Easter Events

Jeremy and I finally had Easter at our house again this year (we skipped last year because we had a dirt backyard and that didn't seem very fun for the kids to "find" eggs in). I was determined to be ready early this year! No more of this last minute stuffing eggs with candy, still cooking when people got here, nothing out and set up (aka people hunting for silverware, cups, plates, soap for the bathroom).
I warned Jeremy the entire week leading up to Easter, "Don't make ANY plans for Saturday. You are going to be getting the yard ready for Easter."
It worked! He didn't make any other plans except to clean the yard. He even mowed the yard Friday! That's not like him! I thought surely he was trying to finish the yard early so he could play softball or something Saturday night, but nope, he was just on the ball!
Good thing he mowed the yard Friday because it rained all day Saturday! It made for pulling weeds easier though! However, at one point, it was so bad that we had to go eat lunch at Barro's while he waited for the downpour to stop. When we came out from lunch, it was sunny pretty much for the rest of the day.
I had to get on his case a few times for playing catch too long with Andrew or sitting on the patio chair too long. (This is 'too long' in my definition, of course, which probably means longer than 2 minutes). I know, I'm a nag!
Jeremy completed everything he needed to do with a few hours to spare! I, however, did not complete my chores. But, in my defense, I was waiting to mop the floors until Sunday morning so the yard had time to dry out a little - I was trying to avoid dog paw print marks on my floor.
Everything worked out though! We had the food ready, plates, cups, silverware, bathroom stocked, patio chairs/tables set up and ready to eat by 3:00 (which was our goal). It was amazing! I was actually able to enjoy Easter and not run around like a chicken with my head cut off because I didn't prepare.
We all had a good time and the food was yummy! The only bummer of the day was Brad broke his collar bone playing with the other boys! That was terrible for him and we all felt so sorry for him! Poor kid!
On a funnier note - I was putting together Andrew's Easter basket in my closet while he napped on Saturday (or so I thought) when I hear footsteps appear at the closet. "Hi mommy." his sleepy voice says. His Easter basket stuff is strewn all about on the floor and I jump up yelling, "Don't look! Don't look!" as I try to pile up the toys/candy to avoid him seeing anything. I run out of the closet and close the door, but I was pretty sure it was too late.
I tell him that daddy has been waiting for him to wake up so he can help him again in the yard and I usher him out front. I finally sneak back upstairs and finish assembling his Easter basket, hide it good, and go out front.
I'm curious to see if Andrew saw anything so I ask him what he saw and he says, "Star Wars toys," (yup) "I saw a movie." (yup). I ask him which movie he hopes it was and he says, "Madagascar. Or Madagascar 2, but I saw that it was Kung Fu Panda." (yup and bummer that it wasn't one he hoped for).
So, he thinks that mommy and daddy get him toys in case the Easter bunny doesn't come. When he opened his basket Sunday he kept asking, "Is this from you or from the Easter bunny?" So, he thinks the chalk, baseball bat and balls, and candy are from the Easter bunny and the toys and movie are from us.
But, he was really excited about the Star Wars toys and he said, "you are the best mommy!" so it was nice to get credit back from the Easter bunny! Hahaha!

Long Anticipated Update-I'm Sure

It's been awhile - I know! I've been wanting to blog a lot, but I'm having problems with my cheap camera and it doesn't seem very fun to post about stuff if I don't have pictures to go along with it.

Jeremy did a great job on his last post, but I thought I'd add some pictures of the fabulous dinner he made. Orange chicken, brown rice, and egg rolls. Yum!

Here's the desserts I made. Chocolate covered strawberries and sugar cookies.

On February 28th, we headed up to Globe for an Alumni baseball game. I had a great time watching this game as I've never seen Jeremy play baseball before. His back was really messed up, but he still did a good job! He started out in right field, but was soon moved to pitcher. It was great to see him pitch and I thought he did a great job!

Here's an interesting behind-the-fence shot of Jeremy pitching to Josh.

OK, now what's new? I am coaching Andrew's soccer team this season. It's actually fun! The kids are good! 7 out of 9 have played at least one season and they are awesome! They really know how to play defense and they are pretty good at keeping the ball in bounds. That's a drastic difference from Andrew's team last season.

We've finished our backyard and as soon as I can get the camera to work (or buy a new camera), I'll take pictures. It turned out great! Jeremy owes his friends BIG TIME for all the help they gave him throughout the process!

Jeremy is in a Monday night basketball league and another softball season is starting on Saturday. That'll keep us busy along with work, church, preschool, and soccer.

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

This is an official hi-jack of Kara's blog.

Last week in review

Saturday Feb 14.

AAhhh Valentines day. There's nothing like running to Fry's in the morning while Kara's at the gym to look for something.. anything to get the love of my life something so thoughtful and sentimental that it would just melt her heart away. HHmmm - melt - chocolate melts - she loves chocolate- Reese's miniature cups! I can't believe it took me so long to think of something so precious and meaningful in our relationship. Then I cook for her and we watch a movie. Pride and Prejudice... Garnetski would be so proud of me. (for Non-Globites he was the 12th grade english teacher from Globe that would wear shirts with flames on them half way buttoned down while he stared at mckay, dusty, and I licking his lolipop) It was a good movie and Kara and I had a good time talking with our English accents for the rest of the night.

Sunday Feb 15th

Rise and shine it's time to go teach the youth at our church about hugs and kisses. If you ever wanted to feel like an old man really fast talk to today's youth about why it's better to save yourself for marriage. That's right this was supposed to be a discussion about hugs and kisses and by the end of the lesson I was trying to explain it's not okay for two people who just like each other to get it on. After sunday school and a word from PB we had our usual lunch with the Meskill's and whoever else shows up to eat with us (always interesting and informative my IQ goes up every time I hang out with J & A. Then the highlight of our Valentines weekend . . . Confessions of a Shopaholic, lets just skip the review and move on to Monday.

Monday Feb 16th

Uneventful day at the office. Then dinner at Chili's to benefit the C.P.C.C.F. Ciara Porter Cheer Competition Foundation. She is a great little girl and if anyone would like to make a donation to help her out tell Kara.

Tuesday Feb 17th

Another fun day at work drinking coffee and Rock stars. I think this was the day I went to Globe for a little bit and worked and had some delicious LP's. Then we watched fireproof (see Kara's blog about 2 months ago for more info) it was fun and I especially enjoyed the company of friends.

Wed. Feb 18th

We all show up at the office early to do our cleaning chores and after getting some great instructions I was able to get the toilets pretty clean and now I know why Kara and my mom HATE cleaning them so much.... it's pretty bad. Then we had a study night after work where we all study about surveying to try and gain more knowledge because when this recessions over our company goal is to to be head and shoulders above any remaining survivors!! I probably take my job a little too seriously

Thursday Feb 19th

Office day. Showed up 30 minutes late which really stinks because according to the rules of one of the 30 office bets I got going, I'm at $1 a minute for tardiness. Spent most of the day bidding jobs for prospective clients. "Bidding these jobs is like a game of cards" my friend/boss says as we go over the numbers, this statement becomes much more relevant in tomorrows post.

Friday Feb 20th

MSHA Training day. Now for all of you non miners MSHA stands for Mining Safety and Health Administration and yes an 8 hour refresher course on mine safety is as boring as it sounds. But as usual if you mix in a few antics with a sudoku challenge, it becomes manageable. oh yeah and if any of you ever hear about Talmage getting hurt at the mines don't feel to sorry for him he was falling asleep during most of the Safety Hazard of working at the mines!! Oh and about my good friend Taylor, I guess i need to start CHEATING when I bid jobs because playing the card game Phase 10 is no fun when someone hides all the wild cards under their chair!!!!! P.S. Kimmers i was winning before all the shenanigans took place.

-jeremy

Happy Love Day!

Well, Andrew's last t-ball game is over and I've done my time at the gym. Now I'm relaxing, listening to the far off voices of 4 crazy boys downstairs (yes, Jeremy is included in that).
Last night we celebrated Josh's 26th birthday by surprising him at his house. Mindy did a great job setting everything up and preparing all the delicious Adobo! I am not a big fan of surprise parties, but you only have to endure them occasionally, right? Jeremy and Kyle had Josh at Native New Yorker with the plan that they were coming back to Coolidge to get ready for karaoke with Danny. But, SURPRISE; no karaoke, just a fun-filled night at home with all your crazy family, friends, and a whole bunch of kids! Josh seemed really excited though and his present from Mindy was Rock Band 2 which we all fought over playing all night.
We took Dustin and Christopher home with us to stay the night with Andrew. They came to Andrew's t-ball game and they are now cleaning up the toys strewn all about so we can take them home.
Jeremy is going to make orange chicken and egg rolls for dinner and we'll have chocolate covered strawberries for dessert while watching Pride and Prejudice. I've heard one is better than the other. I'm hoping the older one (1995) is better than the newer one (2005) because that's the one I rented.
Tomorrow we are planning to eat at Red Lobster and see Confessions of a Shopaholic if it works out.
I was just informed yesterday that I have Monday off for President's Day. I'm not sure what to do with myself, besides clean the house, but I'm so excited to not wake up early Monday!
I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day and a great weekend!

New Update - No Pictures

This weekend was a nice weekend. Friday night was spent at Queen Creek H.S. watching JV Basketball beat Higley H.S. We went to support Matt Jones who Jeremy once assisted in coaching. Jeremy was upset when I made him leave before the Varsity game. To my defense, Andrew and I were starving, and I forgot he drove separately. After we were outside and I realized we were in separate vehicles I tried to make him go back in for the game, but he insisted that he wanted to leave. I could tell otherwise though.
Jeremy woke up early and played basketball in Coolidge then made it home for Andrew's t-ball game. We enjoyed the game, of course, but it was a little windy/chilly. Jeremy dropped me off at the YMCA so I could work out and he and Andrew went to pick up Brysen so he could stay the night.
I had a few hours before Mica and Brendon's baby shower so I was able to take my time getting ready, picking out a gift at Walmart and heading over to Kayla's house. That's one of my FAVORITE things by the way - having enough time to take my time. Does that make sense?
I was only able to stay at the baby shower for an hour before meeting up with Selene for dinner and a movie. We shared a pizza at California Pizza Kitchen and saw Paul Blartt, Mall Cop. It was a funny movie despite the waitress at CPK telling us the movie wasn't good. We got some good laughs in and had too much popcorn, candy, and soda (as usual)! It's always fun to have a night like that every now and then!
Meanwhile, Jeremy snuck off to play softball with Josh Porter and fed the boys Long John Silvers and Trail mix to bribe them to be good while he played. It worked and the boys had fun. He had them ready for bed when I got back home. I would've been none the wiser about his softball night except he told me about it.
We headed to the school to help/teach the church kids, then went to service and heard a sermon on Ephesians 5:22-33 just in time for Valentine's Day. Jeremy learned it is 'cheaper to keep her' and I learned that it is, in fact, OK to hit him upside the head with my purse if he even looks at another woman. More seriously I learned that the Bible calls me to submit to my husband, but the Bible also calls Jeremy to love me as Christ loved the church. AKA: unconditionally. Spouses should love each other unconditionally. Not for what they look like, act like, or for who they are right now (what sin they may have in their lives now), but for who God is going to make them.
After service, we headed out to Paradise Bakery for lunch. The food is soooo good! (Not to mention the cookies. Oops I mentioned them). Then Andrew had a birthday party to attend at a park. It was COLD! Windy, cold, miserable. It didn't phase the kids, of course. They just ran around enjoying themselves - snot-noses and all! We adults had a good time huddling together and chatting, too, I must admit. We were better about hiding our snot-noses though.
Once we got home, I couldn't warm up! I changed into sweatpants, a long sleeved shirt, and cozy socks. Andrew was in bed by 7:50 and I finally warmed up about 8:00 and quickly crashed. It was nice to sleep so much! I feel ready to tackle what the week will bring. Which includes:

• four days at the gym (hopefully)
• Home Group about LOVE on Tuesday
• Income Tax filing possibly Wednesday
• Andrew preschool Tuesday/Thursday and Valentine party Thursday
• Andrew's last t-ball practice Thursday and game Saturday
• Valentine's Day Saturday (planning to stay home thus far)
• laundry, cleaning the house, working, all the usual you know.

I wonder if people are going to be staying in for V-day this year... We are leaning toward that ourselves anyway.

Weekend Update

This weekend was a fun one! We had Andrew's t-ball game at 9 am on Saturday. Jeremy ran the London's Run in Queen Creek (10k) so he was a little late, but he made it for the last inning to help Andrew on first base (Andrew's favorite position). I took a picture of Andrew posing before we left for the game. He looked like a little professional ball player - I couldn't resist. It's ironic that Andrew loves playing first base because he's a bit scared of the ball. I think it's the most exciting position so he doesn't get in trouble with us for not paying attention. Also, he really likes to throw the ball back to the coach. That's Andrew's buddy, Josh, next to him. Once Jeremy put the tee all the way up and hit the ball super far and Josh was amazed at the hit. His mom says he tells everyone about Andrew's dad's hit at t-ball.

After t-ball Andrew got to go play at Grandpa and Grandma's house. He talked them into taking him to Walgreen's to buy a toy. He ended up with the toy he wanted and a Power Ranger set. SPOILED (only grandchild). Jeremy and I were able to make it to the gym and to Applebee's before picking Andrew up and heading over to Ridley's 3rd birthday party.

Jade, Andrew, and Ridley as various characters - Power Ranger, Spiderman, Darth Vader/Superman. They had a good time and so did us adults, as usual!

Sunday had Jeremy and I cooking chili for the Chili Cook-off/Super Bowl Party at the church. I made my usual chili and Jeremy concocted a pork green chili. Neither of us won. In fact, I'm not sure who won because I left right after half-time. I wasn't interested in seeing the Cardinals lose. I heard it got exciting, but with the end result of them not winning, I don't feel like I missed anything.

Fireproof doesn't mean that there will never be a fire. It means that your marriage won't burn down because of the fire.

Yesterday Jeremy and I had the chance to have a nice night in just the two of us! Andrew was staying the night with Tess and Jeremy was able to get off of work early. He met me at the gym and then we headed to Walmart for a movie and some stuff for dinner.
We enjoyed spaghetti and watched Fireproof and then had some cookies for dessert.
It was so fun to have that time with him!
Fireproof is a GREAT movie, too! Very encouraging to couples who know Christ, as well as those that do not. The music in the movie was awesome - I remember hearing Third Day and one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs (Slow Fade).
The movie's point was that you will never know how to really love until you understand the love God has for us. A God that sends his only Son to die for the forgiveness of our sins is real love! I know I didn't know how to fully appreciate or love my husband until I had the love of Christ revealed to me. Not that Jeremy and I had many problems before we came to Christ, but I have no doubt they would've arose at some point and we may have found ourselves facing divorce. We will still have problems in our marriage, like anyone else, but hopefully we will remember to turn it all over to God and He can see us through it.

Pre-order Twilight

Click here to pre-order the Twilight DVD from Amazon. The DVD will be released Sat., March 21st according to StephenieMeyer.com.

New Year's Eve

We spent New Year's Eve in Globe at Jeremy's Uncle Mike and his wife Sonya's house.

Erin and Taylor joined us.

Here's Grandma Tassie and Gail.

Here's the prettiest baby ever - Kami!

"Ooooh" "Aaaahhh" "Is the cops coming???" Watching some fireworks out front after midnight.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Day

Well, Santa did make it to our house. Andrew got a stocking full of candy and his Iron Man and Batman toys that he asked for.

This is just the beginning of the piles of gifts he is to receive this day.

Here he is so excited for all the candy!

Besides the pile of toys he opened at our house, here is another pile of toys at Grandma Dawn and Grandpa Randy's house!

Here's Jesus' birthday cake we made for Aunt Kiki and Uncle Steve's house.

Here are the kids so excited to get more toys! (Tess, Jordan, Brad, Aaron, Christopher, and Andrew has his hood on his head).

I should've took a picture of the last stack of toys he received for Christmas, but I just took this picture of his glowing face. I had to buy more toy storage for Andrew's room after this Christmas!

Christmas Eve

I had to work Christmas Eve, but we got off of work at 3:30. I rushed home and got ready for a night out on the town. Kayla and Mindy rented a limo to take us around town to look at Christmas lights. It was a ton of fun!

Andy and Mindy

Donny and Connie

The kids!

Dallas, Kayla, and Kayla's parents visiting from Nevada. This was a surprise to them! They loved it!

Andrew on one of our stops in Chandler.

When we got home, Andrew got to open his traditional one gift (which is always pj's). Here he is as Iron Man in his Iron Man pj's.

Andrew putting cookies and milk out for Santa.

T-ball

Even in our busy December schedule, I decided to sign Andrew up for t-ball at the last minute. He is enjoying it, but he misses soccer.

Andrew swinging at his first practice.

Andrew before his first game.

Andrew's on first base (in the red shirt about to throw the ball home).

After the game he's all smiles!

Church Christmas Production

Andrew's preschool class at the church was asked to help out with the big kid's Christmas Program this year by being the manger scene. Andrew was really excited that he was chosen to be a shepard with his buddy Jade. Here's Andrew as the blue shepard, Jade as the green shepard, Mackenzie as one of the donkeys and Brysen as an angel.

My niece, Tess was the other donkey. Don't they look cute!!!

Here's the chaotic manger scene with a ton of angels! You can kind of see Andrew, the blue shepard back there in the manger.

Here's a little closer look at the blue shepard. Jeremy and I called him Linus - if you remember the Charlie Brown episode where Lucy is going to slug Linus for having his blue blanket during the Christmas Production practice and he wraps it around himself and asks, "you wouldn't hit an innocent shepard would you?"

Iowa Trip

December was a very busy month for us. We started out the month with a trip to Iowa with our friends from church. Andy and Mindy are from Iowa and they go back every December to visit Andy's mom. Margaret and Willie have been going back to Iowa the past 2 years and was going to be going for their 3rd time. Jeremy and I and our Pastor Bill and his wife Kelly decided to tag along with them. The guys' mission was to hunt as much as possible. From left to right: Pastor Bill, Willie, Jeremy, Andrew, and Andy.

Jeremy in his (and Josh's) snowboarding/hunting gear.

Here is Jeremy modeling Andy's mom's cafe hat. This is where us women and kids hung out while the guys hunted. Shirley's Home Cafe. Yummy!

Here are the kids: Abbey, McKenna, and Andrew

Here's Andrew on the sidewalk in front of Shirley's house. If you walk just two blocks down, you're at the Cafe.

Andrew and McKenna playing in the snow in the parking lot across the street. There was more over there then in Shirley's yard.

On Sunday, we took a trip to Des Moines to visit my family. We went to church and then stopped by my cousin Kate and her husband, Ben's house. Andrew loved how much snow was on the ground.

After seeing Kate and Ben's house, we headed to West Des Moines to see my Grandma and her husband John. There was just as much snow there and Andrew decided to make a snow angel.

Here is Andrew with his Granny and Papa John. We had a great time seeing everyone and Grandma made a delicious barbecue sandwich lunch with a cherry cranberry pie for dessert!

My Old Lady

by Jeremy

1. Where did you meet your wife? "Is Ron Craig still here?"

2.How long did you date before you were married? It should have been 19 days this way God would have approved of the 20th day activites

3.How long have you been married? 4.5years

4.What does she do that surprises you? Loves me! Pretty craz babe

5. What is your favorite feature of hers? Cara

6. What is her best quality? organization

7.Does she have a nickname for you? BAAAABBBEEEE

8. What is her favorite food? MY orange chicken (eat your heart out Panda)

9. What is her favorite sport? Volleyball… just like bella

10. When and where did you first kiss? First good one was on randalls perfectly swept front poarch

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Dinner and a movie

12. Do you have children? 1

13.Does she have any hidden talents? Farting; just waiting for you to unhide it

14. How old is she? 27

15. Who said "I love you" first? you did and it was nicely set up in a note

16. What is her favorite music? Christian or death metal

17. What do you admire most about her? Right now I must say the bible reading is pretty impressive

18. What is her favorite color? Pink

Birthday Boy!

Look who's 5 today!

Name: Andrew Dean

Born: December 3, 2003 @ 12:13 am

Buddies: Jade and Patrick

(Shown here at his sleepover this past Saturday)


Favorite character: Darth Vader
(Isn't this an awesome cake?! The Darth Vader head is made out of chocolate!)

He had a blast at the park by our house on Sunday for his party!

Favorite Mode of Transportation: Scooter

(He finally has a replacement for the one mommy and daddy left at the softball field a few months ago. Thanks Kiki!)

Favorite movie(s): Star Wars

(Here he is with episodes IV thru VI. Hmmm, I wonder what he'll get for Xmas?)

Favorite Restaurant: Chen's

(He loves the Egg Drop Soup)

Favorite Dessert: Pumpkin Pie

(That's what he chose for his birthday dessert. We had to swing by Safeway before heading home from Chen's)