Married and Having a Baby!

In my brief absence here on my blog I have much to share with you. I am now a married woman and I am expecting my third child in September!

Who would have thought a year ago I would be married and pregnant? Life is interesting like that, and once again she has shown me that she is not done with throwing me unexpected surprises. I couldn't be more happy or more thrilled.

I truly do feel like the luckiest woman in the world. My new husband is amazing and wonderul. Everything a woman would want in a man. Respectful, thoughtful, giving and continues to make me smile and laugh.

Our wedding day is a day I will cherish for the rest of my life and beyond. It was small, short and very sweet. All of my loved ones were there to witness the grand event. My son gave me away, my daughter was a beautiful brides maid, two of my cute little nieces were adorable flower girls, my little sister the maid of honor and Dan's best friend Dan the best man, not to mention that my brother-in-law performed the ceremony. It was funny, heart warming and some tears of joy were shed. Most importanly, our vows were written from our hearts. Vows that expressed our love, our devotion and our promises to one another. The recpetion was held in our house (thanks to wind and cold) and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a wonderul, exciting day! I do have to say that our new marriage has brought us closer than ever, and I love him more now than ever. I do believe the feeling is mutal on his part! ;)

And now I am going to be a mama again. Four months into the pregnancy and I am feeling really good. No big complaints, like morning sickness. Just feel tired and boy do I have to pee a lot! We have had two ultra sounds already and the baby looks healthy and active! Yay for active baby! We have another ultra sound on May 1st and hopefully we will find out gender. I will keep you posted. So why all the ultra sounds you may ask? Well, according to the medical experts, I am considered high risk due to my age. Yes, apparently 35 is considered advanced maternal age! Oh well, I am not going to complain about the extra tender care and ultra sounds. Dan is super excited and has been taking extra good care of me. Making me breakfast every morning, packing my lunches and sees that I get my rest. He even enjoys talking and making jokes to my belly so the baby can hear. Gotta break the baby in with his hilarious humor right? :o)

Life is good! Even if you have to squint to find the good, it's there. Wishing you all the joy possible!

 

Stay tuned as pictures will be posted soon!

2014 Is Gonna Be A Great Year!

I can't believe it is already January 10, 2014! So much has happened (obviously since I haven't had a chance to sit and write about it). So here is a break down of all the great things Dan and I have been up to.

Holidays
We had a great time this holiday season. It was our first Christmas together and it was quite magical. Not because of the decorated tress, or the festive music, or the delicious sweet foods, or the wonderful expensive gifts. At least for me Chirstmas is not about material things but spending time with those you love. The best gift for me was Dan himself and my two children. Although the kiddos spent Christmas Day with their dad we arranged a special Christmas gathering the day after. I figure the day we celebrate is not as important than who you celebrate with. As I get older I realize more and more it's not what you have but WHO you have that matters, and I am one lucky girl for having such amazing people in my life. Dan's family has been wonderful and very supportive and that was another special gift this holiday season for us! We spent Christmas Day with his folks and spent the morning drinking mimosas (how can that ever be a bad way to spend Christmas morning) and eating yummy snacks. I love hanging out at the Jaecks place!

On my side of the family we had our annual early Christmas Celebration on December 14th. We ate tamales (which were home made, Dan's mom even helped with the tradtion), drank good beer, and opened gifts. I think Dan enjoyed the loud chaotic, but beautiful home of my sister Jo. It was nice to have the whole family there. My sister Claudia and her boyfriend Sean are always delightful to hang out it with!

Anniversary
Yup! One year down already. It was one year on December 28th. Best year of my life. From haikus and flowers to beer and outdoor living. It has been quite an adventure. The highlight of the year of course was getting engaged in Disney World. That trip will always be treasured and rememberd dearly in my heart. I am so excited to have such a wonderful man in my kids's and my life. I know he loves us and we love him. I know the transition in blending our families togther will not be an easy one, and I know a lot of changes and challenges will be ahead. However, with dedication, loyalty and good old fashion perseverance and of course love we can get through it.  This year has taught me that Dan and I can work through tough spots. So when we cheered our one year together, I was filled with emotion. I am happy, excited and trying to stay grounded in reality. I know the kids and I are very fortunate to have Dan and the Jaecks clan a part of our life!

House Improvements
We spent some of our winter break painting. We painted the kitchen fresh pineapple with an accent wall of perriwinkle. We also did the living room saharah desert and smoky greyish blue. I forgot the original name. We also transferred my hutch with my grandma's china to the kitchen and it looks absolutely fabulous darling!

New Job
I started a new job. Well, a new school, not really a new job. I am now teaching at Desert Ridge Middle School facilitating IEP meetings and assisting other teachers with thier instruction. I will have my own class in August. So far it's been amazing!

So there you have it! 2014 is a year of change, a year of transistions, and a year of dreams coming true! I hope this little note finds you all healthy and happy!

Peace,

Dan and Roxanne and the Little Warriors

P.S. I will post pictures as soon as I can.... Need to hook up the cam! :)

Having Too Much Fun!!!

Dan and I have been having too much fun these last few months. From going to Disney World (where he proposed), to surprise birthday parties. In between we are hanging out with the kids at basketball games, concerts and wherever else they drag us to. Right now we are busy with home improvement projects and will be painting the kitchen. Photos to follow soon!

Here are some pictures of Disney World and the surprise birthday party, which by the way, was a ton of fun putting together. I love doing stuff for Dan that shows how awesome he is!

Our Story (her side)

A small town girl and a military brat. That is how we started out. We both lived very different lives and our paths led to very different ways, but somehow, beyond explanation, our paths crossed and we haven't been separated since….

I was a single mom for about four years. I have two adolescent children whom I love and adore with all my heart. Dan was busy putting the pieces of his life together and working hard raising money for sick children.

After getting my Master's degree in education, it was rather difficult to land a permanent job. I was desperate. The school where my daughter attended was a middle school, and I didn't think I would be considered since my experience was Elementary Education, but thought it was worth a try to apply. The job I interviewed for was not given to me but to another teacher. I spent the entire summer applying and interviewing with no luck. As the 2011-2012 school year began I still had no job. I honestly did not know what I was going to do. Then a friend of mine suggested I try Special Ed, Gifted to be exact, since General Ed Teachers were able to teach Gifted without a Special Ed license. So I found myself once again applying at my daughter's school, since there was opening for a 7th grade gifted position. I was hired on the spot but as a short term employee! Since I happen to know the Special Ed Vice Principal she thought it would be best I teach 6th grade with my elementary background. So on I went to teach Gifted 6th grade. Then I met some other 6th grade teachers there, one in particular who would later introduce me to his brother Dan.

Let me just say that before meeting Dan, I was done with the dating scene. I was tired of dating men I had no connection with, or who ended up being real jerks. I had decided to concentrate on raising my children and my career. I had no intentions of pursuing a serious relationship. I guess someone else had different plans.

It was Christmas break 2012 (I was no longer short term since I passed my gifted endorsement test just a few months ago…yay!). I was invited to eat some crab legs and enjoy some drinks. I had agreed to meet Dan in a group setting. I was done with the awkward first date if no connection was made. When I met Dan for the first time I could tell that we would get along, perhaps because he had the ability to make me smile and laugh.

It didn't take long before we engaged in conversation. Of course there were a few flirtatious banters thrown out to one another, just to indicate our interest. We also exchanged numbers. I did not get home until 10 A.M. the next morning. Now, it's not what you think, really. Dan invited me to his place after crab legs and drinks were over. He knew about my love for eggs in the morning and he happens to be raising chickens in his back yard. So on I went to enjoy some eggs, and a good fire. Literally and metaphorically speaking….

Okay, okay, nothing happened. I promise! However, Dan did try to kiss me, but I had strict rules about kissing someone I just met. So he asked if I would come over the following week for dinner. I accepted.

The only problem was that I couldn't wait that long. So I asked him if he was interested in going for hike at the Bosque. I had an immediate response of YES! He was at my place in record speed. So off we went walking in the beautiful Bosque enjoying the cool winter air as the Cranes ate and basked in the sun. We talked and talked. I told my stories of life, and he listened. He told his stories of life and I listened. We laughed and held hands. I even told him a story about the birds of paradise and how the males birds built extravagant structures from sticks in order to impress the females and find a mate. Without skipping a beat, Dan hands me the most beautiful stick. So I kissed him! And it may sound absolutely crazy, but I knew there was something special about this guy and I wanted to find out.

The last ten months have been amazing! He is a great role model for my children and he is everything I ever wanted in a man. He is adorable, cute, funny, responsible, kind and loving. The rest of our lives is going to be quite an adventure. So here is to the beginning… I cannot wait! :)