well hello there

Wow. Well this is weird. I feel like I've run into an old friend...like we have so much history but it's a bit weird because I have no idea where to start.

So err, hi. 

Here I am, awkwardly blogging again. Can I promise myself to commit to this blog? HA...no. But I feel the need to be around.

Lots has gone on since I last blogged so here is a quick update on us :)

Tony...my adoring husband is busy busy (as always) teaching high school physics and science full time. He loves teaching, specifically physics...it is after all what he loves most after God and his family ;) I joke...(kind of) ...When not being the 'cool new science teacher' he is planning, grading, researching, thinking thinking thinking..and balancing his little family quite beautifully these days. He's got oh so much on his plate, but I can assuredly say that he is blessed and that sharing his passion for math and science is most definitely where God wants Tony to be.

Desmond...my little man. Suddenly my ringlet-haired angel baby boy is like a full on preschooler (minus the going to preschool part, that starts in September) and it breaks my heart yet makes me giddy all at the same time! He says the funniest things and has the wildest imagination...not to mention the wildest little spirit. He is all boy with his bug catching, dirt digging, fire fighting, police patroling, constant climbing, spider obsessed little personality...it is incredibly out of my realm of childhood, mothering and experiences (having grown up with only girl sisters and cousins) but I'm learning to let go and let him be the little person that God has designed him to be! And really, it's quite fun once I get passed the worms and what not. ...Oh, but all that is for another post on another day :) We are so thankful to say that Desmond has not had one seizure since being hospitalized last June. He is still on a small daily dose of seizure medication and his neurologist is nearly positive that his epilepsy is one he will grow out of very soon. That is the best outcome we could have ever prayed for. SO THANKFUL. 

And then there is me...Between coaching and being a mom I've stayed pretty much constantly busy but in only the best ways possible. I just wrapped up a packed cheer season at my alma mater and I absolutely loved my first season coaching here. I could go on and on but truly, I've found my niche and I am so excited for the coming season and every single one there after. Motherhood has been a whirlwind but when is it not? Or maybe I'm the only one flying by the seat of my pants ;) Three years old hasn't been easy, much harder than two some days (cough-most days-cough) ...I fully understand the meaning of 'threenager' and I've found that an earlier bedtime is key when it comes to keeping mine and Tony's sanity :) I'm always learning more about myself and my son as I venture through this whole parenting thing...it's scary, terrifying and the biggest gift of my LIFE! .....and that's why we've decided to have another one. Ya know, a baby. You all know since the only people who read this blog are family and FB friends..but that's right, we are growing another human and it's so awesome. I mean, the first trimester was awesome and miserable..second trimester has been awesome and STARVING-all-the-time. I enjoy pregnancy (so far..knock on wood!) and I am absolutely fascinated with this little person and who he or she is! EEEK!

So that is it. Us in the quickest recap before bed I could come up with. I've got a lot on my heart lately and I find typing it all out therapeutic in a way...it's strictly selfish you see :) I have ideas of blogging about mothering a son, cloth diapering, summer plans, home buying/renting, pregnancy and so on...so run away now  and never turn back before you get too bored! ha. 

Thanks for reading friends. Be posting again soon! 

a must have...

"A piggy bank designed to save items of emotional value instead of financial value, like ticket stubs and love notes–the sorts of things we want to hold on to but usually put in shoeboxes and other places that don’t highlight their value. Brilliant? YES!"

"Remember tonight for it is the beginning of always"

"Remember tonight for it is the beginning of always. A promise like a reward for persisting through life so long alone. A belief. In each other in the possibility of love. A decision to rise above the pain of the past. A covenant that combines two souls and severe prior ties. A celebration of a chance taken and a challenge that lies ahead. For two will always be stronger than one, like a team that rises against the tempests of the world. Love will always be the guiding force in our lives. For tonight is a mere formality. Only the announcement to the world of feelings long held. Promises made long ago in the secret space of our hearts."

Weve had a great weekend so far. Last night we went out to dinner with friends, my mom watched Desmond so we made a double date out of it. It's so great to catch up and reminisce on old times...there was lots of laughing involved to say the least, I havent laughed like that in a long time..it's so refreshing...it is so easy to go back to the people and friends you once were even when separated by growing up, work, parenthood etc. At least it is that way if you are good enough friends...and thankfully in this case the 3 of us are :) Today Des and I hung out and cleaned up a bit and tonight we went and had dessert with Tony's family. Des was so sweet with his cousin Ireland, giving her hugs just because, without even being asked..his sweet personality is just blossoming and I could freak out it's just so cute. He is so lovable but what mother doesnt feel that way! Im often just in awe of this boy.. Tomorrow we will take Des to the park or something and then we are seeing a movie in the evening. I cant wait! We love going to the movies and it makes us nostalgic because the movie theater is where Tony and I met. A friend of mine introduced me to Tony and Bryce (the friend I was speaking of above) nearly 9 years ago..we all went and saw Along Came Polly. I really liked Tony from the get go, I thought he was such a funny, cool guy ;) I even wrote in my diary about it LOL. And about a month later he asked me to be his girlfriend on March 21st 2004...and you know the rest of the story ;) So basically...we like going to the movies! It's where our little story began. (*Edit: decided to do dinner and the part instead of a movie) I will blog more soon, Ive been kind of blah lately with my blog so I apologize! More interesting stuff is to come soon. Promise! Here are some pictures from the last couple days...

off to dinner

my favorite pizza in the whole world!

cousins coloring

Grammie with her bud Des

The Abbott men :)

1. The best surprise ever would be,   a surprise trip to Disneyland. We want to do this for our kids one day, like Christmas morning or something. Tony told me a few weeks ago he wants to do it for me too...so yeah, Im counting on it! Talk about best surprise ever!

2. The moments I heard Desmond's cry for the first time   is my most favorite memory .

3. The hardest, but most worthwhile thing I've ever done was     this is personal but it is definitely the decision to wait until marriage. We had everything working against us, but we made it work despite people's disbelief and now we are so incredibly thankful for that commitment we made. What I love most is that it was just a couple years, it was 5 years and a majority of that we were a couple of weak, love-crazed teenagers! God is amazing and got us through though...that decision to wait until marriage will forever define the both of us.

4. The best part of my day is   When Tony is off work, which is early afternoon with this new schedule which I love. He closed until ten for many years. We usually go do something as a family when he gets home and it is the highlight of my day.

5. Something I like that most people don't is  sliced apples on my turkey or ham sandwich

6. Something I am willing to fight for is my marriage, my son and my faith.

7. Something you might not know about me is   Im afraid of lakes. They are dirty and nasty and  I refuse to go more than ankle deep...I once had a panic attack when I fell off a jet ski. It's a legit fear for me!

Marriage

Mother's Day and Other News...

We had a lovely Mother's Day on Sunday, the whole family got together at our favorite park and had a pot luck. Weve been doing this on Father's day the past couple years and decided to start the tradition on Mother's Day too. This way we dont have to split up going to each family's house, we just all come together and visit and it always makes for a wonderful time. The kids all get to play together and good food is always plus in my opinion ;) Tony works weekends now until 3:30 so we had to make it work for the first hour which was hard, even with all the adults Desmond still managed to run off at one point (while I was getting his food) and went crazy trying to get to the swings which in result made me look like a mad woman of a mother. It was embarassing trying to catch him as he cried and ran away over and over walking right into other people's picnics :| He was doing the whole go limp thing when you try and pick them up...real cute. Once Tony got there it got so much easier. I do not know how single mothers do it. I admire them so much. I nearly had a nervous breakdown just trying to manage an hour out in public without my other half! lol. pathetic! Once again a confirmation that ONE is enough for me right now! But overall it was a great day, we had a lot of fun and I was very happy to get to spend my mother's day with all the other moms in my life (including my own) that I love most. They are such a blessing to me!

Tomorrow is the first day of practice for my new cheer team! Im so excited. I can seriously barely contain myself! In other news..my mother in law got me a massage for Christmas this year and I finally scheduled it for Thursday! Ive never had a massage done before and I desperately need one, my muscles are crazy tense in my back. It's an hour and a half long! I thought that was so long but the masseus explained that if it's your first one and you need a lot of work done on your back (which I do) that it's the perfect amount of time...Im not supposed to work or do anything really physical right after because I will apparently feel 'gooey' !? Im excited about this! Im afraid I will feel so good after that I will become addicted so something I most definitely cannot afford! lol. It's a huge treat, that's for sure! It's been in the high 80s this week and now Im itching to get to the ocean. I think we are going to try and take a little weekend trip next month if we can afford it. Tony starts his masters program in a couple weeks which means 16 credits worth of school plus work! Thankfully it's only a year and then we are free! He graduates with his bachelors in physics next month too so we are looking forward to that! Im so proud of him! I cannot believe a year from now he will officially be ready to teach! He volunteers to help run a tutoring program at one of the local middle schools. He has been told a few times now (by teachers) that he wont have a hard time finding a teaching job in the sciences or math (because he can do either)...plus it really helps that he has his foot in the door with the school district by volunteering twice a week. He is basically running this program with one other guy..it's been a pretty awesome opportunity for him and it's TOTALLY God, He just called the school and there it was. Plus the kids love him, he's been called 'the cool science guy' and told that he would be 'the best teacher ever!!" haha. He just has such an awesome passion for learning, not just physics, math or science but all the subjects. He is the kind of person that is smart in nearly every area of learning and he has a God given ability to explain things in a way that makes sense but also a way that makes you want to learn. Im just so excited for him, I could rant and rave forever but youve all heard it before :) he's pretty much the best. And I am so thrilled our future is just right at our finger tips. It's a good place to be.

time.

2009 and 2012. What a difference a few short years can make. We had no idea we would be this blessed...

our week...

It's been a busy week! Tony and I celebrated 3 years of marriage and 8 years being together on Wednesday. We went and had a delicious dinner at a lovely little place called Cafe Dejenuer and then went and saw 21 Jump street. Totally our kind of date. It was very nice to get away for a while together. All though we were happy to come home to find that my parents let Des stay up until we got home :) we missed him. We were going to stay at the B&B where we stayed our wedding night but we decided to save our money for our trip to the coast with the family this coming week instead. On Thursday my sister and I saw the midnight premier of the Hunger Games. We both love the books, in fact, 'love' is an understatement! She got in line at 3:30 pm and I got there to sit with her around 5. I thought seven hours would be horribly boring but it was actually fun, it went by really fast! It was cold but Tony brought us coffee, an umbrella and a jacket..that helped.They opened all 10 theaters! It was insane how many people were there..the line, or groups, of people started at the doors and wrapped all the way around the theater..Ive never seen anything like it. We even came the LOTR premier and it was nothing like that!  Thankfully we got pretty good seats, a little close but still good...And the movie..it was freaking amazing. I cant even tell you how much I loved it. It was perfect. I cried like the entire time, it's kind of pathetic but I know Im not the only one ;) I get to  see it a second time with Tony tomorrow! Cant wait! And either can he because he also loved the books. Yesterday we took Des to see the baby chicks at the grange. He was totally fascinated! And definitely didnt want to leave..he was kicking and screaming like we were taking him away from his family or something! Someday I hope we can have a farm with chickens, I think he would just love that :) Anywho-here are a few pictures from the past week.Sorry this blog is so random and all over the place! It's late!

flowers and candy from my love

my sister made those scarves with the mockingjay symbol, she's pretty much awesome!!

3 Years Ago Today..

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be ♥

Valentines Date

Our Valentines Date last night was just perfect. We went and saw The Vow, sappy romantic movie ...check. And then headed out to dinner at a German restaurant, which ended up being some of the best food Ive had in a looong time. Food on our honeymoon might come in close. Tony had venison, I had steak. The bartender concocted this amazing peach drink for me...we ate what we could of our dessert with coffee and then brought it home with us. Put Desmond to bed and enjoyed some Downton Abbey. Later we drank wine and ate our left over German Chocolate and Black Forest cakes slices while getting caught up on our shows...Up All Night and The Office. It was so us. The most magical part of the night was leaving the restaurant..it had started to snow, these snowflakes were HUGE..seriously the size of silver dollars! It was amazing. And memorable. And Im happy to say Im more in love with my husband than ever before. You think you love someone...and then you have their child. whew. Seriously. There is no bond like sharing a little person you love with every fiber of your being. God can be thanked for that kind of love ♥  

Tony's Capstone

my wonderful husband presented his capstone on Friday. I went out to the university to go watch along with his mom, step dad and physics professors. All I can say is 'holy over my head'...seriously, I had not a clue what he was saying..He is a physics major after all. It was like a language from another world, as my mother in law put it.. But I was sure glowing the entire time, that was MY husband up there...so poised and confident, he explained this stuff like he discovered it. Just a month or so left before he officially has his bachelors in physics. I could not be more proud to be married to this man....

"Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling. Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all…in fact, the state of being in love usually does not last…But of course ceasing to be ‘in love’ need not mean ceasing TO love. Love…is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask to receive from God….They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed themselves, be ‘in love’ with someone else. ‘Being in love’ first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep their promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it."     

— C.S. Lewis ‘Mere Christianity’ and ‘Passion & Purity’ by Elisabeth Elliott (p.181) 

life lately..

Tomorrow is mine and Desmond's day off. We have a few through out the week but tomorrow comes right in between my two busiest days so it always feels like a treat :) Not sure what we will do, Ide like to get the house cleaned up and Ive got a lot to do for my sisters baby shower this weekend. On that note...MY NEPHEW IS ALMOST HERE!!! Soooooooo excited! Another precious baby?! How blessed are we! February 7th is his due date, holy moly...I cannot. wait!

Desmond has not been sick with any asthma symptoms since we moved in September. We found out this Summer that our apartment AC/heater had mold in it...not super dangerous mold, but mold nonetheless. We spent pretty much all our time in front of that thing, playing on the floor, eating, watching tv...Des was sick from January until almost the time we moved, but since then he hasnt experienced any wheezing, chest congestion, coughing etc. Maybe he is just aging out of it..or maybe he will end up sick and Ill be eating my words ...but Im praying that maybe we are done with all that and that the mold was the culprit.

Im dreaming of a night away with my love. Not to be away from Desmond, but just something special for Tony and I. Weve yet to be away from Desmond for a night, I know it would be really hard to not worry or think of how much we miss him constantly but, I think Tony and I need it...like I said, not to be away from Desmond but just a night away to focus on eachother, Im thinking a nice dinner and a night at the Bybee B&B, our wedding night room. Last time we were there we discovered they had a tv (in the closet) and we about freaked out. We wasted a lot of time watching a locally made movie public access in which we were making fun of it the entire time...like crying laughing. We really are weird. Our wedding and honeymoon really was magical, I seriously get butterflies when I think about it...so being back at the Bybee would be a dream for us. Our anniversary is in March, hopefully we can make this happen...that and going to the coast is all I can think about lately. Im slowly feeling 'over' Winter and wanting to move onto Spring adventures :)

Ill post more later. Time to cuddle up with husband, Love him ♥

Have a lovely Thursday friends!

He Is Faithful.

Wonderful, amazing news.

Tony was hired for a job inside his store. Weve known of him being laid off this month since Summer. They sold the gas stations and didnt hire any prior employees. Well just two days before the official hand over of the station, Tony was hired for a job inside the store working at the salad bar. We have no idea yet what that entails (although I imagine it's pretty self explanatory), they are building the bar this week so we will see. This job gives Tony enough hours (30-40) to ensure us insurance plus he will start off at the same pay as his gas station job...he made the cap out there so he now has the possibility of getting a raise with this new job!

Obviously this isnt Tony's career...if it had been he would be managing by now but he refused that a long time ago because he needed hours that would go with his school schedule, and managing hours didnt work...plus it was extra work for the same pay since he was making the cap. We are so thankful that Tony has had his gas station job and now this job inside the store. It's gotten Tony through college, for our wedding, marriage, our first child..so much. These arent glorified jobs...nothing you would brag about but they have provided and that is what we have needed, and we are thankful.

Tony will have his physics degree by the end of Winter term (March) and then he will be starting the Masters in Teaching program in June ...the application goes in this month and we find out if he is accepted into that program, but...his professors dont seem to be too worried. One told him that the MAT program doesnt get "P.H.D level students like you" WOW. Quite a compliment! Tony is smart, genius smart. He will most definitely get his phd in the future but Tony has come to a place where God has reassured him that it would be better for our family if we waited until we are settled and have saved up some money. His phd would require him to travel for school, at least 2 hours...if it was here then there would be no doubt about it. The MAT is only a year long so hopefully with in the next year or two Tony will be able to start teaching! I think he will make the most amazing teacher, Ive never seen someone so passionate about something as Tony is for physics. It's most definitely God given.

All in all...Im so thankful to God for providing for us. I was in tears last week trying to figure out health insurance and what we were going to do. In fact, there have been many many tears shed over the thought that Tony would be jobless at this point. But God had a plan, and I do wish I had trusted Him more and stressed less! Now Im taking that as a lesson learned, I wont forget this and I pray I will trust Him more come the next scary place in our lives...but for now, we are rejoicing and praising God for bringing us through.

what we've been up to...

so far it's been a wonderful first few days of the new year. I feel like Ive really been blessed with joy lately...there's nothing imparticularly different. But Im just finding the joy in the small things I suppose..despite Tony being layed off next week, Im feeling hopeful...I have peace about it. Im back to coaching and loving where we are...still sad we arent able to compete but  things are really good right now...I have such a stellar team..not only talent wise but they are just great kids too. I guess you could say Im just genuinly happy right now. It's a good place to be, and Im praising God for it :) Anywho..here's some pictures from the last couple days...hope you are all having an amazing 2012 so far!

headed out to dinner as a family

trying on hats at target haha..

Desmond on his new trike that he got for Christmas!

my guys :)

Des helping dad with his physics

dont mind the crazy bed head! haha..

Desmond and I contributed too ;)

words to live by.

Paul Newman's letter to his wife on their wedding day:

 “ Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding rooms for things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner."

Paul Newman and his wife have now been married for over 50 years ♥

some mommy things...

A post about the physicality of motherhood... very, very true.

On my Christmas List ...this too :)

pisses. me. off.

Many mama-friends of mine (with babys younger than Desmond) are expecting baby number two. I dont know why I find it shocking (and not in a bad way, all children are a blessing)! It's very interesting to me I guess...it's definitely a post for another day..a long one at that. I thought this article was a good one in regards to that particular topic.

thinking about trying to cloth diapers next time. I almost regret saying it because I know Ill eat my words and never do it. So I guess I should say Im thinking about thinking about it... :)

My entire family (mom,sister and even Tony) including me is like freaking out about this. Um yaaay?!

Im so ready.

goodnight friends ♥

The Best of Our Life.

These three videos sum up the best of my life ♥ I worked really hard to bring everything together and convey how special these parts of my life really were and still are to this day. This is not the end..I will have many more videos to come, I plan to do this with all our children and through out the year.. But here is what we have so far :) All three still make me cry and probably always will. If you want to know my heart, my life..everything that matters to me..watch the following...

so us..