A Milestone & An Anniversary

Today is our 9 year wedding anniversary.
I really couldn't believe it when I counted how long we have been together.
We have gone from this...

To this...

A little older, a little fatter, a little wrinklier, but so much more in love and much more happier.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SCOTT!!!! I love you, here's to 50 more years!!!

Now on to the milestone.
Here is Allison's reaction, I don't think she is ready for this.

I know I really wasn't. We all know what's coming next. Then Allison will never be able to get away from her brother.
TA-DA!!! And he posed, just so precious.

Pictures for Friday

Allison's first Christmas, my sister sent her this floor toy. Since she is an old pro at playing with this thing, she thought she would show Scotty how to use it.

On Valentine's Day, Scott sent me some beautiful tulips and irises. He had Allison carry the box into the kitchen for me to "deliver" them, so funny since the box was as big as her.

Bed Head, she gets the best bed head from all that curly hair. I have learned my lesson and sleep with my hair up so I won't wake up like this.

Since Allison was blessed with a little brother, she dresses him in hats while playing dress up.



Have a great weekend!!

One Year Ago

One year ago my sister passed away from liver and kidney failure. In this past year I have really come to terms with the idea that she is no longer on this Earth, but is happily watching over me and my family from Heaven. Which makes me teary eyed thinking about, yet some how I am at peace with.

I have never been a religious person. Oh, I believe in God and pray everyday, but I have never gone to church or participated in anything Godly or Religion like.
Then all of the sudden, this very month in fact, I met someone. My neighbor down the way and I have kids that are very close in age and we would pass by on our walks, say hi, then that would be it. One morning, there was a knock at my door and she was standing there asking if we wanted to go for a walk.

Now, usually I am very shy at meeting new people, and someone coming up to my door...oh my gosh, pull the blinds!!! But somehow this felt different. Sure we would love to go for a walk, it's a nice day, the kids need some sunshine, it will be great, she's not scary, at least she doesn't look scary..."let's go" I say.
On the way the girls are getting along great, we find out that there are so many similarities in our lives and we have even played Halo with our husbands. How many wives can say that???

We walk and talk, chit chat and laugh, throw rocks in the water with the girls. And then I tell her about my sister.
I am very guarded when I talk about her. I don't want people to pass judgement on my sister and the choices she made in her short life, God knows I did my fair share and I hope my sister can forgive me for that.

I tell my neighbor about the struggle my sister had in the hospital and what brought her to that point. I think only the closest family members know. So it was quite a shock that I was spilling my guarded secrets to a lady I had just met in passing. I just knew she wouldn't pass judgment on my sister or me.

But somehow I felt a huge weight lifted from me. Like I was unloading a ton of bricks, slowly letting go of things I have held onto for a year. I felt relief, at peace...something else, I can't figure out how to put it into words.

I think about my sister and I know that her passing is part of my journey in life. In some way it might make me a better mother, friend, daughter. It makes me grateful for all the things in my life: a loving family, wonderful children (even though they are monsters most of the time), the time I spent with my sister and the memories we made.

I know that that is just a small part of the big picture, but that is what I have discovered for myself in the very few weeks I have had to reflect on the situation.

Like I said before, I was never a religious person, but somehow, that morning changed me. It opened my eyes. There is someone looking out for me. When I needed someone, He brought my neighbor, Kelly, to my door and made me unafraid to open it.

I am blessed. Taking baby steps in the right direction. Meeting new mothers through MOPS, talking about God, listening to a lecture about God, reading some books on religion and Christianity. Getting my feet wet.

I am still a bit of a skeptic though. Still afraid to discuss religion with others (sort of like a secret I have to hide), Still afraid to accept the fact that God is really real, I know for a fact He is out there listening to my prayers. But accepting God in my life wholly is so beyond me right now.

I am still getting my mind around the fact that I prayed and He answered. Took a little longer than expected but it happened.

I just thank God he blessed me with a LOT patience.

Beautiful Weekend

It was such a nice weekend. In the 70's I think. We took the kids to the park. Which by the end of the day we regretted since they both turned into some kind of crazy, crying, peeing on everything, forgot how to do everything, whiny, misbehaved children. They were so bad that the gypsy's wouldn't even take them.

But at least they had fun while we were out.

The Super Bowl was on Sunday. We didn't watch it but we cheered on Aaron Rogers just the same. He is from our hometown and went to the same high school as Scott. He played football with Scott's cousin's husband. So that was pretty cool.

Today, well yesterday, I started Allison back on a tight nap schedule, since I think the lack of sleep has something to do with the awful moods. Today has been a success. She and Scotty are down for a nap right now, thank you God. I will continue with Allison's nap time from now on. She goes down at noon. She can either play or sleep, but she is in there for 1 hour. No if's, an's, or but's.

On another note, I have been working on my backyard. I have BIG plans for redoing a bunch of things, expanding the garden, and adding some kid elements to it. So far I have mapped out where I want the flower garden. I am pretty excited, when the kids wake up I will head back outside for more playing in the dirt.

Have a great afternoon.

MOPS

Today we headed off to MOPS. Let me just say that it was such a great experience. Allison had no problem adjusting to me leaving her in the child care (Scotty was with mommy the whole time), she didn't even cry and when I came back to get her, 2 hours later, she was so happy to see me. Next time I will stick her in the 3 year class, I think she will like that much better. I loved meeting all the people and talking with other moms. It is such a relief to hear other moms going through the same things I am.

Todays topic was finance and the guest speaker was very informative. It was nice to know that Scott and I have successfully prepared for the future and the future of our kids. It is such a great feeling.

Also, a lady that was sitting at our "new moms" table, got up and spoke about a very life threatening illness that she was diagnosed with last year. Through prayer and God she was healed and is now doing very well and has virtually no pain. It is amazing to hear women tell their stories of healing and who have such a great relationship with God.

I only wish I had this type of support group when my sister fell ill last year. I wish we all could have prayed for her. Things would have turned out the same way, I'm sure, but at least I could have some comfort in knowing.......

I really don't know how to finish that.

At least not yet.

Well I am tired from such a busy day. I am going to read for a while then hit the hay. Have a great evening.

February Already???

I can't believe it's already February, can you?

If I didn't know any better I would think it's already spring since it has been so nice we wore shorts and sun dresses.





We have also had the sniffles. Since we were confined to the house we made cardboard box monsters.


(this set of reusable bags, that box Allison is so fashionably wearing on her head is what they came in, is awesome. I am going back to Costco and getting 2 more boxes for gifts. LOVE THEM!!!!)

We all felt better today so we went on a walk with our neighbor Kelly and her 2 kids. Her children are exactly Allison & Scotty's age. It is so nice to have kids in the neighborhood that our kids can grow up with.
While talking to Kelly I mentioned that I was thinking of joining MOPS. I couldn't believe, when she told me, it was at her church. You think it was meant to be or what. She told me she was interested in going also, so we are starting tomorrow. We are going to drive over there together. It should be fun since she knows her way around the church and knows a few of the other mothers there.
I can't wait. I am finally going to get one thing crossed off my 2011 to do list and who knows I might find a new church, I know I found a new friend.

I'll let you all know how MOPS goes tomorrow. Have a great day!!!