Super Shoes

The reason I call these my therapudic "super shoes", is that they have truly rescued me. I recently went through a lot of difficulties and realized I was slipping into a postpardum depression. I finally found these shoes on sale after looking for new ones for so long, since my old ones were almost unrecognizable after I stopped running my paper route. They didn't sit  unused for long after I bought them. I have been running a mile 4-6 days a week for 4 weeks now and am ready to add another mile. I'm so grateful for the benefits of the running, it being my happy drug and for my...eh-hum, life saving "Super Shoes". Happy Runnning!!!

The Big TWO Birhday

Yes, it's happened, Alyssa just turned 2 on Friday August 20th. Our first little girl of flowers, glitter, smiles and endless hugs, and eskamo kisses, is already two whole years old. Our bundle of help and energetic fun. Now that I have been a mother for 16 years, I'm realizing how quickly time slips away. With all my might I'm trying to put the breaks on, but haven't figured out the secret remedy yet, except, of course, I have found a solution instead. That is; to just enjoy life as it goes on and not get too caught up on the unimportant details. So! Here is what we captured in the moments of enjoying this milestone of Alyssa's life, or, the BIG TWO BIRTHDAY:

Food and Fun at Papa's Pizza!

Cake and Presents at home (Lighting the cake)

Alyssa wasn't sure what we wanted her to do with the candles after we sang. The boys had to help her blow them out!

Lots of help opening presents from her brothers ;-)

Recieving lots of "girly" dolls and furniture for her doll house!

(Justin and Michael helped her set it up and played with her for hours. She was in Heaven!)

The Grandma and Grandpa Alger Phone call

What a wonderful celebration. We love you Alyssa Ann!

Alyssa Fun!

I woke from my nap today to the sound of Amy's cry. She had woken and was ready for yet another feeding.  While I sat feeding her, captivated by a segment on "Oprah", I heard my darling daughter calling for me. She too had woken from her long nap. She had spent the morning at the Miles and was worn out after waking early the last couple of days.  With Amy fed and happy, I ran to grab my darling toddler from her crib and, while changing the two of them, proceeded to make plans with Alyssa about how we were going to spend the rest of the afternoon. With all her big brothers away, Justin napping and Amy fed and happy, I was all hers. Something that doesn't happy that frequently. We planned to finish watching Oprah, make pizza dough for dinner, then play outside while the dough rose. So, that's what we did! Because of my love for taking pictures, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to create a photo shoot of my last week having my first daughter as a one year old. I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I did. You'll have to check out the recipe page to see the shots of her helping with the pizza dough though! (You can find the pizza recipe and other pictures by clicking here). Enjoy!

 

 

  

 

 

 

                                                                  It was a great afternoon!

He Loves Me

     So, he came to pick me up, was changed in a nice outfit, as always, and brought me gorgeous flowers. Not just any flowers, but the exact flowers I had in mind! I was dreaming of recieving a bouquet of daisies and roses...but never told anyone of my fantasy. These were even better! They included pink carnations that had the greatest aroma, the kind of fragrance you can't get enough of, no matter how much you sniff them. Even now, every time I look at them they make me smile. Who wouldn't? He took me out for a much needed date, there haven't been many of these since his travel has been so frequent since the baby was born. We went to dinner where we ate the perfect meal at one of my favorite places. Nothing out of the ordinary, no place new to speak of. Nevertheless, one of my favorite spots. Marie Calendars where everything I've ever had there, I've loved and is topped of with the best pie, a personal favorite dessert of mine. As we enjoyed great conversation and a wonderful meal, I realized how much I've missed these nights. Date Night. During that first year after we were sealed to one another, we promised each other that we would always date one another, we would always designate Friday as our special night. One of the best decisions we have ever made and that, throughout those most trying years of business travel, how those promised "date nights" have saved us and helped us remember the reasons we love each other so well and are so perfectly compatible. How thankful I am for these many memorable nights. How grateful I am that...He Loves Me.

My Birthday Friend

It seems that I have always been blessed with certain friends that have a way of making me feel like I'm worthwhile. That never skip a beat to let me know how much they care and always celebrate with me the highlights and milestones of my life. Who watch out for me and make sure I know I am thought of. Well, one of those friends in my life is my friend Lisa. She's one of those people that has been to any event held in my honor and given me a gift every year for my birthday. That gift is always the same, and always in the form of a bouquet of flowers. This year she didn't bring them the day of my birthday. I was too busy to notice and didn't think about it, to be honest. Then on Friday I was dreadfully tired and layed down for about a half hour. When I woke, I came down stairs to see a bouquet of flowers on my hall console to which my children refered to as "the flowers from Jacob's Mom". She hadn't forgotten, and I realized how much I have loved recieving them. There was my birthday bouquet. A beautiful bunch of lovely pink roses. Pink has been my color of choice lately, how did she know that? I'm so grateful my Heavenly Father brings into my life these angels on earth. My friends like Lisa.

Bacteria Growth!

You are probably wondering why I would photograph a spaghetti sauce can, and YES...I'm fully aware that the title of this is rather unappealing, but it totally backs up Steve's point. I would say he feels like he accomplished something rather grand last night since I did a very rare thing. There was leftover spaghetti sauce in the can and I put it in a container! I know novel idea, but I don't know how many times he has gotten after me for leaving food in the can, while reminding me of the kinds of bacteria that are left to grow when I put it away like that. I just get busy and don't want to mess with what it would take to find a container and matching lid...but, I did it. WOO HOO! I think I've left my man proud and void of the cringes...we're going out tonight. ;-)

Cookie Monster!

No, no, not THAT Cookie Monster! Let's just say that I'm not that good at sharing or recording the adorable things our children say and do, a fault I am working on. So, here is the attempt to correct this flaw, starting with last night's "Cookie Monster" incident:

Justin opens the fridge hunting for a bedtime snack, looks in and says: "Mom, did you put Cookie Monster in a bag?"

Mom (knowing he is speaking of "Monster Cookies") says: "Yes, I did."

Justin: "Oh! Lyssa, do you want Cookie Monster!?"

Alyssa: "YEAH!"

Justin proceeds to distribute cookies between the two of them.

Justin saying, "Mmmmm!" as he and Alyssa

display their goods.

(For monster cookie recipe, click here)

*How could anyone resist sharing an incident like that?! I love these two!

Happy Birthday to ME!

     Well, it was inevidable, my birthday came. I don't really know why I dread it every year, yet I do. It isn't the age. It's the anticipation, the expectation, the realization. Because to me, a birthday celebration is about throwing a party and giving a gift to that someone that you are glad was born and in whatever way is now or has been a valuable part of your life. A very wonderful part of your life. I realize now that it is the fear that I am not going to get a gift that represents their appreciation for all I do, and yet a fear that I will... and am not quite so deserving. No matter who says what or does what, it doesn't change the way I feel. As there is no way around it, it came and I am now one year older and hopefully somewhat wiser. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of our home teachers, Sam and Kathy Leon,  that gave me a home made cake the day before my birthday, that was completely delicious! I also appreciate the children that thought a nice Hershey's bar would do the trick. And lastly, I appreciate the kindness of my husband who made sure I had a wonderful family dinner of Big Town Hero sandwiches, a night at the miniature golf center ("Putters"), and "Amelia" the movie at home, to top it all off until we all dropped in happy tiredness. So why that feeling of dread? Someday I'll figure it out, but as for now, I will just be grateful for all the years I've lived and the blessings they've brought, and the wonderful family I have to share them with! So...Happy Birthday to ME! 

Who could ask for anything more? *sigh*