The Last Hurrah ...

I'm going back to work next Monday, can you believe it's been a year already since Joel was born?! I sure can't. I'm feeling alright about going back, for the following reasons:
- it's only for five months. My days are numbered! And then? Baby #3!
- it's Monday to Friday, and in a position I had before and liked.
- I have a great partner who I'm excited to work with
- My mother-in-law is doing childcare, so at least it's someone I know

Buuuuut ... Let's face it. Getting up at 4am is not going to be a walk in the park. Yuck! At least I'll get to see the sunrise ...

Comfort Food ...

I like comfort food. A LOT. On a bad day I can down a bowl of macaroni-and-real-cheese like nobody's business.

Here's a recipe for Creamy Corn Chowder my mom used to make when I was growing up. I made it last night:

Ingredients:
1/4 lb bacon
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup diced celery
2 tbsp butter
1 cup water
2 cans cream-style corn
2 cups milk
1 large can (14 1/2 oz) evaporated milk
1/4 tsp salt, dash of pepper

Directions:
Dice bacon and saute about 15 minutes. Drain.
Discard extra fat and saute celery and onion in remaining fat and butter for approx. 10 minutes.
Add water and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in corn, milk & evaporated milk, bacon, salt & pepper.
Heat chowder just to boiling.
YUM

Haggardly Dawn ...

On a day like today
After so little sleep last night
Because of a molar-teething little man
Who couldn't sleep from 1:30 - 5am
I can't get enough coffee
It's practically impossible to drag my butt out of bed
And I never want to get out of the hot shower
I want to ignore the fact that my house is a disaster
And I've got stuff to do
And therefore I can't nap when he naps

So if you see my husband ...
Tell him I need to go to the spa or something.

Planning Ahead ...

Jacob plays hockey on a really good team. It's great because all of the kids contribute and get along, and there isn't really a 'superstar' on the team. Jason is also a coach, which is pretty great for both of them.

Anyways, their team wins. A lot. This is great for them except that they have only tasted defeat once this season and that sometimes allows their egos to grow a little bit. Example? Playing "We Are The Champions" as a warm-up song. Oooookay.

So yesterday when we were on our way home from a tournament* I said to Jacob that it was so exciting. His response? "Ya I'm so excited! I made room on my shelf for this trophy last week!"



*Jake got a hat trick, MVP, and ten points! Such a change from last year, when he was by far the needs-improvement-player on the team.

Why It's Good To Make Lists ...

... Because sometimes God gives you exactly what you ask for! ... About a month-ish before I met Jason, I wrote a list of things I wanted in a man, from the seemingly trivial (likes beer) to the absolutely essential (loves Jacob). After I had been dating Jason for a bit I looked back and realized that he was every single thing on the list!!! ...

Observe:

When I asked God to give me a man that looks good in a hat, he gave me you. Sometimes you wear the oldest smelliest hat that you stole from your buddy. But you still look cute. And you don’t even need to wear a hat because (tanks God!) you’re not balding! You also have luscious blonde curls when your hair is long that every girl would be envious of.

When I asked God for a man tall enough for me to wear high heels with, he gave me you. Even though (depending on the shoes) I’m sometimes as tall as you when I wear heels, you like me to wear them and you like me to look cute and when I make an effort to look good, you let me know.

When I asked God for a man that my step-dad likes, little did I know he would give me a man my step-dad practically likes more than me! I love that you and him get along and have become such good friends. I love that you go to him to talk and that your relationship with him came so easily.

When I asked God for a man who is fatter than me (and by 'fatter' I don't mean 'fat'. I just mean someone who's not skinnier than me), God gave me you. You are bigger than me and (hopefully) always will be. I fit perfectly in your strong arms. I like snuggling into your chest. You are a man’s man and your body shows it.

When I asked God for a man who likes beer (but isn’t an alcoholic), he gave me you. I like that you like beer every once in awhile. I enjoy sharing a beer with you or having a glass of wine with dinner {well, except for now that I'm pregnant!}.

When I asked God for a man who is happy in pictures, he gave me you. We have so many great pictures documenting our journey together. And we have an equal number of pictures that make me laugh my head off when I see them, they’re so funny. Remember the toothpaste one? The bloody one? All the mocking ones? We have so much fun, don’t we?

When I asked God for a man who Jacob loves so much, he gave you to us. One week in you gave him your hockey cards. When you first met, he was in flannel pjs in the summer. He immediately loved you and made the transition to calling you daddy very easily. It was beautiful. And now he is your boy and you are his dad. What a lovely family I have, so full of love.

When I asked God for a man who makes me laugh (but not just in a polite you-were-trying-to-be-funny-so-here's-a-pity-laugh kind of way), God gave me you – the funniest man I have ever met in my life. You are funny and you always have a way of making me smile. We have inside jokes and things that only we think are funny (we KNOW they’re funny). I have never laughed as much as when I am with you. We have a good time together.

When I asked God to give me a man who likes to spend money (like me … and on me), he gave me you. You like the occasional spurge, but you are also smart with money, which is a bonus! You surprise me and show me how much you love me and think about me. I appreciate it.

When I asked God for a man who has the same spiritual and moral beliefs, he gave me you. I like that we believe fervently in the same things, but that we also challenge each other to know why we believe the things we do.

When I asked God to give me a man who loves hockey (and fights in hockey), he gave me you. Your loyalty to your hockey team is so great (even though you guys always lose). Even when you lose your mind on that guy -- whatever his name was -- I am proud of you. I love that you are coaching Jacob’s team this year – it has been such a blessing for him, he really loves it. Unfortunately, however, you like the Edmonton Oilers and for that you are a sucka.

When I asked God for a man who wants four more kids, he gave me you. We are one and a half down, two and a half to go!

When I asked God to give me a man who is protective and who will stick up for Jacob and I, he gave me you. You are definitely protective and offer your support no matter the situation. We definitely always feel safe with you on our side.

When I asked God for a man who my sis doesn’t have to be wary of, he gave you to me. My whole family loves you and loved you right from the start. I love the closeness we have with each others’ families (exception, of course, my sperm donor and your 'sister').

When I asked God to give me a man who is sensitive (but doesn’t cry all the time) he gave me you. I love that you are sensitive and care. The majority of the stories you tell me about being a kid involve crying, though. And this makes me laugh.

When I asked God to give me a man who thinks I’m beautiful (even when I don’t feel beautiful), he gave me you. I’m not sure why, but you do. With no makeup on and an old t-shirt and pajama bottoms, I feel beautiful when you tell me that I am. And when I make an effort to look good, you let me know. I really appreciate that.

When I asked God for a man who is not selfish, he gave me you. I appreciate the fact that you are generous with your time, your money, your love and your things. You are helpful and kind and you are good at making others feel important.

When I asked God for a man whose mom doesn’t make him lunch every day even when he’s in his 30s, he gave me you. Tanks God you didn’t live at home when I met you. And I’m pretty sure your mom would tell you to feck right off if you asked her to do that.

When I asked God for a man who doesn’t need big toys to compensate for other things, he gave me you. Our biggest toy is probably our car. And let's face it, we need a minivan.

When I asked God to give me a man who means what he says (and doesn’t just bs me all the time), he gave me you. I appreciate your honesty and the fact that I can take what you say at face value because you are truthful and transparent.

When I asked God to give me a man who does what he says he’s going to do (and isn’t all talk), he gave me you. Even in the beginning of our relationship you said you would make me a real stop sign and you did! This impressed me.

When I asked God for a man who is truthful, he gave me you. Thank you for not lying to me and for being honest and upfront. I love knowing you and I love that you know me. You are my best little friend.

When I asked God to give me a man who is not a quitter or a loser, he gave you to me. You persevere and keep going, even when life is hard. And you are definitely not a loser. You are a great man and I believe in you with my whole heart. You are my one true love and I love you.



Dear God,

You really pulled through for me, giving me a completely amazing man that fits all the criteria (even the kind of arbitrary ones, like 'likes beer.'). That's pretty damn cool. Thank you so crazily much. I sowed in tears and reaped in laughter, hey? I like.

Love, Anika

[from August 2006]

He's In Love ...

Jacob told me this morning that every time his teacher gets a note for whatever she says out loud "Dear Mrs. Smith, You are very young and beautiful ..."

Apparently this struck a chord with my son because next, he said "So today I wrote her a note that really says that and I'm bringing it to school to give her."

I Wouldn't Name My Son Harold.

Speaking of hair, I got my hair cut yesterday. And I love it! It is cute and short-ish and easy-to-do and flirty and fun. And my husband -- my I-only-like--you-hair-long-no-matter-how-bad-it-looks- husband -- loves it! Hooray!

Hair is kind of crazy because it can really be the difference between a good day and a great day. And even a good day and a bad day. And that is why this haircut is so significant to me.

All of the excitement of having cute hair that is manageable means I was completely blindsided by this discovery:
I. Found. A. Gray. Hair. And not just one. TWO.

Pop Quiz

I got this quiz from Marianne and I asked the questions to Jacob ...

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Presents {Um, does this make me sound shallow at all?}

3. What makes mom sad?
I don't know {Probably not getting material things, Jacob. COME ON!}

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Dad. And me.

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?
Play baseball

6. How old is your mom?
27 {Yay!}

7. How tall is your mom?
I don't know.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Watch my hockey games.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Look after Joel and clean up messes.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Singing.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Writing

12. What is your mom not very good at?
I don't know. {Smart kid}

13. What does your mom do for her job?
**he named it

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Sushi. {This immediately made me hungry}

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
You're funny and smart.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Marge Simpson. {?!}

17. What do you and your mom do together?
We go to the store. {Hah, I sound like an exciting mom, hey?}

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We both wear glasses and we don't like the same foods and we like hockey.

19. How are you and your mom different?
You don't like tomatoes or mushrooms {I actually do like tomatoes and mushrooms}

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because of the way you treat me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
He's funny.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
The beach.

Romance

Recently we were over at my inlaws' and my mother-in-law had a bunch of red rose petals drying on the table. Jacob asked her: "what are those for, Grammie?"
"Those are the petals from the beautiful red roses Grampie bought me for Valentines day."

Jacob paused, and then wondered "then why did you rip them all apart?"