truth speaker

Like any good, uncensored 3 year old, Caden often surprises us with painfully truthful comments, like in the following vignette.

We just got home from joining the Newton Wellness Center. Caden, like always, wants to know what's going to happen next. Doug tells him that he is going to cook dinner on the grill (YUM!!). Caden politely asks if he can play outside while Daddy cooks. Doug says sure as long as Caden picks up the 2 sippy cups he left outside from earlier. Caden replies that he will and also admonishes Doug with (NOTE: here you must adopt the slightly snotty intonation of 3 year old while reading the rest of this sentence in order to get the full effect), "OK, Daddy, but you need to pickup the nasty stuff in your car!"
Doug and I barely suppress our guffaws, but I silently agree and cheer Caden on. Doug's car does need some TLC, but then so does mine.

exercise

I'm not a huge fan of exercise, but I'm also tired of the extra weight I've gained since Caden was born, so I've challenged myself to try and lose 7 pounds from July 7-August 7. Sounds easy enough, right?? Well maybe for some of you super motivated types, but not for this lazy bag o' bones! So far, I've not had a soda in 4 days, have eaten lots of fruits and veggies, consumed lots of water, and have actually EXERCISED every day since Monday. Not much I know, but I'm celebrating all the small successes right now because I have to get this extra weight off my body!!

Happy 8th!

Anniversary that is! Today is our anniversary. It's hard to believe, but 8 years ago today on the hottest day of the summer of 2000 we got hitched! Other than the tremendous heat (107 degrees at ceremony time and my poor husband in a black tux!), it was a great day.

We've been through a lot together, many ups and downs, especially in our first year which was fraught with numerous tragedies and struggles. So many in fact, it begins to sound much like a soap opera when we tell all that happened that year. Let's just summarize by saying that in addition to being newlyweds we also faced new jobs, Doug's mom having a stroke, 5 family members passing away, witnessing a fatal car accident, home hunting (twice!), and moving 3 times. It's a blessing Caden didn't arrive that year! I'm not sure we would have survived an infant at that point. We decided on our first anniversary that if we could cope with all that, we could do jsut about anything together and face nearly any challenge and so far we have.

It sounds like we haven't had any good times in the last 8 years, but we've had many more good times than bad and most of the bad is a vague memory (minus that 1st year which is cemented in our memories just because of its intensity!)

I hope our next 8 years are as wonderful and happy as the first 8 have been! Happy Anniversary, Doug! I love you and the family and home we've created together!

back in business

It's been a little while since we last posted. Life has just been busy. I thought that since my official ESU classes are over and done with our lives would seem less busy, but you all know what happens when you inform God of your plans . . . he just laughs. We've been busier than usual lately (as our home and yard could attest to if they could speak since they've been sorely neglected lately!). But we're back on track and hope to keep up with blogging better.