No promises...

I have finally come to terms with the fact that having two small children, I cannot make any promises of how often the blog will be updated (yes... me writing typing this, is much more for me, than anyone else). :)

No matter how hard I try... I can't seem to keep up with our blog... so, no more promises from me, as I seem to set myself up, feel guilty (over something as silly as not keeping our family blog updated, that I'm fairly sure approximately 2.5 people actually read), stress over writing on the blog, and then end up with mile long posts due to not updating in so long.

I can promise that I will continue posting updates. But, no deadline promises, anymore!

(as I'm pretty certain, those were just for me... and, clearly it wasn't working...).

Here's what we've been up to... (ok, really what we were up to around Christmas time)...

Hope you all (2.5 peeps) enjoy!!! :)

(ps. I am going to attempt to blog my progress, through the book "Organized Simplicity" ~ if you have read it (please be patient with me), and if you haven't, you should check it out... if you feel that your home is not only unorganized, but lacking the feeling you would love it to convey). If this is something that I do indeed have time to do (that is, document my hopeful progress, it will be on a separate tag, so that those who have no interest, can skip it all together!).



Jackson's AWESOME "Parking Garage" that Jackson and Mama built... ALL BY THEMSELVES!

(yes, I think I was a bit more proud than Jackson! :) It was a two evening process... first the painting of the cardboard, then the actual construction... And, it was so much fun!)

 Cousin Love!
(this was actually taken towards the end of Summer, 2011! ~ But, it's such a great picture! It was the first Duck Game of the Season, and all of the cousins were ready to cheer on our Favorite Team!!!!

 Sweet Maggie Girl...

This is what happens (above photo) when little girls don't go to bed when they're supposed to... and then have to get up early to take their big brother to school.

They fall asleep in their beds while their Mama is doing laundry, just minutes after getting home from taking Big Brother to school! :)

(it was so sweet to find her all nestled in her bed with all of her "babies", that she had been playing with, surrounding her!).

 One Cute Daddy,

With Two Cute Munchkins!

 I know, Valentine's Day is upon us... 

and I feel like am still catching up from Christmas....

I'm thinking, at this rate,

all of the Christmas stuff in the garage that 

still needs to be organized, labeled, and (some) donated,

will just be there waiting for me next Christmas!

 Jackson having fun at the Disney Store (in December!) when we went on a special Mommy-Jackson date. We went Christmas shopping, and he had so much fun!

He was so sweet in picking out "Holly", the bear from Build a Bear, that he chose for Maggie for Christmas.

He washed, cleaned, brushed Holly. 

And, then picked out the perfect Christmas dress, with shoes and a bonnet for Holly to wear!

 Cute guy!

His feet were hurting, when we finally left the mall...

he told me, "Mama, you shop for sooo long. I can't shop for so long. 

You make my feet hurt!".

Ha, for most who know me, feel the same!!! :)

Making Christmas Decorations...

Adorable "Pinecone Trees"

 ... Maggie made one too!

 Here is Jack's beautiful ornament hanging on the tree!

 Maggie's looked beautiful too!

Maggie, caught wearing the "Birthday Crown".

It was worn (for a very short period of time, not even long enough to capture a photo)

by Papa as we celebrated his birthday a few days prior to Christmas!

Such a Silly Girl!

Two Tired Boys!

 Christmas is Exhausting!!! Especially when it includes a new Buzz Lightyear, and the BEST (boy) Cousin in the whole world!!!
We love you, Chris and miss you lots!!!

More Cousin Love!!!

Jack and Maggie LOVED having their cousins, Michelle, Chris and Ashley to play with them, and all of their new goodies!

Ashley teaching Maggie how to use her cell phone (????).

Oh Goodness, it's starting early!!! :)

We had such a wonderful Christmas, spent with Family. We loved having everyone at our home this year, and it meant so much to us to have Family with us, as we celebrated such an amazing day!
(We have so many more Christmas photos to share, but I'm afraid at this rate, it'll be Christmas 2012 before I finish posting everything from Christmas 2011! :p)....

Big Hugs and Love from each of us!

xoxo

RV's and Surgeries...

Yep, you read the title correctly... and no, I am not having a surgery in an RV... ;)

Although, we have/will have experiences with both within a few days...

This past weekend we headed up to Brian's parents home in Lacey, WA.  It was funny when we first got there, because Jack wanted to look all around, as did Maggie. It dawned on us, we hadn't been up there since Christmas... and little ones don't always remember every little detail... so they took themselves on a quick tour of Nana and Papa's house. :) 

As soon as their toys came out, they seemed to remember the fun times we've had there. 

Brian's Aunt and Uncle were on a road trip (in their AWESOME RV...  Just a quick note: I have never been too keen on the idea of traveling via RV or trailer (it is completely unfair for me to feel that way, as I have never traveled in an RV or Trailer - what is the difference between the two???). 

My reasoning:

I always envisioned it being cramped, a bit unsafe (thinking of Jack and Maggie bouncing all over the place, whilst Brian trying to drive "schoolbus" size vehicle... just makes me a bit nervous ~ as does each of those individually too). 

Then, their is the whole "bathroom" issue. I just always figured, if you're going to road trip it, why not 

A.) camp

or 

B.) (...my personal choice...) Stay in luxurious hotels in between stops of fun

WELL... I am a changed woman! 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel have given me a whole new outlook on RV'ing, if you will. Their RV is ah-maaaaaaaaaaazing!!! It is really spacious (not the crampy feeling I envisioned), and it "hooks" (totally the wrong term I'm sure, but I'm not a professional RV'er... yet!) on to their truck, so they don't actually ride in the RV while driving, they ride/drive the truck... 

My thoughts have also changed regarding the "kiddos bouncing all over the place", if it were an RV that was "all together" (again, I don't know any RV lingo, yet....  ~What I'm trying to say is, an RV that doesn't "hook" onto a truck. You know, one that is just all one big RV... oy vey, that made no sense, but I hope you're still with me here...). 

So, if it were an "all together" RV, I think I'd be ok with the munchkins hanging out in the back, watching Veggie Tales. Brian and I could might actually be able to TALK and not LISTEN to/or WATCH Veggie Tales (or whatever "show" of their choosing... it for sure wouldn't be HGTV -unless it was my luckiest day EVER!)... or I'd be chillin' back there with them, as Brian chauffered us all over vacay land (vacay land: term for unknown vacation destination).

Lastly, the "bathroom" issue... = no issue. It's actually pretty cool that the bathroom is RIGHT THERE! The bathroom itself may have sold me on the RV'ing ~ after the past drive to Nana & Papas with Jack (ie. yes, he's doing AWESOME with his potty training, but that AWESOME = stopping, literally, every.other.exit. while he screams that "pee pee is telling him it needs to come out nooooooooow!!!! That is a whole other post in itself.) 

Yes, I say... Forget camping, using yucko bathrooms ~ I'd rather have my own Porcelin awaiting me ... AND Jack).

Sorry for getting a bit off track there, but the RV is COOL! Really Cool! It was parked in Brian's parents driveway while they were visiting for a few days, and so it wasn't connected (hey, is that the correct term... rather, than "hooked"?) to their truck. Jack and Maggie thought it was SO COOL (I totally agreed with them!). 

Jack kept begging for just a little little little ride (it became little little little after he asked 12 zillion times and was told no 13 zillion times). Yes, he would've loved it, but as I'm sure all can imagine, it's not like all hopping in the car for a quick spin around the block. 

Someday, Jack... someday, sweetie. Like I said, Mama is anew in her thinking of RV's... and I'm a like'n 'em. 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel (Gary, is Brian's Mom's (Karen) brother) live in the Fresno area... so this was the first time for me and the kiddos to meet them. They were great! We had such a fun time getting to know them... and in addition, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karin, Great Grandma Weeks, Misty and the girls (Michelle & Ashley) all came up too ... we had a great BBQ, and just overall fabulous family time! We missed Jeff & Chris, as Chris had basketball that he couldn't miss.

I am really enjoying meeting more and more of Brian's family! (most have lived/or still live out of state... hence, not seeing them often). We can't wait for another visit with U.Gary and A.Mel! 

Brother and Sister

Uncle Gary and Mom (Brian's Mom, Karen)

So Sweet! 

Love how even as adults, 

it's the typical brother thinking "enough, enough"... 

and sister thinking "i love you, and too many hugs and kisses are never enough!".

They had such a great time catching up!

 Brian and Great Grandma (Marjorie) Weeks

We were so glad she was able to join us. It was her first time visiting Mom & Dad (Brian's parents, her son is Brian's Dad... got all that??? :p) home.

 Jack had so much fun, and was such a good boy the entire weekend!

And... just gotta mention, how HANDSOME I think this monkey is!

Maggie was too! 

She LOVED saying all of her new words, and of course...

singing, dancing, running and just being cute!

Check out those pigtails! 

She looks so grown up with her hair like that! 

It is finally long enough to put up... however, in the tub when it's all wet after washing, it is 1/2 way down her back... just "boings" back up as soon as it dries, 

with those GORGEOUS (to die for!!!) curls.

 ... and to think this (above picture was last fall... less than 1 year ago)!

wowzers, she is growing FAST!!! 

and..

She is just CUTE!!!!

Jack with Nana and Papa. 

Not sure what's up with the face...

and no pants... umm... 

either getting them wet/dirty outside 

or????????? 

Ok, I have no idea. :p

Fun playing outside. 

It was an absolutely gorgeous and perfect day!

Papa knows all of Jack's "tickle zones"... :)

Buster was in ... or trying to be... on the action!

Cousin Michelle and Jack.

He absolutely ADORES his cousins, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

Michelle heads off to college this fall!

Wow, makes Brian and I feel ooooold.

Ashley relaxing...

Looks like she found a snuggle partner.

Mom/Nana ... the most wonderful hostess!

Food was great and the company even better!!!

Great Grandma and Maggie

Do you think it's trouble when two Marjories are hanging out together??? :)

 One big happy family...

with a few missing members...

 Caught with my mouth full...

always a flattering photo, right? :p

 My two very favorite munchkins in the world.

 Maggie says "stop takin' my picture. i'm busy chatting with the girls..." :p

 Lots of running, blowing bubbles, playing hide n go seek and 

just having a whole bunch of fun outside!

 Think someone is getting t.i.r.e.d. She didn't take a nap all day, but actually did great! 

There were a few minor meltdowns... to be expected when you're:

a.) 2

b.) a little girl who is a bit quite stubborn

c.) typically a big sleeper and missing her afternoon princess snooze

 Papa's Girl

 Aunt Misty getting Jack with lots of tickles...

and more tickles!

 Michelle, such a cute girl! 

And, a pretty fun niece/cousin too.

 Papa with two of his three special girls!

Observing everything and everyone! 

 Jackson being silly with Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel...

or is it the other way around???

 Wild Monkey...

and still no idea on the case of the missing pants... ???

 Daddy and his sweetpea.

 More Silliness ensues...

 We cannot wait to see Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel again.... SOON!!!

What a GREAT time!!!

We came home later on Sunday, and had a relaxing evening. Today... was housework, laundry, playing catchup, and did I mention housework??? :p

Brian's Mom came to our house this afternoon, and will be staying for the week... as tomorrow is "D" Day for me. 

I have my big surgery tomorrow... 

I am filled with many thoughts, feelings and emotions running through me, that I know I could not even begin to explain. I hope and pray all goes well, and that I can come home after only 1-2 nights in the hospital (rather than possibly more... all dependent, of course, on how my body reacts to everything). Then I am eager to begin a (hopefully) very speedy recovery, both physically and emotionally. Prior to a surgery date being set, I had really only thought of my physical recovery. However, the emotional side of it all came on quite quickly after the date was set. It was really happening, and as I said... I had/have so many emotions. Ranging from happiness at the thought of being done with all the yuckiness that has led to this surgery, to overwhelming sadness that I will never carry another child and that part of me will no longer be.

Again... prayers, prayers, prayers, are/is all I can do, and trust that this is the path that was chose for me. 

I do know in my heart this is the right & best decision. I know I will feel better than I could have ever imagined... it's the in between time that is going to be a bit bumpy... hopefully not too much. We'll keep you all posted.... and in the meantime, please keep us all in your prayers.

Lots of Love, and BIG (virtual) HUGS!!!