Tebow and Downton Abbey...

What do these two things have in common? Nothing, except for the fact that I was excited about both of them this week.

Tebow mania has continued a little closer to home here in New Jersey. Our favorite football team is the Denver Broncos, so we were excited with all that Tebow brought to their league this past season. Not only was it awesome to see his character displayed, but how he always seemed to come through at the last minute in plays. I am not a huge sports fan, although I support and cheer for all of those that are Jason's favorites teams, but because of Tim Tebow's connection with the Florida Gators (my sister and her families team), his faith and playing for the Broncos made me partial to watching him play and cheering him on. Now to think he has been traded to our second favorite team the New York Jets just couldn't get any better for us. Lots of comments buzzing around though that this is the worst move the Jets could have made, according to Jason. I won't even begin to explain why because I don't watch ESPN, don't listen to sports radio and I don't even begin to understand the game of football besides the basic idea of it. Just being honest. I just know I like the guy and what he stands for, so whether he is a Bronco or Jet that is who I will be cheering on this next year.

I finally got to finish the second season of Downton Abbey. For those of you who didn't see my blog a couple months ago I started watching this show on PBS Masterpiece Classic per my parents recommendation. Loved it! Here is a preview of both seasons Downton Abbey-Season 1 and Downton Abbey Season 2. Season 2 came out the beginning of this year and I got to see a few episodes, but wanted to watch the first season to start so I could get the beginning of the story. I got both videos from my library, so if your interested in checking them out you might start there. My cousin tried to find the DVDs but said they started at $20. I loved seeing the story of a wealthy family in the early 1900's and their servants intertwine with lots of love, scandal, good guys, bad guys, war and emotions involved. What girl wouldn't love it! Okay, guys will like it to, just not my guy. Can't wait for Season 3, but have to wait until fall for that one.

Vietnam...

In 5 weeks Jason and I will be taking a team of 6 other people from our church to Vietnam on a missions trip. Wow!

In the beginning of 2011 our youth were a part of an orphan campaign called Heartwork. www.heartwork.tv Heartwork is an organization that raises funds to help orphans across the world. Our youth, with the help of some donors ended up raising $40,500. We are so proud of them and their efforts. We designated those funds to an orphanage in Ho-Chi-Minh City, Vietnam and another in Mozambique, Africa. This February the missionaries who help the orphanage in Vietnam invited Jason to come and bring the money personally to give to the orphanage. Jason jumped at the opportunity and got the trip put together for me and 6 other people.

We will leave on Tuesday, April 24th and travel through Hong Kong to arrive in Ho-Chi-Minh City (formerly Saigon). We will spend 5 days being a part of the coffee shop they run and visiting the orphanage.  On the way back we will spend a day and night in Hong Kong and have an opportunity to sightsee.

My mom will be coming up to stay with Sarah and Brayden for a week and then they will spend the last 3 days with Jason's parents. I am definitely going to miss them, but we should be able to Skype and talk with them at least every other day. I know they will be in good hands with their grandparents. This will be the first time we will be away from either of them for this long. Praying already that our hearts won't ache to much from being away from each other.

Will keep you posted as the trip gets closer with more details.

Dr. Seuss...

Brayden is all about Dr. Seuss. Books, movies, websites, he loves it all. We even celebrated his birthday this past October with Cat in the Hat. It gets to be a little much for Jason and I who were never huge fans of Cat in the Hat, but we are handling it in moderation.

With Dr. Seuss' birthday being at the beginning of March there has been lots of activity lately with Dr. Seuss. I took Brayden to a program at our library called Seussology, which included lots of fun facts on Dr. Seuss.

Brayden has his very own "Cat in the Hat" hat, which he pulls out every now and then and likes to be silly.

We also went to see Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax", which came out in the beginning of March. From the time we saw the preview in January until now Brayden has been constantly asking us when we were going to see it. The night before seeing it Brayden was so cute and said "Mommy, I am so excited! I am so excited Mommy!" Finally, the day arrived! Our friend MJ (who is a teacher) went with us since her favorite book is "The Lorax". The movie was great and we would highly recommend it. A fun story. The movie is slightly different than the book. Since we read the book with Brayden he has been very curious about the Once-ler and what he looks like. The only thing you see in the book are the Once-ler's hands and eyes. I could tell in Brayden's mind he was always thinking "Who is this guy?" We were so happy that the movie gave us an opportunity to see who the Once-ler really was.

Afterwards Brayden wasn't interested in getting his picture taken with us, so we took it without him. I thought it was hilarious when I saw the shot the gentleman took of us and Brayden is right there in the back lefthand corner. He got in it anyway. LOL!

Happy Anniversary!

We enjoyed a nice day on Monday. A morning at home, a trip to Home Depot and dinner out.

I guess you could say for our anniversary gift we bought each other a new back door. Yes, not quite the traditional anniversary gift for 18 years of marriage, which websites say should be porcelain. We have been needing to replace our back door so what a better gift to get each other. Now just to get it installed and painted.

I was craving Mexican food, so we went to Blue Moon Cafe for dinner. The chips and salsa were so good. Dessert was even better with Cheesecake Chimichangas and Chocolate Lava Cake. Yum!

Ahhhh!...

I don't have to go to the gym this morning for childcare, I am so excited!!! They had me come in on Friday instead. One more Monday morning next week and I will be done.

It has been a long, but fun weekend. I am tired. Three nights in a row I went to bed at 12 a.m. which I just don't do. (We had our church's ladies retreat this weekend.) This girl needs at least 8 hours of sleep and sleeping in really isn't an option with 2 kids who don't sleep in either. Anyway it is 8:15 and I am still in my pajamas enjoying some quiet time and reading up on some of my other blogs at the kitchen table. It feels great!

However, my bubble just got burst. Sarah has school today, time to make breakfast and get dressed in something other than pajamas to drive her to school.

Looking forward to a quiet morning, I am sure with a few interruptions from B-bear. Tonight we are going out as a family to celebrate our anniversary. Can't wait!

Yes, 18 years ago yesterday Jason and I got married. It doesn't seem like 18 years. Although when I looking at our wedding picture we look like kids. I don't mean to sound cheesy, but it really has been wonderful. We both see ourselves as blessed. I am so thankful for the life we share together. I can't imagine it any other way. I love you honey!

Okay, focus. I have to get motivated. Off to pour the cereal.