Girls girls girls

This lady is mischievous, busy, crazy, so smart, giving, and beautiful.

I love her, everyday is so hard but I do love her very much. 

This little man of mine

He is so happy and go lucky!  I can't believe his little positive outlook on life, I'm in awe and amazed by it.  

He's starting to be into everything and he's so busy but that's a good thing to be able to keep up with his crazy sister!  

Hiking

Our new found love!  We are bound and determined to have our kiddos love the outdoors as much as we do.  Plus we live in the best place to go hiking all the time!  And I can't tell you how much I LOVE it!! 

It's definitely not easy but it is worth it.  Our kids are such good sports for all the adventures we lead them on!

Can't wait to do it again. 

My loves

Most of the time our days are spent passing time in a park/splash pad, or even the pool.  It's so nice to travel in the summer and experience new places, new things to do, a little change of scenery is good for everyone (that's what I tell myself to be ok with being gone!)

Mischievous

These two love to get into everything, fight, wrestle, give kisses, jump and the list goes on and on!  

And yes if one of my kids isn't naked the other one is, or both.  

Lately our obsession is with sun glasses, after all you need to keep your eyes safe and protected! 

My man

This little buggar can't look at me without a bulldog face!  He's so cute I could eat him!  

Lake Michigan

The beaches in Lake Michigan are so breathe taking.  Even on a cloudy day we still had some fun.

We were able to have stasia for a couple days, and dev and rykley!  Our little apartment fit everyone and it was so fun! Summer sales bring some fun adventures!

Everyday happenings

We have lots on our plates, but thankfully our kiddos keep us on our toes and happy!

Halle and her daddy are connected at the hip, she would spend every day together if possible.  

This little stinker has my heart all wrapped around him...twice!  He is really giving me a run for my money and I am still in love with him no matter how many crazy things he does!

an update on me

**While this is very personal I ask that you only read with no judgements in mind.  These are my feelings, and I had a hard time writing it.  Please be kind and aware of how important these subjects are to me. 

I guess I wanted to write this post to clear the air a little bit.  Many people have seen the pictures of food, and this is why I am doing it, its not because I want to loose weight (that is always a perk, and I do need it) I have been all over the map with my health, and I never thought I would need to explain to people why, but I feel like its time.  After I had Dax (our beautiful boy) I started feeling really different about my body and myself.  It’s hard to explain, because I myself didn’t understand.  I was emotional, all over the map, I thought a lot of it was postpartum, and it’s hard when the world tells you that’s normal, you try to just roll with it.  So then it snowballed, I was a little angry with my circumstance because I felt very inadequate at my roll as a mom, my kids were 22 months apart and I didn’t feel like I was ready to take on the challenge of another child.  Halle (my little girl) was in her terrible twos, and I felt guilty for having another child so soon taking away precious time alone with her that I knew we would never have again.  I didn’t see having another child as expanding the family, I saw it as restraining.  Then we moved again to Mobile, AL for 4 months (my husbands job takes us away every summer)

I have always been very active, and into running.  I can gage how I am feeling by the distance I can run.  So I knew when we moved to Mobile, I just needed to run, to be able to feel again.  I started trying to workout, I did ok but any sort of motivation was out the door.  I would get up early before my kids and go running, I really couldn’t get any distance in, because I was incredibly tired.  I thought it was post pregnancy weight, so I just tried to keep plugging at it, meanwhile I slipped into a greater depressive state.  I didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere, I wasn’t happy, and nothing could change my mood.  I felt guilty for not being that “pintrest mom” and that just meant I slipped further and further into hating myself.   At that point I flew home to go to my doctor and see what was going on because besides being mentally incapable, physically I was a wreck as well.  As soon as noon hit everyday my energy was gone, I could barely lift my limbs to do normal everyday things.  I felt a jittery weakness all afternoon, and prayed I would make it to when I could put my kids to bed.  My poor poor kids.  Every time I would stand up, off the couch, up from a bed, bend over and stand up everything would blackout.  I was conscious; I just couldn’t see anything and my ears would ring.  Trying to explain it to other people was impossible.  In our apartment we lived on the third floor and I could only walk a couple stairs at a time, it would take me awhile to get to all the way up three flights of stairs.  It seemed any change in elevation (even inches) made me sicker.  So I went home to see what was the issues, I had some blood work done, and everything came back normal, talk about a huge disappointment.  But after discussing things with my dr, he best concluded and diagnosed me with depression.  Yes, depression.  I felt dumb, how could this happen to me, and how could I allow myself to be that person.  So I started the medication, and nothing really changed, in the back of my head I never thought that was the right diagnosis, but I did not go to medical school, on the other hand I also feel like nobody knows more than me about my own body.  So on top of all the other problems, I now felt worse because my poor family had to deal with me being a bit loony.  I finally returned home from the summer (there’s nothing like leaving your home for 4 months, and walking into it!)  When I returned, I expected and hoped I would get a lot better.  I had a lot of digestive issues, and I kept wondering what I was doing so wrong.  It was SO hard for me to figure out because all in all I ate fairly well, I didn’t eat a lot of sweets, NO soda…. EVER, and I cooked at home, so it wasn’t fast food, or a high fat diet. 

My husband decided that it would be a good idea to take the next year and work 3 weeks out of every month in Dallas, TX, and then come home for a week.  I just tried to push it out of my head, and not even think about it, I needed to take one day at a time (or one hour at a time) so we started on our journey of being away from each other for a year.  I was always focused and concerned about my kids, I never thought of myself, I figured if I went a million miles an hour, there wouldn’t be an emptiness of not having their daddy home.  Family and Friends were so incredibly amazing; they poured out their love and opened their homes to us, to keep us busy.  We spent a lot of time with loved ones.  Still, nothing seemed like it was improving and my dr kept telling me with the high stress life we lead its normal, and once Greg is home permanently it will start to feel better.  But the stress just mounted higher and higher.  We found out in October, that we were expecting again, I was so mad, that meant that Dax and the baby would be 17 months apart, yikes is an understatement.  I knew I was supposed to be happy, and supposed to be ecstatic, and everything else that all the amazing moms are, but I wasn’t.  (Please don’t judge me)  I tried to come to terms with it, week after week.  And things only got worse.  My relationship with my husband was not what I wanted it to be, my kids were incredibly crazy, and I felt awful all the time.  I remember thinking how unfair it was that so many people got to see their husbands at night, and I was doing it solely alone.  I know I didn’t have to work, and I give full applause to those that juggle both.  But I really wanted the security of being in my husband’s arms at the end of the day. 

Greg got to be home for about 3 weeks for Christmas, through new years, what a treat.  It was nice for our kids to see him and envelop themselves with their daddy again.  I had a check up before Greg went back to Dallas, and our Dr couldn’t find a heartbeat.  The day before we had let everyone know that we were pregnant and now we were finding out the worst news.  I was 17 weeks along and our sweet angel was taken away.  Another stress, all I could think was I had done it, it was my fault.  If I wasn’t so negative our baby wouldn’t have been taken away, it was my fault.  This was my punishment.  As things piled so did all the expenses and we found ourselves in a horrible rut.  I decided after having dinner with some wonderful women, that maybe I should look at another Dr. I contemplated it for a couple more months, then I finally made a call to a wellness center I had found in SLC, I called 2 weeks before I was supposed to leave again for the summer.  Not thinking I would get in, because another Dr hadn’t had an opening for 3 months, I got in, and to my surprise everything moved quickly.  In that two weeks I did a numerous amount of tests, and that leads to the diet I am on now.  My tests showed many areas that I was WAY under the normal, and Many areas I was off the charts in an unhealthy area.  In short I am working on my liver, vitamin levels, inflammatory problems, and the list goes on.  So through this diet and these tests I am cleansing my body and finding my old self again.  I currently cannot eat Soy, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Sugar (any kind, except those found in fruit) Salt, Soda, rice, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, fruit juices, dehydrated fruit, beef, pork, bacon…etc.  I have defiantly learned to be creative, but I am so inspired to feel normal again, yes normal is the goal.  So far I can see baby steps, my blackouts aren’t as severe and I have noticed more energy, I can RUN! Its super exciting, I’m going further and further in my distances and time and I am thankful to be on this journey.  I know that it is far from over, and sorry for the long explanation, but this is my story thus far. 

GR

We are in Grand Rapids for the summer, hopefully I can keep you a little better updated with our adventures!

I was fortunate enough to have my mom drive me out here!  We wouldn't have made it without her!  And we immediately went to the beach to check it out... It is amazing.

My kids are so busy, but we are finding so much to do here.

FL----AL

This boy is teething, and although he looks happy he has been a did bit grumpy, he just wants to cuddle all the time, I guess like his daddy!  He is so cute, whenever he gets upset instead of crying he just starts giggling!  I know he needs to sleep, but its just so dang cute it makes me want to keep him up!

This is a very very rare moment!  I told halle that she could stay up and watch TV with mommy because she has been such a good girl lately!  She started cuddling with me!  Thankfully a friend was over to capture this unique moment that never happens!  I sure do love this rambunctious girl, she keeps me active and I need that!

You'll never find another father as good as Greg!  I can say that and I know many people that feel the same way about their hubby's but really Greg makes every moment of every day matter and count to his kids.  I am so thankful that he is so good with them, and I feel so blessed that he loves them as much as I do.  Our favorite time of the day is morning time!  Greg is home for a little while and we spend every second enjoying each others company.  

On the road again, we are always on the road again!  We moved on sunday from Tallahassee to Mobile, and it wasn't to bad, we are just exhausted.  Sunday is our only day that we have as a family, because greg is gone every other day, so to be driving for 5 hours was a bit of a toll.  Halle had fun riding with her daddy, and Dax about lost it, being with me in the car!  He is such a good boy and patient most of the time, but sunday was the first day he was not very happy about where he was, or what he was doing!  We  LOVE our new place to say the least, it is SOOO nice!  Greg did an excellent job in picking this housing out!  We are having fun, but I cannot wait to be back in the comfort of my own home, it will come soon enough!

St George Island

We have been very fortunate because Greg is such a good talker to get a job where he travels every summer, and this summer we got to go to sunny FLORIDA!  It has truly been amazing, and I am so glad that we get to make such fond memories with our kiddos!  I am so proud of Greg for providing for our family and I am so thankful that he is beside me through the thick and the thin.

Dax-E-Boy

I think about all the fun silly weird stuff I used to do with Halle, when she was just as little as Dax is now, and I do not want him to miss out on all the silly pictures later!  I cannot believe that my little man is almost 5 MONTHS!  He is such a big boy and I love him oh so much.  He is so happy and giggly all the time and I am so glad that he is a member of our little happy family.

And yes I am well aware I look like an idiot, and Dax has the same picture in all the photos!

She's 2, a beautiful 2!

I feel so blessed lately to have such a wonderful family! I would have never imagined I would be so happy being a mommy! Life is different and so exciting, and very very tiring, one day I might just maybe catch up on my sleep! But I am so grateful for Halle and I pray that she knows how much I love her! She is a bright ray of sunshine in our lives and we love her dearly! At her 2 year Dr appointment she was pronounced healthy! Which I already knew! We were also given the fun fact that height at age two can be doubled and thats the height they will be with they are older! So Halle is predicted to be 5'8"!! Holy cow! She is going to be so tall! Even if she is near that it is going to be awesome!

Cancun

Since Greg is such a incredibly hard worker we are able to go on vacation with his work every year! We are a lucky couple and it is so nice to get away before the craziness of the summertime hits, its almost here and I am starting to freak out!
This was Daxs first experience with the water! He was afraid his daddy was going to drop him! I know that Greg never would, and soon he will learn that as well!
Our friends were also blessed with a brand new baby boy and they brought him as well so Dax had a friend!
Believe it or not Dax had a WONDERFUL time! He loved being by the ocean and the sound of the waves made him Zonk! Even though in this picture he was mad two seconds before that he was sticking his tongue out at us (which is his new favorite thing to so:))
Our flight home was LONG, but our little man is so patient and relaxed he is such a great and wonderful baby! We had fun, and thank goodness for Mama Small for watching our beautiful baby girl! Next time I think I would rather go with just Greg and I, but I enjoyed my sweet baby boy!

His First Trip

Well Daxy Boy got to come with us this year to Cancun because I am still breastfeeding, and he is such a good boy! He had a great plane ride and now Dax and I are just hanging out in the hotel room. Greg works so hard every year that they send him on trips and I had the bright idea of wanting to go, I am now reconsidering my not so great decision to take an infant to a resort where spring-breakers are everywhere. Anyways, pray we will survive.

Lately....

We have definetly had a very big adjusting period going on in our home! For better or for worse, Hal is learning to share her time. She is such a good girl, and great older sister. She is so silly and we love her personality, she found the vent the other day, and it was so cute to watch her leanrn how the air makes her shirt fly! And yes she also is teaching herself how to go on the big girl potty! She is such an independent thing and we are so proud of her.

This is our big boy! Growing everyday!

This was one moment that Halle and I got to spend cuddling and laughing! We are so happy and we love spending time together!

Dax

He is such a handsome little man!

Here are the newborn pics that dev took a month ago! Weird to think its been a whole month, but then again not to weird because the bags under my eyes tell you that it has been a month! Im a tired mom, and I cannot wait until this little man sleeps longer. He is quite the cutie though, we love him and in one month he gained over 4 lbs! We are so proud of him.

Dax Greg Jacobsen

On Wednesday we were blessed with the most beautiful little boy! We are so blessed to have Dax Greg Jacobsen in our lives and we feel so honored to have him in our family. Greg is already very smitten with this little man.
Our little girl, and always my baby, is very happy that she now has her own little baby to take care of. She makes sure that she gives him endless kisses everyday and helps mommy with many tasks. She is our happy girl!
The birth went very very well! Much smoother than Halle's birth, the day went by very slowly as we waited for our little boy to come and be with us. He was born just after 8 at night on wednesday, and he weighed 6 lbs 15 oz, and he was 20 inches long. Everything was great, and our little family grew! Halle is slowly welcoming this little bundle of joy, she is still trying to figure out if he is here to stay!

She loves her brother, I just have to keep her from smashing him! I think about it often that it is a wonder any of us are alive with siblings, we are so rough, which makes us tough I suppose! Especially if you think about me, after all Ryan was my older brother!

Thanks Aunt Dev