Boo!

So, some would say I'm killing all the fun for my kids, but we don't really do the whole trick-or-treating thing in our house. We did for the first year or two, but then I looked around and noticed how everyone is VERY into the scary part of this holiday. And scary when you have children under the age of 14 is just not a cool thing. When Jacob and I go into Wal-Mart or Target (that's almost a daily occurrence in this house!), he points out all the skeletons or monster-type things and says, "Look, they have scary guys." Basically, if it's scary, gross, yucky or something I would have a heart attack if I rolled over in bed and saw it laying next to me, I have trained Jacob that it is scary and that we don't like it.

So, what does the March Family do for Halloween? We get dressed up (only non-scary costumes, of course) and go to a Harvest Festival. It's even better than just plain, old trick-or-treating if you ask me. There is food (yummm... Brunswick stew...), games, moon bounces, pony rides, train rides, hay rides and a petting zoo! And after each activity, the kids get candy. Jacob is still young enough that he doesn't know the difference, so this may get harder as he gets older, but it's become a tradition and we're sticking to it. Quite honestly, I was getting tired of opening my door to see teenagers (and usually rude ones at that) in regular clothing asking me for candy. And after they would leave, I was usually left praying that I was nice enough and gave them enough candy that they wouldn't come back later and smash my pumpkins!

Happy Halloween - no matter how you choose to celebrate it!



That's the cowboy, Jacob, tipping his hat and saying, "Yeehaw!"


Jacob walking in the parade at pre-school.


A better view of the cowboy "riding" his horse.


There goes the neighborhood!!! The boys with their two friends who live down the street.


Daniel, the dragon, and Jacob, the quarterback (Broncos, of course!!!)




Still working on that whole standing & walking thing!

Down on the farm

I can't decide if I am grateful for the summer we are still having or if I wish that Fall would hurry up and get here. There just seems to be something wrong with going to the Pumpkin Patch when it is 82 degrees outside. Don't get me wrong, the weather is beautiful, but I am having a hard time preparing for the upcoming holidays when I'm still dressing my kids in shorts!

Jacob had been asking about going to the Pumpkin Patch for at least two weeks and this past Saturday, we finally went. It didn't take us long to pick out the "perfect" pumpkins for us. Before we did the hayride to pick out our pumpkins, we got to see a pig race, shoot corn cannons and visit animals in the barn. Needless to say, Jacob had a blast doing all of it!



This was the name of the aisle where we parked. Jacob actually remembered it when it came time to go back to the car!


That, my friends, is a squeal of delight!






Daniel helps Daddy pick out a pumpkin for him.


Jacob shows off the pumpkin he picked.

The party is over

My 28th birthday has come and gone and I don't feel any different. Don't get me wrong - this is a good thing!!! My birthday was totally awesome - complete with many birthday wishes, kisses and wonderful presents. Dylan followed his list to a "T" (yes, that's right - I said list. How else do you expect him to get me exactly what I wanted?!?!?) Daniel even attempted to help me blow out my candle on my cake - super cute! But, Jacob actually succeeded in helping and I think he was even more excited than I was that we got to have cake. You would have thought it was HIS birthday...

So, this past Saturday, we headed up to Carter Mountain Orchard for some apple picking with my parents. It was crazy busy, but hey - we were all spread out on a mountain. Once we headed up the mountain (no, really - this time we had to literally hike UP the mountain to get to the section where we were allowed to pick), you really couldn't tell that there were hundreds of other people there. Jacob was too cute. When we got to the top of the mountain where the apples were in abundance, he started pointing and screaming, "I see the apples! I see the apples!" Daniel was a little confused about what was going on until we gave him an apple to hold onto. He must have worked on it for at least 30-40 minutes and in the end he had finally bit off a tee-tiny piece.

Anyways, here are some pictures of what a family having fun looks like:


So happy to be here - he's been looking forward to this day for a while now.



Hmmm... and what should I do with this?




Yeah... that feels about right!




The guys - doing their part to pick the apples.




Enjoying the "fruits" of their labor. Hahahaha!




I love this life!!!

Ready or not, here it comes!

Ok, my friends. Now is the time to panic. I will officially be 28 in less than 2 hours. Wow... getting closer to the big 3-0 every minute. I'm actually looking forward to my 30th birthday just because it is a big deal and I am hoping someone (hint, hint...) will throw me a big ol' party. The only part I am not looking forward to is actually being 30. There's nothing wrong with it other than the fact that I will no longer be able to say that I am in my 20s. You see, I am used to always being the youngest person in the room. Everywhere. It doesn't matter where I go, I am usually the youngest. Especially at my Moms groups. More and more women wait until their 30s to start having kids, so for me to have 2 kids at 27 is a rarity. But, I am already starting to realize that as you get older, you not only, well... get older, but you also get replaced. Yikes!!! Why didn't anyone warn me of this???

Oh, well - on the upside of all of this, at least I will probably be the youngest Mom at Jacob's high school graduation. Plus, if everything goes as planned, Daniel will be off to college and the house will be empty (sniff.. sniff.. waaaaaahhhhhh) when I am at the ripe, young age of 44. Pretty rockin' if you ask me. Dylan and I will still be in our prime and maybe we will finally get to take that dream vacation to Hawaii by then. (Yes, my dream, not his.) Actually, if I am doing my math correctly, 17 years from now (when Daniel is in college), we will be getting ready to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Wow. Sounds like a perfect reason to take the most kick-butt vacation ever!

And the countdown continues...

Don't panic. Whatever you do, don't panic. You still have 24 hours to find the perfect gift. Well, ok. I'll give you 48 hours. That will still get the gift here before midnight, so technically you will still be on time. Oh, and in case you are wondering: No - cash is not a tacky gift and is gladly accepted. Just kidding (well, ok, not about the cash part). Just wish me a happy birthday and I will be, well... Happy!!! It just makes me happy when people remember it's my birthday.

Oh, and just so you know, I have successfully trained Jacob for his future girlfriends/wives. They can thank me later. (Mostly because since Jacob is only 4, I'm assuming that the majority of these girls probably don't even know how to talk yet.) Anyways, back to the reason they will be thanking me... Jacob called Dylan after preschool today and after he was done talking to him, he gave the phone to me. Dylan and I were talking and I heard, "Wait, Mommy! I forgot to tell Daddy..." So, I handed Jacob the phone and he says, "Daddy, you need to buy Mommy a cake, a card and a present for her birthday. We need to do that." Keep up the good work, son.

For you early bird shoppers...

Please have this shipped to my house no later than Saturday, November 27th. Thank you in advance for my lovely Christmas gift. Oh, and I'm sure my neighbors thank you, too!!!!

Play that funky music...

If you don't like to listen to the music on my page, well, that's just too bad. I can't help it if you have bad taste in music.

Totally kidding!!! Hit the pause button, silly - the music will stop. =)

Just another Saturday around the house

Dylan is off golfing with his former boss right now. Yes, I know he has a rough life. Just kidding - he did let me sleep in this morning so that was awesome! Right now, the boys are taking naps (well, Daniel is asleep and Jacob is still trying to see what kind of stalling tactics he can use to avoid sleeping) and I am just waiting for Dylan to come home. I need him to help me out with a few things around the house that only big men with big muscles can do. I think the rest of the day will probably be spent cleaning. Not fun. Very necessary, but not fun.

I keep doing a mental countdown in my head of how much time I have left before it will be time to decorate for Christmas (yes, I said Christmas, not the holidays - don't even think of saying Happy Holidays to me. I'll have to save that conversation for a different post.) Anyways, after this weekend there are only 6 weekends left before it will be time to make my house look like a candy cane factory. Some would even say it looks like a candy cane factory exploded all over my house... I do a HUGE candy cane theme - gets bigger every year - and Dylan doesn't like it. I love it! In fact, I think I may even love it even more because Dylan doesn't like it. hahaha. (Click here for my reason on doing a candy cane theme.)

Next weekend we will be going to the Apple Festival at Carter Mountain, so at least we will have that to look forward to. Mmmmm... drool... Mmmmm... oh, sorry. I was thinking about the yummy apple pie I will be baking from all the apples we will be picking! =)

It's crunch time, people!!!

Ok, you guys have officially less than one week to pick out the perfect birthday present for your favorite person. No, not that person - I'm talking about ME! For those that are close to me, you know that I LOVE my birthday! I love telling people it's my birthday, I love getting cards in the mailbox the days leading up to it, I love everything to do with my birthday! I think the main reason is because it's MY special day and I don't have to share it with anyone. (Well, that is until I found out that it is the same day as Bill & Hillary's wedding anniversary - and yes, I did just throw up a little bit just thinking about that!)

So, other than looking forward to my birthday, not much has been going on around here. Oh, I guess I did forget to tell you that two days after the layoff, someone stole my iPod out of my car. I always lock my car (well, now I can only say that I lock my car 99% of the time), but I was deathly ill and I was unloading my car after a trip to Wal-Mart. Anyways, I had my hands full and I just wasn't in my right state of mind. I must have forgotten to lock the car and someone took advantage of that. It makes me so MAD to think about it even now, two weeks later. Oh, and on top of it, we discovered a HUGE cigarette burn inside up on the roof liner. The thugs must have done it while they were looking for more loot in the back of my van. Hahahaha - joke was on them because all there was back there was a stroller and some Christmas decorations. (Yes, we like to prepare for the holidays early around here. And when I say we, I mean me.) Anyways, we filed a police report and are now going to begin the lovely process of dealing with our insurance company. The sad thing is that I was going to let it go when it was just my iPod. But, I refuse to drive around with a daily reminder that some low-life was in my car and couldn't keep his grubby little hands to himself.

So... other than some suburban crime, things around here have been going pretty well. I participated in a VERY successful consignment sale where I was able to unload the rest of my baby gear and the majority of our 0-12 months clothes. I am actually able to see some of the floor in our attic now after all of the clearing out. Wooohooo!!!

I have really been enjoying my free time in the evenings. I still catch myself looking at the clock at night and thinking, "I need to hurry up and finish (insert whatever activity I am doing) so I can get started on my work." This is usually followed by a hysterical laugh. Especially when I think about how the poor schmucks that work in the office at my old job are now having to do all of the work I used to do. Yeah, you know - the work that they used to complain about if they had to help out even a little bit. No, I don't feel sorry for them and no, I don't miss working. Money, now that I miss, but at least I have my life back and I sincerely believe they couldn't pay me to go back to working the way I was. It's so nice to be in bed before midnight. =)

And the hits just keep on coming...

This morning started off as a rough day... I woke up sick (Yuck - I hate this time of year when I seem to have a cold once a month!) and it was so hard to roll myself out of bed. But, when Daniel starts calling (I should say yelling) for me, there's no denying that the day must begin. The boys had breakfast, played together and then Daniel went down for his morning nap. Jacob laid in bed next to me and watched a movie and let me take a "Mommy's sick" nap. (Yes, I know - no Mother of the Year award for me today!) Then, it was time to get showered and go for my weekly allergy shot. I had one of my breakdowns in the shower (still trying to be able to think about my Grandmother without having a total meltdown.). I am just holding out hope that one day, I can think about my Grandmother and just have one or two tears roll down my face. For the past year, it's been nothing but ugly crying whenever I think of her. And I do mean U-G-L-Y crying - it's not a pretty sight.

I gathered myself back together and we all piled in the car to go to the doctor's. We didn't make it far before I had to turn around and go back to the house because I was just feeling so bad that the thought of sitting in a waiting room for 30 minutes after my shot was just more than I could stand. So, we came home, had lunch and I attempted to put the boys down for a nap. An hour into my failed attempts, my manager from work (I work part-time at home) calls me. Uh-oh - that's never good news any way you look at it. She usually only calls me when she has extra work for me to do. Well, I only wish that's why she was calling. You see, today the company was doing budget cuts through layoffs and unfortunately I was on their list to be let go. Yeah. (I found out later tonight that they had let go a total of 100 employees and one of them was my former boss, a VP, which explains a lot. I always said that as long as he was working there, I didn't have anything to worry about as far as them cutting my position out. Woops...) After 7 years of working there, they decided to let someone go who can run circles around anyone that is paid full-time with benefits. Doesn't really add up to be a savings in my mind, but whatever.
Of course, this phone call was followed by a panic attack - I've never had one, but I'm pretty sure that's what I experienced. (Unless you think that sitting on the floor of your kitchen and hyperventilating is normal.) All the while, I was praying. Praying (and crying) to God and telling Him I will not waver in my faith, but I don't like what is happening. Having faith doesn't mean I have to enjoy everything that happens in my life. It just means that I will continue to place my hope, trust and life in Him.

I am so conflicted with feelings of joy and relief (I HATED working!!!) and feelings of panic of how we are going to manage without my income. But, I know that God knows what he is doing. It was getting to the point where my job was taking priority over other things in my life and that is not how I want to live my life. I want to have my time with God, take care of my family and house. I was not doing any of this (at least not well...) because of my work commitments.

It is not going to be easy (mostly because I was not in control of this decision), but I know that somehow we will get by. I can't imagine the budget getting any tighter than what it was before, but I know how faithful God has always been and I know that this will only bring us closer to Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11"

I thought that this was my verse for 2006, but I am becoming convinced that ya'll can just consider this my life verse. Well, that one and "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2. That's certainly not an easy thing to do and I'm not saying that I always remember to do it, but it does keep me grounded during tough times and lets me know that through this trial, I will somehow find joy. It reminds me that I just have to keep pushing through so that I can look back and find the joy from the other side.

Ok - enough of being down. Now that I have lots of time, I have lots of things to do! =)

As promised - the cutest preschooler ever...

This was his first day at preschool, but it was really just a "meet & greet" with his teacher for about 90 minutes. So...




Here he is going off for his first full day at preschool!

Lots of exciting new beginnings!

Jacob had his first choir practice at church this afternoon and he really enjoyed it. Dylan will tell you that he only liked it because he got to color for some of the time, but I know how much he really enjoys singing. Besides, I have to put him in choir now while it is still cute. I have a feeling I'd have to drag him kicking and screaming if he were fourteen instead of four. Besides, Dylan is just upset because now he will actually have to pay attention (& possibly enjoy it - uh-oh!!!) when the kiddies perform during a church service. Oh, yeah - and put up with me taking pictures at the same time. :)

Besides starting the children's choir (which, by the way, is called the Weejoicers - is that not the cutest thing ever?!?!?), Jacob also starts preschool on Tuesday. He really did not require preschool as a two or three year old since we are involved in two Moms groups at church that allow him to be in a pre-school-type setting. Add that to being in Sunday school, there just was no need to give him more social/play time with kids his age. Plus, if you have met Jacob, you know that the child does not need any more opportunities to socialize. If you think I talk a lot, imagine me... as a four year old.

I know it will be a big change for him being away from me and the house three times a week for four hours each day, but I also know he is going to have a blast. I hate the fact that we have to pay for preschool for him just to adjust to being away from home, but since he will most likely be going to Kindergarten next year, it was now or never. I would think to go from being with Mommy day to spending six and a half hours at school each day would be pretty scary at that age. Besides, if I'm being honest... I am SOOOOOOO looking forward to the break. It will be good for him and me!!!

And, yes - I will be posting the cutest photo ever of a preschooler's first day of school later this week! :)

It's Football Season, Baby!

Last night was the start of the NFL Season and I couldn't be more excited. Ever since I was little, I have always been a huge football fan. Of course, back then, the Redskins were my team. That's one of the first things I remember about spending time at my grandparents house - me and my Grandpa downstairs watching football and him trying to teach me the Redskins fight song. Good grief - I just sang it in my head - I think it's stuck in there forever!!!

Now, I am a Broncos fan. Ok, and I'm also a Peyton Manning fan. I mean, come one... have you seen that man throw a football lately? And don't even get me started on his SNL appearance and his commercials - Hilarious!!!

Maybe the Broncos will actually do something this season. It hasn't been all bad the last few years, but Cutler better prove himself this season. I'm STILL mad that they pulled Plummer. I know Jake wasn't always getting the job done as far as winning, but he was still doing better than a rookie. Oh well - can't go back now. Hopefully letting Cutler play those last few games has helped to prepare him for the season. Only time will tell... Besides, somebody has to start being a long-term star for the team so I can get a new jersey. (Jacob seems to have confiscated my McCaffrey one - oh, well, it actually fits him better than it does me now.)
Hope you guys enjoy the football season and oh, yeah...

Go Broncos!!!!

The boys

Well... Jacob is officially 4 and I am officially feeling old! We got his 4 year pictures (along with Daniel's 9 month pics) back last week and he has turned into such a little man. His relentless questions and conversations just keep increasing by each day. He has his last tee-ball game this Saturday and other than a coach who should have never volunteered the time he didn't have to begin with, it has been a great experience for him. He loves being outside and doing any type of sport. I'm really hoping he will stick with sports as he gets older.

And don't even get me started on Daniel... he's sitting, babbling (my favorite word he says is mama of course!), eating everything in sight and dragging himself across the floor military style. I keep trying to get him to keep his belly up off the floor so he can really start crawling, but I guess when you're as big as he is (30 1/4 inches and 23 lbs.), it may take a little longer for him to get moving. Besides, I'm not really looking forward to him being completely mobile. Once he starts walking, it will be official - no more babies. I'll just have to be sure to slow down more often and enjoy them while they are still little.