A Scott Update!

It's been awhile since I did an update of Scott's travel...

Herndon, Virginia (4)
New York City (2)
Dallas, Tx
Boston, Mass.
Schaumburg, IL
Toronto, Canada (2)
Mexico City, Mexico
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Houston, TX
Irvine, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Cary, North Carolina
Cleveland, Ohio

This summer has been nice. Scott has been home more doing more E-Classes (internet, in home classes) and working on development work for Juniper. He has been a life saver as I adjusted being a mother of 2... Though, work has picked up for Scott and he is off to do more travel this next month... He'll be gone just about every week this month. At least with this work we'll have a little extra income for Christmas. This month he'll be going back to Virginia a couple of times and another trip over seas to Amsterdam... Let the skymiles roll in!

Thirty-two

32 isn't too bad... I wouldn't trade this in for anything!

On September 26th I had my 32nd birthday! WOW! I'm getting so old... Signs that I'm not young anymore...

• Staying up past midnight almost done me in.
• Wrinkles around the eyes.
• Grey hair... Yes, I do have quite a bit, I just know how to cover them up.
• 14 years since high school... YIKES!
• I wear sunglasses to cover the makeupless face and bags from lack of sleep when going to the park.
• I put my kids and family first.
• I have no clue what music is out there. All I listen to these days are kids songs and sports radio (Scott).
• I will never be thin and petite again... Just short and stubby... but my kids are worth every stretch mark!
• A night out is to dinner and home by 8 to get the kids in bed!

Seriously, I had a wonderful birthday. I think back 10 years ago and I feel like I'm a completely different person in some ways, but the same Melissa in others. I hope I've grown mentally and spiritually... and become a bit more wiser at my ancient age. I love who I've become and the direction my life took and where it is heading. 32 isn't old, it's just a number (a number that is creeping closer and closer to 40..)!

Thanks to Scott, I now am writing on my new computer notebook that I got for my birthday. I was spoiled. I've spent the last 2 birthdays on my own with Ethan because Scott was away on business. This year he was home and we celebrated by going to see The Killers. It was a fun concert. It has been over 5 years since I've been to a concert. I forgot how long they were. I feel bad for my parents, they had to watch the kids and we didn't get there to pick them up until midnight. I also couldn't believe how loud it was... I walked out and my ears were ringing and I felt like I had to yell to talk with Scott. Then we had to wait for almost an hour to get out of the stinking parking lot. It was so much fun to be out and about again and being with my sweet hubby. Thanks Scott for making my birthday special!

Me with my sweet little girl!

Me being silly... pretty typical of me...

Eyes of wisdom... yeah, whatever!

Is it to Good to Be True?

He did it! He's finally potty trained! At least he is for the most part. There will be no more diapers for this little guy. As a reward Ethan has earned a trip to Lagoon with the family. He is very excited about that. He's doing really well considering we officially started potty training on Friday. He is doing awesome and I'm so proud of him!

3 Wonderful Years!

My little guy had his 3rd birthday this past week. It is amazing how fast he grew up. He is learning and developing more and more each day. Today we went to the doctor and he was 38 inches tall (73%) and weighed 31 pounds (42%). Some of his favorite things are playing with his new toys, going to preschool, reading books, playing with letters, and going to the park. My list can be so much longer because Ethan loves to do so much. I love this guy very much!

Here's Ethan at 3 years old...

2 years old

1 year old

Newborn... Happy Birthday!

Let's all go to the ZOO!

On Ethan's birthday we decided to make a trip down to the zoo. We were lucky enough to have some family tag along with us. We were also lucky that the zoo was debuting the new baby elephant. It was fun to see the animals and spend time with the family.

Tyler and Ethan

Ethan on the merry go round
Melina wanted to go on the merry go round again.

I couldn't resist... Love this precious face.

Waiting around for the family to arrive. That's my birthday boy!

Ah, isn't she a cutie!?

September 11th

Everyone remembers what happened on September 11th, but for me and Scott we remember the birth of our son. He was born on September 11, 2006... He turned 3 years old! We celebrated with family at a nearby park.

His new bike, thanks to grandma and grandpa Riddle.
Ethan was spoiled and got a race car track that he loves... That thing took Scott and I an hour to put together.
Just getting started... There are many more presents to come. Thanks everyone for the wonderful gifts...

I'm going to hear about the not so flattering pic of Jaime, but Ethan is cute! Poor guy was running a fever and was high on meds...

Picnic anyone???

Thanks Tonya, the cake was beautiful and not to mention very yummy!

Why Joy?

Emma Joy Newman.... Why Joy? Joy is my middle name and my parents were so full of joy to finally have a girl after having 2 boys that they named me Melissa Joy... That is how I feel about my little girl. My heart was and still is full of Joy to have my little girl in my life.

Oh, what a Blessing!

On Sunday, Sept. 6th 2009 my baby girl, Emma Joy was blessed. What a day, a wonderful day! We had family come from Texas, California, and Wyoming... We had attendance of about 45 people. It was a crazy day, a day that I won't forget anytime soon. I was told Scott gave a beautiful blessing, which I missed because Ethan started throwing a tantrum during the blessing and I had to take him out. Thank goodness mom taped the blessing and hopefully will write up for me so I can read back what was said.

We had a fun get together afterwards at our home... It was stressful for me, getting the house clean and ready, making sure I have everything for the lunch, and trying to be a hostess. Anyone who knows me knows I don't do these things to well, but I think everything went pretty good. We had enough food and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Scott took so many pictures and it was hard to choose. I may have to make another blog entry for more pics of that afternoon. I just chose a few that showed what a great afternoon it was.

Emma with Grandma and Grandpa Riddle

Emma with all her grandmas... (one great grandma was not able to make it)

Emma with grandma and grandpa Caldwell

Emma with Grandma and Grandpa Newman

The Newman's... Ethan is pouting! It was a hard day for him.

Me with my baby girl...

An idea of what was going on in our backyard.

The Newman/Rollins family started a fun game of Red Rover... Look at Grandma Newman go!

Another pouting moment from my little guy... notice the finger... GROSS!

A cookie always turns a frown upside down!

Aunt Jaime with Emma...

Me with my beautiful children!

Preschool!

My little man is growing up! Not only is he turning 3 this week, he is starting to go to preschool. Ethan is participating in a neighborhood, co-op preschool with 4 other little boys. He can't be more excited! Every Thursday he goes for 2 hours and gets to spend time with the boys.

Last Thursday was Ethan's first day. We packed up some balls for show and tell and I actually combed his hair and we walked over to the Lambert's house. He had so much fun that when I came to pick him up, he started to cry. He didn't want to leave.

He's been looking forward to school all summer and his only disappointment was he doesn't get to ride the school bus. That day will come sooner then I think. Ethan gets to be big and go to school!