Good Bye 2008

I am so happy to put 2008 behind me for so many reason. Many of you that I talk with regularly or on Facebook know this year has been a bit crazy.
1. We sold our house and are still looking to find something close to Mike's work but are a little scared because there are some rentals that are forclosing and we are not ready to buy in this crazy market again.
2. We are living with my parents right now...it is good but there is nothing like having your own space.
3. A little friend that I really don't like to call my friend has come back to visit me!! ANXIETY! If you have ever experienced it before it is not fun. Trying to work through this craziness.
4. My dear grandfather passed away on Oct. 5th and it was the worst thing that I could have ever experienced. I am not sure how to deal with death. I keep trying to tell myself he is okay and I will be okay....but will it ever get better?
5. Mike lost his one and only Granny (he has only met one grandparent in his lifetime and this would be her) on Dec. 18th. As if the first death was not enough. It is hard for him and all we can do is be there for each other.
6. Jake hit his terrible two's around 18 months...

OKAY, enough of the bad stuff. The good stuff that we will take with us.....

1. We have learned what is important to us in our lives. And it so happens that material things are not it. It is nice to make a lot of money but it is what will make us happy at all times? Probably not.
2. We have a much more spiritual relationship with one another and God.
3. We have grown so much together as a family and are enjoying every minute of Jake's terrible two phase...haha.
4. We are so grateful that my parents are there for us and have allowed us to intrude in their space for the time being.
5. I realize I cannot conquer the world in one day and that it takes a lifetime to get things done in life.
6. Crying is acceptable.
7. I have an amazing group of friends (especially girlfriends) and I am not sure what I would do without them!

2009, will be filled with so many things and make a new chapter in our lives. I am excited to begin them all and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us all. But most of all there are some priorties on our list!!

1. Be more faithful in reading the bible.
2. Visit more with our family and friends in Colorado.
3. See and be there more often for my grandmother because I know she needs us.
4. Overcome this darn anxiety that trys to take me over.
5. Have more Mike & Jessica dates!!!

I hope everyone of you are blessed with an amazing New Year. We never know what is in store for us so we need to live in the moment and not in the past or future.

Happy New Year!!

Sneak Peek at our Family Photos...

We had our family photos taken again by one of my favorite photographers. She did our photos for Jake's One Year old photos. Anyhow, she did our family photos for our Christmas card. I thought I would share a few of them and I have saved the best for our cards! You will get those soon.

Long time no post!

Sorry for not giving you all an update lately. I am still trying to get past my last post.
Anyhow, I thought I needed to put an update on all of us and just check in with you all.

We have not been up to a whole lot. Just keeping busy with Jake and those of you that know Jake know he just keeps going and going. But then when he sleeps he sleeps hard! He is a PLAY HARD, REST HARD kind of guy. I am not sure that will be a good thing or bad thing later down the road. He is changing everyday. His vocabulary is amazing and he talks up the walls....I wonder who he gets that from? Not me. haha. He probably has a 150 word vocabulary or more. Things that I didn't even know he knew he knows. The other day he was trying to get in my mom and dad's room and he comes to me "Mama, wheres Nana?" I said "In her room, go say knock, knock" He says "Nana lock it" I laughed.....It was locked and he was mad. He went to the door and said "Nana, you in there? Open it Door" We all laughed. He makes us laugh. When I hold him he tells me "It's heavy" I am like....uhhh, YOU ARE HEAVY. And he knows his name but he has started calling himself the baby "The baby wants cheese" "The baby wants his tennies on" "The baby this and that" It just goes on and on. He can count to 3 almost 4 sometimes. He still weighs 24 lbs and wears 12-18 month old clothes....He is excited to see all of the family for Thanksgiving. I told him we are going to Globe and he starts naming everyone in Globe. He also goes outside and points out everyone's cars. He knows my moms car, my dad's two trucks, my sisters car and then my car and Mike's truck. He has a great memory!
He is obsessed with wanting to "hod it" aka "hold it" He wants to hold everything himself and especially the dogs. And you can only imagine Lexi, she is already freaked out by kids just being close to her much less wanting to hold her. But she actually is starting to warm up to him so that is good. Jake also loves his bike. He is no fear when it comes to being on his bike. My dad made him a ramp in their backyard and he goes down it like nothing. He is definitely all about the outdoors. As soon as we are out to play he tells me to put his helmet on so he can get on his bike and just go.
And as for me and Mikey....well we are good just like we always are. He is amazing and I don't know what I would do without him. Life has been a bit crazy these last few months but overall we are just blessed to have each other and Jake. I can be a bit sensitive sometimes but he gets it....I love him and everything about him. I am going to just say he feels the same way...haha. Even if he doesn't think he can be sensitive (kidding about that.) Well I think that is enough filling in for now. Until the next post (which won't be long because I have a tag to complete)

Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!

Ohhhhh, and a few things I am thankful for:
*An amazing husband who is my ROCK!
*A healthy and happy child
*My family, the love, good health and blessings we have in our life with one another.
*A roof over our heads and food on the table, so many people do not have that right now and I pray things get better for everyone who is struggling
*Cars to get us to and from where we need to go
*Friends that are so awesome and just there for us when we need a pick me up! Special thanks to my girls (you know who you are!)
*As much as I hate this one. I am so thankful my grandfather is not suffering and is in a better place, I know I will see him again one day but it is hard to go the days without seeing him for now.
*Matierial things that I probably don't need but have.....I am so blessed to be able to get a few items I like to splurge on once in a while.

May everyone have items they are so thankful for, as I am. I know it is a rough time for a lot of people but we have to keep thinking of the good in it all. I know I have learned so much through this time of what our priorities are and what is truly important to us. Unfortunately, I am still learning but that is what makes me who I am! Love to you all!!!!

My Grandfather....Chicken!

So I am sitting thinking of where to begin. First and Foremost, I have the most amazing Grandfather a little girl could have ever asked for. He loved me and that is what matters most to me. I love kissing him on the lips and just the scent he carried....love it, love it, love it.
So where am I going with this? Well I lost my grandfather on Sunday at 1:05 AM. It is the most devestating day I have ever had in my life. I love him so dearly and miss him with all my heart. My words will never be able to tell you what he meant to me. BUT, I do know I have millions of memories with him and will always keep those dear to my heart. The one's I love most are the last week of his life here with us. I was able to visit with him a few times a day and just touch him and kiss him and look into his eyes and tell him how much I loved him. He is amazing......He was suppose to get discharged from the hospital today because he was doing so well. But instead, he went home with his family in heaven. I have been thinking all along they said he was going to be going home soon.....Well home was not back to Globe it was Heaven with his brothers, mom and dad. It is bitter sweet.....I wish I could have him here with us for another 20-30 years because I am lost and love him and it hurts. But at the same time I am sure he is so happy to see his family whom he has not seen in so many years. He hasn't seen his parents in over 30 years. And he is healthy and young again.
I could go on and on and on about my grandpa. But I am just so blessed to have been able to be close with him, tell him I love him, share so many memories with him, we share Birthday parties....hummm I am just happy he was here 80 years and I he will never leave me in my heart. I will miss him and I love him but I know I will see him again one day!
Thank you Grandpa for being my Chicken and loving me.

Mom's Birthday and Some Random Photos...

So I am a little behind. Happy Birthday to my mom, she turned the big 4-8 on the 8th. She is a great woman and I am so happy she is my mom. Life may not always be perfect between us, but is anything perfect? If it was then life would not be interesting. We are so blessed to have her as a part of our lives! Happy Birthday Nana!!

I also have some more random photos that I have failed to post lately. Hope you all enjoy them!!!

Our little family!

Nana and Jakey on her birthday (he got her the flowers...she loves flowers)
Sisters..
The love of my life!
Nana, Papa and Jake
Jake and his new friend (remote, AKA Donny??)
Jake's first trip to Bass Pro Shop w/ Nana and Papa
Jakes hunting hat...
Jakes first movie, we took him late minute to see Kung Fu Panda! He sat and watched the whole thing.
Bass Pro Shop again, with papa

Finally, we are all moved!

This the last month we have pretty much been packing. Or wait, let me reword that..I have been packing. Not that Mike didn't help, he was at work. So I have been packing for the last month and moving the last week. I am finally done as of this last Friday the 1st of August. Thank goodness because I am not sure I ever want to move again (and to think we are staying with my parents right now...shhhh, they think it is temporary until we find something.) I told my dad I like to live at places for around 2 1/2 years so be prepared. He said whatever I want to do.....what a good dad. But we won't burden them too long.
Well we are no longer living in Chandler, we are temporarily back in the good ol' QC (Queen Creek) and who knows where we will be next. We are looking to be closer to Mike's work but I am not sure if that is God's plan for us. We will see what he has in store for us.
We had a bitter sweet move, sold our house in about 90 days and then I thought maybe it was a mistake and second guessed the sale! But I couldn't do anything about it now.....but whatever it is all good because I know it is for a good reason.
Enough of my drama! I hope you are all doing well!!!

Recent Trips to the museum and more

So of course we have been making trips to the museum and a new place called Toy Town or Tiny Town...it was fun but a little far and Jake only liked one area. So I think we will stick to the museum and story time. And Jake has also found some new hobbies....like walking in my platform shoes, actually running in them. He has a fetish with all the shoes in our closet lately. Don't tell Mike I took the photo...he told me he didn't want any memories of Jake in my shoes. It is the funniest and cutest thing ever.

Jake so proud in mommy's shoes

He loves to read
Jake & Daddy at the mall...Germfest
1st time I allowed him to feed himself with a spoon. He did great! BIG MESS.
Tiny Town-Toy Town

Fourth of July!

So I am week late on Fourth of July but I hope you were all safe and had some fun! I have some updated photos from our Fourth of July. We were suppose to go to SD but things changed for many reasons. Jake and I were sick all week with some crazy cold or something....? Who gets a cold in the summer? I mean they are colds not hots, right? Whatever. So we stayed home and layed low for the week and almost didn't do anything on the Fourth either because I felt horrible. But we ended up showing some White Trash Love and head to the races with my parents, aunt and her boy. It was a great time and far from WT as we noticed the people surrounding us. I want to go back I had so much fun. But without Jake. He had fun at first but then he wanted down so he could go up and down the stairs and just run free. So he was a little stinker.

Check out the CA's...Yeah he doesn't pronounce the 'R'

Yummy...cottan candy!
Cheese
Aunt Kim and Mark
Family
Me and My honey...oh and our car!
Papa and Jake

Swim vest.....DO NOT BUY!

So I bought this little swim suit/vest thinking it would be great so Jake could float in the water and not be in his little tube thing. Anyhow, I would not recommend it. It is a bit scary and I hope nobody ever has a bad situation with it. I put it on him and thought he was so cute in it because it is like a bodysuit......well I put him in the water and he went face first and on his stomach and just floated on his face. Anyway.....I was there to grab him but hello!!! Scared the living daylights out of me!!! So I do not recommend this product!

Summer, Summer, Summertime....

I feel so bad this summer because Jake is a busy body and it is just so hot. He loves the park but we cannot go unless we are there at like 6:00 AM and that is not going to happen. So I have been taking him to the Mesa Childrens Museum, the mall an storytime to get some activities in. He loves them all...I think his new favorite is the germfest at the mall. Mike hates it but I think he will be better off being exposed. Here are som more photos from this month that I finally put on my computer!

Jake in HIS car at the museum

Playing at the activity table....he just likes sitting on the chairs
Reading some books before storytime
and more..

Jake, Papa & Nana on Fathers day
Jake in his closet...he thinks it is so fun
I think this is a traditional self portait....All Marin's do it.
Sliding at the museum
Again...

So we took Jake to the mall this weekend and bought him his 1st Cherry Dipped Cone from DQ! Oh....I remember the day when I had mine. YUMMY! I couldn't deprive him of one because they are the best thing ever. Poor Mike was deprived of them when he was little and I had to introduce him to his first too. He loves them :) So here are some photos of Jake (they are pretty funny!)

1st try

I don't think I like it....
Never mind I love it!
Brush-a, Brush-a
Jake and his great uncle!

Happy Fathers Day....

Happy Father's Day to the 3 special men in my life! Today is a great day to recognize 3 special men in my life that mean the world to me. Obviously there is one more but he is not a daddy yet...haha.

1. My hubby, he is amazing! But he knows this because I tell him all of the time! Today is not just a day for me to recognize him because I think I do it daily. But I do not share it with the world daily. So today I will tell you what an amazing hubby and daddy he is. Jake wants me to share that with you all too. When Jake sees his daddy come home from work he sees nothing but fun! He gets a big smile because Mike always sneaks in and hides from him. So it is all fun and games with daddy. And he loves that daddy puts him to bed and reads him stories every night (unless he is very cranky and wants his mommy) And Mike, takes care of me and Jake all the time and I love it. I love that he makes me feel like a princess and just loves me for me! I love that he cares what I think and does the small things that matter most. I am so happy I chose him to be with for the rest of my life because I couldn't imagine it being anyone else!
I love you honey...I mean diddy!

2. My Dad, I cannot even begin to tell you about his man. I will say he is an amazing father and he is always putting his family first. It isn't even a question in his mind when he has to choose between himself and others. I am so envious of this sometimes but that is what makes my dad who he is. He has always been there for me, whether it was a bad day or a flat tire HE IS ALWAYS there. He is a man who can do anything he sets his mind to and I mean ANYTHING.
I love you dad and I hope you have a wonderful day.

3. And last but not least....my favorite grandpa ever! I am so blessed to still have at least one grandfather alive and he is 80 and still-a-kickin! He has always been my favorite and I think I have always been his favorite until baby Jake came in to the world. My grandpa and I have been together for 50 years now and he has always been a wonderful grandfather. I love him dearly and I am so happy to still have him here to recognize him on this special day.

What are the odds of me having a photo from last fathers day of all of my favorite men!

Random photos from March, April & May...Enjoy!

Jake practicing his bull riding!

His first sickness...the flu. Loving his NANA!
Ready, set, GO!
Vroom Vroom! One had on the wheel and the other on my babe.

Mommy's night out with her girls!

Always chasing the boy!
Easter Sunday!
Cheese mommy!
On an Easter egg hunt to find eggs w/$$$