Perfect Evening

Last night the plans we had originally made fell through at the last minute and we decided to head out with our little family of four, have dinner and play outside on a beautiful evening. I love this time of year. Allan and Claire played chase and laughed while Jacob and I observed their silliness from the sidelines. Claire had the great idea of playing school and she would be the teacher. Allan, Jacob, and I sat down in the cool soft grass and she stood in front of us asking things like "what word starts with the letter F",we would raise our hands and she would ask us to stand up and answer the question. She then led us in a few fun songs. I am sure we looked ridiculous to all the people around us, but it was a special fun time and I am so thankful we chose not to let our egos get in the way of having fun as a family. Jacob was happy to just sit and laugh whenever we did and crawl around eating sticks and dirt. It was a perfect little family evening, I loved everything about it!

Honest Scrap

My friend Krista just gave me a blog award and so here is the deal...now I get to share 10 honest scraps about myself. There isn't a whole lot that you all don't already know about me, but I will see what I can do.

1. I am starting sewing lessons tomorrow and I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I have a tendency to fail at creative projects and I would really love not to fail this time
2. I LOVE the show Glee and I kind of wish that people would break out in song in real life
3. I had my first panic attack on the side of a mountain in CO the summer of '98 and then didn't have another one until I was about 20 feet underwater in '08. Sadly, I have had quite a few very mild ones since then.
4. I think that it would be cool to run a half marathon
5. I dream of going on a mission trip and working with women and children in Africa
6. Two things that annoy the heck out of me are whiny voices and smacking, both of them turn me into an evil person that wants to knock you off your feet (and not in a good way). Thankfully I posses a little self control, I have yet to hit anyone yet ;)
   
7. I rarely have motivation to get off the couch unless there is something fun to do, seriously. I hate this about myself.
8. I never knew I could be so desperately in love with my kids. I sometimes tear up just looking at them. Even on the really hard days I would die for them and I know that I am not finished having babies (I wouldn't mind two more).
9. My obsession with pop culture has dwindled to almost nothing. I am perfectly satisfied reading my People magazine every week. I used to watch enews every night and read about celebrities online throughout the day.
10. I have a little dream of getting my closest friends from each part of my life together for a beach weekend, but I doubt it will ever happen since we are all super busy with our own lives and families. I just think it would be great for all the people I think are so wonderful to meet.

ok so know it is time for me to pass it on I am giving the Honest Scrap award to:

Kate- These Are The Days
Hannah- The Crunchy Chronicles
Randi- Dukes and Duchesses
Leanna- Leanna's Little Spot of Cyber Space
Allison- A King, A Queen, and A Jack

Feel free to write your own ten pieces of honest scrap. Let me know if you decide to do it.

President's Award Winner

In my last post I mentioned that Allan was needing a picture for an honor he was awarded with a couple of weeks ago. I cannot believe that I have not blogged about this yet. I am beyond proud of my husband for being one of the recipients of The President's Award at Southwest Airlines. This award is given to just a handful of people every year and he is so deserving of it. He is committed to being a passionate airline employee, he is a man full of integrity, and he is always looking for ways to better the company he works for. He came up with a plan that made the company an incredible amount of money this last year and it didn't go unnoticed. We will be going to a fancy party in June where he will be publicly awarded for his hard work and I am really looking forward to it. Sweet Man, I am SO SO SO proud of you! You deserve every ounce of recognition you are given for your hard work. You are pretty awesome!

Decisions Decisions

Allan needs a picture of himself for a scrapbook they are making of The President's Award winners. The exact requirements are a recent head shot. I told him I would search for the perfect one since this is such a HUGE honor and will be one of the highlights of his career at Southwest Airlines more than likely. Hmmmm, which one should I choose???

Selke Girls Weekend

My parents gave the same present to me, my sisters, and my sister-in-law for Christmas- a girl's trip to Fredericksburg for a weekend. This was the weekend it finally worked for all of us to go. I had to miss the first part of the weekend since we had the unexpected trip to Florida, but joined up with the group Saturday afternoon. I had a great time. It was very low key and relaxing and the high point for me may have been getting eight solid hours of sleep for the first time in over a year. I was able to leave BOTH kids with Allan and they had a wonderful time, just for the record.

We shopped up and down Main Street, ate a delicious German meal, stayed up way to late chatting in the cutest little cottage, had a yummy breakfast, and walked around the beautiful Wildseed Farms just outside of town. I really enjoyed the weekend even more than I had planned to and I am really hoping that we can make this Selke Girl's Weekend an annual event.

I am so blessed to be a part of a family that wants to invest time in our relationships and that will take a break from day to day life to get away and just focus on each other and relaxing together even if it is just for two days. I love these ladies so much!!

Thank you Mom for making this trip special and for being the reason we all got together. I love you and I love how you love your girls. It was such a wonderful weekend. I love you!

We Love 'Em

There is pretty much nothing better than these two little people. Allan and I find ourselves falling deeper and deeper in love with Claire and Jacob everyday. I am so thankful for my family!

The Beach

We were able to spend Friday afternoon at St. Petersburg Beach while we were in Florida. It was such a fun afternoon with Allan's dad, his Aunt Dale and her boyfriend Tommy. Claire was in heaven with the freedom to run after seagulls, dig in the sand, and splash in the ocean. Jacob ate a little sand and had a wonderful time crawling around and splashing in the little puddles we would make for him.

The highlight of our time at the beach was renting a wave runner for fifteen minutes. Claire got to go out with us for a little bit and she loved it. She liked going fast (don't worry, Allan was very careful and didn't make any fast turns with her on it). It was such a fun memory making moment. Jacob hung out under an umbrella with his Papa and Aunt Dale.

Don't be jealous of my "Crabbylicious" t-shirt. You see we had no idea we were going to the beach when we left the hotel that morning for the funeral. We had to improvise outfits from the little tourist shops and this shirt was the best I could do. It was from the restaurant Crabby Bills of all places. I was pretty much the coolest person on the beach...what can I say.

Albert Kavalich

February 15, 1910 - April 11, 2010

I never had the chance to meet Allan's grandpa, I really wish I could have. We attended his funeral in Florida this past Friday. He was 100 years old, a decorated veteran from WWII, he had a complicated relationship with his family. I wish that I knew more about him and the life he lived. I wish that we would have introduced him to two of his great grandchildren. I am thankful Allan could stand next to his father at his grandpa's funeral. It was a special time.

SWA Chili Cookoff

We spent last Saturday at Sandy Lake Park for the Southwest Airlines Chili Cookoff. It was such a fun day. All the rides were free and our brave girl didn't shy away from any of the ones she was tall enough for. By the end of the day she was riding little roller coasters with her hands in the air yelling "woohoo!!". It was one of our most fun family days in a while and I am so glad we went.

Jacob was a little too small to do anything other than the train ride around the park which he loved. He was so good to sit in his stroller and watch us have all the fun. He did enjoy the little picnic in the grass where he practiced his self control by not putting too much grass in his
mouth.

What can I say...I stinkin' love my family and all the things we do together. I am so thankful that I have a husband that really wants to invest his time and heart into his family.

I Turned....

31!

It was actually a good birthday. I had dinner with a few close friends and my handsome husband at Bucca di Beppo and then a few days later some girlfriends and I went out to dinner and saw a chick flick. I felt loved and celebrated and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Easter 2010

We had the most low key Easter of my life this year and I really enjoyed every minute of it. We woke up early and checked out the goodies that the Easter Bunny left then spent some time lounging around in our PJs. Allan got into baking mode and made his inaugural batch of "Kavalich Homemade Crescent Rolls" to take over to the Powell house for a late afternoon lunch. We were so excited when they asked us to have dinner with them. One of the things I liked most about our day was that we decided to go to the evening service at our new church. We were able to take the day slowly and really enjoy time with family and then end the day with an amazing sermon.

Checking out the Easter Bunny treats. Claire has been asking for a pet on a daily basis so she was pretty happy to get the next best thing a Zhu Zhu pet with its very own ball to roll around in. Notice the eggs in the shoes. It is a tradition that has been passed down through a few generations on my mom's side of the family...I love it. It was also fun to watch Jacob get into the holiday. He loved his ball and his eggs filled with puffs.

Our family of four in our Easter best. I can't help but think that I have two of the cutest kiddos in the whole wide world. I also love that they are able to wear coordinating outfits.

Easter Program

Claire had her Easter program for Mother's Day Out the Thursday before Easter and it was awesome. Claire was hysterical to watch, she bobbed her head and made ridiculous faces throughout the entire program. She sang loud, especially on the song Mercy is Falling which she had been practicing for weeks leading up to the big show. I just love watching my girl and I was one proud mama from the time she sweetly walked down the aisle to her seat until the final song had been sung. Afterwards the school hosted a cookie and punch reception that was chaotic, but fun. It was also really special to have Claire's two Mimis (Allan's mom, Gig, and my sister, Amy) there to cheer her on during her performance.

I just love being Claire's mom!!!

Papa and Mimi

Allan's parents came to spend time with us for almost a week and we had a great time. The kids love spending time with their Mimi and Papa. Claire actually asks on an almost daily basis when we will be going to California to spend more time with them. They do an amazing job loving on all their grandkids even from across the country. We are so thankful for them!

Gig (aka Mimi) is amazing at making Claire and Jacob her top priority when she is in town. She and Claire had a few special moments together making Pinkilicious cupcakes, playing a lot of Go Fish, reading books, playing in the playroom, and just chatting and enjoying each other's company. Allan (aka Papa) played a few games of chase around the house and helped Claire reach a few Easter eggs at the Selke grandkid Easter egg hunt.

Papa and Mimi never come to visit empty handed. They are so generous and are wonderful at giving thoughtful, sentimental, and fun gifts. Jacob received another Halcyon Days box for his dedication, Claire received a beautiful Hummel figurine, a little girl praying, for asking Jesus into her heart, of course they received early Easter baskets full of goodies as well.

Thank you for loving on our kids in various ways Allan and Gig, we love you guys!

Fun Art

My dad got in on the fun of chalking in the driveway a couple of weekends ago. I was sad when his masterpiece got washed away.

It is a family tree that has the names of all the grandkids (including the newest little turkey that will be joining the family in November thanks to Sara) and the original four Selkes.

Aging

This is not my birthday post (that will be coming in a bit) this is just simply a post stating that I know that I am getting older. How do I know you ask??? Well I bravely stupidly jumped in this spinning cup of death on the carousel at the mall a few weeks ago. Jack and Allie had us spinning so fast that I truly thought I was going to puke all over the place and I continued to feel that way for about an hour after I got off.
I can remember the first time my family was at Six Flags and my mom got off of a ride feeling nauseous and made a statement about how she used to be able to spin and now she just can't anymore without getting a headache (that is a paraphrase). I also remember thinking that would never happen to me...I was wrong.

For the record I know that 31 is not OLD, but it is older than 13, 10, and 3 which happen to be the ages of the people I shared the spinning thing with ;)

Easter Bunny

Claire and Jacob both had their first visit to the Easter Bunny this year. Jacob was not the least bit scared of this huge stuffed animal. He could barely take his eyes off of him. Claire was brave too and was super happy that her little visit was rewarded with a sucker that turned her lips, teeth, and tongue bright blue.

We went to see the big bunny with the playgroup that we have been a part of for almost three years. I love that Claire has a group of friends like this to grow up with and I love that I get to grow as a mommy with three wonderful women.

Just Because...

...I think they are cute

Egg Hunt

Since my family was already in town for Jacob's dedication (the week before Easter) we decided to go ahead and let all the grand kids do an early egg hunt in our front yard. I think they all had a great time running around stocking up on their sugar for the next week. The group shots of the "Selke" nine crack me up. It is truly impossible to get a shot where they are all looking at the camera and smiling. This is a fun, chaotic stage of life and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Baby Dedication

March 28th we held a very intimate and special baby dedication for Jacob in our home. There were a few circumstances that led us down the path of holding this special moment in our home and I could not be more pleased with how it turned out. We had my entire family, Allan's parents, and a few very close friends over for a time of blessing our baby boy and making promises to raise him in a Christian home and teach him Christian morals. We committed to lay the ground work, to the best of our ability, for Jacob to one day choose to accept Jesus into his heart. We know that becoming a Christian is a choice he will have to make for himself one day, we do not believe that we can save him. We pray for wisdom daily that we will raise our children the way that God intends for us too and it was so encouraging to have have family and friends commit to support us as we walk this path. It was such a special time to spend with those closest to us.

**I am so bummed that we did not get a picture with all of my siblings and my nieces and nephews. It gets a little chaotic when we are all together and photo ops like that sometimes get forgotten. Thank you so much for being a part of Jacob's dedication, even though you weren't documented.