The (Shortened) Story of Us

I LOVED this book!  Aside from the actual writing and story line, which were both enjoyable, it really made me consider my husband and just how thankful I am for him.  He truly loves me with all his being and I have never had to wonder if he is committed to me.

J and I met in our high school band class in 1995.  (Although we later learned we had actually been in the same Kindergarten class together in a different district!)  I played the flute and he the clarinet.We knew each other that first and second year and had mutual friends, but it really wasn't until our Junior year that we really became friends.  After my boyfriend, J's best friend since childhood, broke up with me J was there to talk to me.  His family had moved out of the area so we really just had a phone friendship.  We'd talk late into the night and hang out with mutual friends.  We didn't become boyfriend/girlfriend for nearly a year after we started our friendship, the summer between 11th and 12th grades.

Junior Prom

I took our relationship really slow, which was new for me.  I can still remember the night J told me he loved me.  I was so scared!  I think that's how I knew our relationship was real...that we were not just another fling.  I'm not sure how long it took me to say it back, but J was always patient and never pushed. I made the poor guy wait for everything!

Senior Prom

After we graduated high school in May 1999 I spent a few weeks in the mountains where my parents were living before going off to college.  Once I started school we were at least an hour away from each other.  But we found time on the weekends and even some evenings to spend time together.

On November 11, 1999 he asked me to marry him.  I was excited, scared, and in awe that it was happening.  We were so young!

Spring 2000

We were married just over a year later on December 20, 2000.  The ground was covered in snow, but the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.

Our Wedding Day

January 2010

10th Wedding Anniversary

Last December we celebrated 13 amazing years together.  I have still never doubted his love and he remains ever patient.


This post was inspired by the novel The Idea of Him by Holly Peterson. Allie thought she had the perfect husband, until she finds him and another woman in a compromising position in their own apartment. Join From Left to Write on April we discuss The Idea of Him. Join us for a live chat with Holly on April 3.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Survival

It's been an interesting few days, but I made it!  Well, almost.  Technically I have to get the kids to bed tonight before I can say "I survived!" 

J is on another business trip, exactly a month after the last.  When he is gone I struggle with the day to day scheduling of our life.  You see, J is the primary parent to our older children who are 6 and 8.  He gets them up in the morning, packs lunches, feeds breakfast, takes them to school, picks them up in the afternoon, AND makes dinner. So when he is gone I have to try to get 3 kids up, dressed, fed, and out the door by 7am.

This trip J left early on Sunday morning.  I was scheduled to work 10-6 an hour from home.  The older kids were going to Grandma's house and the baby was going to work with me. The older kids' bodies had other plans though.  They both woke with diarrhea overnight.  Since I didn't think it would be nice to send them to Grandma's house sick I ended up having to stay home from work.  We had a good day and fortunately the kids felt fine other than running to the bathroom often.  They both ended up having diarrhea for 48 hours.

They watched The Hobbit and then Fellowship of the Ring 

and enjoyed warm cinnamon sugar cresents.

  

On Monday I actually took the kids to work with me to make my life easier.  Adam had scouts that night and we had to be there by 6:30, in uniform, fed, and with his bike and helmet.  The day went smoothly and as planned.

It was a gorgeous 65 degree day with warm winds

   

On Tuesday and Wednesday I arranged childcare to pick the kids up in the afternoon from ...childcare.  LOL!  They are off track right now, but they are still at the school in the Intersession program all day.  I work till 5:30 and am 45 minutes minimum from home.  Childcare closes at 6pm.  Doesn't quite compute, does it.  I am very fortunate to have awesome family and friends who jump in and help us out when needed.

On Tuesday the weather messed up our plans.  We had a Blizzard Warning and every school district in the greater Denver metro area was closed.  So the kids got to go to work with me again.  The so called "blizzard" was a total fail, but the kids enjoyed getting to spend a 3rd day with me.  I finally hit my limit on Tuesday.  I was DONE!  Noelle was starting to get pissy and annoying and I really needed a break from the older kids.  (I'm used to having the baby 24/7.  I'm not as good with the older kids.)  I decided for all of our sakes to go to McDonalds for dinner.  That way the kids could run and play getting rid of all the stored up energy, and I could relax a tiny bit.

Colorado Blizzard 4/10/13

   

And that brings us to today, Wednesday!  Finally a day that is going as planned.  The older kids are at Intersession and will be picked up by one of our friends, Loren, who will take them home and entertain and bathe them until I'm home.  I get to have a normal day at work with just the babies.  Also, J will be back after the kids are in bed tonight.  Woo-Hoo!

Sanity time!

I am so thankful  to have the love and support of my Husband.  I CAN do this parenting thing alone, but I don't want to and thankfully I don't have to.

I LOVE YOU JUSTIN!

(Google Hangout with Daddy!)

30 Days of Thankfulness in Words and Pictures, Part 1

Day 1 - Today I am Thankful for traditions. Our Halloween tradition of going to my Dad's house for dinner and Trick-or-Treating is probably my favorite one of the entire year.

Halloween 2012

Day 2 - I am thankful for access to affordable healthcare. Especially on a day like today when I have already had one medical appointment for myself, Lily has her 9 month well visit, Noelle has a pediatrician visit, and Noelle also has an eye appointment. 

Waiting for her second flu shot...ouch!

Day 3 - Today I am Thankful for my husband. We have our share of ups and downs, but we work through them and try to come out stronger than before.

Justin - Father's Day 2012

Day 4 - I'm Thankful for my amazing son Adam. He is a sweet, loving, and sensitive child. He made me a mom and I couldn't be more happy about that.

Space Derby October 2012

Day 5 - I'm Thankful for Noelle. She is such a caring and helpful big sister. Noelle taught me that no two children are alike and you have to learn to appreciate each for who they are as individuals. She amazes me daily with how smart she is!

Ready for her first Girl Scout meeting

Day 6 -  I'm Thankful for Lillian! My sweet Lily Bug. She really is my sunshine and has completed me as a mom. I love her so much! She is truly the happiest, smiliest child I have EVER met.

October 2012

Day 7 - I am Thankful to live in such a gorgeous state that has graced us with some amazingly warm days this week.

My gorgeous view of the mountains from work!

Day 8 - I am Thankful for my family. They are some of my favorite people in the world and are always so loving, caring, and accepting. Love you all!

HUGE Allen family - September 2012

Day 9 - Today I am Thankful for the amazing preschool teachers Noelle had at LOTH and B&B. At her first Kindi conference last night we learned that she reads at a DRA of 16 which equals an end of 1st grade level and has the math skills of a strong 1st Grader. It is such a blessing to us that she excels in school. With all of the behavior problems we have at home it is very nice to know that she does not struggle in any way at school.

B&B June 2012

Day 10 -  I am Thankful for my IRL friends. I love having you all as part of my life. You make me laugh and smile on a daily basis. Thanks especially to Lorien Klette and Melinda Beckman for scrap booking with me last night!

Some of my favorite people.  This is an oldie, that is baby Noelle in my lap!!

Day 11 -  I am Thankful to all the Veterans! Thank you for keeping us safe and giving us our freedom. A special thanks to my brother Merle Cordova for serving in the Navy!

My brother, Merle Cordova - US Navy.

Day 12 - Today I am thankful to be able to work as a Nanny. Not only do I get to play and teach all day long, I get to do it with Lily. I LOVE my job!

Lily and Miss M reading together.

Day 13 - Today I am Thankful for all my FB friends. I enjoy keeping up with everyone's lives. It's fun to hear what you all are doing, learn about your kids, and to be able to "like" from afar.

Day 14 - Today I am thankful that my kids' school is going traditional next year. Yeah!! If I were a stay at home mom I would love and embrace the track system. But since I work FT and therefor have to pay for 3 weeks of FT care every 9 weeks I am really excited to be done with it. I am also excited for my kids to get a "real" summer vacation.

Summer 2012

Day 15 - I am Thankful to be able to shop online for Christmas gifts. Not only is it hard to get out to stores to buy things without kids in tow, I no longer have the extra time to do it! This year I am excited to use the Box Tops site as a portal to all our favorite stores, that way my children's school earns money while I shop.

Christmas 2011

Texas - Day 4

Wedding Day!  We spent the first half of the day just hanging out at the hotel and getting ready for the big night. 

The kids relaxing.

I painted my toes for the first time in I don't even KNOW how long.  Then I proceeded to wear cowboy boots to the wedding.  LOL!

I french braided Mary and Noelle's hair and pinned the flower from the dress into it.

 

Desiree, Mary's mom, painted the girls' finger and toe nails.

 

 

It had been raining for several days, but the sun came out just in time for the ceremony and it didn't rain anymore that day.  :)

 

Grant waiting for his Bride!

Noelle did great walking down the isle dropping rose petals about.  When it came time to stand there and do nothing though she failed miserably.  She was twitchy and kept lifting her dress up in the front.  We tried what we could to get her to stop, but it was worthless since she was on the other side and we couldn't really talk to her.  Only give dirty looks.

Mary and Noelle  

 

The Bride and Groom

 

 

Noelle just adores her Uncle Derrick.  It had only been a few months since he moved to Alaska, but she was so happy to see him!

 Such a tired little bug!  About 8pm I rocked her to sleep and she was out for about 30 minutes before she was ready to dance the night away.

By far the coolest Groom's Cake I have ever seen.

WOW, Adam can dance like you wouldn't believe.  I have video and will have to try and edit it so I can upload it .

 

This was the best wedding I have ever been to.  Great venue and wonderful friends and family!



Texas - Day 3

It was really nice to wake up Friday morning and not have to pack up and get in the car.  We were able to relax in the rooms until mid afternoon.  Justin, Lily, and I went grocery shopping and to find me a skirt while Adam and Noelle played with their cousins in the morning.   Lily and I even took a nice long nap after lunch!

 

Breakfast of donuts and applesauce.  Perfect!

We tried to put her on the floor to play anytime we could since most of the trip was spent in the car, stroller, and our arms.

 

This is how Lily and I's room was set up.  I tried to make it so she couldn't see me when she was going down and waking up.

Mid afternoon we headed out to the wedding venue for the rehearsal.  It was a beautiful place and very peaceful.

 

Mommy and Lily in front of the Lily Pond.

Lily and I checked out the donkeys and goats.  This goat checked us out and decided we were lacking some dirt.  It proceeded to butt the fence and knocked us down on MY butt.  Lily had a tiny spot on her forehead where the fence hit it, otherwise we were fine.  JERK!

Daddy and Lily

 

The rehearsal dinner was at Thirsty Planet Brewery.

 

Aunt Jenna and Lily

The cousins checking out the equipment on the Brewery tour.

Noelle, Adam, Ethan. and Mary

 

Noelle was super excited to get a Flower Girl cup with her name on it from Lindsay.

 

 

We finally made our way back to the hotel about 9:30pm.  Desiree had told us that she was able to get moved to a suite like she had reserved and that they made it sound like there were several available.  We decided to ask about it and were able to get one as well.  We headed upstairs and packed up the two rooms and moved downstairs into a room all together.  YEAH!!  It was 10pm by the time we got settled and put the kids to bed.  What a long day!