Father's Day 2011

Dear Jaime,

On the very first day I met you, if someone would have told me that one day you would be the father of my children I would have laughed in their face (no offense). There you were with your long hair in a pony tail, and a carefree attitude. You seemed like you would be a lot of fun - someone to go to parties with and have a great time. Even then, God had a much bigger plan for us!

The first time I saw you with Jenny, I knew you were a good Dad. Everything you did revolved around Jenny. You played with her, you taught her things, you took her places, and most importantly - you put her needs and wants ahead of your own. It was obvious that she meant the world to you, and you meant the world to her. She was a Daddy's Girl, and she had you wrapped around her little finger. I knew from that moment that one day I wanted a father like you for my future children.

On Jenny's 2nd birthday, you had a party for her. Complete with party games, lots of food, music, and a pinata. You put so much time, effort, and money into her birthday party. I remember going shopping with you for decorations and party favors. Every time you picked something up you would ask me what I thought Jenny would think. I remember staying at your house until nearly 4am decorating the house for the party and helping you put together her Dora the Explorer play kitchen. After we were done, I went home and came back a few short hours later to help put the finishing touches on the party. I remember being there when Jenny woke up that morning, and as she came down the stairs to see the party set-up and her new play kitchen. You wanted me to take pictures of her reaction to it all. Really, what I should have done, was take pictures of your reaction too. You were just as excited as she was, but not for the same reason as her. You were excited to see her so excited. I knew then that I wanted a father for my children who would put so much effort into something for his children.

The very first time Jenny fell on the playground and scraped her knee, it hurt you just as much as it hurt her. Not only because she had gotten hurt, but also because she was growing up and getting old enough to have her first scraped knee. You ran to her, and hugged her so tightly and told her that it would be okay. I knew then, that I wanted a father for my children who would kiss boo-boos and wipe away tears.

Unknown to us, God had a much bigger plan. Here we are, years later, and you are the father of my child. I am so glad! God really blessed me big time when he chose you to be Aiden's father. I couldn't have asked for a better person to share a son with.

I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day. Aiden, Jenny, and I love you "all the way to heaven and back" (as Jenny would say). We are truly, truly blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for all that you do for us, you're amazing!

2011 Reading List

I have finally put together a list of books I plan to read in 2011. I set a goal of 12 books in 2011, but I have already finished the first one and we're only on the 4th day of the year. Haha. I'm sure I won't finish all of them so quickly, but my January book was really good!

The books listed below are all books that I have heard about from other people, and are books that I heard good things about. I have a bad habit of buying a book, and never reading it. So, I will probably go to the library or borrow most of these books.

I also have a list of extra books for 2011. These are books that I would also like to read, and if I finish my 12 main books early, I can read some of the extras. I'm sure that as the year goes on, and I hear about more books, my extras list will probably change and get bigger. I am really looking forward to this year of reading!

January - Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

February - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

March - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling

April - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  by J.K. Rowling

May - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

June - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

July - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

August - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

September - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

October - Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

November - Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

December - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Extra Books - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin, and Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.


There are a lot more I'd like to read, and if I have time I will. For now though, this is my list. I'm trying not to set a goal too high so that I don't stress over not reaching it or being behind on it. I am also trying to watch less TV and spend less time on the computer - reading helps me with that. I don't have a lot of time to do any of those things with a busy toddler running around the house, but I try to make time. I can usually squeeze in a few chapters of a book during nap time (if I don't nap too), and then more reading before I go to bed.

Jenny really loves reading, and I hope that Aiden will love it too when he's older. I try reading to him now, but he's usually too busy to be read to. Jenny would let me read to her all day though. She is my little book worm, and Aiden is my busy body. Haha!

Here's to happy reading in 2011!

Happy New Year: 1.1.11

Well, we're here. We made it to 2011. I know I said I wasn't going to set any New Year Resolutions this year, but I've changed my mind. There are a few areas that I feel like I struggle in and I could put more effort into. One thing I am going to say is that I am going to try really hard for a more stress-free year. Obviously, as the mother of a two year old, my life will NEVER be completely stress-free. However, I do think that stress takes away from the important things in life, and I don't want to miss a moment of Aiden and Jenny's lives. So, here goes...


1. Read the Bible more and grow in my relationship with Christ - I don't think a Christian can ever reach a point where they are done reading the Bible or where they are as close to God as they are ever gonna get. It doesn't work that way. God is always trying to show me and teach me new things. I hope that in 2011 He will use me to do great things!



2. The Love Dare - I have seen a few blogs with couples doing The Love Dare this year as part of their New Years resolutions. The Love Dare is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconfitional love. Jaime has agreed to do this with me, and I think we are both going to learn a lot about each other through this experience, and a lot about where God wants us to be. Don't get me wrong, our relationship is very strong and we aren't having any problems. I think there is always room for improvement, and I think our relationship is worth working on and improving on. :)

3. Read more books -  Last year I read 7 books, and I am very disappointed in that number. This year I want to try to read at least 12 - one book a month. I hope I can do more, but if not, I'll be happy with 12. Right now I am reading "Look Again" by Lisa Scottoline. I have 30+ books on my "to-read" list. There are so many good books out there! I will be posting my 2011 reading list soon.

4. Spend more quality time with Aiden and Jenny - This is something that I try to do daily. Sometimes I get too caught up in the housework or the laundry, and I don't always cherish the moments I have with Aiden and Jenny the way I should. I do think I have been good about playing with them, doing fun stuff, and creating lots of memories for them. But, once again, I think there is always room for improvement in these areas. Jenny is already 5 and in kindergarten, and Aiden will be in school before I know it! I don't ever want to look back on these days and have regrets.

5. Make more time for me - Lastly, I hope that in 2011 I can find time to do more for myself. I tend to put the needs of other people ahead of my own needs, and sometimes that is a good thing. Other times, it's not so good. I hope I can set aside at least 15 minutes a day, where I can get a little break. A break from the housework, the laundry, the diaper changes, the sippy cups, the runny noses, the homework, giving rides to work, etc. Just a few minutes every day where I can sit and do nothing.

Well, those are my goals. Of course there are a few other things I wouldn't mind doing this year too, but these are my main ones. What are your goals or resolutions for 2011? Are the easy like mine, or more difficult? I hope that you all will accomplish your goals this year, and I hope 2011 treats you all well! Happy New Year!