What a summer!

I started this post almost a month ago, but just never got around to posting..... we have had a fabulous summer with all of our kids, we camped at little bear lake for a week, then up at Los Burros for about 10 days, somehow in there we managed to fit in a super cool birthday party for little Zander, a few movies, a little bit of relaxing and a lot of fun. I managed to loose about 7 of the 30 pounds that I NEED to loose, not that great, but its a start! We hiked, biked, and played tennis alot. Mostly we just enjoyed all being together!

There were some stressful times, I was on edge alot of the summer due to the stresses of moving, money, health issues, and this irrational fear of me leaving Zander alone for even a second after his accidental drug overdose at the babysitters house earlier this summer. I am not proud to admit that I went into a total panic one day when Lyndsay (who is the ONLY person I have trusted him with since the incident) was babysitting one day and said she was going to take him over to her grandparents house. I hardly know them, and even though I know they are good people, the thought of him going to someone Else's house just sent me into a complete fit. Adam ended up watching him so the kids could see their grandparents, thank goodness! I am really going to have to get past that one.

I had time to do alot of thinking and soul-searching, and the thing that keeps popping into my head is how blessed I am with the family I have. Adam and I are a perfect fit in every way. He truly completes me, is my best friend, loves me unconditionally, even when I spend months on end as a nutcase, and most importantly he loves and accepts me for me. That is something rare in this day and I am so lucky to have found it.

As a bonus I get to be a part of his kids lives. His kids are great. Alot of people balk at the word step kids, I cherish mine. They all 3 have wonderful, special hearts, and have accepted and loved me as a step mom. I have to admit that when Adam and I started dating the idea of his kids scared the crap out of me, but I took the leap, and have never looked back. Of course there have been ups and downs, as there is in any relationship, but I feel like all around I share special relationships with each of them. Lyndsay is our sweetheart, she is always there to help, loves Zander to death, and is often the only person in the world that can get little Aidan Wolfe to calm down and think clearly. Dylan is our clown, he makes everyone laugh, it is impossible to be mad at that boy, and he tells me often, and for no reason that he loves me. Aiden Tanner is kind of like a gentle giant. He is strong, like crazy strong for an 8 year old, but even though he is only a month older than my Aidan, he is 100% his big brother. I have seen them fight, and seen Aidan W. punch him and Aiden T just standing there.... I asked him Why don't you hit him back, and he said I just don't want to hurt him, he will calm down. What a mature and sweet thing to do for a brother! There has never been a day since we married that I have regretted blending our families, it has been a wild ride, but I love wild rides.

The boys are coming back in 2 weeks for another visit, and I can't wait to see them, we will miss Lyndsay, as she has some activities that she didn't want to miss, along with preparing for her first year of high school, but we will have an awesome time as always!

I have a new nephew!!!!

Angie had another little baby boy on Tuesday, he came in at 6lbs, 6 oz, and 18 inches.... by far her smallest baby yet! I don't have pictures yet, but mom and little baby Cole Wolfe Rogers are doing great, and back in the comfort of their home tonight! Now if my computer illiterate sister and mom would just figure out how to email me a few pics I could post them!!! Angie's 4 year old daughter was in the delivery room with mom and was so excited to see her brother born, and as soon as he was out she yelled at the Dr. "don't drop my new bother" she is such a doll! I can't wait until it is my turn to go out to Arkansas and meet the new member of the family!!

Nemo Party Time!!

We made him a special nemo shirt for the occasion





Last week we finally celebrated Zander Sky turning 2. His dad and I had a small, intimate little party for him on his actual birthday, just took him to the park for a picnic, had a few small presents so he would get the hang of it, and a practice cake.






this time it was an all out affair!! I didn't relize it, but I planned the party smack dab in the middle of my dad's family reunion, which turned out to be really fun, I got to have my grandparents, 4 aunts, and 2 uncles celebrate with us! We also had our neighbors with 5 kids of their own come over, our close friends with their 4 kids, then add in Adam's parents, the 2 of us, and our 5 kids, it was one full house, or back yard I should say!






Zander and Seth are only 2 weeks apart, and so cute together!




Zander had a ball, got way too many presents and toys, and was absolutly in love with the Dory and Nemo cakes we made. Lyndsay helped me tons with the cake... it was hot, and fondant and hot don't mix, so the Dory wasn't quite as good as we had hoped, but this was only my second time even decorating a cake at all, so I think we did well!


Eli Polland was such a sweetheart pulling the little ones down the slip n slide!
Zander sure loves giving his sissy kisses!








It is so strange to think back to his birth 2 years ago, I was completely taken back to that scary place of having to face the possibility of loosing my baby again a few weeks ago when he ingested the crystal meth from his babysitters house. I prayed, and begged god to spare my angel, and promised not to ever get mad at him for being a needy baby again!
Pull string pinatas are a great idea! Lynz found another baby to love!


Only a really nice boy would let a kid do this to him!!