Butterflies

Josh and I went in to see someone about finally buying a home. This is huge for us. We don't know anything yet. All we have done thus far is do a credit app to see how much house we can afford. Josh is playing it cool. I have enough butterflies for the both of us. I don't think I've ever felt this anxious. Even when I was preggers with Izzy and had no idea what to expect with her and the whole motherhood issue, I didn't feel like this. It was sort of a calm excitment in wanting to meet her and then everything fell into place.

A new home means Mommy has to go back to work.... I suppose it's worth it so we have a bigger living space and something of our own. I have an interview today with a prospective job. I have to say I'm not nervous. Part of me wants to nail the interview and get the extra income flowing, but the other part wants nothing to do with it. I suppose I'll go in and give it my all. What's the worst that can happen? I get the job and have to put my boys in daycare? I guess it's not the end of the world. :)

I'm Not Sure Where October Went!

This month flew by like nothing else. We had a lot of fun celebrating a lot of birthdays and spending quality family time together. We also had an unfortunate bout with the flu. Everyone except Jaron got it. I'm still amazed how he skated by untouched.

The month started off with Josh's birthday on the first. On his actual birthday we had a daytime date and spent time going out to eat, drinking at a bar, and having a fantastic dessert. Later that weekend we went to El Rancho de Las Golondrinas in Santa Fe, for thier harvest festival. It was a relaxing day of walking around with a little bit of education mixed in. Izzy had a good time learning how to wash clothes with a wash board and Jaron enjoyed the lady in the herb garden that gave him some mint to munch on. Luke just kind of hung out and enjoyed eating while being pushed around in the stroller.

Josh was super spoiled over the weekend and it was well deserved. On that Sunday we had a birthday dinner for him with his parents and grandparents. Growing up for him he always had a birthday dinner and he always was able to pick steak fondue. So he got his steak fondue and brownie pie.

When we got home after our stroll through Las Golondrinas the kids wanted to take pics outside. Josh and I had a fantastic time trying to teach them how to play soccer. We ran around outside a good two hours. They loved it and it warmed my heart to be able to spend all that time with them.

The next weekend was my birthday weekend. I decided I wanted to go to the Balloon Fiesta so Josh sucked it up and got up early for my day. We had a great morning even though we got stuck in traffic for over an hour and were late to get in. The good thing was we didn't have to pay for parking or pay to get it and it was the perfect amount of time for the kids. They were able to see six balloons go up and be right there and then we grabbed breakfast and were out of there.

Unfortunately for us in there we were infected with the flu. We're still not sure what strand we had but thankfully it's over and everyone is better. It started with Izzy, who then gave it to Josh and Luke, and Luke gave it to me. Poor Izzy had to miss school for an entire week and Josh had to miss a little bit of work. Luke's sickness was the scariest for me because I didn't know what hurt and I felt helpless. I suppose all the stress caught up with me after he got better because the very next day I was knocked out with the sickness.

Josh was wonderful in taking care of me. He did everything for me and the kids and I was able to rest and get better.

In there I was able to make the kids their Halloween costumes. Jaron is Anakin Skywalker, Izzy is Queen Amidala, and Luke is Yoda. I dressed them up yesterday for Jeff and Diane since they are going to be out of town. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with myself. I just have to finish Luke's robe. I'm not sure I will make their costumes again. It was a lot of work and I'm not sure if it was any cheaper. It was for Luke since it was just ears and some hair spray but Izzy and Jaron I'm not clear. I didn't keep very good track of my spending. Either way they look great and I'm proud.

Dear Josh, Izzy, Jaron, and Luke,

Thank you for this month. I had a great time. The beginning was fantastic. Sorry we all got sck in the middle there. Joshua, thank you for taking care of me and everything else the four days I was sick. I'm so lucky to have you!

I love you all very much! Mommy

Matching PJs

Here they are so sweet and cute. I bought these for them when Josh and I went to Costco. It was such a good deal and I couldn't resist. I really wanted to get some for Izzy too but they did not have her size. I'm sure she appreciates it!!

We treid to take photos of all of them put they didn't really want to cooperate. They were having too much fun jumping all over the bed!  Oh well, I have some evidence that the boys match! They'll appreciate it I'm sure! ;)

Dear Izzy, Jaron, and Luke

Even though you all are extremely hard to photograph all together I still love you! It makes things interesting and fun! :)

Love you to pieces, Mommy

In the Blink of an Eye

Today Jaron and I were enjoying our time together. Since Isabella has started school we have a schedule together, with Luke, that allows each of them to have some alone time with Mommy.
We put Luke down for morning nap and went outside to go harvest some zucchini and check on our chile plants. We do this almost every morning. I go to the plants and he attempts to take leaves off the plants. I tell him as I point to the herb garden, "You can't eat these plants. Go down over there and you can eat those." So he happily runs over and starts to eat the fresh sage and mint and whatever else he feels like at the moment. I was very pleased this morning because we had two big zucchini and some yellow hots. I'm learning this garden thing. Still not an expert, I have lots to learn when it comes to how far away to plant everything, how to use mulch effectively, watering too much or not enough, etc. But it's working and supplying enough for our family.
Jaron and I had a fun time outside. He loves to run around the yard and giggle. After we were done outside we came in and he sat down for lunch. As I got his lunch ready he was being cute and singing a song I couldn't make out. I served him his lunch and he says, "Thank you Mommy." I smiled and said, "You're welcome Jaron." I touched his head and smiled, pleased that he was displaying that he can have good manners when he wants to. I turned to start to wash some dishes and he said, "Can I have a drink please Mommy?" I turned around and said, "Yes, what would you like?" He replied, "Juice please Mommy."
I was so proud of him. Since when does he use please and thank you so effectively and without being told? Where is my little guy that I have to say, "What do you say?" or "You need to say....." It warms my heart and saddens me a bit. My little guy is turning into a big boy. I'm glad he has manners though. Hopefully he keeps it up!

Dear Jaron,

Mommy is so proud of you!! Keep up the good work! Big hugs and lots of kisses!

Love, Mommy

PetitionSpot

A Sweet Memory

Today as I sit and watch one little guy, Luke, eat and eat and eat, and watch my other big boy, Jaron, sleeping soundly on the couch I have started to think about and miss my Izzy-bug.

The past week without her was hard for Mommy but so wonderful for her. She was so excited to go to school each day. She loves her teacher, the new friends she has made, and loves the fact that cousin Lana can still play with her even though they are in separate classes.

As I sit here and think of her, I can't help but think about last Monday. She had a terrific first day. She was excited about her new teacher, that she saw old friends from preschool, and that she didn't have to eat all her lunch. The excitement that was bubbling out of her was so exciting and wonderful to watch.

I say watch because she didn't come home and share it with me. She walked in, put her stuff away and wanted to call Mimi and Daddy right away so she could share her day. A little disappointed, I got out my phone and let her call away and watched a very excited little girl share her day about all the good things she experienced.

That day was an all day work day for Josh so he got home late around 9:30. It was finals day so he was home earlier than usual. All the kids were already in bed when he arrived home so he and I sat down at the kitchen table to talk about his day over dinner for him and cookies and milk for me. As we sat and talked we heard footsteps and looked over and there was Izzy. She was excited to see her daddy and said she was too excited and hungry to eat. We told her she could stay up but she had to eat a taco and nothing else. (She was shooting for cookies, or crackers.) She agreed to the taco so I made her one and she sat with us.

As we all ate she talked all about her day again. I loved it when she said, "And guess what they have at school, mom!" "And guess what else they have at school dad!" I sat there listening to her and thinking about how much she is a reflection of me. The facial expressions, the hand movements, the excitement. It was so joyous. I also sat there and thought, this is what I've wanted... To be sitting around the table with my family, eating, laughing, and enjoying every minute of them. The only thing missing was my boys!

Off She Goes!

My Izzy-bug started kindergarten on Monday. It was a hard day for me to see her so big and ready to take on this new chapter in all of our lives. The morning went fantastically. She was very excited to get ready for school. She sprung out of bed and got dressed right away. We went to the kitchen and got breakfast together and she was so excited to be getting ready to get on our way to "big kid school," as she calls it. She finished breakfast and ran to the bathroom to brush her teeth and get her hair stuff so we could finish getting her ready. After we finished her hair I asked if I could take her picture she says, "Yes!" with super excitment in her voice. As I got the camera ready, she said, "Mommy, should I curtsy like a princess?" I said with a giggle, "Sure." She makes me laugh so much!
After we took that one I said, "Now let's get one of just you smiling. Stand here and give me your pretty smile!" She says like this, and gives me her cheesiest, least genuine smile she could come up with. All the while, Josh is standing behind me cracking up at the faces she was giving me and telling her to gives us her real one. She says, "This is my real one!" Then gives her not so genuine one again and Josh starts laughing hysterically in the cute way he does when the kids amuse him. (With our three it's quite often!)

His laughter causes Izzy to start cracking up which resulted in my favorite picture here. I love it! It's her... pure, raw, and real.

After I snapped that one she says, "One more mommy, please!" So she posed like this for me and I snapped. She says, "Let me see." I show her and she says, "I don't like that one. Delete!" I reply, "I love it! I want to keep it." She says,"Okay Mommy! If you HAVE to! Ahhh!!!" and she runs around the house.

When she calmed down I asked her to come with me to mine and Josh's room so I could talk to her. I sat on the bed and she stood in front of me and I said, "I'm going to miss you so much my Bug. I don't know what I'm going to do without my shadow and my good little helper!" She says, "Mommy I love you, and I'll be home soon!" I said,"I'm going to let you wear my Mary necklace. If you feel lonely, feel scared, and need Mommy, just rub it and know I'm thinking of you and can't wait to get back to you." She says, "Mommy, I will take care of this I promise!" She knows how important this necklace of the Virgin Mother is to me. It rarely comes off my neck and if it is off, it's close by in my purse or pocket. Her face was beaming when I put it on her. It's like it was an extra boost to all the confidence she already had.

Josh and I walked her to her classroom and she was precious holding both of our hands. When we arrived there she walked right in as confident as ever, put her backpack away, and went right to see what to do, the teacher instructed her, she followed instruction and never looked back at us.

I stood at the back of the class watching her, trying to hold back tears, and whispered to Josh, "Go tell her bye. I can't do it." Josh went to say good-bye and snapped the above picture.
We walked out of the class and I couldn't hold the tears back anymore. I cried the whole way down the hall while Josh giggled at my emotions. I said with a partial giggle partial sob, "I know this is ridiculous but I can't help it." He said, "It's just that you're cute."

I wasn't feeling very cute at all. I was feeling sad, happy, worried, excited and I had no idea how to handle all of these at once so I cried.

I knew she was fine. I knew she was going to have a fantastic day. I knew she didn't need me to stay all day and hold her hand. I knew if there was one thing Josh and I have done right so far is letting her be independent when all we want to do is do it for her.

So the first day of school has come and gone and she had a great day. The highlight of her day..... That she didn't have to eat all her lunch. That she was allowed to dump her tray and not have to sit there till it was gone. The expression on her face and the excitment in her voice was hilarious! (At home she sits for a LONG time some nights until her plate is clean.) Coming in at a close second... The gingerbread cookie search they did around the school to help them learn where everything was.

Dear Izzy,

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you! Mommy promises to let you go a little so you can grow and Daddy promises to hold Mommy back when all she wants to do is hold on! We are excited that you are so excited about school. We know it will continue and we will be with you to help and guide you the whole way through! Hugs to you, our little Bug! Thank you for being you!

Love, Mommy and Daddy