Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday this week is more on a very personal, self side. This week, I'm very thankful to be a woman. And extremely thankful for Bean.

Now I'm sure you are wondering who Bean is. Well, Bean is Jimmy and my baby that I am currently cooking up in my uterus right now. Yes, Jake is going to be a big brother!


And the reason being the name Bean? Well when we found out I was pregnant with Jake, I read that at that moment he was the size of a piece of rice so that became his nickname until after we figured out his gender and then decided on a name. So this baby is Bean.

Now the reason I am so happy to be a woman is because I get to be the mother to this baby. I get to be the one to support and nurture and protect and grow this baby prior to birth and continue doing so after birth. I am the one who gets to definitely know this baby before anyone else, his/her moods, likes and dislikes, active times and everything else. All before he/she is born. I am the one who is gladly and luckily changing my body to ensure this baby can grow hopefully healthy and strong. Women are very lucky people. Women get to be mothers and that is honestly the greatest gift ever. Women are strong and courageous people with hearts bigger than the universe.

Bean, I am very thankful for Bean. Bean is currently 7 weeks and 4 days, due Feb. 27, 2011 and should be doubling in size this week (soon to be the size of a pinto bean! haha). There will be many more posts about the pregnancy. And I'm sure more of them will be ranting than anything because for some reason, I'm much more scared for this pregnancy and baby than I was with Jake.

Bean already has me on my toes. There was some bleeding early on, but the doctors have told me everything is fine and we have even gotten to hear the beautiful heartbeat. I have also been much more moody and emotional this pregnancy, with exhaustion always around and usually not craving sweets during certain times of day. But what I am craving... garlic!

It is going to be an adventure for our family in the next 7 months. So keep posted here for many more blogs about Bean, Jake, and us throughout our journey, waiting for our newest family member.

Sinful Sunday make up for Thankful Thursday

So I totally forgot to do "Thankful Thursday" this week. Been kind of a crazy week. But anywho... I guess I will do it now.

I'm very thankful for my big brother, Brock.


Growing up, anyone who knew us, knew we didn't get along at all! I think we fought more than anything else. I'm sure my parents heard me crying or screaming 80% of my childhood and Brock has scars from my scratching to prove it. And when I had to write a paper about my "hero" and I chose my brother, I made my mom swear to secrecy she wouldn't let him know. Years later I did show him the paper, and he knew!

I think around high school is when most of the fighting stopped. We sort of went our separate ways, grew up and started living our own lives. When Brock was a senior I was a freshman and always was referred to as "Brock's little sister". I HATED it.

But there was one good thing that happened with him being at that school. One time a boy was spreading rumors and Brock came to my rescue. No one really started anything after that. And for years after he left, everyone still knew who he was and that I was his sister.

He then got married and moved out. And since I started dating his best friend, we started to hang out more too. I think in that time, I really startedto see and understand my brother. He's very reserved with his feelings and we don't say "I love you" a lot, but I know he does love me. Still I'm a girl and sometimes wonder if he thinks I'm just some annoyance.

The other day I was having some difficulties and got a very sweet, out of the blue text from him. He was very sincere and it honestly was the highlight of my week. I even told Jimmy right away with tears in my eyes.

My big brother is truly an inspiration to me. His dream is to become a college volleyball coach and I pray and hope that someone will give him a chance and take him on as part of the team. I know he will be the most amazing teacher and coach to those players. He just needs someone to give him a shot. He always works so hard for his family. I hope he knows he does deserve the dream and to be happy. He shouldn't settle. He's an amazing father, husband, son, uncle and brother. He needs to know that. Oh, and one hell of a fisherman!


So Brock, thank you for being the amazing man you are. I appreciate you so much and love you tons. You do deserve it all and will get it! Just don't give up.

4th of July, 2010

Remember this picture. This is how 4th of July started off.... Sweet sweet boy of mine.


For the 4th, we headed over to Jimmy's grandparent's house. We made some pulled pork sandwiches with fruit, pasta salad, beans and some yummy desserts. Everyone was swimming and have a great time! Once Jake calmed down in the pool, he was playing with Jayden and trying to get the balls in the other raft. (PS. can you see Steph and how pregnant she is? Baby Dylan will be here next week!!)


My cute boys had a great time! And Jake's getting the "cheese" smile for pictures down finally. After playing in the pool then getting dressed, Jake decided to get soaked by splashing himself then throwing balls back and forth with daddy who was in the pool.


Stephanie and Jayden made a "parade" wagon (super cute!) so we took the boys around the block in it.


And then this was the rest of our night (refer to previous picture of day haha). Jake HATED the fireworks. He would scream and shake the entire time. I laugh at this picture but really he was quite terrified so I felt pretty bad. He sat inside for the rest of the night with Jimmy as the rest of the family lit fireworks.

I'm hoping next year will be a bit more fun for him. During the day he seemed to have a pretty good time but by night, not so much. I was feeling kind of down too that day, hence no pictures of me. But really, the day was fun! I really love fireworks, so I tried to enjoy as much as I could while my poor kid was inside with dad and sports center.

Kids make life entertaining every second. :)

Takin' it back

Jimmy and I went bowling (along with a little dinner and bingo) a while back and it was a blast! It was nice to take it back old school and act like we were in high school. HAHA Really just act young again. We had a lot of fun together.

The first game... check out the score.

Half way through, I was WINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then I found good ole gutter and my ball like to go in there. So I lost. But only by about 4 points!

Jimmy then had to step up his game. Mr. Pro Bowler now!

And my "I'm getting sick and tired of lifting this 8 pound ball!" throw. haha

And by game 3, I was REALLY losing.

Notice how inconsistent I am. A strike then 4 gutter balls! What's that!?!?!

Ahh well. It sure was a fun night and we still had a great time. Gotta love that man!

Yankee

A couple weekends ago, we went camping up at the Yankee with my dad, step-mom, brother, step bro, step sis and all their families. Jake got to see so many of his cousins and play. And it was nice for us to see our family and spend time with them for the weekend.

On Saturday, we were able to go fishing a bit. Jake didn't like the "rough terrain" going down to the water and then once down there, just wanted to watch his baby signing video (like he hasn't seen that a million times!)

But we did get a chance to sneak in a picture of us two. He still wasn't too happy we were fishing.

Brock was the fishing guide for all the kids. He took almost all of them out and let each of them catch a fish! Later, Jimmy, Jake, Brock and I went out on the boat where I was finally able to catch a fish. No pictures though!


The big winner was Jimmy with 6 fish that weekend. For not knowing much about fishing, he sure does do well whenever we go. The weather was nice and though there was some tough sleeping arrangements, we had a blast!

Oh and we didn't go the weekend without Jake getting hurt... of course. On the last day, when we were all packing up, Jake leaned against the trailer door which opened and he fell out onto the "carpet" outside. Here you can see his rug burn on his forehead, down his nose! Crazy kid.

posts.... please

I have many things to post about right now... but I'm so exhausted. I actually got the pictures all downloaded onto the computer so hopefully tomorrow I will find time to do a couple posts. Yeah! So fingers crossed.

Thankful Thursday- Sis!

This week's "Thankful Thursday" I'm going to take a different approach a little and focus just on one individual. And this person is seriously one of the greatest people you will ever meet.

I am so beyond thankful for my amazing sister!

Isn't she just beautiful!?!! Madison and I are 10 years apart. And honestly, she is one of my very, very best friends. I'm pretty sure she knows more about me than anyone and I trust her whole-heartily. She's such a loyal and trustworthy person. Even with our age difference, we are closer than most sisters and would, in a heartbeat, be there for each other. I have a great amount of respect for her. And even after I'm a brat to her, because let's face it, sisters can be, she still loves me and holds no grudge against me ever.

And though I'm the angelic one most of the time (notice the picture below, my halo haha) she is still such a sweetheart. She is so thoughtful and expresses it all the time. I love getting letters and notes with pictures from her.

She is also one of my favorite people to be around. She doesn't judge people or make anyone feel uncomfortable. We always have the best time and I laugh with her more than anyone else. We can be ourselves all the time, even if that self is slightly immature at times. Believe me, we have MANY immature fun times.

Madison is also hilarious! She has this humor talent that I wish I could steal, just for a night! She cracks me up all the time. We have more inside jokes than I can count and most of them I know where and how they originated. We have a special "sister" language and I'm sure together can drive so many people crazy.

She is also a great aunt. Jake LOVES having Auntie Mannie around. She's so good playing with him and knowing how to calm him down. And is a life-saver when I need a break and she's visiting! Last time she visited then left, Jake walked around the house for 2 days calling "Mannie! Mannie!" He sure does love her.

So basically, I am thankful to have the most awesome, kind, sweet, gorgeous, snotty, outgoing, funny sister ever! Yes, I'm stating that my sister is cooler than your sister! Haha.

Madison, I love you so much! You are my best friend and so much more. Thank you for always being you and always standing by my side. You rock! :)

"It's in the way you love

It's in the little things you say

It's in the way you live

And give your heart away

It's in the chance you took

It's in the way you look at me

That sets you a world apart

And makes you who you are

And you are beautiful"