Visit from Family !!

A few weeks ago we had family visit us !!! My brother Scott and my sister in law Melissa were on a trip to New England with their good friends Larry and Cindy. They drove up to Canada and then all the way back down to Virginia, then back up to Philadelphia to fly back home to Nevada !!! We were so happy that they came the extra miles to see us. It was so fun to have them in our home, and it was so great to see them.

Maddison made sure to show them around the house and she even read a story to Uncle Scott and Auntie Melissa !! Thanks again you guys for coming to see us, it meant so much. Love you tons and see you at Christmas..

Halloween in Virginia !!

This was such a great Halloween because my Mom was here this week. It was so great to have her with us and Maddie just loves her Nae Nae. We were able to take Mom to Williamsburg, which is a very historical amazing little town. Also we went to the Botanical Gardens. We did lots of baking and cooking and got to take Grandma "Trick-or-Treating" with us. Thanks again Mom for coming all this way to stay with us. We miss you so much and it was so nice to have you stay and be so comfortable in our home !! We love you, see you soon !!!


Poor "Little Bo Peep" costume, maybe next year....

Maddie decided 10 minutes before "Trick or Treat" that being a Kitty like Mommy was so much better than being "Little Bo Peep". So instead of fighting her, Mommy put together a very quick Kitty costume, she is so sweet.

Side note: Thank you Andrea for the great pumpkin bag idea, they are so cute hanging on the mantle.

Love ya

Side note #2-- Thanks so much to my Sister Terri and my Niece Lindsay for the leopard print dress !!! It really came in handy when little miss changed her mind. Love you and miss you !!!!

OUR BED IS FINALLY HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM A LITTLE EXCITED

O.k. it is finally here after almost 6 agonizing months of waiting !!!! Here is the whole story (skip to pictures if you wish to not read the whole story). Anyway way back in May we ordered a bedroom set of furniture for our new home. Mind you Jason and I have not had an actual bedroom set in our 12 years of marriage (just something we dreamt about). So we ordered the bed ( Cal-king) special order, and were told 6 weeks Ha Ha. I know you are now wondering why two people as large and tall as Jason and I require a California king size bed, well, we just do. So after the first 6 weeks of waiting the bed comes and it is damaged, so it is returned. After the second 8 week period, the next bed is half way up the stairs and I notice that not only is it the wrong color, it was the wrong bed ( old English something). I was so upset !!

Now here it is October 21st and it is here !!!! I hope you are feeling my excitement and can rest easier tonight knowing Jason and I finally have a headboard to rest our heads on to read in bed !!!

Now all I need to do is put on the finishing touches and find some pillows for the shams. Have a great day !!!

Work in progress.... Maddison's room

Here is a preview of Maddie's room (we are still working on it). I painted her letters and Daddy made the display on the wall for them. We decided not to paint her walls because she could not decide on a color, it changed everyday. The flowers are fun and she loves them.

A day off for Daddy !!!!

Finally Daddy got to take Thursday off and we were so happy to have him with us the whole day !! Mommy took Maddie to Preschool and let Daddy sleep in, then he picked her up from school and she was so happy. After we all had a nap we took a hay ride out to the Pumpkin Patch. It was so much fun and such a great day. We really love the way Daddy makes time with him special. I asked him if he would rather go golfing and he said he would like to hang out with his girls !!! We love you Jason..... and you are so handsome.

Fall is in the air...

Enjoy those precious hours.....

I have been thinking lately a lot about time and how precious it is. Jason and I used to get to spend whole days together, not really doing anything, just being around each other. There was a time in our lives that we were in school together and worked together, and of course lived together. Now I am lucky to get a few hours to spend with him. It is also amazing how having Maddison really changes the time we do spend together.
We knew the first year of residency would not be easy, however I never really thought about how much more time he would be at the hospital versus being home. So when he is home, Maddie and I try to remember not to mow him down with hugs and kisses at the door (truthfully it's his favorite part of the day). And we have managed this last week to make him a peach pie and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that he can take to work with him. I think his last day off was 2 Sunday's ago and tonight is another all night call shift, so we get to see him sometime tomorrow afternoon.
He has sacrificed so much for us, when was the last time he got a few hours for himself, to go golfing, or see a movie or just workout at the gym?? It's funny how we take time for granted. We now really treasure those few hours that we get to be together. I also know in my heart that Jason is enjoying the practice of medicine and that he is really learning so much more, and I am trying really hard not to be so selfish (very difficult for me). I just really miss my best friend... I love you J

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA !!!

To a woman, who is the best wife and friend a man could ask for, a woman who's eye's melt my heart , who's smile lights the room, who's humor brings people to tears and who is the mommy any child would be lucky enough to have. Happy Birthday Sweetheart, I love you with all my heart, J.

Picking apples and hiking to the waterfall

Last Saturday we traveled 2 hours to go pick apples and see the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was so nice to be out in the country and to see actual mountains. We also went to the falls and made it almost to the top of the 2 mile hike before Maddison's legs gave out, poor Daddy carried her all the way back down.

First Day of Preschool !!!

Today was Maddison's first day of Preschool. She was so ready to go and be a school girl. She likes her teachers and made sure to introduce herself to the other kids, very cute.

This picture was taken as I was trying to tell her goodbye. I think I am the one with attachment issues. She had no problem making the classroom hers. What a big girl......

Maddison the Photographer

Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy !! This was our Anniversary picture taken by Maddie. As you can see she almost got it, better luck next year !! Ha Ha Thanks Maddison

Thank you Mom

These are the flowers my Mom sent for our Anniversary. They have made the house smell so good. Thanks Mom and we love you !!!

New Craft room !!!!

This room was completely unfinished when we moved in, but not for long with the best handyman for a husband !! It is now a great craft room for Maddie and Mommy. We can sew, paint, scrapbook you name it. We are so excited. Thanks again Jason, you always amaze me with you skills as a craftsman.

One of my favorite pictures

This picture was taken on our beautiful couch on Saba (Oh how we miss Saba) when Maddison was 6 months old. It is a classic and brings a smile to the face of all who see it. Look at those bellies. It must have been hot that day as they both required head bands. Jason has an amazing sense of humor, how many men would sit for this picture !! And yes I have his permission to post it !!

Happy Anniversary Jason !!!

12 Years... and you are still my very best friend. Thank you for always being there for me and believing in us !!! I still remember the tears of joy in our eyes the day we got married. You are my life, my love and my best friend, I love you.

Rollerskating

Maddison is ready for the roller derby !! She loves rollerskating and would not let Mommy hold her hand. So independent. Good job big girl.

Nap Time

Maddison fell asleep at the beach today. She slept for an hour and a half on Daddy's lap. Then when she woke up she swam in the ocean, what another fun day Daddy. Thank you.

Beach time

Yet another relaxing day at the beach !!

Sprinkle Cheese

This is a classic Maddison moment. This video is from January and I just found it in the archive of pictures from Kansas. Jason wanted me to post it because it is really funny and she was fine after we got all the cheese out. I hope it makes you laugh. Maddie and her independence.

He got it done

Our Master Bedroom is painted. Jason (I helped a little) got it done last night and it looks so good. I told you he would not sit still. We are still waiting on our new bed that we ordered in May !! That's a long story. Anyway this is how it looks for now and I love it. And I know you will say the curtains are terrible, (yes they are), they were here when we moved in, and for now they stay so the neighbor's do not get a free show Ha Ha. Thanks again Jason, I love that you work so hard to make me happy. Love you.

Daddy's little helper

Painting time

Well I knew he would not sit still on his weekend off !! So this is just a sneak peek at our new Master bedroom color. The blue is the old color. I am so excited and it looks so nice. The green is a very calm color compared to the blue. Thank you Jason..

Time with Mom

Beach time

We found another beach to explore. The water was calm and Maddie was having so much fun swimming.

A few things I love about Jason

I am making a list of a few things I love about my sweet husband. This has been a very challenging month for us and he has been away from us a lot so it's a good time to remember all the great things he has brought into my life.
---- He is the hardest working man I know (reminds me of my Dad). He never stops going, until he just drops. His work ethic is so important to him and nothing is ever done half way. He never really just sits unless I make him !!
---- He gets more handsome with time (how fair is that?) He is still the strong, handsome, broad shouldered man I fell in love with almost 14 years ago.
----I love his eyes. When he looks at me I still melt. I love that I still get anxious when I know he is on his way home to us.
----I love that he puts Maddie and I first despite how busy he is, and trust me he is busy.
----I love what a great Husband and Father he is. He tells me how the best part of his day is coming home to us (Maddie first of course).

Well that is enough for now. I could go on for quite a while, trust me !!
I love you Jason !! Thanks for being my husband and my best friend.

Little Maddison Moments of Sweetness

I just felt like sharing some of the cute little things Maddison does and says throughout the week that make us smile and laugh out loud.
----- Today we went to lunch after running errands. As we were sitting outside eating and she was watching a woman throw away her garbage. She looks to me and says " Mamma I am so proud of her for not littering !!" That's my girl.
-----She wakes up in the morning just beaming to start a new day. She shouts down to me "I'm awake Mamma is the sun up ?" Then she looks out a window and declares "it's a beautiful day today."
----When she wakes up from her nap she loves to cuddle and needs to be held. These moments are my favorite, when she holds still and is so refreshed from her nap.
----She loves when Daddy comes home and we wait for him on the front porch. She runs to the Jeep to greet him with a huge hug and asks "How was your day Daddy, was it good?" Jason tells me it is the best part of his day.
----We get ready for bed and read books in the rocking chair. I am amazed at her when she reads the book to me. She remembers what each page says. We then snuggle in bed and she tells me that I am her "best friend in the whole world and so is Daddy." I am my daughters friend and I love to hear that sweet voice.

Jason's Cake

( Remember to pause the music to hear the video.) This was the only time we got to spend with Daddy on his Birthday. After working a 30 hour shift at the hospital, (his regular shift plus overnight call), he came home and fell asleep reading his cards. We put him to bed and he slept for 11 hours, woke up for a little bit and went back to sleep so he could be back to work at 5 a.m. on Monday. The life of a first year intern !!!!

We love and miss you Daddy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY !!!

Today is Jason's Birthday and he is coming home from work soon. He worked all day Saturday and had an overnight call shift (30 hours total) so he will be very tired today. Thank you for working so hard Jason, this month has been so rough on all of us but especially you !! We hope you love the German Chocolate Cake that Maddie and I made for you !! We love you so much !!

Blueberry Pancakes !!!

The little baker has returned !! She has really been helping Mommy out in the kitchen. We made blueberry pancakes for Daddy on Saturday. She gets so excited to make something she know Dad will love. And Daddy never said a word about the eggshells in his pancakes !!

Beach time

Maddie loves to play and play in the sand. The beach we found was very private and clean. There was shade and calm water to swim in. The ocean is only an hour and a half drive from our house and it helps make up for the fact we are so far away from Kansas and Nevada.

Beach time

Daddy took us to the beach on Sunday !! What a perfect day and very much needed. Jason has been working 15 hour days and this was his only real day off for a while. Maddison had such a great day and we hated to drive home. Thanks for a great day Jason, we love you.

Garden Time

More time at the Gardens, we love this place. She watches the water for turtles.

More garden time

A few weeks ago we went to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Maddison sat still long enough for Mom to get her picture. She is so darn cute.

The Potty Talk

This is another priceless Maddison moment. We just get a big kick out of her and how she loves to talk. For those of you that don't speak toddler, I hope you can hear what she is saying. She decided the other day to take off her pull-up (big girl diaper) during her nap and then some pee pee happened to get on her crib sheets. We are doing great with the potty training, but there are days where she helps us too much. We are also working on her sleeping in her big girl bed and not in her crib, however we choose to take on one step at at time. She is just growing up too fast. Remember to pause the music to hear Maddie talking.

Scissors !!

Maddie is using scissors for the very first time !! She was so excited.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Maddie. She is always outside playing and you can't tell but she has a bare bottom. The second she gets outside the bottoms come off. My Mom said I used to do the same thing !! Too cute. She is our little nature girl.

Eat in Kitchen

I am slowly getting the idea of this blog stuff and I have to thank my friend Andrea for getting me started. I love her blog page and she has some great ideas, so I am sure she won't mind if I borrow some of them from her!!!!
Here is our eat in kitchen area, and we spend a lot of time here. And yes I know the plastic covering is still on my chair cushions !! I am trying to keep them clean for as long as I can.

Front porch

As you can see we have planted lots of flowers. Virginia has a great climate and the flowers I love do very well here. My porch swing is still sitting on the porch, we are trying to decide where it should go. We love to sit out here in the evenings and talk about our day.

Entry way

Here is our red dining room and entry way.

Playroom

I am posting a couple of pictures of our home now that we are settling in. This is one of the front rooms of our house and we put most of Maddie's toys in there. She just loves having her own quite little play room.

Happy Father's Day Daddy !!! Thank you for loving us and being the best Father and Husband in the whole world !!

He did it !!!

Jason Graduated from Saba University Medical School on May 31st 2008 ! We are so proud of him. All of his hard work and dedication to make his dream come true. It has taken years to get to this point, he is going to be a great Doctor.