlets and could do it all day. I am sorry I missed Wonderland though, Jake and Jon had so much fun. Oh well, there's always next year!!

Jake's first roller coaster!

Water Park
My Boys



Jake absolutely loved the actual train ride.

We were upgraded to first class and boy was it nice. Jake had a grin the whole time.
Waiting for Jake after yet another ride!
Push/Pull train. Of course Uncle Rick and Jon made this a competition!


Little scared of the train horn
My Little Conductor

Playing with the many train table exhibits.

Check ME out on Etsy!

Check out my first of many Christmas ornaments for sale on Etsy! I hand paint them and can personalize them as well. So far, the first available is the "Just Married" ornament. Maybe you know someone who is getting married this year or was married. This is an adorable gift idea for a newlywed couple.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56609080/hand-painted-just-married-christmas

Preschool

So jake has officially begin going to "school." He started at Little Christians preschool this week. The first day was an orientation and I had the opportunity to be in the room with Jake for 15mins. or so. Afterwards, there was an orientation meeting upstairs, while the kids had mini-version of what their day will be like. When it was time for me to leave and go upstairs Jake did something I have never seen him do before. He stood behind my legs and said,"No mommy." I felt awful. I completely didn't expect this reaction from him. he LOVES going to nursery at church and whenever he is dropped off with family or friends he simply says," See ya soon Mommy!" So, this was a new one. The teacher picked him up and brought him to the rug with him crying and told me to go and he would be fine. I was so anxious during the meeting I could barely concentrate. When the meeting was over, I waited in my car in the parking lot to see Jake playing outside with his class. (stalker mom) He seemed like he was having a great time and he looked like such a big boy lining up to go inside. When I went in to get him the teacher said that after a minute or so of me leaving, he stopped crying and LOVED school. He actually said," No Mommy,"again when he saw me because this time he didn't want to leave school! Today was his first day by himself and it went much smoother. I hugged him and kissed him goodbye. Reminded him to obey his teacher and be nice to his friends and he was on his way. "See ya Mommy!" and all. Wow, my little sweet boy in preschool. My heart sank a little when I got back to my car and I realized he was officially a big boy. I was missing my mom at that moment and wishing soo badly that I could share this with her. He just looked so darn cute in that backpack and I know she would have loved to see him and hear all about it!

Nap Time is Craft Time

I have been wanting to make a plate collage for some time now. I first saw one in a store, on the wall and thought it was the cutest thing ever. When I was one home to visit my dad, I grabbed a few more of my mom's dishes. Then, Aunt janet gave me two dishes which went with my color scheme and that got me motivated to go ahead and do it! So, esterday Jake and I went antiquing and then to Home Goods (favorite store) and picked up a few more plates to finish it off. So, here are my inspiration pictures and then my end product is the last picture.

The question I am throwing out there is: Should I make mine bigger?

Online Photo- too big for my wall

A little too pink for my house, but I loved the arrangement of different dishes

My mini-masterpiece. Taken with my phone, but you get the idea.

4 Years in the Making...

To Jon (and anyone else who wants to read ),

Happy anniversary to my love! Our anniversary was yesterday and we celebrated four years together. What a four years it has been. From moving to NJ, getting engaged in Paris, planning a wedding, getting married, moving in together for the first time, decorating our first home together... then six months later finding out we were pregnant (suprise!). Now, we are in the house of our dreams and have a beautiful boy and a desire for a bigger family. Everything about our marriage has exceeded my expectations. When I first met you, I was attracted to this man who had his own interests, tons of friends, love for his family and a character that never faultered. I loved you then, but our love has only deepened. All of your good qualities have remained and you continue to gain more. I now see you as a sensitive soul, a godly man, a romantic guy when you want to be, a wonderful dad, a true companion and teamate and most of all my greatest source of strength and comfort. We have been through a lot together already. I feel like the experiences we have had have made us wiser than our years in marriage terms. We know that life doesn't last long and try to make the most of our time here on earth. I love that we work out our disagreements quickly and see eye to eye on almost everything. I love that you are the only one that brings out my stubborn side. I love that you want to provide the world for Jake and I. I love that when we met you didn't want any kids then you were the first to mention baby number two. I love that you have a heart for adoption like me. I love that you hate to dance, but are always a good sport for me. I love that I can be myself all the time and you continue to love me. I love that a perfect day to you is being home with us. And I love that at the end of the day, the only person I want beside me is you. It has only been four years and I can't wait for many, many more! Love you.