Montana Christmas in Southern California

We were pleasantly surprised with a phone call sometime mid-November from my brother, Dan. He was surprising his girlfriend, Rachel (she's really part of the family, we're just waiting for him to make it official) with a trip to see us around Christmas time. It's always a blast when they come to visit! We were especially excited this time because we were staying in Redlands for Christmas, and now we would have visitors to share Christmas with. Josh loves his Uncle Dan and Aunt Rachel because they LOVE to play anything and everything with him and they are both super silly. We wish they lived closer so we could see them all the time, but we understand that Montana is where they need to be for NOW!

Being that it was our first Christmas staying home, Mike and I wanted to start some of our own family traditions this year. Not that we've never had the chance in the past, it just gets so hectic with getting ready to travel, and then flights canceled, and like last year; SSN stolen, filing police reports, and getting a parking ticket at the Palm Springs Airport ("hmm" you say! ask Mike) it just has seemed easier to wait till we found it the right year to stay home.

So I took it upon myself, the hostess and everything, to plan some fun traditions and outings we could do with Dan and Rach while they were here. We took a trip down to the San Diego Zoo, on a wet cold day, and were pleasantly surprised by the lack of visitors (seriously, it was like having a private tour) and the very active animals (so cool). Shoot, maybe I shouldn't be letting that little secret out! Oh, well!

My personal favorite because you will see that everyone's creative side came out, was the making of the gingerbread house. Okay, it was pre-built but it was lots of fun to frost and throw candy at (yes, the candy was thrown).

We were even able to go out to dinner and a movie with them (Thank you Verhoeven Family)! It's not often that Mike and I go out on a double date (I think Dan and Rach are the only ones that like us)!

We had a wonderful time with them and are so thankful that they thought of us to visit for Christmas. We hope that they will make it an annual visit!

(Carter sleeping)

(hook'em Horns)

I'm so sorry...

I am so sorry for not posting is such a ridiculously long time! I have no valid excuse or none that I consider legit.

It always amazes me how quickly Christmas comes each year and how each year I promise to be more prepared than the last. Yet, somehow Christmas is upon us and I am no more organized (or lack there of) than last year. I think my lack of posts has proven that, yikes! So instead of writing all of the fun and new things that we have done since August (REALLY (!), seriously someone start hounding me about that) I'm going to post some pictures.

Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato

My future

Carter at 5 months old

Josh and Mike getting ready for the UW vs UCLA game

Josh and the UW Husky at the Rose Bowl (Josh was loving life!)

I don't think he was too sure about this pony

My hilarious 3 year old

Okay, I have to admit I have the one very amazing 3 year old. He brings so much laughter and silliness to our lives. Yes, we definitely have tough days, but who doesn't? First off, I know that I am a terrible story teller, and even worse at telling jokes, but I have a silly 3 year old and I just can't help but share some of his silliness.
So yesterday we took a trip to Costco, (who knows why I go on the weekend, CRAZY?!?) where we purchased some items including two 1-gallons of milk. As we pull the shopping cart up to the car, Josh (who is sitting in the cart) asks, "Why do we buy so much milk?". Michael and I look at each other and we are both thinking, "Does he really not realize how much milk he drinks?". Michael then tells Josh, "Because you drink a lot of milk!". Then I turn and say, "Josh, you have a little bit of a drinking problem!" (Yep, I know I always have a smart thing to say!) Josh vehemently replies, "I DO NOT HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM!" as he rolls his eyes and dramatically drops his head onto the handle bar of the shopping cart! It just sounded so silly coming from a 3 year old.

Oregon Coast

This is a bitter sweet entry, because although we just returned from a wonderful vacation, Michael now has to return to get ready for the coming school year. We sure are going to miss him at home during the day!

Our road trip to Oregon could not have gone any better, although Michael picked a pretty sketchy place to stay at our first night, just outside of Sacramento. (It was late and we were leaving pretty early, so we didn't stay there long :)) The second night was much better. We had a nice stay at a Comfort Suites where we could swim and let Josh run around a bit.

I was very anxious about two things on this trip: finding spots to stop so I could feed Carter, & traveling with Carter on such a long drive. But he did fantastic. I pretty much just sat in the back seat with the boys, which worked great because I could play with Josh and TRY to keep Carter awake.

We decided to take the 99 up because it had more towns and rest areas to stop at. Somehow we were able to find a rest area to use before Carter would need to start screaming for food (Thanks Babe!!) The tricky part was finding a parking space where I could nurse and not be seen, it's not as easy as it sounds.

Before meeting up with Michael's family in Lincoln City, we headed to McMinnville where I spent some of my time growing up. We visited with one of my best friends and her family, and looked around at some of my old schools and my old house. It's funny how when you are a kid everything looks so much bigger!! Thanks Stacey for taking us in for a night. It was so great to see you and your beautiful family again! (Here is a picture of the Spruce Goose at the Air Musuem in McMinnville.)

Okay, have you ever gone a vacation that you just didn't want to end? This was definitely one of those. My in-laws were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, so they treated their children and families to a beach house for a week. We took advantage of the beach as much as possible.

Josh loved the sand, I mean LOVED the sand. He would seriously start rolling in it! I'm not sure why that surprised me, but it did! Michael and I were able to enjoy some runs on the beach (a girl could seriously get used to that!) Michael was able to tease his siblings and we were able to get some awesome family photos ( Thanks Julie)! I will post some when I do get them. We visited a lighthouse, went to the Newport Aquarium , hiked, and mostly relaxed. So we had great company, great food, and a beautiful view of the ocean. Oh and some great stories (Josh!). Thanks Mom and Dad!

Josh was our comic relief through much of the trip. Here are four examples of 3-year old fun.

Story One: We were driving on I-5 in Oregon and Josh asks for some milk. Of course we don't have any milk, so Michael responds, "We don't have any milk, but if you like I can pull over to a field and we can milk a cow." Josh not seeing in problem with this scenario, agrees to stop and milk a cow. Michael then asks Josh, "Do you know how to milk a cow?" Josh says no and decides its okay not to have any milk. About 20 minutes later, Josh blurts out, "I wanna stop at a field and get some milk!"

Story Two: We are arriving into Salem, OR, when Josh informs us he has to go potty. He had just stopped to go only a little while before, but with how much he drinks, it didn't suprise us. We pull into a parking space at a fast food place and Josh says, "I already went". Figuring he meant that we stopped just a bit ago and he had already gone, Michael proceeds to take him out of the car seat and let him go in anyway. Well, he didn't mean that he had gone earlier, he meant he just went. He was very wet! Michael asks Josh, "When did you go?" Josh replies, "About 7 miles ago!" Silly kid! Michael takes him out and starts to undress him when he starts going again...all over the parking lot!

Story Three: We are walking up the hill from the beach to the beach house, when we pass a bush with berries on it. One or our nieces asks Uncle Randy (our scientist brother), if the berries our edible. Josh replies, "they are INcredible, not OUTcredible!"

Story Four: We are sitting at the dinner table at the beach house and I turn to my mother-in-law and say "Mom, could you please pass the water?" Josh responds, "She's not your mom, she's Daddy's Mom!" I started to explain to him that when two people get married, they become one and before I could finish, Josh starts to tear up and says, "I don't wanna be a mama!"

CARTER MICHAEL

It's been a long time since my last post and needless to say something very precious is the explanation behind the long delay.
















Carter Michael DeJong was born on May 28, 2009. He arrived at 12:29 pm. He was 7lb 5oz and 20 inches at birth. We had a scheduled C-section at noon (Josh was also a C-section baby). We were pleased to know that May 28 may have been Carter's arrival regardless as I began having contractions that morning.

Josh is already such a great big brother. This is a photo of him shortly after meeting Carter for the first time. He continues to give him kisses every day and tells us about 8 times each day that "he's so tiny".

Carter is now almost 6 weeks old already! I will have to post some more recent pictures soon. We have had a fantastic time with Mike home for the summer, family in town, time at the beach, and just enjoying time home as a family.

Baby Ready

Wow, it's hard to believe that nine months has gone by already, seriously! I know, I know, no one wants to hear it. Compared to Josh's pregnancy this one was a breeze. The hardest part is yet to come though, the c-section, but I am hoping and praying that because I won't labor the surgery and the recovery will be much easier this time around. Honestly, as long as we have a heathly baby, I will be happy!

As many of you know, we have no idea what gender the baby is. Mike was most ademant that we didn't find out, and I didn't mind either way. I've enjoyed not knowing, but have been quite anxious lately to find out what baby name we will be able to use. In preparing for the baby, I bought gender specific clothes this time around and have laid them out for the grandparents to bring to the hospital when we know pink or blue. I'll post pictures as soon as Josh wakes up from his nap. Hmmm, it could be cute to get a picture of him napping though. My little angel!

We finished up the last of the baby prep house work, pretty much a mad spring cleaning this weekend and are ready to relax and enjoy our summer at home with Josh and the new baby. Some of this prep included planting my garden, some flowers, painting an old windmill we have, and lots of other not so much fun things. Everyone, including the dog, got a hair cut. I love love love when Mike has a fresh hair cut. I miss the curls on Josh though, but am comforted to know that they will come back.

I'm not a big fan of taking pictures, so we only have some of me at the end of the pregnancy for you family members that would like to see the belly.

Mothers' Day

Today has been such a special reminder of why I am so lucky. Yep, being a mother definitely has its tough days, but it's the little things that make the difference. Like when Baby #2 kicks and I can tickle its feet, or when Josh comes up and gives me a huge hug and says, "I love you Mom!". These are the moments in life I treasure!
Today, Mike and Josh made cinnamon rolls and surprised me a special card that inside informed me that I have a future date night with Mike coming up. Hurray, I love date nights!!

I love being a mother, and a wife! I've have been blessed in so many ways! Thank you boys!

Counting down

Hurray, We are getting very excited for Baby #2s arrival. I have been so thankful that this pregnancy has gone so much smoother than Josh's did. So many things have been different about this pregnancy (morning sickness, reflux, cramps, weight gain, etc...), but one thing still remains, C-SECTION!
Mike and I took a tour of the new maternity ward at Redlands Community Hospital, not sure why considering all the new beautiful babies that have been born lately, but it was nice to hear some policy changes and just get a better feel for our surroundings. But as informative as the tour was...I had an anxiety attack. The rush of emotions that came over me while we are standing in the postpartum rooms was almost more than I could stand. Josh's C-section came rushing back to me. Mike is constantly comforting me and reminding me that this time will be very different though. I keep praying that he is right :)
No matter what happens during or after the surgery, we are going to meet our new little miracle. It's going to be so much fun to watch Josh as a big brother. Hurray for God's little miracles!
I'm hoping to post at least one photo of the my belly before we have the baby! So stay tuned

How to express one's self gracefully

It's been quite awhile since I've blogged, oops! I originally started b/c I thought this would help me write down my thoughts instead of always expressing them verbally. This truly has been a challenge for me.
I've learned a lot about myself through my marriage. Unfortunately, patience was never a practice in my family while growing up, but Mike and I, (more me than Mike) have tried diligiently to become more patient, graceful parents, friends and spouses.
Today, Josh has put my patience to the test! In fact, right now he is trying to convince me that he woke up from his nap. Silly me, I didn't realize you could sing and sleep :) ! I've tried taking away his juice and Lighting McQueen (yep, I said it), but he seemed Okay with both, infact he handed them to me. There's a part of me that thinks he may be over naps, but that quickly disapates when he lays on the couch and says he's tired.
I've read articles that tell you to keep bringing them back to their beds. Clearly these authors have never met my son, b/c I tried that for his bed time and it literally took months to get him to stay in his bed.
It's funny how the smallest things sometimes seem the most tramatic... until we forget about them an hour later :)
Sometimes I just have to laugh b/c it really is a silly situation!!!