Ode to Chad

(over a week late, but it's here)

I married an incredible man.

Had I had a checklist before we got together, I'm pretty sure he would have met everyone of the qualifications I was looking for, here are some characteristics that I may have put on it, had I had one.

Christian... Check

Sweet... Check
Funny... Check

Handsome, Hot, Nice butt... Check, Check, Check ... ;)

Sarcastic... Check

Loves me for me... Check

Honest... Check

Great Daddy... Check (Ok, so this isn't something I could have checked off after meeting him, but it's something I could have guessed. Does that make sense?)

There are many more traits that Chad has that I love but it could take a while for me to think of a bunch of more adjectives to describe him. So, let's just go into detail about some of those that I mentioned.

Sweet

Chad can be so incredibly sweet. Whenever I'm going crazy and worrying about stuff he knows just what to do to make me feel better and relax (a little). He also tries to think of ways to surprise me or do really neat things for me. Even if he doesn't always to do them, it's the thought that counts.

A Good Daddy

He is such a GREAT, GREAT, GREAT dad. I don't think I can emphasize enough how great of a father he is and how lucky KJ and Lainee are to have him as their dad. They both just adore him and KJ is such a "Daddy's boy". Once Chad is home, KJ wants to be where he is, he loves helping him with projects and watching "PTI" with his Daddy. And Lainee, well, she completely lights up when Daddy walks in the door. Her eyes get so big and a huge smile covers her face as she starts shaking her arms, wanting to jump into her daddy's arms. So incredible.

Loves me for Me

Im a dork, a big one and I'm still not sure how Chad fell for me. I remember when we first met and the first few times we hung out, I wanted so badly for him to like me but I figured I most likely wasn't going to win him over. Luckily, I was wrong! I'm so lucky to be loved the way Chad loves me. It's pretty amazing. The way he looks at me sometimes... how did I get so lucky to be looked at like that? It's one look and I know how much he loves me.

He puts up with me. When I'm crazy, in a bad mood, being a butthead... he's just patient and lets me throw a tantrum or whatever it is I need to do and he's there for me when I bounce back. Again, I'm so lucky!

Sarcastic/Funny

Some people may have a problem with his sarcasm, but it's one of the things I love most. He's so, so funny and I'm often the butt of his sarcasm/jokes. Luckily, I've never had a problem with it and it's most likely because I grew up with a pretty sarcastic Dad who also made me the butt of a lot of his jokes. I like to think that I'm pretty sarcastic too and that is one of the reasons Chad and I first found interest in one another.

So again, I really did with the lottery when it came to finding the man to spend the rest of my life with. I'm so thankful and so very, very blessed to have a loving husband who just loves to spend time with me and our children. I could spend every minute with him and I still wouldn't get tired of him.

Chad, if you read this... I LOVE YOU VERY, VERY MUCH and I'm so excited to spend the rest of my life with you. saltrocks.

NEW CAMERA, NEW CAMERA, NEW CAAAAAAAAAAAAAMERA!!!

**I know this should be an "Ode to Chad" post but I had to post about this.

I finally got it! My NEW camera. We went to Costco yesterday and Chad got me the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i w/ 2 lens kit. I am so excited and I'm hoping that I can possibly get good enough to take photos of others. I've already started reading articles and I've been practicing on the kids... the picture is just SO, SO, SO much better than on my point and shoot. Here are some of the photos I got this morning. I was experimenting with natural light in Lainee's room (as you can see, I still need A LOT of practice). :)

So... if you are looking for someone to take pictures (for free), I would love to practice!

Day 10-- Any mommy related topic of your choice! -- KIDISMS!!!

Ok, so I know I should have had this done a few days ago but at least I'm finishing. :) My topic of choice is KIDISMS-- funny things our kids do!

KJ:

-While driving into Moses one day KJ said "Whoa, look at all those sticks!" in reference to a bare Orchard.

- Last week during bathtime KJ started playing with his *ahem* nipples and the conversation went a little something like this:

KJ: Look at these things."
Me: Mmhmm
KJ: They're like yours.
Me: (starting to chuckle) Everyone has those.
KJ: (With one of the cutest "I'm thinking" expressions on his face) Even Cole (Aunt Nicole)?
Me: Yep, even Cole.
KJ: And Dan?
Me: (still laughing): Even Dan.
KJ: And neighbor dog?
Me: (really laughing): Even neighbor dog.
KJ: And Brody (My parents' dog).
Me:Even Brody, everyone has them.
KJ: Yeah, all guys have those.

-KJ sang "Boom, boom, boom... chocolate milk style!"

-KJ told me one day: "Mom, I'm your best friend."

**JUST ADDED
-The kids are going through my drawer of old bottles/pump peices... well, KJ just ran over to me with the pump flanges over his chest. Hmm.

Lainee

Well, since Lain doesn't talk yet, I don't have a lot of funny things that she says but there are some pretty cute things that she's starting to do.

-Look above, for one... the dishwasher is like an amusement park for my kids. KJ loved it too!

-She is starting to wave (ALOT). The other night we had to go into the dreaded Wal*Mart to do some shopping and she just sat in the cart and waved at people. Really, REALLY adorable.

-She loves to show you things. It usually doesn't matter what she is holding in her hands but she will hold it up and make sure you look at what she has.

-She is starting to get really excited when Daddy gets home or Nana comes over. When Chad walks in she gets a big grin and starts waving her arms around and talking to him.

--There are a lot more I could add if I could think of them right now, I should devote a blog to just the things the kids say/do.

*Chad turned 28 on Monday, I will have an Ode to Chad birthday post up in the next couple of days.

Day 9 -- What do you fear most as parent?

The worst. The thought of something terrible happening to one of my babies makes crazy. I couldn't imagine losing them or watching them suffer in someway. Just writing this, having to think about this makes me sick.

Day 8 -- If you could choose what your child/children would do with his/her life, what would you choose?

I would choose whatever makes them the happiest. I have hopes for them. I hope they enjoy whatever they choose to do and that they are successful at whatever they set out to do. Besides family, I hope that they surround themselves with other people who only want what is best for them. I want them to be happy, healthy, loved, successful and I hope that they are believers who seek out the plan that God has in store for them.

Day 7 -- Did you plan out your pregnancy (ies) so that you would have a baby a certain time of year?

Nope. The pregnancies were planned... but not so that the babies would be born a certain time of year. Planned as in we were trying/hoping to get pregnant (soon) but weren't trying to at a certain time to have a baby in a certain month/time of year.

Day 6 --What is your best advice to give to other moms?

(Missed a day... AGAIN)

Hmm, I think my best advice would be to just enjoy every minute that you can. I know that it's hard sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) but I know I do a much better job as a mom when I'm enjoying myself rather than getting angry at little things that just don't matter that much. When I'm happy, the kids are much happier (usually) and vice versa. There is a lot advice to be given about parenthood but this is what I have today. :)

Day 5 --What is your favorite activity to do with your child?

CUDDLE!!!!!!!!!

I love doing lots of activities with them but cuddling is just so nice and relaxing... especially when they don't like to cuddle often. :)

Day 4 -- What is/are your child's/childrens' favorite activity(ies)?

Ok, so I already missed a day. A sick baby and pure sleepiness will do that.

KJ's activities are anything having to do with sports: football, basketball, soccer, etc... he really loves playing sports. He enjoys "helping", ie. cooking, helping Daddy with tasks, (sometimes) cleaning. He also likes doing art projects and looking through/reading books.

Lainee's favorite activity right now is walking. Since she is still getting the hang of it, I would definitely call it an activity. She is still learning how to walk farther and faster and I can tell that she's pretty excited that she has found a new way to get around. She also really likes playing with KJ.

Day 3 --How many kids do you hope to have/why?

Currently, I would like three children; however, I Chad is OK with two, so this is a discussion that we have been having a lot. If we do decide to have three we will still most likely wait a while longer, but I would like to have one more I think. Why? I'm not sure. When I was in high school I wanted five and somewhere that got narrowed down to three.

Mom Challenge Day 2 --Favorite baby name: boy/girl

I really, really enjoy coming up with baby names. If it was a career I'd be set! So, Chad and I have recently been debating whether or not we will have another baby. We are still undecided... well, I'm leaning more towards having another and Chad is kind of set on two so we will see what happens; however, if we do have another, here are some names we've already thought of.

Boy:
- Olie Jacob (Prounounced "Oh-Lee" This would have most likely been Lainee's name had she been a boy.)
or
-Colt Jacob (Middle name will most likely be Jacob no matter what, it is Chad's middle name.)
or
-Case Jacob


Girl:

-Sawyer Dawn (love this, I had forgot about it and Chad reminded me of the name tonight asking if I liked it.)
or
-Mollie Dawn (My middle name)


We thought about naming the 3rd baby with an "m" name so that it would go in the order we have somewhat established, K-L-M... but we will see what happens, IF we even have another. ;)

Mom Challenge Day 1 --How many kids do you have? Describe them in some detail.

If you know me at all then you most likely know that I have two kids, KJ and Lainee.

KJ

KJ is 2.5 going on 10. I love to watch him play and love having conversations with him. He is so smart and it's obvious within a few minutes of being around him. He has always been a good talker and he seems to surprise us daily with some of the things he says or information that he knows or remembers. Let's just say he would be great for "Kids Say The Darnest Things". His imagination is developing more everyday and he is starting to make up different games or ways to play. He is adorable, funny, loving and (usually) kind. He is a great big brother and a wonderful son and I feel so blessed to call him my little boy!

Lainee

Lainee is 9 months old and our little go-getter. I just know that she is going to accomplish anything she puts her mind to. She is already taking many steps at a time and I'm sure she will be walking all over within a week or two. I think the fact that she is so close to walking already explains a lot about her. She works so hard to figure things out, taking steps for example or standing up in the middle of the room. She tries and tries until she gets it and she doesn't get frustrated easily. It's so neat watching her trying to figure something out, we can just see her little mind working. Her personality is starting to show more and she is (usually) such a happy little girl. She is beautiful, charming and my little cuddler and again I'm so blessed to call her my little girl!

For Moms -- 10 Day Challenge

So, I previously posted about possibly starting up some of my own challenges... here is the first! It is a 10 Day Challenge for moms or! Older moms, younger moms, step-moms, moms to be, wannabe moms... whatever!

If you decide to participate, PLEASE let me know! I would love to read your responses to the topics.


Day 1 --How many kids do you have? Describe them in some detail.

Day 2 --Favorite baby name: boy/girl

Day 3 --How many kids do you hope to have/why?

Day 4 -- What is/are your child's/childrens' favorite activity(ies)?

Day 5 --What is your favorite activity to do with your child?

Day 6 --What is your best advice to give to other moms?

Day 7 -- Did you plan out your pregnancy (ies) so that you would have a baby a certain time of year?

Day 8 -- If you could choose what your child/children would do with his/her life, what would you choose?

Day 9 -- What do you fear most as parent?

Day 10-- Any mommy related topic of your choice!

Easter '10

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..."

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (New International Version)

We ended up making an unexpected trip to Shelton for Easter, well, unexpected until last weekend. Last Sunday night, Chad got a call that his grandpa had passed away. There were health problems and we all knew it might be soon but he sure fought for a long time and will be greatly missed. So, we came over to spend time with Chad's mom and the rest of the family and his service will be next month on (what would have been) his 81st birthday.

We had a really great time spending time with family and the kids had a blast playing with all of their 2nd and 3rd cousins, especially KJ! On Saturday, Chad's aunt, uncle, cousins and their kids all came over to decorate Easter eggs and then there was a hunt to find them. KJ was so excited to have all of the kids around and then later on that day 2 more of his 3rd cousins came over so he had a pretty great day!

Sunday we had breakfast and spent some time with more family doing another Easter egg hunt and then headed over to Chad's Uncle Bob's for lunch/brunch. The kids were pretty wiped out by the time we got back.

We have been trying to teach KJ what holidays are truly about so that he doesn't think they are just another opportunity to get gifts/candy. He knows that Easter is about Jesus and that Jesus died on the cross... the rest he is still learning. It's pretty great watching your children learn especially when it's about our Savior.

We are heading home today as long as the weater cooperates, here are a few pictures from our Easter weekend fun.