Mommies

In a moment of introspection todayEmma  informed me that she didn't want me because I am too mean. "I would like two mommies, though, and you can be one of them."

Later in the day I mentioned that Leah's first grade teacher wouldn't be coming back to school because she decided to be a stay-at-home-mom to her newborn baby girl.  'Like you, Mommy!' said Leah.  

Emma said "When I grow up I be a mommy too!"  

And I know she'll be a good one.

Dreams

On Monday morning Adam told me that he had a dream that our whole family spent the night snuggled up and sleeping in a pile of pillows and blankets in the basement.

It wasn't a dream.

We tucked the kids into bed on Sunday night and then sat down for our weekly planning/foot rub night.  We didn't get too far into it before we realized that the storm brewing outside was getting closer and we needed to head to the basement.  Jason built a nest of blankets and pillows at the foot of the stairs then scooped the kids out of their beds and brought them down to me.  They all stayed mostly asleep through the whole ordeal and we stayed cozy and snug with our arms and legs all intertwined- Noah in my arms and Emma laying on my legs with Adam and Leah by my sides and Jason nearby.  There are no coverings on our basement windows so we watched the lightening flash and flash and listened to the quiet breathing of the kids and the pounding of the rain and the rushing of the wind.

And all I could think about was how truly blessed we are, how every bit of stuff in our house could get sucked up into a tornado and blown away and I wouldn't miss any of it at all.

Because the most important things in my life are the people that I get to share it with.

And that is a dream, too.  And I'm grateful to be living it. 

Last Day of Preschool

I am so SO glad that we made the switch for Adam's preschool in January.  He has absolutely loved his new preschool.  We'll be returning in the fall for another year of pre-k before I send this big boy off to kindergarten.  The preschool doesn't necessarily have the strongest academics, but given that Adam is already reading everything in sight and loves doing math problems, I don't worry about that at all.  His beloved teacher Mr. Adam said he'll be reading chapter books in no time, and I think he's right!  More than anything, he has loved the chance to run and jump and play in the gym.  He seems happier about school and at home now that he gets to spend a few hours each week at his gymnastics preschool.  And given how ridiculously long this winter in Iowa has been, I'm especially grateful that he's had a good indoor place to play.

I am always so impressed with Adam's handwriting.  He told me the "T's" with the circles are hammerhead sharks.

The last day of school was a bittersweet one, but knowing we'll be back in the fall made the temporary good-bye a little easier.

And mastering a two-wheeler makes for a fun afternoon, too.  After just a few days of practice he was off and loving it!

He said, "You better take a picture now!"

The World's Toughest Job...

... is the best job I've ever had.  

Happy Mothers Day!

7 Months

Another month gone by!  I am so glad I still get to tuck this little peanut under my arm and snuggle him all day long.  He's started sitting up, can sleeps 9 hours straight (can, doesn't always, but can), gained 9 ounces in 4 weeks, has his first tooth poking out, and still loves his mama more than anyone anywhere anytime.  I also discovered he has the eyebrows of a Morales...

Hello ladies!

 How you doin'?

 I get all the ladies with these looks.

Noah can out-eat his brother and sisters at every meal.  The boy loves food and bangs on his tray and moans until he gets another bite.  Sweet potatoes, spaghetti and grapes (that we hold and let him such on) are his favorite, and it makes me so very happy to see him eat.

Wait, you mean it's okay if I get messy?

 Hey!  This is kind of fun!

 Hee hee hee... I love making a mess!

 All done!

And he laughs.  Oh, how I love to hear this laugh.  

10 Ways He Loves Me

10 tulips

10 donuts 

10 candy bars

10 slices of pizza

10 minute massage

10 dollars to spend at Palmers Deli

10 things that have changed since 2004

10 funniest moments of the last 10 years

10 things that haven't changed since 2004

10 biggest moments of our first 10 years together

*****

The first 10 years seems to have flown by.  

Now the real fun begins!

Happy 10th Anniversary!

Can you believe it's been 10 YEARS since we got married!  Here are some pictures of us over the years.  Happy anniversary!  -Jason

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Tuna Fish!

Leah's first violin recital was last weekend, and she did a splendid job.  She played "Lightly Row" and "Song of the Wind".  When I was her age and first learning to play the piano I also played the tune of Lightly Row with lyrics that had something to do with tuna fish.  She practiced and practiced and didn't miss a beat at the recital.

After the recital the smiles got a lot bigger!  With her sweet teacher Miss Megan-

and with her accompanist.  I was just as nervous as she was- playing in front of other people is a very intimidating thing to do!

Her teacher made the cutest little hamburger cookies with Yorks for the patties.  It was a sweet little treat at the end of a fun night.