The Happiest Place on Earth

This last Sunday, the 3rd, was my birthday. Rob surprised me with this cake and a trip to Disneyland planned for August! Yes, we just went last June, but had such a great time together as a family that we just couldn't wait until next year (2010 was the original plan) to go back. Rob's parents and sister are also coming along for the fun, which we are very excited about. Rob and his mom schemed together to make it possible. Needless to say it was the best birthday I can remember in a long time. The news came at a perfect time too. I've been back at work for almost two months, and it's really taken its toll on me, the house, and us as a family. We just don't see each other enough. Anyway, it's just another reminder that summer vacation is right around the corner, and that we've got a great week long trip to look forward to. 

Rob has a long-standing tradition of baking and decorating really amazing birthday cakes for me. Even though this one is simple, it's been my favorite so far. 

Skills

Jovie's got skills. After much concentration Jovie can reach and grab for things. This play mat is her new favorite thing, as well as the jingly thing on her car seat that jingles with the slightest move of the car (which drives me crazy, but she loves it). Jovie is almost 4 months old and the time is going so fast. It's hard for me to believe that she's quickly developing and isn't such a newborn anymore. She acts older and older every day. She's also giving her vocal chords quite the workout. I think we're in trouble with that one!

Post-Easter Celebration

Jovie finally got to wear her "Easter" outfit today. We had a post-Easter celebration with my mom's side of the family because the weather was so horrible last weekend. Jack had a blast hunting eggs a 2nd time in my aunt and uncle's huge back yard, and Jovie finally got to get dressed up and have a photo shoot. I'm pretty sure she's the cutest little girl there ever was, but I guess I'm supposed to say that right?

Eggs

After an extremely long day and night at the silent auction fundraising event for the American Cancer Society that my family put on (raised $7,000 by the way), Rob and Jack were insistent that we still decorate Easter eggs. I think we were up until midnight, but oh well, it was fun. Also, I realized that I didn't take any pictures on Easter! My mom took pictures of the kids doing the hunt, so I'll have to get those from her, and there isn't a picture to be found of Jovie on her first Easter. She slept through the whole celebration, and I've learned my lesson multiple times about waking her up! Anyway, it was a good day, even though we couldn't go outside because of the rain. Oh well, the grass is nice and green so I guess we needed it.

Happy Easter

I'll post pictures and such later, but just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter! We are heading to Julie and Adam's house for our Easter celebration this year. I just hope it stops raining so that the kids can have their egg hunt outside instead of inside! Check in later for Easter pictures.

Spring Break...Looking Ahead

To kick off my spring break last weekend, we went over to Lake Roosevelt with our dear friends Jason and Sydney. We had a great 3 nights there just catching up, feeding the deer, watching the turkeys, playing Mexican Train, and overall just relaxing!

We even got to take my Grandpa's four wheeler out for a spin after charging the battery, changing a spark plug, and filling the oil. Here is Jack and Jason ("Uncle Juice" as Jack so lovingly calls him). Jack had a blast on that thing, as did Rob and Jason. In fact, they are just dying to get dirt bikes now.

Jovie and I had to take a break in the house to get warmed up and refueled!

Doing chores for my Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bill...picking up sticks from when my Grandpa and Grandma Van Diest pruned the fruit trees. Syd and Jack were the ones to do this chore. It was a little difficult for me to bend down and pick up sticks with Jovie in the front pack, so I thought I'd take pictures of them hard at work.

Happy Jack...mom and dad on vacation, playing outside with Uncle Juice and Aunt Syd...life doesn't get much better than this! 

Looking ahead...as most of you can guess by the absence of updates on the blog, I'm back at work after 2 1/2 short months of being home with Jovie and Jack. I went back to work, and then two weeks later it was spring break, so at least my transition into it has been slow. What's more is that between Rob, Rob's mom, and my mom, we didn't have to start Jovie at daycare until after spring break. She starts at a daycare in Mount Vernon on April 7th. I am hoping that this transition goes smoothly, so please be thinking of us this week. Being a full time working mom has definitely proved to be challenging for me, but overall we thrive on the routine and know that our children are in good hands while we are away at work. Plus, summer vacation is just right around the corner!

Relay for Life Carwash

Hey everyone! I wanted to spread the word that our Relay for Life team (The Van Diest Family) is having a carwash this Saturday, March 14th from 10am-3pm at Hinton's in Lynden. In addition to washing cars by donation, we will be selling a hotdog, chip, and pop/water lunch for $2.50! What a deal! I hope to see some of you there with your super dirty cars! Get all that yucky salt and de-icer off from this winter that we've had!

Joelle

Cute Bunny Sweater

I just love this little bunny sweater that my Grandma Day got for me!

Fun at Camano

This past weekend we visited Grandpa and Grandma Day at their house in Camano Island. Jack was so excited to see his Grandparents. He got lots of attention and was able to play games and do crafts...things I don't always have time to do with him at home. He even got to play video games with Sara. Jovie seemed equally happy. Her first night in a different place was a bit rough, but she adjusted well. Here she is being held by her Grandma, and here is Jack in the bath showing off his faux-hawk. 

Little Drummer Boy

Jack's newest interest is playing drums, or anything musical for that matter. Rob surprised him with this drum the other day and sent him on a treasure hunt to look for it. We had quite the rock out session afterward. We'll see if he stays interested in this. If so, we'd love to get him lessons. He's actually pretty good. He can find the rhythm and drum along.

1 Month Old/Prayer Request

I can't believe a month has already gone by since Jovie's arrival. To be quite honest, it's been a bit of blur. However, the days are starting to slow down a bit and become more routine. Our nights are getting more predictable and Jovie is becoming less fussy, which is making a huge difference. Here she is giving me her typical look of wonder, reminding me just how much like Jack she actually is.

Please continue to pray for my friends Sarah and Andy, and baby Justus as he faces another brain infection and shunt surgery ahead. Justus was born premature (at 30 weeks) in November and has already faced and overcome so many obstacles. The Lord continues to test Sarah and Andy's faith, but also continues to give Justus the strength to keep fighting. Visit their blog if you wish for more detailed information. The link is below and to the right and is labeled "The Road To Home".

Lazy Days

Not too much is new around here, but I thought I'd better get something on here for the sake of updating. This picture pretty much sums up our days around here, but let me tell you, when the sun goes down it's a completely different story. In speaking to my friends and family members within the last week, I have come to understand that most babies have a fussy time and that it's usually early evening. Jack never had a fussy time so we were completely spoiled by that. Jovie has chosen her fussy time to start at about 10:00pm lasting until around 12:00-1:00am. I know I shouldn't complain, especially because she does so well during the day, but with Rob up at 5:00am for work, and Jovie and I up again at 3:00am and 6:00am to nurse, our nights have been quite stressful. I hope there is an end in sight to the sleepless nights. 

In other news, Rob and I are so incredibly geared up for the big game on Sunday. In the 8 1/2  years I've known him, he's been the most devoted Arizona Cardinals fan out there. To see them in the Super Bowl this weekend and to see how happy it makes him is so awesome! Just hours after Jovie's birth, we got to witness the first playoff game. I wish someone else besides myself, the doctor, and the nurse could have seen his face. There he sat holding his new baby girl, watching his team win in the playoffs for the first time ever. We'll never forget that day as long as we live, and nothing will probably be able to top it for Rob as long as he lives. So, needless to say, even though we're both exhausted, stressed, and worn out, we have so much to be thankful for...each other, our beautiful, healthy kids, and of course, the good old Cardinals:)

First Bath

No one has ever seen her eyes this open because she sleeps all the time! Finally, Jovie's cord came off and we were able to give her a real bath. She loved the warm water, but the enjoyment was short lived. Once we started washing her, it was all over. Her tummy looks huge here because she just ate, but in actuality it's very tiny.

Sitting Pretty

We thought this was the cutest little pose ever!

First Sponge Bath

Since Jovie's cord is taking awhile to come off, we've had to give her a few sponge baths. She absolutely hates them. She is heaven for the split second that the warm washcloth touches her skin, and the second it turns cold, she freaks. I hope she'll be happier with baths when she can actually soak in the warm water.

Our Hospital Stay

Jovie Noelle

Meet our lovely new bundle of joy. Born January 3, 2009 at 10:16 am. Weight: 6 pounds 14 ounces. Length: 20 inches. 

Christmas Day

What a wonderful, relaxing Christmas Day we had. We opened presents, played in the snow, and just enjoyed each other's company. Jack loved his presents from Santa and was even more excited about Santa and his reindeer eating the cookies, carrots, and milk we left out for him. I don't remember the last white Christmas we had, and I'll bet we won't have another like this for years.

Go Cardinals

Despite their horrible loss today against the Patriots, Rob remains hopeful in the Cardinals playoff success. Any time the Cardinals game is televised (once in a blue moon) we have a mini celebration.

Christmas Decorations

Decorating our brand new house for Christmas has definitely been one of the highlights of the season. Don't you just love the red door? It's one of my favorite things about the new house.