Sounds about right.

You Are An ESFJ

The Caregiver You are sympathetic and caring, putting friends and family first. A creature of habit, you prefer routines and have trouble with change. You love being in groups - whether you're helping people or working on a project. You are good at listening, laughing, and bringing out the best in people. In love, you value harmony and mutual understanding. You will apologize or give someone the benefit of the doubt, if it means getting over a fight sooner. At work, you are good at building relationships and connecting with people. You would make a great nurse, social worker, or teacher. How you see yourself: Organized, dependable, co-operative When other people don't get you, they see you as: Opinionated, critical, and know-it-all

What's Your Personality Type?

OJ

The baby likes OJ. This is the first time I've been positive that the fluttering I'm feeling in my stomach is the baby.
He/She likes orange juice and is letting me know it!

Sullivan, Oh Sullivan

I have spent a lot of time over the past 3.5 years shaking my head and saying, "Avery, Oh Avery." Slowly those roles seem to be switching or becoming shared in our house. Avery still has the market cornered on fiestiness and general craziness but Sullivan is well on his way to taking over the 'naughtiness' and boundless energy crowns.

The boy cannot sit still. We cannot take him out to eat or really out in public without getting the stares and glares. I seriously cannot help it. If a 2 year old doesn't want to sit, they don't sit! Lauren loved to sit on our laps for hours - Avery and Sully have some different gene pool! Sully loves to torment his sisters by stealing toys, running cars and trucks into them, pulling hair and then giving an award winning smile and his precious, 'hi!' that he thinks can get him out of any trouble (trouble is - he's normally right!).

This weekend I was thinking about Sully's antics and almost crying over how 6 months ago I was wondering if I would ever see him do something naughty and then run away to try and hide from me, if I'd ever see him climbing on the arm of a chair to stand on it and play with a light switch, if I'd ever have to scold him for running away from me and playing tag his sisters while the rest of the kids sit nicely during the church fellowship!

Before Sullivan I never thought I'd feel blessed to have a child I had to chase. Never thought I'd feel lucky to be the mom who couldn't finish her plate because she's running to get her kid off the alter in the front of the church.

But I do feel so blessed. I'm so thankful for how God changed my perspective and even my values by giving me Sully. I'm so thankful for this little boy that lets me hold him but only when we are alone and the lights are out. So thankful for that little grin and that sweet little, 'hi!' that he uses with so much charm. So thankful and so much in love.

Spinning and Swaying

Thank you Cassie and Jody for introducing me to this song. I listen to it and I see Lauren and Avery spinning and swaying with their tired Daddy. 'Just one more daddy! Just one more song.' I see Lauren getting every move just perfect and Avery just letting the music take her wherever it may and not caring if its the 'right' way. I was reminded tonight that all too soon they'll be gone - it will be midnight. I will never grow tired of watching them dance.

CINDERELLA - Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Verse 2:
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Verse 3:
But she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away but I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:S
o I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She'll be gone.

Little Patriot

Jordan has loved the Patriots for as long as I have known him. But I dont think he has ever enjoyed them as much as he does now that he has Sullivan to share it with. When the game came on tonight Sullivan started screaming, "football! football!" He was so excited to sit on Jordan's lap and watch the game. So I went and got his Patriot's football uniform and helmet that he got for Christmas. Then they were really excited.




Couldn't love them more.

My favorite Christmas present

I somehow forgot to write about this. My brother Brian and his family live in Pennsylvania and we didn't get to see them over Christmas. But Brian sent us each the most perfect gift.

He spent what must have been weeks putting together a list of stories and all the quirky, unique, crazy sayings that my dad always said and he had them bound for us. It is 10 pages and the font is not small. And so on after we opened them we spent a long time sitting together, laughing, crying and remembering. Then we started adding to the list. It is amazing how many more we were able to come up with! He had a lot of quirks!

He wrote about the time he and my mom played a joke on my dad with the remote control. They had an extra remote and didn't tell him. They would change the channel on him every now and then. Sometimes they'd even sneak outside and do it from the window! My dad even went so far as to call the cable company to complain. We weren't able to 'get him' real often so this story is a family favorite.

Brian also told about the last time he saw my dad and how they told each other they loved each other...their last words to each other actually before my mom and dad left on their trip to California.

So many wonderful memories. Thank you Brian, I cant thank you enough and I know that I will cherish this book for the rest of my life!

So in love...

I'm just blubering over my kids tonight.

Sullivan gave me a rare treat tonight. He let me sing and rock him to sleep. Normally after about 3 songs he sits up, says bed and points to his crib. Tonight he drifted off as I stroked his head and sang. I could have held him forever.

After that I went in to check on the girls and as I covered Avery up she woke up and said, 'Mommy! Lauren is my favorite thing I have ever seen and my best friend. I love her.' Then fell instantly fast asleep.

I walked over to Lauren's bed and she said, 'Avery is a pretty cute kid isnt she?'


On nights like this I'm pretty sure I'm going to have 12 kids.

Sunset

Why is it that a pretty sunset, which while he was living would never have made me think of my dad, now brings up memories and makes me cry because I miss him so much?

Lemonade

Just a funny story for Jordan and I to remember...

Last night on the way home from some shopping Avery was complaining that she was SO thirsty! The only thing we had was some Sprite. Our kids are not allowed to drink pop - it is a hard and fast rule we stick to. However, this Sprite was very watered down and unfizzy and Avery was near meltdown. So Jordan told her it was lemonade and put some in a cup for her.

She drank it and said, "Lauren have you had lemonade? You should try it, it sticks to your tongue!"

Jordan and I cracked up. Apparently she isn't used to the syrupiness and sweetness of pop!

What will I do when everyday conversations aren't this fun?

Sullivan's Adventures

I just discovered some notes from Rosanna in my email. I'm so glad she writes this down for us. She is an amazing blessing to us.




Saturday, January 5, 2008

Dear Daddy and Mommy,

Rosanna says that I was quite a little rascal today. But then she also said that I was the cutest rascal she ever met, so that makes my orneriness okay, doesn't it? All morning long, I entertained myself by stealing toys from Lauren and Avery just so I could listen to them scream! It was sure fun! Sometimes that little game got boring so I would go sit on the cat to make her meow, instead. Rosanna said I was hurting her and she made me stop, but I don't think that was very fair because Izzy could have run away if she didn't like it so I think she secretly enjoys my torture a lot.

Then, right after I woke up from my nap, Grandma Barb came and took Lauren home with her. Half an hour later, Grandma Cindy came and Avery left, too. At first, I was really excited to have Rosanna all to myself. She sat on the living room floor with me and we played with cars for a long time. Then I took her hand and pulled her all around the house pointing to things and jabbering the entire time. I know she's not intelligent enought to understand everything I was telling her, but at least she smiled a lot and gave me her undivided attention during our little tour. In the play room, I started to get into some of Lauren and Avery's things that I know I'm not supposed to touch, but it just wasn't very much fun without them here to stop me. So I decided to color a picture instead. I told Rosanna all about what I was drawing, but she couldnt understand a word of what I was saying so I'll have to explain it to you myself when you get home. I was so proud of it when I finished that Rosanna hung it on the refrigerator for you to see.

After I finished my picture, I decided it was time to play a game. The past few days, Avery and Rosanna have been playing a lot of hide-and-seek so I know how to play it now. So I took Rosanna to the corner and said "count, count, count" until she started. Then I ran and hid under Dad's computer desk. Only hiding isn't really that much fun and I don't like just sitting quietly so every time Rosanna walked into the room, I would push the chair out and start screaming so she would be sure to find me!! It was really fun, and I wanted to keep playing it over and over again.

I'm so glad that I'm big enough to feed myslef now because it's a lot easier to get messy! Tonight at supper, I smeared lots of pizza sauce in my hair so then I got to take a bath before bed. I had so much fun splashing around in the tub and making goofy faces for Rosanna to laugh at. I was innocently filling a plastic cup with water when I noticed that Rosanna wasn't paying very much attention to me. I opened my mouth to scream or something, but then I had a much better idea... SPLASH!! I threw the whole cup of water all over her! And that sure got her attention. :) But then she got back at me a little while later when she showed me how to squeeze the penguins tummy to make water squirt out of his mouth. I stared at it carefully as I squeezed it, and it squirted me right in the face!! I jumped and screamed in surprise... and that Rosanna just sat there and laughed at me!!

After my bath, I decided to be a big boy and get dressed all by myself. That didn't work out very well, but I still didn't want Rosanna to help me so I ran and hid under the sink so she couldn't find me! Unfortunately, she saw me, anyway. When I was finally dressed for bed, I still had lots of energy left and I was ready for some more excitement so Rosanna brought me downstairs and I helped her pick up all my cars that were scattered around the living room. I even helped pick up some of Lauren's and Avery's toys that they forgot to clean up before they left. Rosanna was so proud of me for being a big helper that she let me cuddle with her on the couch and read some books before bed.

It was sure a fun day! I can't wait to see what excitment will come up tomorrow. I hope you're having a wonderful time in Galena.

Love,

Sullivan Joseph

Sullivan

We had been home for awhile this afternoon when suddenly Sully gasped and grabbed my hand and tugged me out into the kitchen. He was extremely excited about something and was jabbering about 100 words per second. We got to the kitchen and he excitedly pointed at a colorful picture on the fridge. At the bottom it said his name and the date. I said, "Sully, did you color that for me?!" He started shaking his head and shouting, "yes!"
Then he took it off the fridge and went to show Jordan. After Jordan saw it he took it right back and hung it on the fridge in its place of honor. It was quite possibly one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

I think I will be keeping this scribble picture for the rest of my life.


I also found these cute pictures that Rosanna must have taken of Sully getting ready for bed on Saturday night. It doesnt look like he was cooperating so well!



You cant catch me!


Come on! I'm too cute to go to sleep!

Relaxed

Jordan and I went to Galena this weekend with my brothers Robert, Nick, his wife Stacie and daughter Olivia.
The guys and Livvie went skiing and Stacie and I shopped. We all had fun, I'm really not sure who was the most sore at the end of the day though! 8 hours on my pregnant feet and back was a lot!
We ate out at a fantastic Italian restaurant and then played cards in the hotel till we couldnt keep our eyes open any longer - which wasnt very late.
Now the laundry and dishwasher are going in full force, Jordan is working at the table next to me and I'm getting ready to do some reading before calling it a night early. My body is definetly starting to feel pregnant - and not just my waistline, which has been telling me that for sometime.

'T'

So, Jordan had this brilliant idea. Since Lauren, Avery and Sullivan's first initials are L-A-S, we should name this baby a name that starts with T so we can spell L-A-S-T. (We are thinking this will be it for us!)

That works out nicely for the girl name we have always wanted, Torrance Reagan.

However, it does not work out so well for a boy's name because we can't come up with one. Also, we'd like to use my dad's name for the middle name if it is a boy - Richard. And with our one syllable last name - the first name has to have atleast 2 syllables.

We have the added problem that if the baby is born on the 4th of July (and Jordan has already gotten the dr. to agree to induce me on that day) Jordan really wants to name it Thomas Jefferson Dirks. No, I am not kidding, its better than his alternative - Benjamin Franklin Dirks.

So, I'm asking for help. Please, T names for a boy! PLEASE!

But if you can't come up with any T names - just give me some good boy names - I've got nothing!

Christmas let down

I'm experiencing a bit of a Christmas let-down. I dont know if it is because it never really even felt like Christmas to me this year, that it went so fast, that we are all tired of being couped up because it is frigid outside or what!?

Lauren goes back to school tomorrow and I'm plenty bummed about that. I have really enjoyed having her around all the time again. She is so much fun and I love to just listen to her tell me what she is thinking, she is such a neat girl. Avery is going to really miss her full time playmate too.

Sully is also making me blue. Suddenly he is not a baby but a little boy. He refuses to sit in his high chair - he has to sit at the table with us. We are not allowed to feed him anything - he must do it all himself. STOP!!!

Also, I'm just plain fat and that isnt helping! I think I need spring, and I think I have a long wait! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Recent cuteness

Just a few things that the little two are doing/saying lately that I dont want to forget:

Sullivan: calls Lauren - 'Bo-Bo', when we tell him to jump he does this strange little one legged jump that resembles the guy on top of the Heishman trophy - it makes us double over in laughter every time, Grandma Barb taught this to Sully - When we say 'Go Cyclones' he yells out 'HAWKEYES', when it is time to pray Sully folds his hands over his eyes and then when we are done he yells AMEN! as loud as he can and looks around waiting for us to show our approval

Avery: when she has a coughing attache she tells us, 'I have the coffers." This afternoon Avery came up and said, 'Mommy, when Rosanna (the babysitter) was here yesterday she said that Poptarts have sugar! And they dont!' (she must have been trying to talk Rosanna into letting her have one! She is always asking to watch 'Heis Muscal' - translated - High School Musical

Drugs

The entire family minus Lauren is now on an antibiotic. Sully - strep, Avery - double nasty ear infections, Becky - sinus infection - general yuckiness, Jordan - dont know but figured why not join the party.

I actually have the paper prescription for Lauren for WHEN she gets sick later this weekend. The doctor said it was pretty much a definite that I'd be filling that one at some point too.

YEAH! But actually we are all doing pretty well and we are off for a Pre-New Year's celebration at my moms tonight. I'm sure everyone there will just love us for showing up.

Pirates

Sully got some pirate stuff. He loves pirates and loves to watch the movies with daddy.

More pics

Avery got a ballet outfit - she LOVES it.


The girls got 2 more Wizard of Oz Barbies to add to their collection. They were thrilled. Grandma Cindy gave them the last 2 later and now we have the whole set.




Avery having fun!

A few pics from our Christmas

I love Christmas with my kids. The fancy dinner, reading the Christmas story and watching their eyes as they open their presents. I am transported back to my own family Christmases and how magical our parents made them. I hope my kids feel the same way.


Daddy reading the Christmas story.


Mommy reading a picture book of the first Christmas


Sully wanted to read it by himself.


Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

It's time...

Tonight begins our Christmas celebrating. We will be celebrating with our own little family and then on to 4 other Christmas celebrations by next weekend. Lots of family will be arriving. The kids are so excited that it seems all they can do is argue. Jordan is at work so I did what every good mother would do. I put on Polar Express and gave them sugar.

Merry Christmas!

Guess what Lauren wants for Christmas?

Sullivan

Sully loves being outside. He loves his boots, he loves his shovel and he loves being like dad!

Avery

Avery calls this her bootiful smile.

Lauren

Lauren's Christmas dance performance a couple of weekends ago. She tapped to frosty the snowman. She loves performing and just smiles away.



I got to help at Lauren's Christmas party at school yesterday. It was a lot of fun!

Urgh

Yes, I know some of my pictures are sideways, No, I do not know why.
I'll fix it tomorrow. maybe.

More pics

On our last day Jill took us to Sedona to take in the beauty. It was amazing. All the mountains were red and shaped just like you would picture the old west. Thanks again Jill, Andrew, Nate and Luke for an amazing vacation!




Seriously, are my arms pregnant? Is the child growing in there? Why do I get pregnant arms?

The boys

Avery was rather infatuated with Nate during our entire trip.



Lukie...soooo much energy and cuteness.

Train Park and AZ Scenery

The train park was just that - a park full of trains - real ones and small ones for us to ride on. Very fun.


Avery really wanted to touch the cactus.

Silly kids

Lucas, almost 4, Nate 5, Avery 3.5






We took the kids to a lighted parade on Saturday night. It was in a shady neighborhood and the kids couldnt see. We did our best. I had an easier time than Jill.

Arizona pictures

I finally got my pictures downloaded...!

Avery getting ready to board her very first airplane


Talking to daddy before take off...


Jill, Lucas and Avery


The boys and the 'fascinating' rain.

Avery's suppertime prayer

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for my family. And thank you for Christmas trees.
And the naughty kitty, is naughty.
Aem. (amen)

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Thanks for everything you are constantly doing for me and my family. I wouldn't be who I am without you. We love you.

And baby makes 6.

Jordan and I just returned home from our first prenatal appointment and ultrasound. We are VERY excited!
Due date is July 7th.
I swear there is really nothing like watching that little tiny heart flutter on the screen or those little arms and hands punching out at you.

'A-bye'

I want to get this down so I never forget.

Sullivan has the sweetest bedtime routine. After he has his bath and is already I carry him into his room and turn on his humidifer. He points to the rocking chair and says, 'a-bye, a-bye' (rock a bye). so I sit down with him and then he says, "bankie, bankie' (blanket). I get the blanket and cover him up with it and rock. Then he looks up at me and says, 'A-bye?' (asking me to sing, rock-a-bye baby).

So I sing and he pulls my face towards his and kisses me over and over and then just kind of pats my face.

How blessed am I.

Pictures

Just a couple of random pictures.


Sully was loving helping me make chilli this weekend.



Just a family bowl of ice cream before bed.

Extremes

Like with everything else with Avery, when she is sick, she is VERY sick.

Avery has had a horrible cough for 1.5 weeks. Yesterday it turned into a fever, no energy, no appetite and vomitting. This morning she was laying on the bathroom floor with tears flowing from her eyes. But she wasnt making a single noise. I bent down and stroked her head and said, 'Sweetie, what hurts the most?' She responded, 'Mommy, my throat hurts worser than ever.'
We made a trip to the doctor. I said, she is showing me classic Avery signs for strep. The doctor looked in her throat and said no way but did the strep test anyway.

Yep, strep.

Avery has had 2 doses of antibiotic and is now jumping off the couch yelling, 'Ta Da!!!!'
Lauren said, 'I thought you were sick?!'

Like I said, it is always extreme.

gift idea

Need gifts for school teachers, sunday school teachers, great grandparents, babysitters?
Check out this website and look under family to personalize to your family.

www.doughdelights.net


I spose if you're really crafty you'd make your own. I'm not crafty.

Graduation

Sullivan had an appointment with EDI this morning. We havent been there since September.
We were there all of 10 minutes. Our therapist, Jamie watched him and asked me a few questions, talked to Sully and then showed me his progress chart. She showed how far off he had been when we started in June and then how he is exactly where he should be now for his age in almost every area.
She said, "Congratulations, you've graduated, I hope I never see you again, at least not in this office!"

My heart cannot express my joy. I cant wait to see what else God has in store for my boy.

Home again Home again

We made it back before the snow yesterday. Seeing Avery giggling and running across the airport to jump into Jordan's arms was the highlight of my trip. (We had an amazing trip, but there is never anything like coming home.)

I'll be posting lots of pictures later but for now I am still in awe of what I came home to...the laundry was done, all of it. The dishes were clean, all of them. He changed the sheets on all the beds! He had food in the fridge.
And while I was upstairs putting the kids to bed last night, he started more laundry! I hope this lasts!

Seriously thank you Jordan. We had an amazing time.

Apparently I owe him...

Sullivan had the flu all weekend. Lauren woke up with it about 12;30 last night. Jordan says NOW I owe him.

Stuck in the Middle

I am having a blast being able to concentrate on Avery. The bad part about having more than one child is never being able to give them one-on-one attention like I want to.
This has been great. I dont have to tell Avery to wait because I am doing something 'big' with Lauren or to wait because I'm doing something 'little' with Sully. Sometimes during the day at home I swear I can almost see her wrestling with herself inside..."Do I want to be big, or do I want to be little? Being in the middle is HARD.
But not here, here it is all Avery time.
Lucas and Avery are the same age so everything we are doing is tailored straight to them. This is great!

Its raining, Its pouring

It rained all day yesterday and all night. It is supposed to let up sometime today. I didn't really believe Jill when she said it hadn't really rained since March. But the weatherman confirmed it.

Lucas and Nate are like Avery and Lauren would be during the first snowfall. They go out in run in the rain, they stare out the window at the rain, they jump in all the puddles and giggle all the way.

It is hilarious! Avery thinks they are nuts and wants out of the rain as soon as we are outside. All she cares about is that this rain means that she cannot get in the swimming pool in the backyard, it is just killing her. Just plain torture.

It is all very cute.