Nothing better than ...

Today was the PERFECT day for a school holiday. Not to rub it in to our family and friends up north or back east but it was 65 degrees here today ... ON FEBRUARY 15TH! It was a lot of fun to spend time with the kids outside and even Eme seemed to enjoy the sunshine.

Thanks for a fun day guys! There's nothing that makes me happier than watching the 3 of you having fun together! I love you more than you'll ever know!

Josh's 1st Grade Program

Last week was Josh's 1st Grade program in celebration of President's Day. They have been working so hard and they did a great job! Much to Josh's dismay, I am posting my favorite song ... or at least my favorite "performance" by Josh.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Eme is 8 months old

Sadly, I have realized that my baby is now 8 months old. I can't even believe that it's already been that long since we brought that tiny little baby home. Remember she weighed only 5 lbs. 5 oz.? Well ... here she is now weighing about 18 lbs., crawling and rolling everywhere, sporting 4 (Yes 4!) pearly white teeth, singing "Da-Da" all day long (despite my attempts to teach her "Ma-Ma.) She is a VERY happy baby and so fun to be around. I can't imagine what life would be like without her. She really completes our family!

We love you E! Happy 8 month birthday!

Kate turns 10!

I can't believe it, but my baby girl turned 10 years old on Thursday ... "DOUBLE DIGITS" as she likes to remind me. Although she's growing up too fast, it's fun having a "tween" in the house (at least most days.) Suddenly she likes to shop and spend time with me doing projects. It's quite fun!


On her birthday we opened presents and had breakfast in bed. Then it was off to school! She requested donuts for her class and I surprised her with lunch from Wendy's. Then we let her choose the location to go out to dinner as a family. Thankfully she chose Olive Garden. There were phone calls, cards and presents from family. What a great day!

Yesterday we had her friend birthday party. We had a hard time deciding what to do, but my friend decorates cakes professionally and offered to host Kate and her friends. So, I went to work making aprons and invites and the party was set! Heidi was so cute with the girls and took the time to explain how she does everything. She patiently helped them design their cakes and choose the perfect color or shape. The girls had a FABULOUS time and now she has 12 apprentices in the making. Thanks Heidi! You're the best!




In honor of her 10th birthday, here are just 10 of the things that I love about Miss Kate:

1. I love her SMILE! When Kate smiles, you can't help but be happy.

2. Katelyn is KIND! She loves to do little things for people and tries to include everyone.

3. She is a GREAT big sister! One of the things that I really appreciate about Kate is how good she is to her little brother and sister. She and Josh are best friends and they've always gotten along. Now she's like a second mom to Eme and she lights up whenever Kate is around.

4. Kate is FUNNY! I could write a book of all the funny things Kate says. She is quite witty and cracks me up on a daily basis.

5. She is CONFIDENT in who she is! I think this is one of Kate's most admirable qualities. She really likes herself and I hope that will always be the case.

6. Kate is STUBBORN! Now, sometimes this isn't my favorite thing about her, but I'm hoping this will help her in life, especially when she's a teenager.

7. I love Kate's FRECKLES! I know she may not always appreciate them, but they make her who she is and I, for one, LOVE THEM!

8. Anyone who knows Kate would agree that she is ENERGETIC! From the time she was little she has always been busy, whether she was folding and unfolding all the dish towels or making up skits and dances. She isn't afraid to try new things and would be involved in every sport and activity if she could.

9. Kate is SMART! She thoroughly loves school and is doing great in 4th grade this year! She loves to study anything and everything and I'm proud of her!

10. The thing that I love most about Kate is ... SHE'S MY DAUGHTER! The night of her birthday I snuggled next to her in her bed and told her how much I love her. She changed my life forever 10 years ago when I became a mom for the first time. She really is my miracle and I love her beyond words!

Happy 10th birthday Sis! We love you so, so much and are grateful that you're a part of our family!

The little things ...

This afternoon I stopped for a second and said to myself, "This is what I wanted for so long." It was a very simple moment and probably would seem insignificant to anyone else because nothing really monumental was happening. Sadly, I must admit that most of the time I'm too busy or caught up in what I'm trying to get done to appreciate such moments, but today it gave me reason to pause. Let me set the scene.

It was 4:30 in the afternoon, the kids were home from school and had invited some friends over to play. I could hear the boys on the back patio shooting a basketball, the girls were in the basement laughing and having a good time together. I was upstairs with Eme, who was sitting happily in her bouncy chair cooing and enjoying her toys. There were backpacks, shoes, jackets, socks and papers everywhere, something that normally would make me a little crazy. But the kitchen was also a disaster because I'm in the middle of making 13 aprons for Kate's birthday party later this week. Oh, and we can't forget that there was laundry stacked all over my bed. So, the house was a mess and guess what? I didn't care because for one second I sat back and listened and looked around and realized ... THIS ... the sounds of happy kids, the comfort of home and my attempts at being domestic ... ALL of it is what I wanted and wished for for so long and today I have it! What a great day!