When mama is away...

Henry thoroughly enjoys every opportunity he gets to watch big trucks out the window, seeing them on TV, and watching them go down the street when he's outside playing. On mama's way home from her first day of work, Henry and daddy took the opportunity to watch a little Bob the Builder. My little guy was exhausted as he only had a 30 minute nap that day.

Henry is doing great at school. He's been going around 9 and getting picked up around 4:30 by daddy. It's been a godsend to have him home this week to help with the transition. Henry isn't anymore clingy or needy then normal. He sees me and gets excited, but seems to be transitioning remarkably to his new surroundings. He loves to sing songs to the kids as they go to sleep, but doesn't like to sleep himself so much...hahaha...I couldn't ask for a better family. Thanks everyone for your kind words and supportive prayers. I feel remarkably well...yeah, that's a good term. I feel as if I am doing something with my life as a professional and giving back to the community. I know my son is growing and learning new things I could never teach him being at home by ourselves. I feel renewed, and it is wonderful! God works in mysterious ways, doesn't he?

Every good thing must come to an end...

Yes, the saying is true...I start my new job tomorrow:( It was hard when I first lost my job to adjust to being with Henry more, but I have since made the adjustment and am handling the daily problems of an almost 2 year old. We bond over big trucks, motorcycles, chasing each other around, taking the dogs for walks, chatting about life, looking aimlessly out the window commenting on all the happenings on Anderson Street. It will be sad to cut that time short.

I am excited to enter the world of adult conversations that last more than .5 seconds before veering off into an entirely different direction. I am also looking forward to working for a professional organization unlike the one I came from. There are positives, I know, and I do have Tuesdays off, and Henry will get dropped off late and picked up early on Fridays. Henry also has his amazing grandma Linda who will be down when she can. I just love being Henry's mom and BEING with him. He's such a great kid, adjusts well to situations, loves new people, and is always curious about life. I can't but think at least some of that comes from having a mom who is home with him.

But positive thoughts Jessica!!!!

Henry and I ended our glorious time together by taking Lucy out to Spirit Mound for some fun in the sun and a dip in the stream. Henry adores his Luc Goose. He was constantly instructing her to come and get in the water. The weather was perfect, and we couldn't have asked for a better day to end our amazing time together. Until we have this time again, Henry, I promise to cherish every morsel of time I have with you!!!!

Henry inspecting the new landscape.
Henry telling Lucy to come, then we she does, running away as she sprays water everywhere:)

Enjoying time in the beautiful weather...

Lucy, in heaven:)!

Fun in the sun!

Come on mama, we got work to do!! Someday Henry, he'll have one of your very own:)!

Say cheese:)!!!

Well the weather finally peaked this week, and Henry couldn't wait to get out and fix all of 4 wheeled objects in our garage and lawn shed. First he checked the tires then he would request a ride on either the 4 wheeler, riding lawn mower, or the snowmobile. We had quit the time together exploring the birdies and snakes that frequent our yard. Yes, I said snakes...gross....

I haven't been doing as much blogging lately, as I've been sort of busy finding a new job, taking care of Henry, and working for Matt. But this week that all changes, I start my new job on Wednesday. Hooray you say! Congrats! Yeah, yeah, I get that I should be excited I beat out 43 other applicants, and in this economy that's pretty remarkable. However, it leaves a big hole in my heart as I watch my baby boy join the countless other children that call the daycare home for the day. It just wasn't what I wanted for my little guy. So with a heavy heart, I re-enter the world of work. I will be getting Tuesdays off which helps and Matt is going to be home on Fridays so Henry will go in later and get picked up earlier.

My little guy also got his hair whacked off yesterday. Matt took him in and told the ladies to get as much as possible as he hates getting it cut anyway. Henry, my curly haired sweety, now looks officially way too much like his daddy and less like my littlest baby boy:( I will have to post pics soon!

Some thoughts on life...

Sooo...there are these moments in time where your entire life sort of flashes before your eyes. I don't mean the moments were you can't find your child or it's snowing and you start slidding on the road. I mean those moments where you finally understand how lucky in life you are. I had one such moment last evening. Jordan and I were fninshing up a session with an adorable family who had some struggles in life of their own.

As I was driving home, I just started bawling. I think since becoming a mom, the floodgates of my heart have sort of opened up, and you feel everything so much more deeply both good and bad. I wasn't bawling because anything was wrong. I was crying because I realized how fortunate I have been in my life. From the very start, I have been forever loved and guided. From a very young age, it was impressed upon me the importance of education not only formal education but education about life.

I have made a life for myself with Matt and then came Henry. This precious, helpless, amazing human life that I was now 100% responsible for. He will grow up in a home where he is forever loved and guided by two parents that have the understanding and education to make that possible. This is not the case for thousands of children who grow up with parents that don't know how to parent. They don't understand the importance of reading to their children, providing them with the appropriate stimuli, reading about how to become a better parent. The list goes on and on. It never really occured to me until last night that not all children are as lucky as Henry. He's why I live everyday to the fullest. My favorite reason for getting up everyday:)! Henry circa February 2009....

Old McHenry had a farm...

This weekend was my cousin Katelyn's bridal shower. She is getting married in June, and honestly, I felt really old all weekend that my 'baby' cousin is getting MARRIED! Congratulations to her and her fiance Brandon. It was a beautiful shower, and I felt very honored to be part of the festivities.
My lovliest husband in the whole world decided to spring a spur of the moment snowmobile trip on his unsuspecting wife, so he was MIA to help me with his son which left grandma and papa Schulte to do his bidding. Sounds like he did wonderful and had an amazing time. All I've been hearing about since he left is papa's trucks, papa's 4 wheeler on, and of course their crazy dog Fred who Henry has some weird fasination with. I think we might have the next dog whisperer on our hands. A special thank you to the Schulte's for once again coming to the rescue. You are Henry's superheros!
Henry got to join his mama on Saturday for some fun on the farm and at GG's (great-grandma George). We went out to cousin's Lindsey's boyfriend's farm and saw some mama and baby cows. Best of all, Henry found a pint sized 4 wheeler that he just HAD to ride on. He could get both hands on the handle bars and made the cutest little noises. Henry also got to see his cousin's that live far away in Rapid City, and was so excited to hang out with the big boy Gage. Unfortunately he thought Gavin was a blow up punching doll and kept trying to knock his over, but I think Gavin will soon catch up to his cousin and give him a few rounds of his own medicine!
Here is Henry telling Mama all about the baby cows!! MOOOO...

Henry stayed pretty close to Mama when this ol' Heifer stuck her nose through the fence.

Baby cows on the farm. How SWEET!

Easter hunts, grandma's, and big trucks!

Henry hasn't stopped playing with his Easter toys! He LOVES big trucks!

Henry's second Easter started out with a practice Easter egg hunt with grandma and mom! It was such a beautiful Saturday afternoon that we couldn't resist taking Henry out for some fresh air and egg searching fun. Henry was in his element checking out all the eggs, daddy's 4 wheeler and trailer, and counting all of grandpa's tractors. Henry discovered presents in his eggs. That's when the real fun began. SURPRISE!

Eggs with presents and 4 wheelers? Oh wow!

Sidewalk chalk + grandma = hours of enjoyment!

A real redneck Easter egg hunt: basket, eggs, and ATV!

Henry also did amazing at church on Sunday. Checking out all of the babies and flirting with their moms! Mom and dad were a little frazzled as Henry had a cold, was crabby before we left, and has had a hard time sitting still at church, imagine that, right?

Not much news to report on the job front. I'm still searching and hoping to hear back from some of the leads. I will let everyone know as soon as I do. It's been a long hard road, but I'm still working for Matt during the week, and of course, taking care of my family!

Am I pathetic?

So I sort of feel like that crazy family that wears clothes that are dropped off at their door and go on shows like Wife Swap. In the last month, I've had two friends bring clothes to my house they no longer wanted and ask me if I wanted to sort through their crap. Yes, I understand that girlfriends do that with one another, but one of my friends saw I was bringing some stuff to goodwill, and bless her heart, said, "hey can I throw my crap in with yours?" Then two minutes later said, "Oh, well Jess you should really go through this and see if there is anything you want." REALLY?!! So there I was, standing outside, no shower, in Matt's flip flops going through a garbage bag of clothes. I stopped for a minute looked around and laughed realizing how ridiculous I must look to others. The sad reality is that my child dresses way better than his mother, but I suppose that's normal, and I'm honestly, strangly, not that upset by it!

Anywho, no pictures of Henry tonight. We took the dogs for a walk in the tornado like wind tonight poor little guy got sand, dirt, and leaves blown in his face, but we made it quickly back home. No, I mean, literally quickly, once we caught a tailwind the jogging stroller took on a life of it's own:)! He's doing great though and getting ready for his Easter egg hunt on Sunday. More pics of that to come.