Progress?

I went bowling with the family last night and Jon stayed home with Brooklyn and Hunter after work. By the time I got home, I had had all day to mull over all the great advice from all my wonderful friends and family. We have talked a little last night and really took time to try to communicate. We haven't come to any real solid conclusions about the future yet, but we have made forward progress... We don't feel like ripping each other's heads off or anything so I think we can continue our conversation tomorrow when we have a bit of time off together. Thanks to everyone for being so concerned; this is my outlet, my plea for a bit of "good advice," and boy did we get some great advice. I hope we can get everything worked out and come out even stronger in the end :)

Will check back in when I have a computer again!

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Mother Teresa

Life is Moving By So Quickly!

It's been almost a month since the last post, and we have more news to report!

Brooklyn has started pulling up on everything and even started clapping last week =) We are all enjoying watching her grow and learn so much! We had to take her to Urgent Care on Saturday, February 19th because she was very cranky and running a bit of a fever. They told us it was just viral and to go home, so we did... By Monday she was still irritable enough that I was worried, plus her cough and runny nose combined was making her gag on the snot, in turn, making her nearly throw up. I made an appointment and took her in. Sure enough, the "cold" she had on Saturday turned into an ear infection. As any Momma knows, after the first 24 hours of antibiotics, the kiddos always seem to feel 100% better; Her nasty cough has persisted the entire week, though, and I feel so bad for her! We'll finish out the rest of the Amoxicillin for the infection and if the cough isn't gone by then, I guess it's back to the Doc.



Tuckered Out!



Jon got a job working part time at the 1st Stop gas station right across the street from his parents’ house, (convenient huh?) It is not enough for us to pay our bills, so as it stands, he still needs another job. **Side note: If anybody knows of anybody hiring, that would be greatly appreciated ;-)** He was offered an interview at Boulder Calls for a telemarketing position that makes much more than the minimum wage he is earning now so we'll see if that goes anywhere. I don't think he has made a call back yet. Other than working at the 1st Stop, he has mainly been playing his new Halo Wars Xbox game and watching Brooklyn sometimes. 

Hunter is doing great in school! He has learned so much more from the teachers here at the YMCA than any other school he has been in. I was skeptical when I sent him on the first day, but the school has really grown on us. His teachers are so loving, caring and patient. That really makes such a difference for him. He is very easily influenced, mood-wise, by other's emotions, so having positive people in his life makes all the difference in our daily lives (and considering the attitude of some people around us... Well we just won't go there right now.) He has been on a great routine for almost a week now at home, which helps to make our days run much smoother. We'll check back in on the next blog to see how the routines are coming along =)

My Pride and Joy!

I had been busy packing and decluttering for our up-coming move, that isn't going to happen now. We will be staying at the apartment for another year due to unforeseen circumstances (no money due to Jon being out of a job for 2 months) Since I had already decluttered so much, I decided to just keep doing it and maybe I would start to love the place that was sucking the very life out of me every day. Guess what?! I was right! With fewer things I am less overworked, trying to keep our heads above water. With fewer things I can actually concentrate on what needs my attention. I can actually keep my place clean enough for an infant! I can honestly say that my baby can crawl around the ENTIRE apartment without me having to follow her around, making sure she doesn't get into something; what a relief that is! We have dinner planned and ready every night, I only have to go to the grocery store once a week, bills would be paid on time if we had more income, laundry is always caught up (never more than a load to wash,) the carpets are vacuumed twice daily, and there are rarely dishes in the sink (again, Hunter and I have been cleaning up our messes, so ours are always put away.) This gives me peace of mind which allows me time to play with my kids without being distracted about all the housework that needs done. I have also been on my routine with Hunter, and boy, does it show! The only things that are ever left out anymore are Jon's "things." I have a bit of faith that if I can teach my 5 YEAR OLD how to clean up his own messes, I can teach Jon how to pick up after himself (although I don't think it's my job to teach him something he should already know.) Since he is working a little more than I am, I have no problem doing the housework, cooking, cleaning, errands, doctor appointments, etc. I, however, am not a maid. I clean up my messes and so should every other able bodied person in the house. Hunter picks up his socks, shoes, coat, toys, dinner plates, etc. without hardly being asked anymore, so I know it's possible for a 21 year old to do.

With Jon home constantly for nearly two months while he was out of work, our relationship was being worn thin, to say the least. We have A LOT of work to do before we can even think about getting along now. I am hurt from the nasty words that were spit like fire from his mouth. I am hurt because there is no romance in our relationship. We haven't had one romantic date since Valentine Day two years ago. TWO YEARS!! I want to feel like a woman, not a maid or his Mother. I want to have a meaningful conversation that doesn't involve a gaming controller. I want to not feel like I'm walking on eggshells every single day of my existence, in my own house. I don't want to constantly feel this animalistic "defense mechanism" I've obtained by being in an emotionally and (some would argue) physically abusive relationship. I want to know that what I do is appreciated! So much has gone on behind our closed doors and I would be appalled if everyone knew all the things that have happened between us, so please don't go assuming anything. You probably know very little about what truly happens around here. The blog may seem a bit one-sided today and that is because I do the writing. If Jon wanted to blog about our family, his opinions could be read too, but I don’t think most guys are into that, LOL.

Life is moving by so quickly and if we are just wasting our time being miserable together, it would be in the best interest for everyone if we split. I mean, who wants to spend their unknown amount of time on Earth, surrounded by people that don’t make you your happiest? The health problems in my family have made me so aware of just how quickly my life can change. All I want is to enjoy the time I do have, with the people that lift me up and are positive influences. I was not raised up to fight, scream, yell and throw things around, and I’ll be damned if I raise my kids in a home that's even remotely hostile. I don’t want to spend another minute miserable and my hope is that this blog will make you look at your own life and maybe you decide to purge the negative, nasty, or unhealthy relationships in your life, too.

We have so much work to do on this relationship, and I know if we are both committed to making it work, we can. That's the question... Are we both committed enough to make it work?

A New Year

This is a pretty short update, as we really haven't had much "news" to report lately.

Hunter and I have been cooking and baking a LOT the last few weeks and have been coming up with some great creations! Last night we made Cookies and Cream Cupcakes with Blue (his choice of course) Marshmallow frosting. They were delicious (although I must say a bit too sweet to eat more than one.) Pictures and recipes to come in tomorrow's post :)

On another note, Jon is still looking for work and my hours at the store have been cut back too. It's looking like we won't be able to get our own place or qualify to keep the one we have once the lease is up, so we've started packing this week. As I go through all the items we've accumulated over the past 9 months, I am proud to say that we didn't really buy many "extras" or stuff we "wanted but didn't REALLY need." That, paired with the fact that I kept the place fairly clean, hopefully will make this move pretty seamless. Every item I have packed away has been thoroughly examined so that I am sure not to pack anything I don't need or love. Already I have blessed people with clothes, decorations, and a few knick-knacks that never really had a purpose or that I didn't love. My rule is "If I don't absolutely love it or use it at least once a season, it's gone!" Why keep stuff around that's just going to make me feel more guilty everytime I look at it, for not using it? What a great opportunity to look at all the "stuff" and purge! I like my life simple and only want to be surrounded by the things that actually mean something to our family.

I got the best information from this website for moving and am ready to do this! More updates tomorrow!

Christmas 2010

Whew! What an interesting Christmas we had this year. The normalcy of the Holidays was lost for many different reasons. We changed it up by having Christmas with Grandma Burch and family at 3:00pm Christmas Eve, Dinner with my parents afterwards, Christmas Morning at my parents and the rest of the day at Jon's Parents. Nanny and Papa, Leigh and Ty are in Minnesota with Co, Dan and the kids. Ryan had to work and Gene and Karin went off to her family's home. This is my first year without all of my Mom's side of the family; weird... My Mom did a great job of making the best out of Christmas this year and we all really enjoyed being together and relaxing. As always, we had Blue Cheese Stuffed Filet Mignon & King Crab Legs =) Delicious!

Hunter scored big from Santa this year! He got his very first BB gun, lots of IronMan stuff, and a Lightning McQueen Game for the Wii.

Brooklyn was such a doll the entire day!

And finally wore herself out.

Our family also got a Wii from Santa and have been having tons of fun each night challenging each other to Ping-Pong, Sword Fighting, Basketball and Boxing (pictures coming soon.)

I got a great new cookbook from Mom called "The Pioneer Woman," by Ree Drummond and have been using it since the day after Christmas! So many wonderful recipes in this book that I think my diet may have to wait ;)

The first meal I cooked from the book was a Southern Dish called Migas. It's a delicious blend of onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, crispy fried tortilla strips, tomatoes and eggs with a little half & half that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. We have since enjoyed a delicious Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Steak Sandwich and heavenly Angel Sugar Cookies. I think I have found my calling! Cooking, cleaning and raising my kids sounds like my paradise :) The cookbook gives me hope that I too could produce a wonderful collection of recipes I've made up myself someday, for other women, or men, to enjoy! How fun that would be!? (More on my food adventures later!)

Mom, Dad & JD left for Mexico yesterday with the Hunnels, (I am extremely envious as I sit here watching the snow fall in Longmont...) They left just in time; we are supposed to get around 4 inches and temps in the negatives this week. I am requesting that they have at least 5 ChocoBanana Milkshakes for me and 7 slices (minimum) of the delicious pizza I am missing out on.

For now, everbody can take a deep breath and just relax. The hustle and bustle of Christmas has come and gone, now onto the excitement of a New Year. Let's start fresh! What resolutions do you have this year? I will surely be thinking about mine as I go home tonight, cook a wonderful dinner for my beautiful family and reflect on what deserves the most attention in my life in the coming year. Happy New Year! See you in 2011!

~Savanah

Get Back Up, Dust Ourselves Off & Move On

Hello Friends!

Hmm, where to start? We had a bit of a different Thanksgiving this year; Mom and Dad had it at their house and we enjoyed the company of the Hunnel's and Scott, Deb and Paul. It was very refreshing and extremely laid back! We all picked a question to answer at the dinner table before eating and each of us also went around and said what we were thankful for this year. I think everyone had such an appreciation to just be around loved ones after a rough year. After dinner Jon and J.D. went off to work on the remote control airplane and helicopter, the girls cleanded up a bit and danced around to fun music, and the men slumped into the couches to watch football.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, we received news that my Aunt Co, my Mom's twin, has Inflammatory Breast Cancer at a late stage. Needless to say, our life has pretty much been a whirlwind since the news. My Mom has since gotten her first Mammogram (we are still awaiting results and a second visit,) and Nanny, Papa, Aunt Leigh and Mom are all in Minnesota giving her some much needed love and support. Here at home, we have received such an outpouring of love and kindness, it really shows how many people love and care for you!

Jon lost his job last Monday which was a pretty big blow to take... He is the main source of income for us, so it's pretty scary and right before Christmas makes it that much harder. We are staying in good spirits and trying everything we can to turn around this bit of a bad luck streak we have had.

In all of this, we know that we have it so much better off than a lot of other people out there and at least, if nothing else, we have our families and close friends to share our joys and sorrows with. Thank you to all who have shown their tremendous support and outpouring of love these last few weeks! You don't know just how much each kind and encouraging word means to our family.

Much Love!

Welcome To Our Blog!

Thanks for visiting our page! I am very excited to be able to keep track of our family through a fun blog!I'm going to try and do a splendid job at posting at least once a week, but forgive me if we get a bit busy and forget to post ;) Hope you enjoy!

~Savanah