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. :)