Thomas the Tank engine rolled into town!

I was being busy Trisha and left without my camera. I stopped and picked up a disposable one so when I get the pictures back I will add them here. Until then here are a few photos from last August from our first visit with Thomas up in Chicago.

Jack woke up early today

Some time before 7:00 a.m. Jack woke up today. It's not much earlier than his normal7:30 wake up but I'm always surprised when he gets up before me. I took advantage of this time with just the two of us and we snuggled up together on the couch. I asked him why he got up so early today and this what he said......

"Because I just get up and go Mommy's room. "

"How come baby?"

"I go Mommy's room cause you in there. I be by mommy."

I hugged him a little tighter..............I love it when he wants to be by me! This was a sweet little comment from my sweet little boy, and it made my day, even if it was before 7:00 a.m.

Kisses!

Rest in peace Uncle Frank

Two years ago today the world changed for our family. My Uncle Frank passed away suddenly at the young age of 45. He left behind his wife and their 2 young children (11 and 12 at the time). He was called home to our Heavenly Father much too soon, and without a hint of notice.

One memory that is stuck in my head from the whirlwind of a weekend after his death is at the funeral home. There were hundreds upon hundreds of people there, a true testimony to the wonderful person my Uncle was, and his oldest son was sitting with a group of his friends (a group of friends that my Uncle had coached a time or two no doubt) and his eyes met mine and we both just became overtaken with emotion. He got up and hurried over to me and buried his face into my shoulder, we both held on to one another and sobbed. I felt so weak, there wasn't a single thing I could do to take away his pain because my heart was broken too. I just repeated the words "I Love You" over and over to him. He repeated them back and the magnitude of the words seemed to calm us down again.

I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and there are times I wish we knew what his plans are, but I suppose that is a selfish thing to ask for. I have made a few changes in my life since my Uncle Frank's passing.........Things don't have to be "perfect" anymore, I have tried to let go of grudges I was harboring deep inside and gradually started to rebuild friendships, I have friends and family over to our home more often, I try to celebrate the little things, and most importantly I have tired hard to be a better friend, wife and mother. Though I knew this before, this phase "life is short" is all too true.

It is so strange to me that time keeps marching on, but our hearts are far from healed. We miss you Uncle Frank, until we meet again...........

Hugs and kisses to all!

Jack 3 years and 3 months

We are so in love with this little boy of ours. Here are some of Jack's favorites at 3 years and 3 months old.

He loves playing baseball and golf.

He is Thomas the Tank engine obsessed! Knows all their names and is more than willing to tell you which train he wants to get next.

Apples are his favorite fruit, and he enjoys them without the skins on.

His favorite color seems to be blue......but every now and then he chooses green.

Some of his favorite phrases are "Look at me" (while showing you something he can do that is so spectacular). "I idea" (which translates to I have an idea. He even puts his pointer finger on his little chin as he says it, it's too much). "Watch I do" (which of course is watch what I can do, again followed by one of his many talents). "Why" truly a great one. These are the phrases I hear all day long. I'm not going to lie, I LOVE it! It is great fun to listen to him and watch all the little things his mind comes up with.

He enjoys going to the park, and spends the majority of his time while we are there on the swings. He is always requesting to go higher, higher Mommy! Such a brave kiddo.

He is fascinated by owls. Nearly every night he asks me where the owls are. Unfortunately there are no owls in our neighborhood, so I took him and Claire to the Bird sanctuary by us and they got to see owls up close. It was the highlight of their week and probably mine too!

He is looking forward to Halloween. When someone asks him what he wants to be for Halloween he replies "a robot..........go robot, go robot, go robot" the answer is accompanied by him walking like a robot and moving his arms all silly like. He's a funny boy!

His favorite songs to sings are ABC's, You've got a friend in me, The Thomas the tank engine song and Do you know the muffin man (Jack and his Daddy have a special way to sing this song).

His favorite movie has to be Wall*E.

Favorite kids shows are Curious George, Sid the Science Kid, Fireman Sam, Kipper and of course Thomas!

He adores Autumn and is always trying to hug and kiss her, it's so sweet. He also loves playing hide and seek with his Daddy. Jack screams and giggles every time his Daddy jumps out from hiding, and he quickly says "one more time daddy" though all his giggles.

He loves to play with construction toys (diggers, forklifts, cranes etc.) trains, cars and trucks and he really loves riding his tricycle.

So there is a short snap shot of what our kiddo loves these days.
Jack you make us so incredibly happy! I love looking into you eyes they are so expressive, and when you smile it really truly lights up the whole room. We always get compliments on your wonderful manners, you make us so proud. You have such an infectious laugh, and we love you more than you will ever know.

Love Mommy and Daddy