Five Year Anniversary !

Who is this guy?

So, actually 6 years ago to this day, I got a phone call around 7pm, from a guy named Jake. I actually didn't answer it when he called because I was too nervous and had way too many butterflies. I knew I liked him a whole lot, and just didn't want to screw anything up. So 15 minutes later I called him back. We had been emailing each other back and forth for about a week before that when we had met up through my best friend, Jesse, on February 19, 2010. It was supposed to be a fun night out with some guys she used to work with in Springfield while she went to college there. And randomly enough, we hit it off, and became best friends. Engaged 6 months later, and then on Feb 26th, 2005 married!! WOW!

Since, I have been married to him so long, and feel I have the right to embarass him a bit, I am going to add a few pictures of my honey before I got to meet him. Now as you will see, we know where Benjamin gets his good looks from!

I know some are small, but with the help of my favorite Mother and Father in law, they were able to scan and email them to me!! YAY! Thanks Deena and Doug!

So, where are the pictures of me as a baby you ask....well, I wasn't able to find any. And in all honesty, we don't have a whole lot. You would be amazed how few baby pictures get taken as you go down the line in a family of ten. Haha, It's no bd Mom and Dad. I really don't want to share the photos that I do have anyways.

Anyhoo,

Jake, I can't believe we have already been married five years. We have been through a lot, and I can honestly say I love you more now than ever. I love waking up beside you. I love having babies with you. I love just hanging out with you. You are my best friend, and my true love. I love watching you be an amazing father to our two beautiful children. You are smokin hot! And I count my blessings everyday, wondering sometimes how much I don't deserve you. I LOVE YOU BABE! To celebrate,we went out for Sushi last night, and it was awesome! Best Sushi I have probably ever had.

Hope your day is wonderful, Babe!

Double Lovin!

This is going to be "another" one of those posts about how flippin awesome it is being a Mom. Man, God didn't hold back back when he created children and their mothers. It's exciting, it's crazy, it's emotional, it's amazing. Jake and I were talking the other night about the love we have for our kids. I remembered when I was pregnant with Jonna, and Ben was almost two. I worried that I would not be able to give as much love, OR even LOVE Jonna as much as I love Benjamin. I mean he was a pretty tough act to follow. I really didn't understand how I would be able to love them equally.

Then I had Jonna. That precious little girl was my sweet Jonna Baby from the moment I saw Jake holding her for the first time. I looked at my angel, and I just welled up in tears of love. "MY cup overflowed" as someone very wise once said.

By the way, have I mentioned before about this baby girl and her Daddy!? She is enthralled with him. He walks into a room and she lights up, smiling her beautiful smile. Her hands start waving and legs start kickin! And the effect she has on her Dad, I mean that is a whole other ballgame. He shows a softness with her that melts my heart into chocolate syrup. I say chocolate syrup, cuz Well...I love chocolate syrup.

So, this double love thing I was referring to. It isn't about loving one child as much as you love the other child. There is no comparison that even exists. You just love them both ultimately, so much that you could explode with tears one second, and then laugh the 'good hearted from the stomach laugh' the next second. There is no favorite, and there never will be. You are there paretns for life, and will be there for either of them at any given moment, sometimes whether they want you there or not. OH, how true may that be in the high school years.

Now I understand my Mom a little bit. All ten of my siblings, have faults, troubles, and have all given my mother some trying times. But I know deep down, that not once did she love one of us more than the other. I mean can you imagine how much my Mom may want to explode sometimes with HER love. Heck, multiply hers times 10 children, and then add another 8 grandchildren! She's just trying to keep up.

So, I had this post all written up in my head at 12:30am last night while I was feeding Jonna her bottle, and she was holding my hand. Knowing Ben was curled up into a ball in our bed wrapped up in Jake's arms. I had all of these overwhelming thoughts that I wanted to put in writing, and it's all so perfect upstairs, but I did my best to put it together here.

These kids! I tell ya........

IN YOUR FACE!

That'smy handsome boy!

NO, --SHE---DI-IN'T!

REALLY?

MOM, YOU CRACK ME UP!

Man, I love that smile!

LIFE: Keep your hands inside the vehicle and please hang on!

Sometimes, I feel like I am in a wind tunnel, and happenings fly by me at a 100mph and all I can do is grab on for a short moment. By the time, I feel I understand that one, there is something else flying my way.

This past week and 1/2 has been crazy. Some wonderful going on's though. First off, my friend, Miranda had her second child, a beautiful healthy baby girl on the 15th. On the same day, another friend, Michelle due in July found out she is having her third boy!

Yesterday, my sister n law Becca had her second beautiful little boy. WOWSA! 9lbs 10oz. With a headful of light brown hair. I don't know that he could have looked any more perfect! I was on the phone with her texting back and forth getting updates. She ended up being dialated a full hour and 1/2 before the doctor became available so she could push. Ummmm, now that is a test of patience if I say so myself. Becca did say that it was probably a good thing though being that he was so big. Gave her and him time to prepare. She said once the doctor came in, she only had to push 5 or 6 times. They were in there at 530am and I talked to her at 730pm. I know she was so tired, but she didnt' sound like it. Man, just brings back memories of having our babies Jonna and Ben. It is truly euphoric, just as Becca was explaining.

Next off, I find out another person close to me is pregnant with her fifth! AMAZING! Yes, planned and ready, she says. Due not till October. I can't go into to much detail because it is still kind of a secret. But let's just call this one ALOHA baby!

Okay, and next off, some things I just don't understand, but know there is a reason. My best friend and her husband lost their baby. They found out a week ago, and she had a D&C yesterday because her body was still accepting the baby, even though the baby was no longer surviving inside her. Is there any explanation, why did this happen? I mean they tried for over a year. I had my own experience of losing our little Bean about a year and 1/2 ago, and well, there really aren't any words that make you feel better. Only time heals. But there is one thing to be said. As many of you know, we have our beautiful Baby Jonna, and we wouldn't have her if I didn't miscarry, so really God knows what he is doing. He does, and we are truly along for the ride. Doesn't set aside the pain I have for Jesse. It is a hurt like no other, and you never forget.But in time, it will become less and less, and will be okay.

Next, our nephew(Ryan, 2 in May) and niece(2months) have been sick since last weekend. GRRRRRR. Ryan ended up in the hospital, not eating, with a temperature, and really sick. Poor babies. As some may know, Ryan spent quite some time in the hospital his first year of life. I mean can he get a break or what?! I think he is coming out of it, and little sister, Addison is doing okay too. I can't wait for this sick season to be over!!

Example: Jonna and Ben have been off and on sick since December. We just had another good week and half of healthiness, when I come home from work yesterday to see them both sitting on Dad's lap pretty miserable! Jonna's cheeks are rosy red, eyes watering, and poor baby can't breathe through her nose! Ben was up most of the night coughing his "head off". As many parents know, "Coughing your head off" means you cough so much that you honestly feel like your head could pop off.

I have huge empathy for parents with sick kids. I mean my kids just have a cold. But to explain what I feel while they are sick, I mean it's like unbearable. I want it to stop, I want their pain to stop, I want to snap my fingers, and them be healthy! I actually become kind of a nervous wreck at home, cuz I get beside myself not knowing what to do for them, and then get angry with myself, feeling I am a bad parent. Walking around asking myself, can I giver them more medicine to feel better or is it too early? UGH! Bring on Spring and Summer, so my kids can run around outside and be happy again without a hacking cough and snot running like rivers out of their nose!

On a good note: I am dying to dress Jonna up in some very cute dresses that a friend let me borrow from her. Deborah is having her second child also, the first was a girl, and this one is a boy, so she was gracious enough to share! YAY! I love sharing baby clothes! Oh man, which reminds me: Jonna 6 (almost 7) month check up. 27 1/2 inches, 19lbs, 9oz. She is 90th percentile height and weight! And she is actually still smaller than what Ben was at her age!

6 Month and 2.5 PICTURES! CHECK THEM OUT!

Hello! Check out our family pics we took last week.

I would like to invite you to view pictures at www.joyceEveler.com. They are located at http://joyceeveler.com/photocart.

When you go to the website, first create an account, (don't miss this step), then click the Access Gallery link and enter in the access code below:

Access code: 9f82066d

After you do that, you will be able to view our pictures. If you don't want to make an account, use my email address, and the password is ben2jon6

JOYCE! Thanks so much! You did awesome once again. Of course, you did have some pretty cute kids to take!It is gonna be a tough decision to decide!

Writing CUZ I CAN!

I have sooooo very much to catch up, and as I sat to decide what this post was going to be about, the thought crossed my mind that there will be no subject, but I am just going to write about the random "going on" in this Holee girl's life.

Okay, so I am pregnant we just found out about a week ago.......How far along you ask...hmmm, not really sure, but I my guess is 6 or 7 weeks. YAY, for babies!!!

Okay, So really I am not pregnant, but I should be because every person I know is, and is due in this next year, whether it be in three days, or in 7 months!!! And do you notice any jealousy here. Well there is! I know we can't be pregnant right now, only because we couldn't afford it, but I have come to realize, that the next time I am, a lot of my friends and family will be or are already totally done with having kids!! Tear tear. Yes, this Mama is gonna be in her thirties still popping out kids, but that is okay. We have both decided that there is no way we can only settle on having just two kids. Ben and Jonna need to have the joy like Jake and I experienced of having more than one sibling. Now will I go as far to have 5 like Jake's mom or 10 like my Mom, heck no, but I know we will at least have one more! Some may call us crazy, but I dont' see our lives any other way! We will be broke, but it will be well worth it! LOL!

Next stop...My baby Jonna. She is going on seven months. Really? how did that happen, cuz it really feels like yesterday, my baby girl was a little tiny infant, that could only cuddle with her Mama. Now she wants to sit up, "try" to wrestle with her brother, attempt to scoot while on her belly, moves backwards in her walker, eats three meals of baby food a day, and has growling contests with Ben. She also likes to watch Ben hurt himself or cry. Yes, she thinks it is hilarious and giggles. Ben doesn't always think it is funny when she laughs at him, but he has learned that if he runs into a wall, and screams OUCH, Jonna will burst in giggles. Haha, The love he has for his sister.

Benjamin, 2 and 1/2. Sharp as a knife. He counts to 11 or 10 I guess you could say. It goes like this, "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,8,9,10!" and it ends with a YAY!!!!!!!!!
He has a real nice shakin leg dance, where his entire body will stay stiff, but then he will shake his right leg, and as he does it he is staring at it concentrating really hard. It kind of reminds me of Forrest Gump for some reason.
He has a favorite pair of bright orange mesh shorts, he would wear every night if we let him, and a monster truck t shirt, that Terressa gave him a long time ago, that he also would wear everyday with his orange shorts if we let him. I love it that it is mid winter and 20 degrees out and my child wears shorts and tshirts. No Bd.

Reasons I like to be a mother to a two year old: I can rock on a "pillow built" sailboat in the living room, and shoot at sharks, and save my son when he falls into the water. As I scoop him up from the floor, while he says Mama save me! Mama save me! Then, when he secures him self after putting his Imaginary seatbelt on, he sighs, and says, "THANKS MOM! You saved me!"

Or when we use Jake and I's bed to jump on when we run away from the dinosaurs that lurk in the kitchen and living room. One of their names is Mugsy (who happens to be our 2 year old Boxer). We hide under the covers until they are gone, and then go try to find them again with our self made "Hand" binoculars, only to make it halfway to the living room and scream, "AHHHHH, they are gonna get us!"

Or when we use race cars to play "house"..... hmmm sounds intersting doesn't it? Well, the cars talk to each other, play in the park, fall and need help, cry for their Mommy and Daddy, and eat icecream.

I know I am still a child at heart, cuz believe it or not, I look forward to cruisin
on a sailboat in the living room with my son.

Talk about being cranky and sleep deprived though. Jonna likes to be up almost every hour of the night. Makes it difficult when you are the only one at home, to answer her. It will get better I keep telling myself. But lack of sleep can take a toll on a marriage. Jake and I are constantly battling on who is more sleep deprived. That is a whole other ballgame there.

Marriage: please review
Sometimes, it isn't always a walk in the park. Would I change anything? No. Just a reminder to me to make today the best day that I can as a wife to my hubby.

It is still darn old winter! I am ready for summer, a vacation or something. I have failed at making it to the gym for two weeks in a row. And I am totally looking forwad to a day off next Friday. This is the crazy time of year for work, so it is nice to have a break in grand scheme of things.

All random things in the Holee realm, and but all is well!

Many blessings to all of the wonderful Mothers who are having babies this month, or have just recently!