Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Happy Anniversary

On November 12th Mark and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. We wanted to do something special this year so we started looking for romantic hotels online. We found an adorable hotel in Fairhaven, with a huge jacuzzi suite, so we made reservations and planned a weekend getaway. We spent 3 days/2 nights together and we both agree that it felt just like our honeymoon all over again. We soaked in the jacuzzi tub,
sipped sparkling cider, watched movies in our plush bathrobes,
played a nice game of checkers by the fireplace, talked about our life together - who we are now vs. who we were back in 1997 (when we started dating), where we want to be in 5 years from now and the good and bad things we're doing as parents. Also, we walked around Fairhaven - a quaint little town with cute litle shops along a cobblestone street. It was just a wonderful weekend and I can't wait to do it all again. I sure do love my hubby and I'm so glad I followed my heart 5 years ago. Happy Anniversary baby!!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Miracles


Today my father, a logger for more than 35 years fell out of a tree 30 feet off the ground. After he was done removing limbs from the tree he began to propel himself down when the rope tied to his harness came loose causing him to free fall straight down to the ground. His chainsaw hit first and then he landed on top of it. Lucky for him (and us) he just landed on the handlebar and not the blade. He hit back first and then his head. He was unresponsive for a couple of seconds but he came to and was able to walk himself to the car. His back hurts, he has a cut on his face and his front teeth are loose but the EMT says he should be okay. This all could have ended tragically. Miracles really do happen! I am overwhelmed with gratitude that my dad was protected today - I love him so much! Praise God.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Twenty nine


Well, November 1st I turned 29 years old and for some reason this particular birthday created an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment for me. You see, when I was 10 years old my mom was preparing to turn 29 herself and I can remember imagining what my life would be like when I turned that same age. My ambitions weren't large - in fact they were really simple, but they were mine and they were real. I wanted a loving husband that realized his potential, and mine, who loved God and loved me. I wanted 4 kids - I figured I'd start popping them out when I was 22 and be done by my 28th birthday. I wanted to feel pretty. I wanted a nice house and a sense of security. And most importantly I wanted Jesus in my home and in my heart. After reflecting upon the dreams of my youth I realized I was living them! What a happy birthday this was. Sure, I'm 20 lbs. heavier than I'd like to be but I really do feel pretty. I'm 3 kids shy of my earliest dreams but that's okay because the one kid that I do have is my pride and joy - besides, what was I thinking?! I'm not a machine!:) I am married to a man, that after 12 years together, still gives me the butterflies. He is strong, funny, caring, devoted and grounded. He believes in me and supports all of my crazy ideas - even the ones I come up with at 2 am. I love him and I love the home we share. And last, but certainly not least, I love Jesus! I love how he makes me feel when I reach out to him. I love teaching Gracie about him and I love how simple his gospel is. I love my life... mission accomplished.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

October Festivities

Whew! October is over, and boy oh boy was it ever fun!! We were busy, busy, busy!! There's a lot to share so kick your feet up and enjoy!:)

PICKIN PUNKINS
Mark and I took Gracie to Schuh Farms - it has sort of become "our place". Every year we discuss trying somewhere new but inevitably we end up there... which is perfectly fine, since it's so much fun! Gracie had a blast this year and like always, there were a few 'Gracie moments'. Here's the one that topped the list for the day:
On the farm they have a small train pulled by a tractor for the little kiddos to ride on. We asked Gracie if she'd like to ride it and she looked at us and said, "Umm... choo-choo!" I think it was her way of saying "Do bears poop in the woods?!" We let her pick a car to ride in and then she waited patiently for the train to fill up with other passengers...

Just as the train was preparing to leave a little girl ran and hopped in beside Gracie. Gracie's eyes lit up! She absolutely LOVES making new friends!! We noticed Gracie eyeballing the little girl's babydoll and as the train pulled out Mark said, "I bet Gracie ends up holding that doll!" I said, "I think you're right." We then decided to walk behind the train (it was going like 5 mph.) As the train was rounding a field of pumpkins we decided to cut through the field and meet up with the train on the other side. As we were nearing the train I could see Gracie dangling the little girl's babydoll overboard - just a few feet from the ground which unfortunately was a nice batch of fresh mud. I looked at Mark and said, "Oh please Gracie - whatever you do, do not drop that doll!" and before I could finish my sentence she had dropped it!! Mark and I looked in horror as this poor little girl's doll was getting pushed deeper and deeper into the mud with each passing tire - thump! thump! thump! Six cars ran that doll over before Gracie was able to get the attention of the man driving the tractor. She was standing straight up in the car just hollering as loud as she could at him and pointing to the "victim" under tire #7.

Mark caught up to the stopped train and was able to retrieve the doll and brush it off. Gracie said "I'm sorry" - here's a photo of her right after it all happened -she's still in shock!

Mark and I apologetically recanted the story to the little girl's parents. About a half hour later Gracie wanted to ride the train again. She picked a car and lo and behold that same little girl came running up and sat right next to her again - she must have forgiven Gracie! We decided to sit the doll out during 'round two'.

JACK O LANTERNS


This year we decided to go "old school" and carve traditional faces in our pumpkins. Usually we have a contest with one another to see who can do the most intricate design but we just weren't 'feelin it' this year. We we're a little bummed that Gracie wanted nothing to do with the pumpkins - she just sat (from a distance) and watched us. Every time she came near us she would cover her nose and say "Yucky!" I think we had anticipated her loving it even more this year than she did last year - oh well... Parker had a great time! He kept eating the little scraps that "accidentally" hit the floor and by the end of the night he had probably eaten the equivalent of a small pumpkin! It sure did look like it the next morning when he left 4 large "harvest piles" in our backyard!


"MAKE A WISH!"
On October 24th we conspired with Mark's dad to surprise Mark's mom at the Olive Garden, in celebration of her birthday. We then went back to our house for cake and icecream. It's always nice when we get together with Lynn and Suzanne. Growing up I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandparents and I think it helped shape me into the person I am today. It is such a blessing that Gracie gets to experience this as well.

Gracie is one lucky little girl to have a grandma like Grandma Francis! Judging by the look on Gracie's face, I'd say she already knows this. :)

A PIRATE SAYS 'ARRRRGH'
Every Wednesday I take Gracie to our public Library where they have "story time" for 2&3 year olds. Also, every Halloween they host a "pirate party". They ask that every kid dress up like a pirate and then they read pirate stories, play games, and eat snacks. Gracie was a "pirate princess" this year for Halloween so it sure did make finding a costume for the party super easy!
(Gracie with her friend Gabe)


"A pirate?" you might be saying to yourselves... yes, a pirate. When we went shopping for halloween costumes Gracie's first pick was "Buzz Lightyear" - I said, "Really? Are you sure?" Gracie said, "Yes mom." I said, "How about we look around some more?" Gracie said, "Okay." and for the next 15 minutes I tried selling her on princesses, ladybugs, flowers, and fairies but she held tight to her Buzz Lightyear costume. Then out of nowhere she started singing "A pirate, a pirate, a pirate says arrgh!"(It's a song from one of the episodes on the 'Backyardigans'). I started singing with her and she said, "No mom. Stop singing. Look!" then she pointed to a 'pirate princess' costume. I grabbed her size and quickly exchanged it with "Buzz" - she was tickled pink and I was too - it was a win-win for the both of us. :)


HALLOWEENIE
This year we had my mom, her fance', his two kids and my little sister over on Halloween. Gracie waited all day to see her aunt Maddy and was eccstatic when they finally showed up! My sister dressed up as a pirate to match Gracie. As they walked out the front door my sister locked hands with gracie's and they never let go all night!

This year was Gracie's first time trick or treating (she was sick the last two years) and I think she really enjoyed herself! She had a continual smile on her face and her legs seemed to float from one house to the next. I wasn't sure how she would react to the "scary" houses and costumes but she was completely fearless!! That's my girl! :) Here's Gracie with my mom (Grandma Jack) upon returning home from trick or treating - look at those rosie cheeks!