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! 

Whats Happening with The Staples...

1.) My Beau is 4 1/2 months old! How did that happen so fast? We love him so much! He just started rolling over...both directions. Seriously it makes us ALL laugh when we put him on the floor and he starts rolling all the way to the other side of the room. I think he knows we enjoy it:). His sleeping...is well that of a 4 month old...we need to work on it;). He is BIG...weighing in at 20.1 pounds and 27 inches long! His smile melts my heart and I am holding on to every minute of it. Its funny how your mothering changes as you have more children. I still have a lot to learn, but I have grown so much. Jacob and Baker have grown so fast...and it all will happen...no need for me to stress about it- just enjoy it :)

2.) The 2 year old Baker has decided he likes to pee in the potty! Every time he goes he gets to give EVERYONE an M&M. He loves it and gets so excited about it. He likes flushing the toilet, washing his hands and being the big boy that he is! I still have him in diapers...the pooping I do not think we are ready for. This child poops at least 4 times a day...um do any of you have a child like this? I seriously will be jumping for joy the day he starts going poop in the toilet.

3.) The boys have all been sick this week. I don't mean to be gross but we have had more snot coming out of noses then I was prepared for...I had to run to the store to get more Kleenex. And what is it about a child wiping their nose on their sleeves...it grosses me out and we have had to change shirts at least 3 times a day. A couple blogging friends I have recommend this. I just ordered it. They have been champs through it all and are on the mend.

4.) Spinning! I am in love! I love the burn...the rush..the fatigue...the way it makes me feel! I love it all! It makes me happy. I have also signed up for the Horsetooth half marathon for April 22nd. I am EXCITED! I ran a half marathon about 8 years ago and am looking forward to conquering it again!

5.) Dave and I have been watching Friday Night Lights, per recommendation of some friends of ours. Its good. I really just love snuggling on the couch in the evening with my husband and a glass of wine. It makes me happy.

6.) The other day we were cleaning up toys and Jacob looks over at me and says; "Mommy, your really pretty. When you get little can we get married?" I love the innocence and his heart. My response was that I get to be his mommy forever and that is the best job! It really is.

7.) I had some empty wall in the boys room and made this...I was really excited about it. I just went to Hobby Lobby ( love that store BTW) and bought some wooden letters for 60 cents a piece and some paint. Painted the letters and hung them on the wall with tacky stuff.

8.) My dear friend Cynthia was having a giveaway at her blog and I won! I was so excited when I found out and am SUPER pumped about the carseat cover! YAY!

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.

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!

Our Story

Dave and I met through FOCUS 7 years ago. We were placed on the same team together at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He was my team director and I was a first year missionary on a dating fast. I loved my first year as a missionary but it was very difficult at times. I knew that I loved Dave in October of that year...but had a long time until my dating fast was over. That year was amazing in what it taught me; patience, trust in God's will and the love our heavenly Father has for us. That year taught me that before I could hand my heart over to a man I needed to give it fully to our Lord. I learned so much about who I was that year and my relationship with our Lord really blossomed. In May of that year Dave asked me on our first date and on June 2nd, 2005 (after my dating fast was completely over) we went on our first date in Madison, WI during Summer training. It was everything that I imagined...the wait was worth it.

During our courtship Dave lived in Las Vegas, NM and I lived in Atchison, KS. We both still continued to serve with FOCUS. Distance dating is never fun but Dave and I were blessed to see each other once a month. As soon as our dating began I was ready for Dave to propose....seriously it could NOT come fast enough! I knew that he was the man I was going to marry! I truly thought that he was going to propose at Christmas time. I was going to Michigan to spend the holiday with his family. I was picturing a proposal at midnight Mass...how romantic! My mother assured me that I was not going to get engaged over the holiday...but I was still hoping. You can imagine my disappointment when it didn't happen. Poor Dave, can't a guy surprise a girl is probably what he was thinking :)! Life continued and I was really trying to focus on not being so anxious for engagement, just to enjoy the time we dated and to really leave it up to God...and Dave.

February came and myself and my teammates were heading to KCCSC (Kansas City Catholic Student Conference) in Topeka. That Friday night I was sitting in adoration and trying my best to hand over all my feelings of engagement to our Lord (I WANTED TO BE ENGAGED SO BAD its embarrassing!) That night my heart truly released control of the situation and I was ready to just wait, be patient and enjoy my courtship with Dave. That night I had a dream that Dave came to the conference to surprise me. He proposed and when I looked down at the ring it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen and all the diamonds were falling out. I woke up smiling because I knew this was my release of control...this was me handing the situation over to God and letting Him steer the wheel. That afternoon I called Dave and told him about my time in adoration and about my dream. I also said...and I qoute, "Honey, I'm ready to be content with our dating. If you came today to propose I would say "NO" because its just not the right time. I am ready to be patient!"

Now lets step back a few moments and look at things from Dave's point of view. Dave was in the car driving 13 hours from New Mexico to Kansas...and he was an hour away from surprising me (and proposing) at the conference when I decided to tell him about my conviction and my dream. Just a hand full of people knew about him coming to arrange a few things, other then that myself and the rest of the room was going to be completely surprised upon him entering. Can you imagine what Dave was feeling at this moment? Poor guy :(! He tells me now that he was tempted to turn around and blow the whole thing off...but continued with it anyways. That its good for a man to not be certain about a women's answer...to really be asking her and waiting for an answer.

So Dave walked into the conference and I was COMPLETELY SURPRISED! How did he pull this off...drove 13 hours, talked with me on the phone while driving, and I had no idea. It was February 11th so he told me it was a valentines surprise. We sat through dinner and a talk by Matthew Kelly, talked with friends and then we went out for drinks. Looking back I didn't know that Dave was going to propose, I thought he truly had come to surprise me for valentines day...but he was touching his pocket a lot and seemed nervous! We went out to a small restaurant and drank wine and ate cheese curds. It was wonderful to be with him. He then took me to a park...a rose garden to be exact...except it was February so everything was dead. It had a beauty about it though as we walked on the path hand in hand. He then stopped, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I of course said yes and the rest is history! I was ecstatic...the ring was BEAUTIFUL! Not ugly like in the dream...and it was the right time. In my own heart I needed to be patient and was ready to do that...even if it was just for a short 8 hours!

Dave left the next morning to drive back to New Mexico...it was hard to say good-bye, just like every time its hard, but this time more so. He wasn't just my "boyfriend" anymore...he was my fiance! I was getting married to the man I loved...the moment I could not wait for was finally here!

Our engagement was 9 months and we got married November 25th, 2006! I feel so blessed to have met Dave and to be his wife. He is an amazing man, husband and father. In God's time all things are perfect...and this is perfect!

Dave and I the summer we started dating!

Movie Pick of the Week!

Last night after the boys went to bed, Dave and I snuggled in to watch a movie...one of our most favorite past times! This weeks pick was The Social Network. I was really looking forward to watching this movie for several reasons, first because I am an avid user of facebook and wanted to see how it all for started and secondly because it is up for several awards (which you can't always read in to because sometimes the movies they pick to win are not my favorite). Anyways, as the movie started Dave asked if I minded if he played a game of football on his i-pad...I just rolled my eyes and told him I didn't mind :)! But after five minutes, the i-pad was put aside and his full attention was on the movie! We really enjoyed it...and talked a lot about the movie and the way several characters were portrayed, especially Mark Zuckerburg, the co-founder of facebook.

This movie was based on true events...but who knows how accurate it all is. After the movie ended my heart felt very sad and heavy, especially because of how the friendship ended between Mark and his best friend, the other founder of facebook and because of the secular world we live in and what college campuses are like for many students. I feel as though I live in a bubble and I am so unaware of what goes on, especially on college campuses. I find that I look the other way because I don't want to believe that its true, that people in this world really act like that, drink that much, use drugs, have casual sex, talk with that language and inappropriateness and that women don't care about themselves enough to keep there clothes on. It makes me so sad...but its a good reminder of why my husband and many others do what they do through FOCUS and that I need to pray more...pray more for our college campuses.

All in all it was a really good movie, well directed, well written and super interesting. During the movie I asked Dave if all people have the ability to be as smart as these guys at Harvard? If I, for instance, have the ability and the smarts to have created facebook...(which I do not!) or if its genetics. He just laughed at me, which I think was a hint that he does not think I have the ability :)! How is someone that smart...I cannot even imagine. I cannot even imagine starting facebook in my dorm room with my roommates and having it become so popular and end up being worth 25 billion dollars and having 500 million users...are you kidding me????

If you have seen it, let me know what you thought? And if you haven't...go rent it from redbox! I think you just might enjoy it!

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!

March Madness

March Madness...

The one time of year my husband watches TV...if there is a basketball game on in the month of March, it will be on. The sounds of sneakers on the basketball court, basketballs swishing through the net, cheers from the crowd, whistles blowing and the sound of my husband cheering...or lets be honest, yelling at the television comes from the living room!

Today as we were heading out for Palm Sunday Mass he asked me if we had anything planned after Mass because we needed to get home in enough time to watch Michigan State in the elite 8. Dave is on alumn of Michigan State and cheers for the Spartans whenever possible!

I never was a basketball fan until I met my husband...and now I cheer for the Spartans if they are playing. Today during the game I probably asked him a million questions...and no I am not exaggerating. Questions like..."Why did the coach do that?" or "What is the player thinking?" Questions my husband would just look at me and laugh...but try to answer to appease me.

During the game today Dave was getting SO nervous! He was sitting probably 2 feet from the TV...and in the last 3 minutes of the game (which takes probably 30 minutes) he told me to stop asking him questions...he needed to focus! All in a loving way of course! :) I told him that I now know where Jacob gets it...he likes to stand right in front of the TV too!

Michigan State did win...and it was a close one. They will be headed to the final four and play Saturday...you know what we will be doing!

We have two little good luck charms on our hands that were decked out in their Spartan gear today thanks to Grandma Staples...

GO SPARTANS!!!!!