A New Stage....

Different parts of our family are at different stages in their lives...

Jason has been waiting and waiting for that first flutter that he can feel in my belly. He can't feel it yet, but I'm sure it won't be long before he wishes he couldn't feel those kicks to his back in the middle of the night. He is so happy and is working so hard for our family.

I am anxiously awaiting the end of summer. I have little activities spaced throughout the summer that I use as mile stones. One of those events was seeing my sister, Annie, last week. About a month ago she found out she would be coming to Chicago for a Pampered Chef convention and asked if I wanted to do something. Last year I missed the opportunity to go see the play, "Wicked", and did not want to make the same mistake this year! Her hotel was about a mile from the theatre, so I couldn't miss the chance. My friend, Andria, and I rode the tram into town. (I mean, we almost MISSED the tram into town). Her husband and Jason met the three of us gals at the hotel and we all walked to Navy Pier for dinner. Earlier, I had chosen Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. to eat, knowing it was close...and that's what I started craving. MY BAD! Note to self: Do not plan on a fast meal at a restaurant that sits at the front of the line of the "Batman" Imax Premiere event!

There was plenty of walking after dinner. It is a good mile or so from the pier to the theatre. I was pooped! The play was amazing! I love musical theatre and I am so glad I could share something special with Annie. She and I both played the cello in high school, and I have deepened my love for music in singing. This was the perfect play to take her to. My only regret is not being able to sit closer. I recommend it to anyone with a young heart.

During Intermission is when I learned of Walker's new stage. I sent a text to my babysitter asking how things were going. This is what I got back...
"Ha, yeah great! Your son has officially learned to crawl out of his crib."
Greeeeeeaaaaaat! I felt so bad for her. She said it only took him four trips back to the crib to figure out that she wasn't playing. So this is our new stage: Walker is ready for a toddler bed and we leave back to Idaho in a few weeks. This should be fun....

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

Our 4th of July was a BLAST! Spending most of the afternoon at Taste of Chicago was exactly what made the whole family happy. The majority of the time was spent standing in line, but after ice cream cones, it was well worth it. We only bought two ice cream cones, and I was unfortunate enough that mine was the only cone Walker wanted.
After most of our food ventures, we spent some time letting Walker run around in the 'Stadium' at Millennium Park. That was his favorite part-running AWAY from me. Another lady who was watching said, "That's one fast boy!" I asked her if that meant I was a fast mom...she laughed and said, "absolutely".
At first sight of the fireworks, Walker was scared to death. Jason tried to get him to watch, but as you can see, that didn't work really well. Walker stayed hidden for the whole ten minute show. For some strange reason, on the way home, he wanted 'more' (fireworks that is). With eyes shut tight, head against his car seat, he said, "Momma". As I reply, I look over at him only to see his two little hands signing for 'more'. He did that quite a few times on the way home, and still, a few days later when we drive in the car, asks for more fireworks!

Our Wacky Week of Fun!

Well, this little outing was the week before last, but I thought I would include it. All the salesman and their wives got together in Lisle for the weekly Saturday night dinner. We had a really yummy barbeque by the pool, swimming, and games.
Last Saturday, 'the office' (as we wives like to put it) did not go out all together as we usually do. The family that we live with, the Standlees had already planned to go to Chuck E Cheese. Lately, Walker has gotten so used to having the other family around that when they leave without him he cries like he is going to die. "Auntie, Eeeee, Sissy!" Short for Andria, Eli, and Sariah. To avoid all this drama, I decided that we would go with them. ( Which is usually the case). Much to my pleasant surprise, the play area at Chuck E Cheese is FREE! Walker occupied himself (well, Jason did play with him a lot) for a good two hours! How Awesome is THAT!?
Later that evening Jason and I went to see Wall-E, and we both loved it. It appeals to such a large audience and has a lot of simple humor.

Sunday after church, Jason secretly planned an all day 'stroll' to Burr Ridge. Our strolls have always consisted of looking at houses. The one he showed me blows all of them out of the water! I couldn't even fit the whole house in one camera shot.











I had no word when I saw this!








So the rest of the week has been spent at the Splash Park, taking Walker to see Alvin and the Chipmunks for the dollar special at the theatre, going to the zoo for FREE and having a wonderful time!


So this is for my husband (or anyone else reading this) I DO NOT sit on the couch at home all day eating Bon-Bons!

Things I Love about my Wife.

As life blows past me, I often get caught up in the little things that aren't that important. I realized a couple of days ago, I have been so busy in the daily grind, that I haven't expressed my love and appreciation to Sarah very well. So here is a list of things that I love and appreciate about my beautiful bride.

She is a great cook. - she follows the example of her dad (or so she says) about using 'some of this and some of that' in her recipes. She likes to make stuff up, and she does a great job with it. Or she will find some sort of recipe and modify it to my liking. Oh, and I am fairly picky about stuff like that.

She is patient. Ok, so most of the time she is patient. She is great with Walker. She takes him on walks, plays with him, etc.

She's crafty. (Not the Beastie Boys style of craft.) She makes all kinds of decorations for our home. She made a clock that looks great, many pictures, etc. She is also good with doing flowers for weddings, hair or prom. How many of you have been on the receiving end of one of her crafts or flower arrangements?

She is a loyal friend. I don't have any stories or anything for this one. She just is.

She is quick to forgive. Like when I slip up and tell people that she is pregnant before I am supposed to. Or when I say something to offend her. When I do or say something that I shouldn't, she doesn't hold a grudge against me.

She is clean. Walker and I can tear a house apart in 2 minutes flat. Enough said.

She doesn't let me do the dishes. Apparently I put them in the wrong place. So I am no longer aloud to do them. Darn it.

She likes to vacuum. (ok, that is a joke. We have a roomba that does all of the vacuuming for us.)

She is very musically talented. She is a great singer.

I could probably go on, but you get the idea. Sweetie, when you read this, Just remember how much I love you. Thanks for choo-choo-choosing me!
Jason

Consider this the official announcement!! Part II

We are having another baby!!

Yes, I know that a lot of you that are reading this already know. I don't have a whole bunch to write about this, but we are pretty excited about it. For Mother's Day, all I got for Sarah was an EPT test. We were pretty sure that she was pregnant even before the test. I didn't want her to be tempted to tell anyone yet, soI told her that she had to wait until after her brother's wedding before we could find out. (I caved in early, I know.) So, We have already told a few people, some on accident, others on purpose, but this is the OFFICIAL Announcement. This is Sarah's present to ME for Father's Day. I get to tell everybody, instead of her spreading the news. Cool gift, eh?

Of course, there are questions that I am sure most of you will ask, so I will clear them up early. She is 10 weeks along. For the most part, she has not had any sickness-just a lot of being tired. She is hoping for a girl, of course. I ordered a boy, so that is what we are gonna have. (it's like burger king, you can order it your way.) Besides, we need another boy to wrestle around with Walker, right?
Any questions?

I know my husband procrastinates when...

I get my Mother's Day present two days before Father's Day! Ha! Ok. Ok. I can't put this all on Jason. He is such a hard worker and does so much for Walker and Me. Thinking back on it, this present was WELL worth the wait!
There are only two pedicures a year that I look forward to. One is in January for my birthday and the other is during the summer when all the stay at home wives of sales reps combine babysitting strength to take turns to go get pedicures. Jason told me this would be my Mother's Day present, but between lots of people planning it and time constraints for work, it just didn't get done until yesterday. Thank you Jason and Kyle for all you do. I know my feet appreciate it!

Consider this my official Graduation Announcement

I am now officially smart!
I will impart of my new-found wisdom and intelligence to those of you that are not on the same very high pedestal I have now put myself on. Feel free to shower me with praise, oh yea and lots of gifts. (That's a joke, in case you can't tell.)

Here is a list of observations taken from the 6 years of University Learning:

1. Nobody actually knows what they want to do "when they grow up." If they do, it changes.
2. Nobody really "grows up."
3. Does anybody actually use their degree anymore?
4. Universities are in the business of making money, not of educating students.
5. Good teachers make a huge difference in the classroom. (and in G.P.A.)
6. Some teachers like to make class as hard as possible.
7. Some teachers like to simplify the class as much as possible. (Thank you)
8. Some of the best lectures have nothing to do with the class.
9. You can watch movies for 2 days and get an upper division credit.
10. You can go to Costa Rica for a week for 3 upper division credits.
11. Teachers are people too. Sometimes they even understand when your son throws up all over your take-home test.
12. Credits don't transfer all the time. Then you retake the class and it is the same thing.
13. English 102 was easier than any english class I had in high school.
14. Some friends come, some friends go. Some friends are friends for life.
15. People make a lot of stupid decisions.
16. Study groups are awesome, if you get a few good people to study with. (not too many)
17. I don't do morning classes.
18. Try something new.
19. I like art and music. I wish I had any talent in those areas.
20. No matter what happens, your family will be there.

So there is a little bit of what I learned from school. Not to mention developmental biology, biochemisty, comparative anatomy, muscles, bones, alcohol dehydrogenase, hemoglobin, acetyl co A, credits and debits, birds, physiology, enzymes, magnetism and light, electricity, evolution, genetics, etc.

From those of you that are fellow grads, add any comments (lessons that you learned that I haven't put up yet.)