TWO YEARS AGO TOMORROW...

...with the help and patience of my best friend in the world, I quit smoking.  I had been a smoker for ten years, at least a pack a day. It was so hard to do, mostly because habits had to change.  That being said,  having Aaron's encouragement and love made it so much easier.  I remember, I used to just BURY my face in his shoulder when we were hanging out with our friends and they were smoking.  I would squeeze his hand SO hard until the desire to 'light up' passed.  I always say, the best way to quit is never to start.  Once you start, if you have an addictive personality like mine, it is almost impossible to stop.  If it wasn't for having this nonsmoker encouraging me, I'd be smoking still.  The funny thing is, when we first met, one of the things that attracted me most to him was that he didn't, 'judge' me for being a smoker.  HA!  Until we started dating and then he became a totally different person and insisted I stop or we'd be over.  JERK.  But, it is funny.  As we come up on the 2nd year anniversary, Aaron tells me he is proud of me and congratulations.  The thing is, I should be saying thank you to him.  It reminds me how much my love has changed my life, for the better.

A picture of us on my first day as a non-smoker:)

One last thing, when my kid sleeps, he is SO darn cute I can hardly stand it.  It is always a challenge to not reach right in the crib and pick him up and snuggle him to pieces.


Happy weekend!

SO....

According to Dave Ramesy, my husband and I will retire with AT LEAST 5 million dollars when we are 70.  That sounds good.  IN the meantime, I just have to be able to get over not going out to eat on a weekly basis...a bit more difficult.  Worth the 5 million though. And so, I struggle to get on board...
In other news, we had a family trip to the ballpark yesterday.  If you could pick a perfect day, this would be it.  The weather was stunning.  We began with Mass in the morning and then traveled to the world famous, 'American Coney Island'.  Aaron had his Coney dogs, I had my regular dog and the baby watched the city of Detroit out the window.  Aaron suggested we walk to the ballpark and that ended up being the best.idea.ever.  I am SUCH a city girl.  I would, in an instant, move to a downtown area and live in a high rise if we could afford it.  I was surprised, but Aaron said he would too.  It is funny how God makes us all different, I know so many friends who would HATE living in a big city (much less raising a family in one).  I could think of nothing better than to raise children in a downtown area.  Anyway, we walked to the ballpark where the weather was absolutely perfect.  It wasn't hot and there was a breeze.  We made our way to the crazy nose bleed seats and watched the game.  The Tigers did great, though my heart broke for my baby with every home run.  He was SO terrified by the crowds screaming, the loudspeaker roaring and the music blasting with each celebration.  It must be so weird to be a kid and try to figure everything out.  Like, why the H did everyone just go CRAZY about some people on a big green floor.  He was a good sport about it, he didn't cry, he just looked horrified...which may be worse.  Anyway, he was a rockstar and it was a great day for the family scrapbook.
Nothing better than being the mom of this little boy!  Nothing.

Aaron and his daddy enjoying American Coney Island

 '

"Mom, can we move here?  PLEASE!"

Loving me some Tigers

Blessings on your week:)

THIS MORNING...

As I walked my husband out the door (yes, this part-time stay at home mom likes to walk her husband out the door for old time's sake)- the babe and I were on the porch.  Just like you see in the movie, Big Aaron gave me two kisses (one for good-luck) and lil' Aaron kissed his daddy on the cheek (or, what you can consider the kiss of a four month old).  Then, Aaron, deeply looks me in the eye and says, 'I love my classy wife'.  He looks down at my shirt which is NOT ONLY inside out, but also on backward.  That, my friends, takes skill.  I love my life.

The advantages and disadvantages of being a CYM's kid

So- I am a 'part-time' stay at home mom.  That is what we like to call me.  This Fall, I will be working 30 hours a week.  2 full days and then youth events.  I have always said and will continue to say that Youth Ministry is probably one of the best jobs you can have if you are planning on having a family.  However, as we begin this life together (the son, the husband and I), I was a bit surprised at how difficult working/raising a child is.  So, I decided to dedicate this post to the advantages and disadvantages of being a CYM's baby.

Advantage
Flexibility-  I can create my own schedule if something comes up.  I will always be able to take time off if my kid is sick, I can't find a sitter, I think we need a life-recovery day...etc...I do not know of any other job (Save for working for yourself) where you can do that.  How awesome is it that I can cater our lifestyle around my job.

Advantage
Love-  There are so many people that love my child.  From teens, to parents, to parishioners.  Everyone is always excited to hold him and love on him.  The other day, I walked into the youth room and there was a group of girls surrounding Lil' Aaron cooing over him.  He was in the center, just smiling away.  I thought to myself, 'his life is good'.  Growing up, having a community of people that love you, is going to be AMAZING for my child.

Advantage
He will get to do and see things that most kids won't.  He will be carted around to overnights, service events, fun and play.  His experience of Church will be a positive one, and I am certain he will look forward to heading to Church and the Big Purple Couch.

Advantage
I get to see the beauty of having a team mate as a husband.  This weekend was rough with a lock in after a long week.  On Sunday, Aaron made dinner, cleaned up after dinner, gave me a back rub and let me sleep in a bit while he took over at night.  Having someone love and take care of our family is awesome.  Also, because of times I am away, Aaron gets to develop a really unique and special bond with our son.

Hopefully, these things will help him to fall in love with Christ in a deep way...BUT, there are disadvantages

Disadvantage
Lack of a schedule.  It is VERY rare for my child to sleep in his own bed.  It is also very rare for him to get uninterrupted sleep.  At his young age, he has already spent the night on youth room floors, on grandparent's beds, in hotel lobbies, etc...it is weird.  And probably not okay.

Disadvantage
Sometimes, I will have to leave him.  Sometimes, it will be for a very long time.  I traveled to Spain when my child was 3 months old...left him for 16 days.  I will def. have to do this once every two to three years.  In between that time, I will leave for retreats, conferences, etc...I know some moms who's babies are 2 or 3 years old and have never been left anywhere over night.  My son's norm will be staying back while mommy goes places.

Disadvantage/Advantage
Constant stimulation has kind of made my son a freak o' nature.  He is a kid that can't sleep when it is quiet.  He doesn't understand silence.  If people aren't talking all around him, he gets weird.  The other day I had him on his play mate, while I ate lunch with friends.  He freaked out, I think because he couldn't understand not being invited to the fun:)

Overall I think the advantage of being a CYM (Coordinator of Youth Ministry)'s son is WAY more advantageous than anything else (with the exception of me being a stay at home mom).  I think he is going to crazy benefit from the LOVE he is raised with and this makes me happy.  Despite the bizarre lifestyle we have:)

Some of my Rock Star Teens and our youth room, where Aaron will spend MUCH of his time:)

Things I love...

about being Aaron's mom

-           I adore when I go into his room and he is asleep in his crib.  Generally his hands are in different directions (sidenote- the cuteness intensifies when he is in footsie pajamas)

-          I love when I go into his room in the morning and he stretches and laughs when I stretch with him

-           I love that he is discovering how things feel when he touches them…so he likes to touch everything.  My mom just reported he reached in their dog’s throat to touch his tongue

-          I love that when I first fed him baby food, he jerked his head back and gave the most disgusted look ever

-          I love my part-time stay at home mom days (Mon, Thurs, Fri) and the schedule that we are on during that time.  I think I appreciate these more because I am aware how much Tuesdays and Wednesdays suck.

-          I ADORE that I read him books and he really listens and looks at all the pictures

-          I love his tiny hands

-          I love (this might be a little twisted) how his face scrunches up right before he is about to wail.  And I love how Har-Har described that as his, ‘I’m getting angry and you won’t like me when I’m angry’ moments

-          I love how when he gets really tired or when he first wakes up he likes to talk to himself.  BUT, not mumble quietly.  He talks really loudly.  Well, lets be honest, he yells.  But it is not a cry.  It is just yelling his communication.  It’s really funny because he will do it, and then take a really deep breath, and do it again.

-          I love how I startle him by my hyper-bursts of love

-          I love beyond words how his eyes always follow his daddy. How Big Aaron can be at the computer and lil’ Aaron just watches and watches, then smiles when Big Aaron looks up.

-          I love how he is learning to play by himself. 

-          I love that he eats his toes.  I mean, he really goes at them.  And he adores doing it.

-          I love how much joy he brings to other people.

-          I love the bald spot in the back of his head and that his hair is finally growing in curly.

-          I love bathtime with him.  It is my favorite! And, I love that he is getting used to bath toys

-          I love that we pray every night and I especially love when our whole family prays together.

-          I love going for walks, but I hate that our stroller only faces out so I can’t watch his face as he watches the trees

-          I love when he is content in his car-seat…especially because he was such a hot mess in it before

-          I love how we are buddies

-          I love singing songs to him in the morning, especially our favorite Rocio Salve

-          I love knowing I get to watch him grow up and see who he becomes

-          I love how it gets better and more fun everyday!  

September 11th

...is forever a day that reminds me to hold my loved ones close. To count my blessings. And to make sure EVERYDAY that the people I care about...know it.  That they know how much I love them. To say it again and again, day in and day out... 'I love you'.