Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Way You Look Tonight

Ever since Jackson was a little baby boy, we have always had a pretty steady bedtime routine. Go potty, brush his teeth, read a story, say prayers, and sing songs while getting a back scratch. For as long as I can remember, I have sung "Oh Mr. Sun" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Recently I decided to change it up a little and sing some different songs. So now I sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "The Way You Look Tonight." Yep, I'm singing an old Fred Astaire song to my son every night! I actually remember singing it to him when he was a newborn and he was crying nonstop one day - the second I started singing that one song, he would instantly go quiet and look me in the eyes until I was done. It was amazing. So it's been fun to revisit that memory while singing it to him. And guess what? He loves it again. It's almost as if he remembers it.

Last night while singing to him, he did something that I'll never forget. He looked up at me and started singing along. He did all the sign language that he's learned at church for "Jesus Loves Me" - but the best part was when he actually started singing along with "The Way You Look Tonight." I almost started crying because it was beyond cute. Within that moment, I realized just how much he has grown up. No longer my little baby boy, but now my little man.

I need to remember to cherish our song time every single night. There will come a day when he will tell me he's too old to sing songs together and I know I will feel my heart break a little.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The amazing baked potato

When Eric and I went on one of our date nights a few weeks ago, we had a really great discussion about some of our favorite childhood memories. It was so difficult for me to choose just one since it seems there are thousands that run through my mind. Eric thought it was really funny when I shared the one I chose - my dad's baked potatoes. Yes, one of my favorite childhood memories is all about spuds.



I'm not sure what it is that makes me remember this so well. I just remember always thinking that my dad's baked potatoes were the best thing on the planet. It's probably because it's something that was quick and easy so it was made often (both of my parents worked very hard, so quick meals were essential). But I do find it amusing that it has actually become a childhood memory of mine.

Why am I blogging about my dad's baked potatoes? It's because I discovered a few nights ago that both of my children love baked potatoes. Absolutely love them. As I was preparing it for them, I started thinking about my dad and how much I enjoyed my childhood. I think the baked potatoes are just a symbol to me of how much he loved and nurtured me. He worked so hard in his career and was not home a lot of the time - but somehow, I don't even have memories of him not being there. I feel like he was always there, which just proves what an incredible father he was. There are so many people in the world who are not blessed with a good father. I was blessed with an amazing father.

Until the day I die, I will always think of him when I make such a simple dinner - a baked potato.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Zumba Addiction

I have a new addiction. One that I don't think I'll be able to shake. Well, technically that's not true - this addiction involves a ton of shaking!

ZUMBA!

Last week, I was feeling pretty down. I'm not sure what was going on, but I was having a difficult time motivating myself to get much done. I was definitely not feeling like myself, especially because I couldn't even motivate myself to get in my daily exercise. I had heard so many amazing things about Zumba - but to be honest, there is no way I will put myself in a group class. You are looking at the girl who has zero rhythm and would literally look like a monkey jumping around the room. No thank you!

I discovered that Zumba Fitness had released a game for the Wii that has gotten phenomenal reviews. I decided to rush out to the store and purchase it. I can honestly say that it has been my best purchase so far in 2011! I can't even begin to describe how much fun this is and such a fantastic workout. You don't even feel like you're exercising. I did the 45 minute Intermediate workout yesterday and literally felt like only ten minutes passed. It is wonderful.


The best part? Jackson does Zumba with me every single day. There is nothing more adorable than watching my five year old little man dancing along with me. Especially the belly dancing. Seriously, I need to pull out my video camera so I can always remember!



Monday, April 11, 2011

Back to school!


As our family is in the process of a lot of growth and change, I am also getting ready to take a huge leap for myself. Here I am - turning 30 years old at the end of this year and finally ready to go back to school and start my career. What kind of emotions am I feeling about this decision? Oh, I don't know.... excited, scared, hopeful, discouraged, etc. Just about every emotion that I can possibly experience. I mailed in my application last week and will be going in this morning to pay the fee for my placement test.

I'm planning on going to school to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I'm not sure when it hit me that this was what I wanted to do with my life. But when it did, there was no denying that I'm confident that this is what I want to do. Ultrasound technology has always fascinated me to some degree, but it wasn't until I had my babies and experienced many different ultrasounds that a light went on in my head. I could make a living doing this!

I'm not going to lie - I'm absolutely terrified. More than anything, I'm scared of failing. I was never the best student. However, I know I'm at a completely different place in my life now than I was when I was 19 and attempting college for the first time. I'm dedicated and determined to do the best I can.

Guess I better go dust off my Trapper Keeper and lunch box!

Back to school! Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool! I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight! Ohhhh, back to school! Back to school! Back to school! Well, here goes nothing!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Smile Sunday - Jackson

Our trip to the most Magical Place on Earth was full of a million different smiles. But there was one picture of my boy that absolutely melted my heart. We were walking through Epcot's World Showcase and he was watching the little trains in Germany. He looked up at me and gave me this smile - talk about lighting up the world!


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Nurturing a delicate plant - Marriage.

Do you know what I have truly discovered over the last month or so? How important it is to nurture your marriage. I know, I know - seems like something I should have already known after six years, right?

This last year has been pretty rough for Eric and I. As weird as it sounds, I actually believe we hit that "moment" in your late twenties where you are finally finding yourself. Does that make sense? I feel like you spend your twenties trying to figure out who you are, and as you get ready to enter your thirties, you're ready to start experiencing life as the person you finally know is you. Call it self discovery or let's face it - growing up.

I have been taking the last month doing a lot of self exploration. Really focusing on myself as a wife, mother, woman, etc. I'm discovering the kind of person I want to be in all these different areas in my life. The two areas I'm focusing most on right now are my marriage and my children. Here's the crazy thing - I've discovered that if your marriage is taken care of first, your children receive the most positive results. After having my babies, I always had it placed in my mind that the kids come first, kids come first. Of course, in many instances they do. But the relationship between Mommy and Daddy affects everything. I can't believe it's taken me this long come to that realization. It's like a domino effect. Everything starts falling into place. A silly analogy but if you water the plant, the flowers will grow. Marriage is more than just love. It takes hard work, devotion, communication, trust, EFFORT.

I am discovering an even deeper love for Eric than I ever knew. It's like I'm falling in love with him for the first time all over again.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

It's been awhile!

So really? I haven't updated this blog since Charlie's birthday in November? It's funny - I find myself constantly sitting down to start typing and always seem to hit a wall. I guess when you have so much going on, it's almost too much to write about! So I guess for now I'll just highlight a few things that have happened since my last appearance around here.

  • We had a rough holiday season, but still managed to enjoy making it special for our boys.
  • I rang in the year 2011 asleep by 9:00 PM - definitely felt old this year.
  • We had an amazing two week vacation to Orlando in January. Jackson was blown away by the Disney magic.
  • We celebrated Jackson's fifth birthday on February 20th. I still can't believe he's five - how did that happen?
  • Charlie started walking in February. He's become such a little boy overnight.
  • We were thrilled to find out that Eric's sister is pregnant and due in October! I am so excited to have another niece or nephew to love and spoil.
  • Eric was offered a new job that will bring so much more stability into our lives. We are very much looking forward to this new journey.

I'm sure there is so much more, but my mind is drawing a blank. It feels like the last four months have flown by at warp speed. But at least I'm back, right?!?