Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Last week Scott celebrated his 38th birthday! His birthday fell during the middle of the week but we didn't want his special day to go by without celebrating with him even though he had to work. We sent a special box of chocolates to him at work and he came home early enough to have dinner with us and some cupcakes. The girls each gave him a "Daddy's Girl" frame with their picture in it for his office at work and the cute cards they decorated for him.

I just want him to know how much he is loved and appreciated in both his roles as husband and father. He carries a lot on his shoulders but never seems to show it. We know that our family is his greatest joy. He is loving and loyal. He is my rock to lean on and I love him more than words can say.
To the girls, he is daddy (a.k.a. the tickle monster)...the one who loves to have them in bed with us, the one who wants to hear all about their days, he is their protector, he is the one they go to for piggy back rides and I know he couldn't love them any more than he already does.
We know how hard he works so that I can stay home with the girls and we are beyond thankful for all that he provides. He is patient and isn't quick to get angry. He loves us completely and whole heartedly...just as we are...


We love you Scott....completely. Happy Birthday!!!

Super Bowl 2010!!!

We had our annual Super Bowl Party on Sunday February 4th. We had a great time! It amazes me that we were able to accomodate approx. 16 adults and 10 kids. The game had the Indianapolis Colts vs New Orleans Saints. The Saints won 31-17. Apparently it was an upset but I wouldn't really know much about that kind of stuff. :-P

Now, in order to help with planning for next year, I want to make a few notes. We ordered a tray of wings and a tray of chicken fingers and a big order of french fries from The Office. The chicken fingers were all gone. We definitely should order more next year. We made this new chili recipe (from the Neelys) and it was super spicy. If you like spicy, you'll really like this chili. We also served 2 trays of pineapple wrapped in bacon and 2 trays of pigs in a blanket. There was also our usual crudite platter, cheese and crackers, guac/salsa and chips. For dessert, I ordered 10 football cookies and 10 football mini cakes from Natales and we just had an extra package of chocolate chip cookies. We definitely need to order more football mini cakes in 2010...everyone loved them and we could've used more.

It was just a great time hanging out with friends and family. We really enjoy having the opportunity to open our home and spend time with these special people. It's nice to see new little babies and also see how much all the kids have grown. Our youngest guest was little Jude Vandenberg at 6 weeks old. It takes a lot to get ready and set everything up to accomodate that many people in our home but its well worth it.

Looking forward to 2011!!!

The Strain

Well, I am starting to feel the strain. It happens sometimes where I feel I have a lot on my plate and it seems like nothing is getting done well. There is the itch to reorganize and declutter the whole house too. We have upcoming parties which I really enjoy but they do cause me to stress out too. I wish I was more laid back sometimes. I keep reminding myself at the end of the day that there are much worse problems to have and we all have those times where we feel like we aren't "together" or just "behind". Yes, I do wish my basement didn't look a tornado went through it or that all my laundry was done and put away or that there were no stacks of paper anywhere etc...but for now I'm just going to reflect on what I am thankful for:

~ A wonderful husband
~ 2 wonderful daughters who teach me so much about myself - they bring me pure joy
~ A warm house
~ Food to Eat
~ Healthy families
~ Good books
~ Hot Cocoa
~ Warm blankets
~ Hot Showers
~ Rose

...and that's just a few things. I need to remember what my priorities are in this season of my life. They'll only be little for such a short time.

Lauren ~ 21 months

Dear Lauren,



You will be 2 years old in just a couple of months. Time has flown by so quickly. You have really shown us how two siblings can be so different. You love your "jesse". It is so sweet to see you get upset when Jess goes to school. You genuinely miss her and can't wait until we pick her up.

You have such a fun personality. This is a wonderful age to watch you grow. You've got the family laughing all the time. You have a beautiful smiley face but you also have a very serious pouty face. You used to scream all the time but it's gotten a lot better now that you can say more words. You love to try to do things yourself. You want to put your socks on yourself and try to put your pants on yourself. You'd usually rather climb stairs yourself than be carried. You even said the other day while putting on socks "I do it m..self." You love putting on shoes - yours, Jess' and even mine (mommy). You love to dress up and dance with Jessica. You love your babies and are really starting to care for them. You feed them and put them to bed. I think babies are your favorite thing to play with right now. You're quite the helper too - like taking the groceries out of the shopping bag and bringing each item to me and when we get ready to leave you bring everyone their shoes and coats...you'll always say "here ya go". You have so many words now. You seem to understand so much which has been so helpful. When we say "I love you" you respond withh "achoo". We know what you mean. :-)

We haven't started potty training you but you don't like to have poop in your diaper. You'll always run to tell me as soon as you've done your #2 and you want me to change you a.s.a.p. You usually say "poopy...eeewwww" or "stinka".

At bedtime, you always ask for "pray" and "tinkle" -- Mommy will pray with you and then sing twinkle, twinkle little star. You usually sleep all night in your bed but sometimes you wake up crying and we scoop you up and bring into bed with us.

We've just started doing a little "time out" discipline with you. When you get frustrated you sometimes hit and maybe even try to bite. It's usually just Jessica and mommy that gets the brunt of that behavior. You're learning though.

Your favorites:
Book: Big Red Barn, Going on a Bear Hunt, I Can Do It
Food: Bacon, grapes, avocado but you eat lots of things
Toy: Babies

You have way too many words to list out I think. You even tell me in the morning whether you want to wear a clip or headband.

We are working on teaching you shapes and colors and we practice your counting all the time (especially climbing stairs).

Oh and you love Elmo!

You're our little bear and you love to cuddle and be held but you also have a strong independent spirit. You have blessed our family in so many ways. I am so thankful that we were able to give Jessica a sister. I hope you always remain close. We love you so much. :-)

Jessica ~ 4 years and 8 months

My Dear Jessica,


I had to be very clear when I wrote your age in the title. If I ever say that you are 4, you always like to correct and say you are 4 1/2. Now 4 1/2 doesn't seem as accurate. In a couple of months you will be 5 years old. This is a very big milestone for you! It's a very special birthday. I can't believe you will be 5 and starting kindergarten next year. The new school year is still a ways off and I still can't help but think how quickly it is approaching. It feels like just yesterday that we brought you home to our apartment in West New York. Here you are now, a big sister now and you are growing so beautifully.

You recently started taking gymnastics classes and you love it. You love to dance too. Those are your favorite things in the whole world to do right now. I recently bought a cd of classical ballet music for children and you always want me to play it so you can dance in the living room. You've even told me that you want to have a ballet birthday party. We'll see. :-)

I want you to know how much I love our special moments together. You might think those moments revolve around big events. But some of the special moments I never want to forget are when we cuddle up for our stories at bedtime, enjoying watching a cooking show together, baking together, playing board games together and when you come in our room in the middle of the night to snuggle. My heart melts when I see you and Lauren playing so nicely together. I hope that you always remain best of friends. Lauren always like to copy everything you do. I know that is a big responsibility sometimes. You always look out for her and try to protect her. It makes us (mommy and daddy) so happy to see the love you have for her.

Since the day you were born, your smile lights up a room. You are so happy. You certainly have your moments of poutiness but you have grown so much in this area. You are very sensitive but still very strong.

You bring us so much joy and we can't imagine our life without you. We don't know what plans God has for you in your future but we feel so privileged and honored to be able to guide you, watch you grow and just enjoy who you are each day. We love you so much cuddles.

Questions to Jessica:

1) What is your favorite color? Pink and Purple

2) What do you want to be when you grow up? A ballerina

3) What is your favorite thing to do? Ballet and gymnastics

4) What is your favorite book? Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly and Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

5) What do you love most about Lauren? I love that we like to play together.

6) What is your favorite thing to do with your family? Love going to the gym together and when we all cuddle together

7) What is your favorite food? Pancakes, yogurt...and a little candy :-)

8) What is your favorite toy? Daddy Lulu (Wuwu)

The New Year ~ 2010

I wanted to take a moment and just jot down some thoughts on the upcoming year. The new year brings the feeling of a clean slate -- being able to start fresh. I really don't like the idea of resolutions. However, I do have areas where I want to work on in my own life. It's a process though. I strive to achieve certain things as a wife and mother and sometimes I just get in my own way.

Here are some of my best intentions for 2010 :-) :

1. Watch TV less - both for myself and the girls. It's so easy to put on a show when I want to get something done but in the end I know it's not the best thing for the girls.

2. Spend more time trying to document family activities, mom thoughts, photos ~ whether it's blogging or scrapbooking or getting photos into albums. I really want to at least some of the things I've started. I also want to do more journaling b/c I want to remember the little life details and just my thoughts on the joys and stresses of being a Mom at this stage in my life. I want to be able to have the girls look through all sorts of albums w/ written details to go with the pics. It truly is a priceless gift to our family.

3. Opening up our home more to friends and family. This is a tough one for me. I always feel like the house needs to be 'just so' when I have company and most of the time it's 'just not'. I want the girls to learn to care for their home but not to be bound by housework either. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. It's more important that our home just be a warm and welcoming place for friends and family to gather. This actually leads into the next item...

4. Gotta keep cooking more! :-)

5. I hate to add exercise to the list. It's so cliche. I'll just try harder and take it a week at a time.

6. I'm interested in trying to read the bible in a year. It's only January 2nd and I'm already behind though so I'm not sure how that will go. I really hope to do more reading too.

I'm sure I could go on and on about things I want to try to learn or accomplish but I also have a 4 1/2 year old and a 1 1/2 year old and they are my priority. I need to find the right balance of everything. It's a challenge for most moms. I just want to be a good example for the girls.

Well, I guess that's it for right now. New Year ~ Fresh Start!
"Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it..." ~ Anne of Green Gables

Thoughts on Christmas Planning

I just wanted to write a little note to myself to help me with Christmas plans for next year...just things I want to remember for next time.

1. Plan ahead what to put in the advent house -- a few too many last minute marshmallows in 2009 :-) Maybe there are slips of paper with a 'craft of the day' or a good deed for the day.

2. Incorporate an advent wreath in our home

3. Give Christmas PJs the day after Thanksgiving.

4. I really liked starting the new tradition of opening a gift on Christmas Eve of a book(s) and an ornament. I already purchased the ornament for the girls for 2010. Try to remember to take a photo of them with their ornament and books. I wish I did that this time.

5. Purchase a little tree from Michaels right after Thanksgiving for Lauren's room.

6. Purchase another 6' Canadian Christmas tree from target to match the one in the dining room.

7. Plan ahead and purchase ahead of time materials for more Christmas crafts. Definitely purchase another wooden ornament for the girls to paint. I absolutely love Jess' angel ornament from 2009.

8. Try to make the handprint ornaments in November. We also want to make a few more of our own ornaments in the coming year.

9. Don't purchase the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. Decorate everything else that weekend but wait to the following for the tree.

10. The stockings need a little repair. Pull them out early to spruce them up.

11. Talk to the girls about a gift for Jesus and review the Samaritan's Purse catalog. Continue to seek ways we can help others.

12. And the usual...try to wrap earlier, ship gifts early, start shopping in October etc...

13. Plan gifts that the girls can make for grandparents.