9 Years... and counting!

Today, Jake and I have been married for 9 years.  It is amazing how much people change as they get older.  I met Jake when I was 19.  At the time, I wanted to graduate college and become an CPA.  I wasn't sold on marriage or children, but I didn't think either one would be a bad idea... if the right guy came along.  I'm not sure if I believe in "love at first sight".  But I do know that the more time I spent with Jake, the more optimistic of my future I became.  He made me see myself through his eyes and all I wanted to do was become the best me for him.  15 years later, I love him more each day.  Whether it is him offering to bath the children or surprising me with a trip to the spa (at 12:45 today!), he makes me thankful for the life I have been given.  I don't know what my future holds, but I do know that if I am holding his hand anything is possible.  I love you, Jake!  And I can't wait for the next 59 years.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jake and I went for a walk the first night.

Jake before his interview.

Old homes, turned into shops!

Old VFW, new Vegetarian restaurant.

Yes, Dad!  They sell LP's in the music store.

Jake has decided that he wants to continue his education and become fellowship trained in Pediatric Anesthesia.  This would mean moving away for a year, somewhere else!  I know that this has been an idea he has toyed with since before graduating residency.  In the last month, we have chosen a few places, sent out the proper paperwork and have begun to get some feedback on programs interested in interviewing Jake.  Yesterday, Jake and I got back from Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He had been there once before, when he was interviewing for a residency program.  He loved it!  This time, I got to experience it.  It is so GREEN!  It reminded us a lot of Lawrence, Kansas.  Being a college town, a HUGE college at that!  The stores, restaurants, sports and homes.  Jake's interview went so well, that at the end of it, the program director offered Jake a position for the 2010-11 class.  He has two weeks to decide.  Hopefully by then, Jake will have interviewed with the other two places we are thinking about and have heard back from the current hospital he works for about funding.  He leaves this Thursday to go to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Next week we are trying to schedule an interview at Nashville.  By the end of this month, we will know for sure where we are going.  It is so exciting!  I've lived in Kansas my whole life.  Plus, it is only for a year and then we get to come back to the home I love.  I will keep everyone updated as the information comes to me.

Pool Time!

Today daddy was off work, for his first day of vacation we decided to visit our pool.  We had been there a couple of times, but the water was too cold to really get in and have fun.  This time daddy took the plunge and went under water.  The kids had a blast!  We took water toys with us, but I think we could have just as easily left them at home.  Daddy was the best thing there.  I'm not sure who is going to sleep better tonight... the kids or daddy?

Play Group-Lets Get Wet!

Today, our friends the Williams, was host for our weekly play group.  The weather cooperated, so we had the kids in suits and sunblock and let them run.  It was awesome!  These are just a few of the pictures I took.  The kids are looking forward to a summer full of fun in the sun with their friends.

Confessions of a S.A.H. (seriously ate half... or MORE!) Mommy

I like to think of myself as a person of some self-control.  However, in the past 24 hours, I have devoured an entire pan of brownies!  For those of you who know me, I don't cook let alone bake.  My sister, the amazing baker, was visiting yesterday and I was inspired to try my luck at a box of Betty's Brownies.  (My last attempt was not so good, I ended up throwing half of them away.)  My Crocker Karma must have been aligned with the planets, because my brownies ROCKED!

Now I am paying the price for indulgence.  My stomach hasn't felt right since about 3:00 this afternoon.  I didn't even eat all of my dinner.  At what age do we learn our lesson?

NENNIE!!!

My wonderful sister came down yesterday for an over night visit.  It was a great visit.  I don't know where to start.  There was lunch at Cinnamon's Deli, talking, trip to the pool with the Prices, trip to Target (to buy cookie supplies), hanging out, laughing, early wake-up call :), bake cookies and brownies, friends come over to play in the morning, lunch at Sonic, friends come over to play in the evening... this is just the highlights!  We know how to pack a punch in the short amount of time we get in these visits.  However, soon... very soon, Nennie will be moving to Wichita.  Life doesn't get much better in the world of a nephew/niece.

Showtime!

I took Allie to her first movie today!  Owen has been dying to see the new Night At The Museum, Battle At The Smithsonian.  And his buddy from Pre-K, Owen Sherwood, asked us if we wanted to see it with them.  I was a little nervous since I knew it was around the time of Allie's nap.  The movie started at 12:00, so we went through the McDonald's drive through to get lunch (the toys are from the very movie we saw).  We got our tickets, used the cool bathroom, got our popcorn and found our seats.  Owen LOVED the movie.  Allie snuck her binkie into the theater and was asleep about 20 minutes into the movie.  She did wake up for the last 20 minutes.  It was a perfect trip to the movies.  Maybe she'll make it all the way through the next one! :)