Three

I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a mommy.  So when Dave and I got the news nearly four years ago, I fell instantly in love.  I had imagined it was going to be a great gig, with lots of benefits and rewards.

I never knew it would change my life.  As in, nothing would ever be the same.  Ever.  And, I wouldn't change it for the world.

God blessed me by picking me to be the mommy to my sweet little Rei-Guy.  I am blown away each and every day about how amazing this little person is, and just when I think I can't love him anymore than I already do, he proves me wrong.

His smile.  His eyes.  His tender heart.  His super smart brain.  His little hands that touch everything.  His mouth that never stops moving (yep, he even talks in his sleep.).  His little feet that are always on the go.  His little bum that now works just like it should.  His caring personality.  His love for his cousin.  His "love you's" that I get to hear at random times, (especially when he's done something wrong).  His passing for life.  His EVERYTHING. 

I have such trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that he's been present in my life for 3 entire years now.  I am frantically searching for a "pause" button.  I need it so that I don't forget a day we spend together, a phrase he says that has me laughing out loud, an expression he makes that reminds me of my Mom and Uncle Ron (I'm pretty sure he's channeling both of them on certain days!) or a silly gesture he makes.

Being a mommy has taught me that no matter what life hands me, or the road it takes me down, I still have the best job in the world.  I get to come home to unconditional love, hugs and sloppy kisses, an endless supply of trucks, trains and play-doh and a place where blowing bubbles in the living room makes everything blissful.  Who could ask for anything more?!?!?!?!?!

My Dear Sweet Three Year Old,

          I am so thankful I get to spend my life being your mommy.  You make me smile everyday.  I absolutely love watching you explore the world, get to know the person you are becoming, solve problems without help, embrace the world and smile because you only know happiness.  You make Daddy and I better people by the lessons you teach us everyday.

        Here are some things that make you, YOU, at 3 years old.

• You love Caillou.  We can get you to do anything if we tell you that Caillou wants you to do it, or that Caillou would do it himself. 
• You love broccoli.
• One of your very favorite things to do is snuggle on the couch or in Mommy and Daddy's bed with one or both of us.
• You love, love, love your friends at Ms. Betsy's.  Especially Halee and Carson.  But mostly Halee.
• Ever since we went to see the Pediatric Gastronology Specialist, you are a potty pro.  You go all day (wearing a pull-up) but never having an accident.
• You love spending time with both Aunties and Uncles. 
• Peanut Butter Cups are your most favorite treat.
• You're still such a peanut.  Someday, we'll grow out of your 12-18 month shirts and your waist of your pants will fit (we have to wear 2T, but they just fall off unless we tape or rope them!)  An example of how tiny you still are; You just rolled into the play room, sitting on a toy ambulance (that you can still fit on!) shouting, "Look at me!"
• Your cousin, Brady, is one of your very best friends.
• You prefer to play with anything that has wheels and makes noise.
• Playing outside in the dirt will keep you busy longer than anything else.  Especially if we let you take a truck out to drive through the dirt with.
• If we aren't in the same room, we can always find you by listening for the song you're singing.
• You very proudly count to 12 at all hours of the day.
• You are an amazing problem solver.
• You are persistent in everything.  Especially if it's something you really, really, want.
• You love to play Tozzle on our iPhone.
• You're imagination inspires me.
• You're very favorite person in the world is your Daddy.
• You love ice-cream cones.
• You hate footie pajamas.
• Your smile lights up a room, your little voice makes everyone who hears it smile, your love of life is an inspiration to everyone you meet.

           You are amazing, Reilly Allexander.  Mommy and Daddy love you so very much.  You are the light of our lives and the joy in our hearts.  Thank you for letting us be your Mommy and Daddy and teaching us so many important lessons.  We love you forever.

                                                                                Love,

                                                                                            Mommy

I Heart Fall

Just the other day, while enjoying a not so warm cup of supposed-to-be-hot-cider-but-my-boy-had-other-plans, I was thinking about fall.  It seems, the older I get, the more I love fall.  Everything about it.  The temperatures.  The colors.  The foods. The fun.  The EVERYTHING. 

We decided that Friday was a beautiful fall evening, so we headed to Beutter Park to enjoy the colors and just being together.

 Beautiful

 This big guy was out enjoying the beautiful fall day, too!

 Searching for the perfect dinner

 My boys

 Have we ever talked about how cute this kid is????

 Like father, like son

 I just can't get enough of him!

 This area is by far one of the best hidden treasures in Mishawaka...lived around here all my life and never knew it existed...

 "You see that statue way up there???"

 Reilly's turn to take a picture

 Every fall evening should include dancing in a gazebo with one of the loves of your life...

 I love the memories we are making...

 A well kept secret...that I'm now sharing with everyone I see



Unconditional Love

I try to be a good person. A really good person.  Most of the time.  I know that I struggle, I know I mess up, I know I'm not perfect.  But I sure do try.

My friends mean the world to me.  I try to be someone they can count on, call if they need help, support when they're in a trial and someone they are proud to call their friend.

I pray that in the span of our friendships, I'm able to teach all these very dear people at least one thing.  I owe it to them.  I learn something from each and every one of them every single day.  It's only fair that I try to give something back to them for all I take for myself.  Many of my friends are moms or teachers.  So they all have things that teach me how to be a better person, and I am an anxious student, who is always willing to learn.

Lisa, one of my dearest friends, has been in my life for quite a while now.  We met at IUSB, as were both studying to become teachers.  So maybe around 13-14 years now.  Lisa has been an amazing friend, who I've watched struggle, succeed, learn, grow, teach and love.  I'm not sure she knows just how much I've learned from her in our friendship.

I always knew Lisa was going to a fantastic mommy, and couldn't wait for that day to come.  I knew I would learn even more from just watching her love her little one.

Little did I know, that I would learn more from Lisa in 6 months of her being a mom, than I would ever expect to learn in a lifetime.

I was honored to be with Lisa the day after Sophia was born.  I was honored to be there to support her when she was weak, when she needed friends and unconditional love.  I thought I was going to be her support, little did I know, I was going to be changed for the better for watching her blast through a trial that could have weakened a giant.

I feel like I have been privileged to know the Brooks' Family and walk their journey with them.  We were honored that they asked us to join them last week for this amazing day!

 4 H Fairgrounds

 Reilly was a huge fan of the fun games they had!

 A little golf does a body good

 Not quite sure he was supposed to walk up and put it right in, but I think his cuteness helped him get aways with it!

 Some tutu adjusments are necessary

 Unconditional, unwavering love.

 Reilly really does love "Baby Fia" however...it was nap time.

 The amazing Brooks' Family

 Aunt Keely's turn to partake in some game playing

 Gettin' ready to get our walk on!

 Sophia's Supporters

My family was so very blessed to spend last Saturday celebrating Beautiful Sophia at the Buddy Walk in South Bend.  We are better because of it.

Now, That's Real Love

Love is a funny thing.  It pops up in all sorts of strange places.  It comes when we least expect it.  It causes us to act in funny ways.  It makes us say funny things.  It makes us put others before ourselves.  It makes us smile.  It makes us sad.  It makes us happy. It makes us giddy.  It makes us who we are.

Exactly 5 years ago today, I was anxiously awaiting the start of my NEW life, with my NEW husband, with my NEW house, with my NEW dreams, with my NEW everything.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  The most important people in my life were anxiously awaiting right there with me.  They were ready to dab away nervous tears, fix any last minute dress issues, sign their names as witnesses and hold bouquets when they need to!

I have had the privilege of being married to my best friend for 5 years today.  We've created a life together.  We created a son together.  We have created so many darn memories, I'm afraid my head will get full and I'll start to forget them. 

I'm not the mushy-gushy-marriage-is-pure-bliss-and-we've-never-fought-and-are-always-as-happy-as-we-seem kind of gal.  I'm gonna be real.  Marriage is hard.  Really HARD.  But there has not been a trial we've gone through, a path we've journeyed or a trail we've walked that I would trade for the world. 

Each step we've taken together, or those we've gone fighting against one another, has gotten us to the point we are today.  A point that I love.  I get to go to sleep and wake up next to my best friend each and every day.  (Okay, let's be realistic...not EVERY day...)

So as the  big day was approaching upon us, Dave was putting a lot of thought into the perfect gift.  I know this because he kept asking random (but I was onto him) kind of questions that were just odd.

Last Wednesday, in an all sorts of serious manner, this is the conversation we had at dinner.

Dave--"Hey Babe.  I've put a lot of thought into your gift and I know what I'm going to get you for our anniversary."
Me--"Ok, but I'd like to be surprised."  (He's not always the best at waiting until the big day for any holiday!)
Dave--"I know, but I think you're really going to like it."
Me--"Ok, (still trying to get him to keep it a secret) but let's wait until Saturday."
Dave--(In an explosive manner, because he simply can't keep it in) "I'm going to let you put up the Christmas Tree on Saturday."
Me--(As I'm running up to hug him!) "YES!!!! You were so right in figuring out the perfect gift!  And that is why I love you."

Now, before everyone starts blowing up my phone yelling about not putting up the Christmas Tree yet...we haven't put it up.  But that doesn't mean we aren't going to.  Soon.  Very soon!  Because now I don't have to fight about when it's appropriate to put it up.  We're good to go."

And that my friends, is REAL LOVE.