Sorry I've Been MIA...I was in jail...

JUST KIDDING! :)  But that does remind me of a story...

Once upon a time, when Brian and I were fresh off the market, we visited his bro and sis in law up in the mountains.  The boys were spending the day snowboarding, while the girls stayed behind to eat and watch TV tend to the chores. It was a nice relaxing day, and we were expecting our snow bunnies slope studs to get home around 8 with a hot dinner waiting for them.  Well, 8:30 rolled around and I had been trying to call Brian to see where they were, but never got an answer.  Finally, around 9, his brother called me.  That's weird. 

Hey Jess.

Hey.  What's up?  Where are you guys?

Well...something happened.

What do you mean?  Is everything okay?

It's Brian...

<insert heart pounding>Okay, tell me!

We're waiting for the cops to arrive.

WHAT!!??  How?  Why?  What did he do?

Well, it's stupid, really.  We stopped at a gas station to grab some snacks and hot chocolate for the drive.  Brian grabbed a Snickers bar, some chips, beef jerky.  Then, he went to get his hot chocolate.  He couldn't carry it all, so he stuck the Snickers bar in his back pocket.  He carried everything up to the cash register, paid for it, and as we were walking out the door, the crazy old man yelled, "Stop!  Did you plan on paying for that or were you just going to steal it?"  Brian said that it was a mistake, but the stupid old man said he was calling the cops to clear things up.  We might have to stay here tonight.

<tears in my eyes>What!  Oh my gosh!  This can't be happening!  That's so dumb!  He was going to pay for it, right?  <images of our life together halted.  Am I going to have to do conjugal visits for the next 8-10 years?  We just got married!>

........In walks Brian and his brother, grinning from ear to ear...... 'GOT YA!'

YOU JERKS!  I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK!  <walk up to Brian>  *SMACK!*  RIGHT ON THE FACE!  How could you do this to me?!

Then, I ran into the bathroom and cried.  Out of relief, anger, and embarrassment.  For smacking the crap out of my new husband in front of his brother and wife.



And that was the highlight of winter 2006.

Yesterday

So, pretty much the only peeps that read my blog are also my facebook friends and recently read about the perfection that was yesterday afternoon.  But there's only so much you can say in a status and I wanted to expound so that I can remember it fully.
Yesterday was unseasonably warm.  I'm talking mid-70s.  Have I mentioned it's FEBRUARY?!  Whoopee!  So, I knew that as soon as I picked Brody up after work, we would head to the park.  I had to go home and change because I was wearing a dress which isn't really compatible with rolling around on a blanket.  I also got a banana and a popsicle and we headed out the door.  First stop, SWINGS!  We took Brody the weekend before for the first time and he fell in love.  It was another warm day (followed by Brody's first snow...??? weird) so our little family went to the park.  Anyway, B swung, we walked and looked at the creek-breeze blowing and water flowing-so peaceful, we swung some more, lay on a blanket and watched the clouds go by, pulled grass up, played with chew toys and pacifiers.  A park worker came by and said, "Park's closing in 5 minutes."  :(  I packed up all of our stuff, hauled it/him to the car (why don't I have biceps of steel yet?) and as we drove out of the park, the worker closed the gate behind us.  Within two minutes Brody was conked out in the backseat.  I needed a couple things at the grocery store so I kept on driving and waited for Brody to wake up before going inside.  We were in and out in 5 minutes and Brian got home shortly after I did.  I made some super good tacos and Brian suggested we eat outside on the porch.  He brought out a candle and our iBoom to play some Jimmy Buffett tunes.  Seriously, soooo relaxing.  Brody was scooting all around the deck in his walker chair and when I finished eating, I scooped him up and slow danced to "A Pirate Looks At 50" and all was right in the world.  It may not sound like the perfect afternoon to you, but when surrounded with love, food and good music-how could it get any better? :)

A Tribute

I know I need to do Brody's six month update.  Heck, I need to do his Christmas update!  But I thought I'd take a moment to step away from the baby and pay tribute to the man of the house.  It is Valentine's Day after all.
Sweet Brian,
You are...Wonderful.  Funny.  HOT.  Opinionated.  Kind.  Honest.  Realistic.  Smart.  Weird.  Sexy.  Loving.  Loyal.  Trustworthy.  Gentle.  Wild.  Heart-Stopping.  Calming....
Really, I could go on an on.  I am so glad we found each other.  I knew within days of meeting you that my life would be changed forever in the best way.  Everything else around me stopped and I could only think of, talk about, dream about, want to be around you.  You have shown love in so many forms from being the hugger when I am so sad to the level-headed leader I need you to be.  You do so much for me and our little family.  Even when you're tired or mad or doing something else, you will drop everything to help me.  You have been the best mate a girl could ask for.  Thank you for working hard at your job and at home, always giving 100%.  Thank you for always surprising me and making me feel pretty even at my worst moments.  Thank you for understanding me and really listening to what I have to say.  Thank you for being the absolute best daddy to Brody ever.  He loves you so much too and you can tell every time you walk in the room.  The way he lights up, kicks his feet, smiles and then searches for you when you leave.  He already knows how much happiness you bring.  I think the absolute best thing you could do for your son is exactly what you're doing.  Being the best example of dad, husband, leader, man--showing him how to treat a woman right.
While I hope you know these things every day, I just wanted to emphasize it on this day of love.
I love you darling.  GIMY...
Your wife always,
Jessica

I'm still honeymoonin' babe!  

Renewed Spirit

It has been a little while since I have written.  I have been in such a funk lately that I really didn't want to be Debbie Downer in my posts.  When I say that these last couple weeks have been hard, I mean I was in a deep, dark pit with no hope or joy.  I was angry and sad.  Extremely sad.  See, Brian suggested that I work for one more year, hopefully as a teacher not a T.A., so that my salary would double and we could save all of the extra income, pay off debt (student loans, car payment, etc.) and would just be in a much more stable position for me to stay home 1.5 years from now.  It makes total sense and seems like the smart thing to do, but my selfish desires took over and I cried. And cried. And cried. And moped. And completely shut myself off to the world.  I am a Jesus follower and the Holy Spirit dwells within me, guiding my thoughts and actions.  I knew Brian's idea was best for our family and that I should submit to my husband as the leader of our family.  He prayed about it and felt this was God's answer.  Anyway, in my struggles, I looked up different Bible verses on submission and read through them this week, still feeling bitterness and resentment.  Well, God is always at work and tonight's message at church totally blew. me. away.  This series theme is Honor and Respect.  The pastor first began talking about our calling in life.  The first thing that popped in my head was, 'Being a mother.  Absolutely.' THEN, he said that God can put us through a waiting period until our calling was fulfilled.  'Oh boy.  Here we go.  He's talking to me.'  Then, he started talking about the relationship between King Saul and David.  And guess what.  He started quoting Bible verses on submission.  ALL OF THE VERSES THAT I HAD JUST READ 2 DAYS AGO.  Then, continuing with explaining the 'Wives, be submissive to your husbands' verse and how a couple should be unified in their decisions, allowing the hubs to lead while having the best interest of the family in mind and guiding with love and not dominance.  Really, the message was about showing respect and honor toward authority (President, boss, etc.) and rising above malice when we come in contact with people who might not believe the same things we do.  God's Word is alive and speaks to people in the way they need to hear it most.
It is just so comforting to know that I have a God who listens to my cries and while I am not getting what I want right now, He still satisfies my soul with peace while I am waiting.  I apologized to Brian and asked for forgiveness for the way that I have been acting and just feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Because God lifts burdens like no one else can.  I hope to go through this next phase of my life with a much more positive outlook and attitude because I have a God that is in control and a husband who loves me.  Oh.  And a sweet, healthy, happy, cute as a button little boy.
Want more info. on the church I attend?  Go here.  If you want to hear the message I heard, check back in the next week because it is usually a few days before the new message is uploaded. :)

First Day Back to Work and I've Got Sunshine

EDIT*** Picture of the flowers sent down below.....
Well, I'm alive!  And it wasn't as excruciating as I thought it was going to be.  I think it was due to the fact that: I was running late, I was so tired my body was running on adrenaline, the kids in my class are so sweet and greeted me with a loud "MRS. SHAW!!!" and then a bombardment of hugs, I was so busy and overwhelmed that I didn't have a lot of time to think of anything else, and get this--I actually really do like my job :).  Brian is so thoughtful-he sent me a bouquet of flowers with a note from Brody saying, "Dear Mommy, Thank you for working so hard so I can have a comfortable place to live."  I hadn't cried today up until then!  Brian and I always text each other or write in our cards-GIMY-Glad I Married You.  So true, especially on days like today.  As my work day was coming to an end, my stomach was in knots with the anticipation of seeing my sweet little boy!  When I arrived, his babysitter, Shannon, was just unloading the kids from picking up my nephew from school.  I went over to see my little guy and I could see him recognizing me with his eyes and then he gave me a huge "I love you mommy" smile and man, it was like sunshine.  I cried then too.  So now, we are home together, with a 3-day weekend ahead of us (Veteran's Day) and I am going to spend my time soaking up a lot of sunshine!  I love the boys in my life!!