A few simple words...

It was just another day in the Heitz house. The big kids were at school and Ellie and I were preparing for our quiet lunch for two. She slid the black, tattered stool over to the counter and climbed it to the top in hopes of offering a hand in making our cheese on toast with tomatoes before it went under the broiler. I cut into the brick of cheese and she carefully spread out the slices onto our bread before she gently looked up into my eyes and said, "I really like having a mommy like you." Melt. A few simple words turned an ordinary day into an extraordinary moment.

I love you, Ellie Bean Bear :)

Book of Notes...

Last Easter was the dreaded moment I knew would come around eventually. Someone would slip and the cat would be out of the bag and the precious innocence and magic of Easter bunnies, tooth fairies and the beloved Santa Claus would be lost forever. It all happened so quickly when my Dad asked innocently, "Where did you find those cute swimsuits in the Easter baskets, Jodi?" While the words slipped quickly passed the two littles, Ben's ears perked up and his eyes flashed as he looked up into my eyes and immediately asked to speak with me privately. Mom, are you the Easter bunny...are words I knew would come but they stung none the less and I sat there silent. My 10 year old boy knew what the silence meant and smartly asked, "and the tooth fairy?" -pause- "and Santa Claus?" My eyes filled with tears as I sat there in shock that it was all coming to an end. I finally nodded my head and succumbed to the fact that the gig was up. It was time. We hugged. Then we cried together. It was a tough moment for us both. 

A few days passed and my heart was still hurting. How had the last 10 years passed so quickly? How was I going to stay close to my son as he continued to grow and grow. Through this sense of loss, a simple thought was born. A new tradition. A notebook. A plain book filled with paper that could be shared back and forth between the two of us. We could fill it up with our thoughts, questions, quotes and stories. A journal for us. 

Over the last few months we have had a nice dialogue exchange that consists of questions, simple thoughts and even a few silly jokes. I'm hoping that through the years we can continue to share our  day to day thoughts as well as things that might be easier to write than say. And although some of my boy's childhood innocence is gone, there is still a certain sense of magic that occurs every time I sneak into his bedroom and gently place "our journal" on his pillow for him to find :) 

40 things I have learned in 40 years...

 

Well, the dreaded 40 has finally dropped in my lap and although I had a rough couple of days leading up to the big day (I was trying to determine if this huge number was going to settle well with me)...I can honestly say I have reached the other side and have decided to embrace it! I took a quiet moment or two to write down some of my thoughts, a few things I have learned along this journey because if nothing else...with age comes wisdom, right ;) Some of the things on my list I learned years ago and others, quite frankly, took me until my 40th birthday to truly believe (you will understand when you get to number 39 and 40 on this rather long list!) So, here's to being 40!  

 

1. A spoon and a jar of Nutella is a lethal combination of pure deliciousness. 

2. Speak the truth and stay genuine. People relate to "REAL"!

3. Make time to call, text, and email the people you love. It's important to stay connected.

 

4. If the choice is cleaning your home or playing Barbies with your daughters or shooting hoops with your son...let the dust accumulate.

 

5. When you give without expecting anything in return, often you receive more than you bargained for.
 

6. Tell the people you love that you love them, or at least how much you value them. 

 

7. A sense of humor is way sexier than six pack abs.

8. Forgive others. You never know what another person is going through, so love unconditionally and forgive freely. 

9. Changing your mindset is the quickest way to change your circumstances.

 

10. Motivation comes in short bursts.  Act while it’s hot.

 

11. Marrying your best friend only gets better and better as the years roll on!!

12. You can’t control anyone other than yourself. If someone is behaving in a way you don't like, you can only control the way you react to it.
 

13. True friendship is hard to come by – if you have it, keep it and them close to your heart.

 

14. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh," it's already too late :(
 

15. Practicing gratitude is the quickest way to increase joy and happiness in your life.  The struggle ends when the gratitude begins!

 

16. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
 

17.  Hard work beats talent any day.

18. Dietary rule #1: Chocolate always loves you back :)

19. If someone offers you a piece of gum...take it :) 

20. Being vulnerable, opening yourself up and being your true authentic self will bring you great joy and helps you form connections to others. 

21. Never hustle for approval. Don't try to be something that you are not just to fit in. Be true to yourself. Be confident in who you are. 

22. The trait that will bring you closer to God than any other is...humility. 

23. Whenever you are happy...pray. Whenever you are sad...pray. Whenever you are confused, frustrated, impatient, lonely...pray!  Heavenly Father is ALWAYS there to hear your prayers. You are never alone. 

24. You don't need to say everything that comes to your mind. Silence truly is golden.
 

25. It's impossible to eat a hot dog at the ballpark without getting mustard on your shirt.

26. True confidence comes from your relationship with Heavenly Father. Knowing who you are, why you are here and where you are headed brings a quiet confidence that you can't receive from anywhere else. 

27. Family is where it's at. Forever, for always, no matter what!

28. Traveling is a gift to your soul.

29. Communication is key to any successful relationship.

30. There is no "one" type of beautiful. Tall, short, slender, curvy...God made us all beautiful in our own unique way.

31. If you focus on the negative things in life, they multiply. On the same note, if you choose to pick out the positive in people, places and situations...you will be blessed with a perspective on life that will flood you with peace and joy! 

32. Open your heart to the unique and interesting people that are in the world. 

33. Admit when you are wrong and apologize. This is a gift not only to the recipient but also to your soul.

34. The best place to think is at the beach. There is something magical about the crashing of the waves, the sand underneath your feet and the endless ocean view that soothes your soul and helps clear your head. 

35. Exercise is not only good for your heart, it's good for your head. I may not look different heading out of the gym but I feel different...strong, confident, ready to conquer the world. 

36. Live life to the fullest. Don't waste even a small part of your life sitting on the sidelines because you are worried about what others will think. Life is far too short!
 

37. Having children is the most rewarding, challenging, stressful, joyful thing in the world. When you take your responsibility as a parent seriously, it stretches you and molds you into the person Heavenly Father intended you to be. 

38. While you are in it, live it! Don't focus on the past or think about what's to come...practice living presently, in the moment. This simple shift is life changing!

39. The wrinkles on my face are the living proof of the joy I have had in my life. I have smiled and laughed a ton over the last 40 years...what a gift! I am learning to appreciate the new lines I see on my face as signs of happiness. 

40. Age is just a number. 

Loving Summer...

We have had beautiful spring/summer weather this year and the kids have been taking advantage of it out in the backyard. Plenty of sprinklers and trampoline action at our place and boy, oh boy, do I love watching these kiddos play! And the bonus...the lawn gets watered at the same time :)

 

Loving summer!!

Summer Fun...

Every year, as the end of school gets closer and closer, I sit down with the kids and ask them to brainstorm a list of things that they would love to do during summer vacation. A summer bucket list, of sorts. Last year our list was long and we weren't able to accomplish many of the items on the list so this year we decided to keep our list short and sweet and filled with things we would just love to do and that weren't to outlandish (no trips to the Eiffel Tower for us this year!) I'm excited to have a fun-filled summer with my kids and visibly be able to see the fun being checked off the chalkboard as we are out and about enjoying life.

 

Happy Summer 2013!

The last day of school has arrived and I tell ya, we were ALL ready for it! Sleeping in, relaxed routine (for the most part) and endless days of sunshine (fingers and toes are crossed for this one!) In fact, the kids were so excited that they danced a little jig as we were getting into the car this morning and I caught it all on camera!

 

 

I also took a picture of them on the last day just like I did on the first day of school. They are standing in the same spot and in similar clothes and I am shocked by how much different they look in just 9 months. How in the world does this happen and how can I make it stop?!!

 

First day of school / Last day of school

 

Each of them had an end of the school year party which I was able to attend (have I mentioned lately how much I love being a stay-at-home mom?!).  Ben's party included root beer floats...YUM! Megan's class had such a big event the night before with kinder graduation that I think her teacher was pooped...her party consisted of going out on the grass and listening to a story. Better than working in the classroom, I suppose.

 

 

The kids arrived home to a HELLO SUMMER banner hanging on the front porch and a very cute little sister who was extremely excited to have her big brother and sister home with her all day for a few months (or at least until she had to fight with one of them for iPad time...then the excitement wanes very quickly).

 

 

Megan and Ben weren't excited or anything! Pretty ho/hum as you can see in the pictures below...

 

And then they got a running start and broke through the banner marking the official beginning of SUMMER VACATION...woot woot!! 

 

Now...let the summer fun festivities begin!!

 

Kinder Graduation...

This little cutie graduated from Kindergarten today!

 

 

 There were hats, a ceremony, speeches and bubbles! Kindergarten graduation is quite the event, I tell ya and our sweet Megan was beyond thrilled to take part in it all!  

 

During the ceremony each child was brought forward and presented with a certificate stating that he/she had made it through their first year of school. They also asked each child what they wanted to be when they grew up. There were plenty of doctors and teachers but our Megan was the only one that said proudly,

"A fashion designer"!

 

And afterwards, she wasn't a bit shy about posing for a few pictures.

 

She was quite excited, as you can clearly see :)

We are proud of our sweet little girl. She worked really hard this year, had a great attitude towards school and made a lot of friends. Keep up the good work, sis! We love you :)

 

 

Spirit week is fun for any school age child but for kids that have to wear a uniform to school everyday and get sooooooo bored with navy blue and white, spirit week is beyond exciting! Megan and Ben had their clothes laid out for school before I even thought about nagging them to do it! It was a treat for everybody ;)

 

Mismatch day

 

 

Crazy Hair and Hat day

 

Next year, I think we will tie helium filled balloons to Megan's braids and hope she doesn't float away!

Beauty Queen...

I've  never considered myself a very pretty person. This face isn't going to be landing on the cover of a magazine anytime soon. But the other day, after attending a friend's birthday party at Johnny's Incredible Pizza, I experienced a high like no other. After hours of play under our belts, Ben sauntered over to me and in front of all his buddies, wrapped his arm over my shoulder, pulled me in close and said, "Mom, you are SO pretty." Even though I was ragged and tired to the bone, I have never felt more beautiful! I walked out of that place feeling like a bonafide beauty queen!

I love you, kid :) You melt my heart!

 

Ben's 10 year old Birthday Interview...

Here is what's on this cool kid's mind as he turns double digits (10)...

1. The color of my hair is: brown
2. The color of my eyes are: blue
3. My favorite food is: combination pizza, brownies, icecream and pudding
4. My favorite drink is: sprite
5. My favorite fruit is: strawberries
6. My favorite treat is: brownies
7. One food I really don't like is: carrots
8. My favorite song is: Party Rock by LFMO
9. My favorite color is: blue
10. My favorite animal is: elk
11. My favorite book is: 13th Reality by James Dashner
12. My favorite toy is: Kindle
13. My favorite game is: Capture the Flag
14. My favorite store is: Cabelas
15. My favorite movie is: Rise of the Gaudians
16. My favorite TV show is: Good Luck Charlie
17. My favorite holiday is: Christmas
18. The thing I like to do with Daddy is: go to Malibu Raceway
19. The thing I like to do with Mommy is: play racquetball at the gym
20. My best friends are: Maverick, Ben G, and Robbie
21. My favorite thing to do outside is: Play baseball
22. My favorite thing to do inside is: Play on my Kindle
23. The coolest person on the Earth is: Me
24. My favorite part of school is: Recess
25. The thing I do most awesomely is: baseball
26. When I grow up I'm going to be: a dentist
27. If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go: to Disneyland
28. Three words that describe me are: Hard working, smart and awesome
29. If I had one wish it would be: to go to Disneyland
30. My best memory is: going to Malibu Raceway with Dad

Happy Birthday, Buddy. We love you!

Grandpa Burton's 90th Birthday...

Grandpa Burton celebrated his 90th Birthday in February and we gathered at Papa and Nana's to help him ring in a new decade!

 

 

Jamie and his sister, Denise

 

 

Cousin Emma and Uncle Rob

 

 

Grandpa Burton and friends

 

 

Grandma and Nana

 

 

 

Megan, cousin Abbigail, cousin Samuel and Ben

 

 

Samuel and Ben

 

 

Ellie and Grandma

 

 

Jamie's cousin, Sherrie

 

 

Aunt Claudia and Grandpa

 

 

Cousins Grace, Emma, Natalie, Steven, Ashley and Kayla

 

 

Cousin Cody

 

 

Grandpa, Jamie and Papa

 

 

The whole gang

 

It was a memorable day celebrating a wonderful man.

We love you, Grandpa Heitz!

Girlie bops...

The "girlie bops" as I like to call my two cute girls, were excited about a remotely nice day in the Northwest. No rain in March makes for spring fever in these parts and although Ellie wanted to put on her swimsuit and turn on the sprinkler, we opted for a picnic on the trampoline instead.

 

This was my view from the kitchen window. I kept peeking out and I couldn't stop smiling :) 

Love my girlie bops! 

Tulips...

I love many types of flowers but tulips have always been my favorite. Jamie figured this out early on in our relationship and consistently bought them for me while we were dating. In fact, the first year we dated, he brought me flowers almost every single time we saw eachother. Sometimes he would bring them to the door but more than likely he would wait until he opened his truck door and surprise me with beautiful flowers sitting on the seat. Sweet, right? He pretty much won me over with flowers! Every girl's dream :)

 

So when we decided to go out for an early Valentine's day dinner, these beauties were sitting on the front seat of his truck waiting for me...

 

I am one lucky girl.

I love you, Jamie Heitz.

Valentines Day 2013...

 

1) Ben's Valentine box for school 2) Ben's Valentines "I mustache you a question"

3) Megan's Valentines 4) Megan's Valentine box for school

 

1) Ben and Megan showing eachother some love! 2) Valentine chalkboard 3) Breakfast face

4) Breakfast face with Ellie 5) Megan 6) Ellie

 

1) The kids waiting for their annual Valentine scavenger hunt 2) The hunt is on 3) Looking for their treasures      4) Ellie found something 5) Ben and Megan waiting for the popping balloons to pop!

 

Our day of love was filled with donut faces for breakfast, scavenger hunts, boxes of chocolates, heart attacked doors, flowers and school parties. Phew...it was a whirl wind

 but I think the kids enjoyed this day of love and

 I must say...so did I.

I love you, my little Valentines :)