Simple Joys...

4 children (and my dear friend Kim) +1 popcorn popper = amazing smiles and giggles.

Have I mentioned I love the simple things in life?

Mission COMPLETE.

My dad recently completed his last radiation treatment for his cancer...and his doc said consider the cancer GONE. We are ecstatic and thank God for the healing He has provided!


At the specific treatment center dad was going to there is a bell in the lobby. When your treatments are complete you ring the bell three times to tell the world that you are finished with your cancer treatments. Seeing dad do this brought a little tear to my eye (even though he was totally embarrassed by ringing it)! Ha!

Sooo proud of you Dad!!!

"Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway."

--John Wayne

Inside me lies an invincible summer...

The kiddies and I came across this picture the other day. I love it. The ice cream truck had just left and all the neighborhood little ones were enjoying a cool treat on a hot summer day. I love how Eva's hair is blowing in the breeze and how Jaden is soooo intent on his ice cream.

Right now in our neck of the woods it's cold.

Very cold.

The kind of cold that chills you right through your heavy winter coat.

I'm tolerating it and I try not to complain...but deep inside me lies an invincible summer.

I am a girl that loves the windows thrown open first thing in the morning. I love to hear birds singing just outside and the warmth of the sun on my skin. I love barbecues. I love pushing my children on the swingset and tying towels around them so they can fly like superheros in the yard. I love going barefoot and feeling an evening breeze. I love taking walks and bike rides and going on picnics. I love staying up late and snugglin' my little ones in bed in the morning.

I LOVE SUMMER.

I'm just sayin......

Gotta looooove my birthday week!

Ever since I've been in college I no longer refer to my birthday as my birthDAY...but rather my "birthday week". I figured if one day was THAT fun, why not make a week out of it?!!! I've never ever been one of those girls that growls at the idea of growing one year older...one of those women that scowls at celebrating birthdays. I'm a girl that LOOOOOVES it! Sooo...here is just a little snapshot into how I spent my "birthday week"...

The week started with a super fun trip to Chicago with some girlfriends! We do this trip every year (although this year we were missing our friend Stacey!). I love this trip. Love spending time with these girls...hashing out all there is to hash out in life...laughing...and (this year) staying up until 4:00 in the morning talking!

We enjoyed dinner at an amazing restaurant called A Girl and A Goat. Afterwards we were able to see "Wicked"!!! It was awesome! The next day we hit IKEA and then shopping on Michigan Avenue. To top it off my amazing husband had these little beauties delivered to our room...
The next day was my REAL birthday! I spent the day with my mom, sister, and the kiddies. We had a yummy lunch together and then did some shopping - one of my favorite activities to do with my mom and sis! We got home about the same time Matt got home from work. He, Eva, and Jaden had all kind of surprises up their sleeves!! It started with a sewing machine and sewing supplies!! Lately my mind has been swirling with ideas of things to create with a sewing machine. I tend to be one to just jump in and try it...so this gift was PERFECT!

I love how Matt goes out of his way to make my birthday really special. We went out to dinner that night and he, Eva, and Jaden had a birthday cake for me when we got home. Eva took the picture below of us...I love it because Jaden is doing some MAJOR pouting (HE wanted to take the picture).

Ahhh...then dinner last night was at my mom and Bob's house. My mom always goes out of her way to make quite the spread for birthday dinners...and last night was NO exception! I told her it was seriously one of the best meals EVER! I appreciate how she always makes birthdays special too.

This weekend is dinner at my Dad and Kay's house for my final birthday celebration! All I've got to say is that I am ONE LUCKY GIRL!!!!

"Age is an issue of mind over matter...if you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

--Mark Twain

The mind of a little boy....

My brother and his wife recently had their second child, an adorable little girl named Maya. This is my brother and his wife's second child, as they already have a little guy named Brooks. When my mom showed Jaden a picture of his new cousin she explained that this is Uncle Matt and Aunt Amanda's new baby!!

Jaden responded, "Why do they want a new baby?"

My mom explained that now they would have two children just like Jaden's Mommy and Daddy have two children!

Jaden thought about this for a minute and said, "Sooo...are they going to keep Brooks?!"

Seriously. I love that little guy!

To give away or not to give away...

Hey Friends...

I've been contacted (a few times) from companies that want me to do give-aways on my blog. I've done one or two and then stopped. I kinda felt it just "wasn't me". I blog because...well, I love to write, I don't scrapbook, and I just want to remember what happens during these days that are slipping by way too fast.

That being said, I've got nearly 200 people that drop in on my blog. Some are friends and family, and some are people I've never met. Are give-aways something that YOU would be interested in? Do you enjoy them? Do you participate? If it's something that YOU would enjoy I'd be more than willing to drop one in here and there. I'll admit, I've participated in some give-aways on other blogs and won some GREAT things!

I've just been leary and need your input. Even if you don't know me personally, if you read this blog I'm gonna need feedback!! Comments please!

Thanks!
Jamie

Brings back memories...

When I was a little girl I slept with my teddy bear every single night. On top of that I occasionally felt the need to have alllllllll of my stuffed animals sleep with me. I didn't want them to feel left out, so I would arrange every single one of them so that they each had a special place in my bed.

That's why I had to chuckle when I walked into Eva's room to tuck her in and saw this...


Do you even see my little girl in there??!!!

Every night for the past week or so she has been sleeping with a ton of her special little animals. She tucks each one in carefully and makes sure "they can breathe" (their heads are out). I then tuck her in, kiss her goodnight, and kiss every single one of her special little animals goodnight too!

I looooove it!

An early morning adventure...

Jaden and I recently joined my dad on a little "adventure". A few months ago my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Although the word "cancer" is quite scary, he was blessed with a diagnosis that is 100% treatable...and beat-able! He is currently undergoing radiation treatments and Jaden and I recently accompanied him to one of his appointments!

Dad's appointments are very early in the morning!! Jaden kept asking me why the sun was still sleeping!!! This picture is of Dad and Jaden walking into the appointment...

Dad with just a few of the amazing nursing staff that has been treating him! He speaks so highly of these people!

Afterwards the three of us enjoyed a little breakfast...just as the sun was starting to "wake up"!



Sooo proud of you Dad!

"I may not be there yet...but I'm closer than I was yesterday!"
--Unknown

I Hope....

To Eva and Jaden...

I hope that one day you spend time in a country where the culture is so vastly different from our own that you realize how big our world really is...and how big God is.

I hope that someday you feel the stab of heartache from an untrue friend. I hope you remember what that feels like so that you know the value of staying strong and true.

I hope that you always find more value in being outdoors in the fresh air than sitting in front of the television. I hope you learn that more exciting adventures await you when the TV is turned off!

I hope that one day you feel a love so powerful you know that you would give your own life up in an instant for that person.

I hope that you always attend church and have a close personal relationship with God. I hope you never feel limited or restricted by where you practice your faith.

I hope that you are always kind and compassionate...but I also hope you are not afraid to stand up for what you believe in (even if you are standing alone).

I hope that you BOTH learn to cook, clean, mow the lawn, check the oil in your car, and do laundry.

I hope you are always friends.

I hope you truly understand that in giving you always receive far more than you ever imagined... I hope your heart is always open to others needs and that when you give you do so anonymously.

I hope that for the rest of your lives you remember what the taste of vinegar was like when you lied...and you always remember the value of true honesty.

I hope you never underestimate the value of being silly. We live in a very serious, very fast paced world. Laughter is the glue that sticks us together and makes the days more fun!

While my instinct as a parent is to protect you and make life as easy as possible for you...I know that sometimes lessons must be learned the hard way. You must work hard, face tough times, and trust your faith.

These are just a few of the things I wish for you.

Love,

Mommy

SLEDDING FUN!!!!!

We spent a fun afternoon today sledding with our neighbors. Who needs to go to a park when all of this fun is in our own little corner of the neighborhood??!! I think the pictures speak for themselves...

"Laughter is an instant vacation!"

--Milton Berle

Eva's 6th Birthday was a SLAM DUNK!!!

Amazing...my little girl is now six. I know all parents say this, but it really does feel like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. I can't believe 6 years has passed!

Well...as with all birthdays...we do it RIGHT in our household! Ha! We hold NOTHING back when it comes to celebrating! Eva decided this year we were gonna rock it...BASKETBALL STYLE!!!! Those of you that know her should find this little decision of hers NO surprise! This girl loooves all things athletic, so a basketball party (or two....or three...) was the perfect way to celebrate EVA!!!

The celebration started off on her REAL birthday! Our family enjoyed breakfast out at a new pancake place in our area! I love starting birthdays off with a celebration right at the start of the day!!! Afterwards we just hung out, played, and did some crafts that Eva has been wanting to do (one involved using marshmellows and toothpicks to build things - super fun!). Eva also requested that we go get pedicures and enjoy a little "girl time"! Eva loves doing things like that, and I enjoy it as much as she does!!! That night my parents came over to wish Eva a Happy Birthday and to share a little sundae making (Eva's choice!) to celebrate the birthday girl!

A few days later we had a large birthday party for Eva with all of our family! Of course...it was basketball themed!!! I love the look on her face in this picture as we were all singing to her...

The day after that she had some friends over for yet ANOTHER birthday bash!!! We allll enjoyed playing games, breaking a pinata, as well as basketball cupcakes!!! It was so much fun to watch Eva celebrate with all of her friends!

I loooooove this little girl. I love all that she is, and I love all that she is becoming. She was put here on this earth for something special...I know it. I'm just the lucky Mama that gets to join her on this amazing ride called life.

Happy Birthday Eva!!! I loooove you!!!!!