Fun In The Sun..

Oregon doesn’t always allow us time in February to really enjoy the sun.  As a matter of fact, it’s rare that we see the sun in February and, in the off-chance we do, it’s either bitter cold, windy as hell, or both.

In fact, we hit about 6 degrees over the normal for this time of the year, and were 6 degrees from hitting the record temperature for this day in all of history (or as long as records have been kept).  It was a beautiful day here in the Rose City, as we hit 57 degrees.

Having a sick baby, who has gone from a cough, to a runny nose, then to a wheeze, and now to only 1/2 of her normal voice, I didn’t want to take her all the way to the park.  As fun as it sounded to go to the park, it just wasn’t feasible to take her out so that Konnor and I could enjoy the sunshine.

Instead, we pulled out the activity center, grabbed the bubbles and bubble gun, and headed onto the back deck.

The brief change in scenery and that little bit of fresh air did some good for us all.  Ariana didn’t seem to enjoy the sun too much in her eyes, but even she could enjoy the bubbles.

We worked with what we had, ensured Ariana wasn’t out too long, and still were able to enjoy some of this gorgeous Oregon sunshine!

3 year-olds.. Patience Testers

And if having a sick baby wasn’t hard enough, I have this monster who is defying every single thing I say.

Truly, I love being a mommy.

He is testing my patience, though.

My remedy?  An early naptime for everyone.

Holy macaroni!

I Bought A Present For ME!!

Ever since I had Konnor, I have never been at the top of the priority list.  Purposely putting myself after others, I don’t often have the newest clothes, the coolest phone, or other spiffy things.

Yesterday, I bought a laptop.  Four hundred dollars of something just for me!  After purchasing my new Toshiba, I am feeling the normal guilt that I feel after buying something for myself.

After battling with myself, “oh that $400 could have gone here or we could have done this,” I took a step back.  No, really, this was a good investment.  With Justin on the computer as much as he is, I need this. 

What do I need a laptop for?

Well I really need it to keep up on JAKA365, which is my photo blog.  If you haven’t seen it, check it out!

But I also need it to keep up with this blog.  If I have the desire to start reviews, the need for my own computer is pretty obvious.

More than anything, though, I wanted my own computer so that I could access the internet when I wanted to.  My phone’s internet isn’t fast nor reliable, and to be honest, typing with a Blackberry isn’t fun.  Haha.

So here she is.  My new computer.  Nothing grand.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing to drop your jaw over.  Honestly, though, I don’t need any of that.  Just something simple to blog and edit photos with. 🙂

Oregon, My Love….

There are many things in my life that I am proud of. Proud that I have the ability and mental capacity to raise two children: an infant and a toddler. Proud that I have a steady job that pays well (even if I don’t always love it). Proud that there is a roof over my head, clothes on mine and my children’s backs and food in our tummies.

I am also proud of where I live.

I was born in Portland, Oregon.

I was raised in Portland, Oregon.

My mom was born and raised in Portland, Oregon.

Oregon is my home. My place. Oregon is me. I am Oregon.

I am an Oregonian.

Growing up, I loved all the trees and the smell of freshly cut grass and birds chirping in the spring. To be honest, I have taken for granted all of those things. All my life I figured that this was normal for the entire world, when it clearly is not. Not all of the cities in the world have as many trees as we do. There isn’t always grass to cut.

As my children grow and learn, I want them to appreciate the finer things this state has to offer. Beach trips are frequent, and while the water isn’t as warm as Cali or Florida, the sweet simplicity of the waves crashing are enough to appreciate.

We have hippies and tree huggers and more bicycles then you can imagine. In fact, I think with all the new laws that have been put into effect over the years, bicyclists have more rights on the road than cars do.

Downtown is gorgeous, from a distance.  Some say downtown in general is beauty, but there is so much sadness walking down the streets, seeing those with no homes huddled under the stoops of buildings for warmth.  I, personally, don’t frequent downtown for that reason.

No state is perfect. Oregon has her fair share of flaws. There are too many people without homes, and too many addicted to drugs. Oregon has an epidemic meth problem, with epidemic consequences. The highways haven’t been expanded since I can remember, but the growth of Oregon is far beyond my stretch of mind. Soon, we may be faced with the same traffic problems like that of Los Angeles, Ca. (ok that may be a far-fetched statement, but you get the picture).

Despite all of the flaws, Oregon is amazing. No other word, really. This is my state, and I love it!

(Not to mention in Oregon people pump your gas for you and there is no sales tax!)

Meet My Other Half…

Everyone, meet Justin.

Justin is my boyfriend. Yes, boyfriend. (no he doesn’t wear these glasses all the time.  they are mine) We are not married.  Marriage is but a piece of paper.  What he is the father of my daughter. The love of my life. 

I don’t give him enough credit. When I talk about him on my Facebook or on my Twitter, it’s generally when I’m angry. Or hurt. Or sad. Really, no one gets to hear about how wonderful Justin is.

He is my other half. The person I was meant to be with. Through thick and thin, we were meant to be. He is the one.

Though I have had reservations in the past, questions in my mind, those no longer exist. We have had good times, bad times, and times where we were on level ground. Despite all the times we have had, he has been there. When I was unable to work while pregnant with Ariana, he stayed. When he was laid off and looking for a job, I stayed. Through my depression this last holiday season, he was there. Holding my hand. And while he never said it, he was cheering me on, telling me it would all be okay.

Most don’t know our story. When we first met, it was online. *gasp* I know. Say what you will, but this seems more and more common as time goes on. Love has no boundaries and sure doesn’t grasp the concept of distance. So, while I was here in Oregon living my life, he was in West Virginia living his.

At first when we talked, it was casual. That time in my life was full of chaos and mayhem, and an ear was all he could offer me. I took it. I told him about life and the choices I was making and while he was mostly amused, you could also tell there was a bit of concern.

We stopped talking for years. Probably 5 or 6 to say the least. We both lived our different lives, on different sides of the United States. It wasn’t until I logged into Yahoo! on my cell phone that we reconnected. He IM’ed me and after a few hours of IMing him while at work, we exchanged numbers.

From there IMing turned to text and text turned to a phone call. The phone call. All night long (and I mean 9pm to 6am) we talked on the phone about everything. You name it, we talked about it. Even before I knew what was happening, we were falling.

Most people are cautious about love. Often holding back, they miss out on some of life’s greatest opportunities. Just getting out of my relationship with my son’s father, I was a little hesitant. But Justin and I were so right for each other.

Regardless of the distance, we made things work. From playing silly Yahoo! games on the internet, to simultaneously watching The Notebook while on the phone, we were a unique pair. I would leave cute messages on his MySpace, and he would send sweet text messages.

To make this long, adorable story short, not three months after we had started talking, and after a mini vacation to the east coast to visit him, he decided to move out to Oregon so we could be together. I took a flight to Illinois where he met me, and we drove the country together, through torrential downpours in one state, to high winds and country roads in another.

February 7th, 2010 marks two years since we made ourselves official. February 1st marks two years since we reunited and started talking again. Today we have a beautiful daughter to share our journey in life, and are closer than ever. Konnor and Justin adore each other, almost as much as Ariana and Justin do.

He picks up the kids everyday after work. Gets up with Ariana some nights when she doesn’t sleep through. He is a good sport about my crazy ideas and even though he is a picky eater, he will try new things that I cook.  Shopping isn’t one of his favorite things to do, but he will do it.  We are a team.

I love his smile.  His sense of humor.  The way he dresses.  His eyes.  When he is happy, mad, sad, upset, or being a pain in my ass, I still love him. 

Despite all of my mood swings and questions with our relationship, he is here. Always. Hopefully forever.

I love him. With every part of me that is capable of love.  Our journey in life thus far has tested us in so many way, and we have made it out on top.

The Dancing Baby!!

Ariana has learned something new…. Dancing… Or that’s what I call it anyways.  It could be her rocking back and forth in an attempt to move where she wants to go.  However, when it is in conjuction with music, all bets are off – she dances.  See for yourself

Las Fotos Meme… Sibling Love

This blog challenge is brought to you from Kristin.  Here is how it works:

Want something to do over the weekend? I’d like to introduce you to LAS FOTOS a new photography blog meme here at Our Ordinary Life. Every week bloggers will be asked to post a picture and/or story about the week. Or month, year. Throughout the year I will add in special contests and prizes for bloggers who participate. Have fun with it!

I know my awesome followers want to try this out!! I am going to take on this project in addition to my daily photography challenge on my other blog, JAKA365.  Between this challenge and my Project365 challenge, I am going to be living, breathing, loving photography.  🙂

For this challenge:  Sibling Love

I talk so much about Konnor and Ariana and the bond that they are sharing, but in recent days it has blossomed into the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

Today, for nap, Konnor wanted to “take a nap with baby sister.”  I politely told him he couldn’t sleep in her crib to which he cried for a minute, before falling asleep in his own bed.

He is constantly playing with her.  Between sharing his toys and hers, they are constantly occupied and together.  They make my heart melt and my knees weak.  The cutest little duo, they played Peek-a-boo last night for a good 20 minutes.  Here they are watching cartoons together after bath time. :o)

Potty Breaks? Not For This Mommy…

It has become painfully clear that Mommy is not aloud to go potty. 

Leave the kids alone for 30 seconds and something is bound to happen.  Ariana eats an apple or rolls under the coffee table.  This kid is so mobile, and Konnor finds more and more ways to get them into trouble. 

I am going to have my hands full, aren’t I?

He’s Growing Up…

I love that Konnor is at the age that he can do more. No longer are we bound to the park (which is still fun) or playing around the house. We can broaden our horizons and do more fun and extravagant things.

Watching him at Chuck E Cheese on Sunday night made me realize something. My baby is growing up! As awesome as this is, it is sad all the same. I remember the little tiny baby that needed mommy for everything. The mini toddler that started to be independent but still held mommy’s hand.

Now he is a big toddler. In preschool. Getting to the age where he can take on sports. Interacting with kids he doesn’t know, and, as I saw at CEC, learning that money buys fun. Haha! He kept coming over for “monies” so he could play the ski ball game. At one point, I decided that it was probably a good idea to check on him, to which I found him ON the ski ball game. Oye!

His little buddy, Caleb, and his mom went with us as well. We figured the kids would play with each other, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Caleb is a year younger than Konnor, so he doesn’t get the games quite yet. He more so wanted to play on the structure than play the games. He did try, however.

They were cute. It was fun. Konnor definitely was worn out by the time we went home. It all just makes me realize that he is growing up and getting bigger. While I don’t enjoy the thought of him getting older, because I love my little bug the way he is, time, and life, go on. I have no choice but to go with the flow, so flow I go!

Siblings Much??

What do you guys think?  Do they look alike?

Besides my daughter’s BUG EYES in this picture, I think the two of them look similar.  Both of my kiddos have more of their father’s qualities (each having a different dad) but both have a Mommy resemblence that they share.  Or at least I like to think so. :o)