Party in the Back!

Before I had kids, a dear friend of mine (I like to call her aunt V) told me it was bad luck to cut a baby's hair before they were one. So, my three little boys sport the baby mullet until then. Yesterday evening, my good friend and neighbor gave my new one year old his first haircut. It's no longer...

Business in the Front

Party in the Back

It's my cute baby boy with his new look!

My cute neighbor/haircutter with Jake...Thanks Dena...he's a doll!

It's fun to be ONE!

Today was the day, our little Jake turned ONE! He has truly been such a joy to have in our family. He is so happy and good natured. He really took it easy on me becoming a mom of three. He's not walking yet, but he stands up on his own and walks along cabinets, walls, furniture, and anything else he can get his hands on. He enjoys nice quiet moments playing in the toilet and helping me unload the dishwasher. Happy Birthday Baby Jake!

Can you see the family resemblance? We always make the birthday cakes at our house with Ben being the mastermind and head baker of all our creations. I asked him nicely to give me a smile while preparing his angel food cake and this is what I get.

We decided to have a big breakfast this morning, since Ben is home every Monday morning. We had fresh fruit, bagels, breakfast casserole, and angel food cake. It was a yummy morning!

Ding Dong

Tonight while eating dinner, our door bell rang...no one was there, but a box of Ding Dongs tied with a bow and tag. The tag said, "You've been Ding Dong Ditched". I don't know who did, but it was sure thoughtful! I think Jake enjoyed himself the most, or either he was in training for his Birthday tomorrow. He tore it up!

Final Days

Well we are down to the Final Days of Winter, and Mother Nature is holding on to this season for dear life! Who am I kidding, where we live Winter holds on through the first part of Spring too...year after year after year. Yesterday, the snow was beautiful...a wonderfully white day. Everything was covered perfectly, I took a drive with the boys just to look at all the snow.

These are also the final days of Jake being a baby. On Monday he will be turning ONE! This year has flown by, but we'll save the rest of all these sappy heart felt feelings for Monday's post.

Through all this reflection, of the season's changing and my baby growing up and reaching his first major mile stone, there is still funny and crazy stuff happening here at the Hale House...

A few days ago, I was putting Jake down for a nap and the big boys were playing. When I came down, Seth says to me very matter of factly, "Mommy, I went pee pee in a bottle and put it in the garbage." Of course a million things began to race through my mind: I never relined the garbage when I took it out, did he keep it all in the bottle during the process, oh please tell me he recapped that bottle before he threw it away, what was Max's part in all this...was he cheering him on, or tell him this wasn't the best of ideas, etc. I got down to the kitchen, stepped into the scene of the crime (a few splatters on the tile), and opened the garbage to find this:

Thank goodness it wasn't as bad as I thought. I was mad, but laughing enough on the inside, to stop in the heat of the moment and take a picture. They're just too cute to stay upset with them, and here's the pictures to prove it.

Mother Goose

There are few pictures that have me in them. I'm usually behind the camera taking pictures of Ben and the boys. Now don't get the wrong idea...I know I'm looking like mother goose in this photo, but it is definitely a work in progress. I've been thinking a lot about this lately...how much time I actually spend with my boys. By actual time, I mean time I'm totally engaged with them. I know it's a work in progress, it's something I will always work at being and doing better. For now, I'm going to cherish this picture my mom took with me in it and actively engaged with my little ones.

Mom and Dad

My parents having been living in China since January 2010. I'm not sure how long they will be there, my dad is there for work and the longer he can stay there the better. He loves it...it's a challenge, provides great job security, and he's able to make a little extra money to beef up his retirement. My mom has been able to visit a few times over the last year, but this was dad's first time back to Ohio since he left. Even though we can Skype, it's not the same as being able to call them any time you want. I can talk to them first thing in the morning, or at night...it's a 12 to 13 hour time difference depending on if we are on daylight savings or not. Most of you women can attest to the fact that there are certain times in the day you just need to call your folks right that minute. That has been one of the hardest challenges. Another tough part about them being on the other side of the world, is not having family here in Ohio. Ben and I are both from different places and Ohio is not one of them...my parents living an hour away was one of the reasons we stayed here...that was an adjustment to realize I'm okay here with or without my parents. I've come to terms with the fact that we have a great life here in Northeast Ohio. The other thing I've learned and thought a lot about since they left is family relationships. None of us are perfect and the sooner we can be gentle with ourselves and others, the better our relationships will be.
For the last two months, I've had a ton of fun having my parents come and visit. My mom has been in the states since Christmas, visiting us here and family down in Georgia, and my dad was able to visit two weeks during that time. Family is important! Here are a few pictures of some of the memories we made while they were here.

My dad went with the boys and I to a fun candy/ice cream parlor.

This is us celebrating my Mom's 51st Birthday!

Until next time...we love you and miss you already!

Oh yeah, another thing I'm learning...it's so important that we reach out to all those we know that don't have their family around, or family that has passed from this life.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day, filled with LOVE!