What's Happening with the Staples

1.) We bought a HOUSE! A place to call our very own! It was a crazy process and not something we were planning on doing at this time but everything pointed to the direction that this was the right move for us. The house that we are currently renting, the landlords wanted to put it on the market. We agreed to it and they were going to give us 60 days notice if someone was interested. Right away they were getting offers, lower then the asking price so none were considered. But it made us really think about what our next move was going to be. Do we rent another house...NO! But we were open to the idea if that was what needed to happen. A good family friend took us under her wing and started showing us some houses. Everything was selling so fast...it was crazy! I would see a house online that I liked and that night it would be under contract. So long story short, a house popped up that we were interested in and we actually wrote the contract before we even looked at the house. We quick looked at it...LOVED it and 4 hours later were delivering the contract. Whats even more CRAZY and what made our decision that much easier was that the people that sold the house 4 years ago to the current sellers were good family friends. (And I went with their son to my senior prom:)!) So we knew that house was taken care of and was a good family home. They accepted our offer...it was all so surreal. We seriously feel so blessed! It was great renting and we had some really cute apartments and houses along the way with lots of wonderful memories but it was time to have our very own home. Somewhere I can garden, paint and truly make ours!

We haven't moved yet. We closed May 24th but the sellers are moving out of the country and needed more time before they moved out. With that said we are renting it back to them for a month. We take ownership June 30th! Our first home improvement job will be removing the popcorn ceilings...we thought it would be easier before we moved all of out stuff in.

Now I get to pack, pack, pack..and clean, clean, clean. But I am actually excited about it because God willing it will be our last time packing for awhile! God is SO good!

 

This was the day we closed! 

2.) Baker is potty trained! YAY! If Baker was my first child I potty trained I would have been worried about Jacob. Jacob was SO difficult to potty train...we are still working on accidents! He seriously holds it till the very last minute...does the potty dance and still will refuse to go. He is so afraid he is going to miss something...even in the morning it is like pulling teeth getting him to change out of his pull-up. And he is still very wet at night (which I know is normal). Baker on the other hand had been showing interest. He would tell me occasionally he had to go potty and go! I decided to try putting him in underwear after Dave was done with campus for the school year. I really thought he would be like Jacob and I would need all the help I could get. That was NOT the case. He seriously was completely potty trained in 3 days...it is seriously the craziest thing to me. He is even dry at night. I didn't do anything different then what I did while training Jacob. I actually don't even know what to say about the whole thing it was so easy...I guess it just goes to show you that all kids are different and learn at different speeds. We are thrilled over here though! Go Baker!  

Here is Baker at the zoo...this pictures cracks me up because it reminds me of Billy Madison. 

3.) Beau is crawling...and getting into everything. Because this child is HUGE he didn't do anything for the longest time. He would just lay there or sit in his excer saucer. But one day he sat up on his own...the next week he was crawling and now he is everywhere! Climbing up stairs, pulling himself up, climbing in to the toy box (not even kidding!) He loves it and so do we! So fun!

4.) Dave is home for the summer! Well I should say he is home for the summer but working really hard too! I LOVE having him home, even if he is behind a locked door! Drinking coffee with him in the morning, having him eat lunch with us in the afternoon, taking breaks here and there and watching movies in the evening after the kiddos go to bed. Its wonderful!

5.) Jacob got a new bike for the summer! Here is a picture of the big boy!

6.) New favorite song of the week! Turn it up and try not to dance! 

5 years...

Last week Dave and I celebrated 5 years of marriage! I can't believe it! In 5 years we have had 3 beautiful boys...one little girl in heaven, 5 moves and a master's for Dave almost complete! Its been a busy 5 years, full of wonderful memories, lots of laughter and plenty of tears...both tears of joy and sadness! I have had my best friend by my side through it all! Every year we go back and watch our wedding video and relive the day! So much fun!!! I love seeing all the friends that were part of our day...and everyone dancing at the reception is a plus! I am so grateful for this video! The boys watched it with us this year...it was so much fun..they kept asking where they were in the video....they didn't quite get it! 5 years...in the scheme of things is really not that long, its fun to know that this is just the beginning of out life together. God willing we will have MANY more memories together, have more children and lots more adventure in this wonderful world of parenthood!

November 25, 2006

Our first Easter with Jacob

Now a family of 4...finding our pumpkins

5 of us in September

Earlier this year I posted the story of how Dave and I met and our engagement story...I am reposting it HERE if you want to read it again!

Have a blessed day!

Tag!

This morning I woke up tired and exhausted from last night's drama (which included several...I mean SEVERAL intense contractions that led me to believe that I would be holding my sweet baby this morning...but no such luck :(. I got on to check my morning blogs...and my dear friend Cynthia invited me to play along in a little game of answer these questions! Too much fun...how could I resist!

If you have a chance visit Cynthia's blog...which is full of beautiful, inspirational writings, good music and fun ideas!

What's your occupation right now? I am blessed to stay at home with my two beautiful boys (almost 3..come on baby Beau)! It is the hardest thing I have ever done and the thing that has led me closer to our Lady and our Lord. Through their constant grace I am able to strive to live out my vocation.

What are you listening to right now? I have been on a country kick lately...laugh if you want! But I can't get enough of Keith Urban, Bard Paisely, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and much much much more! That twang puts a smile on my face!

What was the last thing you ate? Strawberry Yogurt! Something to get that baby moving this morning!

How old are you today? 29...not to far away is the big 30!

What is your favorite sport to watch on tv? I LOVE football season with my husband. It excites me to sit on the couch and watch a good old football game with my husband...and boys! They tackle when the football players tackle! It is quite enjoyable!

Favorite drink? I am on a lemonade kick! That is what the pregnant belly wants! Have you tried the premium lemonade at Wendy's? Or the lemonade at Chic-fi-la??? Oh my goodness...yes please!

Favorite new song? Like i said before my country side is coming out...Love Brad Paisely's new song..Alabama

What is the last movie you watched? The Rite...good movie but left me with weird dreams.

Favorite day of the year? I LOVE Thanksgiving! Such yummy food, a beautiful time of year and a great time to spend with family!

What was your favorite toy as a child? I would have to agree with Cynthia and say that I loved my Barbies! I loved setting up the "dream house", dressing them in all their fun outfits and have Ken and Barbie fall in love!

What is your favorite season? Fall hands-down! I almost pulled out all my fall decorations this weekend but I resisted! The crisp air, apple picking, pumpkins, leaves falling, sweaters, football...it all makes me so excited thinking about it! And this year a new baby:)

Cherries or blueberries? Cherries make my tummy happy!

When was the last time you cried? Last night. I really thought we would be gong to the hospital. I just sat in the boys room and sobbed...because I knew everything was going to change. A good change but nonetheless change. Why is change so hard?

What is on the floor of your closet? A big tub of maternity clothes...and I am excited to be done with those! I seriously wear the same 3 outfits every week!

Who is the friend you have had the longest? Adria...meet her in 6th grade when we moved to Colorado and have been best friends ever since. I am blessed to have her in my life! Love you A!

What did you do last night? We ate leftovers for dinner, gave the boys a bath, put them to bed (without any hiccups)...said good-bye to my husband who was going out to do his fantasy football draft...and then proceeded to have contractions.

How many states have you lived in? 5 states...Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and Florida.

What is your favorite kind of flower? Gerber daisy's and tulips! Love. Love. Love.

Did you have fun?? Thanks for following a long :)

Here are the people I will tag: Caitlin, Julie and Lisa

So I cannot figure out this font thing...and how to post a video from youtube...I have done it before but am giving up for today. Wierd.

The Seasons of Life

As I sit here this morning watching the boys play outside, digging in the dirt, climbing up the slide, hiding behind the tree they call their fort, getting along for the most part:), I can't help but feel how blessed I am. I am also thinking about how much my life will change in just a little over 8 weeks (probably more...I am typically late with the babes!)

I sit here sipping my coffee with my feet up just watching my boys go on their many adventures. They don't really need me right now..they are completly fine on there own...and enjoying their freedom too! Thats how life is right now...typically pretty easy when it comes to entertaining the boys. Yes, sometimes I do feel like a WWF referee breaking up the constant fun of wrestling and tackling that has gone a little to far and isn't fun for one of them anymore. But really I can't complain. We put the boys to bed at 8 and I pretty much don't see them till the morning, there is the occasional visit in the middle of the night that is fixed with a quick kiss, a re-tuck in and a rub on the head...and maybe a prayer or too...but they go back to sleep. With a good nights sleep this means I am able to get up at 6 to pray and shower before I see the beautiful faces of my boys. (believe me when I say I am such a better mom if I have had a cup of coffee and some prayer time before we start our day!) When we go out I don't have to bring a diaper bag and remember the million things that a newborn might possibly need. I don't have to think about the type of shirt I need to wear that will work with nursing while we are out. We can go out in the mornings without wrecking anyones nap schedule. They eat the same thing at lunch and they can feed themselves! They go down for nap at the same time..on their own and sleep. We have routine. This is the season of life that we are in right now...but it will soon change.

When a new baby enters the picture EVERYTHING changes for the time being...but it is such a short time and soon things will become routine again...probably a different routine but non the less a routine. There will be many awakenings in the middle of the night. There will be the constant nursing that a little one desires. There will be the carrying of the car seat into the grocery store. Things will change...you get the picture!

But how we look forward to this change, how exciting it is to hold a sweet, tiny baby in your arms again. One thing I have learned and I will continue to learn with every new baby is that this season goes by SO FAST! They are only little for so long and then soon they will be running with the rest of the pack. That they only sleep peacefully in your arms for a short period and they only need you in the middle of the night for a brief time. I know that with Jacob I did not treasure the newborn time I had with him like I should have. I worried about things like sleep schedules, nursing...was he doing all the things he should be doing at this point in his life. What will it be like when he crawls...when he walks. I wished for the next period of his life to come and did not really enjoy the time that was present with us at that moment. But I have learned and the time I have with a newborn is treasured and looked forward to.

So yes, in 8 weeks or so I will not be sitting here watching the boys play outside, sipping my coffee with my feet up. I will most likely be sitting here nursing and enjoying the sweet baby smell as the boys play outside...But how we look forward to Beau John Paul becoming part of this family outside the womb.

Jacob

Baker

Whats Happening with The Staples...

Looking back I have not blogged very much over the summer...sometimes life just gets busy! But here I have found a few moments to sit down and update you few readers I have:)

1. We just got back from a three week trip out to Michigan. It was really very nice to spend time with Dave's family and catch up with several of our mission partners we have out there. On the way out we spent two nights at Mahoney State Park in Nebraska. Last year we camped but being 7 1/2 months pregnant I voted for the air conditioned lodge! We had a blast! We hiked, paddle boated, fed fish, played. played. played, and spend an afternoon at the water park. It was really nice to have some family time together and just relax! In Michigan, Dave's family lives in a VERY small town..its very cute and quaint. There is no cell phone service...well hardly any:) And lots of farms. "I see cows! Hold!" was all we heard Baker say. (Thats his new favorite thing to say..."hold!" he wants to hold EVERYTHING, no matter the size! Its really pretty cute:)!) The humidity was crazy..being a Colorado girl... but we managed to get through it! The boys enjoyed seeing their gramma and papa out there and had lots of quality time with them...they were spoiled! Always nice to visit! We miss them for sure!

2. WE ARE MOVING! In 10 days...and I haven't even started packing yet:)! Dave will be serving FOCUS at Colorado State University (CSU) next fall so we will be moving to Fort Collins. We are so excited! I grew up in Fort Collins and thats where my family is and several of my aunts, uncles and cousins. We will be living 1.8 miles from my parents house...some of you might think this is CRAZY;) but I am so excited to live close to them! It will especially be nice with #3 coming along here! I am so not looking forward to packing, that is why I have been putting it off! I wish I could snap my fingers and everything would hope in to boxes, just like Mary Poppins! I guess the positive is we get to clean out everything and find all those missing toys!

3. I am 32 weeks pregnant and feel that way too! I don't know if it's the heat or all the traveling that we just did but I am so tired...ALL. THE. TIME. I am not as "quick" to get up for sure and I have swollen ankles too! But enough of this complaining...we feel blessed! Beau John Paul is an active little guy in the womb so I can only imagine what he will be like when he is born. I sit and daydream about what he will look like, what is smile will be like, holding a sweet, tiny baby again, his smell and all the joy another life will bring to our family. 3 of my friends have had their babies in the past week and I am getting baby envy...I want to meet little Beau so much with all my heart...but I will just have to wait! It's not quite his birthday yet!

Not a very good picture...but here is Baker resting on my belly!

4. Baker will be 2 July 17th. I cannot believe how much this little man has grown up in the past couple months. Everyday he surprises me with something new he knows. His vocabulary and the way he communicates with us has grown leaps and bounds! He is just plain funny and makes us all laugh...including Jacob! Even though he does NOT listen, his favorite word is "NO!" and he doesn't sit in timeout unless you are restraining him...you can not help but love the kid!

5. This is my new favorite song...

What's Happening with The Staples...

1. Yesterday I did ALL of the laundry and was able to fold it and put it away! I have not done this in MONTHS! It usually sits on the couch for days while piles of laundry waiting to go in the washer sit in the hall. It was such a great feeling! I didn't go to bed till 11:15 last night but I was determined to get it done!

**Side note: The boys somehow, without my knowledge, found my RED lipstick and put it in their hamper. When doing their laundry I dumped it all in the washer without realizing it:(. Now, all of their clothes have bright RED marks all over them! UGH a thousands times over! A few good friends of mine swear by oxiclean...so off to the store we went this morning to buy some oxiclean so I could start soaking these clothes. I have never used oxiclean before but have been inspired by these women. I'm not sure how well it will work though since the clothes have already been dried with the stains...we will see! They are soaking now...wish me luck!

2. We seem to have taken a couple steps backwards in Jacob's ability to use the potty. For the past two months he has being doing AWESOME with very few accidents but the past couple of weeks we have been having SEVERAL accidents...most of them being poop (yesterday 3):(. I have been unsure how to handle these accidents. Do I discipline him for going poop in his pants or to I treat it like I have past accidents, "Accidents happen and its okay!" We have been struggling. Today we have gone back to a jelly bean after he goes in the potty. If any moms have suggestions or have gone through this I am all ears!

3. Lent is almost over. I am embarrassed to admit that I have really struggled this lent with staying true to my lenten fasts. I wish I would have been more disciplined during this season. My prayer has been good though which I am thankful for. May these last few days before the Resurrection of out Lord be a time of prayer and grace for all of you!

4. Last night I went shopping for the boys Easter baskets! I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! I spent way to much money on candy though...why is Easter candy SO delicious??? Probably because we don't eat it until Easter! Dave did make me take two bags back though...he thought I went a little overboard:)

5. Yesterday during lunch we has a little thunderstorm ! It was so cool! We had it all... a little hail, thunder, lighting and rain! The boys were quiet during their whole lunch as we sat there and watched mother nature at work! It was beautiful!

6. Baker has discovered the word "NO"! Seriously that is ALL he says! I try so hard not to laugh every time he says it because the way he says it is SO darn cute! The cuteness of an almost two year old is unbearable!

7. The other day I was cleaning the bathroom and went to check on the boys and saw this...

Melt my heart!

Photo Session

My very dear, best, longest friend Adria blessed our family with her talents and took some pictures for us. It was around Baker's 1st birthday and she really captured some good ones. Take a look...

The Staples Family

Daddy and Baker

Daddy and Jacob

Baker

Jacob

Baker and Mama

Mama and her boys

Baker

Cool Dude Jacob

Baker enjoying some cake

Too Cute for words!

Thank you SO much Adria! Such great memories captured! Love you!

Whats Happening with The Staples...

1. I cannot figure out this whole background blog thing...I will continue to mess with it and hopefully things will start to piece together.

2. I have officially lost 21 pounds! Can you believe it??? I feel amazing and have gained a new found confidence. The discipline that I have had with food now has stemmed over into other areas of my life...its been AWSOME!

3. I can now run 5 miles without stopping with the double jogging stroller...and I actually LIKE it! The boys and I look forward to our morning runs and really love these cooler mornings! The route I take has sheep, prairie dogs, birds, ponds and lots of other runners/walkers/bikers...it keeps us entertained!

4. I have dropped Baker's morning nap! With Jacob I did not drop the morning nap until 18 months...and Baker is only 14 months. He is a lot younger...but it is so nice having our mornings free and not have to work around his nap. Also, when they go down they are ready to sleep and they take really LONG, good naps! Leaves me enough time in the afternoon to get my chores done, check my email/facebook/blog and I can even lay done for a short while! Its been nice.

5. I have finished painting the inside of the house...its looks beautiful and really feels like our home. Paint adds SO much to a room! I have a couple little book shelves I want to paint other then that I am done with BIG projects for now...I will post pictures soon!

6. My house is ready for fall! I have my pumpkin spice candles out, my fall decorations in place, and fall colored dish towels ready for use! I LOVE it! In a couple weeks we will head to the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins! This really is my favorite time of year!

7. I am hooked on Gilmore Girls right now! I can not get enough!

Sundays...

I LOVE Sundays! Especially when you are able to spend time with your family. Today was extra nice because Dave didn't have to go to campus. Usually on Sundays he leaves in the afternoon to lead 2 Bible studies and attend student supper...today he was able to stay home. It was the start of CU's spring break...so we actually get all week with him... After Mass this morning we went to breakfast together, we don't do this often but we make a point to do it once a month. We then came home and all played together for 2 hours...then nap time arrived. I took a nap when the boys did and 2 hours later I was a well rested women. We then enjoyed the beautiful weather, taking advantage of our backyard. Leftovers for dinner, bath time and bed. We then sat on the couch...Dave slept, with a glass of wine in one hand and popcorn in the other. A wonderful end to a beautiful day!

Not that it will be a complete vacation...he still has class at the AI, which means studying and we still have lots of MPD (mission partner development) to do. But it will be nice having him home in the mornings!

Mornings are actually my favorite time of day. I love the kiddos in their pajamas, morning breath, warm cheeks, bed head from a good nights rest, a nice, BIG warm cup of coffee in my hand, nothing beats it. This week will be really nice!

Here is a picture of what I get to see every morning...