Anniversary #3

I have just been BLESSED to

enjoy THREE of the best years of my life

with my BEST friend...

this man...Ron!

Who spent HOURS on his knees...working his bummie off

so I could enjoy

our NEW backyard full of pavers, flowers and GREEN grass!

And in the midst of all that work...

a REVELATION....

Christopher knows how to work...and does it quite well!

Yippee...for me!

TWO wonderful men who love me very much!

I realize that our LOVE isn't built on the foundation of 

GIFTS...Fancy things...BLINGED out clothes,

but on HARD work, dedication and

SACRIFICE!

I received ALL of that and more...on

Anniversary #3.

Here is the result:

 

"Dad...do I talk too much?"

The other day...after Jacob was done at the dentist office!

(Yes, the dentist office...he had 3 cavities.)

He began to talk to me...in very little detail,

about how he didn't want to EVER be a BIRD!

Now he did just have two numbing shots, his mouth drilled, filled and a baby root canal...

so his mind could have been in a MUCH different place.

But it wasn't...it was on BIRDS!

I asked him why he didn't want to be a bird...

"They have to work too hard!"

So I asked him, why they worked so hard.

"Their wings flap and flap and flap...and I would get too tired!"

Well, I don't think birds get too tired...I said.

Plus I think it would be cool to fly all around the world...

and see all the beautiful things in the world!

"Well, not me...I don't want to work that hard!"

When I told Ron all the funny parts about our conversation...

and how he was worried about being a bird...

we just cracked up!

This little boy can come up with the funniest conversations.

Ron then told me how when he picked him up from school yesterday...

and how he talked, and talked and talked some more.

(They were riding their bikes!)

Then when they got home from school he said, 

"Dad, do I talk too much?"

Classic!

Ron and I have been saying for months...

Cameron is NOT going to recognize this little boy when he comes home!

We love our JACOB! 

On the HUNT...

for EASTER eggs...

With the kids gone on EASTER day,

we decided to change tradition...and spend the week

doing something for EASTER each night!

One night was FHE...and a lesson on

"Making a Difference".

The next night was coloring EASTER eggs...

(see post below)

and the next...well, a traditional EASTER egg hunt.

Only difference?

Money was inside the eggs!

So as they anxiously awaited Ron to say go...

And they heard the news...of green paper inside...they were OFF!

Checking out the loot...is the best part of the hunt!

Rachel with her BEST buddy Izzy!

Katie...such a sweetie!

Our WHOLE gang!

Easter COLORING...

I LOVE Arizona this time of year...

when you are coloring EASTER eggs...and then an EASTER egg hunt

to follow...

the colors of the eggs match the beauty of the world around us.

Springtime in Arizona brings with it lots of COLOR.

So we thought we would add to that color by coloring our ...

EASTER eggs.

Christopher joined us at the END...he is still deciding if he is TOO old to color Easter Eggs!

Rachel is my cute artist of the family...

and took her time on each one!

Katie would not let me FORGET we had to color Easter eggs!

I'm so glad I haven't pooped out of these things yet for my little Jacob!

I loved this shot...it is showing all the PAVERS

Ron and I carried

this day to the backyard!

This will be Ron's project for the next little while to get

our beautiful (but small) backyard done!

LONELY...

I'm having feelings of 

Loneliness...

that I just can't kick.

Maybe it started on EASTER when I spent it alone.

Or when a "new" friend

didn't show up when they said...

thinking they were different than others!

Or could it have been...thoughts I had many YEARS ago?

Loneliness isn't defined in just a FEW weeks...

but over YEARS of heartaches and disappointments.

Some caused by myself...some caused by others!

But for today...I'm lonely!

So the only way I can kick it is to be grateful for the one thing the Lord promised me 4 years ago...
"Greater happiness than I've ever known."

And I have that when I married my BEST friend!

Thanks babe...for making the loneliness seem more bearable!

Spring Fever....our way (Part Two)

Fourth week....(continued).

Luckily Kevin came on a Sunday and the kids had ONE

more day of Spring Break.

So Monday morning brought us ALL to the 

ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER.

When we first arrived a "Bomb Squad" truck was parked outside...

and our first thought was,

"We wouldn't be able to go in...because of a bomb threat!"

Not to worry though...

it was all part of NAVY week at the Center.

I loved getting this picture...because you can see the uniqueness of this building...most of the center is Underground!

This picture is so you can actually see everyone's faces!
 
I have to admit that my older kids have gotten to do A LOT more things than Jacob has gotten to do.
I didn't even think about how HE would be the one
to enjoy this the way he did.
He would always find someone teaching or showing you something
and then run to find me so he could show it to me!
I loved his excitement.

We had so much FUN on the 

FORCES OF NATURE

ride.  You get to experience heat, wind, rain, cold and an earthquake! 

 

We got to lay on a bed of nails...so cool!

Christopher got "certified" as a H.A.M. radio operator!

We left sooner than I would have liked...

but I ran out of time to make a lunch before we left for the center...

so our stomach's made us leave too soon!

Last year Kevin went fishing a lot with Ron...

but the kids didn't get a chance to go.

So this year it was a MUST!

The weather cooperated and we had the BEST day...

except we have decided...
their are NO fish in Arizona!

Kevin liked to hang out on the front of the boat!

Maybe HE was a little AFRAID of that fact that I was the one teaching Haley how to fish!

 Statistical FACT:  I have not caught a FISH to date.

These are special children...children I'm glad are in my life.

Garrett and Haley...

I sure do love being your Aunt Jana!

 

Spring Fever....our way!

Began with our 

ANNUAL SPRING

visitors!

First week...

Grandma and Grandad

which to my shame...I took not a single picture!

But I found these two off the family blog that my mom took!

It was "hat day" at school and my dad was a good sport to put a funny hat on for the picture.

 

Shocker of all shockers...

we actually remembered to get a picture of my mom and me together....Yippee! 

Second week...

Hailee and Leo

and yes, their cute mother Britni...

which I have already shared a few of those pictures.

Third week...

Spring break...and the kids are home!

So in a desperate attempt to keep my kids entertained,

we bought a Slip-n-Slide.

Yes, you heard me right...it is of course the most beautiful season in Arizona...SPRING...and a jump

in a "cool" swimming pool...

or a water pad or slip-n-slide work out GREAT!

 

Katie takes the plunge first!

 

Rachel still isn't sure it is WARM enough for all of this!

 

This is how Christopher's friends like to play!

I must point out that when these boys' play together...

we've had two broken wrists...twisted ankles...sore muscles...

and nice big BLACK eyes!

Can you see why?!?

We also got to enjoy a FUN night playing Dodge ball with "new" and old friends.

 

Ron and Skye

Christopher and Tanner

 

Katie and Alexa

Rachel and McKenna

And while we were SAD that Ron had to work

all week...we did manage a few FUN activities,

including Peter Piper Pizza, lots and lots of friends, mall/shopping trips, new video games, new books to read...

and our BIG outing for the week,

the PHOENIX ZOO!

We got their in time to eat LUNCH first!

He looks so happy, doesn't he!?!

We were able to enjoy this day with our BESTEST friends...

The Christensen's

Do you see Jacob's FACE in this one?

This kid keeps me on my toes...that's all I can say!

 

Rachel and Ryanna have been friends for years!

 

I LOVE that I got to be in a picture...even if Jacob refused.

We did have cute Alexa with us,

since Christopher was off with a friend for the day!

Jacob idolizes Jared and thought it was FUN to try to JUMP

as high as his idol!

Almost as HIGH!

I caught all the kids "sitting" at the elephant exhibit...

only about 20 minutes of being at the zoo.

They stated they were "tired!"

What's happening...when did my kids grow up to the point that the ZOO isn't cool anymore!?!

 

Maybe a little "SUGAR" can kick them into gear!

 Jacob and Rachel...getting the most out of their snow cones!

 

Katie, Alexa and Olivia...too cute!

Seriously...we could not "PULL" them away from this bar.

(No pun intended!)

I have to say SPRING break went by fast and my kids were given

CHORE CHARTS for the first time in their

LIFE....

and I must say..."What was I thinking not doing this sooner?"

It was great...and they got to EARN $5.00 for a job well done!

We ended this week with a FUN, weekend visit with Nana!
And with Ron off work as well...
that just made the weekend more FUN.

The kids love to WRESTLE Ron...even though to this point...

they still haven't been able to get the better of him! 

The kids spent hours outside playing cards with Ron...

while I helped NANA sew and cook!

Fourth week...

KEVIN, GARRETT and HALEY

come all the way from Missouri!

(This post to be continued!)