Memory Lane

**Post edit note- I have come back to add a few more now that I have time, because it's my journal and I can do whatever I want**

St. Louis, Missouri 03.27.2005

Steilacoom, Washington 08.15.2005

Steilacoom, Washington 05.19.2006

Gilbert, Arizona 05.28.2006

Point Defiance Zoo 05.29.2006

Internship Graduation 06.02.2006

Christmas picture 12.03.2006

Steilacoom, Washington 05.24.2007

Helper, Utah 07.13.2009

Sea Word, San Diego, CA 09.11.2007

Laie Temple, Hawaii 02.19.2008

Alaskan Cruise 05.12.2008

Our home (picture courtesy of Gabs) 10.12.2008

Delivery room with Henry 03.11.2009

Tulip Festival 04.23.2009

Ruby Beach 06.13.2009

Ft. Lewis, Washington 08.30.2009

It's our anniversary. Yes, we got married the day before Christmas Eve. We just wanted to be married already. And not wait another minute. So December 23 it was.

I wanted to gather pictures of Joe and I over the last nine years and take a stroll down memory lane. But as it turns out, I only have pictures on this computer starting when we got our first digital camera, so we're short the first 4 years of marriage. The "childless" years. And then the next five years have been filled with children, thus resulting in very few pictures of just the two of us. We'll have to be better about getting some pictures of us minus the kids.

I have been thinking about the Joe I married nine years ago, and the Joe I am married to today. Our lives have changed so much. We both have changed so much. But I could have told you nine years ago exactly where we would be today (maybe not geographically, but definitely where we would be in our life). We had it all planned out. And things have gone exactly according to plan.

And though we've changed and grown up, the things I fell in love with about Joe all those years ago, still remain. I'd love to be able to sit here and record all the sappy reasons I love my husband, but I can't. The truth is, both Joe and I aren't that sappy. We're more sarcastic and not-so-serious. So, along with the sappy, more important, reasons I love my husband (which he already knows those reasons), I'll list the not so sappy, probably not important reasons why I love my husband. And when I say, "not important reasons" I mean to say, to me, they are important and make Joe who he is, but to you, they are superficial and not "real" reasons to love someone. But honestly, I think the kids will love to, one day, read these not-important reasons, because they identify Joe and they'll remember these things about him.

1. I love his signature red St. Louis Cardinals hat. It's part of his identity. He wears it and it's just him. He's tried blue and white, but always goes back to red. Everyone knows Joe wears a red hat.

2. I love his passion for ugly belt buckles. A few months after we were married we took a trip to Rosarito beach in Mexico. Joe decided he needed this awful Scorpion belt buckle with mother of pearl surrounding it. It was terrible and he gave the guy way to much money for it (but that's Joe, he always is greatly generous to people who are less fortunate). In college he owned a belt buckle that had "Slayer" written across it. This desire for ugly belt buckles has now turned into a hobby of mine, and I am constantly on the look out for the next awful belt buckle. The bigger, uglier, and dumber they are, the better. When we go on trips or are searching through garage sales or flea markets, it's my mission to pick up a horrible belt buckle for Joe. It's weird, but it's something else that identifies Joe to a "T".

3. The man loves food. Eating, cooking, or buying food makes him SO happy. I didn't expect this when we got married, but the thing we love to do most together is cook. We love trying new recipes and being together in the kitchen. Our holidays, Sundays and any evenings he's home revolve around food and spending good quality time in the kitchen together. Our first year of marriage we went out to eat a lot. We were always disappointed in our meals and hated spending money on bad food. So we decided each Friday night we would make and try a new recipe. That's what sparked our love for cooking. Now, instead of going out on special occasions (anniversaries, Valentines, etc.) we try and recreate dishes from restaurants we love. I imagine us being 60 and still cooking together. It makes me happy.

4. I love his "Joe" language. He says things like, "train wreck" and "hammered" and "debacle". He is always coming up with the perfect word or phrase to describe something. And it's always exaggerated and hilarious.

5. He's easily embarrassed. He conveniently leaves the room when someone is about to do something stupid on TV (he spends the whole 30 minutes of The Office in the kitchen trying not to watch). He hides his face in his hands during dance recitals and children's programs because he's so embarrassed at the things little kids are doing in front of an audience. I give him a hard time about this one, because he is always getting up and leaving a potently embarrassing situation (on TV or real life). I roll my eyes and shake my head, but it honestly was the first thing I loved about him when we started dating. He fidgets and does whatever he can to distract himself from witnessing something embarrassing. But to me, it's endearing.

6. He's sensitive. I love that Joe can tear up and be vulnerable. It's especially sweet when it's over a Christmas story I'm having him read before I share it in a lesson or when it's at the girls dance recital because he's so proud. He gets emotional in movies and when our children are born. I honestly love when I see him cry, he just gets a look in his eyes that makes me love him even more.

7. He is a crazed BYU fan. Honestly CRAZED. I give him a bunch of bunk for being so dedicated to his cougars, but it's in his blood. It's who he is. He loves them come hell or high water or Gary Crowton years. I think it's fun to have a husband so die hard about something like this. Lots of teasing potential and making fun, because he knows he's pathetic. He paces, and bites his nails. He losses his appetite hours before the game and gets sweaty palms during the game. I can't even sit too close to him while the game is on, because he shakes and fidgets the whole time. But is doesn't stop there. Oh no. Once the game is over, there is hours of post game discussion with old friends and family afar. Then there is the hours of Internet browsing. Reading articles and cougar board and anything else that might closely relate to BYU football. He loves those Cougars and I can honestly say now (after 9 years of marriage) that I love that he loves the Cougars. It's adorable. And I might love the Cougars a little too. :)

Well, I planned on recording at least nine reasons, but he got home from work earlier than I thought, so we are set to make some croquetas (a favorite from Joe's mission in Spain) for our anniversary dinner.

Happy anniversary Joseph. I love you!

Happy Holidays 2009

Merry Christmas

Season's greetings to you all from Washington. It's hard to believe next year we won't be "from Washington". Nearly five years have come and gone and in a few short months it will be time for our family to say good-bye to the Pacific Northwest. We have grown to love Washington and all the beauty our family has enjoyed here, but we are anxious and very excited to go explore new places and gain new experiences.

Come June, Joe will finish his residency in Head and Neck surgery and we will be on to the next stage of life: payback, After years of enjoying Army perks and benefits for the past nine years, it's time we pay back our debt by working for the military for four more years. Where will we be working our debt off exactly? That seems to be the million dollar question. In true military fashion, we have yet to be told where we will be moving. Some of us pray for it to be a place with a good practice {Joe}, some pray for it to be a place with lots of new friends and a pink house with stairs {the girls}, and some simply pray for it not to be a place {or ghetto} in the deep south {me}. Wherever it may be though, we are grateful for the bountiful blessings we have received so far and are proud to be a part of the military.

This past year we were also blessed with the birth of our son Henry James in March. What a joy it has been to have such an angel among our midst. He is the perfect addition to our family and we all couldn't possibly be more smitten. He already knows he's the king of the house during the day and loves all the attention the girls and I give him. He flatters the girls by crawling into their doll cradles, sitting patiently in their doll strollers to be pushed around the house, and allowing the girls to try and swaddle him. We love his bright blue eyes and infectious smile. Like we've said in the past, we're definitely keeping him.

Our baby girl Gwen is now three and is officially a "big girl" who can do everything by herself. She's our one that keeps us laughing with the things she says and does. We often find her being a "mean " kitty or "swimming" {army crawling} around the house as a mermaid. She loves chocolate milk and helping her daddy in the kitchen on Saturday mornings for traditional crepes or malted waffles. She's passionate {stubborn}, spirited {feisty} and could use to be a bit more honest {she's a liar}. We could not imagine Gwen any different and love her exactly the way she is. She's eager to learn and always asks when she gets to go to school and be a sunbeam. Watch out for this one, she's going places! You'll see.

And how can it be? Gabriella, our little girl, is now five. She has embraced big-sisterdom and manages it like a champ. She loves anything Henry. Feeding Henry, holding Henry, tickling Henry, hugging Henry, kissing Henry, locking Henry in rooms so he'll stop messing with her toys, etc... She's going to be a great mother one day. She truly loves Gwen and Henry more than anything. She started preschool three days a week and has excelled. Her teachers tell me she "always makes good choices." She loves being helpful and making other laugh. Still as girly as ever and is obsessed with wearing a dress everyday, getting her finger nails painted, wearing sparkly lip gloss and having to have the pink cup, bowl, fork, plate, or spoon...heaven forbid Gwen gets to the table first and she sits by the pink dishes. Gabs is simply a delight...except in regards to the whole sharing of pink thing. Otherwise, she is a total joy!

As for Joe and me, we think often of our family and friends far away and are grateful for the love and support we feel. We are blessed with a happy and healthy family and are continually aware of the ultimate blessing of our Savior Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for each of us. We hope your family is happy and healthy as well.

Love,

The Chiara Family

Joseph. Jamie. Gabriella. Gwyneth. Henry

Our Everyday Life

March 26, 2009

July 7, 2009

November 4, 2009

December 2, 2009

Last week Gabriella had a birthday. I couldn't help but reflect on her little life and how much she has grown. Mostly I have noticed her compassion and awareness of those around her. She's kind, helpful, polite and sincere. Every time I leave her for some reason or another, whether it's school, or a playdate, I always tell her, "Do something nice for someone and be a good friend." She often comes home and reports her good deeds to me or how she befriended someone at school that didn't have anyone to play with. I'm proud of the little girl she is and the young lady she's becoming.

A few months ago, I recorded for my birthday the type of mother I am at 29. I like the tradition I started there, and I thought I best record the type of kids my children are on their birthday. Forgive me Gwen for not thinking of this a few weeks ago. I wanted to record and remember the type of girls Gabriella and Gwen are at 5 and 3 and the things they love to do and play. As a mom, I watch and listen minute by minute the things my kids do and say. But the truth is, I'll forget. Maybe not everything, but the details and specifics about their little lives will vanish with time. In effort to preserve those memories and have my little children know the types of kids they were, here are "5" things that define Gabriella and Gwen and what their life was like at 5 and 3.

1. They love to play what they call "Pack Up." It's a game that came to be after one of our trips this summer. The idea is to get every possible thing that can carry something and fill it full of toys. And when I say "every possible thing", I mean everything. Purses, backpacks, buckets, gift bags, Ziploc bags, pillow cases, you name it, they fill it. They go from room to room, carrying and dragging their loot with them, pretending each room is a different destination. Hawaii and Alaska (both places we've left them for) are among their favorite places to pretend to visit. This game keeps them entertained for hours. They play it often. But boy oh boy, does it stink to clean up at the end of the day!

2. "Pet Owner" is another favorite. Gabriella loves to play the owner and Gwen loves to be the kitty. Sometimes she's a mean kitty, and other times she's a nice kitty. Gabriella goes to the "pet shop" and picks her out. She puts one of her pink leases on Gwen and Gwen crawls all around the house meowing and licking her "paws" to get clean. It's a riot. Gwen always says that her name is "Sarafina". Most of the time, the kitty gets hurt somehow, and Gabriella gets out her doctor kit to wrap Gwen's arms and legs in ace bandages. Again, hours of entertainment for all.

3. Frequently we are subject to a picnic or an episode of Iron Chef. The girls love to run to their kitchen and make a bunch of food as fast as they can and then set up a picnic meal for us. It's very serious and laughing is not allowed. They serve us our dishes and we have to eew and ahh at their wonderful dishes. Gabriella's favorite meal to make is something called "cra-son-gi-von." Every time, we eat this crosongivon dish. It's delicious!

4. Dressing up occurs nearly everyday in our house. The pretending is endless. I love how their walks change and their voices sound different depending on what dress up they are in. Among their favorite dress ups are Jane from Tarzan and their Ariel dress. They love to take their stuffed animals and play mom to them. They will be fantastic mothers. I especially love when they somehow work Henry into the mix. There isn't much that makes me happier than seeing the girls dress up. I smile every time.

5. Lastly, at this age Gabs is obsessed with writing letters. She's written letters for a few years now, but it seems she is just realizing letters actually spell words. She loves to copy words from books and is always asking how to spell things. Papers throughout the house have her letters jotted across them. She writes on everything. Scrapbook paper, envelopes, note pads, computer paper, mail, bills, important paper work, etc. I love her eagerness to write.

I feel so blessed to have these two little girls. I wish they'd stop growing! Sometimes I wish we were like the Truman show and that somehow everything we were doing was being recorded so we would have these memories for a lifetime. I guess this little journal of mine will have to do. One day, I know, my kids will appreciate it. I promise kids, everything I write is for you!

P.S...after another meltdown Friday night and thinking I had lost my girls forever, something happened overnight and these two girls woke up Saturday morning better than ever. The whole weekend was such a joy and they played unbelievably well together. It seems I have my girls back. It guess all the birthday and Christmas festivities got the best of them and they were exhausted. Maybe I was a little too...

Have You Seen Us?

Names: Gabriella and Gwyneth Chiara

Ages: 5 and 3

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye Color: Blue

Height: 44 inches and 37 inches

Weight: I have no idea, we don't own a scale

Description: Fun loving sisters who play perfectly together and never fight, cry, whine or tease.

Last seen: Monday, December 7th at 5:56 am.

Please, if you see these little girls, take them home to their mother.

Because the ones she has are misbehaving impostors. And they're driving her crazy!!