Almost September...

This past weekend John had three days off. On Saturday we just hung around the house. Sunday we drove out to Orlando to have our pictures taken. Yes, we drove all the way to take pictures at Picture People. We did this bc they were running 50% off their CDs. Too good of a deal to pass up and PP is no longer here in Tampa. Pictures went as best as they can with two youngsters. We got some really good shots. After pictures we had lunch with the Cravers. Nathan and Aidan were crazy as usual. Both boys slept the majority of the car ride home. On the way home we bought Logan a new big boy car seat! He LOVES it!

Sunday evening John had one of his fantasy football drafts. He recruited me to help. That was an experience. There is way more to it than I expected. Monday we started deep cleaning the house. I have a few more rooms to finish up this week. It was a nice relaxing weekend.

Next week is Logan's birthday! I am very excited (and a little sad too)! Grandpa called this morning to tell me he will be here on Tuesday! He has work to do in Tampa and the timing just worked out perfect! And then Aunt Emmie gets here on Friday!

Boys will be boys

4 years!!

Thursday John and I celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary. It is crazy to look back and see how much life has changed in these four years. We now live in Florida and have two beautiful sons.

I would like to write here what we wrote for each other this year...

John sent me two dozen red roses and this is what the note said:

"To brighten your day and remind you of an even brighter future. We have so many things to look forward to, I can't wait to see where life takes us next. With an amazing woman like you only the greatest is possible. I cherish your love daily and look forward to each moment we spend with each other. Happy Anniversary. Love, Stinky"

And this is what I wrote to him:

"As we are celebrating our 4th Wedding Anniversary, I want you to know that I love you more today than ever. Over the past 8 years you have showed me time and time again just how blessed I am. We have such a beautiful family. I couldn't have asked for a better man to journey through life with. You are everything and more to me. I am so blessed to call you my husband and my best friend. Together we can get through anything. One of my favorite things about the boys is that when they smile, I see you in them. We have our ups and downs. Mostly ups and through it all we always know what is most important: each other and our love for our family. You still know how to give me butterflies and make my heart flutter. I can't thank God enough for you and the boys. And I know he has such a magnificent plan in store for us! Thank you for being such an amazing husband and dad! I love you always! Love, Jen"

Week In Review

Wednesday was the last day of Nathan's swimming lessons for the summer. He is now much more comfortable in the water. However, he won't kick his legs or move his arms. So really he's only floating not swimming. We are just going to continue to work with him here at home.

Thursday we all went to the Ray's game. We have suite seats! The suite is always a great time. Mostly because the boys can play and are not confined to a seat. The food was great. Company was great. And the Rays won. We went down to the field after the game and the boys got to run the bases. They passed out on the way home and took a nice long nap. I got all my hair chopped off...10 inches. Really big change but I'm liking it.

John has been off this weekend. We went to the gym yesterday and then hung out here. We spent some time in the pool yesterday and really just relaxed. It's been a nice laid back weekend. Now we are just getting excited for Logan's 1st birthday and for Aunt Emmie to come visit!

Same story

It's time for another round of "I feel sorry for myself".

I can't help it! I see all the fun things our family and friends are doing and I get jealous. I want to be a part of it. But living so far away it is impossible to a part of 99% of the things that go on back home. You're probably thinking I just need some friends down here. And you are absolutely correct. But it's just not that easy. Especially being a stay at home mom with no vehicle. And it's just not the same as your family and friends back home.

If I could tell my 20 year old self something, it would this...Cherish each and every moment you have with your loved ones. Cherish where you came from and how you got to where you are now. Put yourself in other people's shoes every now and then. Say I love you and Thank You to the people that mean the most.

Thinking back to when John and I moved to Cleveland I was so excited. I was finally getting out of Indy and doing it with the man I love. I never once stopped to think about what my family and friends were feeling. Not that I have ever doubted my decision...just as a mother now myself, I see that it must have killed my mother.

I had been excited for every move up until Tampa. And the reason is Nathan. It pains me to get further and further away from everyone now that we have kids. Especially now that Nathan is old enough to know what missing someone is. It kills me when he says that he misses someone. He asks if we can go to Nana's house. He asks if we can go ride Grandpa's tractor. He asks if we can go play with Sadie. He asks if his cousins can come over and play. The answer is always...some day baby, some day.

So I pray to God every night that he will answer my prayer and send us home. And I know in my heart he keeps telling me "Some day baby, some day." I'm trying to teach Nathan patience and I guess I need to listen to my own words.

Quick Update

In case you have been looking for our picture site, I am in the process of switching everything over to Shutterfly. As much as we loved Phanfare, it is $100 a year. Shuttefly is free! Hopefully the new website will be up and running next week. I'll email everyone when it's ready!