Ready to Go

(I give snacks out)

(I set up the toys)

(Clean up)

(Decorate garage)

(Move stuff were it is suppose to be)

So, recently we decided that we absolutely need to move from our current house. We haven't set on a place yet, but are looking. So, all in the same time we have been teaching you about business, earning money,. and saving money, and spending money wisely. This has been been an integral part of your chore chart we have set up as your first step to learning this. You are right now able to earn up to $7 a week on your allowance if you complete all your tasks. Its going pretty well, but you don't always complete all your chores everyday. Currently  with the impending move once school is out, you suggested that we have a garage sale! So, we are. Over the past few days, you have been working hard with dad on cleaning up the garage, and your room. In this process, you are judging what items you would like to sell, and how much you would like to sell them for. So far, its going very well. You have agreed that you would be in charge of selling toys. Then  you realized that you wanted to earn more money. So, we have set up a plan that you are going to sell popcorn and some sort of drink. I hope you decide soon because the sale is in like 2 days! You even started making a list of those items, what you need to sell those items, where you want it to go, and so on. I'm very impressed with your "management" of of all the things you are trying to do! This will prove to serve you well when you get older.

Playing Catch Up



(video of random dancing about 3 yrs old in this video)

So, I had just recently returned from a 3-4 month deployment, right before your 2nd birthday I believe Jay. I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it home in time, because right at the end of my deployment, attacks had started becoming more prevalent. The day before we were suppose to leave, we had a scare and we were locked down and told to take shelter. They nearly cancelled all flights out and in. I was scared, and sad. I cried inside because I was already missing so much of you learning new things and talking, etc. Almost everyday I got awesome pictures of you through email. However, when I got home, I wasnt expecting how much you grew, and your word development, and how much you were becoming independent. I was shocked, proud, and resentful all at the same time. It was so amazing seeing you trying to do things on your own, and communicating with us. We took a video of that day and have it on my computer. You were to cute for words! To this day, you amaze us with how much you have grown and learned throughout the years. You have gone to the store on many occasions and with your allowance bought yourself and your brother little toys. You made him very happy, and at the same time you were teaching him about being kind, and giving even though you didnt know it at the time. Now, when we go to store with Jonah from time to time and he wants to get something, as soon as he asks, he now asks if he can get you one too so that you are happy too. :)

Through Daddy's Eyes

It was the late spring in '07.  Jay Jr, you were sleeping on the front couch. I went to start catching up on work in my room when I heard the refrigerator door slam.  You and I were the only ones home and you were only 18 months at the time.  I went to the kitchen and to my surprise I found you had managed to sneak an ice cream sandwich.  This was the first time that you had “helped” yourself.  It was too funny, to be clear you actually grabbed to whole box.  I very quietly followed behind you closing the freezer door and followed you to the front room.  I did not say a word I just watched.  You opened the box very nicely and pulled out one sandwich. I managed to grab the video cam we used at the time.  I knew it wasn't the right time for ice cream as it was right during your nap time.  I learned that allowing certain situations the ability to unfold can teach us many lessons.  For you on that day, you learned that you have the ability to figure out how to obtain something you wanted but also have the reward that came from your own abilities.  I was once again, very proud of you son.

I love  you,

John J Ulyak Sr

In Sickness & Health

 So, there are alot of times were you absolutely are so worked up that you drive us kinda crazy. There are times that you are so full of energy and playfulness that you make us weak with laughter. Then there are the times when you are sick and so pitiful, that we hurt inside and get sad to see you so miserable.
 
 When you are disrespectful and don't follow rules we have to figure out a way to punish you, but also teach you at the same time to understand what you are being punished for and how you can prevent it from happening again. There are times that we restrict you from television all together, or just your favorite shows. There are times that we send you to your room to think about your actions. There are times that we take away your video games, and then there are times when we have to hand out the spankings.
 
When you are playful, we enjoy chasing you around the house in circles. We enjoy wrestling with you, and being your bad guys. We enjoy going out back and playing a little soccer or flag football.

Then, when you are sick, we don't enjoy the fact that you are unhappy, and can't get comfortable.Your head hurts, your throat hurts, your whole body hurts, you are coughing and running a fever. We hate that you have to miss out on all the fun you could be having at school or with us because you have to rest. We hate that you cant enjoy your meals like you usually do. We hate that you have to take the one medicine that you absolutely refuse to take to make you better. But, we don't hate that we love to get to hold you when you are feeling ill. We love how you sleep beside us and cuddle because it makes you a little more comfortable. We melt when we see your poor little eyes well up with tears because you are hurting. We love the big warm hugs and kisses we get to give you to help comfort you. We love being able to just have you sit on our laps or right beside us on the couch and watch your favorite shows until you finally fall asleep.
   
We love you, and are glad that you are ours to have & to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, (thanks to allowance), in sickness & health, to love & to cherish til death do us part.

To Be or Not To Be

So today, after re-reading one of the posts I made  regarding your next door neighbor adventure, it made me remember two other events that involved you and some girls :) You are so kind and thoughtful of others. I am very proud to know you posses those qualities. One day you came up to me and asked about giving this girl in your class "your girlfriend" some flowers that you picked from the lawn.These were little tiny weed flowers, but I know the thought of even doing that was so much bigger. I asked you if you would rather get her some better flowers instead. You agreed and so we went off to the store to make a choice. I asked you about her favorite colors and things, and then we picked out some beautiful pink carnations. I loved being able to share that moment with you. I stood back as you picked them out, and smiled as I saw your smile grow big an eyes light up when you found the right ones. So we paid for them, and put them in a vase until the next day. After coming home from school you let me know that she liked them very much, and said thank you, and had her teacher put them in a vase until she could go home. Secondhand, daddy and I were waiting for that phone call from her daddy to tell you to back off lol. But they were actually very surprised by it and thought that it was so sweet.

The next time you wanted to give a girl you liked something special was this past valentines day(2013). So, after picking out normal valentines you decided to get her one of those giant pencils with hearts and words on it. She liked the pencil but wasn't as receptive to the gift, she was kind of confused by it. But, that's ok. Both of you are still young, and maybe she doesn't even know that you like her. So, the point is this, there may be a lot of girls in your future and there may not be. The key to finding the right one, is to continue being you. Be the one that is respectful, the one who will do anything to see them smile. That is something that no girl should be left without when being in a relationship.

The Butterflies in the Belly...

So, this story is through my husband. While I was in school this happened, and my husband shared it with me, and now I am sharing it with you. My heart is beaming with pride knowing that my little boy is becoming a wonderful young man. 

We had just got back from running errands.  As we were getting out of the car, there were two kids walking toward the car.  I saw it was the young neighbor girls that the kids always beg and plea to go play with.  I quickly jumped out of the car and opened up the back door quickly for Jay (hoping he would run into them).  As I was taking bags out of the trunk, my attention drifted and focused on the "programmed" encounter I had hoped for. My son talked to the girls, then resumed his trek to the front door of the house. I asked if everything was ok and he told me, "Yeah they asked me if wanted to go find bugs with them." But that's where the story stopped.  I had to ask, "Well are you gonna go?" He told me he didn't know.  He then stopped, thought and said, "Can I?" I told him of course and he ran back outside to catch them.  Something told me I would see him in just a few minutes as the temp was dropping outside and he left his jacket by the door.  I ran upstairs and grabbed my nice compact/high output flashlight that he always asks to use, but is always told to find one of his toy flashlights.  I heard the door downstairs open and what sounded like a tornado was Jay.  He ran back outside and I told him to, "Wait!" Startled, he turned around and I said, "You better take this..." His eyes lit up and as he turned to run back to his engagement, I really noticed how big he was getting. Its the small little things everyday, that make life beautiful.

The Talk

 Wait, what? You're only 7! You're only in the first grade! You cant be asking these questions yet! And Jonah? You're only 4! You're not even out of preschool yet! However, you are a very good learner, and I think you are starting to understand your body. So, it seems you had the talk with dad one day while I was at school. I wont go into the details because I know this wasnt an easy question for you to talk to dad about, nor was it easy for him to answer either. But you should know that its ok. As a boy growing up you will experience a lot of feelings and changes. You need to know that we will always answer any questions you may have. Jonah lately you have been laying around the couch, and the floor, etc at random times. Then I noticed that you always have your hands under you covering your privates. I think I finally understand that you too are starting to experience feelings in your private area. Dad told me that he talked with you too a little bit about what your feeling. He wanted you to know that hes not upset with what you are doing but we dont want you hurt yourself laying the way you are. Its kinda cute the way you try and lay different positions and get mad us for asking if you are ok. I think you are still in the stage of understanding and confused about what is happening and what to say and do. Thats ok too. We love you to pieces and will be there for you too.

Just Because

You are always doing something that either upsets me, makes me laugh histerically, or makes me wonder where you come up with all these things. They way you talk is developing everyday, forming huge conversations even with complete strangers. You definitely will need the time to develop how you talk to people. You very matter of factly when you speak. Like you know for sure that what you say is the law, and that if anyone says or questions that you let them know it. You watch all kinds of learning shows. You are learning how to know what opposites are, the correct answers to their adventures and more. You make my heart melt everymorning when you get up from bed and climb on me a wrap your arms around me just like we did when you were a baby. Even at 4 years old you are still me baby boy. Passing on huge running hugs that nearly knock me over at random times throughout the day. I love all the random things you say. Just yesterday we all went to dinner together and you enjoyed your nachos. Your older brother tricked your dad into looking at his hand that is in the ok shape and below the belt, which invokes a punch to the one who looks at it. Yes, dad looked. Then, you start doing again the way you always do, except you dont play by the rules. You just show it right in front of someones face and then hit them. So, I was trying to teach you that you arent doing it correctly and that you are cheating. You look at me and say "Im not a cheater mom, Im just a winner." I laughed so loud. You are too much. I love you so much and appreciate your humor. It always brings me back to knowing why I love you so much!