"Whose birthday is today?"

That's what she asked this morning w/ her little smile on her face. I can hardly believe it! 4 years have gone by since the day I gave birth to my first child! Any mom's out there still remember the day? I do and hope I don't ever forget. Just like it was yesterday only 4 years have passed. Last night, before bed, I told her the story of her birth. Telling it a level she can understand. I might pull out the video this evening and we could watch it. She was so excited to bring her treats we made to school and made sure to remind Daddy. Peanut butter cookies w/ peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. She's requested her favorite for dinner tonight, spaghetti. Friday, I'm taking the day off and I gave her some options on what we can do on her special day. As of now, we're going to the Children's Museum and we're taking McKenzie - that was Schuyler's decision How cool!. We're going to have a blast! Then, she has viola lessons, which she loves. The perfect day!

Our girls...

are so precious. Just look at them. All the emotions of sisters. I never had a sister so I'm not sure what this bond means but I see it in my girls daily. So many words to describe it... a deep love, the bestest friend, a competitor, a partner in crime, a person who speaks the same language and understands it. A bond that will last their whole lives and I hope a part of it is filled with wonderful childhoold memories. Mark and I get the so much joy from watching them. Most of times they are the best of friends. But there are times when it's best if they are in separate rooms. So different in so many ways yet they compliment each other so well. Can you tell we love watching them grow!

Mark finished his last test on Monday. He has been studying for a series of tests for his new job and has passed them with flying colors even though he always thought he was going to do bad. He spent Monday and Tuesday in Iowa. Now he has a list of house projects to prepare our house to be raided by 10-15 4 year olds for Schuyler's first real b-day party on the 29th. Don't worry, we'll share the story!

I finished quarter-end work and started my new job today. I was sent on my way with a great farewell from a bunch of great galls! You know who you are and hugs to ALL of you! Guess it's not really a farewell since I plan to stay in close contact. I'm a bit overwhelmed after my first day but looking forward to a lot of challenges.

We had a wonderful, quiet Easter at my dad's. All I had to cook was bread and a pie! And, I got a 2 hour nap that day. That's the longest nap I've had probably since little Mack was born! It's amazing what a little rest will do for you!

Wisdom of a Child

I had a bad day last Friday. A REALLY bad day. Mark was golfing and watching the Master golf tourney, an anual event for him and a few guy frineds. I tried talking to him over the phone but it's not the same. He gave me some good advice, "go and enjoy your girls". So that's what I did. Isn't it amazing that they can sense your emotions! AND, make you feel better. I used a very simple scenario and explained what happened to Schuyler and afterwards she said some very BIG things for an almost 4 year old. Something like "that's why we should tell people the truth and do it nicely. so feelings don't get hurt". Exactly! Sometimes we could all use the wisdom of a child! McKenzie must have known, too! Saturday morning she came up and wanted me to hold her - something she rarely does anymore. She gave me a huge hug and ran her hands along my face. She did this several times while we rocked. It's like she was cuddling me! I love my girls and am so thankful for them!

Sometimes it seems like I can't keep up! The laundry is piling up (could have something to do w/ a lot of potty accidents), taxes, planning Schuyler's b-day party, cleaning, projects, projects and more projects! The list is HUGE! I know, this too shall pass. With Easter near I can reflect on what is truly important.

Here are a few pics. One more from my cousins maternity shoot. One from a mini shoot of the girls in their hand made robes from Gma S! Hope to post more...

"The season of Life"

This weekend my wonderful cousin Missy volunteered to be my guinea pig and let me take some maternity photos of her. This was something new for me and I really enjoyed the opportunity. Not to mention I really lucked out w/ a gorgeous model! In a Christian parenting news letter I get montly, it had a multiple choice question on how do you view pregnancy. The answer, and tile of this blog b/c it is so fitting is the "the season of life". Thanks Missy!!

This past week we have had sick girls. Mark started his new job on the 27th, last Monday and I was in training Wed - Fri for my job. They must have a 7th sense and know the worst time to get sick. I knew Wed when I sent McKenzie that I would most likely get a page to come get her. Sure enough. I spent Thursday w/ her and we did a lot of cuddling and rocking! Early Sunday morning, Schuyler came down with the same fever. Daddy stayed home w/ her and they bonded! She is ultra sweet when she is sick and was saying the cutest things.

Oh, Schuyler's most exciting news is she got her "real" viola! A BIG thanks to Ms. Ann for letting us borrow it!! Can't wait to capture this learning experience!

New Opportunity Awaits

Okay, now that everything is official, I can tell everybody about the new oppotunities that await both Mark and I! I accepted a new job last Monday. I will be transitioning from my current position as a Financial Actuarial Analyst to my new position as an Actuarial Services Analyst. In my new position I will be testing the system when there is an upgrade or conversion, when new products are released I will be making sure the system is handling the more complicated calculations/features, regression testing, etc... I've very excited!! On Monday, Mark will be starting his new job as a Commercial Underwriter. He's been in claims for while and I think this will be a great move for him. I know many of you have been praying for us during this time and I want to THANK YOU!

Schuyler spent her first weekend away from home! Mark's parents took her down to Missouri to surprise her cousins! I think it was harder for me to be away from her!! She had a blast. At first, McKenzie was a little lost w/o her sister but she enjoyed being the only child for a couple days. We took her to her first ever circus. Papa treated us to a ride on an elephant and she LOVED it. The rest of the time all we heard was "Where elephants"? We left after intermission and she crashed in the car=)

Last year in my twenties

Monday I officially started my last day in my twenties. Yes, I am 29 and enjoying every minute of it. The typical questions one gets asked on their birthday is "Did you do anything fun\special?", "Did you get something nice"? I would say it was a day like any other. I will be embarking on a new opportunity and that decision was made on my birthday. Sorry folks, I can't share more. You will have to follow the blog to find out what it is. I ate more sweets than usual... VI (Village In) triple berry pie, and my fave kind of cake, angel food, or angel cake as Schuyler calls it. She also picked me out some cherry frosting and I had both girls help frost. As you can imagine, it wasn't the prettiest decorated cake and I'm sure more frosting was ate then spread on the cake;) The nice thing was Mark came home ON TIME from work!! I actually cleaned the dreaded bathroom while he tackled the dishes manually since the dishwasher is broken. My dad and grandma came over for cake that evening. Can I say my B-day wish and still have it come true? I wish that my last year in my twenties will be as blessed as the previous!

Round 2 - Potty Training

So, the other day (the 9th) I go to pick up the girls and there is a note in our box. Not the ocassional 'ouch' note we get, but different. It went something like this...

"Dear Mark and Jill, This morning McKenzie went into the bathroom and said "potty". We helped her get her diaper off, which was dry, and she went. We decided to put her in a long sleeve t-shirt and underwear for the day. She went on the little potty and was dry all day. This may be a sign she is ready. (Signed) Ms. Krystal"

Holy smokes! This is very much her personality. Trying to keep up w/ the big kids. But, I'm not ready!! Although diapers are an expense there is also some convenience in them. Schuyler was potty trained at 24 or 25 months which I thought was good. I understand every kid has their own time when they are ready... some later and some earlier. She's only 20 months! Anyway, we are on day 3 and she is doing awesome. Only 1 "accident" and that was at nap time. Here we go for round 2 of potty training. Wish us luck!!