Currently {13}

Thinking about: What an amazing man I married. Seriously, he's the best. He does so much to provide for our family and supports me staying home with Ted. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the trials of being a mom, that I forget how difficult it must be to be a dad sometimes. Jason leaves for work by 6:45 at the latest, so there are many mornings that he gets up, gets ready and leaves for work without seeing Ted. Until recently Ted would take a late afternoon nap, so that left a very small window for Ted and Jason to play together after work too. I think about that and it makes me so sad. But he does it...not because he loves his job (he likes it, but as all jobs it has its moments); he does it because he loves his family. He has such a great heart as a leader and a servant. He just found out that he cannot take the time off to go to Iowa for my favorite weekend of the summer. I was heartbroken. It's a weekend I look forward to all year and I want to share this tradition with him. My selfless, servant husband told me he wants Ted and I to go anyway. He will stay home and work while Ted and I go spend time with my family and friends in Iowa. Seriously, he's amazing and I am beyond blessed.

Listening to: Ted's sweet little babble talk. I have no idea what he is saying, but sometimes he babbles with so much intensity and expression that I really wish I knew what he was saying. He changes the pitch of his voice and makes these adorable faces as he just babbles away. Sometimes I think he is talking to Charlie, who really could care less what Ted is saying. He says "dada", "goggie", "yeah", but still no "mama". Waiting patiently Ted, waiting patiently...

Watching: Dolly Parton on the Today Show! Love her!

Reading: Remember how awesome I just said my husband is? ^^ Well, he just got even more awesome by buying me this book. Oh, he knows me so well and loves me despite my 90210 obsession.

Thankful for: A wonderful family weekend to celebrate Mother's Day. The weather was beautiful and all I wanted all weekend was to be outside and enjoy it as much as possible because soon...very, very, soon it is going to be ridiculously hot! On Friday we went out for pizza and to an ASU baseball game. On Saturday we took Ted to the Splash Pad and out for cheeseburgers (my current pregnancy craving). On Sunday, we went to Mass, to a delicious Mediterranean restaurant for lunch (mmm, chicken shawarma), and to the zoo. It was a beautiful afternoon to walk around. Best of all, just spending the weekend with my wonderful husband and my sweet Ted. 

I love seeing Jason and Ted interact. When Ted was only a few months old I remember Jason asking me why Ted didn't like him. Naturally, Ted only wanted me because I was nursing and with him all day. Now, Ted's face lights up and he shrieks with joy when he hears Jason come home. I loved capturing these sweet moments at the baseball game the other night.

My heart is so full right now.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed week!

Currently {10}

Thinking about: The Easter Vigil! I know it's long, but it is my very favorite Mass of the year! I remember going when I was younger when my uncle joined the Church. I didn't go again until I "had to" when I worked for the Church. The first time I experienced the Easter Triduum as an adult was a life-changing "AHA" moment of my life. For the first time, everything I believed and wondered about the Church made sense. And, it is so beautiful to see people come into the Church. I must say I am a little envious of them. I obviously don't remember my baptism as an infant. I do remember being really excited to receive the Eucharist when I was 8, but didn't know why I was so excited. My Confirmation was a blur of adolescence. Watching people and their emotions as they enter our wonderful Church (by choice) is so inspiring to me. The Church gets so much bad press and there are people leaving every day, but on this one day of the year, all over the world, people are coming into the Church together, united as one. So amazing to me. 

Also, we were happy to celebrate Jason's 1st anniversary as a Catholic! A dear friend offered to watch Ted, so we actually had an Easter vigil date night. Not many people's idea of a great date, but it absolutely was to me! My husband is one of those new Catholics that I am in awe of. ;-)

Reading: Nothing...seriously. You would never know that I am an educator by my lack of discipline in reading. I'm not even going to pretend I am still reading Love and Respect because it's Just. Not. Happening.

Listening To: I love, love, love Easter music. Christ is Risen is probably my favorite.

Watching (wanting to): Trial of Labor. I am trying to track down this documentary that follows 4 women attempting a VBAC. Anyone know where I can find it?! 

Thankful for: So many things...but this week I am focusing on this little man who is almost one! I cannot believe it's been a year since we were here. It's been amazing to say the least. I love watching him grow and learn so much every day. I know babies are happy, but I never knew they were this happy! His laugh...his smile...his silliness...melts my heart all day long! 

 One year ago! Jason joining the Church! Happy Anniversary babe!

 Ted "reading"

 Early birthday present from his Godparents!

 Easter Toms :)

 Learning about Easter from his cousin

Happy Easter!

Two Years and a Day

I tried to get this up yesterday, but some little mister did not want to nap... ;-)

Two years...some days it feels just like yesterday and some days it feels like a lifetime ago. Either way, I wouldn't it trade it for anything in the world. 

I loved our wedding, every. single. moment. I know everyone probably says that, but our wedding ceremony was actually my dream come true. It was held in my Church I worked at and have attended since I moved here almost twelve years ago. My pastor with a ponytail I've known just as long married us. My dear friend, Ike Ndolo, blessed us with his musical gift. Receiving the Eucharist on my wedding day from the beautiful chalice. Being surrounded by 200+ family and friends from nearby and traveling from out of state. It. Was. The. Best. Most importantly, standing before those 200 people and making a covenant of forever with my amazing husband.

Most of these moments were captured by camera (courtesy of the ever so talented Christina and Lexy), but so many more will live in my memory forever. Click.

Some more of my "best of" moments from that day...my mom seeing me in my dress for the first time. My dear friend and her daughter flying all the way from Boston for my day. My godmother sneaking in to see me before the wedding. My dad walking me down the aisle. The cutest, although stubborn, little ring-bearers around. My sweet family traveling from Iowa, Boston and Chicago. My immediate family being together for the first time in years.

 My husband and I sharing sweet moments just between us...

And...having amazing friends stand up for us at our wedding. Pre-Party with the Wedding Party!

Dancing with Jason to "I Cross My Heart"...we love us some George Strait!

My dad singing to me...

My favorite Iowa girls...

And just in case anyone is still reading this, some other favorites from our day :)

Happy two years and a day Jason! I love you schmoopy!