Decision, decision

Being an adult stinks at times. This is one of those times. We are completely bursting out of our house. If we only had one more bedroom, this wouldn't be an issue. This townhouse has been our first home that Michael and I purchased together. It was the first time we came together and moved in together. We had a ton of firsts here. The first time we set off the smoke detectors from burning dinner, the first time the toilet overflowed and flooded the upstairs bathroom (ok, well water spilled out all over the floor, no permanent damage), we brought our first born home here, added two dogs and a cat, Jake took his first steps here, it has hosted many upon many of parties with friends and family, we brought another child home, it has sheltered us for 5 years (almost!) Yet, we have out grown it. We need a backyard for the boys to run around in and the dogs to wear out their energy as well. We have an idea where we would like to move, and I'm scared to say it, but school district wise, it's probably the best choice. I never thought about ever living in Norwalk, ever. Yet, when you are thinking about your children, it's what is best for them. Which comes to my point, selling our house. I have been secretly stressing about this for weeks. Over the past few months we have packed up a lot of our "extras" that we don't use all that often. China, toys that Jake's out grown, clothing, just things we don't use that much. We have repainted almost every room, and yet, we have to do touch ups already thanks to having a 3 year old. We are just trying to figure out how to sell. Do we hire a realtor or sell on our own. I feel like if we hire a realtor, we have to pay 6-7% of commission on a house that doesn't cost that much. I really don't want to pay $5k+ to have someone sell a house that isn't that pricey. Selling on our own is a big commitment. Yet, I think we could do it. We have done so many updates that none of the others around us have, and I'm not sure a Realtor could really get everything across. I have no idea. My only thing about selling this house ourselves is the legal part. All the documents you have to have, I just don't wan to mess it up. I know we have the dedication to sell it ourselves, I just don't know if we have the energy! It's a big commitment. Being able to always have your home ready for people to come look at it. Not to mention the dogs. Every time someone wants to come look, I will probably have to leave with the kids. One bonus, we do live by a school park so maybe we can just go there. Decisions, decisions. Can't someone make it for us? Why can't some random person just walk by and say: "I like your house, can I buy it from you?" That would be in a perfect world, which we do not live in! I just hope we can sell it by the end of the summer. We would like to have it put up in March so that means I have a lot of work to do before then! Oh to be an adult. I remember when all we wanted as kids was to be older and be able to do whatever we wanted. Can I go back to being a kid?! HA!

Umm, thanks Mom?

**I was given permission to tell this story from my friend. I promised not to use her name! 

A single friend of mine, let us call her "M", received a birthday card in the mail yesterday from her Momma. Now, M has been single since she was about 24. She ended a 2 year relationship that she just out grew and wanted to get to know herself. She has since graduated from Grad School, traveled to some pretty amazing places, has a fantastic job, owns her own home, and bucket full of friends. She has dated here and there but hasn't found the right one yet. Apparently her Mom thought she needed to step in. Last night I stopped by on my way home from errands and she just had to share her Moms card with me. Yesterday when she got home from work, she had a Hallmark card in the mail. When you care enough to send the very best, you know it will be a positive turn for the day. She opened the card and read a lovely note from her Mom. Inside the card was a small envelope with a piece of paper. In her Moms note she said "I saw this and thought immediately of you. I hope 2011 brings you the right one. You still have to wait 3 weeks to figure out how to get him in your life, but I hope this will help guide you there." She opened the envelope and it was a photo of a DVD that her Mom pre-ordered for her on Amazon. Here is what the photo was:

At first, I thought it was a joke. Her Mom was dead serious. My first reaction was, I busted out laughing. She did too. We laughed for about 10 minutes and then planned an evening for February to watch and learn. I am just curious to see what this teaches M. She still is not sure how to take this present. I think her Mom is wanting grandchildren. M said she would just adopt instead of this humiliation and that at least her Mom hadn't sent her a cat! It was her 30th birthday to top it off!

List of TV hotties

Being on maternity leave and not really being able to do much such as drive, work out, and all that for the first 3-4 weeks, you find yourself watching a lot of TV. I tend to knit or even read if the TV is on but I find myself catching marathons of NCIS and Criminal Minds on A&E and USA. Mostly I see these shows when I have to wake up in the middle of the night but I do catch a few during the day. I must say, for having over 250+ TV channels, there is literally nothing on TV during the day. It's horrible. I cannot lower myself to watch Maury, Jerry Springer, or even The View. I have been resorting back to my TV on DVD collections. We don't have too much but we do have about 4-5 shows with completed seasons and about 4-5 more that we have bits and pieces of. After this weekend I will be able to bust out the treadmill and drive and I can't be more excited. Reminds me that I need to update my iTunes and my new iPod Nano. Schweet! Back to my point. Since I have been watching all these shows, I have found men that intrigue me. Figures right? Thus, I thought I would post about my top picks of men that I completely adore and love that come through my TV and keep me company and entertained during the week and during late night feedings.

Anthony DiNozzo played by Michael Weatherly

His character graces my presence on NCIS. I haven't watched the new episodes at all but I have caught quite a few re-runs on USA the past month while being awake with Jax. Not only is he pretty nice to look at, but his humor is right up my alley. He is always sticking his foot in his mouth, something I have come accustomed to. He is completely sarcastic and is some what a know it all when it comes to certain topics. He is always spewing off movie trivia and facts and every once and a while he will show his sensitive side. Now during 2am feedings, I have something to look forward too! Plus I can't help but laugh at the name DiNozzo.

Dr Spencer Reid played by Michael Gray Gubler (Gubler? Really?)

Okay, so he is not the most attractive man in the world, but his brains, are way attractive. The fact this man knows everything, and I mean everything, completely makes me swoon. I love Criminal Minds. It has to be a guilty pleasure of mine for a while. If it is on, I will watch it religiously. Yes, you would think I would pick Morgan, the deliciously gorgeous piece of dark chocolate, and he is fantastic eye candy, but Reid, he has the brains. Also the fact that Jane Lynch plays his schizophrenic mother gives him more points. The poor man seem to either be getting shot, kidnapped, given drugs unwillingly, being trapped in burning churches, but he always fights through and is normally the one that solves the case. He always is playing chess or beating someone at cards. His vests and cardigan sweaters complete his adorable look. I would love to have him on my side if some psycho serial killer came after me! Hopefully that will never happen!

Clark Kent played by Tom Welling
This stems from high school. Tom Welling entered my life when Smallville debuted 10 years ago. Yes, 10 years ago. I believe I was still in high school and the first time he flashed that smile, I was a goner. I lived for the moments that he was working in the barn or chopping up wood. Amazing. Another reason I think I stayed a fan was Michael. This is one of things we would watch and talk about quite a bit. Looking back on it now, it's funny that this brought us even closer. His acting, yes, not the best. His looks get him through. Luckily for me Lana Lane disappeared quite a few seasons ago so I now can survive watching an episode now. She drove me insane. My heart breaks because this is the last season of the show but he will live on in our DVD collection. The only movies I believe I own with him in it is "Cheaper by the Dozen 1 and 2"....I cannot believe I admitted that. Oh well. I will be sad to see Smallville leave, but my less geeky side can come out. End of this chapter!

Jackson Avery played by Jesse Williams
Yes Please! That is my tag line for him. I have been a Grey's Anatomy fan from the beginning. McDreamy always caught my eye, until season 6. Jackson Avery walked onto the set and I about fell out of my seat. The dark haired, blue eyed, piece or artwork strolled onto my TV one day and I was hooked. He is cocky and a pain in the butt. But seriously, look at that face. You know you would tune in every week if he was on any TV show. I know I would and I know I do. His smile melts me and when he stares directly in the camera, yikes. Those eyes hypnotize you. I need to have my heart restarted. Code Blue in Urbandale. He better come and bring the crash cart! =)

Eric Delko played by Adam Rodriguez

I am not a CSI girl by any means. I would usually catch CSI: Miami on rerun on cable or watch it every once and while when it was on Mondays and if I had nothing to do. I believe it got moved to another night and I have no idea when that is. Shows how much of a fan I really am. The other night I was flipping through the channels at 3am while Jax sat there wide awake and found CSI: Miami on some random channel. The start of the show was jaw dropping. It was Mr Eric Delko stepping out of the shower. Umm hello?! I then became wide awake. I believe I didn't go back to sleep that night. His bod is fantastic but his character is just perfect. He's rough but yet sweet and sensitive crime scene investigator. He is always the hero and that smile, wow, it lights up the city! Sadly, I don't see him much because I cannot watch TV 24/7 and I do have a life. I look forward to any late night sessions we have in the middle of the night Mr Delko aka my latino lova! =)

Blaine Anderson played by Darren Criss
I love Glee. There are always good looking boys on this show. Finn, he grows on you, Puck, well, Puck is all I need to say, yummo. When I heard Kurt was going to have a new "love interest" I was super excited to see who would take on that roll. Enter: Blaine. Just look at that smile. Who wouldn't be interested? As a bonus, the boy can sing! I have enjoyed every scene has been in and I look forward to his character development. Yes, this character prefers the same sex, but I still think he is adorable. He could be my Will!

Jim Halpert played by John Krasinski

This man has made my list on many occasions. Not only for his TV role but in movies suck as "License to Wed", "Away We Go" and "It's Complicated." Jim Halpert walked into my life when I sat down to watch the British version of "The Office" when is premiered in 2005. I was hooked. Yes, Michael Scott is awkwardly humorous and who doesn't love a little Dwight in your life? Jim gave one of his trademark looks to the camera and I was done. His practical jokes and sarcastic humor kept me hooked. He is always willing to call out Michael on his crap and the jokes he plays on Dwight, priceless. Mega desk, wrapping up his desk for the holidays, the 30 ft electrical chord, moving his desk to the bathroom, and so on. Even when he moved because Pam broke his heart, he was still sending Dwight faxes with missions. I still cry on the episode after Vegas night when he tells Pam he loves her, kisses her, and she breaks his heart. I hate seeing Jim cry. He cries, I cry. Horrible I know but the man makes you feel what he feels. I guess that is why I love it him. I will be saddened when the show eventually ends, but it is my favorite TV on DVD and it will live on forever for me.

Back to normal!

I want to take a giant sigh of relief. We are back to our regular schedule. Well, an almost regular schedule. I still have a few weeks left at home with Jax. Jake needs to be on his schedule. This back and forth and going here, going there, staying home, then not, it's just not a good thing! The kid lives by his schedule. When he is off, wow, he is off. He's still an amazing child but he loves his routine. Monday through Friday has to be the same or you can tell he is off. Holidays are over and we can now get back to normal! I never realized how exhausted the holidays make you. The past few days I feel like I have been trying to catch up on sleep. Luckily Jax has been a saint during the night hours! He only wakes up once or not at all. We put him down at 10 and he either wakes up around 2:30 or doesn't. I am so grateful for that! I am sure there will be nights where that doesn't happen but I will take what I am currently given! I am in a way looking forward to going back to work. I am just dreading the fact that I know I will be completely exhausted the first week. Getting back in the routine of going to work is going to take some time. I can already see it! I still have about 4 weeks left so I will not talk about it! 

Now that we are back on schedule, I think I can start enjoying my afternoon naps again!! =)

You were good 2010

The older I get, the faster a year goes by. I am astonished as I look back how quickly this year came and went. I think back on it and words cannot express how blessed we were this year. 

Family: Obviously the biggest blessing and most exciting part of our year was Jaxson. I cannot believe he is already here and sadly, almost a month old. It seems like yesterday when Jana and I were heading out for a day of shopping and I peed on that little stick and it had a giant + on it. We are so thankful for a healthy baby boy that is growing like a weed and starting to let his personality out. I am so grateful for an easy delivery this time and for the opportunity for Michael to be off work for the first three weeks. I will never, ever forget those 3 weeks and the time we got to bond as a family. Jax is a great addition to our family and we love him more and more everyday. Jake also turned 3 this year! It's been a blast to think about everything he has learned and how much he has come into his own over the year. He is a fantastic big brother and I love watching the two of them together. The transition was smooth and Jake has really stepped up to the plate as a big brother. I have loved our coloring times, watching him as he paints and draws, playing board games (so glad to play Candyland and Chutes and Ladders again!), watching him and Michael have their dance sessions before bed, never knowing what one liner will come out of his mouth next, the list can go on and on. Jake amazes me everyday. Yes, he has his moments like all 3 year old children do, but one smile from him, and it wipes those little moments away.

Friends: I do not even know where to begin in this category. I look around and see the people I have in my life and words fail. The family and friends that God has given me, they are just amazing. I have so many wonderful memories from this past year and a whole lot of laughs that have extended my life by centuries. Even with one of my besties moving to another state, it's amazing what you can still do being about 12 hours apart! Especially when you have 3 cd's of songs about our relationship to listen to! Every single one of our friends have been there for us this year multiple times. The good, the bad, and the unexpected. The support and love that they have shown us, brings tears to my eyes. I want nothing more for them all to know how much we love them and support them in return. I am so pumped for all the babies that are making their debuts this year! I love the fact that we do have quite a few friends with children all the same age. It makes it a complete blast to be together! We are so lucky to have friends that get us. Love us for who were are and accept us for who we are. Our Tuesday night bible study group has been a rock for us and have taught us so much this past year. I cannot wait to see what 2011 has in store for all of us! I know we will all be there for one another.

Mi Familia aka my parents and sisters family: We have had a very interesting year this year. Two new boys to add to the crew. We all went through a rough time in May but have come out stronger and closer. Being adopted, I am astonished about how lucky I am to have been blessed with my family. I know things could have been different. God has a plan for everything and we are so lucky to have one another. I am so fortunate to have parents that are not only parents, but amazing friends. I have no problem saying "I love hanging out with my parents!" It is so funny when you realize you want to be around your parents all the time, more then ever before. We are blessed to have both sets of parents here and for our kids to be around them whenever they want. We are so thankful to them for everything they have taught us and done for us throughout the years.

Jobs: I may dislike my job some days but I am grateful to have a job. I know there are many people out there that don't. Some days are not as good as others but the people I work with, wow, that makes all the difference. I am fortunate to have a boss that treats us like adults, most of the time. In house, the people I see everyday make each day a new adventure. We have shared many laughs, tears, experiences, changes, challenges, and more laughs with each other. It does end up being a second family. When one is gone, the whole dynamic is different and off. I have been off work for about 6 weeks currently, and I do miss them. Even though I wish my leave didn't have to end, I am looking forward to seeing their faces again! Michael also has been blessed with his job this past year. He is still one of their leading men and has a fantastic relationship with his bosses. He was spoiled the 2nd half of the year working on a giant house for an amazing couple that treated him like royalty. He was also lucky to have received many side jobs over the year. Even though we are both contemplating career changes in the next few years, we are thankful for what we have.

Extras: We spent a giant portion of the beginning of 2010 getting our house ready for 2011. We have 8/9 projects completed and are starting to box up a lot of our "extra" things. We hope 2011 will be the year we can sell this place. It's been good to us but we really need more space for this over-sized family of 7 (including the animals.)  This house has been our home for almost 5 years and it was our first place together. Although I will be sad to see it go, I hope 2011 will bring us a new adventure in housing! The new SUV. Ruby was good to us until July of 2010. Sadly, we had to put her down and move on. We are so thankful the accident wasn't as bad as it could have been. We were so lucky that Jax was okay, only being 18 weeks along was pretty scary having been in a roll over accident. We found our new SUV in a matter of a week and it has been good to us so far. I know Jake enjoys it! We also enjoyed many concerts, date nights, mini vacations away, a ton of wonderful family nights, and so many memories.

Michael: He gets his own. Michael has made me fall in love with him even more then I ever thought. Watching him with the boys alone, just amazes me everyday. I am so lucky to have a fantastic role model and father for my children. I hope one day they see how lucky they are. I know how lucky I am to have him in my life. He still gives me butterflies and there are many, many times that I feel like we are still dating and everything is new. I love the fact that we can still cuddle up on the couch and watch movies. I enjoy the fact he always grabs my hand while walking anywhere. TMI for some, but I love the fact that he still loves to make out like we were in high school. I think it's sweet that when in public he usually his holding my hand, has his arms around me, or is always making "his eyes" at me. I love they way he loves him and the way he takes care of our family. I may not show it sometimes, but the fact that he loves to get on the floor not just with our kids, but friends kids and act like a total goof melts my heart. I love that he loves to dance and isn't afraid to break down at home or in public! I am sure I don't give him enough credit and I try extremely hard to let him know how amazing he is. I can't thank him enough for everything he does. I also can't thank God enough for him. I still sit back and think that I never expected to marry someone I grew up with. God has reasons for everything. I am glad Michael was my "reason" and part of my "plan".

I am sad to see 2010 go because we had so many amazing experiences and blessings this year. I am though, extremely excited to see what lies ahead in 2011. I know there will be good and bad, but I am sure God has many things in store for us. We have a few changes coming up. Changes that have to be made and we will be better for it! So bring it on 2011!

Christmas 2010

Christmas has come and gone. I am sad but at the same time, I was ready this year. I think it's because I really wanted my house back in order. Even though I am no longer pregnant, I still am nesting. I get OCD if things are messy or out of place. In some ways, I hope it passes but I also don't want it to. We will have to play it out and see what happens.

Let see, we spent Christmas Eve with the Janzen clan. We went to church and then headed over for dinner. It was our typical Christmas Eve dinner of ham, potatoes, veggies, oyster soup, rolls and raspberry jello for dessert. It's nothing too exciting but it's the normal and rounds out the the whole Christmas Eve vibe. It was a good evening with family.

Christmas Day was insane. We woke up and ate breakfast as a family. We read the Christmas story and then Jake opened all his gifts! We just let him have at it. 3 year olds aren't the most patient so we thought we would let him open everything first. He was super excited for everything! His big gift from us was a major hit! We bought him the Fisher Price iXL and he loves it. He will sit there for hours writing, coloring, reading, and playing games. It is amazing. I am just so thankful he likes it. He is more of manual toy child. He has all the Thomas the Train engines and a ton of cars and trucks, so this whole new electronic era is completely new. I am excited he is interested though! Michael and I put our gifts in our stockings! I was super excited that one of my gifts was a new iPod Nano. Ok, yes I have a barely year old iPod that has about 9000 songs on it and quite a few movies but it's huge. Not huge, but I wanted a small one that I could take on walks and all that. The new Nano's are so small. I need to get a wrist/arm band for it for sure. I think I have had almost every generation of the Nano and this one is the smallest. I was super excited though! Come one January 6th!

After cleaning the the disaster that was our living room after Christmas morning, I started to get everything ready for my sista,s house! Somehow, we made it on time. I really don't know how but we did. Since it wasn't quite dinner time we let the boys rip open their gifts. Can we say Grandparents spoil them? Man, seriously. We honestly were shocked we could fit everything in our SUV. It was packed full. We had bags stuffed on the floor and I had a few things on my lap coming home. It was just madness. We had an amazing dinner and the boys went sledding in the backyard. It was a great day filled with family and love. It was perfect. I will say, I was beyond exhausted when we got home though. Jake of course wanted to play with everything but it was way past his bed time also. Michael and I spent the rest of the night curled up in bed, watching a movie. It was perfection. Jax basically slept through the whole day. I didn't expect anything other then that from him. He did get an awesome floor play yard that he loves to already play with it. He reaches for the toys and loves his tummy time on it. He honestly thinks he is 3 months old instead of 3 weeks. It's crazy. I am sad because since he is the last Janzen we are producing, I want him to stay small longer. Although, Jake was the same way so I had little chance of that happening. He has rolled over twice now. He also holds his head up like a champ. He's such an amazing little man and we love him more and more!

The 26th, well, it all came down. I woke up and my OCD kicked in. I needed my house back in order. We packed up the tree, took down all the decor, put all the wrapping paper and trimmings away, deep cleaned and now my downstairs living area is clean and back to normal. We really needed the space. We honestly did. I forgot how much stuff you have with a baby. It's beyond ridiculous. I also want to get things kicked off to start packing up things we do not use or no longer need. March is going to be here before we know it and I have a few things to get done before we can put the house on the market. I do need to purchase some more packing boxes. That should be my #1 priority. The worst thing I need to do is pack up my china. I don't even know where to begin with that. I will tackle it soon enough!

The Christmas season has come and gone. It was a great time with family and friends and we loved every minute of it. From the parties, to the baking day with my favorites with the exchanging gifts which was amazingly hilarious, to all the family and friend time we were blessed with, the reason for the season, and the time I got to just spend with my three boys. I am so thankful for this time we had together as a family. I am so blessed for my boys and I love them all very much.

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Christmas is 2 days away! This has been the most relaxing holiday season of my life. I know that probably sounds insane due to we just had a baby 2 weeks ago, but we had all our holiday shopping done in November. Most of the gifts have been wrapped also for quite some time. We had a few last minute items but this whole season has been the most enjoyable one I have ever experienced! It's also been a major blessing to have Michael home for 3 weeks. I know both boys have loved having him here. I find it funny that even though he has been off work, we have been extremely busy. Between Christmas parties, birthdays, friends being in town, and just running errands, we haven't been home much. I don't mind it one bit. It's been just a blast being able to spend days with friends and family. I have loved every moment of it.

Jax is doing awesome. Growing like a weed and eating us out of the house. The child can put his milk away like a champ. He is starting to stay awake for about an hour to an hour and a half at a time during the day. We love it of course. We try to play with him but he doesn't find anything too interesting at this moment. He does love his brother and Jake loves him. Jax will just stare at Jake if he is talking or playing. It's so sweet. Jake is very protective of Jax. He is always making sure he is warm enough. If he is crying he has to report why and what we can do to help him. It's so funny and very sweet. He loves helping at bath time, feeding time, diaper time, and just any time he thinks Jax needs him. I love it and am so thankful Jake has really been a fantastic big brother!

It's suppose to snow starting tonight. I am a little excited to have a white Christmas. It makes it really feel like Christmas! It's the icing on the cake! I just hope it doesn't cause chaos like last year. Church was even canceled and that made me sad. I hope that it isn't as bad as last year! I just love Christmas and the whole meaning behind it. Jesus is the reason for the season and I love focusing on that. God gave us one amazing gift, His Son, and because of Him, we are free today. I am so thankful for everything He has has blessed us with and even the hard times that He has challenged us with. We are stronger for it and I am thankful for that! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!