Here is my 40th birthday shout out to my hubby. I decided to list some of the wonderful things about him. I asked J to give me his favorites as well. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. He knows a lot about Star Wars.
2. He has a great sense of humor. It is just as strange as mine sometimes, which works out well.
3. "My daddy is funny." Good to know J and I are on the same page.
4. He is an incredible woodworker. For those of you who don't know, my hubby builds awesome furniture. Seriously, check it out: www.singularwoodworks.com
5. He is really good at keeping secrets. He doesn't repeat anything he is told and hates to perpetuate gossip.
6. He is a very hard worker. At his job and at home. He is rarely idle.
7. "He's nice." Simply put. J likes to waste no words.
8. He isn't afraid to kill big spiders.
9. He has tons of friends, which I think reflects on what a great person he is.
10. He is ridiculously patient.
11. He's a cat person. Compatibility would have been an issue if he had liked dogs. Luckily, he too likes cats.
12. "He takes me to the Kettle for pancakes." Every Saturday, Ryan takes J out for breakfast.
13. He loves to read. Books, magazines, on line articles or forums. He reads a ton.
14. He's a great dad. He adores J, and J adores him.
15. He is a movie nut.
15. He is really great with electronics and if you want to know something about a gizmo or gadget, he's the go to guy. He just helped me tackle an email issue. Very handy guy to have around!
16. He is handsome.
17. "Daddy is tall".
18. He is passionate about music and loves to find new artists to enjoy before they hit it big.
19. He loves cars. He knows a ton about them and can haggle with a car salesman like nobody's business.
20. He is very knowledgeable about many, many things. Probably from all the reading.
21. "He watches Bob the Builder with me." Jackson loves Bob. Ryan can tolerate Bob. I cannot. I usually read a book while J watches Bob.
22. He's a Bears fan. That automatically makes him awesome.
23. He is ultra competitive. Maybe just with me, but he loves to win!
24. He uses good grammar.
25. He has nice teeth. Teeth are a big deal to me. Kind of a deal breaker, if you will. His dental hygiene is impeccable.
26. "I like to play with him"- Obviously from Jackson.
27. He is unflappable. I try to maintain a steady calm most of the time, but some things do get me wound up. Nothing gets Ryan wound up. Ever.
28. He is a big thinker. Ryan doesn't have small ideas. A simple project usually turns into a massive undertaking. He aims high in all that he does.
29. He eats my cooking. Usually with few to no complaints. That nearly qualifies him for sainthood.
So there they are. Just a few of the many great things about the hubster. Happy 40th Ryan!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Grandma Juanita
On July 4th, my Grandma Juanita passed away. As the passing of a loved one often does, this has made me stop and think a lot about her and the memories I have of her. It is hard to select just a few good memories of my grandma. Since my grandma lived just three doors up the street from my for my entire childhood, I saw her nearly every day. She was a fixture in my daily life, so there are few memories of important times in my life that she isn't a part of.
The most prevalent quality I recall about my grandma is that she was a "motherer". She wanted to take care of everyone and make them happy. The main way she showed this was food. My cousins, brother and sister will understand exactly what I mean by this. My grandma loved to feed us. Upon arrival, we were offered a snack. If we declined, we were asked every 15 minutes or so if we were hungry until we ate. She kept on hand what each one of us liked and if there was something she didn't have, you just had to ask and she was sure to have it when you visited next. Also, she always had cases of pop stashed in the closets (usually many of them as she loved a good sale and would stock up) and, since it was grandma's house, you could have as many as you wanted!
And speaking of food, she was also one heck of a cook. I remember many holiday meals where food just covered the kitchen counter tops. There were countless containers of cookies, pies, fluff salads and brownies just to name a few. At Thanksgiving, us kids always got our own little pumpkin pie baked in a pot pie tin. One year during clean up, I recall my sister being amazed by the size of the turkey bones. My grandma told her they were elephant bones and promptly popped them in the oven to dry them so that my sister could take them to school for show and tell. My grandma also used to make delicious Sunday lunches. My typical Sunday afternoon started upon my return from church. I would go to grandma's and watch the Bears play football with my grandpa while grandma cooked lunch for us.
Grandma also made tons of homemade goodies. Homemade noodles, all kinds of canned goods and every year, she, my mom and my aunt would cut and freeze bag after bag of sweet corn. I recall gathering at grandma's and sneaking bites of the sweet corn while they were bagging it. My cousins and I always ate it until we had a stomach ache and were sticky from head to toe with sweet corn. Grandma was also a pretty good seamstress. She could always be counted on to fix a seam or patch a hole in our jeans. She tried to show me how to sew on her sewing machine a few times. I wish now I had paid closer attention!
I also spent many nights sleeping over at her house. On many occasions, I would be woken up at the wee hours of the morning and drug off to have breakfast. I was allowed to stay up late, eat after dinner mint ice cream and watch horror movies. The last time I slept over at my grandma's was the night before my wedding. Grandma's house was a place you could go to eat, play or watch t.v. And her house had air conditioning! Growing up we didn't have it in our home and we spent many hot afternoons soaking up grandma's a.c.
My grandma loved animals and one of our favorite things for many years was her rabbit, E.B. Grandma loved dogs and cats and fed every stray animal that crossed her path. She was a hard worker and always took pride in her flowers. She was often found working in her yard. Even when she was told to ease up on her activity, she was often out tedning to her flowers, cutting weeds or hanging precariously over the bluff at the back of her house to trim tree limbs.
Granmdma was also probably her grandkids' biggest cheerleader. She always came to our school events (and drove my cousins and I to school each day for several years). She attended sports games, concerts, church programs and graduations. You name it, she was there. She was there for my wedding day and one of the first people to meet J when he was born.
There are so many more stories and memories that come to mind when I think of my Grandma. I know how lucky I am to have each and every one of them. Although I am sad to have lost my grandma, I am so thankful to have had her in my life. She was what every grandma should be. Someone who spoils you. Someone who shares your secrets. Someone who lets you get away with murder and dotes on you and loves you no matter what. I know I am who I am today because I had her in my life. Rest in Peace, Grandma.
The most prevalent quality I recall about my grandma is that she was a "motherer". She wanted to take care of everyone and make them happy. The main way she showed this was food. My cousins, brother and sister will understand exactly what I mean by this. My grandma loved to feed us. Upon arrival, we were offered a snack. If we declined, we were asked every 15 minutes or so if we were hungry until we ate. She kept on hand what each one of us liked and if there was something she didn't have, you just had to ask and she was sure to have it when you visited next. Also, she always had cases of pop stashed in the closets (usually many of them as she loved a good sale and would stock up) and, since it was grandma's house, you could have as many as you wanted!
And speaking of food, she was also one heck of a cook. I remember many holiday meals where food just covered the kitchen counter tops. There were countless containers of cookies, pies, fluff salads and brownies just to name a few. At Thanksgiving, us kids always got our own little pumpkin pie baked in a pot pie tin. One year during clean up, I recall my sister being amazed by the size of the turkey bones. My grandma told her they were elephant bones and promptly popped them in the oven to dry them so that my sister could take them to school for show and tell. My grandma also used to make delicious Sunday lunches. My typical Sunday afternoon started upon my return from church. I would go to grandma's and watch the Bears play football with my grandpa while grandma cooked lunch for us.
Grandma also made tons of homemade goodies. Homemade noodles, all kinds of canned goods and every year, she, my mom and my aunt would cut and freeze bag after bag of sweet corn. I recall gathering at grandma's and sneaking bites of the sweet corn while they were bagging it. My cousins and I always ate it until we had a stomach ache and were sticky from head to toe with sweet corn. Grandma was also a pretty good seamstress. She could always be counted on to fix a seam or patch a hole in our jeans. She tried to show me how to sew on her sewing machine a few times. I wish now I had paid closer attention!
I also spent many nights sleeping over at her house. On many occasions, I would be woken up at the wee hours of the morning and drug off to have breakfast. I was allowed to stay up late, eat after dinner mint ice cream and watch horror movies. The last time I slept over at my grandma's was the night before my wedding. Grandma's house was a place you could go to eat, play or watch t.v. And her house had air conditioning! Growing up we didn't have it in our home and we spent many hot afternoons soaking up grandma's a.c.
My grandma loved animals and one of our favorite things for many years was her rabbit, E.B. Grandma loved dogs and cats and fed every stray animal that crossed her path. She was a hard worker and always took pride in her flowers. She was often found working in her yard. Even when she was told to ease up on her activity, she was often out tedning to her flowers, cutting weeds or hanging precariously over the bluff at the back of her house to trim tree limbs.
Granmdma was also probably her grandkids' biggest cheerleader. She always came to our school events (and drove my cousins and I to school each day for several years). She attended sports games, concerts, church programs and graduations. You name it, she was there. She was there for my wedding day and one of the first people to meet J when he was born.
There are so many more stories and memories that come to mind when I think of my Grandma. I know how lucky I am to have each and every one of them. Although I am sad to have lost my grandma, I am so thankful to have had her in my life. She was what every grandma should be. Someone who spoils you. Someone who shares your secrets. Someone who lets you get away with murder and dotes on you and loves you no matter what. I know I am who I am today because I had her in my life. Rest in Peace, Grandma.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Summertime
Summer is officially here! This is without a doubt my favorite time of year. I love hot, hot, hot days. The hotter the better. I love summer thunderstorms, swimming, grilling and eating outside and warm evenings sitting on the porch. So far, this summer has been a busy one for our family.
J has always been a kid that likes being outside. As soon as the weather warms up, we are outdoors doing anything we can find to keep busy. It isn't uncommon for us to be up, dressed, fed and out the door by 6:30a.m. This summer's big project has been redoing our pond. This has brought many big machines to our house. J views them as his personal jungle gyms and never tires of climbing all over them. Recently, we had a mini excavator at the house. J showed some pretty good coordination in handling the machine.
Future heavy equipment operator?
When he isn't excavating, J loves riding his bike and tractor. The tractor is one that he received as a Christmas gift from his grandma Jill. It had been Ryan's toy when he was a child and he had it refurbished for J.
Ryan's old Ford pedal tractor.
We have also spent a lot of time this summer digging in the sand box, playing baseball, riding on the ranger and swimming. J loves the water and we have waged huge water gun battles many times this year. Usually, these battles result in Jackson and his dad teaming up on mom. I am usually given one water gun full of water. They get the hose, the rest of the guns, the water balloon and the huge bucket. Once I am out of water, I am essentially target practice for the boys.
Pants on backwards, crocs on the wrong feet
and the goggles he wore for about three days straight.
Jackson also enjoys spending time in his "Fortress of Solitude". Construction began last summer on J's playhouse. What started out as a simple idea grew into a massive project that is only now being finished. J will often ask to go to his playhouse after we arrive home. He will take a snack and some toys and is quite content being in his playhouse.
The club house is now sided, has a rail around the deck
and a big slide down the side.
We have also been busy creating many "projects" this summer to pass the time (thank you Pinterest). We have made lava lamps, planted and grown veggie plants from seeds, experimented with vinegar and baking soda, baked countless cookies, cupcakes and brownies. We have gone on nature scavenger hunts, picked raspberries and had picnics. We have gone through tons of paint, popsicle sticks and Elmer's glue! J likes to make "presents" for people and can often be found amid a pile of ribbon, stickers and colorful pom pons concetrating on his latest creation.
Despite how it looks, some of the raspberries did make it IN his mouth!
J is also proving to be a tireless worker. He helps out with whatever project we have going on around the house. He has pulled his wagon around the yard picking up the weeds I have pulled. He has helped sweep the garage, spray weeds and regularly helps his dad mow. Most recently, J assisted his dad and I in splitting and stacking firewood. He gathered up the debris and filled his wagon before hauling it to the wood pile. When he eventually tires of working, he can usually be found digging in the dirt somewhere with his many tractor toys.
Even J's daycare is taking full advantage of the summer weather. They walk to the town pool each day, make frequent trips to the library and had a field to trip to a local tree farm. They have attended the first of three Magic Owl plays at Timber Lake Playhouse and spent last week at Bible School each morning.
J's class at Johnson's Tree Farm.
Yes, we love summer around here. Even the rainy days (which have been few this summer so far!). You know it have been a great summer so far when three bottle of sunscreen have been used, everyone has those weird V shaped tan lines from their flip flops and you fall into bed exhausted every night! Hope you are all having an equally fantastic summer!
J has always been a kid that likes being outside. As soon as the weather warms up, we are outdoors doing anything we can find to keep busy. It isn't uncommon for us to be up, dressed, fed and out the door by 6:30a.m. This summer's big project has been redoing our pond. This has brought many big machines to our house. J views them as his personal jungle gyms and never tires of climbing all over them. Recently, we had a mini excavator at the house. J showed some pretty good coordination in handling the machine.
When he isn't excavating, J loves riding his bike and tractor. The tractor is one that he received as a Christmas gift from his grandma Jill. It had been Ryan's toy when he was a child and he had it refurbished for J.
We have also spent a lot of time this summer digging in the sand box, playing baseball, riding on the ranger and swimming. J loves the water and we have waged huge water gun battles many times this year. Usually, these battles result in Jackson and his dad teaming up on mom. I am usually given one water gun full of water. They get the hose, the rest of the guns, the water balloon and the huge bucket. Once I am out of water, I am essentially target practice for the boys.
and the goggles he wore for about three days straight.
Jackson also enjoys spending time in his "Fortress of Solitude". Construction began last summer on J's playhouse. What started out as a simple idea grew into a massive project that is only now being finished. J will often ask to go to his playhouse after we arrive home. He will take a snack and some toys and is quite content being in his playhouse.
and a big slide down the side.
We have also been busy creating many "projects" this summer to pass the time (thank you Pinterest). We have made lava lamps, planted and grown veggie plants from seeds, experimented with vinegar and baking soda, baked countless cookies, cupcakes and brownies. We have gone on nature scavenger hunts, picked raspberries and had picnics. We have gone through tons of paint, popsicle sticks and Elmer's glue! J likes to make "presents" for people and can often be found amid a pile of ribbon, stickers and colorful pom pons concetrating on his latest creation.
J is also proving to be a tireless worker. He helps out with whatever project we have going on around the house. He has pulled his wagon around the yard picking up the weeds I have pulled. He has helped sweep the garage, spray weeds and regularly helps his dad mow. Most recently, J assisted his dad and I in splitting and stacking firewood. He gathered up the debris and filled his wagon before hauling it to the wood pile. When he eventually tires of working, he can usually be found digging in the dirt somewhere with his many tractor toys.
Even J's daycare is taking full advantage of the summer weather. They walk to the town pool each day, make frequent trips to the library and had a field to trip to a local tree farm. They have attended the first of three Magic Owl plays at Timber Lake Playhouse and spent last week at Bible School each morning.
Yes, we love summer around here. Even the rainy days (which have been few this summer so far!). You know it have been a great summer so far when three bottle of sunscreen have been used, everyone has those weird V shaped tan lines from their flip flops and you fall into bed exhausted every night! Hope you are all having an equally fantastic summer!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend
Today it is back to work after a great Memorial Day weekend. If you are from Mt. Carroll, this weekend is synonymous with Mayfest. I love Mayfest. Always have. My hubby isn't that into it, but I am trying to make Mayfest an exciting, highly anticipated event for J as well.
I talked up Mayfest for the whole week before it so that J would be into going and festing with me. I kicked off my Mayfest with the walk/run on Saturday morning. Afterwards, J and I headed over to check things out. J was bubbling with excitement. This year, one of the featured kids activities was a Big Machine section complete with a fire truck, ambulance, tractors, backhoes and mowers. There was also a dune buggy. Luckily, we were the only people there for the first hour or so and J got to have his run of the place. He fell in love with the dune buggy and told me at one point "get in mommy, I am driving this home." I was able to bribe J to leave the dune buggy with the promise of a train ride and lunch.
The train was a rickety, three car train that was driven by a young man with no concept of the fact that he shouldn't drive over curbs or bumps at high rates of speed. I was terrified. J loved it. We then ventured to the food tent where I was faced with the impossible task of deciding with traditional Mayfest food to enjoy: A pork chop sandwich from the pork producers? Corn on the cob from the Lions? Or a Baptist Men's funnel cake? Tough call. J opted for a hot dog and the corn (which he refused to share with me) and I took a pork chop sandwich. It was a great choice.
Once our bellies were full we continued our circuit of the Campbell Center grounds. One booth offered face painting and temporary tattoos. J would never go for a painted face, but a tattoo sounded good to him. The board outside the booth displayed the design options. I suggested a green frog or Batman emblem. J requested a red devil tattoo that would only have fit across his chest or back. We passed on the tattoo as I figured 3 was a little too young for him to have satan emblazoned on his body. Maybe next year though ;)
We returned later that evening for music and dancing. J cut a rug with his buddies and my dad played with the band. After sending J home with grandma, I got to have some time to catch up with old friends. This is hands down the best part of Mayfest to me. I love how we can all come together each year and easily fall back into conversation with one another as though we never left off. Many laughs were had and my stomach muscles hurt the next day from all of the riotous laughter we shared. It was also fun to see every one's growing families. I really can't believe we all have kids! I remember being a kid and going to Mayfest myself. Wandering around the campus, going to the teen dance, working in the booths for various clubs and school groups, doing the Maypole dance. Now, we all have little ones to bring along and share the fun with.
This Mayfest was one of the best ones I can recall. We had very un-Mayfest like weather. Hot, sunny and NO RAIN! The weekend was capped by celebrating Memorial Day and the folks that guaranteed our freedom to be here today to enjoy ourselves. 363 days until next year!
I talked up Mayfest for the whole week before it so that J would be into going and festing with me. I kicked off my Mayfest with the walk/run on Saturday morning. Afterwards, J and I headed over to check things out. J was bubbling with excitement. This year, one of the featured kids activities was a Big Machine section complete with a fire truck, ambulance, tractors, backhoes and mowers. There was also a dune buggy. Luckily, we were the only people there for the first hour or so and J got to have his run of the place. He fell in love with the dune buggy and told me at one point "get in mommy, I am driving this home." I was able to bribe J to leave the dune buggy with the promise of a train ride and lunch.
The train was a rickety, three car train that was driven by a young man with no concept of the fact that he shouldn't drive over curbs or bumps at high rates of speed. I was terrified. J loved it. We then ventured to the food tent where I was faced with the impossible task of deciding with traditional Mayfest food to enjoy: A pork chop sandwich from the pork producers? Corn on the cob from the Lions? Or a Baptist Men's funnel cake? Tough call. J opted for a hot dog and the corn (which he refused to share with me) and I took a pork chop sandwich. It was a great choice.
Once our bellies were full we continued our circuit of the Campbell Center grounds. One booth offered face painting and temporary tattoos. J would never go for a painted face, but a tattoo sounded good to him. The board outside the booth displayed the design options. I suggested a green frog or Batman emblem. J requested a red devil tattoo that would only have fit across his chest or back. We passed on the tattoo as I figured 3 was a little too young for him to have satan emblazoned on his body. Maybe next year though ;)
We returned later that evening for music and dancing. J cut a rug with his buddies and my dad played with the band. After sending J home with grandma, I got to have some time to catch up with old friends. This is hands down the best part of Mayfest to me. I love how we can all come together each year and easily fall back into conversation with one another as though we never left off. Many laughs were had and my stomach muscles hurt the next day from all of the riotous laughter we shared. It was also fun to see every one's growing families. I really can't believe we all have kids! I remember being a kid and going to Mayfest myself. Wandering around the campus, going to the teen dance, working in the booths for various clubs and school groups, doing the Maypole dance. Now, we all have little ones to bring along and share the fun with.
This Mayfest was one of the best ones I can recall. We had very un-Mayfest like weather. Hot, sunny and NO RAIN! The weekend was capped by celebrating Memorial Day and the folks that guaranteed our freedom to be here today to enjoy ourselves. 363 days until next year!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
My Anni
Today (May 10, 2012) is my ninth wedding anniversary. Wow. 9 years. That seems like an eternity! What is even crazier is that my hubby and I have been together for 13 years (our first date was also this week in 1999).
I texted my husband earlier this week to point out that we had been together for 13 wonderful (mostly) years. He responded that first date anniversaries were not recognized as actual anniversaries and therefore he was not obliged to provide any sort of gift or card. I told him I wasn't expecting anything for the first date anni, just that I wanted to point it out that we have been madly in love for 13 years now. To which he replied, "13? I am now weeping." Hands off ladies, he's all mine.
Thirteen years ago I was working part time at a local grocery store while I attended college. My future hubby frequented that store and despite my grubby work clothes and pulled back, messy pony tail, he asked me out. Or more accurately, asked me out after he had sought the advice of one of my co workers as to whether or not I would go on a date with one of HIS friends. My co worker asked why he didn't just ask me out. She must have assured him that on a "regular" day I wore clean clothes and actually brushed my hair, so he took a leap and asked. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Our first date was a romantic dinner for two at a local bistro called....Sievert's. That's right, Sievert's. Maybe he didn't want to drive out of town in case dinner bombed and he had to rush me home. But, dinner went well and I was invited back to his house to watch a movie. We arrived at his house and after I was attacked by his cat, we put a movie in, but got distracted by an intense game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. (Yes, I see now why he may have still been single.) I still say that the game was a test and that my knowledge of Star Wars must have been impressive enough to warrant a second date because couple days later, he asked me out again and he have been together ever since.
At that time, I had two years of college to finish and lived between the dorms at NIU and home with my p's and made lots of weekend trips home to see Ryan and to work. After college graduation in May 2001, I got my own cute little apartment and lived there while construction of our dream home started that fall. Our engagement came that Christmas and we moved into our new home in March 2002 . Our wedding followed in May 2003. The four years leading up to our wedding seem like a blur now (although back that I never thought the big day would arrive!).
Ryan and I lived as a family of two (well, 3 if you count our rotten cat, Max) for the next five plus years. We adjusted to each other's habits and settled into a good groove as a married couple. Our lives were again changed by welcoming Jackson in August 2008. Hard to believe we have been a family of three for nearly four years.
As I look back over 13 years, so much has happened! College, marriage, starting my career, Ryan starting his dream business, having a child, building a home. It is really a bit overwhelming. We have both changed so much in that time. I barely recognize the kids that went on a first date 13 years ago! I have seen Ryan turn into a wonderful father and seen him achieve so much over the years. And I know I am much diffrent now too. But, even though we have changed, we are lucky that we have changed together. That the people we have become are as compatible as the two dorks who both loved playing Star Wars Trivial Pursuit.
As any married couple, have had our ups and downs. But, I think we have a good thing going. No one knows me better than Ryan and there is no one I have ever known better than him. When I have news to share, he is the first person I want to tell. I know he will support anything I do and will be honest with me no matter what. He is, at times, my voice of reason (whether I want to hear it or not), but he is also always my ally. And most importantly, he can put up with me. That in itself makes him a keeper. We may drive each other mad from time to time, but each day there is no one I want to be with more.
Happy 9th to my hubby!
I texted my husband earlier this week to point out that we had been together for 13 wonderful (mostly) years. He responded that first date anniversaries were not recognized as actual anniversaries and therefore he was not obliged to provide any sort of gift or card. I told him I wasn't expecting anything for the first date anni, just that I wanted to point it out that we have been madly in love for 13 years now. To which he replied, "13? I am now weeping." Hands off ladies, he's all mine.
Thirteen years ago I was working part time at a local grocery store while I attended college. My future hubby frequented that store and despite my grubby work clothes and pulled back, messy pony tail, he asked me out. Or more accurately, asked me out after he had sought the advice of one of my co workers as to whether or not I would go on a date with one of HIS friends. My co worker asked why he didn't just ask me out. She must have assured him that on a "regular" day I wore clean clothes and actually brushed my hair, so he took a leap and asked. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Our first date was a romantic dinner for two at a local bistro called....Sievert's. That's right, Sievert's. Maybe he didn't want to drive out of town in case dinner bombed and he had to rush me home. But, dinner went well and I was invited back to his house to watch a movie. We arrived at his house and after I was attacked by his cat, we put a movie in, but got distracted by an intense game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. (Yes, I see now why he may have still been single.) I still say that the game was a test and that my knowledge of Star Wars must have been impressive enough to warrant a second date because couple days later, he asked me out again and he have been together ever since.
At that time, I had two years of college to finish and lived between the dorms at NIU and home with my p's and made lots of weekend trips home to see Ryan and to work. After college graduation in May 2001, I got my own cute little apartment and lived there while construction of our dream home started that fall. Our engagement came that Christmas and we moved into our new home in March 2002 . Our wedding followed in May 2003. The four years leading up to our wedding seem like a blur now (although back that I never thought the big day would arrive!).
Ryan and I lived as a family of two (well, 3 if you count our rotten cat, Max) for the next five plus years. We adjusted to each other's habits and settled into a good groove as a married couple. Our lives were again changed by welcoming Jackson in August 2008. Hard to believe we have been a family of three for nearly four years.
As I look back over 13 years, so much has happened! College, marriage, starting my career, Ryan starting his dream business, having a child, building a home. It is really a bit overwhelming. We have both changed so much in that time. I barely recognize the kids that went on a first date 13 years ago! I have seen Ryan turn into a wonderful father and seen him achieve so much over the years. And I know I am much diffrent now too. But, even though we have changed, we are lucky that we have changed together. That the people we have become are as compatible as the two dorks who both loved playing Star Wars Trivial Pursuit.
As any married couple, have had our ups and downs. But, I think we have a good thing going. No one knows me better than Ryan and there is no one I have ever known better than him. When I have news to share, he is the first person I want to tell. I know he will support anything I do and will be honest with me no matter what. He is, at times, my voice of reason (whether I want to hear it or not), but he is also always my ally. And most importantly, he can put up with me. That in itself makes him a keeper. We may drive each other mad from time to time, but each day there is no one I want to be with more.
Happy 9th to my hubby!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Public Parent Embarassment
Well, it happened. J's first public melt down. Until last weekend, he had always been a cooperative, happy shopping companion. And I totally took that for granted.
The instance in question occurred last weekend during a routine shopping trip. The day started poorly. At 5.a.m, I might add. J was in a mood. Not his normal self, to be sure. He was grouchy, whiny and just plain foul at points. Before 8am, he had served two times outs accompanied by tantrums. I will admit, I probably should have abandonded the idea of grocery shopping given how the day started. But, my time is limited due to work and I just didn't know when else I would get it done. So, I forged ahead.
The trip to the store and shopping went well until the point that we checked out. I had the groceries loaded onto the checkout counter and that is when it happened. J spotted a Hot Wheels car that he absolutely must have. He asked if he could have it and I told him "no." As I explained to him that his behavior so far that day had not been good enough for him to deserve a toy from the store, the pouty lip popped out and the tears welled up in his big brown eyes. I knew what was coming. I felt like I was witnessing a car wreck. I could see it happening, but could do nothing to prevent it.
J started to scream. An ear piercing "I WANT THE CAR!" wail that he repeated over and over. My own mantra for him was "I said no, and this is why. When does a fit get you what you want? Never." I will admit that I was probably repeating my mantra a little too loudly. Mostly for the benefit of the passers by who I am sure thought some sort of abuse was occurring due to the volume of J's wailing.
Then it happened. As if it wasn't bad enough to be weathering my first public melt down, the cashier decided she would "help" me. She looked at J and said, "honey, if you stop crying, your mommy might buy you that toy." Um, what? I couldn't believe it! Had she really just said that? No, I must be mistaken. But then , sure enough, she said it again. I told her that I didn't intend to buy the toy, especially now that J was pitching a fit. She said "Well, I said you MIGHT buy the toy for him." Oh, sure, because an inconsolable 3 year old really heard the MIGHT in that statement! As patiently as I could, I explained that I didn't believe in rewarding a tantrum with a toy. I thought that would put the issue to rest.
Oh, how wrong I was. J stopped crying so twice more this cashier said to J "See how good you are being? I am almost done and your mommy is going to buy that toy for you!" Then she gives me a conspiritorial smile and says "I have four kids." I think I was too dumbfounded to speak. Which is good because all I could think of was a sarcastic "yeah, and I bet they're awesome!" I turned away so as not to loose it and finally the cashier announced my total as well as "All done! Now, should I ring up that toy mom?" I again said no and I didn't appreciate being put on the spot that way. To which she replied "Geez, if I had a dollar, I would just buy it FOR him." Yeah, because that was the point, lady!
There are two things of note that came from this experience. 1.) I have way more self control that I ever imagined. I kept my cool with the 3 year old whose head was spinning around like the girl from the Exorcist AND I managed not to flip out on the cashier. It was ah-may-zing on my part, I think. And 2.) No one should intervene when you are dealing with your kids. (With the exception of someone who is being abusive, of course). I have personally never done this to another parent and never will. I was embarassed by the tantrum, but became mortified by this woman who essentially accused me of not handling the situation right. How about a little support instead of ridicule? How about a supportive "your mommy is right, crying never gets you anything buddy!" Would that have been so hard? I was standing my ground. I was not being mean or abusive to him. He was not hurt in some way, he was being a stinker. And I was NOT going to be the parent that says no and then sheepishly gives in and buys the toy. This is why: because if I give in once, J will learn that having a hissy fit gets him his way. And it doesn't. Ever. Did I want him stop crying? Yes! More than anything! But I really believe that if I had given in, it would have been the beginning of the end.
So there it is. My first public tantrum situation. And I survived it! Barely! So for all the moms reading this, hopefully you will feel better about your own embarassing moments. You are not alone. I am now in your ranks and will never take my usually good natured, happy boy for granted.
The instance in question occurred last weekend during a routine shopping trip. The day started poorly. At 5.a.m, I might add. J was in a mood. Not his normal self, to be sure. He was grouchy, whiny and just plain foul at points. Before 8am, he had served two times outs accompanied by tantrums. I will admit, I probably should have abandonded the idea of grocery shopping given how the day started. But, my time is limited due to work and I just didn't know when else I would get it done. So, I forged ahead.
The trip to the store and shopping went well until the point that we checked out. I had the groceries loaded onto the checkout counter and that is when it happened. J spotted a Hot Wheels car that he absolutely must have. He asked if he could have it and I told him "no." As I explained to him that his behavior so far that day had not been good enough for him to deserve a toy from the store, the pouty lip popped out and the tears welled up in his big brown eyes. I knew what was coming. I felt like I was witnessing a car wreck. I could see it happening, but could do nothing to prevent it.
J started to scream. An ear piercing "I WANT THE CAR!" wail that he repeated over and over. My own mantra for him was "I said no, and this is why. When does a fit get you what you want? Never." I will admit that I was probably repeating my mantra a little too loudly. Mostly for the benefit of the passers by who I am sure thought some sort of abuse was occurring due to the volume of J's wailing.
Then it happened. As if it wasn't bad enough to be weathering my first public melt down, the cashier decided she would "help" me. She looked at J and said, "honey, if you stop crying, your mommy might buy you that toy." Um, what? I couldn't believe it! Had she really just said that? No, I must be mistaken. But then , sure enough, she said it again. I told her that I didn't intend to buy the toy, especially now that J was pitching a fit. She said "Well, I said you MIGHT buy the toy for him." Oh, sure, because an inconsolable 3 year old really heard the MIGHT in that statement! As patiently as I could, I explained that I didn't believe in rewarding a tantrum with a toy. I thought that would put the issue to rest.
Oh, how wrong I was. J stopped crying so twice more this cashier said to J "See how good you are being? I am almost done and your mommy is going to buy that toy for you!" Then she gives me a conspiritorial smile and says "I have four kids." I think I was too dumbfounded to speak. Which is good because all I could think of was a sarcastic "yeah, and I bet they're awesome!" I turned away so as not to loose it and finally the cashier announced my total as well as "All done! Now, should I ring up that toy mom?" I again said no and I didn't appreciate being put on the spot that way. To which she replied "Geez, if I had a dollar, I would just buy it FOR him." Yeah, because that was the point, lady!
There are two things of note that came from this experience. 1.) I have way more self control that I ever imagined. I kept my cool with the 3 year old whose head was spinning around like the girl from the Exorcist AND I managed not to flip out on the cashier. It was ah-may-zing on my part, I think. And 2.) No one should intervene when you are dealing with your kids. (With the exception of someone who is being abusive, of course). I have personally never done this to another parent and never will. I was embarassed by the tantrum, but became mortified by this woman who essentially accused me of not handling the situation right. How about a little support instead of ridicule? How about a supportive "your mommy is right, crying never gets you anything buddy!" Would that have been so hard? I was standing my ground. I was not being mean or abusive to him. He was not hurt in some way, he was being a stinker. And I was NOT going to be the parent that says no and then sheepishly gives in and buys the toy. This is why: because if I give in once, J will learn that having a hissy fit gets him his way. And it doesn't. Ever. Did I want him stop crying? Yes! More than anything! But I really believe that if I had given in, it would have been the beginning of the end.
So there it is. My first public tantrum situation. And I survived it! Barely! So for all the moms reading this, hopefully you will feel better about your own embarassing moments. You are not alone. I am now in your ranks and will never take my usually good natured, happy boy for granted.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter 2012
Another Easter is in the books. I thought we had our weekend mapped out, but everything got turned a little upside down. Plans fell through and others were made. But in the end, it turned out to be one of my favorite Easters ever.
Jackson and I dyed Easter eggs on Good Friday. We also kept busy making M&M/frosting/pretzel flowers. Well, I made flowers, J ate M&M's. It was a good partnership. We needed the pretty, bright colored M&M's for the "petals" but not the brown ones. J was free to consume as many of those as he wanted. Our eggs turned out great and he was really into coloring them this year. We had great weather and took the eggs and dye onto the porch for coloring. We had a few splashes (when eggs are dropped into a cup of dye, it tends slosh onto the table). We had a few cracked eggs. And we learned that vinegar not only smells bad, it tastes bad too (I swear this child tastes EVERYTHING!).
Materpieces! The flowers were delicious!
We spent Saturday morning at a kids event held at a local church. There were crafts, a bouncy house, egg hunts and even lunch! J hung out with one of his buddies from daycare and declared on the way home that "I'm tired. That wore me out." So, we napped! Hooray! Nap time was followed up with church and pizza dinner.
All lined up to hunt eggs. I turned around and saw this.
He just loves Miss Maddie!
But Sunday was the highlight of the weekend for me. Our plans were changing continually for the days leading up to Easter. Ultimately, we decided to take a laid back approach to the day. J rose early (as usual) excited to see if the Easter Bunny had come. He found a couple eggs before spying his basket. The Easter Bunny had been inspired by something he read. It said that a good gift for a child consists of: something they want, something they need, something they wear and something to read. Based on this, J's basket held a Hiro train (from his favorite Thomas video), a new frisbee (to replace our old one that broke), a short and t-shirt set and some books to help learn sight words. But, Easter Bunny could have saved a bunch of money and just bought the train. J was ELATED with Hiro. He played with that train all day, slept with it that night and took it to daycare the next day. Even when he was hunting the rest of his eggs, his mind is still on Hiro:
"I got a Hiro!"
All smiles posing with Hiro.
After the eggs were found (all 18 - no one was free to go until they were all located. No stinky eggs for us!), we let J pick our activites for the morning. He chose playing at the park followed by throwing rocks into the Mississippi. We slid, climbed and swang. We skipped stones and even got to see a train go by while we were down by the river. Mostly though, we ran around and laughed and were silly:
Not thrilled about him calling me by my first name.
Also, notice his dad doing nothing to discourage him :)
My Boys :)
All smiles.
Tossin' rocks into the Mississippi
We don't toss no stinking puny rocks.
After rock tossing and explaining to J why he couldn't go swimming about 50 times, we returned home for lunch. We had chicken nuggets and mac and cheese - I may have dropped the ball a little on Easter dinner! But, that was what J wanted, so that is what we had. The rest of the day was spent taking a nap (bonus - two in one weekend!), playing outside and playing games.
It was definitely a break from tradition for us this year, but it was one of the best Easters I can remember having. We slowed down. We played. We laughed A LOT. We enjoyed the gorgeous day we were given and I felt like this might have been one of the few Easters that we really did right. It is fun to have egg hunts and Easter baskets. To see family and friends and spend time together. And we did those things. But Easter day was more about just being together enjoying the life we can have because Jesus died on the cross for us and forgave our sins. I think that is more the point than peeps and jelly beans (although I do love me some peeps!).
Happy Easter Everyone!!!!
Jackson and I dyed Easter eggs on Good Friday. We also kept busy making M&M/frosting/pretzel flowers. Well, I made flowers, J ate M&M's. It was a good partnership. We needed the pretty, bright colored M&M's for the "petals" but not the brown ones. J was free to consume as many of those as he wanted. Our eggs turned out great and he was really into coloring them this year. We had great weather and took the eggs and dye onto the porch for coloring. We had a few splashes (when eggs are dropped into a cup of dye, it tends slosh onto the table). We had a few cracked eggs. And we learned that vinegar not only smells bad, it tastes bad too (I swear this child tastes EVERYTHING!).
We spent Saturday morning at a kids event held at a local church. There were crafts, a bouncy house, egg hunts and even lunch! J hung out with one of his buddies from daycare and declared on the way home that "I'm tired. That wore me out." So, we napped! Hooray! Nap time was followed up with church and pizza dinner.
He just loves Miss Maddie!
But Sunday was the highlight of the weekend for me. Our plans were changing continually for the days leading up to Easter. Ultimately, we decided to take a laid back approach to the day. J rose early (as usual) excited to see if the Easter Bunny had come. He found a couple eggs before spying his basket. The Easter Bunny had been inspired by something he read. It said that a good gift for a child consists of: something they want, something they need, something they wear and something to read. Based on this, J's basket held a Hiro train (from his favorite Thomas video), a new frisbee (to replace our old one that broke), a short and t-shirt set and some books to help learn sight words. But, Easter Bunny could have saved a bunch of money and just bought the train. J was ELATED with Hiro. He played with that train all day, slept with it that night and took it to daycare the next day. Even when he was hunting the rest of his eggs, his mind is still on Hiro:
All smiles posing with Hiro.
After the eggs were found (all 18 - no one was free to go until they were all located. No stinky eggs for us!), we let J pick our activites for the morning. He chose playing at the park followed by throwing rocks into the Mississippi. We slid, climbed and swang. We skipped stones and even got to see a train go by while we were down by the river. Mostly though, we ran around and laughed and were silly:
Also, notice his dad doing nothing to discourage him :)
After rock tossing and explaining to J why he couldn't go swimming about 50 times, we returned home for lunch. We had chicken nuggets and mac and cheese - I may have dropped the ball a little on Easter dinner! But, that was what J wanted, so that is what we had. The rest of the day was spent taking a nap (bonus - two in one weekend!), playing outside and playing games.
It was definitely a break from tradition for us this year, but it was one of the best Easters I can remember having. We slowed down. We played. We laughed A LOT. We enjoyed the gorgeous day we were given and I felt like this might have been one of the few Easters that we really did right. It is fun to have egg hunts and Easter baskets. To see family and friends and spend time together. And we did those things. But Easter day was more about just being together enjoying the life we can have because Jesus died on the cross for us and forgave our sins. I think that is more the point than peeps and jelly beans (although I do love me some peeps!).
Happy Easter Everyone!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)