Happy Easter

I love Easter baskets, coloring Easter eggs, but most importantly remembering the cross, resurrection and love of our Savior.
I am reminded of a song every Easter by Ray Boltz called "Watch the Lamb". I love this song. I remember one year at a Good Friday service they did a skit to this song and I bawled. It was so moving.

Watch the Lamb

Walking On the Road to Jerusalem
The time had come to sacrifice again
My two small sons they walked beside me down the road
The reason that they came was to watch the lamb

Daddy daddy what will we see there
There's so much that we don't understand
So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham
And then I said dear children watch the lamb

There will be so many in Jerusalem today
We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away
And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham
And I said Dear children Watch the lamb

When we reached the city I knew something must be wrong
There were no joyful worshipers no joyful worship songs
I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men
Then I heard the crowd cry out Crucify Him

We tried to leave the city but we could not get away
Forced to play in this drama a part I did not wish to play
Why upon this day were men condemned to die
Why were we all standing here when soon they would pass by

I looked and said even now they come
The first one cried for mercy the people gave him none
The second one was violent he was arrogant and loud
I can still hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd

Then someone said there's Jesus I scarce believed my eyes
A man so badly beaten He barely looked alive.
Blood poured from His body from the thorns on His brow
Running down the cross falling to the ground

I watched as He struggled I watched Him as He fell
The cross came down upon His back the crowd began to yell
In that moment I felt such agony In that moment I felt such loss
Till the roman soldier grabbed my arm and screamed
"You Carry his cross!"

At first I tried to resist him but his hand reached for his sword
So I knelt and I took the cross from the Lord
I put it on my shoulders and started down the street
The blood that He'd been shedding was running down my cheek

They led us to Golgotha they drove nails deep in His feet and hands
And on the cross I heard him pray "Father, forgive them..."
Never have I seen such love in any other eyes
"Into thy hands I commit my spirit," He prayed and then He died

I stood for what seemed like years I lost all sense of time
Until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine
My children stood there weeping and I heard the oldest say
Father please forgive us, The lamb, Ran away

Daddy daddy What've we seen here
There's so much that we don't understand
So I took them in my arms we turned and faced the cross
And I said Dear children Watch the lamb

I love Holiday traditions, especially now that I have my own kids. Coloring eggs was SO much fun. I loved the little pouches that came in the kit I got. Gabe was the creative one this year, he wanted to mix the water colors together. Jaden wanted to pile the eggs in the cups as fast as he could and break open and eat all the eggs. Audrey just made faces and supervised.


Easter Sunday we decided to sleep in a bit (as long as Gabe would let us) and go to 2nd service. We arrived a little early to mingle and eat some of the spread they had. The service was good and we headed to my parents to celebrate. We had a yummy lunch/dinner, the kids looked for their Easter baskets and then we all went to a Hockey game. It was a good day spent together as a family!

Found it
Had a blast with daddy at the game
And JadenMan

OH and HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my very kooky sister, Julie!!!

Annual Birthday lunch

Every year my great friend Marcia and I go out to celebrate our birthday's together instead of getting gifts. I love this!
Our guy's willingly and happily stay home with the kids. This year our moms watched the kids cause we went on a Monday.
We went to get pedicure's this year and had lunch afterward.

I definitely look forward to this every year and thank God for a wonderful friendship!

Things I never want to forget #5-#8

5. Gabe woke up from his nap saying that there were crickets in his bed.

6. As I was getting Gabe ready for bed one night he was eating a cracker and he asked me if what he was eating was a sandwich and I said no it's a cracker and he said "ARE YOU sure mommy?"

7. When Gabe wants to sit on my lap he says "I sip or wrap, mommy"

8. Gabe and I were out on a beautiful sunny day and he starts growling and putting his hands over his eyes. I asked him if he was ok and he said "NOOOO, the sun won't stop looking at me!"

Basement Progress

BEFORE
Messy, boring white walls, gross carpet


AFTER
It's still in the works...I would like to get some more decor on the "family room" side, but you need $$ for that. So for now...

Many thanks to Mom and dad who bought us new carpet...it looks awesome!

Office side

Family room side (love the make-shift curtain. Not sure if we're going to do blinds, curtains or both?)

Preggo

I love love love being pregnant!

I can feel my new baby boy moving all the time. Bryan has felt him too, but he usually goes into stealth mode when Bryan puts his hands on my belly.
I can eat whatever I want...and the consequences will all blend in at the end...
I have an excuse for things.. like eating late at night and not exercising.
Everything is itchy and stretchy.
I cry A LOT
My friends would be proud, every time I sneeze or cough I pee a little
I love wearing maternity clothes
My brain has stopped working, but started thinking only of what needs to be done for this little dudes arrival. (We painted and pulled up the rug in the basement this last weekend. New carpet should be in by the end of the week. ((thumbs up))

Gabe was an awesome helper he vacuumed up the nastiness that was under the old carpet.

My favorite things:

These items don't even scratch the surface, but it's a beginning. I think about food A LOT. And it tastes so much better when you're pregnant! Sometimes I lie in bed at night thinking about food, glancing at the clock to double check, "yes, it's definitely too late to go get take-out... and I already ate... hm, yes, it's definitely too late". Having a conversation with myself.. that's always fun. Plump and healthy, that's the look I'm going for..

Any kind of cerealI actually ate a whole box of these in one day

I know I know...BAD, but I have HUGE cravings for Coke when I'm PG. I thought it was bad with Gabe...NO it's worse with this little guy


Sweeeet Tomatoes Salad bar

Up to my knees in paper and office stuff

So, we're in transition. Transition to move the office downstairs, move Gabe into that room and into a big boy bed (was in NO hurry to do this...he loves his crib and therefore I do too ;o).

HOLY MOLY do we have a lot of stuff in our office. I love to organize and throw away stuff, but HELLO when did I start slacking on the filing around here? I don't think I've filed for 3 years. NOT GOOD.

Potty Training update

We had a pretty good week, but he has lost interest and doesn't want to do it anymore. I think we're going to take a break and re-visit it again soon.
Something that my friend Kate said to me in person and in her blog really encouraged me. I tend to get angry when he doesn't tell me he has to go. I don't believe that this experience should be discouraging to Gabe in any way. I want it to be a positive and encouraging experience for all of us. I don't know some might not agree with me and feel like I should push him, but the frustration and anger isn't worth it to me.
SOOOO...to be continued...

I'm officially outnumbered!

Yup, IT'S A...

...Boy! Another boy and a healthy one.
We are so EXCITED and can't wait to meet him.
Now we just need to figure out a name for this little dude.

20 wk pictures

JR High Snowboarding trip

One of the last big JR High events for Bryan. This whole topic is very bittersweet and I'll go into that later, but for now pictures of the fun!
Pictures by the talented Peter Busby

Potty Training

Here we go...

Gabe decided on his own that he wanted to go potty in the potty last Thursday night (02/18) before bath. I was in the other room and I heard Bryan yell "Gabe's going potty in the potty" I ran to the bathroom and screamed "YEA" so loud I scared him. lol
Friday Morning we tried to go again, but he strained and said "It's not working, mommy." We put big boy underoos on and went about our morning. A little later I went downstairs and he had gone in his underwear and on the floor. The rest of the day was shot for trying to work on this due to driving to WA for my Grandma's Memorial.
Sunday morning he woke up dry...I was in the shower, so Bryan was taking care of Gabe and didn't think to put him on the potty after being dry all night. Oh well we'll get the hang of this. Last night he asked to go again and was successful. ((thumbs up))

We're going to take this opportunity to really push and work hard this week at potty training this boy. I can't even tell you how excited I will be if this will work before the baby gets here and we'll only have one in diapers!

Day 1:
Woke up with a wet diaper. Huge fits in the morning. Crying and saying he's not a big boy. Calmed down. Big boy underwear on and making a Potty chart. Went in his underwear. Doesn't seem to care that he's wet yet.
OH man this is hard and we're definitely going to have to get our carpets cleaned after this. This little boy is stubborn and wants to do things in his timing. Going to push through it though!

We had a pretty successful day. About 10 times in the potty which = lots of M&M's and stickers on his chart. Only 4 times in his underwear and on the floor. No #2 today...

Weekend

I have always loved weekends, especially when I was working full time. I loved getting to sleep in when we didn't have Gabe, I love are routine now WITH Gabe, getting to spend time with family and friends, resting, getting things done around the house, being lazy, NOT working etc.
I still LOVE weekends for lots of the same reasons, but now that I'm not working and Bryan is working A LOT, I look forward to the time the three of us get to have together on the weekends. I cherish it.
This weekend has been amazing. I love the tidbits of sun that come out in the winter and just as spring is approaching. It's been beautiful here and I love being outside and the motivation and joy that it gives me.
We started off the weekend driving up to WA for my Grandma's memorial. It was all bittersweet to me. I think that I've not aloud myself to get too emotional about her passing. I think I've buried it up inside and my sister said something about having that childlike thought that Grandma would ALWAYS be around. My other sister said that when we got to the house it felt as if there was a void in there and I didn't feel that way. I kind of felt like she was still there. I could still smell that smell of Johnson's baby oil or lotion that she always put on and the house still sort of looked like it did when she was there. All the things in the right places. She always had little garbage cans in the back room. I showed Gabe this marble game that I always played as a kid.
She was an amazing women, very elegant and proper. She had Nordstrom's clothes and shoes. Her hair was always perfect and she would wear sweat suits to be comfortable.
She was always right about everything, especially politics.
She made us sit at the table until all of our veggies were gone at least she thought they were gone. I could always find this little pocket in the back of my mouth and would excuse myself to the bathroom, spit it out and flush the toilet. I think that she would be proud now that I do eat my veggies and actually like broccoli and asparagus.
She loved to go camping and I loved going with her. She would go camping for almost the whole summer sometimes and always at the same spot.
She loved us grandchildren more than anything.
She would buy us these amazing dresses and take us to the nutcracker around Christmas time.
She was a grandma who would come down to visit and not get mad when they were leaving to go home and I wanted to go with them. We would leave and I would change my mind multiple times which means we left and turned around to go back home, left for WA again, turned around to go back home and left for WA yet again.
She was a Christian and I am glad that she is now at home with the Father and in NO pain. I can't wait to see her again!
The memorial was hard but I loved listening to the family and others talk about her life.

Me and my Grandma camping

After the memorial, reception and dinner with the family we drove home. Bryan had an important meeting in the morning so we couldn't stay. It was great to be with family though and remember my Grandma.

Saturday Gabe woke up at 7:45 and didn't want to get out of bed. He just wanted to stay there, so I took my time getting up and puttered around the house getting laundry completely done and put away. At about 9 I didn't hear him so I went to check on him and he was asleep. Friday must have wiped him out because he didn't wake back up until 11. We got ready, ate breakfast and left to meet Marcia, Keira and Mia at the park. The beautiful weather was very deceiving because it was still very chilly and windy out. I didn't wear a coat or sweatshirt which was not smart, but it was fun anyway.

Lots got done this weekend...again I love that the sun gives me so much motivation.

• Playing outside with Gabe
• Laundry all done and put away
• Doggy poop picked up
• Lawns mowed
• Both vehicles washed and cleaned inside and out
• Bryan had some very successful meetings

Gabe helping daddy mow the lawn

Things that still need to happen ASAP

• Taxes (Bryan needs to finish the business's up)
• Pack up office
• Fix hole in office
• Paint the downstairs
  

18 wks 1 day

Couples who are pregnant together, stay together! ;o)

My crazy, cooky, funny, cute little niece's 1st Birthday

Pals

Summer 2008 and February 2010

15 wks

Ode to the poof

FOREWORD

I, Bryan, Jenny's husband have been asked to pen the following foreword for the Ode to the Poof. It has been my pleasure to wake up to the "poof" almost everyday for the last 8 years sometimes in abject terror and at other times in absolutely hilarious hysteria. I personally, would not change her poof for anything (just stating that as a matter of record.)

The author, Jenny, has written the following Ode to the Poof in order to explain her current state of mind and emotional state whereas it concerns her unnaturally horrifically curly hair that has plagued her waking existence for longer than many would care to recount. The following historical account of titles and pictures is meant to be a humorous, quick synopsis of the many iterations of her hair in its many unfortunate forms for all to revel in the sheer curly freakishness.

Sincerely,
Bryan

Ode to the Poof
by
Jenny

It all started innocently enough in 1978, with a bright future and the hope of straight hair. I would not know the frustration and horror that curly hair would bestow upon me.

Little tendrils of things to come...

and so it begins...

Mom's attempt to tame it with a bow

getting bigger...
the "broccoli stalk" look

the "mullet"

the "WTH!!!!!"

let's try it long (maybe that will help)
the "bangs"

THE END?

FINALLY-Christmas

We had a busy Christmas/New Years holiday this year and although I LOVE the holiday's and fun that come with them I was glad to be back to our normal routine. Now it's time to organize and get the house ready for baby Rogers!

Pre-Christmas
- Lunch and Tree hunting with the fam
- Annual Downtown trip to see Santa (tradition since before I was born)
- Candlelight Communion at evening church
- Family Talent Night (SO much fun)

Christmas Eve

Bryan and his tiny family part 2
I made Christmas Eve dinner - Potato soup with salad and rolls YUM

Opening Christmas Pj's, wrestling, hugs, looking at his hair in the mirror,
Calie's gifts and Cookies for Santa

Christmas

Christmas day was very overwhelming this year. Both Gabe and Audrey were completely overwhelmed and at one point Gabe went down stairs and wanted to be by himself. Bryan went down to see about him coming back up and Gabe told him that he was sad. :(
Overall though it went good and it's always the best time getting to spend Christmas with family.

Can’t stand to eat at home, always want to eat out!

Before getting pregnant I planned meals weekly trying to only eat out maybe once a week if that.

I’m not talking about wanting donuts and fried chicken constantly, because thankfully I do not. However, I can’t stand the thought of eating at home, unless it’s cereal. And that’s not one word of a lie.

Like the thought of cooking chicken or hamburger – Ew. Thinking about eating a salad at home – No thanks.

I’m not sure if it’s the thought of preparing food at home, or just the fact that I am completely tired all the time right now. It just seems so much easier to run out and pick something up, even when I could have been perfectly capable of making it at home. Our pocketbook, however, is not liking this one bit.

Dinner time is a struggle. Nothing sounds good. So funny that you need to eat for baby, but it's hard when the thought of ANYTHING makes me sick.