Jonah Chat

I wish that everyone could enjoy all the funny conversations I get to have with Jonah. He cracks me up multiple times each day. For example: this morning when I served him his toast he said (in a very sweet voice):"Prehaps we could eat in there...?" (pointing to the living room).

Yesterday I turned on the camera...I just wanted to get him talking, just to have a recording of him. He seemed a bit camera shy, so I started asking him questions to get him talking. 

I want you to know...NONE of this was rehearsed or coached or edited in any way.

Our Final Week

Well, today was the day we've been anticipating. My last day working as a nanny. None of us was very eager to build it up too much. It was fairly low-key, actually. 

In the days leading up to the last day I let each kid have their day to pick what we did. It worked out perfectly and we had a pretty good mix of activities! 

Molly was first, because she left us early to attend church camp. Her choice was to see a movie:

The movie was very cute. Jonah kept asking if we could watch it again at our house! 

After the movie we went to Sonic for slushes! 

Next was Madeline's pick. 

We tried out a (relatively new in town) pizza place. 

We were very pleased with it. If you live here and haven't tried it, you should! 

Ben's choice was swimming. 

At first I told him he might have to re-think that. I didn't know if I'd feel up to it in the blazing temps we'd been having. But, when the day actually rolled around it wasn't too bad. AND we got to see my sister (since she has a pool in her neighborhood). I prefer a good neighborhood pool to the public pool any day (even if I have to drive 30 extra minutes). 

I took my camera with me today. But, as I mentioned before, we were all pretty melancholy today, and not really in the spirit of taking photographs. 

I have had an incredible time being "miss amy" and I know that will always be a part of my identity...even if it is not my actual job title. I look forward to the role I play in their lives as they grow older. I want to be like a fun aunt or trusted confidant. I plan to make a point to be an active presence in their lives for as long as ....well, forever!  Jonathan and I feel very blessed to know this dear family! 

Three More Days...(aka, a very long post)

Three? Really? Only three more days of working in the job I've had for NINE years (ok, very nearly nine years...but let's not get too technical). It has been the best job I've ever had.

I may or may not go on for a while here...some things can not be said in only a few words.

It has been the perfect fit for me, for them, truly a blessing on all sides. You know the phrase, "Thank God and Greyhound..." Well, I say Thank God and Dawn! She and Jimmy were very instrumental in connecting me with this sweet family that moved to Branson in 2003. Little did I know I'd stick with them for so many years. I was only looking to fill the time (and bank account, truth be told) until marriage happened for me. Then I fell in love. (with this family...Jonathan came later) Once I did get married I thought maybe I'd just stick around until I had kids of my own (though, I still consider these three my own in a way). Then, when little Jonah did come along, well, it just seemed to work out for me to keep "working" and take him along with me (another win/win). Now that we're adding to our family again...and um, the other three are um...well, not so little anymore.... it just seems like the time has come to make this final transition. 

I can not believe the day is coming...I don't think my brain has comprehended what a change this will be. I'm sure, what with the new baby coming and all, that it will take some time for me to fully realize how different life will be for me (and my family). Some aspects will be really good, and some, inevitably, a little bit sad. 

I sure do love these people. With my whole heart!

 Silver Dollar City, 2003

Honor America, 2004
(to me this is one of those pictures that says 1,000 words...it is one of my all-time faves. this was also the day they told me there was a new sibling on the way)

Baby Benjamin,  2005

winter 05/06

 Summer, 2006

May 19, 2007

Summer 2008

Fall 2009

August 2010

Summer 2011

Last Week (summer 2012)

I'm gonna miss spending regular time with these darlings, but I keep reminding them (and myself) that nobody is moving away. They and I live nearby. There aren't even any stoplights between my house and theirs.

And if you made it through all of that, you must really care about me and/or these kids. And you may be a little teary-eyed right now!


The End.

Birthday Buddy

 This is Baby Drew. Isn't he a cutie!! He and I share a July 1 birthday. The Atkins family couldn't be more happy to know Baby Drew and his family. They are really great. If you don't know them, you are missing out! 

After pausing to take the above photo I went searching for Jonah so we could leave church. THIS is what I found! Isn't it the cutest little moment! These two boys are truly like brothers. :) I love them dearly (both together and individually). 

Our Week with a Dog

While some of our favorite people were out of town we kept their dog, Toby. Toby is one of those let-you-do-anything-with-him kind of pets. He's very tolerant of two-year-old boys! 

That works out nicely, because Jonah is a big fan of Toby! 

One morning when Jonah woke-up he found Toby chewing on his bone. For some reason Jonah thought Toby needed to be covered up, so he went into his room and brought out the quilt from his bed to cover the dog. And Toby just laid there. 

Sometimes when we let Toby outside to potty Jonah and I would sit on the steps and keep an eye on the dog (and "just chill", as Jonah likes to say). 

 I think this was a time when Toby came in after Jonah woke from a nap. Jonah was in a very good humor and being silly with the dog.  I didn't take the time to edit the video...there are no subtitles, you'll just have to guess at what Jonah is saying if it isn't clear in the video! 

this one got on here by accident and I can't figure out how to remove it. so, I guess it's just bonus footage. 

Playing at the Creek

A few weeks ago our three favorite kiddos had some cousins visiting. We tried to get out and have a little fun while they were here. One of the most fun things we did was go play in the creek and have a picnic. The water was a little low, but we had ourselves a fine time anyway!  I can't tell you how many times I heard a kid say thank-you for taking them there! I'm glad that a bit of simple fun was so great! I couldn't have pulled it off with just any kids. I'm not looking to take on another group of six plus the one in my belly. These are exceptionally wonderful children!

 Like I said, the water was a little low...but isn't this a sweet picture of Jonah and Molly! 

 The girls worked hard to catch a crawdad, while the boys (and I) decided to settle down for some lunch! 

I wasn't totally crazy, I thought ahead and DID NOT make seven sandwiches. We ran by the store first, where I let each of them choose their own Lunchable. I was so glad I did, because we all had exactly what we wanted. 

They played on the playground for just a few minutes before we had to head back home. 

Summer is HERE.

I took the kids out to breakfast to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation. We had the most fun on the way to the doughnut shop. Jonah was cracking us up in the car. He was in a really good mood and answering any question with lots of excitement. When asked if he was drinking coffee, he replied, "COFFEE...YES!!" And when Ben coughed, he shouted out "good cough, Ben!" 

I am determined to take lots of photos this summer. I only have a few remaining weeks with these dear children of mine. We shall make the most of our time...and document it accordingly. 

Tow Mater

While Jonah and I were out shopping this evening I got a text from Jonathan. He alerted me to the fact that Tow Mater was in town. Not only in town, but across the street from his work, no less. So, we hightailed ourselves over to visit Daddy at work and visit Jonah's FAVORITE character.   I let Jonah be surprised, and it was AWESOME!! He was tickled to his toes when we pulled into that parking lot! 

I could not get him unbuckled and out of the car fast enough!! 

I love seeing such delight on the face of this boy!
(I just noticed how much the above photo of Jonah resembles childhood pictures of Jonathan at his age...it's definitely in the smile)

I thought the truck was done very nicely too...it's a pretty cool replica of the cartoon guy we all love so dearly. 

And here is the sweet little guy with his stuffed Mater that was a souvenier from three of our favorite people when they went to Colorado over Spring Break. 

A Sporting Good Time

I first uploaded each of these pictures individually, but it wasn't as enjoyable to look at. So, I made one of my fun collages! Aren't you excited!

If you have met Jonah, then you know he loves to play ball. Any ball, he's not picky. But, he doesn't limit himself to just balls. He likes anything that is done outside, or anything athletic (although he doesn't yet know the word or meaning of 'athletic')

above you see Jonah:

• wearing a bike helmet (the way he thinks it should look)
• sporting BEN's tennis racket (it had to be Ben's)
• with his fave....the basketball
• ready for swimming

• being Joe Cool
• playing t-ball with Molly
• drying off after swimming

below you will see Jonah playing his own little made-up game...

Football on the Hammock, or "weeep" 

(since that's what I call the word he keeps repeating):

I did not put the ball on the hammock.
This was all Jonah's doing...no form of weird parental torture! 

Weekend Update: Perfect Friday Night

My recipe for a perfect Friday night includes two boys, some fun puzzles, and a pizza!! I've listened to lots of laughing and dried a few tears...we're living it up! 

(what they don't know is that we're all going to bed early too)

Boys of Fall

So, today, we woke up to the first snow of the season. It's just a pretty little dusting. Jonah doesn't know what to think of it. In honor of that, I thought I'd feature one of our wonderfully mild fall days.

I love these boys. They are very dear to me. I love watching them play together.

I couldn't resist taking some cute fall pictures of my little sweetie that day. 

Enjoy!

on being two

this is dedicated to my TWO-year-old. the week before his birthday he practiced being two. 

he's good at it:

 

 *red crayon on the wall. (jonah, meet Mr. Magic Eraser)

*shoving dishwasher detergent under the microwave

 

 

 

and last, but certainly not least... the one where he played with mascara.

(jonah, meet Miss Eye Make-up Remover) *

 

Why do I document my child's bad behavior teachable moments?

That was not rhetorical. WHY do I do it? 

I do not know. 

I'm going to have to quit. He's going to catch on that mischief brings out Mommy's camera.

*note, this is not my house. this was the week we stayed with 3 of our favorite people.

Birthday Week...Bummer.

Ok, really. This has been a very strange week for us. 

You probably know that I work as a nanny. The kids' parents are out of town this week, so Jonathan, Jonah and I are staying with them. We love them dearly and care for these kids as if they were our own. (I feel qualified to say that since I do have my own) So, I can take whatever comes our way. It is just part of it, as they say.

Well, earlier in the week (my most recent post) I told you about the stomach bug. It hit 3 of the 4 kids (one at a time), Jonah included. It was short-lived. We got through it generally unscathed. 

Well, the one kid who didn't get hit with that nasty bug...came down with something else...something much different. Something I believe he's shared with Jonah. 

look at these cute guys!

Now, look what he's got.

Yep. those are what you think they are. 

Neither boy has been vaccinated for CHICKEN POX. 

We won't know for a few days...but these two are best buds, they spend lots of time in close company. 

Therefore, the Birthday Party is canceled. 

BUMMER. 

Oh, well. Thankfully the procrastinator in me hadn't gotten too much ready yet. 

We may just have an "adults-who've-already-had-it" only party. 

BirthdayWeek with a Vomit Bug.

I was just thinking yesterday that I didn't write a celebratory blog post. I had planned to write something birthday-ish each day this week. I've made a change in plans. Why? Because little man has a vomit bug and we are spending all our free time dealing with that rather than writing for the ole blog! He woke up with it this morning. He isn't alone in his misery. Two other kids we spend lots of time with are sick with the same thing (only no fever for them.)

This picture was taken around a year ago, and this is just about what he's doing now (as well as a good portion of the day.) Poor fella. He's added on a touch of fever tonight. I'm gonna go check on him now. Hopefully the next B.W. post will be happier!

A New Friend

Jonah has a new buddy! Mac moved here (with his parents) in May. His daddy is a new member of the staff at our church and his mama is just plain cool! We like Mac and his family. 

Mac also has a brand new baby brother at home (born on my birthday, no less).

So, we had him over to play one day to give his mama a chance to catch up on some rest.

These two played really well together. They are both sweet boys. The only upset was the one time that Jonah thought Mac needed a lift (he tried to carry him across the room). Both boys ended up on the floor and were crying.

They also played with this boy:

 (who later told me that it was the best day ever because he's always wanted two brothers!!)

Making Pretzels

Some of my favorite people love love love LOVE Auntie Ann's Pretzels.

These same people also like a good cooking session in the kitchen. Sooooo...we found a recipe at Copykat.com.  Mmmm....yummy.

 Mixing the dough

rolling/shaping the dough

 cooking up nicely!

 And eating up VERY nicely!