Reading!

Boo, I still can't figure out how to rotate my videos....so tilt your head and watch my girl READ, ya'll! That's right, 4 years old, reading like a champ! Pretty sure I was still sticking crayons up my nose at 4. So proud of her! She has always loved books and it's about the only time I can get her to sit absolutely still. Anyway, it's dark and sideways but it's pretty awesome.

Key West, Year 2!

We did it, two WHOLE years (insert sarcastic tone here). It seems so silly considering all we've been through in the six we've been a couple! But hey, there's a Key West trip involved so whatevs! We did our second annual trip and, wanting to keep it creative (cause after a buncha years, we're gonna be bored!) we were lucky to have a free boat as accomodations...a big ole boat. It was pretty cool....the only drawback? No toilet paper in the toilet. At all. Um, kinda tough for the ladies (um, me), but thankfully there was a boathouse with full bathrooms/showers etc a few feet away...

So, boat people are, um, interesting. We met some folks that lived on their boats...one with birds as big as me and another, who, I'm fairly certain needs weekly meetings. Overall, it was pretty cool though, gorgeous sunsets and perfect weather!

Had to photograph the chickens...I mean, they truly run the place anyway. I though capturing a whole family was kinda cool...the early morning wake up calls? Not so much.

We did our annual   "two finger" pic...still not sure what we're gonna do after 10...

We saw Robin Roberts at our fave breakfast place, Blue Heaven...she's so awesome. We didn't wanna bother her on her vacay so I took a photo while other people were ;)

We watched the sunset from the La Concha Hotel..it was a bit overcast but so pretty anyway....and super romantic...the guy in bunny drag kinda ruined the ambiance. It is Key West, I guess....

This "Jessica" sign is above a bar at Dirty Harry's, which is where our fave band, The Durt Bags play...it becomes all about me after a couple cocktails ;)

Basically, it was awesome. Best trip eva. Best hubs eva. Can't wait for the many trips ahead with this guy. We just have such a great time together...he's truly my best friend! I wouldn't trade our little family for anything but these little trips away, alone, rejuvenates us as a couple. Happy marriages=happy children! 

While we were gone, the kiddos got to enjoy their first Easter activities! My friend Colleen had a little Easter party at her house. It was Gavin's first hunt! He just threw the eggs around according to Linda (I mean, they are round-ish and the kid loves balls...). Mo took the girls to a local hunt. They had a blast, of course! As long as they're together, they're happy!  It sure was nice to be home with my babies...missed them! 

I gave up Facebook for Lent.

I'm not sure what possessed me, but I gave up Facebook for Lent. I'm not even Catholic. I do love the concept of self-deprivation for the sake of making a meaningful sacrifice as Jesus did by fasting in the desert for forty days. I think a little abstention of something we enjoy or feel tempted by is soul-nourishing. It reminds us to be grateful, if even only for the "little things". So while a "Facebook fast" may seem sort of a shallow sacrifice, it's been hard, Ya'll. I kinda figured it was a big issue when I was taking my phone to the bathroom lest I miss something muey importante. And, in case you were wondering, yes. Yes I have dropped electronics in the toilet before. Lesson learned? Um, no...clearly.
Don't get me wrong, I rarely do much on it after work or while I'm with the kids but at work, red lights, bathroom breaks (as per above), I figured I was due a little time-out of sorts. Now, I am in no way trying to be all pious here...I did increase my Twittering...tweeting? Whatevs. Mostly to nag Jimmy Fallon about avoiding hiatus during my birthday trip to NYC. Ya know, important stuff. And I Pin shiz like nobody's business. But I rely more heavily on Facebook for most of my communication, so it seemed the more legit sacrifice. I, in no way think something so small in any way resembles Jesus' suffering but I do believe social media is the demise of real communication, which seems to cause a serious aversion to human contact. Isn't that what God intended? For us to be a "body" of believers? I highly doubt He intended for us to exclusively virtually communicate. Could be wrong. Often am. It undoubtedly feeds into our insecurities, our need for constant approval and over-sharing. Can we all just admit the more "likes" and comments we get on our lame posts about what we ate for breakfast gets us a bit warm and fuzzy? Isn't that weird? 

 The more the days passed though, it did become something bigger. I started to realize some of my relationships have become quite "virtual". Some people are of the belief that you can go months without talking or just text periodically and therein lies a good friendship. I disagree. Must be a love language thing. I'm a put-my-arms-around  and eyes-on-ya kinda gal. The people I see most, chat with most are the ones I feel the most connected to. I mean, I so get it. Life, it's nutso and hectic and who has time? Um, people that care for each other do. Or should, in my world. This doesn't require daily convo, by all means (ain't nobody got time for that) but a weekly, heck, bi-weekly check-in? An encouraging word? A "hey, just thinking of ya"? But then I think, not everyone speaks your love language Jess (which, incidentally, is a dead tie between physical touch and quality time, duh.), is it really fair to ask what you give from people who don't require the same of us? I dunno. Maybe not. But then are you left questioning the motives and feelings of the other person all the time? Is it necessary to surround ourselves with like-love-languaged people? Maybe. Kinda makes me sad to think of it cause I'm pretty sure my circle of friends would dramatically decrease.

Conversely, I have people on my Facebook page from my past that I have lost contact with (while I know every single person on my friends list...no randoms) that always respond kindly, have donated when my many pleas for money for Caleb's Crusade have arisen...they have become friends. They're interested in my life and I am in theirs as well. I love seeing new babies, weddings, job promotions. I feel for them when there's a job loss, divorce, death. There's a legitimate connection. I truly care for these people and I think, or hope the feeling is mutual. I just don't want my only form of acceptance and validation to come solely from a screen.

I do feel Facebook and social media in general is likely one of the greatest vices of our time. People are e-cigging, dieting, cursing less....we work so hard on our other bad habits, but rarely the virtual ones. It seems we are so afraid of losing touch, being validated and feeling involved in what's "going on". My personal opinion? Let's try to truly connect. With calls, hugs...cards....remember getting those in the mail and it would just warm your heart?? No? It's been a while for me too. I mean, now we can just "like" what you say and move on. Boo. Why can't we still be a part of social media but not let it be our only means of communication?

So...I suppose this little hiatus has taught me quite a bit. I don't feel it interferes much with my personal life but I could give it a rest at the office a bit and I may have some re-evaluating to do of some relationships. I plan to better communicate with my loved ones, with real time, real effort too..

 All in all...I enjoy Facebook. I enjoy social media. I clearly love blogging. I have this weird thing about documentation. Maybe it's the fact that my single mom mother was pretty destitute so a camera was not to be had and there are maybe 5 childhood photos in existence of me. Maybe it's that I was apparently born with a 97 year old brain and can't remember what I had for breakfast so I fear all will be lost in the vast nothingness that is my memory. I feel the need to write down and photograph everything while being present and trying not to miss the moment. I enjoy doing it. So I shall continue, darnit! Try to pry the camera strap from my neck whilst I type, I dare you! But in moderation. Like all those things we "quit"....cake, beer, cursing....moderation. But, ya know, sometimes the F-bomb is the only word that suffices and a Facebook vent is the only way to feel better.

*Oh, and in the spirit of full disclosure, I have so been good and not logged on except to message a couple of times for important stuff. Go. Me. But I'm ready to rejoin the virtual world, here I come people!

Back Yard Ballin'

Gavin got this great basketball hoop for his birthday....he was a bit little for it so it was holed up in a closet until recently. It's been a big hit, for both kids! It's so great they're getting to ages where they can play together a lot now! They're becoming good buddies....Maddie is very loving and sweet. Not that she doesn't have her moments with selfishness (who doesn't?!) but overall, she is a wonderful big sis! And Gavin? Obsessed with her. As soon as he gets up in the morning, he immediately says, "Sissy?" and looks for her.  I love how she's helping and encouraging him in these pics....you can see their closeness.

 Maddie had me move it up as high as it would go, cause "I'm big!", and she actually hit most of her shots (with decent form, in my opinion!). I suppose with a former player/coach for a Dad, I should expect no less!

I love our yard! It's just perfect for us....a pool, all fenced, lotsa running room...we're so blessed!

Frozen...again.

The outdoor screen is awesome. I'm so obsessed with watching everything on it....I'd watch the news on it  if I could keep the screen up 24/7. So. cool. 

Soooo, why not Frozen?? I mean, it's only the 4,625th time it's been on. Oy. But, ya suffer through the bajillionth rendition of Let It Go and move on with life for your kiddos. 

 We invited some friends, got crafty and made some themed snacks! 

 The kids could decorate crowns/antlers and color some Frozen coloring pages while they waited...that was the only bummer, it gets dark so late. And then I sugared them up. You're welcome, parents...

When Madelyn got there with a Frozen dress on, Maddie just had to change into her Elsa costume...

Unfortunately, I didn't get a ton of pics of the guests...my camera stinks in the dark!

Jen brought glowsticks....the kids loved them! They played tag and ran all over the yard like little purple and pink lightening bugs!

It got over so late, they were all getting cray-cray. They seemed to have a blast though, so the meltdowns and insanity were worth it! Maaaaybe.....

Hand-me-down Heaven!

We've been scoring in the hand-me-down department lately...actually for a long time! We are so lucky to have family and friends whose kids are just older enough to need someone to pass their formerly-loved stuff onto...and we are the lucky recipients! Wha-flippin-whoooo!

Mo gave Gavin a few of Caleb's old Spiderman things...a hooded towel and some figurines/cars. He loved them! He's such a "boy". He loves to push, pull, knock down....it's funny how it's so inherent! 

 I also love me a consignment store and garage sales....I would venture to say half of my kids' clothes and toys are second (or third or fourth...) hand. Add to that my own as well as nearly all of the furniture in my house! When you're on a budget, ya do what ya gots to do! I found these adorable shades for G...of course he rips them off seconds after I put them on but I managed to sneak a quick photo while he was occupied with his sippy cup, which Lord knows can't be pried from his hands from until it's empty.....

We also got this awesome wagon and two bags full of clothes for Bella's buddy Kennedy's Mom! The kids were in it for hours! And Gavin? He actually sat still. 

 Oh, and this adorable dress was one of the many things in the bags....had to get a couple pics while we were at Build-A-Bear with Bella and Mo!

I love getting these things....I'm kinda dorky about it....I wonder about the stories other people have in the clothes, what  special memories did they make in them? I also love to give our loved things to friends and/or anyone in need. The circle goes on....