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| B's choice for the second day of school |
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| red sneaks with pink stripes and floral skirt = fashion trends in the making |
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| all of sweet girl's first art projects |
Thursday, September 29, 2011
preschool first weeks
Saturday, September 17, 2011
I Do
Six years ago I said the two most important words I will ever say...I do.I have had so many moments over the past six years where I have just marveled at all God has done in my marriage. When matt and I met, we were both in pretty broken places emotionally and spiritually. I had actually chosen to take a complete break from dating all together after being hurt a few too many times. I hadn't had a serious boyfriend in 3 years. Then I met "him".
I was temping at the mortgage company that matt was working at with his dad at the time. He and his long time girlfriend from college had split about 8 months prior and he was carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I remember my first day, sitting at the front desk in what was going to be a terribly boring job. All day long people came and went. Every guy that worked there was married. Ya, I noticed, sew me :)
The end of the day was approaching and I heard a voice I didn't recognize, a hand was wrapped around the wall dividing the hall and my desk. It did not have a ring on it. I was intrigued :) Out stepped Matt. I remember it like it was yesterday, he had a red ralph lauren t shirt on, khakis and was rockin the frosted tips. Despite the boy band hair, my stomach did flips. over.and.over. Now this is the part where he should walk right up to me to introduce himself, but if you know matt at all, you understand why he DIDN'T. He literally ignored me for like a week straight :) He said hi as he came and went, but he never pursued a conversation. I would stop him and ask every question I could think of to get some dialogue going. What I learned very quickly was he was shy, not the in your face hit on you every chance I get kind of jerk I always seemed to gravitate toward. hmmmm. We spent the next four weeks innocently flirting- big time. I at one point came home and told my mom I thought he was "the one". Mind you we still had never even seen each other outside of the office.
After working there for a month I was done. The gal I had been covering for was coming back and my temp job was over. I said my goodbyes to all the great people I had met, and to all the older married ladies dismay Matt had still not asked for my number or a date. There was a mutany of wrath coming his way and he didn't even know it. At 4:55 on Friday, my last day, matt, the unmarried hottie at the office walked up to me and said "we're throwing a party for my buddy's birthday tomorrow night and I want to cordially invite you". If you know matt, you get that the cordially part was a joke :) I was doing back flips in my head, and once again in my stomach. He gave me the address and ONE day notice!! Seriously man, you couldn't have asked me a week ago so I could line up a friend to tag along. So, I begged a girlfriend to come and we went.
The rest as they say is history. It was a great party, filled with all the same guy friends he has today. We laughed and danced and one of us may or may not have done a somersault off a couch to impress the other one after a few beers- **ehem. The next day he called to ask me out on a true date. He picked me up, took me to the restaurant Beaches where he asked to see my license (he made up some excuse) which I only learned 4 years later was to jog his memory on my last name. smooth babe. Then we went to see "american wedding" (terrible movie btw).
We have been crazy for each other ever since. It wasn't more than two weeks after that first date that my mom came to me and said "I think you are right, he's the one".
Two years later we said I do. Best day of my life, best decision of my life. I was 23 when we got married and have talked with friends who were that young or younger when they tied the knot as well. We agree that we were idiots when we were 23, still young and naive. It was nothing short of God's provision that I married matt. He is my perfect compliment and makes me a better person every day.
Here were his vows:
Lauren, I was captivated by you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. It took me a while to summon the courage to talk to you, but when I did, I discovered the most wonderful heart behind the incredible beauty. We have both been through so much in our short lives. There is hurt in our pasts that we didnt' think anyone else could understand. But we have always found comfort in each others company.
I know it isnt' a coincidence that we are standing here together today. God's plan for our lives is being executed to perfection at this moment. Yet I still can't stand here looking at you and not think to myself "how did I get this lucky?" The fact that I have been blessed with someone like you: someone so caring, so beautiful, so intelligent, so passionate, so dedicated, so inspiring, so perfect for me, confirms for me that this was meant to be. I could spend ten lifetimes trying to pay God back for the blessing he bestowed on me when he brought you into my life, and I wouldn't even come close.
I know that there will be challenges in the coming months and years, but I will be there with you, offering a smile, a joke, an embrace, but most importantly , a heart that wants nothing more than to see you happy. God doesn't guarantee us happiness, but I know that if I spend each day demonstrating how much I truly love you and live every moment in total commitment to you and to our marriage, God will bless us. That is my promise to you. The greatest testament I can give for why I am standing here at this moment is simple: I can't imagine spending another day without you as my wife. And if you let me, I will start right now trying to pay the Lord back through the love I have for you, my wife. I love you Lauren.
Matt, you have more than fulfilled your vows. You have made what was a very up and down six years a gift. We have been through so much pain, and yet come out stronger and more in love than ever. Your ability to know my heart and anticipate my needs even before I have to ask is amazing. There are not a lot of men who could have handled our trials, let alone handled them with such tremendous grace, compassion, empathy, understanding and unconditional love.
You will always be my best friend, the love of my life. God made no mistake in giving me YOU. Amazing you.
I was temping at the mortgage company that matt was working at with his dad at the time. He and his long time girlfriend from college had split about 8 months prior and he was carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I remember my first day, sitting at the front desk in what was going to be a terribly boring job. All day long people came and went. Every guy that worked there was married. Ya, I noticed, sew me :)
The end of the day was approaching and I heard a voice I didn't recognize, a hand was wrapped around the wall dividing the hall and my desk. It did not have a ring on it. I was intrigued :) Out stepped Matt. I remember it like it was yesterday, he had a red ralph lauren t shirt on, khakis and was rockin the frosted tips. Despite the boy band hair, my stomach did flips. over.and.over. Now this is the part where he should walk right up to me to introduce himself, but if you know matt at all, you understand why he DIDN'T. He literally ignored me for like a week straight :) He said hi as he came and went, but he never pursued a conversation. I would stop him and ask every question I could think of to get some dialogue going. What I learned very quickly was he was shy, not the in your face hit on you every chance I get kind of jerk I always seemed to gravitate toward. hmmmm. We spent the next four weeks innocently flirting- big time. I at one point came home and told my mom I thought he was "the one". Mind you we still had never even seen each other outside of the office.
After working there for a month I was done. The gal I had been covering for was coming back and my temp job was over. I said my goodbyes to all the great people I had met, and to all the older married ladies dismay Matt had still not asked for my number or a date. There was a mutany of wrath coming his way and he didn't even know it. At 4:55 on Friday, my last day, matt, the unmarried hottie at the office walked up to me and said "we're throwing a party for my buddy's birthday tomorrow night and I want to cordially invite you". If you know matt, you get that the cordially part was a joke :) I was doing back flips in my head, and once again in my stomach. He gave me the address and ONE day notice!! Seriously man, you couldn't have asked me a week ago so I could line up a friend to tag along. So, I begged a girlfriend to come and we went.
The rest as they say is history. It was a great party, filled with all the same guy friends he has today. We laughed and danced and one of us may or may not have done a somersault off a couch to impress the other one after a few beers- **ehem. The next day he called to ask me out on a true date. He picked me up, took me to the restaurant Beaches where he asked to see my license (he made up some excuse) which I only learned 4 years later was to jog his memory on my last name. smooth babe. Then we went to see "american wedding" (terrible movie btw).
We have been crazy for each other ever since. It wasn't more than two weeks after that first date that my mom came to me and said "I think you are right, he's the one".
Two years later we said I do. Best day of my life, best decision of my life. I was 23 when we got married and have talked with friends who were that young or younger when they tied the knot as well. We agree that we were idiots when we were 23, still young and naive. It was nothing short of God's provision that I married matt. He is my perfect compliment and makes me a better person every day.
Here were his vows:
Lauren, I was captivated by you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. It took me a while to summon the courage to talk to you, but when I did, I discovered the most wonderful heart behind the incredible beauty. We have both been through so much in our short lives. There is hurt in our pasts that we didnt' think anyone else could understand. But we have always found comfort in each others company.
I know it isnt' a coincidence that we are standing here together today. God's plan for our lives is being executed to perfection at this moment. Yet I still can't stand here looking at you and not think to myself "how did I get this lucky?" The fact that I have been blessed with someone like you: someone so caring, so beautiful, so intelligent, so passionate, so dedicated, so inspiring, so perfect for me, confirms for me that this was meant to be. I could spend ten lifetimes trying to pay God back for the blessing he bestowed on me when he brought you into my life, and I wouldn't even come close.
I know that there will be challenges in the coming months and years, but I will be there with you, offering a smile, a joke, an embrace, but most importantly , a heart that wants nothing more than to see you happy. God doesn't guarantee us happiness, but I know that if I spend each day demonstrating how much I truly love you and live every moment in total commitment to you and to our marriage, God will bless us. That is my promise to you. The greatest testament I can give for why I am standing here at this moment is simple: I can't imagine spending another day without you as my wife. And if you let me, I will start right now trying to pay the Lord back through the love I have for you, my wife. I love you Lauren.
Matt, you have more than fulfilled your vows. You have made what was a very up and down six years a gift. We have been through so much pain, and yet come out stronger and more in love than ever. Your ability to know my heart and anticipate my needs even before I have to ask is amazing. There are not a lot of men who could have handled our trials, let alone handled them with such tremendous grace, compassion, empathy, understanding and unconditional love.
You will always be my best friend, the love of my life. God made no mistake in giving me YOU. Amazing you.
Happy anniversary love. xo
Friday, September 16, 2011
circus date
Brookyn and I went on a very special double date last week to the circus with Kristin and Kali. So much fun!
The girls were so funny, they both had a great time. The elephants were definetly the hit of the night. It was incredible to watch brooklyn's wide eyes through the show, so mezmerizing. So nice to have that one on one time with her. When they dropped us off at home after the show B looked at Kal and said "kali, I love you" and kali said "I love you too". Kris and I smiled at eachother and then B goes "ya, I'm your best friend". hehe.
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| this picture totally looks like a paparazzi shot of two mini celebs :) don't disturb them while they're on the go! |
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
three year old preschooler!
Brooklyn started preschool yesterday! This day came so fast.
She walked right in, sat down at the table and began playing. Not a single tear, just in and excited to be there! So proud of her. It was a great day.
Brooklyn's 3 year stats:
Height: 3 ft 3/4 in, 50%
Weight: 29lbs, 30%
Still can't believe we have a three year old. Three going on thirty. Sheesh, this one is going to make me SO gray.
Her things as of lately: she says constantly "mom, watch this" or "dad, watch me". over and over and over. Most of the time I do watch, it's only frustrating when we're driving or I'm changing ben's diaper and she's demanding me to watch something. She doesn't understand the appropriateness of timing quite yet. She sure loves her audience though.
I love how much she loves her family and friends. She and ben are thick as thieves these days. She'll ask as soon as he wakes up from his nap "can benny play with me?" or she'll get toys out for him in anticipation of his waking up. He thinks she's pretty fabulous, so he's happy to follow her blindly down the hall, crawling as fast as his little chubby leg's will take him, only to be bossed around the entire time "benny watch me!" "benny boy, don't touch that" "here, put this crown on benny because you're the prince and I'm the princess". It really is incredible. I was watching them play the other day and listening to her be super lovey to him and I said "brooklyn, isn't it so cool that God wanted you to have Benny for your brother?" she looked at him and said "ya, he loves me SOOOO much". <3
She walked right in, sat down at the table and began playing. Not a single tear, just in and excited to be there! So proud of her. It was a great day.
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| goof ball |
Height: 3 ft 3/4 in, 50%
Weight: 29lbs, 30%
Still can't believe we have a three year old. Three going on thirty. Sheesh, this one is going to make me SO gray.
Her things as of lately: she says constantly "mom, watch this" or "dad, watch me". over and over and over. Most of the time I do watch, it's only frustrating when we're driving or I'm changing ben's diaper and she's demanding me to watch something. She doesn't understand the appropriateness of timing quite yet. She sure loves her audience though.
I love how much she loves her family and friends. She and ben are thick as thieves these days. She'll ask as soon as he wakes up from his nap "can benny play with me?" or she'll get toys out for him in anticipation of his waking up. He thinks she's pretty fabulous, so he's happy to follow her blindly down the hall, crawling as fast as his little chubby leg's will take him, only to be bossed around the entire time "benny watch me!" "benny boy, don't touch that" "here, put this crown on benny because you're the prince and I'm the princess". It really is incredible. I was watching them play the other day and listening to her be super lovey to him and I said "brooklyn, isn't it so cool that God wanted you to have Benny for your brother?" she looked at him and said "ya, he loves me SOOOO much". <3
Brooklyn at three:
-Loves to put on her dress up every day, but then head outside to play in the dirt.
-Loves music, her favorite songs right now are: pumped up kicks by foster the people, half of my heart by john mayer (she wanted to listen to that song the entire trip while we were over in central oregon), anything taylor swift (the flower girl as she calls her) and of course "mommy music" which is my worship play list.
-Loves raw fruits and veggies, but overall is still a VERY picky eater
-Loves her daddy with a heart of pure joy
-Loves to dance, matt calls her elaine (from seinfeld) if you know the show you'll get it ;)
-Loves to help others, she has such a soft spot for making things all better. Example: matt's phone dropped on the concrete on a run the other night & the screen shattered and we were both of course annoyed. So we're going back and forth about how frustrating it is. She says to us "daddy, it's okay about your phone, it's all going to be alright, ok?". We looked at each other and matt said "you're right honey, it's totally fine & not a big deal".
Brooklyn Michelle, you are three and in preschool...w.o.w. Thank you for making me smile every day. Love you so much.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
thursday night
I may or may not be eating subway (with a side of m&m's) in bed with my laptop...at 9:07pm. It's thursday, and my man is gone. Matt's first day back to school after 6 weeks off is tonight. Miss him already, but what a wonderful break it was! It has given me fresh perspective on why we are doing this whole MBA thing now, and the ability to compartmentalize the remaining months into segments (i.e. broken down by which "break"- thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break) comes next. 18 months left in the program, but only 2 until our next break. 18 I'm not sure about, but 2 I can do!
We had ambitions of doing all sorts of projects on the house after we got back from central oregon, but bbq's with friends, parties for brooklyn and family time was way more fun. So, lot's of house stuff remains un-crossed off the to do list, but we made some great memories instead. My only goal was to send matt back into the 5 day work week with full time school on top of it refreshed. I am just so proud of him.
Also, we lost our marbles and registered for a half marathon up in the gorge on October 23rd. I'm actually really excited about it. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time.
In other news Ben is crawling like a mad man. Funny how quickly you forget what each stage feels like. I am sure I was much more neurotic when Brooklyn first crawled, I've found more things in Ben's mouth than I care to admit. Time to officially baby proof this house. He is getting faster and craftier with every day that passes. This afternoon I heard brooklyn saying "benny stop it, don't touch my poop poohs." He had followed her into the bathroom while she went to do her biz and pulled himself up on the toilet seat. I walked in to see him turn his head and give me that "look what I can do" gummy grin. So we all scrubbed our hands in nice warm soapy water.
Brooklyn starts preschool next tuesday.
We had ambitions of doing all sorts of projects on the house after we got back from central oregon, but bbq's with friends, parties for brooklyn and family time was way more fun. So, lot's of house stuff remains un-crossed off the to do list, but we made some great memories instead. My only goal was to send matt back into the 5 day work week with full time school on top of it refreshed. I am just so proud of him.
Also, we lost our marbles and registered for a half marathon up in the gorge on October 23rd. I'm actually really excited about it. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time.
In other news Ben is crawling like a mad man. Funny how quickly you forget what each stage feels like. I am sure I was much more neurotic when Brooklyn first crawled, I've found more things in Ben's mouth than I care to admit. Time to officially baby proof this house. He is getting faster and craftier with every day that passes. This afternoon I heard brooklyn saying "benny stop it, don't touch my poop poohs." He had followed her into the bathroom while she went to do her biz and pulled himself up on the toilet seat. I walked in to see him turn his head and give me that "look what I can do" gummy grin. So we all scrubbed our hands in nice warm soapy water.
Brooklyn starts preschool next tuesday.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Eagle Crest Vaca 2011
What a fabulous trip we had! The details are already getting fuzzy because so much has happened since we got home. We were gone for 6 nights and crammed a LOT in. It was a semi-relaxing vacation. Relaxing from the standpoint of not having a schedule or agenda, but we were active. Running, hiking, swimming, more hiking, parks, lakes, and more!
We ate a ton! Brooklyn slept great, ben...not so much. He was hip to the fact that he was in the same vicinity as us (in our bathroom) so woke up multiple times every night. Oh well, distant memory all ready.
We took the lift up to bachelor one day. Brooklyn missed the toilet in the restroom before we got on the lift and peed all over her underwear and the floor. She was mortified, fully freaking out. Saying "I don't want to visit mt bachelor without underwear! Mom, I don't want to sit in the snow with my bottom." There were two girls in the bathroom listening to all of this just giggling uncontrollably. It was pretty funny. So brooklyn went commando in her little overalls up at bachelor and we heard a lot about this the rest of the trip!
The hike up there was gorgeous, as were the views. Watching her face on the lift up was by far the best part. She was in AWE. We talked all week about the mountains. She knows every mountain in OR now and loves to list them off. The best part was listening to her say mt. bach-YOU-lor.
We took a day trip to east lake. The water was cold, but stunningly beautiful. Ben was super cranky this day, so we lasted as long as we could down on the sand, then packed the kids up and headed on a hike. Then drove up to the overlook at the top of paulina peak. The views were unforgettable. As many times as we have been over to CO, we've never done that. It was well worth the drive.
The rest of the time we would drive into bend or sisters for lunch or dinner, wander around with the kids in the stroller, go to the pool in between naps and then relax at night after they were in bed. We have a central oregon rule, in bed by 10. We were seriously in bed lights out by TEN every night...and it was glorious!
Lifelong memories made once again. Crazy to think just last summer we made that trip with an almost 2 year old and no benny yet. How much can change in a short year. Maybe next summer we'll have twins. Hahahahah! kidding!
We ate a ton! Brooklyn slept great, ben...not so much. He was hip to the fact that he was in the same vicinity as us (in our bathroom) so woke up multiple times every night. Oh well, distant memory all ready.
We took the lift up to bachelor one day. Brooklyn missed the toilet in the restroom before we got on the lift and peed all over her underwear and the floor. She was mortified, fully freaking out. Saying "I don't want to visit mt bachelor without underwear! Mom, I don't want to sit in the snow with my bottom." There were two girls in the bathroom listening to all of this just giggling uncontrollably. It was pretty funny. So brooklyn went commando in her little overalls up at bachelor and we heard a lot about this the rest of the trip!
The hike up there was gorgeous, as were the views. Watching her face on the lift up was by far the best part. She was in AWE. We talked all week about the mountains. She knows every mountain in OR now and loves to list them off. The best part was listening to her say mt. bach-YOU-lor.
We took a day trip to east lake. The water was cold, but stunningly beautiful. Ben was super cranky this day, so we lasted as long as we could down on the sand, then packed the kids up and headed on a hike. Then drove up to the overlook at the top of paulina peak. The views were unforgettable. As many times as we have been over to CO, we've never done that. It was well worth the drive.
The rest of the time we would drive into bend or sisters for lunch or dinner, wander around with the kids in the stroller, go to the pool in between naps and then relax at night after they were in bed. We have a central oregon rule, in bed by 10. We were seriously in bed lights out by TEN every night...and it was glorious!
Lifelong memories made once again. Crazy to think just last summer we made that trip with an almost 2 year old and no benny yet. How much can change in a short year. Maybe next summer we'll have twins. Hahahahah! kidding!
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| even though benny is blurry here, we can't get over how much they look alike |
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| goofin at lunch |
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| such a big girl now |
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| oh my happy baby boy |
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| the top of mt bachelor |
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| playing in the snow on bachelor |
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| this is what a picture of us trying to get a picture looks like :) |
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benny passed out on my back, I mean OUT. I rode down the lift with him like this, he didn't even budge    
    Feeding the squirrel  Benny and Canon |
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| We got to see the vlach's on our last night. so amazing to see our children together...they are all three MIRACLES. |
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