Vday post

Well, everyone's doing a Vday post right? So I guess I'd better. ;)

Yesterday, my darling husband bought me flowers and a card (a card that had as much of his own writing as the card's writing, a good mark in my mind). They were a dozen (one short he found out afterwards) plus white lilies. It looks lovely on our dining room table.

I made him a candlelit dinner, a butter garlic sauce pasta with parmesan and steamed broccoli with strawberries and cream for dessert. We fed each other the strawberries. (It's just more fun that way isn't it?) I dressed up a lil as well, which I think he appreciated. I was going to buy him a card as well, but there wasn't any left for husbands! I need to try and get cards earlier I guess. We then lounged on the sofa watching episodes of The Simpsons and then may or may not have enjoyed the waters of our bathtub . . . :o Scandalous, I know.

Anyway, it was a lovely evening and I couldn't have been more pleased with our choice to stay home instead of braving the stuffed restaurants. We'll have to go out some other evening instead when we get the hankering.

So, my readers, did you all have a good Valentines? Did you start any traditions with a loved one that you'll carry on to the next year? I'm always looking for some good traditions, that's what really makes a holiday special . . .

Life is soooo hard . . .

After a long day of eating, drinking, and sleeping under the bed, I decided it was high time for nap time under my favorite light. It's so nice n waaaaarm.

Then I woke up and wanted into mom's lap, but she pulled out a camera instead to snap pics. Where's the love ma? Hmmm? *flash* ouch!

Yeah, yeah I see you, you who ignore my pleas to be held and loved and to let me dig my claws into you out of pure affection. (you know you liiiiike it!)

When all else fails, seek out Dad. He's always good for a love . . . :) He even coos to me, prolly to make mom jealous . . . *purrs contentedly*

6 months

I don't really want to be too anti-climactic, but we are celebrating our 6th month anniversary today and we didn't do much. My poor hubby is really stuffed up, sore throat, the whole Sha-bang. I did make a delicious dinner for our anniversary though:  potatoes au gratin with roasted asparagus and mushrooms and a berry crumble for dessert with fresh vanilla whipped cream. Mmmmm. I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow too! Double mmmm.

Other than that though, Hubby's not up to much and is just hanging loose. He thought he might be up for a hot bath (perhaps with or without me, that's not for you to tell), but I'm not sure if he'll (maybe we'll) get around to it.

I figured that I'd at least find a good married life survey though to give you all an update. After all, who doesn't like to know the details of other people's marriages now and then and their philosophies about how it all works? :P

Married Life Survey

How long have you been married? - 6 months

Is this your first marriage? - yes

Is it how you imagined it would be? - I would say, yes, pretty much

What would you change? - Have more days off together.

Are you married to your soulmate? - Well, yes, but I\'m not the sort to be so naive that there\'s only one out there for me. He\'s the one I picked, that\'s what matters.

What do you argue about the most? - Hmmmm, probably feminism.

What do you see eye to eye on the most? - All our core values for the most part.

Where did you meet your spouse? - At a summer camp as camp counselors.

Where was your first date? - A movie at his house: \"The Last Samurai\"

Where were you when you became engaged? - In the park behind the girl\'s dorm at WWU.

Did you live together before Marriage? - Nope.

What was your wedding song? - Norah Jones: come away with me

Who was in your wedding party? - Women: 2 bfs from grade school, hubby\'s sister, my sister, friend from HS and two 2nd cousin flowergirls Men: Hubby\'s bf, hubby\'s sister\'s hubby, 3 college buds, 1 cousin, and my 2nd cousin ringbearer

Do you get along with the in-laws? - Yes, they are wonderful people. I am so lucky compared to most it seems.

Whats your view on Children? - My view? They\'re wonderful, amazing, so precious, a lot of work, exhausting, expensive, so worth it but not yet.

Does your spouse feel the same way? - Hmmm, he\'s not ready to admit the positives yet.

Are you a 2 peas in a pod or oppsites attract couple? - Really depends on the issue, most things I think we\'re in agreement.

Do you go out without your spouse? - Yes, usually with other friends though or to a fav. restaurant, otherwise, we\'re homebodies.

How long are you away from your spouse before you start to miss him/her? - Couple days I start to miss him.

Have you ever compared your spouse to someone you have dated in the past? - Only one other guy to compare and they are so completely different, so no.

Do you trust your Spouse? - With my life.

Does your Spouse trust you? - Yes.

How well do you know your spouses favorites? - I would say pretty darn well. I\'m intuitive like that.

How well does your spouse know your favorites? - I would say pretty darn well, especially since I\'m very vocal about my likes and dislikes.

Do you get along with your spouses friends? - Yes, they\'re all great people.

Does your spouse get along with your friends? - Yes, though he\'s a lil shy at times.

Did you go on a honeymoon? - Yes, of course!

Do you watch the same TV shows? - Yes, quite a few.

Can you agree on Pizza toppings? - Sure, we\'re both pretty flexible.

Who takes out the trash? - Whoever gets fed up with it first.

Who does laundry? - Hmmm, usually me, but he surprises me often.

Who is the first one to wake up in the morning? - Really all depends on the day. We have very random schedules.

Do you have any traditions? - We buy an ornament from every place we\'ve traveled, that\'s all I can think of so far.

Is there anyone in your spouses family that you cant stand? - Nope.

Anyone in your spouses family you adore? - Yes, Kira and Julia.

Do you know your spouses passwords/pins? - yes.

Does your spouse know your social security number? - No.

Do you ever nag your spouse? - Now and then.

Do you admit wrong doing? - Always, though it might take a bit . . .

Does your spouse? - Yes, he\'s pretty careful not to say things he regrets though, so he doesn\'t have to apologize as much.

How would you grade your sex life? - 8 out of 10 and 10 being TOO good to ever stop.

When is the last time you or your spouse bought eachother flowers? - He usually buys flowers, I think a month ago was the last time?



Whew, that was kinda long. And slightly boring questions . . . I'll have to find a better one for our year anniversary.


xoxoxo ~Jill

C-nenna

Remember this picture? A 1.5 month old baby Sienna. So tiny and so precious.

But look how's she's grown! Oh my goodness how time flies!

Here she is in an impromptu ladybug costume. I can hardly believe how much she's grow, how even her features have changed.

She's really developing into a truly very pretty little girl. Soon she won't even be considered a baby, which is bittersweet.

She is a pro sitter-upper and I expect to hear about her crawling any day now. She's lifted her hips off the ground last I heard while on her tummy. She loves to move her arms and legs and adores bathtime. (she always has, so I think she's part mermaid)

She is already over 7.5 months old, 7 months 2 weeks and 4 days to be exact.

Both uncle and I are counting down to when we get to see our niece again. Sadly, we don't know when that will be yet since our lovely niece lives across the US on the other coast.

Dear C-nenna,

You are such a wonderful niece, our very FAVORITE. We are so pleased to hear how much you are learning and growing, though we are not surprised that you're already overachieving. We loved seeing you and holding you and loving you over Christmas and look forward to being able to do so again. Until then, you will always be in our thoughts and hearts.

Auntie and Uncle love you more than bears love honey (and everyone knows that's an awful lot!) xoxoxoxo

PS. We hope you feel better soon! We know mommy and daddy are taking very good care of you, but we all want you to be in the best shape to eat, play, sleep, and enjoy your baths to the fullest asap!

A baby me . . .

Here's my daddy holding Janelle, holding me. How do you like my little outfit! :P I think we are such a good-looking family, except we're missing my beautiful mother of course. I should ask her to scan some of the pictures of herself and me during this time, they are so precious.

Just thinking of the sacrifice and love that my parents and sister gave me brightens my day. Next post will be another update on my darling niece, "C-nenna". If it's possible, she grows cuter and more able to do things herself every day. I'm sure her mommy would concur.

On one last note, I have to give kudos to my darling husband. He vacuumed and took out all the trash today and the apartment looks so much better now. I was a lovely surprise and he even brought home some cheesecake to boot because I was really worried today about whether my '95 car would pass emissions. (It did, thankfully and new license plate/number are on its way.) I love you, Micah. You're so good for me.

Just a twinge of a rant . . .

One of my blogs that I follow is going through a tough time. She has to do IVFs in order to get pregnant and is trying for her second child. The first IVF here recently did not work, which devastated her. She's clearly one who gets joy out of life by being a mother, so it's no wonder how hurt she must be that her body is not cooperating. Anyway, she posted recently with a quote she liked and I wanted to just give my thoughts on it. It is as follows:

"There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better."

Now, knowing her story, I understand completely where she is coming from. She has been given a road that makes her more likely to appreciate her children when she finally gets them. BUT, I don't think she has a right to compare her mothering with mommies who do not need IVF etc. to get pregnant. Mothering skills are not defined by whether or not you need medical help to get pregnant. It made me kind of feel for all the mothers out there who did not have to struggle physically to get pregnant, but yet are some of the best moms I know. Each mom has a completely different and unique experience. Some have trouble getting pregnant, some are extremely sick while pregnant, some go through PPD after the birth, there are so many situations in our daily lives that help us appreciate our little ones once we've overcome difficult situations. Going through IVF is not the magic catalyst that makes you a "better" mother. Strong individuals who love unconditionally make good mothers, and going through IVF may or may not indicate that you are that sort of individual.

I believe that this young women IS a strong mother who loves unconditionally, and has taken her set-backs hard, for good reason. But, I almost wish she realized that she is a good mother because she's ready and able to love like a parent needs to and not because of any difficult situations that she's had to go through.

I would rephrase her quote to:  "My experience has made me a better mother" without comparing herself to those who she considers luckier than her.

And for all the mothers out there who I know and love, you are a good mother because that's who you were intended to be and no difficult situation or dilemma or hurdle can change that.

Scheduling fail!

Oh my goodness! Here's what happened today:

I got up at 6am, went to work at 7:15, rushed to a team meeting that I ended up being almost 10 minutes late for and it was "gently" hinted that we should all work at being on time . . . etc. etc. Then I rushed over to another special meeting with elective teachers and the principal. (Made it there on time at least) I do ALL my printing for the week, set up my classroom and start doing odds and ends that need to be done in the classroom. All of a sudden, I realize that my chilluns are taking an inordinate amount of time getting to class, in fact, the 2nd period bell hasn't even rung and it's almost 10am.

And then I remember, there is NO 2nd period today, or 4th or 6th. I don't teach today! *sigh* I didn't have to come at all, I didn't have to go to the morning meetings, I didn't have to set up for class, I didn't have to get up at 6am.

And then as I drive home, I realize why the teacher across the hall was looking at me funny, and I remember thinking about the schedule change the Thurs. before, etc. etc.

Scheduling fail . . .