Jam and Work

So, a few years back when Rob and I were living with his parents in Brier, my friend Sarah came over to help me make jam. It started a tradition that I now do with the two girls that I graduated in Family and Consumer Sciences with at WSU. Last year Sarah and Staci made the trek up to Lynden to see our new house and make jam. We made lots of it and had tons of fun! This year we planned to do it again, but circumstances were a little different. Sarah couldn't make it because of Justus' recent surgeries, so just Staci came. I woke up with one of the worst migraines I've ever had on jam day (throwing up...the works), but that didn't stop Staci. She somehow managed to take care of both of my kids in the morning until Lisa could come and pick up Jovie. Then she occupied Jack while making 6 batches of jam. It wasn't a very easy task, and she did badly burn her thumb, but it definitely wasn't anything she couldn't handle. Thanks Staci for everything you did for us, and I'm sorry I wasn't a better hostess. Sarah, you were greatly missed, but we're confident you'll be here next year! I'm already looking forward to Jam Fest 2010. Love you girls!

On a different note, today was my first day back to work. Students don't actually start school until Thursday, but it's back into full swing for us. I'm quite sad about being away from the kids again, but they are in good hands and it sure makes me thankful for every second I have with them.

Disneyland

Everyone had such a good time at Disneyland! Jack's highlights of the trip were Star Wars and Splash Mountain. I loved the Electrical Parade at California Adventure, and the character breakfast at Disneyland. Jovie loved It's a Small World, and the big waterfall at California Adventure. Rob loved the Soarin' Over California ride at California Adventure. Sara loved Space Mountain, although her highlight was probably spotting Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter outside of the Alice in Wonderland ride at Disneyland. I don't know if Joe had a favorite ride, but he sure pushed Jovie around in the stroller a lot (Thanks!), and I think Cathy just enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren. We loved this vacation. It was much needed for us, and of course, we can't wait to go back.

Clint Black

Yesterday my sisters, my mom, and I went to our local fair to see Clint Black. It was an amazing show! More than a decade ago (actually more like 15 years?), my mom took us girls down to the Puyallup Fair to see Clint Black. We loved it then, and loved it even more now. He's a great entertainer, and still looks and sounds great! It was a special evening. My mom presented us with the tickets on Christmas. She wrapped a framed family picture for each of us from Beth's wedding, and placed the ticket right on top. Soon after we all unwrapped them and realized what it was, Julie's next words were "Well, I guess I'll have to get a babysitter"...her way of telling us that she was pregnant. Needless to say, it was more than just a fun evening out with my favorite girls in the world! Thanks Beth for the picture, and thanks mom for always making everything so special!

Jack is 4!

Four years ago on August 5th, our first child, Jack, was born. He made his appearance 13 days late, forcing me through many hours of labor, and then ultimately a c-section. All of that unpleasantness was quickly forgotten when I held him for the first time. It was love at first sight. Now he's 4, is about to start his 2nd year of preschool, rarely lets me change his clothes or help in the bathroom anymore, and is becoming so independent and self-assured that he reminds me to calm down when I get too uptight. "Mom, just calm" he says.

A few months ago I asked Jack if I could read him my favorite book "I'll Love You Forever". It was my favorite book as a child, and is still my favorite book because my mom gifted it to me at the hospital on the day that Jack was born. When my mom used to read it to me, she would sing the words of the song with her own little made up tune (at least I think she made it up). I now do the same for Jack, and even though he's starting to get annoyed with me when I do it, he usually lets me. The last few months have been pretty difficult and emotional, and the last time I read the book to Jack I was a complete basket case. However, it just reminds me that there is no stronger love than a parent for their child, and even though Jack is growing and the years are flying by, my baby he'll always be.

Gotta love that enthusiasm! This present is a Star Wars light-saber by the way.

Yes, he is actually hugging his new Transformers pj's saying, "I love it!"

A Lego Star Wars Starship

Baseballs!

Happy Birthday to you Jack! I can't believe you are 4!

My Helper

Just a sweet thing that makes me smile!

Family Pictures

Photos by Brea Bateman

Roosevelt

Me and the kids went over to my aunt and uncles house at Lake Roosevelt with my family last weekend. I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures. Everyone had a lot of fun. The weather was great so we got to ride the wave runners and go on the pontoon boat (party barge). Jack liked going fast on the wave runners, fishing, and playing on the beach/water. Jovie was pretty good too considering she didn't get a good nap in the entire time we were there. She likes to be included in the party...doesn't want to miss anything.

Sun-bathing beauties! Jovie, Grammy, Ryan
Me and the kids
Jack and Grampy (in their jammies) feeding the deer. These deer come right up to the house. I'm actually standing on the deck taking this picture. What spoiled little buggers!
Priceless!

I Love Summer Vacation

As most of you know, this week was my first official week of summer vacation. It has been much needed. The kids and I have slept in every day so far...well, all two of them that is. We've also been able to some much needed catching up with friends. My friends Anya, Kyrsten, Lindsey, and Natasha (visiting from San Diego) came over yesterday, and Jack had a great time playing with the boys. Today we visited my mom, who is doing really great by the way, and planted some flowers. I just love the freedom that this time of year allows me! I will eventually get my housework done...however I've learned in the last month that there are so many more important things in life. The house will always be here waiting to be cleaned!

These pictures of the kids depict another aspect of summer that I just love...eating:) Jack and I have been frequenting The Green Barn, where we have been loving the plums, apricots, and nectarines. He is on a "fruit-with-pits" kick. He ate two plums yesterday, and a nectarine and a plum today. Looking at this picture of him eating this plum just makes me smile, which is why I just had to post it. Jovie on the other hand is following in her big brother's foot steps and is devouring the baby food. She's only had sweet potatoes, squash (which she doesn't like), and pears, but we can already tell we have another good little eater on our hands.

Finally, even though summer vacation is my Heaven on Earth, it means extended hours and busy weekends for Rob out at the resort. I guess at least I am home to counteract his busy summer schedule. Tomorrow and the next day we will share our first days off together since March 16...the day I went back to work after having Jovie. Rob has been splitting his days off since then to accommodate to our busy full-time working schedules so that childcare was less of an issue. PTL that we can finally see each other two days in a row once again! I don't think we're doing that again next year. It means one extra day of daycare for Jovie, but in turn, one extra day together as a family, which I think is more important.

Okay, now that I've bored you all...peace!

Home

After 6 days away from Rob and the kids, I am finally home. Most of you are following up on the CarePages website regarding my mom's surgery, but just in case I forgot to send you the link, you go to www.carepages.com and create a username for yourself. After you've set up an id and password, you can visit the page "wecareforkathy" There you can read all the updates that we've posted since Friday of last week...the day of surgery. 

Thanks to all of you who are thinking of us and praying for us. We really feel your love. I hope to catch up with some of you who I've missed soon. I'm so sorry I've been SO out of touch. 

Rollin' and Teeth

Jovie just turned five months old, and is unveiling all sorts of milestones to prove it! She just gave us her first roll from back to front, her first tooth just broke last night, and she's sitting at the dinner table with us eating rice cereal (more pictures of that to follow). In addition, I think it's safe to say she's sleeping through the night. It's been a pretty consistent couple of weeks that she wakes up to eat at around 6am. It's been such a blessing! Other than suffering from a little cold, she's just as happy as can be.

Now Jack's turn. Jack just finished his first year of preschool! He's learned so much and we've been so happy with where he was at, and we are very excited for him to go back next year. He learned so much about playing with others, sharing, manners, bible stories, letter and number recognition, and the list goes on! Thanks Danielle for your unyielding patience with Jack and all the rest of the kids! We're so looking forward to next year. Other things that Jack is into right now are...Legos, Lego video games, his truck, his bike, watering the lawn with his dad, and playing with his baby sister.

The school year is almost coming to an end for me. I have a week and 3 days left of school, although some of that time is going be spent in California for my mom's surgery and recovery next week/weekend. Surgery is on Friday, June 12th to remove some of the cancer before treatment. We pray that the surgery is a success and that she can go home and start recovering like a champ! We really feel like this opportunity to go down to USC is a ray of hope from God, so just join us in prayer for everything to go smoothly.

That's all for now. It's been ages since I posted anything, I know, and I know I still need to post more pictures. I'll try to get that done in the next couple days.

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.