What I Didn't Post

It's 3 am on December 31st.  I'm nursing my baby.  And I've decided I have to catch up on the ol' blog before the new year.  It's been a while.  And I've got a lot to share.  But I haven't edited a photo in two months (coincidentally, that's how old my baby is!) I'm typing one-handed, and I can't see the keyboard (a challenge for anyone, but for those of us who never bothered  to learn typing it's really fun...).  So what I'm trying to say is, here's what I wanted to tell you but didn't.

We had a baby.  I guess I did tell you that.  But it was kind of a big deal.  I love him.

His brothers and his Daddy love him, too.  What is it about seeing your big kids with your new baby?  Pure bliss.  And your husband with his new little one?  Swoon.

 My brother is an artist.  And thank goodness for that, since we had a boy who needed to be Darth Maul for Halloween.  

My house has been taken over by Pokemon.  Camden was having some, let's call them "discipline issues," and needed an "incentive.  He worked hard on his behavior and finally earned the pack of Yu-Gi-Oh cards he'd been wanting.  Upon getting to the store - and figuring out he could get either ten pokemon cards for the price of five yu-gi-oh... we've become a pokemon family.  Mandisa doesn't quite get it.  But she's willing to give it a try for her boys.

I took photos of my sweet little one-week-old Nick.

Then I took pictures of my sweet little two-week-old Nick.

Speaking of two-week-old babies, how many do you know that were already smiling?  Because mine was!  Have you ever seen anything so cute in your whole entire life?  

I kinda like my siblings.  Just a little bit.

Camden played soccer.  He is awesome.  If I do say so myself.  His biggest problem this fall was that sometimes he played too well.  And then his coach would tell him to hold back.  No need to run up the score in U8 soccer...

Jake's class gave a concert.  There is absolutely nothing more entertaining than watching a bunch of third gators stand in front of a crowd.

Twenty-five cents a bag and the chance to use "power tools" means Mommy gets an almost clean yard.

Move over Michaelangelo.  Nick's discovered ceiling fans.  Your Sistine Chapel's got nothing on these things.

Twelve years ago, as I was getting ready to go out one evening, my grandmommy asked me where I was going.  I told her I was going to be Mary at the Temple.  She looked a little shocked and asked, "With who?"  "Dan."  She thought I had said I was going to be married at the Temple, and was just a little surprised since at that point I had only been out with this guy once.  No worries, Grandmommy.  I was just going to freeze my bum off being Mary in the live Nativity.  But I got to look at those pretty blue eyes while freezing my bum off.  And went to be married at the Temple - with Dan - the next Christmas.

This year we got to hold a real live baby.  And we were inside, so no freezing bums.  But he's still got those pretty blue eyes.  And I think his new baby might be lucky enough to have them, too.  Maybe...

Jake turned NINE.  We celebrated with a Harry Potter party.  It was pretty much the coolest party ever.

Camden is - hands down - the best, most attentive big brother ever.  I'm so glad he gets to be one!

And then there's Mandisa, who takes her responsibilities very seriously.

Okay, the baby is going back to bed, and so must I.

Real Quick

Ten years ago (last Thursday), I married a pretty great guy.

He's handsome and funny and smart and he works hard and he takes good care of me. I like him a little bit (or maybe a lot).

For our anniversary he took me away from the children. For two days. (Did I mention I like him a lot?)

We went to see The Lion King. Stunning. And gorgeous. And beautiful.

We went to Williamsburg. Last time we were there it was our honeymoon. (Go ahead, you know you want to make that "awww" face.)

We ate yummy food. Italian (my favorite) instead of sushi, because he loves me.

We realized that ten years ago we had no children. Now we have a six-year-old and an eight-year-old. In ten more years we'll have a junior and a senior in high school. Oh goodness.

Well, as long as we're doing it together, bring it on!

Oh, and will somebody please come take a picture of us together? This is getting kind of ridiculous.

A Conversation

Jen: "I'm really good at making cookies."
Dan: "Yep. And I'm really good at eating cookies."
Jen: "That's why we're perfect for each other."
Dan: "Yep."

Yeah, I think that about sums it up.

I got a good man.

You may not know this,

but a long time ago

in a former life,

I used to be a ballerina.

But now,

in my current life,

I am a wife.

And sometimes,

my wonderful husband takes me

to see the ballet.

I love my current life.

The Perfect Date

Dan and I try to keep the romance alive. (It's not hard when your hubby's as cute as mine, I have to say!) So Saturday we went on a date. Best date ever. It's true.

After loading the boys' Easter baskets with candy from the neighborhood party, we left them with Granny and Poppy and headed out for a day on the town. Notice I said "day." We don't do nights. Just ask my brother about New Years 2009. Like I said, we don't do nights.

First stop was the piddle pot (that's the bathroom, in case you were wondering) at the Mosque. Not a real mosque. Not sure why they call it a mosque. But it's a pretty building. With a very tiny bathroom. So we waited in line for a very long time. I got to watch a beautiful college girl eat her dandruff. Good times.

The long line at the piddler was definitely worth it. I would not have wanted to leave during the main event.

We saw "Wicked!" And let me just tell you, it was wonderful. I will never watch "The Wizard of Oz" the same way again. That's all I have to say. Wouldn't want to ruin it for anybody who doesn't know the story - like me a week ago.

After the show - did I mention is was wonderful? - instead of sitting in the car for 45 minutes just trying to get out of the parking garage, Dan and I decided to take a walk. Though kind of chilly, the sun was shining and we were kid free. Nice!

But it wasn't long before our growling tummies needed to be filled. A quick swing by the garage proved that we would be going nowhere anytime in the next decade, so off we went on foot to find food. And find food we did.

Oh it was yummy. Italian. And I'm not talking Olive Garden or Bertucci's Italian (both of which I love). I'm talking Italy Italian. As in, everybody in the place was speaking Italian. And cooking Italian. And winking-at-me Italian.

And, I am convinced...

we ate with the Mafia.

Doubt me if you wish, but I know it's true.

Now that's my idea of the perfect date.

And don't you worry. We were home before bedtime. (See, told you it was a perfect date!)

He's Home

And all is right with the world.