How Many Have Visited....

Friday, July 23, 2010

Brotherly Fun...Video time!

YEAH! Parker somehow found my camera in the bottom of the toy box!
Now, I wonder HOW it got in there????

(Busted!)
Oh, I have never been so happy to see it! And we had a good talk with Parker that it is NOT a toy.

                                         Here is a background on the video of Parker and Kaden...
 Parker has discovered that he can "drag" Kaden around to get him where he wants him to be.
LOL ~but of course Parker does not get to do this very often! Kaden is safe because Mommy is always around when P is moving Kaden. I can't leave them out of my sight yet..
 It will just make you laugh when you see Kaden giggling and Parker just doing his thing as a Big brother.
And this is just the beginning of life with boys......

(Happy Kaden!-and 2 teeth on the bottom)


                        Here is the video of Kaden giggling while Parker is leaping & jumping and dragging him.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Joyful days in July...



I am happy to report that we are doing well and have had a good week.
Now that we have that rough week behind us, I need to post some of the joyful moments we have had!
Here are some sweet photos of our visit to the Atlanta zoo with NeNe (Papa stayed back home),Aunt Sam,Marlee and Brady. It was actually Parker's 3rd visit to the zoo. But it was the first time he left talking about it and asking to go back! On the way to the zoo, Parker said he wanted to see the Cows (LOL);so we had to have a discussion that we will only see the cows if we go visit NeNe and Papa! We would have to look for Monkey's, Elephants, Pandas and more. Kaden and Brady enjoyed most of it sleeping away in their strollers. It was a great visit-HOT-but memorable indeed.










(A precious moment I captured of sweet friends)

The following weekend was the 4th of July and we enjoyed it to the fullest with Uncle Rick and Aunt LaLa. We made homemade calzones and then went to DQ for ice-cream. It was the perfect spot to end the night watching the local fireworks! Kaden was out about 10 minutes before they started! But he was a great trooper for celebrating his first 4th of July.


(Aunt LaLa, Baby Kai (in belly) & UncleRick)





4th of July, we had a BBQ with some of our Syracuse friends! It was a great time swimming and catching up. Parker and Kaden were both great sports since we were away for most of the day. Parker and Kaden had a fun time meeting Hunter. Hunter was born 2 months before Kaden and you can see there is NOT a big differnce in their size LOL.

Parker and Kaden have been interacting a ton by making "spitting" noises at each other. Not mommies first pick~ but it is SO funny to hear Kaden LAUGH uncontrollably at Parker! The moment Parker gets up in Kaden's face he starts laughing. I captured it on video and I am in the midst of trying to find my camera {sigh} I can't find it-please pray I do find it so I can upload the latest. Until I find it, I am soaking up the sweet memories and brotherly love as Parker and Kaden interact! It melts my heart, when Parker just walks up to Kaden and kisses him!  It is SO precious to see them becoming playmates!  Just another one of the joys I find in being a stay at home mom...simple yet so joyful.

Preppy little boy Kaden (almost 7 months)~starting to wear some of big brother's clothes.
I LOVED this outfit on Parker

(Parker-7 months old wearing the plaid pants)
                                                                           
Next week we will fit in a few more play days with some friends and then it is back to reality around here. However...we have very special friends moving here the beginning of Aug! My best friend Joy, and her family will be moving here the second week of Aug. I am like a "little child waiting for Christmas morning!" So exciting that it is actually happening and I am SO excited to say that it is another one of my "dreams" coming true! We will be hosting them for 1 week before they completely move into their apt. It is such a joy to know that however long God allows them to stay (and we hope for a LONG time); our little boys will finally be able to play together often! Joy and I can finally go out again for donuts and coffee, go for walks, shop together and most of all just be together again. To all my local friends-Don' worry! She is not taking up space from the friendship I share with you; she will be adding a ton of JOY to each of your lives! We are so excited for the Ashworth family to move here! Counting down till the 13th of Aug....Now before then we have SO much to do!
Only 10 more days of July left and we are really trying to soak up the time together as a family.
School starts for Parker on Aug. 17th. We will have him in 3 year old pre-school at BHBC and we are looking forward to another great year. He will be going 3days a week this year! We have alot to do to prepare for that big week!
Praying you are having a good week too and finding JOY in the simple things.
Jenn :)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

"Terrible,Horrible, No Good, Very Bad' Weekend....

I actually LOVE the Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,Very Bad Day! It is so funny to read of all the "awful" things that go wrong in the world of a 5 year old. Oh to be a kid again, because those problems seem SO little compared to life today.
Well, I believe that we all have our moments like a day that Alexander had.  However, I do believe that in life situations-God wants us to learn something. Even if it is moments that we do not ever want to repeat.
Well, last weekend was an "Alexander" weekend for us. Definite emotions were- "No Good, Very Bad!"
I miss our family and wish we lived closer, especially after the rough road we were on. Sometimes, I wish they were just a 5 minute ride away. But thank goodness for great friends reaching out we made it through!

Parker has been recovering from an ear infection.When he is ill-we might as well, all be ill! It took 2 antibiotics to knock it out of him.
 Friday, we were headed to see a friend and he screamed and threw his sippy cup at me in the van.(Still not sure why he was SO angry); I was completely shocked at the flying object, and  jerked the van, causing me to hit a mailbox! Not a pretty moment~I sscratched up the mirror and chipped the outer exterior, and  busted a neighbor's mailbox! Thankfully I was only going about 20 miles (but still-so humbling and so upsetting that I harmed a neighbor's mailbox). If my son had not been upset would it have happened? Probably not. -However,I can't change the past. Going forward we no longer have a sippy cup while mommy drives. I stopped and  talked to the neighbors and told them we will take care of it. (Parker got punished later for his inappropriate behavior.) Mike felt so sympathetic to the rough week, he came home with a card for me. He promised to take me shopping later in the weekend and also get me a be-lated anniversary gift! It was so encouraging after the rough day I had. The rest of the weekend was hopefully going to be a fun one and clearly nothing could go worse! 
Haha....
Saturday, I took Parker, to Kayleigh's birthday party. He was still really sick, and didn't enjoy it to the fullest. We left early and headed home. Mike and I had date day with our small group! After the rough day on Friday, little did I know 2 months prior when we planned it, how much I/we would really need "Date Day!"

We had a sitter for the day, and were headed to a local lake to go boating and tubing. It was indeed SO relaxing and SO much fun. All good things have to end but just before we wrapped up the night we took one last boat ride and did some tubing. This time I got to tube with Rebekah! I handed my wedding rings to Mike and got in the lake. Let's just say only one of my rings made it back on my finger. My anniversary band (that matches my set-I got it for our 5th anniversary). The other 2 that were soddered together, never made it back on my finger. I will let you imagine the heartache and shock when we could not find them! Mike is VERY responsible and it was an innocent mistake! We think they are in the lake. I am not upset with Mike. I am sad at the sentimental value and loss.  Now where do we go from here? We called insurance Monday and checked  on our policy.
We have a little coverage on it-but not the full value. So, we are in the midst of waiting to hear back from our insurance company.
Our 10th anniversary is 2 years away and Mike was planning on upgrading my set-so now I am cherishing my anniversary band and looking forward to the next set. However, it is a stab in the heart that my original set is gone. I know that it is an earthly possession-but it is something very special to me. Mike feels horrible about the whole event and I don't think he will ever be able to forgive himself. I already have forgiven him and I know he will make it up to me in a couple of years!
In the bigger picture-yes, we lost my rings. But we still have each other, we have 2 healthy boys, Mike has a great job, we have a roof over our heads and a God who never changes.
Thankfully when we were out boating no one got injured and we still have each other! It is easy to type all this-but sometimes when I look at my missing wedding ring, I get tears. Nothing can replace the ring that a woman says "YES" to, on the day the man of your dreams proposes! Oh the memories I have.~I am thankful I still have a photo of that ring. We now know that when I get my next wedding ring, we have to have a Personal Article Policy just on my ring and then we can get FULL coverage. If you don't have a Personal Article Policy or private insurance on your diamond-get it for your wedding ring!
Trying to move on with life and praying that God will at least have insurance cover what we are suppose to get. We will just put it away till our 10th anniversary! And YES-I will get a nice upgrade! Thanks to many of you on that little tip of advice...but in the bigger picture it doesn't matter to me. I am still sad and trying to make the best of all that God has blessed me with even in the tough times.
Monday morning the battery on my van was dead, but thankfully-we got a full warranty with Toyota so I called the Roadside Assistance. They came and jumped it! I am SO glad that the battery did not die when I was out in public somewhere with the boys!
After the long, discouraging weekend, my dad reminded me of Philippians 4: 4-7 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I think Little Alexander, just needed a good reminder that Jesus is always near and he just needed a little extra prayer. I am forever grateful for this comfort that I can find daily and most of all during rough weeks like last week.
 I begged many for prayers this past weekend and we appreciate ALL the love and prayers!
Tuesday -Thursday have been uneventful GOOD, days! We are really clinging to the uneventful days right now.
Here are some photos of the FUN times we had with NeNe and Papa.
 In one way ~I am glad none of this occurred while they were here. It would have really put a damper on their visit.
So, we are reflecting on some of the fun we had and pressing on and praying that we don't have another"Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad" weekend again or for a LONG, LONG time!
Jenn :)
(Somebody was sad that NeNe and Papa were leaving...)


We celebrated Papa's birthday (but Mike and Parker love to call him "Cowboy")
Parker giving Ne Ne her Mother's Day present.
We had an apron made and handstamped the boys prints on it.
(Eventually all the Riese Grandkids will have their hands printed on it.)
Hmm-a 6month old and handpaint???
We agreed to have all the grandkids be around 2 before working with paint on this apron~LOL
Parker checking out his new bike from NeNe and Papa
Dinner time with NeNe
Mike and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary while they were down here...
We got out to Maggiano's (and a night away) and got a free dessert entre' compliments of the restaurant!
 
We have SO much fun with NeNe and Papa.
We miss you and can't wait to see you again!
Love,
Mike, Jenn Parker and Kaden :)

Sunday, July 04, 2010

6 months and 2 teeth

That is right~Our sweet-pea, Baby Kaden, is 6 months old! 
He celebrated this big milestone by getting his first two teeth the week before he was 6 months-YIKES!

I was not ready for that. Parker was 7 or 8 months old, before his first two teeth came in.
Then again,everything has been advanced with Kaden, since his early arrival at birth!  I guess I am preparing myself now, that he will be walking before he is 15 months (which is when Parker first walked).
It was SO special to have Mike's parents here for a week and watch them get to interact with Kaden. They last saw Kaden, when he was just 1 week old. So much has changed since then.
 Therefore, they got to see a whole new side of him!
Kaden is such a happy chunk of love! He shocked me at the Pediatrician's office.
NeNe (a.k.a.Grandma Riese), and I took Kaden to his 6 month well visit on Tuesday, and he was SO good considering he got 2 shots!

 

Kaden is 19lbs 7oz /ok....basically-20 lbs! So that puts him in the 75% for weight (average weight of an 8 month old) & he is 29inches long putting him in the 90% for height (average height of a 10 month old). I really thought he was 22 lbs! He is bigger then Parker ever was at 6 months. Dr. McGee thinks he will slow down on the weight once he gets more mobile. She is NOT concerned at all about his weight. I was starting to get worried that he was going to be 40 lbs by his first birthday!
I am officially done nursing {sigh}. But I am not sad for the changes that had to be made. Putting him on formula has really helped with his reflux. It is so nice to just pack a bottle and go. I am very grateful that we get coupons in the mail just about the time we run out of his formula.

Kaden LOVES to interact and try to play with Parker. He grins from cheek to cheek when P is near!
I can not wait to see him really interact in a few more months.
He is sleeping GREAT now. We put him to bed between 8 and 8:30 and he sleeps till 5:30 or 6. I am trying to wean him of that first wake up. He goes back to sleep after a bottle and is usually up by 7:30 AM and back down for his AM nap by 9:30. He and Parker are both on the same afternoon napping schedule. I am so grateful for that!! P.T.L. Parker usually naps from 2-5 and Kaden is usually in that same time frame~ give or take an hour.
We have had a fun June and I will post another entry of our many adventures with NeNe and Papa.
Just had to get Kaden's latest up (for my records).
Here are few photos of Kaden's First 4th of July. He was a great trooper. We have not seen fireworks the past 2 years. So, we took him to the local fireworks...but 5 minutes before they began he was out! And then WIDE-EYED when the big "BANG" began! He handled them well for being just a 6 month old!

 We hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day and have appreciated the freedom we have in America.


*Here is a quick video of Kaden (very happy that we dipped his hands in green paint) we were making Ne-Ne's apron.
It is hilarious!
Happy 6 Months Baby Kaden,
We love you!
Mommy & Daddy

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Eight Years Ago

Today, I said "I DO" to the love of my life and dear husband!
Yahoo says our gift should be a medal!
(This year it is suppose to be something Bronze) ~But we don't really follow the list.
So, anyone who makes it to 8 years should get an award!
UMMM! OK??! As society says....we made it through the "7 Year" itch!
Well, the day we married we made a promise and a commitment to God and each other!
Divorce is NOT an option and NO the journey has not been "a bowl of cherries" but we have had God and each other to get through the tough times!
So, what shall we do to celebrate this "Supposedly" big milestone?
Well, we usually just go out and have dinner-but this year we are taking some special, MUCH needed time for us!
Mike's parents are in town but Mike has a crazy week at work. So we are fitting in some time for us around his quarter closing and my in-laws departure on Friday!  Wed we are going downtown to a special restaurant, and taking advantage of seeing a movie TOGETHER! (We usually see movies with friends and not each other.) Then we will be using some of our Marriott Rewards and spending the time away! No 5AM wake up from Baby Kaden. (Please pray he sleeps great for my in-laws!)! Life is busy with 2 kids and we are so grateful to get some time away!
I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be Mike's wife. Mike has been such a godly example to me and has put up with my "imperfections" and I can not thank him enough! He is not perfect either, but I do have a harder time finding those imperfections in him (hee-hee) but "Love keeps no record of wrongs!" 1 Corinthians 13
We are grateful to God for the role-models in our lives, our parents!
We can't wait to see our marriage at 34 and 40 years!!

Happy Anniversary,Honey!
I love you,
Your Sweet-Lips
First photo (Summer of 1999)

Engaged....8/18/01






Wedding Day~6/29/02

2 years after marriage.(2004)..and still the same us... LOL


 
 5 years married (2007) and 1 kid later...aging a little bit more!

Happy family of 4, Eight years later