Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I love you anyway

Dear Nathan,
You are doing a great job at potty training, but you don't feel well today. And that, I'm afraid, led to a fairly grotesque accident this morning. But I love you anyway. I had to scrub you and shower you in the tub that ended up clogging up. But I love you anyway. I had to scour two bathrooms top to bottom due to your, er, um, potty trail... But I love you anyway. I had to mop up the leather reclining couch. (I won't say why.) But I love you anyway. I had to mop the kitchen floor a second time after you spilled your cup of sprite. But I love you anyway. I am currently washing your beloved Mickey mouse due to an unforgettable dunk in sissy's chocolate milk cup. But- can you guess?- Yes, I love you anyway. I love you when you are cute and dressed up and combed and ironed up, but I especially love you today. I love you today- messy and wild and unruly as you are. For it is today that you threw your grubby arms around my neck in the middle of your mess and said, "I love you mommy, you're the best!" I love you too, more than words could ever say.


Love,
Mommy

P.s. it is with great love and affection that I tell you- I hope you have a son just like you someday!

Friday, May 20, 2011

The new me- day 5

Totally excited about the 17 day diet! I have not even cheated once, and for me, that's huge! I have even gone out to lunch with a friend and gone to dinner to celebrate another friends birthday. Never once did I feel cheated or like I was missing out on anything. I have successfully gotten out of bed every morning and completed my 2 mile workout, although I admit today was a little hard to get moving, but I did it! My daughter even wants to go for walks with me in the evenings, which usually turns into a run because she wants me to chase her around the neighborhood ;) My family is eating healthier and I am really enthusiastic that I'm goon to stick to this. I don't want to miss out on the good things God has to offer me because I don't feel good or I'm too tired or just plain lazy.

Here's my progress so far:

Started Unofficially on Monday, started officially on Tuesday evening

Total weight lost: 7 pounds

I will start calculating inches today!

Thanks for your support! I feel better and happier than I have been in a long time!

Sent from my iPhone

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The new improved me

So. I have decided that I need to be a better servant of Christ and in doing that I need to remember that my body is a temple.

I found a book, thanks to a friend, and it changed my eating habits and exercising habits. I have lost 4 pounds in two days and I am so encouraged and truly excited! Having an understanding and loving husband definitely helps, and knowing that I can lean on Jesus when the days are long keeps me going.

I am so proud of my quick accomplishment and am looking forward to having a healthy long life with my family, however long God decides that is. I know that realistically i will have struggles and not every day will be as easy as the first few have been.
As I'm seeking his will for my life, I can't help but be reminded that he created this earth and all the things in it and I need to do what I can to help myself and my family grow strong physically and spiritually. I'm truly happy and feeling great for the first time in a long time. Thank you Lord!!!

1 Corinthians 10:31
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Gardening with grandma

There's something amazing about warm spring days and digging in the dirt and planting seeds with the hope that they will grow into something beautiful.

I spent all day today running around with the kids and my mother in law looking for a planter for Natalie. You see, Natalie has a secret pal at church, and for Easter, she gave Natalie some garden accessories and seed starter kits. Was Nat ever excited!!!

So we decided to plant today. Natalie worked hard, digging, watering, pressing little seeds down in the dirt...she is so excited at the thought of what will grow.

I love her enthusiasm! I loved watching her there sharing a bond with her grandma and looking ahead to what will grow from her hard work. I am quite astounded at what she has become in these past five years. I am truly treasuring these days!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Nathan has some pretty big shoes to fill!

Poor little guy

Nathan went to the doctor today to get his shots. We found out he cut four molars this past week. Ouch!!! No wonder he has been a monster this week! (see previous post)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Terrible Two's???

MISSING: one precious sweet little blonde haired boy who loves to snuggle his mommy and give lots of kisses.
If found, I will gladly reward you with many thanks.  

FOUND: one cranky, little screamer who likes to throw fits and hit his sister. You claim him, you keep him.

(Well...for a nominal fee anyway...)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Beautiful boy, I can't believe that two years have gone by so fast! You have grown and changed so much this year. On your first birthday you weren't even walking yet!  Now you RUN, you talk, you are so busy that we have a hard time keeping up with you!

On March 1st, 2009 you slipped into our lives in such a calm, quiet fashion. You were such a cuddly, sweet infant. Then, you surprised us all a few months later when you found your voice and really became the loud, boisterous Nathan we all know and love! 

You make me laugh everyday! You have a great sense of humor that I am sure is bound to get you in trouble eventually!! You are such a clown!

Nathan, we love you so much and are so grateful that God gave you to us. You always seem to remind us that we need to thank Him always for His overflowing blessings.  I pray that you always know how loved you are and that you will see how precious you are to our Father. He has created you to do amazing things and I hope with all my heart you will seek out just what He wants you to do.

Happy happy 2nd birthday Nathan Cole!!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Happy 5th Birthday beautiful girl!

Today my tiny little baby is 5 years old. I do not understand how this happened! She was just a precious little gift straight from heaven, wrapped in pink and most of the time sporting an itty bitty bow on her precious full head of dark dark hair.

Then I blinked and she has become a witty, energetic, blonde as can be 5 year old.

The second I read that pregnancy test, I became a mother. We planned and dreamed and then before we knew it, at 11:31 on February 24th, 2006, I became a mommy.

Natalie Rae, you have brought endless joy to our lives. You have made me the happiest I have ever been. I am so grateful to God for giving us the blessing of you. I pray that as you continue to grow, you continue to learn. And in learning, I hope you see how much you are loved, not only by us, your family, but by the very One who created you. He has given you this one life and a purpose. I pray you will grow to love Him and seek the things He wants you to become. Do your best to follow His footsteps.

I pray for you always and am so deeply grateful to God for giving me you.

I love you, sweet birthday girl.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The kids are soooo ready for daddy to come home! Then it's just two days til we get to go on vacation! I am so looking forward to making family memories as we head out on our first REAL vacation!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Sweet sleep...

Last night was just lovely! I slept through the night and didn't wake up once! I always wake up several times in the night... Crying kids, barking dogs, weird noises...but last night was peaceful and quiet! Thanks to my mom for taking Nathan for a sleepover! Every time she comes for a visit and has to leave, he tries to go with her. We finally started letting him go on occasion, and he loves it! He usually doesn't want to come home!

I better take advantage of the next few hours, cuz when he gets home, that's it. It's all about Nathan!



Scrapping, here I come!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

tRUe LoVE....

is when your husband parks the car, gazes into your eyes, and sings Bruno Mars "Just the way you are" to you.

<3 I LOVE him! <3

Friday, January 21, 2011

Yard work. Yay.

Today we spent the afternoon trying to clean up the backyard.  I thought it would be a nice surprise for Gary.  Turns out, there were a LOT more leaves on the ground than I had anticipated.  :( Blah.

After getting them into two GIANT piles, I started sucking them up with the leaf blower only to discover that the waste barrel was over half full. I sucked away anyway and emptied the leaf blower bag 4 times until that barrel was full to the brim.  Guess when the city comes to empty the waste barrel? Next Friday.  Cause they came by this morning and I didn't have it out there.. So maybe I will try again in a week.  Or maybe not.  I love you babe, but yardwork sucks.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Creative juices are flowing!

Today I got to spend a lot of time scrap scrap scrappin!  I had a ball.  There are little bits of paper and ribbon all over the place but I loved every second of it!  I am in the middle of putting my niece's baby shower invitations together and I think they came out pretty cute!  I also turned an ordinary brown lunchbag into a super cute gift sack!  I can't wait to make Valentine holders for Natalie's teachers!


I love to create and I can't wait to do some more!!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "cheryl monroe" <cmonroe0201@gmail.com>
Date: Jan 20, 2011 8:15 PM
Subject:
To: "cheryl monroe" <cmonroe0201@gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "cheryl monroe" <cmonroe0201@gmail.com>
Date: Jan 20, 2011 8:15 PM
Subject:
To: "cheryl monroe" <cmonroe0201@gmail.com>

Nathan loves to help do chores! I wonder how long this will last!!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

She is my Sunshine

I registered my beautiful daughter for Kindergarten this week.  Where has the time gone???  I remember bringing her home from the hospital just yesterday!  Has it really been almost 5 years? She was so excited when I picked her up from her pre-k class and told her that I had gone to her new school to turn in all her kindergarten paperwork.  She lit up when I handed her a paper bag full of goodies...a new pencil with a pink eraser on top, a pair of safety scissors, a bookmark and crayons of course.  I told her there was a special workbook, too, full of activities that she can do.  She beamed, and I wanted to cry.  How can something so soft and tiny and precious grow so quickly into a sunny, funny girl?  As I choke back tears, she spreads her wings...standing on the brink of her childhood, gazing brightly into a world full of possibilities.  I can't help but think how quickly it is passing by.  She is my sunshine, a blessing from above, and I love watching her grow.