Birthday Boy!

Dear Caleb,

I still recall every detail of the day you were born vividly click here.  It was one of the happiest days of my life.  I remember dropping your sister off at Nana and Grandpa's the night before your scheduled C-Section, and thinking that the next time I saw her, she would be the proud big sister.  I remember waking up to my alarm at 6 a.m., showering and packing up the last minute items I would need at the hospital.  I remember the excitement I felt as I checked into Labor and Delivery.  I remember holding your Daddy's hand as my nerves set in for surgery, and then being wheeled away to the Operating Room.  I still remember your sweet cries as you entered  into the world, and the feeling of completeness I felt holding you in my arms for the very first time.  I remember the pure joy and happiness on your grandparents faces when we introduced you to them in the hallway outside the Operating Room.  I remember thinking that I had been blessed beyond measure and I still feel that way today. 

Over the past 12 months, you have filled our house and lives with pure happiness.  You are such an easy baby and rarely fuss.  Everyone who meets you comments on your wonderful disposition and charming smile.  You are pure sunshine.  When I get you out of bed in the morning, you greet me with a big, happy smile.  As we head down the stairs, you look for your sister, and when your eyes catch a glimpse of  her, you let out a big playful scream.  You adore her, and she adores you.  I hope this always stays true.  No matter how rough and tumble she may be with you, you rarely get upset with her.  You roll with the punches in life.   Regardless of whether you are off schedule, late for a nap, or have just had your favorite toy ripped from your hands, you just deal with it and move on. 

There are few things to which you dislike.  You are a boy who loves his food.  Your favorites include:  blueberries, goldfish crackers, hotdogs, peas, apples, bananas, pasta and yogurt.  You are a good eater and eat whatever we give you.  Your sister is the same way, and I hope you continue this trend.  Your favorite activities include crawling up the stairs, opening and closing doors/cabinets, playing catch with Mackenzie, being near Mommy/Daddy, and pushing around your trucks and toys.  You are quite curious and are into everything!  We have to keep a close eye on you b/c you move with great speed and can get in/under/behind small spaces rather fast.  You are an active boy, always on the move!  The only things you are not a big fan of are diaper changes, outfit changes, and car rides, but you are getting better!

I adore the way a smile or funny sound can heal your boo boo's.  I love how easy it is to make you laugh, and how you laugh with your whole boy.  You have helped me take on the world with a smile, have fulfilled my dream of having a mother/son relationship, and have added more happiness to our family than I could ever explain in words. It has been an absolute honor to bring you into this World and to watch you grow.  Happy Birthday Son!  We love you!

We love you, Caleb!  What an amazing 1st year!

Love,  Mommy

Time Warp Tuesday - Introducing Caleb Andrew Buzzard

In honor of Caleb's 1st birthday, I have a few priceless videos, never before shared.  The first  few were taken moments after being wheeled out of the Operating Room.  Both sets of Grandparents were waiting outside the door, longing to hear the gender and catch a glimpse of our new arrival.  This video makes me cry everythime I watch it.  Caleb, you were loved from the very moment you were brought into our lives. (Remember to pause the playlist to the right before viewing).

The second is a video Daddy took when we introduced you to Mackenzie for the very first time.  As you will see in the video, she was really hoping for a sister named Maddie.  I will reassure you that within 15 minutes, she was completely smitten with you. . .  and has been ever since.

A Year in Review. . .

2010 was a wonderful year, but definitely had it's challenges.  We added another member to our family, and after finishing out the school year I decided to take a year off to be home with our children...a decision that I will never regret, but one that has taught  me  how hard stay-at-home Mom's really work.  I have honestly never worked harder.  Weeks into Summer, we put our house on the market, made an offer on the house of our dreams (with our house still on the market), closed on the house of our dreams (with our house still on the market), and within days of closing....got an offer and sold the house where our married life had began.  The house where we brought both of our children home from the hospital.  The house that held all of our memories, the good and the bad.  We packed up our lives, moved out with the help of friends and family, and then unpacked our lives,and hopes and dreams into our new home.  We celebrated our first holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas..It has been action packed to say the least, with a lot of stress, a lot of laughter, and some tears along the way.  But mostly it was filled with lots of wonderful memories.  I wouldn't change a single thing, b/c even the stressful parts of 2010 made us better.  It made us appreciate our love for one another, our 2 amazing children, and our wonderful family and friends. As I look back on 2010, it was probably the most monumental year of our married life, b/c it was full of more changes and challenges than we have ever encountered in our married life together.

I am a "list" type of person  by nature.  I write lists all the time:  to-do-lists, grocery lists, lists to remind me to do something I know my scattered mind will forget, lists of schedules/activities for the week, etc.  So, I always enjoy making a "list" of resolutions for myself, and crossing them off throughout the year.  I believe in the power of a list to hold you accountable, and to remind you of what needs to be done, and to give you hope and change for the future.   With that said, here is my list for 2011....

*I will spend less time focusing on how clean and organized my house is, and more time enjoying the people within it (this is hard for a Type A person, but I resolve to do it!).

*I will MAKE time for myself each week.  Whether it's getting together for a girl's night out, going for a walk /run for some alone time, grocery shopping w/o two kids in tow, or treating myself to a pedicure....I will do it.  Not just for me, but for our family.  Sometimes being away makes you refreshed and reenergized and a better member of the family.

*I will work out 3-4 times a week.  I will finally shed those pesky 10-15 pounds that have been preventing me from wearing my old wardrobe and creating stress in the morning.

*I will only allow myself 2-3 Iced Cappuccino's  a week, from Tim Horton's.  This will help me with my above goal, but will also save us $2.87 a day....yes, I said it....a day.  Shameful, I know.  Sigh...

*I will try to do at least one random act of kindness once a week.  I truly believe that one person can make a big change in someones life....even if it is a random stranger, or something seemingly small.

*I will try to meet my husband at the door with a smile and a kiss, instead of with frustration or a request as I sometimes do. 

*I will practice more patience with my children and enjoy every day I have with them.  Even the days that can sometimes seem to last forever or be filled with challenges.  Because it goes by quick, and one day I will wish I still held the power to heal their heartaches and solve all their sorrows with a silly joke, funny face or bear hug. 

Here's to 2011!   I can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

Last Blog of 2010

Happy New Year!

Wishing you good health and happiness in the year ahead!  It has sure been a wonderful year, especially with the addition of this sweet boy. . .

                                                      Happy 2011!

Christmas 2010

This year, we tried out a new Christmas tradition....a Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange with my family.  In years past, we have tried to be 3 places in one day, which required a very early morning of getting up before the kids to get ready/pack, and going about the day in a whirlwind pace. We enjoyed exchanging presents a little early, feasting on  steak, shrimp and salad, and getting extra time with our families to celebrate.  (Warning: picture and video overload ahead....be sure to pause my playlist to the right before viewing videos).

Christmas Eve:

We left out treats for Santa and his reindeer, and got the kids all snug in their beds.  Then it was time to finish wrapping presents and make breakfast for the morning.....oh and manage to squeeze in a few hours of sleep!

Christmas Morning:

We woke up to the sweet sounds of Mackenzie saying "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad, and Happy Holidays!" She snuggled with us in bed until we heard Caleb on the monitor and then we headed down for presents, followed by breakfast casserole.

 

  Christmas Day:                                                                                                                                           

Then we loaded up and hit the road to see the Buzzard clan.  It was so fun to see the little ones excitement as they unwrapped their presents together.  After a wonderful gift exchange, the Buzzard boys took the girls (Ella, Kaylee and Mackenzie) out to sled and ride on the snow mobiles.  They spent a good hour outside playing and enjoying the snow.  The Buzzard's have the perfect hill for sledding and I know it was the highlight of Mackenzie's Christmas. 

Time Warp Tuesday-Christmas Pasts

2006

2007

2008

                                                                          2009

2010

Merry (almost) Christmas! 

The Reason for the Season

Christmas has become so commercialized that we forget about the real reason for the season.  We get so consumed in purchasing the perfect presents for our loved ones,decorating our houses in twinkling lights, figuring out our holiday travel plans, that the real meaning of Christmas gets overshadowed. Mackenzie's preschool class put on a precious Christmas program, retelling the story of Jesus's birth & singing some holiday songs.  Mackenzie played an angel and was excited all week about her performance.  My favorite part of this video, is when she notices that I am videotaping, and waves an annoyed hand at me. Such an angel. . .  (don't forget to pause my playlist on the right, so you can hear the audio)

I also am posting a video titled "One last Christmas" which documents a families last Christmas with their terminally ill son.  If you do not have a kleenex close, you will need to grab one...or a dozen.  I sob every time I watch this.  A precious reminder to appreciate the ones we have in our lives, and never take them for granted.  If your family does not support a charity, this is a great one to be involved with.  Tis the season to give....