3 Years After

Nancy, the love of my life and one of my very best friends, once told me that time doesn't make things easier, time just gives you the opportunity to adjust to the new reality.

The reality is that I miss very dearly my baby Joe.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him.

Or pray and give thanks for his life.

 

I'm at peace.

I trust God that He knows more than I do and that His way is the best way.

I'm so blessed.

My life and family is not complete at this time, but it's blissful. I have more joy than I deserve.

 

Sept. 11 rolls around like it always does. I decided to play hookie with the girls and go out for some fresh air. We enjoyed a park out in Galena. It's so refreshing to be outdoors.

We watched Brave... mind you on a Tuesday, at 11:00 AM... with one other person in the theater.

A 40 year old man, who was about 300 pounds.

It was scary. I feared for our lives. Because really? Really?

The girls wanted to go to the cemetery, but we had just been there 2 days ago, so we headed home.

 

We feasted on cookies made by thoughtful friends. They were delicious. The cookies were literally all eaten within 10 minutes.

 

It was a good day. A sad day. But a good one.

I love you Jojo. Always.

 

Up, Up & Away!!

We've been sick since Thursday and I was feeling a little cabin feverish. Fortunately el mango flesh has not gotten sick! It was just time to get some fresh air!! First, we headed for donuts... Eli didn't know what to think. "You're letting me have all this?!?!?!"

 

 

Then it was off to the balloon races. It was grand because we didn't have to deal with throngs of people. We just parked on the side, sat on the car and enjoyed!!

 

We decided to go park hopping after. Northwest Reno has some really nice parks!!

 

This park is on Robb Dr. and will be a MUST on our list to do for fall. The ground is so soft and perfect for Eli. Plus there are swings for the big girls, a rock wall, no graffitti!!, and just an overall nice clean feel. You can also see the temple from the park!!

I love this face!!! He is such a happy lil' fellow and laughs constantly!!

Little boys are hard to keep clean I find.

 

Early Birthday Gift.....

 

Eli loves his new play tables! He walks inbetween them, trys climbing on top of them & dances up a storm to the music.

I love that I can never wait.... I always end up giving the kiddos early birthday gifts.

I can't believe it's almost a year since my sweetheart came into our lives!!!!!!!!!

2.3 Miles!!

Randomly I had this goal about 2 months ago that I'd like to run around our neighborhood loop which is 2.3 miles. "Run" as in jog without walking. I tried and just about died. I came home and thought I was in the middle of an asthma attack...

Needless to say, I didn't try again for awhile.

But randomly on Tuesday I decided I'd go for it again. Within the week I was able to jog the whole freaking 2.3 miles.

 

2.3 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On my 5th attempt!!!!

Factors that I attribute this success to:

1.Heavenly Father

2. Night time and fear of being killed or eaten by wild dogs & things hiding in bushes

3. Music

4. Cool Weather

5. No wind

6. Good shoes and stealing Joe's running socks

 

I'm going to see if I can keep it up. Who knows, maybe I can lose 50 pounds.

That would be swell.

Understatement.

I blame Joe. Really, my motto in life is "I only run if a cop is chasing me."

And now here we are.

I have no desire to do marathons.

This is strictly because of some crazy whim.

First Steps & Yogurt "Special" Time

 

About 2 weeks ago Eli took his first steps!!! He can get in a good 2-3 steps, then decides to crawl or sit. I love holding his hand and walking. I can't believe he's so big. I know it's cliche, but time really does fly by. He's such a love bug. Every night now he gives kisses to his sisters at bedtime. He loves to laugh and make us laugh. He's such a joy!

 

 

Maria and Eli have "special" time. It's whenever she has yogurt. She loves to share and feed him. She loves to hold him and be close. Eli gets super excited for this special time with his sister. He screeches, holds his fists really tight and can barely contain his happiness!!

Sock Hop

Randomly, Maria has started playing with these little boys during recess at school. There are only 4 other girls in her class & she is best friends with the hispanic girl. I think it's going to be a good year. These little ones seem very nice! 

M came up to Maria and asked her for hugs. Then they did the costume contest together.

 

We ate lots of sugar, drank sugar, sipped sugar and got sugar caked on faces, hands and clothes.

Sugaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr!

 

 

Christina won the bubble gum blowing contest!!!!!!!!!! For third grade!!

 

My parents are life savers!! Thanks for coming and helping and having fun with us!!!!

Overated and Completely Mumbled.....

Oh Sun Valley Garage Sale... why did you turn into this. Reno is full of hoarders.

Even with all the traffic and throngs of people we were still able to find a few steals. The girls got some beautiful jewlery & Eli got a few new toys.

 

Maria loves her new clip ons!

Meesh at 11 Months

*Loves it when we blow zuberts (sp?) on him.

* Enjoys opening anything he can and exploring... quickly.

* Super Happy.

*Highly enjoys bathtime and splashing and moving around in the water.

*Wakes up 2 times a night. 1:00AM and 5:00AM... or around those times.

*Loves his new Dump Truck Yaya and Papa got him.

*Loves airplanes in the sky.

*Loves food. Especially Port of Subs. And blueberries... I say FUN you say DIAPERS!

It literally dyes his butt.

*Loves to dance/boogie.

*Enjoys walks in the strollers or going to stores.

Sometimes I forget he's there he's so mellow and easy.

Our sweet lil' SWEETHEART!!!!

1st Day of Kindergarten

My lovebug Maria started Kindergarten today.

My sweet lil' babe who has always been with me is now leaving me for the afternoons.

You'd think I'd be used to it by now, seeing as she was in preschool 2 years....

However, I feel wound up and just wanting her to be in my arms.

Really? Shouldn't I be in 2nd grade?

I have to review each letter for how many days??

Show me fierce Kindergartner.

None of those lame boys will mess with me!

I. Am. A. Tiger.

I'm glad Maria had at least one little friend she knew in the class. Sweet Amber.

Daddy came for the festivities too!

And off she goes!! There are a LOT of little boys in the class, so I really hope it goes OK.

It was a good day for scrabble....

Joe and I play scrabble often.... he usually for some odd reason beats me a lot. It's not that I don't have a good vocabulary, but a lot of the time he will add an "s" to one of my words and get 50 points extra or I'll just have bad luck in drawing.

Sure Sofia. Keep telling yourself that.

It's hard to admit that your husband might be smarter than yourself.

However, after a losing streak of like 15.... FINALLY!!!

Sweet Success!!!