Ahh... the freedom

I love how kids have zero inhibitions when it comes their bodies. Lately, I have to force Max to wear clothes on the bottom half of his body. A compromise is running around like this:

Moving Along

So Ross finally got orders. That makes it official that we are moving. We are setting up the dates for the movers to come and getting things in order. The kids don't get out of school until June 19th here, which seems so late, because everyone else we know is finishing up. We have been going through our stuff and throwing out tons and tons. We also have huge boxes to donate. Trying to just get rid of anything we don't need. What is so funny, though, is the house does look much different. It is all coming from the storage areas and the closets. So, I guess that just means all that we use is pretty much in sight, and that stored stuff I didn't need anyway. A good thing about moving so often, is when you come across a box that you haven't opened from the last move, you pretty much know you can get rid of it!! Anyway, I thought I would share some pictures of our house! We are thinking of getting a big, double-wide trailer and just plopping it down right by that sign!



Actually, this was taken when Ross went out for the pre-construction meeting in April. The back of the land backs up into a Nature preserve. For those of you familiar with the area (I know there are some Ohio lovers out there) I think it is the land where there used to be a big pumpkin patch or something. Anyway, that means no rear neighbors, which is nice. Here is a picture of the trail in the nature preserve, just steps from the house.


Supposedly, it is quite a bit of land (the nature preserve) with real hunting and everything. Tina, you can tell Bryan, when you visit, he can sneak out and try and snag a deer!! I am not rural in anyway, but this is a nice mix, because apparently there is the mall and every other suburbia store necessary within about 5 miles.

So here is a picture that the home builder just sent us. Progress... they have laid the foundation. The garage (Ross wants me to emphasize 3-car here) is on the right.


So, we are excited. Hoping that things go as scheduled and all works out. After living for so long in really old, icky, small places, this is a very nice and very welcome change.

My Mother's Day

I wanted to share with you some of my mother's day gifts from the kids. A proud mama can share, right? :)

Here is what Max made:



After Zoey saw it, she had to make her own:



My favorite flower:


This one is cute. Zoey said she wanted to remind me of when she was a baby. So totally out of paper she made herself as a baby, and a crib. It is 3-D and everything. She is very creative this way.



Here is the front of the card she made at school:



And the inside. A drawing of me and a description.


This is what is written:

Zoey's Special Mom

I call my mom, Jill.
She is 32 years old. (not yet, but I forgive her)
Her hair is brown and curly.
Her eyes are brown.
She looks very pretty when she wears pink.
I love her because she is my mommy.
I like the way she cooks soup.
She's happy when she plays with me.
When all of her work is done, she likes to have fun with me.
If I had $1,000,000 in my piggy bank, I would buy her a puppy.

I love you, MOM.

It's the Age-Old Question Really...

Okay, not really. But a funny story...

So I used to be concerned that Zoey couldn't smell. I know that sounds ridiculous, but we would be hanging out, when a stinky smell would envelope us (no comment on what here, but think Ross) and she wouldn't even notice!! Of course I automatically think some very bad, very rare thing like not having smell glands (is there such a thing?) instead of realizing, that it is not that she can't smell, but that she hasn't associated a smell with being bad, or good for that matter. Anyway, her smell glands do work. And lately she has really been demonstrating their power and potency. I think it is a combo of being around kindergarten boys always talking about farts (weird obsession), and just realizing that it is a little bit of a taboo topic in certain places. I also must preface this story by saying that admittedly, I am not a lady when it comes to this. I have an 8 year old boy mentality. Although gross, I think farts are funny. I have been known to fall on the floor, laughing until tears rolled down my face because of fart humor. So with this knowledge, you must realize how difficult it was for me not to laugh at the following:

We are standing in church, when I notice a certain smell fill the air. Faster than I can ponder how gross it is that another person's butt molecules are entering my nose, Zoey asks (rather loudly), "Who farted?"

I just quickly shake my head and whisper, "Shh, I don't know."
But Zoey responds, "Umm... Who farted? Did you?"
I nod "NO"
She says, "I didn't either, gross"

I bent down to say something about not saying that in church (I can't remember what because I was both caught off guard and cracking up inside). But luckily there was a breeze and the smell quickly left. I, however, had to turn my head so she couldn't see me laughing. The teenagers behind me thought it was pretty funny, too.

Here is a picture of Max and I after smelling the smell... Not really. Just a picture of us with our scrunched up noses. Ross says we look the same. Max's nose is black because he just stuck his face against the screen!

Never a Dull Moment...

...When conversing with a 5 and a half year old (emphasis on the 1/2 by request from Zoey).

Me (sitting at the dinner table after we were finished eating): Zoey, we are doing some clean up after we clear the table.

Zoey: Umm, I only have a tiny bit of energy, so I can't clean up.

Me: You just ate, and food gives you energy, so you should be fine.

Zoey: Well, it only went in to one leg, so I can only hop around and that is not very good for cleaning up.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And after brushing teeth one night,

Me: Let me see your teeth. Nope, no sign of any new ones coming in.

Zoey: Just wait, a sign will pop out that says, "Teeth are Coming, Teeth are Coming!"

She's a funny one, and already has to argue or have the last word. Always.

A Mother's Day Reflection

Today is my 6th Mother's Day. Still, when I think of the day, I don't think of myself, but of my own mom, as it should be (I love you, Mom). It is still weird sometimes when I look at my kids, to think that I am their mom. Wow! I must say, I had no idea what I was getting into!! I always knew that being a mom was in my future, but beyond that I was pretty much clueless to all that comes along with it. I often think of parenting as a secret club. Everyone tells you the good stuff and beautiful stuff, but nothing else. And even if they did share with you all that comes with it, you just.can't.grasp.it. You can't know the feeling of having another so completely dependent on you, or that once you have a child you won't ever sleep the same again, or feel the same again, or be the same, again. And your heart will actually ache because of the love you feel for them. It is a blessing for which I am thankful for. I thank God for the two beautiful souls He has given me (and Ross:)) to care for in this world. I certainly am humbled by the opportunity, and I can only hope that my desire to do my best, will be enough. Especially on the days that I just don't make the cut for being the supermom. Because most days I don't! And yet, they still give me the same hugs and kisses as the days that I do.
And as I write this, my sweet Zoey is sick, and she has been asking me to hold her and take care of her and make her better... yes, my sweet girl, yes I will do that for as long as I can, and thank you, thank you for asking. It is a little ironic, in a way. We had some plans that we had to cancel, but that isn't a big deal. Because she isn't feeling well, I get to really just take care of her and snuggle with her and just be the mom, and except for the fact that I want her to feel better, it is a nice change for us to slow down and just be.

Another thing that becoming a mother has allowed me to appreciate is my own mom. Although times were different, situations were different, life was different... Mom, you are an inspiration! You are strength and love and goodness and all that I hope to be. Thank you. And to all of you moms out there, my dear friends and family, may God Bless you today and every day. Thank you for saying yes to life. You are in my prayers. You are special and you are doing a great job! Happy Mother's Day.
With much love,
Jill

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my mom when Zoey was just a week old.

Keeping the Tooth Fairy in Business

Zoey lost another tooth this morning!! It is a bottom little guy, so you can't see it too well, but this one she popped out herself. She was working on this one all day yesterday, too!! So she now has THREE teeth out!! I remember after she lost her first tooth, we were explaining how she will lose them all eventually and have them be replaced by her permanent teeth. She was so concerned and asked how she was going to eat, with all of her teeth out! So I explained that they wouldn't all come out at once, HOWEVER, this is what is happening!!! Well, maybe not, but three out at once is proving to be a little difficult when it comes to eating apples and carrots! Well, I guess another visit from the Tooth Fairy is coming, always an exciting evening!! As for what she brings... I have no idea what the going rate is per tooth these days, but in our house, we give $3. I like the idea of money in 3's, just so she can divide it up easily. For saving, for spending, and for church. That is what we try for anyway. Have a great day everyone.

Blessed Bugs

Ross picked up a flower pot the other day and underneath was a ton of roly-poly bugs! I kind of shouted it out, and the kids came over and were excited, "ooh, look, holy polies!" Ah, yes, our bugs here are saints:)

Snuggles with Grandma and Papa

Ross and I got to enjoy a rare date night out when my parents were here. The kids had a special night, too. Staying up late, eating popcorn and watching movies with Grandma and Papa. This is what we came home too, smiles and snuggles on the couch. Fun for all...

Disneyland

Over Spring Break we went to Disneyland. I wanted to share some pictures from our day at the Happiest Place on Earth! Zoey LOVED it. She waited in lines patiently and wasn't scared at all. We were there with Tina and her family so she liked being around her cousins and doing what they did. Max didn't have too much patience for waiting in line, so he went on the things that didn't require too much of a wait... things like the tree house and then crossing the river to an island with caves and stuff...

Here they are at the entrance

Max on the island by the pirate stuff, and Zoey at the treasure chest...

Me and the kiddos with the castle in the background

Ross and kids...

Disney has a great offer for California residents to go to Disneyland one day and then go to California Adventure park another day for free. So we will try California Adventure soon!