Dear Life

Oh what a beautiful month we have had. Our days have been spent soaking up the sun, hiking, playing in the sand and dirt, and filling the bathtub with muddy water. We've been working in the yard and BBQ'ing every meal. The wheels on the nuggets' bikes are about worn out, and the sandbox is needing a refill every week or so. Summer is officially here and we have been loving every second. Summer means later bedtimes and skinned up knees in our household. What fun it has been watching J Bird and T Bug run through the yard making memories. Sometimes I just sit back and watch, and I can't believe this is my life. As I lay in the hammock and listen carefully to the sound of the nugget giggles and plastic wheels of Jax's trucks running up and down the gravel, I can't help but feel like the most blessed person on earth. Ahhh what a beautiful time it is in our lives.

Dear Jax, you are 2.

Dear Jax,

You turned 2 today! I can't believe it. You are such an amazingly awesome little nugget.

You talk like you're 5, using full sentences and words that make me laugh. Your new favorite word is "wow!" and today when I told you it was your birthday you said, "Wow!" 

You love to throw things, crash things, and make messes. You like to color on walls and tables, and make crazy. But you are also sweet as can be. You snuggle in and pull your legs up to get closer. You still let me cradle you and sing you songs. You love having your back rubbed at night and you often whisper when you're serious. 

We love you so much and had such a great time partying today.

Love,

Mama

Dear Jax 23 months

Dear Jax, You are 23 MONTHS. I can't believe you'll be TWO in a few short weeks. You are an old soul - you act like a 70 year old man in a 2 year old body. You saunter around and take your time to enjoy life. You are content just looking out the window of the car, pointing out tractors, cows, deer, trains, etc. You laugh with a growly, belly laugh that just melts all hearts around you. You talk like your Papa Jack and your Uncle Kyle...NONSTOP. You have a full vocabulary now, saying full sentences and carrying on conversations. Everyone can understand you quite well, and you love to make people laugh. Last week, Daddy said, "Jax, binkies are for nighttime. When are binkies for?" You said..."All time." You often just relax in the back seat and out of the blue I hear "love you mama." You are a clever little nugget, always keeping us on our toes. You are intelligent beyond belief - with one of your favorite activites still being reading. You recently learned to climb out of your crib, so that's made for a fun nighttime routine. Your Daddy will be setting up the big boy bed this weekend. You love your sister and she loves you, beyond belief. You also love to torment her, but that's for another blog. We love you so much, we can't wait to see what next month brings. Love, Mama

He is Risen

We had such a great time in MT Celebrating Easter! We left with hearts full of love, family, and celebration. We left with bellies full of good food, Cadbury eggs, and jelly beans. We left with baskets of bubbles, balls, and clothes. 

The nuggets had a great time with their cousins; laughing, playing, throwing rocks, and fighting. They took selfies and jumped on beds. They hunted eggs and rode elephants!  

Thank you to our MT family for the housing, wonderful food, and good company. 

Until next time..

.

Dear Jax 22 Months

Dear Jax,

You are 22 months of all boy. You talk like a grown (old) man. You carry on a conversation as long as your Uncle Mooley and Papa Jack. You point out the obvious and you ask a lot of questions. 

You love to knock down towers of block and you swing your arms when you're about to cause some real racous. You give the best hugs and you love to "pith" (kiss) your Family to let them know you love them. 

You love to read books and would prefer we do that for about 5 hours a day. You dig in the dirt and your mouth usually looks like you've just ate a bunch of chocolate (but it's only dirt). You run and hike with us and when you get tired you ride on Mama's shoulders. 

You can actually say everything now, so it would be silly to try to write it all down. But I have some favorites:

When you are told you can't do something..."No Fair!"

When we ask you a question..."uhhhhh" (before you answer).

When you want to be held..."My hold you!"

You talk in sentences and you always use your manners. You voice your needs and wants like an old man in a really low voice. 

We love you little man and we are complete with you in our lives.

Love,

Mama

Dear Jax 21 months

Dear Jax, 

You're 21 months old. You are creepin up on 2 like it's your job. We've been talking a lot about your talking lately, and wondering what your vocabulary was like compared to T Bug's at this age. Yes, we know we aren't supposed to compare our nuggets, but we thought it would be fun. 

One thing that's interesting about your talking is that you say a TON of words - your vocabulary is quite extensive, using words I wouldn't think you'd know. For instance, this morning Daddy was giving you love pats on your bottom, and you said, "No Spankin Daddy." You love to point out what's out the car window and tell on you sister for things she does. "Ta Ta push" You are not afraid to tell what's on your mind.

You love to be crazy and jump off furniture causing a slight heart attack in your Mama daily. You enjoy destroying all things, especially lego towers made by T. 

We love to watch you be crazy and then watch you snuggle in with your Mama and give out "Pithess" (Kisses). You are a lover and a destroyer. A wreck it ralph with a heart the size of Montana. 

Love you Jax. 

Love, 

Mama

Dear Family

Dear Family, You fill my heart with so much joy. This weekend it became apparent just how lucky I am. It was time to get a passport so I can fly to Canada this summer for my 2nd annual half marathon trip with my amazing and lovely cousin, Amber. While sorting through our little safe looking for my birth certificate, I stumbled upon a little gem. An e-mail written on December 13, 2001, from Ryan to Me. It was a sweet little note where he was asking if I thought he should give me a ring before or after I finished school and if our family would think it was weird. His last sentence made me laugh out loud: "P.S. I am not proposing to you over the internet, K."

I also found this:

 It's always so fun to give ourselves a flashback to a time so different than now. We reminisced sweetly about the many things we did before nuggets. But we both ended the day by agreeing our lives are so much better now. I mean look at these lovelies.