Jayden and Josie got a package in the mail last week from Uncle Cory.  Inside was a letter and two sticker activity books.  Jayden’s was “Speed Racer,” and Josie’s was “Pooh & Friends.”  My favortie was his post script copied below word for word.

P.S. These books are only “suggested” areas to place the stickers.  Really, you could stick them anywhere!  For example, stick them on furniture or Daddy’s car.

Nice.  Of course, it makes me smile to read it again because, you see, I don’t mind if they stick them on furniture - nothing the kids can reach in this house is valuable, and we plan to repaint someday.  As for Daddy’s car, that’s a no-no, but it’s not hard to keep the activity books in the house.  So enjoy the pictures.  I sure am enjoying a more decorative wall!

(I know it’s way past Thursday.  A lot of stuff was going on this past week so I’ll start with our anniversary.)

Yes, you read that right.  It’s been seven years since Audi and I tied the knot.  Weird.  It all went so fast, and I can definitely say that this past year was a great one for us.  We were open to change both in our personal lives and in our relationship, which always works in your favor if you embrace it.  As of today we are on Day 35 of “The Love Dare,” which is an amazing book featured in the movie “Fireproof” and a Christmas gift I requested from Tod.  It’s actually been really easy for us, but we’ve gotten some good pointers along the way and feel it’s brought us closer together.

On the sixteenth, my friend Gwen was able to watch the kids so I picked Audi up at work, and we went to Applebee’s for lunch.  We had a nice, relaxing time enjoying a hassle-free meal until the waitress came back with our gift card saying the computer didn’t recognize any cash left on the card.  We both looked at her puzzled because we got the card for Christmas and had used it on Audi’s birthday to order out.  I had written in marker on the back $50   38.42.  We knew there was money left on it.  After explaining the situation and seeing the look on our faces, the waitress immediately said not to worry.  The manager had taken care of our bill and to enjoy the rest of our day.  She also suggested we call the number on the back to resolve the issue.   I nodded.  We said thank you, left a cash tip, and went to the car.  I called the number right away and found out we had $38.42 left on the card.  I then talked to Erma who said if it happens again, the magnetic strip is probably bad, and the waitress should manually type the card number into the computer for payment.

So for our anniversary we received a complimentary meal at Applebee’s due to a gift card malfunction.  I guess we’ll have to go out again to spend the $38.42 left on the card!

 So today was Jayden’s first big day for Taekwondo. He’s really enjoyed his classes, and is even starting to figure out what standing in line means. Tonight was the third time they’ve practiced their forms (a series of moves based on rank) in class and he’s really starting to pick it up. With only a couple of practice rounds tonight he was able to complete the first half of his form by himself, earning his first belt. To say he was beaming when the instructor called him up front and gave him his belt would be an understatement. The little guy worked really hard at it, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. Now we’ve just got to finish off the other half of the form to move up to a full yellow belt. He’s pretty stoked about it, so hopefully we’ll have an update soon! Here’s a video of him doing his form after showing mom his new belt.

The other day I needed to clean up the living room and didn’t feel like it so I slumped down in the computer chair to take a look at the task before me.  Then, Jayden came in and handed me a walkie-talkie.  He wanted to play.  ”Why not?” I thought.  ”At least I don’t have to move.”  We started communicating back and forth, and I got the greatest idea.  

“Jayden, come in, Jayden.  We have reports of a Buzz Lightyear on the living room floor.  Can you confirm that report?  Repeat, do you see a Buzz Lightyear?  Over.”

“Sure, mommy!  I see him.  Over.”

“Great, Jayden!    Send him home, buddy - please put him in the toy tub.  Over.”

“Jayden, come in, Jayden.  We have another report coming in.  It says there is an Optimus Prime Transformer on the living room floor.  Can you confirm that report?  Repeat, do you see an Optimus Prime Transformer?  Over.”

It only lasted about five minutes, but he did put all his toys away, and my job became a little less tedious.  So thanks, Uncle Cory, for the awesome Christmas present.  Walkie-Talkies are cool.