On The Charts

At two and a half months, Mr. Max is ON THE CHARTS! His beefy 9 lbs. put him in the 5th percentile. When we're out and about, people still comment on the "brand new baby." Yup, he's still new, just not as new as THEY think. He's a fussy little man and always wants to be held, good thing we have lots of arms that want to hold him. He has oodles of red hair covering the top of his sweet head, which we love to smooch, along with his chubba, chubba cheeks and teeny, tiny, toes.

Oh, Mr. Max, you sure have turned our easy, breezy world upside down and ALL the way around, but really.......

we wouldn't have it any other way.

From Max

Beiber Fever

From Owen in boots

Earlier this summer, Beiber performed on the Today show. Owen happened to be watching. He was completely enamored with Beiber's performance. Wide eyed, swaying to the music, he looked my way and asked, "Mom can I grow my hair long, long like Justin Beibers? I want it so long that I can shake it", he says while tossing his head to the side in a super cool manner, just like Beiber. Since that morning, Owen's snowy strands have been a growing. His unusually large head is a helmet of unruly, thick, blonde locks. I am afraid it doesn't look great, but who am I to crush a dream like that?

P.S. Grandpa and Grandma came to visit. Owen followed Grandpa around all day, becoming his new shadow. He sure enjoyed trying on, wearing, and walking around in Grandpa's clunky boots.

Those are some rather large boots to fill, Mr. Owen. Your grandpa is a special guy, one of a kind in my book.

But if ANYONE can fill his shoes, I think YOU CAN!

Pretty Cool

"Would you like a snow cone? I can MAKE you one!"

Miss Avery was given a snow cone machine for her birthday. If ya come visit, you'll be hard pressed to avoid the above question. Instead of setting up her usual lemonade stand this summer, Avery's sitting on top of the world making and selling her snow cones.

Because in the world of our "sweet and spicy" six year old,

snow cones are pretty cool!

Boastin'

From Payton Main St. Mile

I would NEVER brag about Payton entering downtown Boise's Main St. Mile race in the 5th and 6th grade girl's division and as a fourth grader taking...

1st place!

Nope, I would never brag that she won several fun prizes including a $100 gift certificate to Bandannas running store where we'll go get her some smokin' hot new running shoes and her first real, "running attire."

This super proud mama would never brag...

Boast' juuuuuust a little...

but never brag....wink, wink!

Swim Team

From Payton swim team

Another exciting Summer Season of swim team came to a close.

From Avery swim team

The girls had a lot of fun meeting new friends, learning new strokes, and earning a plethora of colorful ribbons.

From Robert swim team

Even the dads were able to participate. At one of the meets they had a parent relay. After seeing Bob jump in the pool like a freak and Brent enter with a back flip, I didn't think their team had a chance. With the aid of their kid's mad cheering squad.....they were led to VICTORY and pulled off a WIN!

We're already looking forward to next summer and Mr. Owen finally being old enough to join the team!

How Do I Love Thee?

From Anniversary

Let me count the ways...

You know what they say the difference is between a couple who doesn't stay together and one that does? The couple who stayed together........

JUST KEPT TRYING.

Although there's a million and one reasons why I love Bob, here's a list of 14 in celebration of 14 years of TRYING!

1. He likes to be needed, and boy does this girl need him.

2. His family is his priority, and we know this.

3. He's smart but would never be condescending or make anyone feel "dumb."

4. He calls me several times a day. His upbeat, chipper voice is a bright spot in my day.

5. He perceives us as a team and takes part and helps me with EVERYTHING.

6. He hides sweet notes for me to find every time he goes out of town.

7. He is a much better cook than myself and makes dinner often.

8. He enjoys life and works hard to make ours FUN.

9. He is a good friend and would do anything for others.

10. He's hot......just sayin'.

11. He is witty and funny and makes me laugh daily.

12. He loves my family and never judges us in spite of our many inadequacies.

13. He sets lofty goals, and I enjoy watching him achieve them.

14. He goes the extra mile on my birthday and holidays to make me feel special, and most importantly.......loves my ridiculous, dramatic, nerdy self!

Bob and I celebrated 14 years of BIG LOVE last week. These pics. were taken in easier times when we celebrated an anniversary by aimlessly roaming the streets of downtown Boise. After dining at our favorite restaurant and purchasing a few things at our favorite downtown shop, we retired to a little bench outside a local bar and listened for free, to the live music blaring from it's doors. We did our fare share of people watching before Mr. "no display of public affection" let me make out with him on that bench, a couple of long kisses without a word of complaint. It doesn't take much to please this girl, and that night on the bench without a care in the world, laughing and smooching Bob, is one I love to remember.

We're currently living in a tunnel, at least that's how it feels when you're up most of the night with a newborn. You know long, dark nights and tiresome days while the rest of the world goes on around you. Because of this neither Bob nor I had mentioned a thing about our anniversary, and seriously, I was hoping, crossing my fingers tightly, that somehow overly tired Bob would forget. I wanted him to be completely surprised when he came home to a romantic dinner, a house without kids, and a night to ourselves. I wanted to give him a gift he had been without for weeks, needed desperately, and would have paid top dollar for.........SLEEP!

With the help of amazing, selfless friends, I pulled it off. One took the older kids all night, and the other took Max. Although we ended up missing the kids and wondered really if we could leave Max till' the next morning, at 10 p.m. we forgoed driving to get him and relished in a night of uninterrupted sleep.

14 years later, I love Bob more today than ever. I know how ridiculously cliche that last sentence sounds. But, there's truth in that old cliche. As we grow older and wiser we realize love is so much more than physical attraction or simple, good times in a relationship. Love is what lasts. Love is what is left after all the ups and downs, trials, and rough times. Love is why and how we stay together, it is what sustains us. At least it is for me, because believe me I've had my moments of extreme frustration when I've felt like throwing in the towel. There's been times when Bob and my differences seem overwhelming and because of them I've selfishly thought we just couldn't make it. But I never quit, because I LOVE him. The good times most certainly outweigh the bad and even though in no way, shape, or form is our marriage perfect, I believe LOVE is. It's an action, and it isn't always easy, but continuing to TRY makes it worth it in so many ways. And I've grown to realize over the last 14 years, LOVING Bob has made me a much better person.

So, next year we'll celebrate our big 15th. It will be interesting to see where life takes us, and how this next year will unfold. Until then, I vow to do two things, LOVE him.....

and JUST KEEP TRYING!

AHHHHH...

From The Lake The Lake!!!!!

Someday....

View all

Get your own

....he'll wish upon a star.

EXHAUSTED

We are elated that our baby boy, Max is home!

But, these old saps

are completely, utterly, and most certainly....

EXHAUSTED!

P.S. As of Wed. of last week, Max was weighing a ginormous.......6 lbs.!

Dear Max,

You are three weeks old today. It is hard to believe you've spent your first 21 days of life in the hospital. Being home without you, seems strange. I wake every morning and see your empty bassinet at the foot of my bed, waiting for you. I try to be strong and not let your brother and sisters know how sad I am and how much I miss you, but it's getting harder every day.

I spend my days at the hospital feeding, changing, and snuggling you. Dad stops in during the day too and then visits you again each night. We try hard to spend as much time with you as we can, but it never feels like enough. The hardest part is saying "good-bye" and leaving you there lying in your little crib without us.

Your brother and sisters like to come visit too. Payton has been coming with me every day. She loves to hold and love on you. She is a special girl and will be such a great big sister to you. She and Avery have been playing "NICU" recently and have organized their bedrooms just like your little space at the hospital. They are excited for you to come home so they can have a "real' baby to authenticate their make-believe play.

Your dad and I are so anxious to have you home, Max. We joke about "stealing" you from the NICU, or as your parents, telling them it's our right to bring you home... NOW! We know that wouldn't be wise, but we're just getting impatient and really want you home where we can care for you ourselves.

I am so sorry for all you have endured, Max. It truly breaks my heart. Watching from the side-lines, I don't know how you do it, because it's been A LOT. Thank you for being strong, my tiny boy, and fighting hard to be here and continuing to do so. The Dr.s still remind us how lucky we are to have you. Although they say we almost lost you, I always knew you'd make it, Max. I knew you were meant to be a part of this family. So, I will continue to pray for you, hope for you, and always love and care about you.

Your dad calls me an idealist. He often tells me I need to be a realist.

It's just not my style.

You'll be home soon, Max. I just know it. And everything WILL be O.K.

When that day finally arrives, we'll all celebrate BIG...

for you, ...our tiny miracle.

Sweet dreams,

Mama