long weekend

It never fails, I always plan to accomplish so many things over the weekend and instead I decide to have fun with my family or just be lazy and never get my LONG list finished! This weekend I tried to play catch up in school and studied quite a bit for a Cardiology Exam I have on Wednesday (wish me luck). I had to work at the pharmacy all day Saturday and half day on Sunday. Mark and I had a big discussion on Sunday afternoon about how we find it so hard to spend quality time as a family lately. If he is not working, I am or I need to study. It is really frustrating because Xander is growing and changing before our eyes. But we both agree that me going to school and becoming a pharmacist will be worth it once I am done. It is just a lot of sacrificing right now. I have days when I just wish I could be a stay at home mom and be with Xander 24/7-never missing any new skill he learns. But I know that becoming a registered pharmacist will give us all the freedom (financially) to spend more time together in the long run and also to be able to afford to expand our family like we dream of. I can't wait until we have 4 or 5 little ones surrounding us at the dinner table, all talking at once, some whining, some laughing, some sulking cuz they don't want to eat their veggies:) It just seems so perfect in my head! I absolutely love the chaos that kids bring to your life. They put everything in perspective and make you realize that having perfectly matching towels in the bathroom or buying new $100 shoes just isn't what is important in life.

Xander has really started to walk this weekend...across the living room...all the way from the hallway to the TV then over to the window...he knows what he wants and now he has gained the skills to go get it! Friday I was able to see the joy on his face when he first walked all the way across the living room, stopped and clapped his hands because he was so proud of himself and then kept on walking! It was the sweetest thing-I know I won't ever forget it! It is so neat to see him learning skills like walking-something he will be doing for the rest of his life, but at the same time I am a little scared about how fast he is going to be running away from me :) I never knew how much I could love one person, but he has totally changed my perspective on life, and especially on just how important my marriage with Mark is. We are his foundation and it gives the vows you say at your wedding even more weight...because not only am I counting on Mark's love and devotion (and he on mine) but now, Xander is here and it is so important to me that his parents love each other and never forget to show him/surround him with love everyday! I can't wait to have 15 more just like him!! :) Ok, well at least 3 more :) here is a picture of our sweetie with one of my best friends, Adam Dmitriev last week when Adam came to visit us all the way from Texas!! Xander thought he was fun and we all had a good visit! isn't he adorable?? And, no Adam, I am talking about the baby!! :)