Pumpkin Farm Fun

As you can tell by the fact that I haven't written in exactly one week, things have been pretty busy around here. The boys and myself made a last minute decision to take a trip over the mountains to visit my brother and his family over the weekend. Jackson absolutely adores his cousins, so he was psyched. The timing worked out perfectly since Eric came down with a nasty cold while we were gone, so at least he was able to get some peace and quiet to recover while we were gone. Unfortunately, I woke up this morning feeling awful. Thanks for sharing those germs with me, honey.

We had a fantastic trip. The boys did so well on the five hour drive - I was so proud of them. Jackson really got into his Leapster and Charlie slept most of the way. I also discovered that Jackson has a new found favorite band - Vampire Weekend. We must have listened to that album fifteen times throughout the drive. I'm not complaining!

On Sunday, we visited a wonderful pumpkin farm with the family. The kids got to do all sorts of fun activities: hay maze in a big barn, a huge play area, getting pulled behind a giant tractor in little buckets, and picking out pumpkins. Charlie was happy to ride in the stroller the majority of the time and Jackson was running around like crazy, unsure of what he wanted to do most. It was chaotic, but we had a blast. I had fun snapping a few pictures as the afternoon progressed.

Thankful Thursday - Eric

After yesterday's stressful day and negative blog entry, I decided today would be a great time to reflect on some things I'm thankful for.

Today I am so thankful for my husband, Eric.

It's hard for me to believe it's been over eight years since we met. We both worked in the mall, him at a jewelry store and me at a gift shop. I would walk by his store every day and he commented to his coworker how he thought I was "cute." This coworker came into my store and asked for my number to give to the blond guy he worked with. I'm not going to deny that I was completely floored. I honestly wasn't used to having guys ask for my number out of the blue. It took Eric three days to finally come into my store and ask me out on a date. I had started to give up on him by this point, so I was taken by surprise when I saw him.

We had a very casual first date - coffee at a restaurant and a walk through the park together. When he dropped me off at my apartment, he came up and played the guitar for me. Yeah, he was pulling out the big guns! How he knew that guys who played the guitar was so attractive to me, I'll never know.

Fast forward eight years and here we are. Married for almost six years with two beautiful boys that we created together. It's been a roller coaster to say the least. We've had many ups and many downs, but have stuck through it and I believe we're at a whole new level in our relationship. I can't imagine sharing this life with anyone but him. I can't imagine raising my children with anyone but him. He is the best husband and father anyone could ask for. To this day, I still can't believe he's mine.

I love you Eric - forever and always.

Because I said so...

Please tell me there are other moms out there reading this who have difficulty with the whole discipline issue. I am typing this while in the midst of a "time out" with Jackson. I swear, it's as if he woke up this morning with the devil on his shoulder. I spent thirty minutes walking him back to his time out corner over and over again. I had absolutely no emotion on my face, didn't say a word to him, yet it didn't work. He just kept getting up and laughing this mischievous laugh that drives me crazy. He is now in his room and I refuse to let him come out until his behavior changes.

Sometimes I feel like a complete failure as a mother. Don't get me wrong, the majority of the time he's a fantastic little boy. Mornings are usually my favorite time with him - snuggling on the sofa watching a cartoon together, him nuzzling up to me and telling me he "loves me so much". But mornings like this throw me for a loop. I feel like he's striving for attention of some sort, therefore negative attention must be the easiest for him to achieve. What does that say about me as a mom? Does he truly find it easier to get me yelling and pulling my hair out rather than giving him positive praise? Thus why I begin to beat myself up.

I know this is all just part of the journey in parenthood, but it's hard not to get discouraged sometimes. We all want only the best for our children. When you see them struggling with something and you feel that you're doing everything possible to help them yet the struggle continues - it's exhausting. There are times I feel we're coming over the other end of this mountain we've been climbing over the last two years. Jackson is such an amazing little guy and now that he's understanding things more and more, it's gotten easier. But every once and awhile, I feel like we're at the very foot of the mountain again. I suppose it comes with the territory of raising a four year old, right? Right??

Vent over now.

Mowing Maniac

Jackson's newest favorite activity is helping his daddy mow the lawn. He has a little toy lawnmower that he used to push around behind Eric. That toy just won't do it anymore - now that Daddy has allowed him to help push the big lawnmower. How much longer do you think before I can send him out on his own and cut the grass every week for me?

Welcome Autumn

I feel so fortunate that the region I live in is blessed with being able to experience all four seasons. By far, my two favorite seasons are fall and spring. I view both of them as transitional seasons. In the spring, it feels like life is literally being awakened after a long, colorless winter. Seeing the tiny green buds appearing on the trees, tulips blooming in neighbor's yards, the sound of birds chirping again in the early mornings - it's like you're waking up from a five month long slumber.

As much as I adore the spring, fall is definitely my favorite of all. Don't get me wrong - it's incredibly difficult for me to bid farewell to summer fun. I always grieve a little for the summer evenings where the sun stays up until 10:00 PM, the barbecues, swimming, playing at the park, marshmallow roasts - you get the idea. But there is something so comforting about autumn. Pulling out the sweaters, jeans, and boots and preparing for Halloween is the best. It's funny, I noticed last year that there is an actual sound in the air once it starts getting colder. Weird, but true! Even the sound of a dog barking is different. I love the smell of candles burning in my in-laws home when I walk through the door. I love the bright oranges and yellows of the leaves changing colors. I love seeing those leaves fall to the ground and the way they crackle under your feet when walking over them. I love the very first dreary, rainy day in fall. Cuddling up with my babies with a cup of hot cider while watching a movie together.

Eric and I took Charlie to one of our favorite parks yesterday to get some pictures. Unfortunately, the leaves haven't really started changing yet. But my boy sure loved playing with all the pine needles on the ground. He was so fascinated by everything around him. It was such a beautiful day - near 82 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I'd say summer is putting in one last fight before calling it quits.

Welcome Fall, we're ready for you!