2013 Memory Jar #46

- written by Nathan

Jack was sitting at the table writing with his markers while I gave mommy a back rub on the couch.  Without leading up to it in any way, he said, "I love you guys."  We both melted.

2013 Memory Jar #45

-written by Nathan

We visited Ryan in the hospital.  He has now been there a month.  He was looking really worn out, and he had an afternoon of tests ahead of him.  He said he might get to go home soon- either his system will wake up, or the doctor will send him home in hopes that it will help speed up recovery.  He still hasn't been able to keep food down.

2013 Memory Jar #44

-written by Nathan


Driving past the vacant building that used to be Blockbuster Video, Marika said, "What could they put in there that would make us really happy?"

Jack said, "They should put in a animal barn!"

Garden Path

To kick start the summer, Lauren and I created a path behind the garden.  I just love it!

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

2013 Memory Jar #43

-written by Nathan


I visited Ryan in the hospital for the first time since he went in.  He has had two surgeries, and he is waiting for his bowels to wake up and start working normally.  He's been in for three weeks, and he is on an ice chip diet.  He looked a little thinner, but more than anything, he sounded exhausted.

2013 Memory Jar #42

 -written by Nathan

Today both babies were awake before 5:30 am.  Jack has slept part of the night in our bed after waking  up and climbing in with us.  That meant that none of us slept especially well.  He's been dealing with a cough, so we haven't been very strict about him staying in his big boy bed at night.  So, it was a long morning, and when nap time finally came around, we were all good and ready.  I put both of them to bed and did some much needed sweeping, mopping, and laundry in the downstairs bathroom.  I swept and mopped the floor upstairs, and when I was just about done, I heard Busy Boy crying.  He was at the foot of the stairs in the basement.  He was coughing and crying, so he was a real mess.  He hadn't slept more than an hour.  He was saying that he needed to be held.  I asked him where he wanted to sit if I would hold him for awhile.  He said he just wanted me to stand.  I took him into his room, and we sat in the chair.  He fell asleep right away.  I drifted off at some point, and I must have slept for 5 or 10 minutes.  When I woke up, he was still asleep.  He woke up after a half hour or so of being asleep.  I don't think he knew what was going on, because he looked around slowly and we ended up with our faces about an inch apart.  He said, "Daddy, what are you doing?"  I said, "Holding you."  In a long, drawn our tone that was a mix of crying and stuffy head and relief, he said, "Yes!"  He drifted right back to sleep after that, and he slept for another half hour.  He needed it.

A May Morning



Mother Daughter Tea 2013

This year the Mother Daughter Tea at Beth-El was especially special for me.  It was the first time I could attend with my own daughter!  So we went all out with new dresses (sort-of) and fancy hats!  Like always, it was a terrific evening with family and friends... and my very own sweet Juliana!

ready to head out the door

what a sweet baby girl

the stutzman family

mommy lisa, daughter gracie

daughter lauren, mommy sue

mommy marika (weirdly contorted!), auntie lauren, daughter juliana

mommy janelle, daughter cara; mommy lisa, daughter gracie; mommy marika, daughter juliana

It was a lovely tea with some lovely ladies!

2013 Memory Jar #41

-written by Marika


Mommy and Juliana went to their very first Mother Daughter Tea together.  Juliana left her hat on for a long time, and screamed the whole way home!

2013 Memory Jar #40

-written by Nathan


I pet Chloey for a while, and as she was walking away, Jack said, "Can I pet her?"

"If she lets you," I told him.

He went after her, shouting," Pet her!  Pet.... her!  Pet!"

She retreated into the laundry room, and he said to her, "That's all I need to have from you!"