Loving this time of Year

Warm weather, cool evening walks, rain, green grass, gardens, yard work, time with family, time with friends….all these things are so wonderful this time of year. I am very thankful. God has been so faithful and continues to be. I am really trying to cherish each day! I have been filled with so much love for my family. Alex and Dan bring me so much joy. Even if I am tired in the morning (since I am not a morning person) when I go get Alex from his crib he pops he little head up and gives me the biggest smile. I love that so much. With Dan being out of town a lot this month it makes me realize how much I cherish him and what a gift God has given me in him. I look forward to our talks when he comes home every day. We have been married for 5 years this May and my love for Dan grows every day. We had a wonderful time on our anniversary date night in Old Town. Having Grandma and Grandpa live close is such a blessing. I couldn’t imagine life any other way.

We just celebrated Alex’s first birthday. We had a little get together for him. He had so much fun. We did too. It was so good to see everyone. Alex loved watching all of the other kids. I cannot believe he is one years old. As I reflect on this past year, I realize how fast it went. I must say the first few months of his life were hard on me: all of the feedings, being exhausted, not knowing what to do when he cried, being a new parent and a big life change in general. As he got older, I began to not worry as much. We grew into a routine. We started to know and be secure with one another. He became more interactive. I could tell what his cries meant. I began to trust God and rely on His wisdom rather than the world’s wisdom. Alex is a true treasure, joy and a blessing. I am so excited to see what God has in store for his life. I am thankful that the Lord chose me to be his mom.

I hope you this time of year finds you well!! Enjoy it!

Alex and Mommy!

I just had to post some pictures of me and Alex. I am not in a lot of the pictures because I am always the one taking them :)!! (I prefer it that way..HeHeHe...)

Once Upon A Child

Yesterday I went to Target to get little man some summer clothes. I walked out of Target with a few shirts, a couple of pairs of shorts, a couple of sets of pajamas, and a pair of sandals. My jaw hit the floor when the cashier proceeded to tell me the total purchase amount on a measly few items that Alex will grow out of in two months if that! Also the shoes I bought were too small…I proceeded to try them on Alex in the store, but since he is not used to wearing shoes he protested loudly. I decided it would be just as easy to hold up the bottom of the shoe to the bottom of his foot and there you have it…an inaccurate shoe measurement. Talking to my mom later that evening she mentioned I should try to go to a used clothing store. Suddenly I remembered Once Upon A Child! You see, I have been fortunate to not have to buy many clothes for Alex until now. His drawers were literally empty!! Luckily I kept all the tags on the stuff I bought for Alex at Target and the receipt (got to have the receipt at Target). Today I proudly walked out of Once Upon A Child with more clothes, pajamas, and books among other stuff for less than the price I spent at Target. I was able to return the stuff at Target and feel really good that I got such a great deal at Once Upon A Child. I got lots of name brand stuff that looks immaculately clean and also like it has never been worn. The truth is toddlers who are 12 months old don’t usually wear out their clothes or shoes before they grow out of them! Hooray for being thrifty!! I am never thrifty. Once Upon A Child is my new favorite store for Alex’s clothes. The other neat thing is that you can sell back the clothes you buy as long as they are in good condition!! I would encourage anyone to check it out!!

Pinochle Anyone...

Dan, his mom, and I learned how to play Pinochle over Easter. We had a blast. I had a blast because I won most of the time!! Dan and I have been playing this past week and been having a lot of fun. It is a strategic game that really makes you think. It is a nice change from watching TV. I beat Dan pretty bad a few times but now he is starting to get good. I am learning that I am not a good loser to say the least. Once after Dan won, I threw all of his cards in the air (I was mad because he played me and I could not meld some good cards that I had)…needless to say being a sore loser is not a good trait to possess. I always prided myself on not being competitive, I was sorely mistaken. I don’t tell you this because I am proud of it, but because I was surprised by it! With that said I will try to hold it together when playing cards in the future. I have enjoyed the time that Dan and I have made to keep our friendship and marriage strong.

Best Friends Emma and Alex!!

Emma visiting Alex in his stroller!

So Happy!!

Playing...

Emma and Alex are so cute!! I thoroughly enjoy hanging out with Lori and Emma. I had to post a couple of pictures of Alex and Emma playing!! Emma is such a sweetheart, she is so happy and laughs at Dudley. She also thinks it is funny when Alex crawls...or when he does anything!!

Cousins

Melanie and Alex had fun at the park near our house. Both Alex and Melanie loved the swings. Alex loved being in the dry grass and was trying to eat the woodchips in the playground. It was fun to be outside playing in the beautiful 70 degree weather. I am so glad that Alex has a cousin!! They are so cute together. Alex always wants to see what Melanie is doing and join in. He is still at the age where he thinks everything is his and doesn’t know the meaning of the word “share” yet. Melanie looked at me at one point while they were playing with toys and said, “Alex is not sharing.” We then explained that he doesn’t understand how to share because he is too little – try explaining that to a three year old…nonetheless fun was had by all. Alex was tuckered out by the end of the day for sure!! I hope we can have many more times of the cousins getting together to play. We are so blessed that our family lives so close!!!

Happy Easter!!!

Dan made Indian Cuisine for Dinner! I would much rather have that than ham any day!! It was so great to see Dan's mom! It is always a much needed rest when we go to Gunnison. The drive is long but breathtaking. I was just telling Dan how easy it is to take the mountains for granted! They are beautiful!!

I had to get some pictures of Alex in this Easter outfit before he grew out of it. He is too cute. (By the way we took a million pictures and only got a few keepers, let's just say that Dan and I could not be a photography team taking pictures of children-they are too squirmy and we wouldn't get along)!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!