It's almost a new year already???

I am in disbelief that Christmas is past, the New Year is quickly approaching. This year has been like a wonderful gift. Truly, there have been so many gifts and lessons, we are all well adjusted and enjoying ourselves amongst the chaos. We are now raising children, enjoying unit traditions that give them memories to last their lifetime, actually all of our lifetimes.
Just a calendar glimpse of our blessings and lessons:
Starting off the 2008 year, January, in adopting Slater from a rescue, turned out to be the best decision ever. Slater is a perfect addition to our family. He is everything a family would ever want. He's full of love and calmly gives us all the love he has.
In February Jon was #1 sales rep and won the company trip to Bermuda for the 2nd year in a row. March; Lulu turned 4! Wow that was crazy. She's absolutely a really awesome child, I'm loving age 4!
March 29th I ran my first 5k, in Gastonia, and that was the very beginning of my running adventure. April; I spent the first week, our Spring Break, in bed the entire week with the flu. Then a few weeks later I turned 36. On to May! Hayden completed the toddler program with an amazing teacher, Ms. Wendy at the UMCApex. What a lovely experience for both of us. Jack Henry and I completed our year of Homeschooling. We both agreed that homeschooling was the best ever! He is a very bright boy and it made me feel like he was more prepared for kindergarten than i had originally thought.
June, Jon and I went on the cruise to Bermuda! What a fantastic trip. I cannot even wait to go back to those beaches and small gorgeous towns again. I just took as many pictures that I could, but still just not enough time on the island. The people there were so sweet and kind. Nobody pushed their "sales" $$ on us, like plenty of other places we have visited in the past. The children stayed with Auntie Nif, Uncle Joe, AJ, Chloe and Troy, and had a grand ol' time. Not sure I could speak for Nif, but she's AMAZING!
July was Hayden's 3rd birthday spent with plenty of friends from the neighborhood and from our "crowd" of close friends whom we share each birthday with. July was also spent at the pool almost every day. Jack Henry was on the swim team this year and we had a long summer, so the pool was where you could find us, each day, every day, all day.... We went through tubes of sunscreen.
Late August, Jon got a job offer. It came out of nowhere. He asked around before making a switch. Still ranked #1 in his current position, it wasn't a leap to make lightly, this was a leap off a cliff and the only thing to do is fly! So...after confirmation, he switched companies. He started over, in a field he is very familiar with. It was amazing to see this all transform. He works so hard and commits himself in each relationship. This is one of those very proud moments. I am so very proud of him making a decision that in the long run will benefit his family.
We call it Godly, that this position, in this company, in this territory came about and his name was the one called to take it. Truly, it's a blessing. I pray it continues to be a just that and that Jon continues to prove himself in the company as he has in the past.
September Jack Henry turned 6! Oh I could not believe we hit the 6 year mark! I remember wearing him around in a Bjorn. I remember the late nights, the continued smile since he was just 2 weeks old. It's so hard to believe that 6years have flown. I now have a son who is full of sensitivity and positiveness. He is the leader of his siblings, trail blazing, only taking direction and cue from me and Jon as we see the other follow his lead. It's truly astonishing how the birth order works, especially in sibling-peers.
October, Jon turned 36, finally caught up! xoxo We rarely saw Jon during October, the calendar was booked, it was fun and work was a focus for us both. It was a crazy month! Ran my first 10 miler, did okay, on the American Tobacco Trail.
November, aah, November, I competed in my first half Marathon in OBX. It was the most perfect weekend with four families sharing a beach house. We all thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. My favorite part was running with, alongside my very close friends. Not sure how to express that feeling of completely 13.1 miles and running across the finish with your "sister-friends", it was really special. Then unexpectedly Brendan and wife Jess faced an emergency, Jess went into precclampsia and had to deliver Olivia way early. So little bitty Olivia Marie born Nov. 20th at 32 weeks at 2 lbs 11 oz. TOO cute! Although home, she's being quarantined until the winter bugs and anything airborne can not get her. We are staying far away until then, three kids someone might be carrying something. We cannot wait to meet her!!!
Thanksgiving was also just about perfect. We were invited to the Asta's house and boy did we have fun! It was relaxing and special and each one of us enjoyed eating the great turkey dinner.
December was all about getting ready for Christmas, the lights, the decorations, the annual children's cookie party, then Christmas itself. We kept it simple and reflected on this year. We counted each of our blessings by the light of the tree. We toasted with our neighbors on Christmas day at brunch. This year we couldn't ask for anything more. Even through the economic crash, the "making ends meet", the foreclosure rise, the turmoil, we have seen this first hand, and know that as Americans we must get redirected and re prioritize family values, what really matters should be our relationships not our "stuff".
There is FAITH above all else. Above anything is faith, family, friends, and love. Let's make 2009 one that helps others continually. HELPING is our 2009 mantra. For those who want it, we are there. For those who don't know they need help, we'll still be right there.
Happy and Healthy New Year!

Amen!

We'll I really have to preface that in no way am I suggesting that life is so difficult that it's unbearable and it's too much to go on. No, this is just a vent blog. One that gives a glimpse into what the daily grind is like. Whether it be normal or abnormal for fellow families who have three children very close in age, or maybe there are families who have 3x this many. All I'm sayin' is life at times throws some curve balls.
Today, we all woke up late. It's Thursday, Jon's been gone since Sunday, nerves are frayed. I forgot my cell phone but was running late. Work was fine, but at 10:00 I looked out my window to my van and saw a severely flat tire. Like pancake flat. I had never had a flat. I have no cell phone and my work phone can't call Jon's # so I borrow my boss' and I'm not sure what to do. Jon talks me down off the ledge. It's better hearing Jon's voice. I call a tow company who $60 later changes my flat into the spare and that's what I'll drive on until Jon gets back.
I have a two hour play date with a neighbor girl I watch once a month Hayden "waters" the lawn in front of all of our neighbors just 'cause he had to "go"...then later Hayden wets his pants and runs around naked until I told him no dinner until he wore underwear to the table.
Just life...
So, like...when I started back to work for the first time in over six years, at the same time Jon got a NEW job opportunity and my Brother two weeks later was getting married and we were hosting 30+ friends and family for a welcome dinner. I was in no position for a housekeeper and really, it wasn't "so" bad...that quickly changed while I got word that Jon will be traveling more now than ever and I will have this on my plate. My plate just wasn't big enough. I stared at my plate. I even tried to make lists to see about "serving different courses" so that my plate could hold it all. It was all one blessing after another, but so much all at once.
I prayed and thanked Jesus that I was training for a half marathon, so that I could run to "burn off" what the plate's worth could burden me with. But now, looking back to September and seeing all the infrequent times we saw Jon, I see that God carried us through that month. I praise Him for giving me GRACES! My challenges are still far ahead, but I am better off now knowing that I have choices, I can lose control and start slinging plates, or I can quietly seek refuge in the word and gain a better peace and learn the lesson.
So, I now hired a sitter, was able to make great decisions with the kids and keep it real and light and know that Jon is coming back on Friday. It's called "breathing lessons", one breath after another.
There is also a book I read long ago with that very title and it's the truth. We just need to get quiet.
This time in America couldn't be any more scary for everyone. We are all in turmoil and chaos and truly, looking toward the future can seem bleak. However, having FAITH, HOPE, and most importantly GOD in our lives we can be settled in knowing that trusting God, not politicians, wall street or the hairdresser, not the newspapers, nor the media, just praying and trusting that GOD makes it all right. This might mean we live outside our comfort zone, but one that wasn't real to begin with. This might mean that we skimp back to lesser items for Christmas, but we get a better understanding of what CHRISTmas really is. To be together as a family unit and love one another without hassles, without burden. Maybe make loaves of some fresh home made bread and take that to a homeless shelter because there will be many more there this year, sadly so sadly to say.
It's not how people treat you along the way, it's how you treat others and how you expect others will treat those you love the most. Like a pass it forward. This is trying times for so many people, everyone is entitled to have bad days, really ugly days, take grace when you're not faced with a smile. It will pass and it could be you that maybe didn't smile five minutes before that...
So, let's pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and turn toward the man upstairs, praising His name for all that we DO have!

The First Day of Kindergarten! and preschool and part time work and ...

It was the first day of kindergarten for Jack Henry. I had no doubt at all about the decision that Jon and I made on keeping him home last year. Today proved that intuition is stronger then the statistical studies.
He was elated to be a Kindergartener! Also known as "leaders" in the morning program, since he helps teach the "littles". But it's after the morning program that he really gets the independent studies!
Jon picked him up from school today, as we'll begin carpool tomorrow with Adelia. When Jack Henry walked through the door today, he had the biggest smile across his face. "Mom, I loved it."
Aaaaaawwwww.....I couldn't be happier. There were no tears today! Just miles of smiles!
Here's a picture of our big boy.
The three of us get to go to school every morning together! We'll pick up Adelia (our neighbor) who is also in the "extended day program" with Jack Henry. I'll be the administrative assistant for the director. Hayden is in his "own" classroom with Ms. Susan, and Elizabeth will be with the same teacher as last year, and Jack Henry is there with her in the mornings. It's great to back to work part time!

the Jock!

It is confirmed, without any doubt. Our son will be a jock.
We feel strongly that no child should ever be "labeled". BUT...
Hayden is in his PJ's last night and came to our room for one final kiss. Jon is standing in the door-way and there is a little squishy ball that didn't quite make it into the playroom by our door-frame. Hayden picks it up while saying goodnight and looks right at Jon and says "Catch Dad" and tosses a perfect throw into Jon's arms. "G'night"....and heads back to bed. (yes he just turned three in July).

This morning, we're in his closet picking out clothes to wear for today and I chose one shirt, he says no, digs deep back in the drawer and pulls out a red golf shirt.
I say OK and grab a pair of shorts to match. He says "I see the numbers. Where'd the numbers go?" I'm not really following since he pulled out a "plain red golf shirt". He shakes the shirt, like the numbers are going to fall out. But sure enough! Inside the back collar, where there should be a tag but it's now "tagless" are the numbers 89. Yes folks, the shirt does have numbers, just not on the back like he would like with his name in capitals across shoulder to shoulder!
He's a jock!

I cannot wait to watch him with sports and see what he chooses as his #1.

Happy Birthday AJ!

Today is our nephew and kids' cousin's 10th BIRTHDAY!
AJ, you're getting to be such a big kid now. We're so proud of you!
You rock Dude~
love you,
Your NC Family!

Where on Earth Have I been?

It has been a wild year! Oh my goodness. I thought I would write back in March or April calling it March Madness. I even took a picture of my calendar. I couldn't believe that there was such little white left on it! Pretty much it was no different in May or June. It really slowed down a lot this summer. I let the kids just play, all day everyday, play. We start back to school on this Monday Aug. 25th. I even start as the admin. for the director, part time from 8:30-12:30. I am really looking forward to hearing my actual name "Heidi". With there being three of them calling out "Mommy" every five minutes since they've each learned to speak, I'm ready for a little relief. LOL!!!!!!!
This summer, we did little. Jack Henry was "MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER" for the 6 and Unders! this could not make me and Jon any prouder. He literally swam his pants off...it all paid off. I have a swimmer now! Two more to go...
Jack Henry had a tennis clinic two mornings a week for six weeks (and rocked!) Lulu said she wanted to sign up as well. Guess what? Yep, she didn't want to and wouldn't no matter what! So...
Lulu took dance with Ms. Mary at the community center. She'll be dancing next Friday at the "Concert at the Depot". Downtown Apex has this little thing each Friday something new. I'm really excited for her to do that.
Hayden has learned the art of communicating. It is getting better. He's all boy, but his wrestling is like no other. He comes on like he's going to hurt you, but it's nothing but fun to tumble with him on the carpet. He's entertaining most of the time. Demanding? Oh yes, very, but really he's ONLY three!
So, here's the start of a new school year!
I'll try and update this really soon. ha ha! There has been so much in the past few weeks, all good and God directed. We've just been busy staying busy.

Lulu the Little Dancer

It is with great pleasure that I see some of the potential in Elizabeth that I had when I was a child. She is becoming so much like me, in that we both have active imaginations, we play hard inside or outside, we're not afraid of getting dirty but we really, really love to dress up, have playtime with make up, and get really girly! I love that about Lulu! She will come home from school, go up to her room and change her clothes. Mostly she changes into her "work out" gear. The top, the pants and of course the sneakers. Then she heads outside and runs around the back yard, effortlessly, as if a warm up to the marathon she will one day run I'm sure.
She has been in gymnastics and was very good at it. Jack Henry was in her class and they tumbled and did flips and just had a great time. But I knew Elizabeth wanted more theatrics. So we stopped gym and signed her up at the Community Center for dance. Wow! She got it quickly! She listens to the instructor and hangs onto her every word. She watches intently to the position of her feet and how to hold her hands properly. She has bloomed into a dancer. This same ballet/tap combo offers Lulu the balance of discipline in control with ballet and the rhythm she enjoys in the jazzy taps tunes.
It's so much fun to see the smiles beaming across the room from her proud face! She is my tiny dancer. I am so proud for her. We all are. Jon had been able to take her to one of her classes, just so she could preform for him.
There is no greater joy then to see it in the eyes of your child. She has had a recital and performed beautifully. I only hope she continues to love dance and will study this if she wishes throughout her childhood.

Jack Henry's experience at church

Jack Henry and Hayden were sitting up on their stools eating snack. Jack Henry said that there was a six year old boy in his church on Sunday. He said that boy asked Jack Henry "Do you want a piece of me?" and Jack Henry replied "Do you want me to take you down?" and Jack Henry took him down and they started wrestling. Then Jack Henry said, "I took him down, then he took me down."
So in shock I asked him, "was if fun?" and he said, "oh, yeah. we were wrestling...but then one of the mommies came up and told the boy he had to go sit in a seat a few chairs away, so we didn't wrestle anymore"...
I said that wrestling in church isn't really a great idea, no matter if it's fun or not. It's distruptive and can cause comotion.
I have to admit I was literally doubled over laughing out loud at how calm he was delivering the story and that today is Monday and he didn't tell either me or Jon about it, like it was just a ball toss at the park!
This is one of those times where I truly wish I was a fly on his shoulder!
As for the boy, I don't who he is, but I can't wait to meet him at church next Sunday. LOL!

A Dog's Life

I have much to learn as a dog owner ( a NEW dog owner).
Like for instance: Help yourself!
So it was lunch time and I'm flittering about the kitchen fixing peanut butter and honey I-don't-know-what and the kids are laughing and laughing hard because Slater saw an opportunity with the pantry door being left open and all, to help himself to a box of cake mix. So gentle in pick-pocketing the coveted find (one that was at toddler height and the wonderful picture on the cover said it all to Hayden) so I get the unopened box of mix retrieved from a presumably hungry dog unscathed.
So rule number one: Feed dog first then the kids!
Next: Feed the dog often.
I was upstairs changing Hayden and come downstairs, enter kitchen and hear lots of crinkling of paper...the dog's head very deep inside his bag of food. Yes, tomorrow must buy dog food container with a lock top!
When I think of "rescue" in terms of dogs, I think one that had been on his own for food for a while...and so I feed my Slater well as he is obviously underweight and then comfort him in knowing I will always have food in his bowl at the same time.
He is gentle in his want and I am gentle in my routine.

Meeting Slater

Megan is in red, husband Josh with cap.


It all began when I wanted a Shih Tzu, and it all ended there too. We talked about getting a dog for so long but there were three reasons why we needed to wait. The last little reason needed to be potty trained (which was done, no wait regression for a week, oh he's done again...) and then a more important reason to that was what breed we would agree on. {sound of crickets}
It became clear that my very fair husband was not going to even budge a bit on this one. He has longed for fawn colored boxers before we knew that it was a boxer he was oogling over. I thought they were cute, but big, and with a big dog means big poop. He travels, I take care of the living beings while he travels, so in my experience of baby diaper changes I knew that the mountains of pooh would be more then my squeamish, with a strong gag reflex, self could handle.
But it was time I looked into the breed after so many suggestions of "why not a boxer?"...
Yes, at this point the Shih Tzu became an obsolete thought.
I went online. I filled out Rescue applications. I was approved by Rescues. But there was one dog among the hundreds, and I mean hundreds that were posted on www.petfinder.net that stuck out. A smaller, yet still very stocky, boxer mix named "Gator". I inquired and filled out the application. I asked a few more inquiring questions and went away on our Christmas trip up north where I knew on my quest to find the perfect boxer I would meet a few at my uncle and aunt's home and see how the kids would do. These boxers were so super cute. But in the back of my head still, a lot of dog for my three little kids who think that a dog is the size of my parents' puppy French Bulldogs. They'd be getting a lot more dog then they ever thought...and I'd be getting the tail end...
So, as it goes, "Gator" was silently being held for us by Megan, his foster mom, who knew this dog was meant for this family. It's a total "God thing". I learned how laid back he is, and his full size body no more then 45 lbs. Huh...could he be the one?
Indeed. I committed, I even had his picture wallpapered on my screen saver. He was it! I knew in my heart that this was the dog. And Saturday we stuck the kids in the car and drove to Charlotte where she was meeting us half way up from South Carolina. We parked as planned in the Cracker Barrel parking lot. Just like a movie we sat on the rockers all five of us anticipating the arrival of our new dog. Then we see him, peeking from the back of the car window as Megan, her husband Josh and their 15 mos old daughter also named Hayden rolled up. We got up and got the cameras all locked and ready for shots. This was our defining moment "the family dog" moment. I did have tears, though I told Jon I wouldn't, but he knew I would. I got the sweetest wettest kisses from my new furry kid and smiles from Megan knowing in her heart she too made the right match.
Glory! It was just wonderful. Our Slater boy has been a great boy. He's just what we needed around here and not much of what we didn't. He is the fit to a puzzle we never knew was missing.
Today he saw the lizard "exercising" on the side of the glass. Oh those floppy ears perked up and he was just whining and cocking his head about this thing in it's tank. It's as if Lizzie is inside looking out a double sided mirrored window because she could care less about the huge headed under-bite staring her down as she scrapes the sides of her glass cage. And then alas, his first bark! He can bark! Remarkable that a six inch reptile can bring a grown dog to bark.
Our funnies have really only begun. Too many to write. I will be posting as many a day as I can. Meeting Tipper the fine little feline will be a fun one I'm sure.
Tipper doesn't want to meet anything furry, and Slater wants to be friends will all furry things. Huh...