Moments in time

How do we measure time? In moments? Minutes? Gray Hair? I tend to get quite reflective this time of year, as it is my wedding anniversary and birthday. Yes, I'll be 34 tomorrow! Don't look a day over 40!

Today, Dave and I celebrate 9 years of marriage! Wow! What a deal. There are times that it feels like just yesterday, and then there are times that it feels like an eternity!

We moved in together after we were married (makes us seem so old-fashioned doesn't it?) into a tiny little apartment. We loved that place! It was our first little love nest. We adopted our first cat, sunny, who arrived full of fleas, ear mites and PTSS (post traumatic stress syndrome). After nurturing sunny back to health and surviving a couple scary work moments (remember that long walk Dave?) we bought our first house.

I'll never forget the day we found our first house. We cut through town on 52nd St. for some unknown reason and saw the house. We stopped, looked, fell in love and bought it that day. So many incredible memories:
* Dave and I loved to relax and watch TV. We loved just being together and hanging out.
* Claire was born on Nov. 15, 2001. We brought her home from the hospital to a clean house, with candles lit and soft music playing (thanks Ashley!). Sunny sniffed her then walked away with his tail in the air!
* Claire's first tree swing and first play set.
* Our first Christmas as a family.
* All of Claire's firsts are burned into my memory. I will never forget that house or all the joy that was shared there.

When Claire was 1 1/2 we moved to our second house. We found our place in the suburbs! I became involved in our church and mom's groups. Dave and I enjoyed hanging out with friends and taking care of our house and yard. We had Ella when we lived in this house. What an experience. Ella came into this world with a broken heart, but managed to fill our hearts with so much love we didn't think it possible. Dave and I learned so much during our medical journey with Ella. We learned the importance of communication and forgiveness! We learned how to truly surrender to God and have complete faith in our Almighty Healer. Dave and I discovered that together we can survive anything and that we are stronger on the other side!

God blessed us with our third child the summer of '07 so we moved again. Avery was welcomed into our new house on Sept. 24, 2007. Things have been a roller-coaster ever since!

This last year has been a lesson in communication and faith. It has been riddled with fear, excitement, change and challenge. Through it all one thing has remained constant: we are a family and Dave and I are a team. We remain together, side by side, through the bad times and the good (and there have been so many good!) We stay faithful in prayer and remember that with God, all things are possible!

I am excited to embark upon another year with my husband. I'm excited to continue this journey that God has laid out for us. I can't wait to watch my children grow and change. To see Ella head off to Kindergarten. To see Claire continue to mature right before my very eyes. To watch Avery learn to walk and talk, maybe, please!
I look forward to the changes in store for us. New jobs, new homes, new adventures!
Thank you to all of you who have helped Dave and I survive, I mean enjoy, these last 9 years!
Here's to many more!
I love you, Dave.
j

It just fell out!

It just fell out! That's how Ella described the scene I found in the bathroom this morning.

Picture it:

Ella standing at her bathroom sink. Hair wet, brush in hand.

A comb and a pair of scissors sitting on the counter.

Littering the sink, counter and floor were hundreds of little pieces of red hair.

Upon hearing my gasp as I walk in the bathroom Ella says, "It just fell out mom!"

"Really?" I say. "Then why are the scissors there?"

Replies Ella in a teary voice, "I just wanted to cut my hair like Daddy. I like how he cuts his own hair!"

Rouse Family Secret #42 - Dave cuts his hair with a Flobee. Yes, that's right, a Flobee. Dave hasn't had a "professional" haircut in 7 years. Yet, as anyone can see, he has great hair. Now, I would not suggest the Flobee for anyone. I think my husband is just lucky to have hair that responds so well to such a device. I for one, would never let a Flobee near my hair or my childrens. Which brings me back to the issue at hand.

"Ella" I say in a soothing, mommy voice, "Girls never, ever, ever cut their own hair. We always go to Miss Jenn to get our haircut so that it will stay long and pretty" (2 things Ella always wishes for her red, unruly hair).

"Does my hair still look pretty?" Asks Ella with a quivering lip.

"Oh yes honey! It's beautiful!" I say, ignoring the small chunk out of the side!