Work, Babies and Puppies

Hi, everyone! It's been such a long time and I know last time I said I would start writing more in this blog but goodness, we've been so busy! We moved into a bigger apartment and finally have most of everything put away. Also, we've been going through some personal stuff lately (everything and everyone's fine! :) but we really want to start making some changes in our lives, all for the better.

Current changes in progress: spending more time with these crazy people.

Jarod's work hours have taken such a hold on our lives and our family that we really want to stop concentrating so heavily on paying things off AS. SOON. AS. POSSIBLE. It's been such an unnecessary stress in our lives. We have more than enough to pay our monthly bills and we live comfortably. That's not to say that we no longer hold paying off our debt as a priority. Because it is. But the incessant need (and stress) of doing so in such an unremarkably quick period needs to stop. Aka it's stressing us the hell out and it's has been the source of our arguments these last few weeks, which is no good.

Our goals are to pay ALL of our debt off and have a 20% down payment for a house in three to four years. That's still our goal and priority. But neither one of us wants to be a complete stress-case anymore. More on our debt journey later.

Also, a very big decision about the size of our family has changed (once-again :) so we are completely and utterly (I promise and I've, also, pinky-promise, cross-your-heart, very-big-deal-kind-of-promise, promised Jarod) that we are DONE. I'll elaborate more on this in a later post just because this sort of thing deserves it's own post :)

But we did decide to add one more little bundle of love just recently. She's perfect. I love her and call her my fourth baby. Bonus: she will never talk (bark) back and/or purposefully defy me, just cause. Did I mention that I really, really like her? :) Her name is Mila. She's a 9-week-old black lab; the first bigger breed dog that Jarod and I have ever had so it's quite remarkably to see how much she grows every day. Also, since she's the first bigger dog we've ever had we're, also, quite paranoid about training her and she's going to puppy-training classes asap!

We did go to a local animal shelter for a five-year-old Lab mix that seemed possibly perfect for our family but he was no longer there. Also, I think he may have been on the larger side for labs and we'd prefer a medium-sized one. I've been scouring petfinder (dot) com for the last few weeks trying to find a Lab that's good with young kids, gets along with cats and is well-mannered. Nearly impossible. Jarod suggested a puppy because he wants a very attached pup and who can resist puppies?! To which I replied, "Absolutely not. That's waaay too much work."

And now here I am writing this blog next to a lounging two-month-old little lady who farts approximately every ten minutes. What can I say? Love gets the best of me <3

Aiden's 4th birthday - 20 questions

Aiden, I still can't believe it's been 4 years since you forever changed our lives by simply existing. You have brought so much joy and love into our lives.

You are silly.
You're full of happiness and joy and you laugh with every ounce of your being.
Your laughter has never failed to make me smile.
You're sweet, kind and sensitive.
You're growing and changing almost hourly, it seems.
And I. Am. So. Proud to be your mom.
No matter what you do, say and be, I will always, always, no matter what, love you, Aidy-Aids.

20 Birthday Questions

1) What is your favorite color? Red
2) What is your favorite toy? Lucky (a stuffed animal dog) and truck
3) What is your favorite tv show or movie: Mighty Machines
4) What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cookies, chips and mac & cheese
5) What is your favorite outfit? Shooting cars (Cars 2) shirt
6) What is your favorite game? Cards game (educational cards: numbers, letters, shapes, etc.)
7) What is your favorite creative activity? Playing with play-doh
8) What is your favorite animal? Dog and a cat
9) What is your favorite song? Itsy-bitsy spider
10) Who is your best friend? Kuya Jayden, Ate Abby, Ate Seda, LaLa and Boo-Boo

Me: What about Tristen?

Aiden: Tristen is a baby! Tristen is a cool friend. We are the coolest friends in the whole world.

11) What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in the playground

12) What is your favorite drink? Apple juice

13) What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

14) What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Dog and bear

15) What do you want to be when you grow up? A tiger

16) What is your favorite thing about Trissy? Playing games

17) What is your favorite thing about Ali? Playing with Ali

18) What do you love about yourself? Being silly, silly, silly, silly alllll the time

19) What's your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Being silly and playing monster. Peek-a-boo.

20) What's your favorite thing to do with Mommy? Eating and cracking

Me: What's cracking?

Aiden: Cracking eggs! I the greatest cooker ever!

A Fourth Little One

Let's start this post with: I will be the absolute first person to tell ya'll that I'm insane and crazy. If you feel the need to say it to me, I will reply with, "duhh!" :)
Second of all, I want to say that even though there are so many moments where I have fallen to the floor with tears streaming down my face at how hard having three young children so close together is; the truth remains that being a mother, being their mother, has brought me absolutely joy and such extraordinary, unconditional love. I cannot imagine a life without them - truly.

Thus, after a recent discussion with my husband (who essentially said, "I love you too much to disappoint you" [seriously, how the in the world did I get so lucky to have a guy love me this much?!?], we have decided that we would love to have a fourth little one in this crazy, loving family of ours.

Seriously, pretty much what all our family pictures look like haha

Aiden: what the F is he doing to that train??
Tristen: this train is delicious.
Ali: what's going on?? what's going on??
Mom & Dad: forget it, this picture's going to suck. just take the pic!

Third and lastly, can I just say: I AMMM SOOOO EXXXCITED!! :D