celebrate peek a boo

Jack playing peek-a-boo

This picture makes me so happy.

Jackboy has a new obsession with chairs and must sit on them whenever possible. He spends most of his day climbing on and off chairs, figuring out how to carry his toys onto the chairs, running his cars off of the side of the table, sliding off of chairs, climbing onto tables (NOT okay, I inform him) and pound anything against the table. I'm not sure where he came from, but when I see him across the table it's like he's a little boy. No longer a baby, but a boy. 

When I rock him at night I hold him a while after he's fallen asleep, just because he looks so precious. And still. (Did I mention he moves a lot during the day?) This era of littleness will not last forever and I can't believe how fast it's already gone. 

This was him last April. I can hardly believe how much he's changed and the person he's developed into. Can't wait to see more!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. Not my favorite holiday, not gonna lie. But fun just the same. We celebrated by eating delicious donuts, shared some writing and ate salmon, asparagus and cheesy mash potatoes for dinner. Dinner with a kiddo has changed dinner permanently. That's okay. Jack ate noodles and refused salmon OR mash potatoes. (What?!)

My man was a gem and cleaned all the dishes for me while I laid on the couch. (THE best valentine's day gift EVER.) We watched Parks and Rec, had some good laughs and I fell asleep by 9.

I'm tellin' you, people, V-Day is not my fav. 

Thankfully it's not John's either.

We simply celebrated each other and the little family we have. 

Day well spent.

We awoke this morning singing this song around our home all morn.

stillness

 

The weekend came to an end too quickly (been saying that since about 7th grade) and another week has begun. The retreat was insightful, inspiring, and relaxing. It wasn't much of what I had expected, but is life ever? I did get a bit of reading in, slept by myself, and managed somehow to not really think about naps, diapers or binkies. When I got this picture in the morning, my heart melted with love. These two faces bring such joy. Jack is such a mini-John. I love it.

The speaker talked a lot about resting and pressing pause on the busyness of life. Sometimes I feel like I need to press play a little more and get my rear in gear. No, but seriously, I was reminded once again how each one of us is different and that's what partly why life is as adventurous as it is. If we were all the same type of person, where would the dynamics flow from? I'm thankful for every ounce of dream-goals I have, but also so thankful for the days when it's just about being still with Jesus, enjoying the little things and embracing the moment. And perhaps a good song and/or movie.


I'm thankful for my little family and the mountains to return home to. I'm so thankful for time spent away and stories of life in others countries. But it's good to be home and man, it was incredible to stop at Sprinkles (for a friend) and Yogurtland (for me) two things we don't have up here in our 1990's-esque city.


++


After a late drive home on Saturday evening and after Sunday morning church, John and I braved the trek down the mountain once again to go to my parent's to watch the Superbowl. It's always been a sort of holiday for us. My dad enjoys the game, sleeps through halftime and we eat way too much queso. That being said, it was worth the trip and the chicken sandwiches were delicious.  

Jack, obviously, was very into the game. He kept us entertained with his other cousins. He is cracking me up lately and full of personality. Today I was having a playdate (at this age, they should probably rename them mommy-dates) and we were envisioning the future and when all our kiddos start talking. Oh, man. It will take playdate to a whole new level, I think. Or we'll just send them outside to play. 

My sister and her boyfriend Caleb. We were really into the game, if you can tell.

John was actually watching the game. Jack and I were all fun and games.

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On Monday my mom and sister played hooky and we went out to breakfast for my birthday (which isn't until tomorrow.) It was delightful. We went to our personal fav, La Grande Orange and ate a delicious and healthy breakfast while Jack played with his trucks.

and then Jack got tired. Like really sleepy.

My mom and sister. Are they not beautiful? Seriously. Maggie's eyes are magic!

A mom and her daughters

So, we returned to Prescott yesterday and all is well. Spring is around the corner and the cold weather has left us for now.

"So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is strong."

jon foreman "your love is strong."

a change of pace

I think I have a love/hate relationships with Mondays. Unlike most peeps, Mondays are our Sunday and John is home. All day. I love it when he's home, I truly do, but sometimes I get a little...agitated? Am I alone in this? I love having him here, to eat lunch with, sit with, talk with, be with, go out and do things with, but sometimes it gets a little crowded. I guess I'm just used to my routine. And so is he. Sometimes we clash a 'lil. Not a lot. Sometimes it's just better to do separate things for a little while.


Monday morning began with a trip to the donut shop. A local place just opened and we are trying to support them the best we can. It has little to do with the fact that we love a good donut and there is no Dunkin's in Prescott. Oh, wait. 



I have great memories of my dad getting a dozen donuts for us from Jolly Pirates on Saturday mornings. Sometimes we were allowed to go with him and pick out our favorite. I can still see the box on our kitchen counter and how quickly they were gone. 

that's me with my brothers and dad. Not getting donuts, but spending a day at the farm.

After the donuts were finished and Jack had eaten his oatmeal (because, that's right, we were not so nice parents and didn't get a donut for Jack. He didn't even reach for one or anything! He loves his routine too, apparently, and was perfectly happy with his oatmeal.) Jack I went to the zoo with my dear friend Mattie and Cougan. John was amazing and put a new faucet in (one that may or may not be the right fit) and enjoyed some alone time. My man digs some alone time (who doesn't?)

Cougan and Jack. Looking so grown up.

probably Jack's favorite part.

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this last week i fell in love with/became a little obsessed with instagram app on the 'ol iphone. It is so much fun. If you are on there, let me know. My username is melled. almost all of these pictures are taken using instagram.


1. a different view

taken on the way home from church. Jack barely made it out of the parking lot. I carried him inside and tried to balance a sleeping toddler and the phone. Love that kiddo.

2. looking up.

taken at the zoo.

3. abstract. here's for some serious honesty: i do not know how/care to take abstract photos. i looked at all sorts of abstract examples and this is the best i could come up.

driving home from bible study. baby at home with dad. the Beatles blasting on the radio. the Land Crusier is on empty.

4. Hair. this is Jack, almost every morning when he eats his oatmeal. Today I left him alone with it for a little bit too long.

 

5. Half. In the Old Navy dressing room enjoying the 50% off 50% off sale. It.was.awesome.

This contest is both challenging and fun. I'm diggin' it.

the visit from the flu

These last few days have been a little rough.

It was the first stomach flu I've gotten since having Jackboy. I knew it would be rough, but man, I wasn't expecting that. Praise Jesus Jack isn't nursing! I don't know how a mama could nurse AND throw up--perhaps one right after the other! That would be a doozy.

So, we've made it through. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's gone through both John and I and we are praying Jack steers clear. It's nothin' to mess with.



Monday, my mom and I spent the day cleaning John and I's condo down south. We were getting new renters in there and needed to turn it around...quickly. We deep cleaned like nobodies business and the place looks fabulous. It was one of the hardest yet most rewarding days ever. My mom is incredible at getting a job done. I hope I inherited half of that zeal.

I did, in the midst of feeling pukey and napping off and on, finish season 3 of The Office. I think it's my favorite season so far. It's kind of hard to laugh when you feel nauseous (am I right?) but somehow, Michael/and or Dwight got me to chuckle almost every episode. Well done. Truthfully? I don't care for Ryan the Temp. Why is he on the show so much anyway?

And so glad the flu is done with too.

p.s. I feel like like my prayer to learn how to adjust this year is already being challenged. Oh, boy.