10

Ten years ago, there was the promise of forever.


And there was family.


And there was dancing.


And there was a party.


And there were friends.


And there was dancing.


And there was a garter.


And cake.


And, did I mention dancing?


And it was the perfect day. A perfect way to start our future.


A future that has held:

not one,


not two,


not three,


but four houses.


A future that has blessed us with:

not one,


not two,


not three,


but four beautiful children.


And there's something strange that happens, more often than not, on March 24th every year: SNOW.

Newlyweds:


Five Years:


Ten Years:


I can't really say that the "I dos" seem like yesterday. And I can't say that it seems like forever since we took our vows. We've moved, traveled, changed jobs, welcomed new lives, said goodbye to other lives, and we've been together through it all.


It seems our life together is now headed in a new direction, one that wasn't really in the plans. But that change is upon us, and we are embracing it.

Daily Scene

Yesterday I had some of my mom friends over for the afternoon, and much to Emerson's delight they all brought their little ones. She was the oldest of the group and kind of took charge. She even decided she should make a list of things for the kids to do. Well, maybe she took it a little TOO far...



One day she'll realize those kinds of lists aren't for friends-they're for HUSBANDS.

Wrap It Up

I didn't blog about Christmas. I didn't blog about New Year's. That doesn't mean they weren't important to me-they were! Maybe the holidays came and went with such a flurry that I didn't have time. Or maybe, for once, things went as I had expected them to, and I was content. I assure you, there was quite a bit of craziness. How could there NOT be with four little ones running around?! And I do mean RUNNING.

We got all dressed up for Christmas Eve service at my childhood church, which was followed by a MASSIVE gift-opening EXTRAVAGANZA at my Grandma's house:



Christmas morning was spent discovering all the gifts under the tree:



And then we headed to my sister-in-law's house for MORE family and presents, which is where Greyson revealed his LOVE of princess dresses:



And even LATER that day, we made a two-day ROCKET RUN to our cabin for some fun in the snow:





We headed home to unpack, RE-pack and head to Chicago for a family wedding. I'd like to detail exactly WHY I'm still not fully recovered from this trip, but let's just say three days in Chicago with four children who have never stayed in a hotel and have never been to a wedding is EXHAUSTING. Seriously. But we had a great time, and saw family we haven't seen in quite a while, so it was worth it.



New Year's Eve with some HOT MAMAS:



And THE BIG DAY for Mike and Michelle:











So you see, I haven't forgotten about you. I just needed some time to GATHER myself. I think I'm all back together. We're heading into the DOG-DAYS of winter here in Michigan. It's January. It's freezing cold. There's a little storm out there keeping you on your toes while driving. And there's plenty more where that came from. PLENTY.

My bed's calling me. The bed with the heating blanket cranked all the way up.

The First-Born

Today my little boy turns seven. I've been a mom for seven years. I can't help getting a little sentimental when I think about it. I just cannot believe it has been seven years since Owen came into our family! It seems like yesterday...

On December 13, 2003, Jason and I headed to the hospital because I thought my water had broken. After a few inconclusive tests, the ultrasound tech came in and gave me a quick ultrasound which revealed that my amniotic fluid was VERY low. So I was either leaking fluid or my water had, in fact, broken. Either way, this boy had to come out-soon. I had been having irregular contractions for weeks, but none that ever really got organized and worked. I started out at 2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. The docs decided to give me some medicine internally to dilate me and hopefully put me into labor. They said I probably wouldn't feel much until morning, so I decided to rest. We had come to the hospital without eating dinner and by that point Jason was starving, so he WALKED through the GHETTO to get some tacos from a little Mexican place down the street.

At ten o'clock at night. NICE.

By the time he came back I was starting to feel a few contractions-bearable but noticeable. After a few hours, the contractions were getting more intense and I asked for some IV pain meds. I wasn't quite ready for the epidural yet, but needed something. I don't really remember what happened shortly after that, but from what I hear, I was quite amusing. When the loopiness wore off, the pain got even more intense and I asked for the epidural. The nurse told me it would be "a little bit", as the anesthesiologist was in a surgery. I did not want to wait five minutes, let alone however long she thought "a little bit" would be. She told me I could have another dose of the IV meds while I was waiting. As soon I I recieved the meds, they moved me to my labor room and the epidural GOD arrived. I was four centimeters dilated and the contractions were STRONG. In twenty minutes I told the nurse I felt some pressure. She checked me and I was seven centimeters. Twenty minutes after that I told her I thought the baby was coming out. She gave me a look that told me she thought I was crazy. She checked me again I was fully dilated. She told me to "practice push", which I FAKED because I really wanted my doc there and she had not yet made an appearance that day. She immediately told me to STOP pushing (really?!) and HOLD IT until my doc could get there.

My doc who was still at home on a Sunday morning. GREAT.

So, with Jason and Melissa there to help me, I breathed through the contractions until FINALLY my doctor came SPRINTING down the hospital hallway, STREAKED into my room, THREW her coat at a nurse and basically caught our little boy mid-air. It took all of three pushes and there he WAS! All pasty and slimy and screaming and BEAUTIFUL! 7 pounds 15 ounces of baby boy!

We could not have asked for a kinder, funnier, gentler, more thoughtful boy than our Owen. He is a wonderful son and big brother and we are so proud of him! Here's a look back at his first seven birth days:

BIRTH


AGE 1


AGE 2


AGE 3


AGE 4


AGE 5


AGE 6


AGE 7


It's not true what they say-you DON'T forget the pain of delivery. You just discover that all the pain in the world is worth that glorious outcome of a healthy baby in your arms.



Happy Birthday, Owen! We love you so much!

Daily Scene

The kids were headed to Jason's parent's house on Saturday night so we could attend his adult-only Christmas party. NORMALLY Owen is BEGGING me to take him to Nana's house. But on this day he was dragging his feet.

Owen: Do I have to go to Nana's house?

Me: You LOVE going to Nana's house!

Owen: But do I have to stay the night?

Me: Why don't you want to stay the night?

Owen: She makes us change our underwear AND wash our faces before bed and I don't like it.

Me: Well I'll tell her you don't have to change your underwear.


Oh, the WOES of a six-year-old...

Daily Scene

The snow has begun to fly here in Michigan. Today I was out running some errands with Emerson and the white stuff was coming down.

Emerson: I like to think that the snowflakes are God shaking sprinkles onto us.

Me: Awwwww...

All About the Ears

Remember the virgin ears post?

Well, we've got some news. Yes, the day has come. Virgin ears no more. Jason finally relented, and decided Alayna was ready.

Ready for the world of pierced ears.

Before:


During: (wince)



After:


I think the worst part for her was ME having to hold her still! As soon as it was over and the sucker was in her mouth, she was as happy as a clam again. All in all, it was an affair to remember.

Have you ever seen anything cuter?!