Happy 8th birthday Jacob William

Eight years ago, I had no idea how busy boys were and now I have two. There are days when I think my last nerve is being tested and other days that my boy is such a little charmer. I am blessed to call Will my son. He is very rambutious and is working hard on learning to listen but I wouldn't trade it. We are also working on not being stinky...he is really all boy. Yesterday, we attempted to talk to him about the importance of personal hygiene and wiping his bottom good. We don't want to have the smelly kid and right now we do. He gets so dirty. Yesterday, he pooped in our toilet that doesn't work (because if new tile and hasn't been reset yet), didn't wipe, did not wash his hands, and while we are talking to him about it, he scratches his butt and rubs his hands through his hair. I'm certain that years from now, we will all laugh about it. But today, we celebrate him and the smiles he brings into our lives. Some of his favorites are as follows: baseball, pizza, candy, soda, Legos, and playing games. He is very, very good at Legos and building things. He helped his dad surprise Ginny with shelves for her closet last week and build shelves in the media room. He's all boy but he's our boy and we will keep him. Happy 8th birthday son, I love you beyond measure! 

Merry Christmas 2015

The weather has been unusually warm for this time of the year, in the mid 70's, so it has been more challenging to make it feel like Christmas. There have been other contributions to that as well, such as the house under construction with the flooring and Jake and I both under the weather. However, yesterday was perfect.  We had Mexican for lunch (we do that almost every year), saw a movie, baked cookies, caroled to two families, danced in the kitchen to Christmas music, had our own special Christmas concert, and watched Home Alone. The Christmas concert was perfect: Ginny played "oh come all ye faithful" on the flute, Chris sang jingle bells accompanied by Aubree on the piano, Will sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" accompanied by Aubree, Aubree sang "Hark the Herald Angels sang" accompanied by Jake, and then we all sang silent night around the piano. Loved it! We told the kids that if they could get to the tree to open gifts, they could open them as soon as they wanted no matter the time. Little did we know, 3am they would be successful. Jake and I had prepared boobie traps to delay but they worked together and out smarted us. We had put wrapping paper on the door and blocked off all entrances to the living room. They had scissors in the room and cut through the paper, then lifted Christopher over the barricade. Next year, we will do better but they enjoyed it. The kids seem to have a pleasant Christmas and enjoyed their gifts. 

Jake and I went back to bed about 4:40 and encouraged the children to do the same. We awoke about 10 and went to jackson. Mom had a delicious meal prepared and we all chatted with Sandra and Michael over the iPads. Papaw very much enjoyed visiting with everyone. The best part for me was dancing with Jake in the kitchen yesterday, I felt so close to him again and in love. I am beyond blessed in my life. 

1987 letter to Santa

My parents found these two gems and sent them to me. 

"Dear Santa, 

     I know I've been bad not believing in you but tonight everyone told me you were real now that I think about it I believe them. I know you aren't going to have nothing but you can open one of my presents. Well,  I've got to go to bed so good night. Merry Christmas.  I love you.           Signed: Renee' Eaton"

Talk about a big run on sentence but it gives you a glimpse into me as a ten year old. Now for letter 2....

"Dear Mom, 

       I wanted you to know that j cleaned the house tonight. I put a diaper on Rebekah, and tucked everyone in and made sure they were warm. I told das to give Sandra her medicine but he said you would do it." 

A little catch up..

 Let's start with Halloween..my kids were super excited that Michael and his family came down for the weekend. Sandra and her family also came up for trick or treating. 

Now to November...I realized that I was struggling to be happy in my life and with my marriage in November. I felt as if Jake and I were stepping apart instead of towards one another. I mentioned to him how I felt and he thought I was being ridiculous. So after thanksgiving (which was wonderful because all my siblings and I were together at my parents in almost two years...I LOVED it), in early December I brought it back up and we talked for hours about it one night. I told him that there were times I regretted coming to work in same district and grade level as him because I felt it was in ways dividing us. I felt he didn't look at me the same, we didn't talk as much, and actions (such as my forehead kisses or dancing in the kitchen) were dissipating. He said there were times too that he regretted the job choice and we both thought we wanted to work together. He felt that he couldn't support his team or help others in fear I'd become a mad woman (this stems from in August), etc. It wa hard for me to want to continue to try but yet I knew I loved him and do love him. A few weeks later, I feel it is a better and will continue to work at it. He makes me better and I want to help him become better too. This past week, we both left work an hour early on Monday and took the day off Tuesday and headed to Nashville to watch the Forgotten Carols but had to be back in time Tuesday (12/15) for Ginny's band concert. She did a great job! The week before was Aubree's choir concert and she rocked that too! Each night we have tried to piece our home together after they finish a room of flooring. It looks beautiful and we feel like we are making it out home. 

Happy birthday Renee'

Yesterday was my birthday and what an unexpected birthday it was. I have been loosing my voice for a couple of days and decided to go to the doctor. The ward christmas breakfast also happened to be the same day, so we went a few minutes and then to the doctor. Jake and I were both diagnosed with strep throat and given meds. Jake has also had a headache for about two consecutive weeks now and believes it is sinus related. Later that evening, I realized as I was putting a spare key away that all of my rings had been stolen (I do not want to accuse people but we just finished the attic and got new flooring throughout the house, so I'm guessing it was one of them). Realizing they were gone made my heart a little sad, especially the promise ring Jake had bought me and his university of Utah class ring.  However, his wedding band, mamaw's wedding  band, my moms original wedding rings, and the star ring from parents are still tucked away nice and safe.  Last night as Jake and I were running to Lowes I mentioned my birthday had sucked- not that I wanted gifts (I just asked for the house to be cleaned) because of the events that unfolded. But a few minutes later, I realized I had a bad attitude and if had highlights from the day- people at the church breakfast had remembered my birthday, my family all (except James) wished me a happy birthday, my mother in law sent me a text to remember my birthday on my birthday during the day, and I was with the people I care most about. So although I am sick and been robbed, I still am blessed beyond measure.