They grow so fast!

After dwelling so much on Ashton's birthday yesterday, I realized that all the kids have a 'big' number birthday this year. Noah turned 2 less than two weeks ago. I'm not too worried about the terrible twos though, he is actually more well behaved now than he was at 18 months. He is sweet and gentle when he wants, and all rough and tumble boy otherwise. He skin is amazingly soft, and snuggling with him is so special. Of course, Ash turned 12 yesterday, and I think 12 is like the last birthday of childhood...after that, you are officially a teen. She is truly my '13 going on 30' even though she's not officially 13 yet. Sad for me, exciting for her. The next birthday is Emmie's (in June) and she will be the big 1! She is already to big for my poor tired brain to comprehend. She is saying ma-ma-ma (the only one to say mama first!!), and crawling now, and it seems like everytime I look at her she's doing something new. After that is Jacob (also June) who will be 5 and going to kindergarten. He is smart and funny, and still totally a momma's boy. He has the darkest, deepest brown eyes I've ever seen. He manages to be brave and daring and scared and timid all at the same time-it's very endearing. Last will be Sydney, (in Aug) and she will be 10. The first of the double digit birthdays. She is such a gentle soul...she's the one who is appalled at all things bad or mean, and believes everyone to really be nice. She's a very gentle soul, and wears her feelings on her sleeve-and gets them hurt easily! She's smart and very goofy. Very much the drama queen and actress. It amazes me that they all came from me and Paul, yet they are so very different...from Paul, and from me, and from each other. But then I see a glimpse of similarity here and there. I love seeing their personalities, and watching the people they are growing into-even as my heart breaks to watch them grow so quickly. One can never express how quickly the time flies. Love them hard and love them unconditionally. They are only given to us for a time...
TTFN,
Jen

So much time has passed...

Wow...emotions are across the board today. Ashton is 12! My baby is really 12!! I'm not sure how to feel-I never imagined it would be so emotional for me. I guess 13 will be even worse-but we'll leave that one for a later date. I don't want to think about it now. I told her happy birthday this morning right after she got up, and she just grinned at me. She's hoping this will be the birthday she gets to start wearing make-up. I told her years ago that she would have to be 13, but I know she sees me faltering in my determination! I'm just not ready for that transformation yet-I let her wear make-up when we went to Disney in Nov and she just looked YEARS older. So, I am torn. Hold fast to her childhood, or give just enough to apease the beast? I already told her how limited her first make-up wearing will be, but she doesn't care...some's better than none, I guess. Anyway, when I dropped her off at school this morning, I actually got teary! You would have thought it was her first day of kindergarten or something! I stared at Emmie this morning after we got home trying to conjure Ashton's face at Emmie's age. It was easier than I imagined. (Of course, that may be a benefit of all my kids looking similar!!) I remember being so amazed that I could love another person so much when I'd just met them. She amazed me then, and she continues to amaze me now. She's so stinking smart-she never misses anything, and catches on to any and everything she learns the first try. She's funny and silly and girlie and (most recently) a (ripstick)skater chick wannabe and rainbow/peace sign lover. She's stubborn and argumentative like her dad (which drives me up the wall) but she is sweet and affectionate too-especially with our little ones. She loves animals and wants to be a vet when she grows up-and she wants babies! :) I am so proud of her, and so thankful to have her. Thank you Lord for the blessing of raising this wonderful gift!! And now I am tearing up again, so I am going to log off now. TTFN!
Jen

Me, myself, and...?

FYI-a little about me. I decided that since this blog was going to mostly be about family and the goings on in the Waltman household I would write some basic info about me.
1. I love God. Sounds simple cause it is. He is my First and Foremost, and I am humbled that He loves ME!!
2. I love my husband. We've had days in the past where we didn't even like each other, but even in the worst of times, we always LOVED each other. I think we've settled into a nice niche now where we don't even fight much anymore-it's wonderful! We are genuinely a happy couple. I think he's the most romantic man I know. He never seems to tire of trying to make me happy, and I am most grateful. He is truly my best friend.
3. I love my kids. God has given us 5 beautiful, happy, healthy, GOOD kids, and all I can say is WOW!!! I always wanted a big family, and am glad Paul was all for it! We have a mad crazy life. It's super hectic, never slows down, and I love every second of it. Sometimes I just sit in the middle of the chaos and giggle like a little kid! Sounds insane, (maybe it is!) but it's true.
4. I love to sing! You'd never know it because I don't do it that often anymore, but I do. One day, when I decide I'm through havin babies I will go back to USM and finish my Music Ed degree. I only have a year and a half to go! I'm just wanting all my attention here right now.
5. I am staunchly conservative. I have opinions on most issues that would probably offend a lot of people, but they're mine, and I hold them tightly! I've been thinking of starting another blog on all things political, but I don't know if I have the stomach for it. I DON'T like our new President. Life as we knew it will never be the same when he's through. Mark my words-it's gonna get ugly. Maybe God's punishing us-maybe we're punishing ourselves-I don't know.
6. I love my friends. I miss my friend who moved just down the road, but I never see her anymore, but I'm thankful for those I have here. Thanks, Konnie. :)
7. I am honest to a fault. I can't stand to lie, and am HORRIBLE at it. I have a terrible poker face, and I have GUILT about it!!! I don't like people who lie, cheat, steal, etc. I think they have major character flaws! Be a GOOD PERSON!! Paul says I am a bit naive because I tend to try to see the best in people until they've given me reason to see otherwise, but that's just my nature, I suppose. I'm usually a pretty good reader of character.
Well, I guess that's the bulk of things. I'm sure there are things I have left out, like the fact that I have a dry, goofy sense of humor. If I make remarks and you wonder 'what?' just know I don't mean to exclude anyone from my thought processes, but my thought processes aren't always functioning on a normal level!! Thanks for hanging in there and reading all this...
Jen

Ok, so this is my first attempt at blogging, so be patient with me! I'm Jennifer. Hi! My husband Paul and I have been married almost 13 years. We have 5 kids (yes, on purpose) and, for those who would ask, we will have at least one more-God willing. Ashton is 12, Sydney is 9, Jacob is 4, Noah is 2, and Emelia Claire (Emmie)is 7 months. I am a stay at home mom, and it is more than a full time job! I also keep Steven, 3, who I've had 5 days a week since he was 4 weeks old-he may as well be mine! I have something going on all the time, so I hope I'll have time to keep this blog up-I enjoy having an outlet to communicate with others and share what's going on around here for others to laugh at!! Bear with me and we'll all get along fine! :)