Letting go again....First day of SK

This first day of school was way better then last for me. I do remember though standing at the counter making his ham sandwich and thinking to myself. As he gets older and moves up in the grades the harder it is going to get for him. The bullying starts, Using curse words, etc. Is he going to fit in? His he going to be good looking? Are kids going to tease him. I had a million and one thoughts go through my mind.
And all of a sudden my heart began to break.Jacob is going to get hurt. He is going to come home crushed some days. I don't want to see that happen. I am in love with the innocence that he has and his friends have. But as much as I don't want to see him get hurt. I can't keep it from him. Because that is how we learn. we go through the fire to we can be transformed. I just need to remind myself that I need to be here for him. To embrace and comfort him.
not to my surprise at all. Jake walked into the gated playground with his head held high. Looking for his friends. He found them and then he was gone. Jacob is a strong, brave little man. Ready to take on the world. Or at least SK!

Letting go.....First day of JK

It's not so much that I am worried about him. It's just that I am going to miss him. He was at the front of the line to enter the school holding onto a little boys hand and was already having fun.
He didn't notice the tears that I was holding back. He just smiled and walked right on in. No fear, No worries. Just a new adventure. One that he is ready to embark on.
Now its my turn to encourage, cheer him on and wave a little good-bye. And to learn to let my baby boy grow up. And hopefully to realize that my main goal is to raise my children to not need me anymore. To be self sufficient, Strong and brave. and courageous. I spiked his hair and dressed him up, prayed for him and sent him on his way. Do they know how much we really love them??
Letting go.............Bit by bit..... I am letting go.

A little story I had to share.

On family day this year we went to a friend's house. And Our son's went out side for a quick play. As we were sitting at the table drinking a warm cup of coffee I looked out the window, and noticed that my son was climbing the hill outside attempting to drag a G.T up the hill. I sat back and smiled watching him take a few steps and then take a seat. Then stand up and keep dragging that thing up the hill. He was struggling. But he was strong, he was persistent and was determined to make to the top of that hill. A year ago Jacob would have been very frustrated and probably would have given up, but I was watching this 4 year old boy climb. I could not tell if he yelled for his friend Eli or not, but Eli showed up and came down to Jacob to help him the rest of the way. He carried the heavy load for him, and then they both got on and drove down the hill. Jacob was not upset that he did not get the front, but was content letting someone take the drivers seat. and he enjoyed the ride.

Our burden’s weren’t meant to lay upon our shoulders for a long period of time. We were meant to ask for help, and to receive the help, and to climb to the top victoriously. And then Allow God to take the drivers seat of our lives. And hop on and enjoy the ride.

Life’s struggles can be overwhelming at times and hard to shoulder. But remember to keep getting up, and keep being strong. And ask for help. And then Give control to him. For he cares for you.

I would rather be in bed.

This is how our morning looks like on a regular basis. Thomas gets up and runs at 4:30 a.m to be home for 6 a.m when the first little critter crawls out of bed.( Chloe ) He comes and closes our bedroom door so I can sleep in till 7-7:30 a.m Our second little Critter ( Jacob ) awakens anywheres between 6-7. Depends on how loud Chloe is. Cartoons are on and kids are fed by the time I am up. Most of the time Thomas goes back to bed until 8:10 a.m cause he was up so early. Then he heads off to work and then it is just me and the kidlets.
But.....A morning like this morning is what shows me that I am a very selfish creature. I don't want to get up at 6, but I had to because Thomas had to leave for work by then this morning. I don't want to hear demands and screaming and fighting before I even crawl out of bed. I like quiet in the morning. Not happening in this house. And then you make one piece of toast and run out. So Jake gets mad. Cause he wanted 2 pieces of toast. Then I pour the milk into the cereal bowl for Chloe and find that indeed that was the last bag of milk. So what's left for breakfast for me. ( Coffee ) and maybe a bruised banana.

So what's my point??? I am selfish! And I am trying to allow God to change this in me. I don't want to be snippy at my kids, cause I would rather be sleeping. I don't want to snap at them saying will you just give me a Minute so I can at least get out of bed. I need to learn to die to self. I need to learn that I need to go to God first thing in the a.m please Lord help me to remain calm and give to my children right now. Even though I don't want too. Give me a smile on my face and a joy in my heart. Cause Lord I would rather be in bed.

5 a.m to line up for swim lessons. CRAZINESS!

You know you love your kids when you get up @ 5 a.m to go get in a long line up at the Y.M.C.A to register them for swimming lessons. Do my kids know that I was running a fever last night and coughed all night long and felt so sick to my stomach the whole 25 min drive this morning?? No they do not. They did not even notice that I was gone until I walked back in the door @ 7.am.
I love the fact that my 2 kids feel secure. That they feel they can depend on us.
And no....we may not get a huge thank you for sacrificing our time, our energy and our sleep etc. But seeing there smiling little faces and leg squeezes and kisses being blown through the air. is enough for me.

Thin crust pizza with ricotta and mushrooms

Today's is my favorite pizza that I make at home. We are a huge pizza family. So please enjoy this yummy recipe.

Ingredients needed:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for baking sheets
• 2 whole-wheat sandwich wraps (12-inch)
• 2 ounces Asiago cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• 2/3 cup part-skim ricotta
• 1 package (10 ounces) white mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

• Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Brush two rimmed baking sheets with oil, or for easy cleanup, line with parchment paper then brush with oil. Place one wrap on each sheet; brush with 1 teaspoon oil.
  2. Sprinkle wraps with Asiago, then dollop with ricotta. Sprinkle with mushrooms and onion; season with salt and pepper.
  3. Bake pizzas until crust is crisp and very brown all over, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating sheets from top to bottom and front to back twice during baking. Cut in half with a pizza cutter or knife; serve one half per person.

I cannot take credit for this recipe its a Martha Stewart one.

I want adults to be kids.

Well I was given a nudge this morning by my 4 1/2 year old on the way to school here is how it went.

Jacob: I wish adults were kids too mommy.
Crissy: Why is that?
Jacob: cause I want adults to be kids.
Crissy: Why do you want adults to be kids??
Jacob: I just want our family to be kids?
Crissy: Why do you want mommy and daddy to be kids?
Jacob: So you can play with me.
Crissy: Do I not play with you?
Jacob: no....well you played a game with me yesterday.
Crissy: but I don't play enough with you?
Jacob: no.
Crissy: Well I guess that is something that I am going to have to do more eh?
Jacob: yes mommy.

I do have to admit that it made me a little sad, But I am using it a gentle reminder. Our kids are great at letting us know what they need. I can find myself leaving the two to play with each other, and I also can find myself doing chores or cooking or doing errands all day long. So I told myself today.....STOP and be a kid. Laugh, act silly, roll on the floor and leave the chores. Because before I know it, it will be too late. They grow so fast. I need to enjoy them now there will always be dishes, and cleaning and errands. But my kids will only be small once.
So, thanks Jake for the reminder. Love ya buddy.

Food filled Friday.

Since I love cooking, I thought that I would share some of our family favorite recipes every Friday.
Today's choice is home made perogies. I just made some for tonight's dinner. yum, Yum.

Step one: Dough- Mix 4 1/2 cups of all purpose flour and 1 tsp of salt.
Step Two: In a separate bowl combine 1 cup of warm water, one cup of milk, 1/2 veg. oil.
Step Three: Mix wet into Dry mixture, and only stir until it all sticks together. DO NOT OVER STIR.
Step four: Let this dough sit aside for 15 mins.

Filling
Peel,and cook and mash 5-6 medium potatoes and set aside. Shred 1 cup of Chedder Cheese, 1/2 cup of Fried onions, and a 1/4 pound of bacon. Cooked and chopped finely. Add of this to the potato mixture. Set aside.
Step five: roll out your dough on to a well floured surface. using a large round cookie cutter or glass. cut perogies. Place a blob of filling on the edge and fold over and pinch around the edges. Place on a waxed covered cookie sheet and place in the frezzer until frozen then transfer into a zip loc bag.
This makes around 50 perogies. Great for a couple of meals. When ready to cook. Just boil a pot of salted water and cook perogies until they float. Enjoy with fried onion and bacon and sour cream.
Enjoy!

Three things I love about... my home.

1. It was our first home that we bought together and its brand new!
Thomas and I never thought in a million years that we would ever be able to afford a new home at this age. But we just happened to come across the bill board in the small town where Tom works and where he lived most of his childhood years. We were looking at house after house for a couple of months. And they were going to require a lot of tender loving care, and for more money then what this house was. So we bought it just by seeing the floor plans. There was no model to look at and to top it off we bought over a year in advance. But it worked out perfectly.

2.I love my kitchen
For those of you who know me. know that I love, love, love to cook and entertain. I have LOTS of kitchen appliances and gadgets etc. So when we moved here. Tom got an extra addition to the kitchen. my pantry. Which I am So very grateful for. All of my cupboards and large square pub style table is a maghoney color. Which I adore. And my counter space is divine. This is my favorite room in the house. I am so honest when I say this. I was in the kitchen baking pies, cookies etc. every day for the first few months. I was addicted to my new kitchen. It was the first room we painted and Thomas did a back splash too. He is SO a keeper!!!

3. The size of our basement. We have an almost 1500 sq ft. home. So you can imagine the size of the downstairs. We are in the process of finishing it and there is plenty of room. with lots of storage and a kids playroom. Can't wait to entertain in it.

Me want a benoo.

Jacob made me laugh so hard this night. Hence the shaking of the camera. He has always been able to communicate quite clearly what he wants, when he wants it. This has been interesting and challenging at times. He is so very independent and has been since he a wee one. Likes to do things on his own and gets frustrated when he can't complete it. He is a strong willed and determined and a stubborn little fellow. And does not back down. These things that were once a challenge. Are now turning into something that I admire about him. We butted heads a lot and still do, but I am learning to get to know who Jacob Thomas Hesch is, and who is he going to become. I am so looking forward to seeing what type of man he will be.
Enjoy the clip.

Convo's With Jake.

Jacob and I have a date morning every Saturday. We mostly go for breakfast. So I wanted to share some of our conversations. Getting in the head of a 4 year can be simply fantastic.

Our last Saturday morning as Jacob was taking a bit of sausage blurted out he wants to be a fighter when he grows up. Here it is.
Crissy: You want to be what when you grow up?
Jacob: I want to be a fighter. You know with gloves on.
Crissy: You want to be a boxer?
Jacob: sure.
Crissy: Well do you think that mommy would want to see you get hurt like that?
Jacob: Oh I won't get hurt. I will punch him and then run behind his back so he can't get me, I am super fast.
Crissy: Well if that's what you want to do maybe we can get you involved in some sort of self defense class. Would you like that?
Jacob: Yes, Yes, Yes.

Funny thing that I must share and what caught me totally off guard about this particular conversation with Jacob is that when he was in my womb We was always punching me and kicking hard and I told Thomas that he was going to be a fighter when he grows up. I also had some old gentlemen approach me in zerhs once when Jacob was 2 and he looked down at Jake and said he is going to be a fighter overseas. Now I don't want my baby to go to war.
But funny eh......Who knows.

19-20 Part one

this next chapter is very hard for me to explain. It was one of the hardest years of my life, but one of the most beneficial. I learned a lot about who I was. I learned a lot about who God was. I acted out a lot, yet it made me lean on God.

Bible college for me was a time where God stripped me naked and then started to clothe me piece by piece again. Man I don't even know where to begin.

My friend and I drove out West, we took the long route through the states. SO COOL! As we were leaving it was the perfect setting for a sappy chick flick. It was raining, and as we climbed in the van packed full of our stuff. Heather puts in a homemade tape given to her and I look out the window to see the one that had my entire heart for the last two years. As the tears streamed down the window and also my cheek, the song played in the background. I will remember you. What a perfect setting to leave it all behind.The boy, the parents, the job. and move on to the next chapter.

I told myself that I wanted to grow this year. I wanted to Give everything I had to God. I was not going to date, just focus on God. I was entering into a Missions course, and at the end of this course we would be going to China. How exciting. I could not wait.

Lots of stuff happened throughout this year. I am only going to focus on two major things that effected life forever.
First one. I had to write my testimony for one of my classes. I sat down and thought and thought, but nope nothing came to mind. I never experienced with drugs or alcohol. So I was never "saved " from anything. I tried at least four times to write the stupid thing, and came up with nothing. Then......One afternoon as I was walking by my professors office, and he yelled for me to come in. So I sit down, and he told me that he was awoken at 3 am the night before and I was on his mind. He felt like God was telling him That Crissy needs to forgive someone. What??? I told Bill that there was no one that I had to forgive. I was not fighting with anyone. I listed off all of my friends. He said he didn't know anything else, just that I needed to forgive someone, and I needed to pray about it. So I did just that. I began to pray that God would show me who this person is. And then BOOM one week later, by the way my paper was late, cause I had nothing to write about. I was awoken at 3 am and all of a sudden my mother popped into my head. But God I said aloud I am not mad at her. What do I need to forgive her about. And It was like this huge wave came over me. You need to forgive her for all of the abuse and the hurts that she put you through.

This seriously knocked me off my feet. If I was not already laying down, I probably would have fallen. For some reason it was like I heard this news for the first time. It was so odd. I don't think that I have thought about abuse in years. I was 20 now, and all of a sudden I started to bawl. God brought me back to a place of hurt and betrayal. and I was overwhelmed. What now God?? What do I do? How do I forgive her? This is your testimony Crissy, write about this. I heard. write about how I was there for you through all of the suffering. So the paper that was so hard to write flowed from the tip of the pen in less then an hour. I was in tears the entire time, but it was so amazing to write it all out. To get off my chest. and this was the very first step, was admitting that I was abused. It was around 5 am and I had to type it out, and I ran down to Bills office and slid it under the door. Phew....I remembered feeling a peace. until I was sitting in the class room a few hours later and Bill saying that we were going to stand up in front of the class and say our testimony out loud. kinda like a presentation. I almost filled my pants. I wanted to run back and grab my paper back and try and muster something else up. But it was too late. I wanted to die. I remember saying to God in my head. "Your kidding me" I can't tell anyone. I never once uttered a word about my past. NEVER! I was so terrified. And I also had no time to prep. It was that afternoon, that we were going to do it. I was instantly sick. My tummy was in knots. But I did it. I got up and in front of 50 people read it aloud. I was in tears and to my dismay half my class was too. After I was done reading it. I looked up and instead of seeing people who were going to judge me were people that hugged and embraced me. I felt loved and I felt at peace. And I felt like I was ready to let go of it all.

Now this next part is amazing. No one can tel me that there is no God. NO ONE! cause he was there, and he made it all happen. Stay tuned.

age 7-13

I was living in Huntsville and was going to the Salvation army church when I decided that I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. I was sitting at the back of the church and marched right up to the front on my own. I obeyed what was in my heart. And I am so very thankful that I did. I felt hope. I used to live at the church practically. I felt safe there. The abuse did not stop right away, nor did the beatings lessen. My mother was still drinking but had a steady man in her life Roy. I loved him greatly. He was like a dad to me. He taught me to drive at the young age of 12. He was a great man. But he shot himself, he had suffered with depression for years. and then had enough one day and took his own life. This was hard on us both. Mom grew even more angry. I attempted to run away this year. My mom just beat the crap out of me and then 10 mins later asked me to get her some coke from the Beakers across the street. As I was walking down the hallway of our apartment building I had this urge to run. Just run I told myself. So I did. I put the change in pocket and ran as fast and as hard as I could. And as a 12 year old girl. I ran to the mall. I didn't know what else to do. I just knew I had enough. To make a long story short....The police found me, and I fabricated a story. I said I was kidnapped. I didn't want her to be angry with me. This story will never leave me. the police officer came into my room and closed the door. He sat me on my bed, while trying walk over the huge mound of clothes and toys piled into one HUGE pile in the middle of my room. You see my mother would get mad and empty out my closet, my dressers. strip my bed and pile into the middle of the room, and make me clean it up. It didn't matter if it took me all night long. So anyways.....He looked at me, and said Crissy If I catch a man by that decreption and we put him in jail, and he really didn't do anything wrong he will be in jail forever and it will be your fault. then he touched my arm and asked Is everything alright here at home? Are you safe?

I looked at him, and looked over his shoulder to see where the door knob used to be on my door, and saw her. I saw her eyes peering through the hole looking at me. I was screaming on the inside please oh please take me away. but my words spoke something different. I am fine. I love my home. There was a man in a white care that took me.
He left.....And then she went to go her winter boots on proceeded to kick me. If I screamed she hit me harder. the rage in her face, was something I could never explain. Why was this women so angry? And then a short time after...I am sorry, I love you, Please forgive me. And then things would be fine ( for awhile.)
I wish that I could rememebr some of the good things. most of the stuff I remember is the bad. So it makes it hard. I do remember having coke floats and watching movies. going for long bike rides, fishing, boating. but Most of all I remember the pain. I remember her drowning my cats in the bathtub, wrapping it in a garbage and making me take it to the dumpster to dispose of it. I can't even count how many times that happened.
this same year.....When I was 12. I tried to kill my own mother. She does not know this, but I tried to put rubbing alchoal in one of her drinks in hope that it would kill her. She just tasted it and said it was bad and threw it out, and of course it would not kill her. But I had it in my head that I wanted her to die. Sad I know. But true. This year was my breaking point. And I know without a doubt that God does not give us more then what we can's handle. Because when I was 13. She beat me again, and honestly something inside of my snapped. I went crazy. I started kicking and hitting and yelling back, and from that day on. She stopped. She never layed a hand on me again. Was it cause I fought back? Or was it cause God knew I was done? I could not take another moment of her hurting me like that. So I believe with my whole heart that God allowed a great change in her. this was the begining to new things.

Do I take the time?

I believe that sometimes I rush,rush,rush and don't take the time. Take the time to do what?? Do I take the time to listen? really listen? Am I so consumed in my own life and creating my check list for the day that I rush right by opportunity's? Do I know how to love others? Do I show that I love others? Do my friends know that I love and value them not just because I say I do, but by my actions? Do my children know that I love and value them, and not just because I say I do, but because I show them? Does my church family know that I love and value them? Not because I say I do, but because of my actions.
Do I stop, and listen?
Do I wrap my arms around them?
Do I forgot about my own agenda and check list?
Do I help where I can?
Do I hear a need and say oh I will pray for you ( again words) or do I try and help with my actions?
Am I living out my love? Am I living out my faith? by my actions???????
Huh.....A thought to ponder.

Early years.

I was born in Kitchener Waterloo, Ontario. I was 7lbs7oz. born at 11:07a.m. My mother said I was always happy and smiling. I only cried if something was wrong. My parents were married at this time, but divorced when I was 18 months old. Both of my parents were alcoholics. I lived with my mother, and I saw my father on rare occasions. Always on our birthday. That's right... We shared that in common. Sept 16th our birth date. I have a half sister Peggy. I don't ever remember her living with us. Nor do I have any memories of her. We are 15 years apart. She left home to live with her dad at the age of 15. My father got remarried and had a son. So I also have a half brother I did not know his name. He is 9 years younger then me.

My mom and I moved around a lot. I counted how many different schools I attended I believe it to be around 16. I almost failed kindergarten because I did not know how to share. But they passed me, but I did fail grade two. This was the year that we received a phone call from a women saying that my father had died in a car accident, while drinking and driving. I remember coming home and seeing my mother in tears. But we did not go to the funeral and we did not see any of my dad's side of the family ever again. This same year My sister stopped visiting, and disappeared. The letters that we would send would come back to us. So all contact was lost. It was just my mother and I. Forever. No relatives to be heard of. My mother came from a orphanage so she did not have any family.

Life as I knew it was different from all of my friends. I grew up in a home where the one and only person I had in my life physically abused me. She was to be my protector and safety net. I loved her and hated her all at once. I wanted someone to take me away. but the thought of loosing her killed me. For who else who I have? I used to sit in the window and cry wishing that my dad was still alive, then he could rescue me. But no, I was left there alone to cover the bruises.
Not only was abuse part of it, but she was very strict. I was not allowed sleep overs. rarely allowed to go to friends houses. Not allowed to go to dances, hang out with boys. join a sports team. except what she wanted me to do. like bowling. Or swimming. I had to do everything with my mom. I believe that I was her only friend. this was hard. hearing and seeing grown up things. dealing with grown up problems. All I ever wanted was to just be a kid. no worries in the world.
As a child I hide things very well. I was very sly. I began to steal from my friends and money from my mom. I used to lie ALL the time. About everything. I used to lie because I was afraid. I lied so I would not get into trouble. I would lie to protect my mom. Lying became a huge apart of who I was, and became very natural. I started getting very aggressive with my friends. if they did not listen I would hurt them. and then threaten them to not tell. I was a sweet little blond haired angel on the exterior and a hurting angry girl on the inside. I used to bite kids, slap my girlfriends across the face. Yeah thinking back. Wow...I don't know how anyone stood being around me.
I used to sleep on bunk beds surrounded by stuffed animals I felt protected. and I would sleep in the midst of them all. Funny thing now though. I HATE stuffed animals and I hate my children receiving them. I immediately want to throw them out. bad memory I guess.
I used to love school, because it got me out of the house. I was not the greatest at school, not because I was not smart enough. I just saw it as a place where I could be social. I think every report card I had, said I talked to much. I was craving for attention from people. School was very much a social place for me.

One day my mother was upset about something I can't quite remember about what. I was in the kitchen and she grabbed a meat mallet and started hitting my arm with it until it swelled up and then tossed me down the stairs to the basement. This was a my place. I always was in the basement playing. And I remember clear as day. God speaking to me. I was about 6 or 7. I was holding my arm crying and asking out loud why?? Why do I get hurt all the time. And at this time I was not a Christian, but I heard God speak to me. He told me that this was not my fault. And the reason why I got hit is because my mommy was hit when she was small, she didn't know any better. So from the very early years of my life I understood I was not to blame. God never allowed me to have insecurity problems or blame myself about any of it.
I thank God that he gave me such an amazing understanding at such an early age. That year I became a Christian.

More to come..............

Tapping into something Greater then coffee in the mornings.

I am by nature not a morning person. Things can go sour for me very quickly. If I let them. Like this morning. I woke up earlier then normal to attack some extra baking tasks for some commitments that I have made. No worries I love to bake. One batch of cupcakes and one batch of rice krispies coming right up. I start. I hear the kids playing. Jake in his room. Chloe with her dad.

Then not even 5 min's later. Chloe comes in the kitchen covered head to toe in toothpaste. Argh. I change her and then again 5mins later she is coming upstairs from the basement that is COVERED in drywall dust and Yes I have to change her again. Due to the white poweder covering her new outfit. I yell to Jacob. Come and get dressed for school. Shoot I gotta make his lunch still. and get dressed. And Yeah I should brush my teeth. So the rush and the frustration level is rising. I come out of Jacobs room to head to the kitchen again to tackle the baking, to see that my lovely little two year has found the diaper bag and the cheerios that were in it. oh did I say in it or did I say covering the front entrance?? Grab her again now wash the snot that is covering her face and making her bangs stick to her forehead. Argh!!!!!
Go faster I am telling myself. you still have the check list and only 22 mins left.

So why are somedays worse then other??? Not too sure. But I stopped I called a friend to come pick up the cupcakes to deliever for me instead of waking the the little monster from her nap, and from rushing around. Yes I thought a coffee is what I need so I did make one, but I thought to myslef. Wow I litterally jumped out of bed and started with the check list. God just knocked on my heart and said slow down, and include me in your check list. So I did that. I stopped and prayed. Not a long one, but one that I gave him my day and my plans and my check list.
Now....I can drink my cup of coffee.

Three things I love about... Chloe

1. She has such a sweet personality She says hi to EVERYONE! including the manikins in the store front windows. She is more then willing to give a high five a hug, and even kisses. She does not have a shy bone in her body. She is so full of smiles and giggles. She makes me laugh daily. And brightens my spirits. My little Boo.

2. I love that she is built from the inside out to be a momma. She loves, loves, loves babies and dolls. and cooking and cleaning. It is so cute. She grabs her diaper change mat, diaper cream and diaper and does the whole routine with her babies. SO cute. I can't wait to see her be a mom one day.
3. I love my little red head full of bouncy curls. She is ready to dance and clap and sing. She loves to cuddle in the rocking chair and pretend that she is snoring. She loves palying hide and seek with her brother. So far...she is the coolest 2 year old I know.

Three things I love about... Jacob

1. I love that he is active. He loves to run, we entered a 1km race last Summer when he was 3. It was so cute to see that he never stopped once for a break. He ran last spring with me all the time. He loves sports and yes like a typical boy, loves to jump, climb and be rough and tumble. He loves to be outside and playing. I am just thankful that is not addicted to video games or the computer or t.v ( yet )

2. I love his curve for learning. He loves to do "homework" read and color and create. He loves learning his letters and numbers. He loves school and is doing VERY well. We were worried, As pre school did not go so well. but So far. Jacob has a love to learn. We do school work almost everyday with him and he thrives of off it. He is smart, and is creative.

3. That he is competitive. Now I do love this about him, but it is also a huge challenge for us. Thomas and I are also very competitive. We are actually trying to tone it down with Jacob. I hate to admit this. But sometimes I cheat at a game because I want him to learn that it is o.k to loose. But he loves to win. He has a goal to do well and finish and finish first. I like seeing passion in his eyes. But as I said we do need to work on it being o.k to not win everything. I guess it is a hard concept to get.

Three things I love about... Thomas

1. His sleflessness- Thomas does everything in his will power to put his family needs before his own. From getting up every morning @ 4:30 a.m to go for his daily run. So he can be back in time to be up with the kids at 6, and let me sleep in till 7:30. He cleans ALL the time, he has taken on the kitchen as his "thing" polish the stove,fridge,dishwasher. He will play with the kids when he tired. He will rub my neck everynight, to ensure my comfort. Sometimes to fault he thinks of us more often then himself.
2. His Determination- He loves running and is amazing at it. He runs 7 days a week. No if's and's or buts. Unless of course I am sick then he misses. But will run twice in one day to catch up. He runs in the winter even if you can't see outside. I thankful for his new grip shoes. So he does not fall anymore. :-) He is bound and determined to improve his health so he is around longer. he has lost around 50lbs. ( I won't mention that he has the same waist as me.)
3. His love for children-He always says that he loves them. And cuddles and hugs and kisses them. He plays with them. He sings to them. He prays with them. He puts his kids first. He is patient and kind with them. And seeing them run to him every night yelling "daddy" and wrapping their little arms around his legs. Shows they value him as well. He does NOT put work in front of his kids. He come home for lunches and is here for dinner. Family is so important to Thomas and I am forever grateful.