Sweet JB

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween from our house to yours!

 

Zachary's Obsession

I think most would agree that it is a lot more fun to dress little girls than little boys.  Simply put there are just not that many accessories out there for little boys, really there is only hats and shoes.   Zachary LOVES hats and shoes!  When guests come to our house he is always fascinated with their shoes, and usually has to try them on.  We can not leave the house without Zachary asking to wear one of his hats.  The most resent add on is mittens or 'ninnies' as Zachary likes to call them.

After asking Zachary if he wanted to go outside one day, I turned around to find he had gotten himself ready without me.

Good job little man but I think you forgot something...

After waking up from a nap, Zachary decided his teddy bear needed shoes and a hat.  We ended up digging out all his baby keepsakes and one thing lead to another...and well see for yourself.

Homemade Build-A-Bears!

 

Happy Saturday!

Beautiful World

I am thankful to be alive and healthy and for a family that is full of love.

What are you thankful for?  

I love Thanksgiving weekend, not only because we usually spend it will our families sharing wonderful meals.  I love this holiday simply because its not clouded with an abundance of presents, decorations and obligations that seem to deter from the true meaning of the Christmas season. During the Thanksgiving weekend I usually get the opportunity to stop and think about how truly blessed I am and think about what I am thankful for in my life.

Hope you had an opportunity to think about and share what you are thankful for this past weekend.

I recently came across a new song and it is one that I enjoy more and more every time I hear it. Its called Beautiful World by Dierks Bentley featuring Patty Griffin.

Lyrics

There's tears and there's fears and there's loses and crosses to bear

and sometimes the best we can do it just whisper a prayer

And press on because...there's so much to live for and so much to love

It's a beautiful world.  Say what you will but I still believe its a beautiful world. 

And I know I'm not dreaming it, I just choose to believe in it.

So I hate that I sometimes miss what's right in front of my eyes.

And I know at the end of my road I'll be wanting more time.

Just another sunset...

One more kiss from my baby a smile from a friend.

Its a beautiful world.

Zachary and Lincoln in their matching glow-in-the-dark Halloween jammies Thanksgiving day.

What is the best way to learn how to use the potty?

Have your best bud show you how it is done.

This picture cracks me up.  Ty showing Zachary how he uses the potty.  Despite a 2 year age gap these guys are the best of friends...too cute!

Zachary is consistently using the potty during the day time when we are at home.  For naps and bedtime he still wears a diaper.  He has a few accidents, but we are on our way to being potty trained.

Happy Tuesday!

Update!

Wow are we four weeks into the school year already?  Time sure flies when you are having fun.  

Our fall transition has been fairly smooth and everyone is doing well.  Working part time seems to be a good fit for me.  I really love my time at school teaching and I still get to spend days at home with Zachary so I don't feel I am 'missing' anything.  Zachary seems to enjoy his dayhome, he is a really social little guy so I think he likes his time with all the kids, even though he is really tired when he comes home (I think its a long busy day for him).  Murray hasn't had to go away for work yet and it has been really nice to have his help in the mornings and in the evenings.   Things might change the first time he had to go away but for now everyone is doing well.

The only part I am struggling with is finding time to fit in exercise.  It seems over the past month I have added school and taken away exercise, not a healthy way to live I know.  Now that we have adjusted to our new schedule, my goal this week is to find some time to work it back in.  

Our funny little man wearing his Elmo Easter basket as a hat.

Happy Monday! 

A Weekend Away!

For those who don't know I love to scrapbook.

With an 18 month old around the house I don't get a lot of time to do it anymore, but this weekend I got to go on a scrapbooking retreat.  It was great!  Scrapbooking uninterrupted for two whole days and catching up with an old friend.  

Good to get my creative juices flowing again...

What I am reading...

Sometimes when I am reading, a phrase just jumps out and grabs me because it is so meaningful to my life at the moment.  Right now I am reading 'My Sister's Keeper' by Jodi Picoult.  In the book the father, Brian, is explaining parenthood.

"Parenting is really just a matter of tracking, of hoping your kids do not get so far ahead you can no longer see their next moves."

I think this is true if you have a toddler or a teenager.  You always seem to follow them around, steering them clear of danger but really just hoping and praying for the best.

Deep thoughts for a Sunday night I know.

Happy Sunday.

Summer Reflecting...

It is the night before school starts and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even my little mouse.

Zachary was burnt out today from a day spent at the mall back to school shopping.  Not the best way to spend probably the last hot day of the year but it was nice to shop with my mom and brother and have lunch together.  I know Zachary is tired when he grabs my hand, leads me to his bedroom and asks for his blanket. 

As Zachary catches up on some sleep I have a chance to reflect back on our summer together and think about the year ahead.

Things are going to change some around here and I am both nervous and excited.  Excited because I love teaching and I am thankful to be going back part time, but nervous because change is always difficult and it will mean more time away from my little man. Wish us luck as our family adjusts to our new schedule.

A few photos to celebrate summer 2009.

 

We have spent a lot of time at the park this summer.  Zachary is now a slide expert.
 

Splish splashing in our little kiddie pool...oooh that looks cold.

Fishing for prizes at Capital X

Experiences mini dough nuts for the first time, um I guess he liked them?

 

This one is one of my favs, what a crazy little monkey.

Happy Sunday!

Sometimes I wonder...

Sometimes I wonder how we got from this...

to this...

I am happy to report that Murray made it home safe last week, we have been enjoying his company and catching up ever since so there has not been a lot of posting from me.  Sorry about that.

Zachary and Murray at the Zoo.

In the last few weeks of summer it is hard to tell if we are winding down or winding up for school. One last camping trip this weekend and then its all business next week as I head back to work.  

Happy Wednesday!

I did it!

I finished my first Triathlon race!  This was only a mini version of the big race in two weeks but it felt good to finish all the same.

Have I told you how wonderful it is having a photographer for a sister-in-law? Michelle was able to capture some great photos of the race for me.

Nervous before the race

My mom and Zachary cheering me on.

My special little fan wearing the t-shirt my mom had made for him.  Sooooo cute!

Swim to bike transition

Sprint to the finish line

My friend Paula and I at the finish line.  I am so proud of her.  She had a baby in December and only decided to register for the triathlon 2 weeks before!  What an amazing lady!

Happy Tuesday!