5 years

I have had the wonderful privilege of being married to Jared for the last five years. It is really hard to believe that we have been married for five years! It is even harder to look at all the things we've done since getting married. Jared really is my second chance in life and I love him so much. He always keeps me laughing and it is so fun to go through life at his side. Here are some photos of us because I'm feeling nostalgic and lovey-dovey today!

5 months

Grayson has been in our little family for 5 months! I really can't believe he is getting so big. Here's his 5 month photos. (I feel bad that I don't have the extra cash I had with Ethan to have his pics done by someone who actually knows how to take a picture. Oh well, we still love him just as much.) He is our smiley baby boy! In honor of being 5 months old, here is a list of Grayson's five favorite things: 1) Milk; 2) Mommy; 3) Daddy; 4) Watching Ethan run around like a crazy fool, 5) Smiling. Grayson could teach us all a lesson in simplicity!

Whew!

Seriously, the last couple of weeks have been rough on me. I know I really do have it pretty good, but lately I have been missing my man! He has had so much homework, he has been gone almost every day and night for a few weeks. I really appreciate all the things Jared does around here because I've been doing them lately. It's been crazy! I know I have no reason to complain, but this is not my normal and I miss my normal. The semester is almost over and my wonderful mom is going to take the boys for a couple days so Jared and I can celebrate our 5 year anniversary on April 30! Can I get a Yee-Haw for amazing moms?!

In the midst of all this craziness I have started my own business. That's right, I am in private practice, which basically means I am a therapist and making bucks! It is a little weird for me because going into this profession I always wanted to look out for the underdog, my clients. Private practice is totally different from non-profits, which is what I've been doing since I graduated. In all my other jobs clients have been able to access services for free. This goes against that core belief of mine, but in the end mama needs to bring home some bacon, so now I'm looking out for me. Even with overhead, I'm doing pretty well so far. It has only been three weeks, but I am pleased to have a some clients and get new referrals each week. My goal is to fill two full days and cut back to one day or one evening a week once Jared finishes school and is making more at his job.

Needless to say, I am TIRED! I think I'm going to go eat some of that jam I made with some friends.

Catching Up

March kind of flew by on me! I swear I am in a time warp or something. Here are some things to catch you up. Jared is having his butt kicked by this semester’s classes. He is pretty much always doing homework. I did break him away long enough on his birthday to eat at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café in downtown Sanford, FL. It was amazing! It is a traditional German fare and we loved it all. The food, the atmosphere, the food, and the entertainment—complete with an accordion and yodeler dressed in lederhosen. We also enjoyed the assisted living facility residents that were having a dance party in the corner of the restaurant. Next time I will remember to bring a camera.

We love spending time with our friends. Now that Florida is feeling more like normal, we have been to the park with Naomi and Carson, playing outside lots with the Dawson’s, and hanging out at the Anders’ home. We also celebrated with Lyla (Stacey and Joe’s little girl) on her first birthday. She is actually a birthday buddy with Uncle Jared, cut her party was held Easter weekend. We really had a great time. I love parties in St. Augustine because I get to have a mini-family reunion whenever we have one. Lyla’s party didn’t disappoint.

In other news, I have gone into private practice. I am now working on my own as a counselor one day a week. I am starting small and letting it grow organically. I just needed something that fits my lifestyle better as a mom of two. We’ll see how it goes over the next several months.

Here are some photos to enjoy. And by some, I mean a lot.

Ethan at the Easter egg hunt after Lyla's party.

Birthday girl at the Easter egg hunt.

Cake is good!

Ladybug cake I made for my beautiful niece.

Closeup.

Ethan counting eggs, "1, 2, o, 10, o, 10, 10, 10!"

Dying Easter eggs with Aunt Stacey.

Grayson loving on Natali.

Naomi and Carson.

Ella, Barbara, Grayson and Ethan. (Jack is in there too!)

4 months old!

Brothers.

Snuggling with Phoebe.

Jack was born a couple days after we were hanging out, on March 25! Welcome, Jack.