Retreat: Childhood memories

I've decided to try to do this online retreat to work on focusing more on God. The first week, they've encouraged us to focus on memories of our life throughout the day, and really work to think about the memories and look to see how God has shaped our lives through everything. So, today I'm going to think about some of my childhood memories from when we still lived in Jax.

This is hard for me, as I don't remember back that far really. I remember the house we lived in... I remember my friend down the street. She had My Little Ponies, I had Barbies, and we loved to play with each other's toys. I remember we found birds in our chimney a lot... I remember wanting to go to church and going in and waking my parents up so we could go. I remember Christmas morning, we weren't allowed to go down the hall way until mom and dad were up, so we'd sit at the very edge of the hall, waiting for them. I remember our playroom and mom every so often, coming in on one of the little red chairs we had, and starting at one end of the room and making us help her clean because it'd get SO MESSY. (I think a playroom is an awesome idea and I'm remembering it for the future...) I remember saying Bible verses in 1st grade I think and getting a scripture magnet printed on wood in sunday school. I remember the many church musicals we did, esp We Like Sheep (Aren't we all singing that in our heads now?) and Amerikids and going to Walt Disney World because of Amerikids and my mom french braiding my hair, Lauren S.'s and the other girl in our group on the bus. (There was also my brother Bryan and a friend of his). I remember having a seizure when my Aunt Jen was babysitting. I dont remember much about it except they asked me where my parents worked and I couldn't remember... I knew they worked at 2 hospitals but I didn't know which one worked at which hospital. Then I remember that when I got to the hospital, I was so upset because they had to cut my favorite jammies off of me. I remember praying before meals "God is great, God is good..." I remember we always wanted plastic Easter eggs for Easter, because then we'd gather everyone's together and hide htem all across the house/yard and have to find where they were hidden. I also remember finding a kite hidden under my parent's lazy boy, then getting it for Easter... that's when I knew about the Easter Bunny... I remember the toothfairy always took several days to visit hahaha! And I remember going to my mom and telling her I knew Santa wasn't real anymore, and I had known for a few years, but I wasn't telling her bc I was afraid I wouldn't get those gifts anymore. Funny, Santa still came even when I graduated from high school. I wonder if he'll come if we make it home next year ;-) I remember going to family reunions on my mom's side... it was all my aunts and uncles and cousins every Mother's day... The first one, we went all out, and bought bright pink shirts that said "**(Name)** Family Reunion" and we stayed at Goldhead NAtional Park and some kid drowned in the lake that year, and I had problems with my diabetes and got really sick while staying in the cabin (I had so forgotten about that!) I remember one year at Christmas, we all brought ornaments and sat around in a circle (extended family as well) and read teh Christmas story and everytime the word "angel" and another word, maybe "baby"?, was said, we'd pass the ornament to our left, and everyone got an ornament when it was done. I remember feeling special because I got to be one of the readers. I remember my granddad had dentures and I didn't know it. He pulled them out of his teeth once to show me, and scared me so much I was crying and trying to get away from him. I remember we all tried to eat Annie's dogfood and I cried so much when she died. I remember my friend Mari coming over to help me make a spaceship for a school project. I remember my bedroom was pink and the boys was orange. I remember pulling my sister out of her crib and telling mom "Mom! She climbed out of bed because she wants to sleep with me." But then, a little while later, calling mom and telling her she wouldn't lay still and go to sleep. Amazing how when mom put her back in her bed, she never climbed out haha ;-)

WOW! This is crazy.... I really haven't thought back to all of these in a long time! What fun!

stupid shopping carts

I rarely go to stores w/out Jon but needed diapers and milk, so had to go... and of course, forgot my wrap. So, I had to put the carseat in the back of the buggy and Z in the front... well, 1st target.... their buggies are awful! the front seat like reclines and z hates it. but also, the back isnt wide enough for a safe seat car seat.... I saw THREE other moms w/ car seats in the back, but the safeseat wont (One of my complaints about the safe seat) So i had to turn her and prop her on the 2 sides of the buggy and hold on to her throughout shopping... and take her out to put almost anything in the buggy, instead of placing things around her

So then safeway....they had just collected buggies i guess bc none in the parking lot except the small, 2 basket type ones so i had to try to get in to the store holding z's hand (DOES NOT like to hold your hand) and the carseat... well, they have nice new buggies... w/ cupholders in the back part, therfore, leaving me to have to do the same thing I did in target... You just KNOW that men must create these darn buggies lol.

so, i'm totally frustrated and frazzled and emotions starting to show (Let's just say aunt flow and not really seeing Jon/spending time together in almost a week hasnt helped).... placed my coupon container on H so i could grab yogurts. Next thing I know... coupons are flying everywhere. This was my first "Bad mommy moment in public" where I lost it, yelled at him, then proceeded to tear up as this lady gave me this mean, disapproving look.

Kids are now asleep (If H will stay when I lay her down) and i'm hoping to get some frustrations out on housework.

TOOOO Long!

Wow, it has been too long! First and foremost, our sweet Hannah Lucia was born Nov. 21 at 2:06am, via repeat c-section after laboring for 24 hrs, weighing 10 lbs 7 oz and 21 inches long!!! She was a big girl! :) Life is a little busy, making the adjustment from 1 to 2, but it's not too bad. We're actually handling it great. Zach loves his little sister, says "Sis" and points to her, will rub her head, pat her back like mommy does to burp her, and will give her nice big, wet kisses. He's still young though, so we've caught him trying to climb on her to sit in the bouncy, on top of her. We have to watch him haha!

Other than that, life is well. Jon is now on a normal work schedule, basically working M-F, 8-5. Has its pluses and minuses. We just spent 2 weeks in MO at the beginning of the year for Jon's sister's wedding and seeing everyone. Hannah was baptized the day we got back and she looked beautiful. Soon after that, Zach spilled diet coke all over my laptop and fried it, so we're now sharing a computer. Jon just started back to school after taking a semester off, so between that and work, he's staying busy. We're also super excited that LOST is back on :) We're flying home in May for my sister's graduation, wahoo! I haven't been home in a year and a half, so I've very excited about that. We're also starting to look at little/plan a little for Rome. We're going there in 2 years for Jon's brother's ordination in to the priesthood. We've very excited about that and looking forward to it.

God has been doing a lot in our lives. Jon and I recently began reading "When Couples Pray" by Cheri Fuller. It's been incredible for our spiritual walk together and it's been so touching to hear us pray for each other. I definitely recommend it to other couples! God's also been bringing Eph 5 up to me a lot, and really encouraging me regarding our marriage. I'm also beginning to consider getting up before the kids to shower and do my own devotional now that I"m getting a little more sleep, but that hasn't happened yet. We also just finished reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and are striving to live on a better budget, to pay off debt, and save lots. We just celebrated our 2 year anniversary last week as well. We got a babysitter and went to dinner and a yummy Italian restaurant we'd never been to, and then went and saw Defiance. Sad, but great movie. Based off a true story during the Holocaust.

Anyway, just gives you a small idea of what's been going on in our lives the past 2 months. Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I'm hoping to try to keep up with this about once a week now that things are settling down to our new adjustment. Hope all are doing well!

Much love, Aimee