He is....

Who is Mondo? He is....

My best friend. I guess when you see a person almost daily for 16 years they have to know almost everything about you. He is the first person I go to when I have exciting or heartbreaking news. We talk on the phone several times a day when we are apart. He knows what I'm thinking without me having to say anything. He calls me when I'm reaching for the phone to call him. For those of you Days of Our Lives watchers, we are Bo and Hope.


An amazing father. I take for granted that he is so involved with our children. He went to every well check up for Ethan until he turned 6 and has been to all of Caleb's. We scheduled Caleb's swim class at night because Mondo doesn't want to miss it even though it would be easier for me to take him alone during the day. He takes the boys shopping and on fun "daddy days" when I sleep all day on Saturdays. He comes in from work, changes clothes, and goes straight to the backyard to play baseball with the kids or jumps right in with whatever they are doing. He lets them sleep with him every weekend when I'm at work and he keeps them super quiet while I sleep during the day.


A hard worker. He has excelled at every job he's had. When he was "Mr. Mondo" at our church daycare, the kids loved him. When he was the friendly service guy at Mobile he would get tips shoved in his face even though he wasn't supposed to accept them. I told him the other day that he becomes the main boss's best buddy almost instantly at whatever job he is at. He is working so hard at his new job and I don't think he thinks I notice. I do. It's not an 8-5 job like I thought it would be and he puts in 110% effort to be the best at it he can be.


My soul mate. I probably wouldn't believe in soul mates...if I didn't have one. I truely believe that God made us for each other. I couldn't imagine my life without him. Really...the thought of it makes me have a mini panic attack. I don't think I could be functional without my other half. We joke that neither one of us wears the pants in the family. We both wear one leg. It's so true. Sometimes I feel like I am too dependent on him. Like I can't make a decision without discussing it with him first. But is that such a bad thing? I don't think so.

I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally. I've truely enjoyed the last 9 years of marriage and 7 years of dating before that. Hopefully the next chapters of our life will bring us just as much happiness. I love you Mondie! (And thanks for the yummy steak dinner!)

Ethan's Birthday Party

Ahh. Chuck E Cheese. My least favorite place on Earth. And that's where Ethan decided to have his birthday party this year. The irony of that day was that we always have to have his birthday at an indoor place instead of the backyard since the weather is usually bad. One year we had to cancel his party due to ice. So what happens this year? It's the most beautiful day! Sunny, warm. Since his party was on a beautiful Sunday afternoon I thought for sure the place wouldn't be crowded. Man, was I wrong! It was packed! I think there was a party at every table. So that added to the chaos that is Chuck E Cheese. It was a stressful time for me trying to keep up with the kids and our stuff but Ethan and his friends had a great time so I guess that's all that matters. I'm looking to do something on a smaller scale next year!!

He posed himself.

Another pose. Not sure what this was about.

An attempt at a family photo. Guess who's not looking and trying to pick his nose?

Pizza!

Pizza is one of the few things on his list that he will eat.

Caleb loves pizza too!

The cake. I thought it was a little ho-hum. This was the only Star Wars cake I could find. Maybe next year I can make his birthday cake.

He enjoyed getting to put the candles on the cake.

The birthday king!

Make a wish!

This is the best picture I could get. Caleb was COVERED in red icing. Face and hands. I actually missed Ethan opening his presents because I was in the bathroom trying to clean Caleb up.

Getting ready for the ticket blaster. I totally didn't think he would get in this thing. He thought it was cool like a spaceship!

There is a video at the bottom of this thing blowing. I'm suprised he could catch them.

Checking out his presents.

Caleb enjoyed playing games.

Ethan and Liam.

Ride 'em cowboy!

I just like the look of love on my dad's face in this picture.

Whew! The party is over!

Ethan's Birthday Dinner

For those of you who know me well, you can imagine my excitement when Ethan announced that we would be going to Olive Garden for his birthday dinner. Yummo! He may be a picky eater but he has good taste. ;-) Mondo was not so excited since he's not a big pasta eater. Works out though because he eats all my veggies. I know, what a bad example I am to my children! In this pic above, Ethan is sporting his new Star Wars t-shirt. How big is he getting?!

Showing off his cookie cake that I made for him. It's my new tradition.

The up close version.

Chowing on a breadstick. I think he might have had 3...with alfredo dipping sauce. We taught him well.

Caleb was getting crazy with the "frutons" and shredded cheese. Every time the waiter walked by with the cheese shredder he'd say "I need more cheese!" It was a mess.

Ethan and I split the Garlic Herb Chicken Con Broccoli...mmm...heaven on a plate. Of course, Mondo ate our broccoli...and Ethan's chicken. Wouldn't want to ruin good pasta.

Caleb did eat a few bites of "white sketty" (alfredo). I might have sampled some of his too. We're not gonna talk about my calorie intake that night!

Ethan really wanted everyone to sing happy birthday to him. And all he wanted for dessert was ice cream. The made him a little sundae and two of the waiters sang to him. I'm not so sure they do that on a regular basis anymore.

After dinner we came home and had more food! We invited my parents and Mondo's mom over to sing happy birthday (again) and have some cookie cake.

I never get the action shot of the candle blowing. He didn't even eat any of the cookie. Caleb had a great time telling me which letters to cut out so he could eat them and then he'd change his mind and put them back in the cookie like puzzle pieces. He's a funny kid.