New Year's Eve

Well 2011 is coming to and end tonight.  I find myself reflecting on the many memories made this year.  2011 has been a good year for us.  We are looking forward to what is in store for us in 2012.  I'm sure there will be plenty of ups and downs, but I know that with my best friend by my side our family will make it through anything that God sends our way.  Here are some of the things that marked 2011 in this Rowe house.......
January we became and Aunt and Uncle and cousin when Derek's sister Allison and her husband Andy had their baby girl Aniela. 
February, and March were fairly quiet.  We spent a lot of our free time getting ready for the birth of our second child.  We had quite a bit of snow this last winter, and had some fun out in it with Mallory.  I think this winter will be even better if it decides to snow one day. 
April was truly a blessed month.  We welcomed our second baby girl on the 19th Jaclyn Jade!  So things in this house became a little more hectic with a new born around.
May we celebrated Mallory's 2nd birthday and the changing weather.
June found us outside a lot more installing a new fenced in play-yard and shelter for by the pool.  At the end of June we then decided it was time to move from this home of ours and build.  With Derek's schedule being so crazy at work and all the time he spends traveling to Columbus there just isn't time to make the improvements we would like to the house and spend time together doing family things.  So we talked to Dad about building back on some of his ground.  He said sure and thus we began our plans.  June 27th also marked my last day of employment with Heidelberg University.  I officially became a stay at home mommy to my two gorgeous baby girls.  Withing 24 hours of announcing I was home and looking to babysit I could have had 3 kids to watch (had we lived back Tiffin way, this is another reason we want to move back).  I will be able to babysit, and we will be a lot closer to be able to help with the farm.
July found us having a great 4th of July party with many fabulous friends we swam and had good food and enjoyed everyone's company.  Of course July is also fair month and we made many trips over to Seneca fair meeting up with friends, and doing our Farm Bureau duties that we have come to love doing over the past several years. 
August found Derek working lots of overtime, and his three girls were missing him like crazy, so we made a trip to Columbus for the State Fair, and the girls and I packed up and camped at Delaware State park for a long weekend so that Daddy could see his babies a little more than an hour before bed.
September came and went quickly in fact I really don't know where that month went at all.  We made a trip to the Farm Science Review with Dad, Thomas, and Ivory
October was a great month even though it flew by so quick too.  We got a new sister-in-law as my younger brother Wayne got married.  Derek, myself, and Mallory were all in the wedding and Mallory walked down the aisle at St. Joe's church beautifully.  She had her momma in tears of joy and BURSTING with pride.  We love Aunt Jenn and can't wait for her to be done with her residency so she can be around a little more. 
November began the holiday season and for many people around this area harvest.  Although some began in October many didn't get in the fields till late after having a VERY late spring...we would be one of those.  Derek and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary on the 24th and I have no idea where those 5 years have gone!  At the end of the month my youngest brother Thomas decided he was picking up and leaving/moving out to Indianapolis to live with his now fiance.  This threw a bit of a wrench in the family as corn still had not been started and it was getting to be cold out and my parents only heat with wood.
December has found us doing a lot of corn harvest and traveling from Tiffin to home as we are trying to help Dad out on the farm as much as we can.  Between Wayne, Jenn, and us there are lots of miles being accumulated, but we are getting things done.  Now if only Mother Nature would cooperate.  We finally got the house put up for sale so now we have a new prayer and hope that we can move our home so that we can get closer to the farm so things can get done a little easier.  Christmas has come and gone already and it was a great time for us all.  The girls apparently were very very good this year in Santa's eyes and we are swimming in new toys, and clothes.  But are blessed to have families that love us all the way they do. 
As this year comes to a close I am thankful for the life that we have and those that are a part of it, both family and friends.  I hope that this evening is fun for all and finds everyone in good health and happiness.  Remember be safe and Here's to a great 2012!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Long Day.....

The girls and I went for a visit to my mom and dad's today.  After a long night with Jaclyn up because of a fever I decided that I would try and get her in for a check-up.  Glad I did turns out she has a small infection and her white blood cell count is up, that is what the fever is from.  Poor little thing, I hate it when my babies aren't feeling good.  So a relaxed visit turned into a doctor's office visit, then a hospital visit for a blood draw.  Probably one of the worst things you have to go through as a parent in my opinion is watching as someone sticks your baby and makes them hurt.  It wasn't easy to do at the newborn phase for jaundice, and isn't any easier at 8 months.  Hopefully her medicine will kick in and we'll get over this quick.  Meanwhile, their daddy is continuing his 70+ hour work weeks.  My babies are ready to have some daddy time.  Their mommy is ready to see him for more than an hour a day too.  Word is he may get tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday off.  That would be great!  But I'm not holding my breath I know how this usually works out.  I'm thinking tomorrow is going to be the day to take the tree down and finish moving the new toys to the toy room!!!!  Good night!

Rainy Day

It's raining again.  Being December 27th, I guess I've come to expect some snow at this point instead of rain.  Mother Nature really has been rough on Ohio this year, and while it has helped to make crop yields decent, it is making it tough to get everything finished that needs worked on.  Oh well I guess it's just another fun-filled day playing with all the new Christmas loot with the kiddos.  I'm been starting to be in a crafting mood, now to find the supplies that I need and what I want to make will be the task.  Thank goodness for Pinterest and the ideas I can get from there.  My creativity is a little lax in this area.  Have a wonderful day!

Finding the tree again.......

So it's the morning after Christmas and I can't find my house.  Between toys, boxes, clothes, unopened toys, dishes from family gatherings, I'm having trouble finding our tree and living room.  I really wish the cleaning fairy would decide to make a surprise stop here in the next day or two. lol  What we really need I think are some new totes and organizing tools.  May have to make a trip up town later.  We are blessed to have the families that we have and that they love all of us the way they do.  So as I attempt to get things opened up fast enough for Mallory to play with it all (she plays with it, then moves on to another piece that needs opened), and this is no small task since toy companies seem to think their toys should be everything but welded to the boxes lol.  I hope those of you that have the day off today enjoy it.  And anyone having to (as Derek did too) I wish a safe day upon you all.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!  Lots of things to get done in the Rowe house today before we head to Grandpa Wilbie, and Grandma RoseAnn's for Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately Derek had to go to work for a few hours this morning, but we are thankful that he has a job to go to.  I'm so proud of him and all his dedication to his job.  Have some final baking to do before we head out later this afternoon, and then getting things packed up in the car for the lovely festivities to begin.  Let's not forget the reason for the season, and we will be looking forward to the birth of Baby Jesus this evening as well as all the fun to be had both tonight and tomorrow.  Can't wait to see Mallory's face when "Santa" has arrived and she gets to open her presents.  She was calling him last night asking for a couple of last minute items.  Thank goodness he seemed to have read her mind and they were actually wrapped up already.  Little miss Jaclyn will just be fun to try and keep out of all the wrinkled up paper.  She likes to get into it all.  I love these baby girls more than anything and feel so blessed to have been chosen to be their mommy.  I love my family, and hope that each and everyone of you get to be with your family/loved ones this holiday.  Have a Glorious Christmas Eve! 

Something New

So I thought I would start this blog as a way to express my views and thoughts.  I tend to come across better when I am writing and find it fairly good therapy.  I'm not asking anyone to change their views to agree with mine, nor do I expect everyone to agree with me.  I know that everyone has their own opinions just as I have mine.  My thought is attempting to blog once or twice a week (at least) in this new year that is rapidly coming upon us.  I have found that I need an extra "outlet" I guess you could say.  So I thank you for reading my blog and being a part of my life.  Enjoy!