Twelve

Twelve is the number of years Zach and I have been hitched! Our history begins way before Saturday, January 31, 1998. I believe we first became aquainted in 8th grade homeroom as our last names were alphabetically close together. We both admit to no spark whatsoever, but who really wants to marry the person you sit by in jr. high homeroom. We really lived very separate lives in high school, but our paths crossed occasionally as my school friends were in the same youth group as Zach. I even recall going to Harold's(a red neck country place)with all of our friends, including Zach and of course my date. College is the place that our paths really crossed. It is kind of funny how any familiar face became a friend at NAU. For years, Zach and I had the same friends and did alot of things together, but never gave each other much thought. One day I went up to Snowbowl Ski resort with my parents and happened to run into Zach working with his Ski Wee kids. From that moment, something in me snapped, he was forever changed in my eyes. I believe I even told my roomate that day, Zach was a great catch for some girl. I was hoping that I would be the "some" girl oneday.

After a double date(we were setting up other friends, not ourselves), we both realized how much fun we had together. There was no wierdness, or funny jitters, it was just easy! That is probably my favorite description of our marriage...it is just easy. Zach is easy to love, easy to be with, easy to forgive, easy to share with, easy to raise kids with, easy to play with, easy to travel with, easy to communicate with, and easy to serve God with. He makes my role as a mom and wife, easy! Of course there are bumps sometimes, but not too many. I love Zach! I love that in a few hours we are going to the local ski resort and celebrate our anniversary in the environment where I first fell for this guy. We have kind of traded in our skiis for snowboards, knowing that our boys will probably want to board someday. It is fun to be a beginner again and have a challenge! However, the challenge now is not to break anything and to not get tired before the day is over.

Upright

I'm not really sure when this new stage actually began! At Christmas time, we would find him standing on his own and walking around furniture. Then one day a few weeks ago, he started taking steps. He still has a cute little walk, a little bit of resemblance to a drunk. Sometimes I turn around and freak out that he is walking to me (he has mastered holding on to my leg for a very long time), but it still surprises me. I am sad that he is becoming more like a toddler and that shoes are no longer just a decoration. I'm not sure why being upright just makes him seem older. I do look forward to him chasing his brother in the yard, running after a ball, and walking beside me holding my hand. The first year of life is quite amazing! Not only is he learning to walk, but also busting out some teeth, and fighting a cold.

Driving My Plastic Car with My Blue Pegs

This morning as I struggled to get out of bed at 4:45 am, I realized just how undisciplined I am. As the wind and rain beat against my window, I remember the argument that resounded inside my head. It went something like this, the ladies won't miss me, I won't get much more out of the current chapter we are studying, it is really Monday since yesterday was a holiday, my kids need me here in bed, it is just so cold out there. About 15 minutes later, I knew I just had to get up and go. When I arrived, and noticed 4 of our ladies were missing, I knew I wasn't the only one that battled today. It seems that lately, many conversations I have with friends, the topic of discipline is a biggie! Discipline in exercise, budgeting, eating right, reading the bible, prayer. Maybe it is the first of the year stuff, but it is a big deal!

As a Christian, I am called to live each day for the purpose of Godliness. Is every minute of every day productive and lived as if it may be my last? Absolutely not! Do I never waste time? Of course I do. My life on this earth is a vapor which is hard to comprehend when most of the time I feel like I'm riding in my pink plastic car with my blue plastic pegs on the gameboard of Life. We have to work, make money, pay bills, take care of children, go to doctors(so far I'm waiting for the windfall portion of the game), etc...When all this seems to take over my thinking, which often it does, I have to remember to think this world is temporary. So today as I ponder how to be a good steward of my time and resources, I am challenged in discipline once again.

I have had the oppurtunity to learn from women that have completed my stage of life. Even though they don't seem to want to repeat it, they all agree it has Godly purpose. I had to laugh today as I went home challenged to make my day matter. There is definitely nothing that an employer would find productive, disciplined, or mentally challenging in my day. I spent a whole hour holding a sleeping baby after a premature waking from his nap. I was stuck, there was nothing I could do unless I wanted to wake a clingy, teething baby. Laying there, I knew that I was exactly where I should be, and praying that our quiet moment gave God the glory that He so deserves.

First 2010 Blog

So the new year has started quite rapidly and I feel like I am just holding on! We had an amazing Christmas vacation and boy did this crew need a vacation! We had a great road trip to AZ, which we have not made since 2002, when we moved here with no kids, a dog and only went one way. The boys did great and I actually managed not to go coo-coo! Thanks to the Moron Test Iphone app, I stayed occupied most of our trip there. Sawyer continues to love riding in the car and watching the blue dot move closer to our destination on the gps. With Fisher turning one, we were able to put him in his front facing carseat, so he could enjoy his movies too! I couldn't be more thrilled with my thumb sucker and paci sucker on this trip. Bad habits, yes, Peace for all, ABSOLUTELY YES!

We were busy the minute we arrived on Christmas Eve and we enjoyed every minute! We are so blessed that everyone lives within 10 minutes of each other, so going back and forth is so easy! I am bummed that we haven't been able to connect with friends on our visits, but having 2 moms, 3 dads, 4 sisters, 4 brothers, 6 cousins, makes for a packed week. I enjoyed tea at the Biltmore with mom and sis, an amazing carnivore dinner with Zach, Kirsten and Milo, the children's museum, shopping time, and hanging out time. Zach had a great day of golf and has a new passion for Guitar Hero! My lack of all 10 digits left me unable to rock with the rest of them, but I found the karaoke and drumming to be much more doable!

My to do list this week has been incredible, yet I feel entirely refreshed from having a little break from the normal. As many do, I have my personal list of things that could use more dicipline this year. This effort will most likely bring about failure, but I still love the challenge to try and make a difference! I'm not sure how I'll post all my pics, but I'll give it a shot!