I'd Like To Say Thank You...

To all of my visitors!

Off and on I've had Google Analytics attached to my blog. Well, good ol' Cary finally got it working correctly on April 1st, so I have been keeping tabs of my blog visitors for 1 month now. And for the entire month of April? I've had 554 visits!

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank YOU!!!!

Even though some of my posts seem boring, mundane, or perhaps just silly, I continue to have people repeatedly visit me.

Now with the new arrival in the works, hopefully everyone will tune in for more adventures!

Letters To Baby

Dear Baby McFadden (playfully known as Wilgar),

I wanted to introduce you to your parents and some of your family, even though you are but a small poppy seed at this time.

I am crazy in love with your daddy. No one in the world makes me smile the way he does. But I've never even seen anyone love like he does either. Even when I'm in the worst of moods, he listens, and then finds some way to help me forget or smile, or just let it go. I am very honored to have him by my side.

I am not a perfect person. I'm sure you will see that as you grow. I love food (and I'm picky with it too!) I struggle with my weight. Today at work I decided to buy a bunch of fruit for me and my co-workers, to encourage healthy eating. But another co-worker brought donuts....and of course I couldn't resist the 1 time donut.

But what I do hope you see in me is the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let me tell you one thing: if you never learn anything else in life, know this: He is the true miracle. Because of Him we are living the life we have today. He is the reason why I have your daddy, and why I wake up in the morning feeling so blessed to have your grandparents.

Now on to the next thing: not everyone can call their parents their best friends. But I can. All my life my dad has been my hero. And you will grow to understand that. He is very devoted to Fire Safety, and to the Fire Department, for which he is "only" a reserve. But NEVER will anyone see a employed fire man more dedicated than he is. He is on call 24/7, ready to drop anything to help his friends in need. And all of his fire buddies see the same.

You will grow up to know his as B-Pa. And I cannot wait for him to meet you. You will be a shining light in his life. But you will also know his alternate id's: Ashes and Santa Claus. Santa picked him out especially so that he can dress like the big man in red and bring joy to all the little kids around Christmas time, while Santa himself runs around the North Pole making sure all last minute things are in place.

And then there is my mom, your T-Ma. One of the most selfless people you will ever meet. Growing up, she was always there for me, always the wise one, always willing to do whatever she could for me. She has big dreams for you, and I know when she meets you she will never want to let go.

As for your Oma and Opa--2 of the sweetest people I could ever meet. I have only known them for 2 years at this date, but I really enjoy being around them. They love playing games. They love going on vacation, they dream big. And I am blessed that I have family like them.

I could write all day about more of your family, including Aunt Faith, Uncle Brad, and Cousin Helen, but I suspect you will get to know them at your own time...no need to confuse you when you are still a tiny little seedling.

But know this: your daddy and I have only known about you for 1 week, and we are excited. Nervous and excited. We want to give you the world, to let you reach out and explore, to fall, and to get right back up again and continue. This world is a scary place, but we will be here for you, to help pick you back up, dust you off, and kiss your boo-boos. This adventure is new and exciting for all of us.

Love,

mommy

*********

My little one,

First off I want to let you know how much I love you. Even though I have not even seen you yet, you are still so precious to me. And let me tell you, your mother feels the same. We can not wait to get to know you and show you this big wonderful world.

As your mother said, we have so much love for each other, and we want to share that love with you. But as much love as we have, it pales to Christ’s love for you. You are the most precious thing to Him. When we fail you or let you down, He will not. He will always be there.

Our goals for you in this new adventure that you are starting are simple. We want you to see the love of your mother and I, we want you to know the love that Christ has for you, and we want you to have Joy in your heart to enjoy this life.

Now go, grow, and learn to laugh. We can’t wait for you to get here.

Love,
Daddy

The Biggest Post Yet...

So, here it is: the Extremely Unique Weekend? Someone left a comment (if it was you, please let me know--I would love to know who it is!)

The scavenger hunt? Cary and I led our parents (mine on Friday, Cary's on Sunday) on a wild chase around their homes in a scavenger hunt.

My parents' clues led them to places like:

The Iguana:

I may be cold-blooded and I sit so serene
Cary may mistake me for red
But I’m thoroughly green

The garden:

Memories in red , yellows and green we hold so dear
Take in a deep breath—spring is in the air!

And a doll made by Marie Osmond:

I sit in a chair that was once a child’s
I’m created by an artist that makes you smile

Cary's clues led his parents to different rooms in the house:

Bathroom:

Second door on the right
Is where you make your stand,
But if it is the otherDon’t forget the fan!

Kitchen/Refrigerator:

Tasty with cake
Better when brown.
Happy clues
Come from happy cows.

Laundry room/game closet:

You searched from start to home
With great chary (defin: with great cautious and wariness).
If you get sent back
Then we are truly SORRY!

The end surprise was a poem at the end:

With your final clue you get to see
Your present, small as a green pea.
Opa and Oma (or T-Ma and B-Pa in my parents case), I hope your Special day was fun
Your special present is hidden in Jenn’s tum’.

So yes, the rumor is true--Cary and Jenn are going to be parents!

And the grandparents seem to be very excited! Slowly everyone is starting to know. As soon as mom found out, she tried calling everyone she knew, so a large amount of our family knows. I'm slowly telling my friends here and there...most might find out by this post!

I guess I'm nervous about telling the whole world because I haven't even had my 1st appointment yet. So I can't even tell a due date! Not to mention, I have to get the doctor's ok that all is well. So please say a prayer for us, as we embark on this new adventure called parenthood. But also for a safe, healthy 9 months!

So, Cary and I are excited. But currently there is nothing to make me feel like I am pregnant other than the exhaustion and EPT test. This is why I'm anxious for the first visit--hopefully hear a little heartbeat and bring me out of my state of shock!

An Extremely Unique Weekend...

This one included 2 scavenger hunts, several phone calls, a comedy club, a new bedspread, and ShamWOW!

Oh...and I'm proud to announce my friend Steve is now a new daddy to little boy Simon--6 pounds 4 ounces! Congratulations Steve and Marika!!!

More to come soon!!!

Thursday Ponderings...

Do you ever wish that when you took a photograph, that it would retain the 3D look with it? Or even the smells? Not like the Scratch-N-Sniff stickers you find, but the real smells that made you smile: flowers, a baby, pizza...

Ok. The 3rd scent is weird. But at work we have iFratelli's come in and sell us pizza and lasagna on Thursdays. At 11:30 when you are STARVING, this is a glorious smell. And it lingers for a time. But come Thursday night, or Friday when you have a choice of sandwiches (not very fragrant there), you yearn for that smell again. Or perhaps it would make things worse.

I mean, who would want to bite into a cold hero when you have warm gooey cheese on the brain?!

Helen's Praise Poem

So, it looks like I have a talented niece on my hands...

Helen’s Praise Poem

I love you so much Jesus,

I want to worship you.

There’s a flower on my dress that has your name on it.

And an eye on my face that says Jesus, I love you.

And you say back I love you too.

I have some hair that says worship you.

I have two feet that say pray to you.

I have fingers that say praise you.

I have hand that say you lift me high up,

And a tummy that says you save me from my sins.

Amen.

I love this poem! (and the writer too!)

Weekend Without Pictures

Good morning!

How was everyone else's weekend? On this side, it was very fun and busy (no surprise there!).

On Friday evening, Cary and I hit a rare movie and saw Monsters v. Aliens in 3D. I enjoyed the movie--I like the technology of the 3D. Cary--he just like the technology of 3D. He said he would have been disappointed if it were not with the funny-looking glasses. The last movie we had seen before then? Either Marley and Me or Madagascar 2. I know. We are BIG movie fans!

On Saturday, Mom, Dad, Cary and I joined my aunt Kelly for an early birthday celebration at Kelly's house. Here, we ate hot dogs, hamburgers, cookies, chips...and we were introduced to the Wii.

Though I did not play with the Wii, I really enjoyed watching Cary, Dad, and Kelly's friend Sarah challenge each other in bowling, golf, tennis, baseball, and boxing...Hopefully they are not too sore after all that swinging around!

On Sunday we enjoyed our usual relaxing day at Cary's parents, doing laundry and playing games. The neat part about yesterday was that we decided to have tacos for lunch, so Cary and I got to go to the store and pick up the necessecities. Yum!

Over all, the weekend was very good and it was (as always) fun to see our families. Next week will be just as busy, so hopefully I'll remember my camera, and have lots of good stories to share!

Another (Shameless) Plug...

So I'm here to plug the wonderful site that Cary has worked so hard on.


It's http://lewisville-lafs.webs.com/index.htm, and it is set up for parents and children alike to look at and teach each other about Safety.


What started out as mostly fire safety, we (as in the clowns) have seen the need to teach other safety, so if you are in the area and see us, we could be teaching you anything, including:

How to cool a burn

Weather safety

Seatbelt safety

Crosswalk safety

What to do in an emergency

Stranger safety

Poison safety...

We are working hard to try to teach you and your loved ones on how to stay safe! Please check out our site!

Also, check out our newest merchandise: www.cafepress.com/lewisvillelafs

You too can sport the likes of Ashes and Radio in your own shirt, mug, clock....

Thank you for supporting the Lewisville LAFS group!

Another Jarvis Family Gathering

Easter Sunday with the Jarvis' proves to never be boring. A bunch of us (a.k.a., Mom, Dad, Amy, Mike, Steven, Spencer, Stacy, Grandpa, Grandma, Kelly, Rebeckah, Cary, Chester, and myself) got together for lunch, egg hunts, and game fun today.

Despite the prediction of 90% chance of rain, our spirits were not dampened with yummies like ham, au gratin potatoes, mac & cheese, rolls, green beans, fruit, and brownies and ice cream...and a 'salad' of candy (jelly beans, gummy candy, chocolate...).

After lunch, mom, Amy, and I hid dozens (and by that I mean about 150--individuals) of eggs, which a little later a 18, 15, and 10 year old got to hide...too old for egg hunting? Maybe, but definitely an adventure. But hey--Austin, Addison, and Reagan were not able to join Stacy, so we had to add a little competition for her!

After a ripped bag, a puddle, a lightbulb in a plastic egg, and Spencer and Cary partaking in throwing the candy-filled eggs at each other, all eggs were satisfactorily found, and then on to the games!

While Mike enjoyed himself to the Master's Tournament on the awesome tv (and keeping Chester entertained), everyone else gathered into the living room for a game of Apples to Apples. The running joke this time for this game was Hail Storm, when Amy kept thumping mom over the head...to demonstrate Violent...

All around it was a great time. Kelly and Beckah did not stick around too long, but we got to meet their cute new puppy Sookie, or 'Fierce' as her dress said. It was wonderful of Grandpa to make the drive to Lewisville and make our Easter so much warmer.

Eric, Deb, Faye, Erica, Austin, and of course, Kim, Tom, Addison, Reagan, and Gracyn, we missed having you here with us today, but know that we did think about you and we do hope we can all have another gathering with everyone again sometime soon. I also (briefly) toyed with the idea of having a Jarvis camping trip...but Grandma brought up the point that we might get kicked out...and I think with how rambunctious we can be, it might be true...




So, here's too another near perfect day, microwaving Peeps marshmallows, a homemade rabbit and yarn ball. Chester even had himself a great time, trying to get the eggs that were on the ground, playing with everything he thought was his toy, and digging in the mud...

God has blessed me with this incredible family!

The Day Of Miracles...

Today we celebrate the rising of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today we rejoice in the miracle that happened, showing us that God really did send down His son for us, that blood was shed, and we, with a sinful nature, have been Forgiven.

Today we raise our eyes, our hands, and our voices to say He Is Risen.

Happy Easter!

My Heart Has Been Touched Again...

By another blog I have stalked. So many of you have already heard of this one, but I stumbled upon it last week when I was stalking/reading another's blog (for another cute read on some cute kids, go here.

It is the story of Nienie, a BEAUTIFUL soul in a beautiful body. I started reading her story from the beginning, and was instantly entranced by her writing. She is creative, she loves the rain, she loves her family (husband, children, and siblings alike) and most of all, she loves the Lord. But I love the way she talks about her husband. It is much in the way I love and talk about mine (but she doesn't hold back--in a conservative way!)


She was in a tragic plane accident, but survived to now tell us about her long, painful recovery. But even though she is slow at typing for now, she still expresses herself as if you were sitting down on a couch with her, eating popcorn, and just talking like best friends talk. She inspires me.


When she was in a coma after the plane crash, one of her sisters kept all who was concerned in touch with the daily situations (I love and admire how this family is bound together, how they love each other, even long before the event). Though I admit that I started cjane's blog in the middle, when the accident was first reported, I am now eager to go back and read all of her blog, from the beginning.


Below are the links to this beautiful family. I also sport a cool I Read Nienie button on the side!


http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/


http://blog.cjanerun.com/

Please say a prayer for this family, and enjoy!