Hmmm....that would be kinda fun!

I think at least once I day I am reminded how thankful I am that my "job" right now consists of raising our children.  I honestly, from the depths of my soul, can't think of anything I would rather do, that I would find more fulfilling, or that would make me happier. 

I would not be more content doing anything else on earth.

That said, sometimes I think to myself, "what would I do if I WAS working outside the home?"  As many of you know I use to be teacher and I did love that profession....but part of my reason for choosing that profession was so that if I DID have to work after having children I would have a similar schedule as they would when they were school-age.  Yes, I actually thought that through way back in high school.  Like I said, I've always wanted to simply be a mom. On a side note, I am forever thankful to my husband for feeling that my being home with the children is as important as I feel it is...and for working hard so we can make that happen.

So anyway, sometimes I do think about what I would find fulfilling if I wasn't a stay-at-home mom.  I really don't think I would go back to teaching.  Crazy, considering I have my masters degree in it.  Here are a few occupations I think would be fun....

1.  Photographer.  This one is a no-brainer.  For those of you that don't know, I did own my own photography business for awhile, and I was blessed with a business that thrived a bit more than I had planned.  Family will always come first, so I put it on the back burner.  That being said, the passion is still there.

2.  House Stager.  These are the people that go into a home that's for sale and "stage" it for selling.  This includes everything from cleaning and organizing to decorating.  Before Matt and I had children we would often go through open houses just to get ideas for when we would someday build.  We also would watch a local TV show that showcases homes for sale (I actually still watch it occasionally).  I quickly picked up on what drew me into a home...and what didn't.  When it was time to sell our house I used what I had learned.  We showed our house 4 times the first week, had two offers on it, and ended up selling it for more than what we were asking.  Let me tell you, that stuff works!  The couple that purchased it said they were drawn to the organization and use of space.  That being said, I think I could only truly do this job for complete strangers...doing it for people I love and care for would make me all uncomfortable (although I have helped one or two)!  Ha! 

3.  Therapy Dog Owner.  Note that I have no desire to actually TRAIN the therapy dog...I just want to be the lucky one that gets to take it to the hospital/school/etc. and allow it to work with people.  I know NOTHING about this profession - just think it sounds like a fun time!

4.  Professional organizer.  I'm a bit obsessed with my label maker, baskets, and rubbermaid tubs.  The amount of satisfaction I get from complete and total organization is a little ridiculous....and when I don't have organization I can be a bit of a grouch.  Just ask my poor husband.  To me organization brings almost a zen-like calmness.  I crave it.

5.  Children's Bookstore Owner.  Picture the movie You've Got Mail....yep, just like that.  I'd love to someday own a children's bookstore that also sold a few boutique type children's items.  A store that was warm and cozy (even though I love the architechture in the above picture, I think I would want it much more warm and cozy than that).  I would want a store that had daily story time...complete with hot cocoa in the winter and fresh lemonade in the summer.  I want to get to know my customers and welcome them with hugs and open arms.  One that allowed children to simply get lost in a book and spend hours there.  When Matt and I were in Australia we actually meandered into a store much like this.  I was in heaven and I'm not a kid anymore.  On a side note, I've also always wanted to write a children's book.

There you go kiddos!!!  At this time in my life these are some occupations I think sound fulfilling if I wasn't currently doing my dream job!  What are some occupations that you would love?

A New Fav....

I love how this hairstyle looks on Eva and it's really pretty simple to do! 

Love him.

One of my favorite morning sights....right down to the bed head and monkey slippers.

Love him.

To make the night even BIGGER....

If you read my previous post you would have seen that last night was a big night for our little girl...she got her ears pierced.  I truly didn't think anything could top that high....but it did.

As many of you know Eva looooves basketball.  Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins is her favorite player.  Last night after getting her ears piered (and going on the earring shopping rampage) I went to the MAC counter to purchase some make-up.  I was standing there and happened to look to my right...and Skylar Diggins was standing next to me.  Yep, I totally did a double take.

My little girl not ONLY got to meet Skylar, but Skylar was sweet enough to talk to Eva a little about basketball, smiled for a picture, and took the time to give Eva her autograph (she even wrote Eva a little note on it).  I could NOT have asked for Skylar to be more sweet to my little girl.  I will forever be grateful for that.

This Mama was just a little teary-eyed watching my little girl talk to someone she admires so much....and Eva had a smile she COULD NOT wipe off her cute little face.

....I think it's safe to say that from now on when I mention I'm going to buy make-up I'll have a little girl wanting to go along!  Ha!

"It's not how big you are....it's how big you play."

--Unknown

A Big Day....

....and after just a few tears we went on a earring buying rampage!! 



Happy "Heart" Day!

I've said numerous time on this blog that Valentine's Day is a family affair in our home.  We celebrate the day together as a family and yesterday was no different.  Here is a little peek into how the day went down....

It started with a little morning surprise for 2 of my favorite Valentines!  They awoke to a breakfast area that was decorated and Valentine treats next to their plates.  On the menu....heart shaped cinnamon rolls!

Valentine cupcake decorating has become a yearly tradition!  Eva decorated some before she left for school, and then Jaden finished them off!

Jaden sported his homemade one-of-a-kind shirt he made just for this special day!!  I looooved his excitement about wearing it!  He would pull apart his coat a bit like Superman to show people!

Since Eva is in school during the day, Jaden got to play cupid!  We delivered Valentines and even brought Daddy lunch!



In the afternoon we joined Eva at her classroom party!  Eva was so excited to see her brother and Jaden was anxious to get in on the fun....especially when it came to all the sweets!

We always make dinner a big fancy deal on Valentine's Day - why go out when you can have a fancy dinner at home!  On the menu this year....homemade gnocchi, homemade sauce, salad, garlic bread, and our special cupcakes for dessert!

Each year we set a fancy table and eat by candlelight!   Eva and Jaden always have little surprises at their seats to open, and I love the excitement on their faces!  This year they got a few different things, but one of them was a book (yes, I know, the teacher in me comes out at times like this).  Jaden got a superhero book and Eva got Amelia Bedelia. Do you remember Amelia Bedelia books?!  I loooove them!!!  I also loved snuggling up with her last night while SHE read to ME!

After all this I THOUGHT all the Valentine surprises were over.  Matt and I don't purchase gifts for eachother (well, except I got him that whopping Reese Peanut Butter Cup you see in the picture because I know it's one of his favorites)....so you can imagine my surprise when my husband and kiddos handed me a gift!!!  I opened it to find THIS....

Yep, you are looking at the cutest diaper bag ever made!!!!!  I'll be real honest, this is my 3rd child and I've NEVER carried a diaper bag.  I think they are butt-ugly (yes, I just said that).  I've always just thrown what I needed in my purse and got on with it.  Well, not anymore...cuz this Mama is rockin' a zebra print Kate Spade diaper bag!  Loooove it!  (love my husband and kiddos too...and just how stinkin' thoughtful they are)!

In all, a wonderful Valentine's Day...and a beautiful time to continue making those special memories I hope my family will forever cherish - I know I will!

"Love is the greatest refreshment in life."

--Picasso

A few tears....times TWO!

Our little girl has never been one that is into dolls...but she has ALWAYS loved her stuffed dog Doe-Doe.  This little dog has been her "lovey" since she was one year old and he has traveled everywhere with us.  He's become a pretty special part of our family.

This past Friday Eva was getting ready for school.  She told Jaden and I to be quiet because "Doe-Doe was sleeping".  Jaden looked at Eva and said, "Eva, Doe-Doe isn't real."

He wasn't trying to be mean....just a 4 year old stating the facts.

Eva tried to hold it together and then the tears started flowing.  She loves her dog, and has always thought of it as real.  I was hugging her and consoling her when I looked over at Jaden...poor guy was absolutely SOBBING.  He felt so bad that he made his sister cry!!  I kind of giggled to myself and hugged them both as they both sobbed.  I looove that Eva loves her dog, and I loooove that Jaden showed such empathy. 

"I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring."

--Liz Armbruster

A Celebration of Dads and Daughters....

Our church recently held a Father-Daughter Celebration.  An evening just for dads and daughters of all ages to celebrate their special relationship.   I was honored to be on the steering committees of this event and watched in awe as this special evening came together.  I knew in my heart it would be a special night....especially for two of my favorite people!

We worked very hard to make this evening beautiful and memorable.  We wanted the room to be beautiful, the food to look beautiful....we wanted the dads and daughters to know how special they are.

I was lucky enough to be the one checking in the fathers and daughters as they arrived and I loved every minute of it.  Some arrived in limos....some were dressed to impress with suits and fancy prom-type dresses.....some were older (one woman brought her father and I had heard he was in his 80's)....some were young (one father came with his infant daughter)....and then there were these two....

Two of my favorite people in the world!  I tried my best to steer clear of them, to let them enjoy their night together while still fulfilling my duties for the evening....but I did sneak a peek at them every now and then.  Together they enjoyed an evening of dancing, games, food, an awesome photobooth where they took silly pictures, and an uplifting speaker that spoke about his relationship with his own daughter.

Eva is a lucky girl to have a Daddy as amazing as Matt.....and Matt is one lucky Daddy to have a daughter as special as Eva.

"A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart."

--Unknown



An Update....

Thanks for all the sweet comments, phone calls, and text messages about the situation our little girl is dealing with at school.  I truly appreciate it.  I know this is something that all children deal with at one time or another, but I simply wasn't prepared to deal with it at age 7.

All of this being said, Eva is doing well.  Her teacher and her school counselor are amazing.  Together we have been in constant contact and we have set things in place to help this situation.  Eva is learning to "spread her wings" at recess and learning ways to approach people to play. 

A few days after this all happened she brought home a card for me that she made at school.  This is what the inside said....

I love it.  I know....and I truly believe SHE knows....that,like all things, this too shall pass.

I also wanted to mention that, as some of you know, Eva can be a bit shy.  This whole situation is something she really doesn't want to talk about - sometimes even to her parents!  That being said, I'm going to ask that those of you that know Eva please respect her privacy with it.  This is something she is working on and dealing with and I worry that everyone talking to her about it will just make her feel more shy about it.  If you want to help her, simply pray for her. 

Again, thanks for the all the kind words.  We've got one special kiddo on our hands!

XOXO....
Jamie