Friday, February 29, 2008

1 Year Later

We're celebrating this week! On Tuesday Shad marked the 1st anniversary of his "can-sell" date or, as he likes to say, the day they "turned me loose on the world." *~*WAY TO GO BABE!!*~*
He has been working at Jones since October of 2006 but officially became a Financial Advisor on 2/26/07. He earned his new office in August 2007 and moved in mid-October.

Shad, obviously, spends a lot of time at his office and the rest of us are there a fair amount of time as well. We're part of the remodel team, cleaning crew, decorating consultants (and contributors as the girls provide him with a steady stream of artwork), and, at times, wrecking crew. I've been meaning since October to get a picture of Shad at his office but, for some reason, I'm never there with the camera when he is dressed for success. I actually have a lot of pictures of him in remodel garb but yesterday I made a point of getting down there WITH the camera to get official anniversary pictures of him. Here they are:

If you squint, you can even read his name on the door! (I'm still figuring out all this photo-editing stuff and am currently taking the position that just getting the pictures on the blog is the most important thing!)

"How can I help you realize your financial goals?" He looks pretty official, doesn't he?

We are currently in the process of getting some family photos for Shad's rather sparsely decorated walls. And let me tell you, it IS a process (although I'm not going into details)! ;)

Shad, I know I speak for everyone when I say that we are SO proud of you. You stepped off the edge and you are FLYING! You are making it happen every day and I am continually impressed by your strength, courage, tenacity, and optimism. I am so blessed to have you as my best-friend, husband, and partner on this amazing journey! Thank you.


Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just a quick, I-should-be-paying-bills-right-now update!


Today, Hannah and her girlfriend Emma moved-up to the "big-girls" gymnastics class. Until now they've been having fun in the 3-5 year old class, running around and getting exercise during these cold winter months. On Monday, Coach Brandon mentioned that we might want to try this class- more focused skill building, a class of six girls between the ages of almost-five and seven.

Emma's mom (Carrie) and I were impressed at how Hannah and Emma joined right in and tried a lot of new things today- it was very exciting! This picture shows (from left) Unidentified Girl, Hannah (in purple), and Emma on the big balance beam- they also swung their legs over, pulled their feet up, and squatted on the beam. I decided I'd better stop with the camera when Unidentified Girl yelled "Cheese!" :)


For Christmas, Hannah received Lily Rose, an Only Hearts Club Doll, from Grammie and they have been almost inseparable since. The dolls are cute, much more "girlish" than Barbies, with soft bodies for cuddling, freckles, and changes of clothes, of course. Our biggest challenge is finding outfits that match- exactly. Hannah is very particular about that. I had the idea the other day to cut a little polar fleece scrap into a vest for Lily Rose. While I was working on that Hannah started flitting around the house and all of a sudden came up to me wearing the exact same outfit as Lily (or as close as we could possibly come with no pre-planned purchases), right down to the aqua vest. We also styled their hair the same, at Hannah's request.


Many of you are familiar with the name Katie. For those of you who aren't let me give you a brief introduction (I would post a pic, but I haven't asked her permission- yet!). Katie is our amazing babysitter and playmate (not to mention one-who-keeps-me-sane!) who spends a few afternoons a week with the girls so I have some time to get things accomplished! I can't really say enough about Katie- Hannah ADORES her and Sarah has a lot of fun with her too. She's going to graduate in June and go away to college. -sob- Until then, though, we'll enjoy every minute we can with her and especially the great pictures she takes of the girls. Like the one above. I found this photo on the digital camera and until then I had NO IDEA that Hannah and Sarah could sit next to each other and look affectionate without screaming, biting, hitting, or hair pulling. It really warmed my heart. ;) Thanks, Katie! We love you!

*~*~THE SUN~*~*

Shad took this picture after 11:00 one night earlier this month. Both the girls had been in bed and I was working on the couch. Sarah woke first and I brought her out because her teeth were bothering her. Hannah woke-up some time later and came stomping out- they kind of jockied for position while I tried to finish up some work- good luck with that!

When I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and everyone is calling my name at the same time and at least two of the three of them are touching me somewhere Shad calls me "THE SUN." He believes that this entire operation is orbiting around me- no pressure, though! I've been trying to convince him that, if that is the case, it's not all shining and glowing, and warm being the sun, there are definitely some real nail-biting, heart-racing, over-tired, back-aching moments as well. Who knew??

And so here's a Happy Valentine's wish to all of you, but especially to all the other "SUNS" who are reading this. It's amazingly wonderful that our orbits have crossed, it could be lonely being THE SUN, but not so much when you know there are others out there as well. I couldn't make it without you! Eat all that Valentine's Chocolate (or, if you're like me, your Choco-Cherry Love Blizzard) fast- they melt quickly in the heat of THE SUN.