Christmas Eve

We ran a few errands and then came home for a quiet evening at home. Due to timing we were unable to go to a Christmas eve service. After dinner we gathered in a peaceful living room and read the story of the birth of Christ from the Bible and then each of us opened our new Christmas PJ's. Nique's mom, Becky, so generously made new PJ's for all five kids. Brian mismarked Leo and Caleb pj's so the boys were initially upset but once they saw the right PJ's. Everyone got bath's and their new PJ's on. Girls went to bed. The rest of us watched It's a Wonderful Life before going to bed. I made a birthday cake for Jesus and the cranberry sauce. After the kids went to bed we stuffed all the stockings. I will post Christmas day pictures later tonight or tomorrow.

Merry Christmas and may the birth of Jesus fill your homes and hearts.

December Happenings

Our Christmas Tree and decorations...



Last weekend we went up to Vermont to get my mom and dad from Gram's. Gram is still in the rehab facility and making progress. The following pictures are some of the snow that we saw along the highway.


Monday night we got back home and opened presents from Gma & Gpa. The girls really took to Gma & Gpa. Anneliese loves her "gama" Bekah of course attached herself to gampa.

7 of 8 of my mom's grandkids together


My sister's girls.


My sister and her family went home on Tuesday. It was such a nice visit to have us together for a short time. Hopefully next time will be longer.

Wednesday we got our first "good" snowfall here. We had had about a 1/2 inch a few weeks ago but this was good and has stuck around.


Thursday we took my parents to the airport for their trip home. The kids were all sad to see gma & gpa leave. Anneliese all the way home was saying "gama go bye" Reuben who is very choosy with his hugs started crying because he hadn't hugged grandma. So I stopped to give him that chance before they went inside the airport.

Bekah and her grandpa


Friday we got a major snow storm as of Saturday morning there is about 8 inches on the ground. The boys are loving it. They were playing outside most of the afternoon. And this morning since church was canceled they are back out in the snow.

After about an hour of snowfall


The gingerbread family covered with snow this morning.

Best News

I got one of the best friends in the entire world. Yesterday I got a call and asked if she could come visit me in January/February. She has frequent flyer miles that are going to expire and she wants to visit. I haven't' seen Andrea in 4 years. I am so excited to see her. The suckiest part of military life is the constant moving around we do. After leaving San Diego Brian & I moved to New Orleans and Andrea's family spent three years in Japan. Even now we are 3000 miles apart on opposite sides of the US. I am so thankful for email/texts/facebook/blogs/phone calls but sometimes they just aren't enough. My poor honey will be going crazy with Andrea and me catching up talking and being all giddy after 4 years apart. Some of the best times in San Diego were spent on the couch just chilling out on each other's couches. Count down begins.

In the next month or so I get my parents to visit (YES HOORAY). I get to see my sister and her family, Nique, Bruce and the girls will come up for a few days and then Andrea. I love having company here.

Weekend happenings

We did our Thanksgiving meal Friday but Brian & I were still feeling under the weather all weekend. I am finally starting to feel better.

Saturday night I was looking through my computer for some pictures of the kids. Now I have my main computer hard drive, a 250 GB external and 2 20 GB externals. The smaller externals are portable and mostly not used anymore. Most of my pictures prior to mid 2007 are on the 250 GB HD. Well I go to look and CANNOT FIND most of my JPGs from 2006 and 2007. Since I am trying to work on photography and taken lots of pictures for friends I use both RAW (large files) and JPGS. I had the RAWs but not JPGS and I was so upset. They weren't on either of my bigger HD. So then I thought maybe just maybe I had backed them up to my smaller external. Well so far it looks like most of my pictures are there. I haven't determined if I have everything yet. Now I am in the process of uploading them ALL to flickr so that at least I have a back up. Yes I am a picture taking crazy person. In the girls first year alone, I took over 3000 pictures, including those for friends. My brother's wedding I took 1100 pictures alone. I still don't know where the ones from my 250 GB went but at least they were on an extra HD.

The washer repair man is supposed to here today by noon. Praying that he an either fix it today or they will tell us that it's not repairable and we will get a new one.

My parents are flying into New Hampshire tomorrow. I will pick them up from the airport and drive them to Vermont to my gram's house. Gram is doing better but is in a rehab center since Friday recovering from her stroke.

Off to face my day:)

About Me

First and foremost I am a Child of God!!! I married the love of my life nearly 18 years ago. He is a Sailor, making me a PROUD Navy wife. We have five children ranging in age from three and half year old twin girls to a ten year old son. Most days I try to be a somewhat sane mom.

The Navy has taken us from New Orleans to Ogden to Great Lakes to China Lake to San Diego back to New Orleans. Katrina took us to Millington and back to New Orleans. Currently the Navy has brought us to the Metrowest area of Boston. Our adventurers have been fun-filled and sometimes turbulent but God has seen us through each and everyone.

I have two children with eczema and severe food and environmental allergies. ~R allergies have been with him since he was four months old. ~A allergies have been known since she was eighteen months old.

I love to cook, bake, read, play online, homeschool my children, but I am not so good at housekeeping but together God and I are working on my organization skills.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we take time to count our blessings. I am under the weather so the big dinner will be tomorrow. We are having roasted chicken, potatoes, carrot souffle, rolls, green beans, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin crunch and pecan pie (Brian's favorite). The table will have our special Thanksgiving sheet with the kids hand prints and what we are thankful for that year. This goes on my table every Thanksgiving we are at home for the past 7 years. It is special to me go back and see how the kids have grown as well as what we are thankful for each year.

I am thankful
another year of life with my family
Each one of my five beautiful blessings
Brian
A place to call home
The opportunity to travel and visit friends this year
Friends all over the country while missed greatly, I hold them dear to my heart
Clothes to wear
Food to eat
Reliable transportation
A church family that opened their arms to us when we moved here
The ability and freedom to teach my children at home
Most of all I am thankful to God for giving us His Son to die on Calvary.

As we enter the Christmas season, most people only think of the gifts and hustle and bustle but we need to remember the best gift of all, Jesus Christ.

Sabbath Morning

It is COLD outside and I don't mind cold but it is downright chilly. It's only November and it's 22 at 830 in the morning with a windchill of 9. The weather man said last night, the temps are mid winter temps in November. Fortunately we will warm up to upper 40's mid week. I am working on some Bible studies that I am doing with a friend. The girls are watch 3ABN. I am going to read adn then work on Christmas cards.

My little update

Friday morning Nique, her girls and I left MA to drive her back to her home. The time is close at hand for Nique's husband return from deployment. We drove through CT, NJ, NY, DELAWARE (one of the few state I hadn't been to yet), Maryland, Washington DC and VA. We at dinner in Pentagon City. As we left dinner I looked up and saw an Navy Exchange gas station, been awhile since I had seen one of those:) We then drove by Arlington National Cemetery. it was too late to actually go inside but it was a stunning sight to see in the moonlight. We drove the rest of the way to to Midlothian VA.

Saturday morning we got to meet with a very dear friend that I have known online for several years. Theresa is a prayer partner and homeschooling mom. God truly has blessed me with some amazing friends. After leaving our meeting we drove through VA and into Tennessee. It was a wonderful day seeing God's canvas of art of color and hills. We were able to listen to Christian music and enjoy the Sabbath day.

We arrived into KY/TN rather late and I do believe it is colder here than in Boston when we left Boston. Today we will be doing some power cooking and cooking baking to prepare for Bruce's arrival. We also have a dresser, two night stands and a shelf to put up before I leave tomorrow. On Monday I return back to Boston and my family. My house is going to seem empty with Nique and the girls gone. It's been nice having them there over the last few months while she was waiting on Bruce to come home. The girls loved having playmates besides just their twin sister.

Guess I better get moving to get everything started:)

Happy Verterans Day

Today is a day to remember those who have served our country. Some have died while serving, some have been injured but there are those that are still living. I am a daughter, wife, sister and friend of Veterans some retired, no longer on active duty and others still the Armed Forces. Please take a moment to say thank you to a Veteran today. We are free today because of the Veterans who have served and continue to serve our great Nation.

Newest Pictures

Pictures taken last week

monday

Monday Monday Well We are having a Star Wars Movie Marathon Weekend at our House.
Sabbath was wonderful. We are official members of the Framingham Centre SDA church now. We really do like this church. It was a very fitting Sabbath for our membership to be voted in, it was our new Pastor's first Sabbath as well. We have been to six new churches in our 16 years of marriage and each church gets a new pastor within a year of us moving to the area. The boys also started Adventurers this weekend. Sabbath afternoon Leo and Caleb spent the afternoon doing their activities to earn their awards. It was very sweet to watch Leo read and teach Caleb.

Saturday evening began our movie marathon, the boys have really gotten into Star Wars lately so we decided it was time to show them the movies. We have so far watch teh first 4 episodes over the course of 3 days.

This afternoon Brian and the boys are outside blowing leaves into the woods while I am nursing a headache.

Happy Friday

Today it was Beautiful out. So we called one of the local orchards to see if they had any pumpkins left. They did so we packed up the kids and headed out. This orchard was so much fun. They didn't have any apples left to pick but had goats, pigs, rabbits, and chickens. The goats had this really neat feeding contraption. It was kinda like a jungle gym. The goats walked up to the top. We put feed into cups attached to a belt and pulley system. We turned the pulley until the cup got to the top where the goats were; the cup emptied and fed the goats. We got seven small pumpkins for $16.00. They have a tunnel maze and hedge maze. The kids had SO MUCH FUN running through the mazes. To me there is nothing better than a child's laughter and I heard lots of it today. Brian was able to meet us there so that was nice to be out enjoying God's creations. We had some good apple cider and cider donuts to top off the day. This evening we are home enjoying God's Holy Sabbath, smelling pumpkin crunch baking and studying Sabbath School lessons.

October is nearly over

I sit here thinking Oh WOW there is only two months til Christmas. The past two months have been so very busy.

School is going well. Caleb is reading, slowly but getting there. Leo is really into reading and making up stories. We recently watched a National Geographic show on Boston's Big Dig. It was about how the highway system went underground. I have to say Boston post Big Dig is absolutely beautiful. Where there was once an elevated highway is now parks and beautiful landscape. Reuben is loving the time spent learning.

The girls are into everything these days. Can't hardly turn my back on them. It makes it even more interesting with four two year olds. Nique and I have been trying to potty train her girls. Savannah is being a little stubborn about not wanting to take the time to sit on the potty. Elisabeth is getting it, fewer accidents every day. Anneliese and Rebekah just don't understand why the other girls have little potties and they don't. But A & R both have been using the big potty for months, not going back now.

We were offered a different three bedroom house a little closer to Brian's work but turned it down since we would still be in a three bedroom, I am holding out hope for the four bedroom to open up soon.

A few weeks ago we went apple picking. Between the 10 of us we picked probably 45 pounds of apples in several varieties. The farm we went to is a nice place with a petting zoo, playground and lots of huge trees. They also allow you to eat apples while you are picking. Those were some of the best apples. So we have had apple crisps, apple dump cake. baked apples and even apples in our oatmeal for breakfast. I can't wait to go back again next year.

The fall foliage was SO BEAUTIFUL, the most vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. Now the rain and wind have knocked most the leaves off the trees. Last night our overnight temp was around 28.

I have so many pictures to edit and put online. I will be doing that soon, I promise. If any of you have flickr accounts, I can add you to my contact list and you can see all my pictures not just a select few.

Off to work on some crafty projects.

My friend Kristy (a long time friend) sent me this award.
Thank you for the award Kristy. Kristy lived across the street from my family when I was a teenager. We have known each other over 20 years now. We have somehow managed to stay in contact through multiple military moves. The internet makes it so much easier. I love seeing her blog and it inspires me to be a better mom and Christian. Part of accepting the award is:

*displaying the award
*linking back to the person who gave it to you
*paying it forward & nominating 7 blogs
*adding links to those seven blogs
*leaving comments on their blog telling them you gave them an award
*enjoying the award!!

Okay - I have to send this to 7 other bloggers. Here we go.

First award goes to (in random order of course). Andrea, a beautiful person i have known over 6 years. We have boys the same age. Our friendship has been through military moves across the country and out of the country. THrough all that we have remained friends. I love reading her blog too see her comings and goings and seeing pictures of her beautiful children. Andrea and I have been through good and bad times together supporting each other all the way through. I know without a shadow of a doubt she is there for me.

Second award goes to Nique, she is a fellow mother of twins. We met online 3 years ago while pregnant with our twins. We are both military wives at various stages in their careers but yet we have this bond that makes us friends and I think friends for a life time. I have watched her become an independent mother, wife and person. She has survived 2 year long deployments in 3 short years.

Third award goes to Bel, a fellow military wife, who I met in New Orleans just a few short years ago. Our boys are only a month apart. She has a generous heart yet tells ya what is on her mind. She and her family have now moved to another state as well and by reading her blog I can keep up to date on her family when life just seems to get in the way

Fourth award goes to Lindsey, yet another military wife and Christian. I love Lindsey. I love seeing pictures of her beautiful twins and sharing in her life via her blog.

Fifth award goes to Crystal, We met through MOPS in New Orleans. She is a pastor's wife with three beautiful boys yet always finds time to give of herself to others. I miss her and by reading her blog I am inspired by her Christian walk, her travels and mission mindness.

Sixth award goes to Theresa, She is this amazing woman who I haven't met in person but yet I love her. She is a mom of three, works from home and homeschools as well. She is always willing to lend a shoulder, a prayer or just give me a laugh.

Seventh award goes to Sonja, We met online through a Christian online group about 7 years ago. We each have three boys very close in age. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Sonja in person about a year and a half ago. She maintains a wonderful outlook on life and relies on God in her daily life.

Like my friend Kristy said. I am very blessed with the friends I have met both online and in real life. God has always provided just the person I needed in my life. Once at MOPS we studied about intimacy and was given a quote. God provides friends for the road (those that come just for a certain purpose in our life) and friends for the heart (those that stay in our lives through time). I am blessed to have so many friends for the heart.

Making Strides-Hope begins with us

Today was the walk. I walked the entire 6 miles. It was so inspiring reading the support shirts and why people are walking. One man was wearing a shirt that said, My wife's battle is my battle until she beats cancer. He was there with two young children. There were kids as young as 5 or 6 walking, other kids in strollers with their parents. Men and Women alike were wearing PINK for support. One young girl had a shirt on that said FIGHT LIKE A GIRL with a PINK ribbon. Together we can hopefully find a cure for Breast Cancer as well as ALL CANCER. After losing some close friends and two grandmothers to breast cancer, this walk was meaningful to me. I also know many survivors.

Between parking and some after the walk window shopping, total miles walked today was approximately 9 miles. I can't wait to do this walk again next year and hopefully raise even more money. I am also proud to be apart of a company that donates over a million dollars annually through fundraisers and special Help Whip Cancer products.

I want to encourage anyone who can to get out there and support this fight and the American Cancer Society. I want to thank those that donated to my fundraising efforts.

What a small world we live in

This morning we went to church. I was looking at the bulletin and the guest speaker was a name I recognized. I told Brian, I wonder if this is the speaker is the person I went knew from school. So the speaker walks in and I wam thinking yep that's him. So Brian grabbed his arm and was I think my wife knows you. YEP it was him. The speaker and I went to school together in New Orleans at the Adventist school. He is now the chaplain at the near by Adventist Academy. He just moved her about 2 months ago. He spoke a really good sermon and it was nice to catch up.

Anneliese

Anneliese gave us a scare last night. I think it's payback for all the times I ran my mom to the ER with a concussion or needing stitches. We were outside playing and three of the girls were climbing on a rock. Anneliese lost her balance and fell forward landing on her right side of her head and face. She lost consciousness for about 30-60 seconds, not breathing in that time. I was holding her on my lap trying to get her to breathe and open her eyes. Nique and Brian came running and I called 911. The ambulance, fire department and police all came out. The paramedics came in a separate vehicle. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance on a back board. It took her nearly 45 minutes to say even a word and then didn't say anything else for another hour. The CT scan came back completely clear. But she was admitted for observation and given fluids for the night. Finally after about midnight she started to get talkative and move around. The hospital staff was AWESOME. They give pediatric patients a little goody bag to make their stay a little easier. We were released this morning. She is back to herself. Now we are to try and keep her from reinjuring her head. Fun to do with a 2 year old. God really answers prayers. I am grateful that Nique was here as she was able to take care of the other kids while Brian was up at the hospital with me til we were admitted.

Prior to being outside, I was taking pictures of all 4 of the girls in their new Fall dresses made by Becky.

Girls in dresses

Recently Nique's mom, Becky, made all four girls dresses/outfits. Becky also made outfits to match for the girls' dolls/animals. Becky has been wanting pictures of the girls in their outfits so we went outside with the camera and the following slideshow is the result. Becky is planning on selling dresses with matching doll dresses. If interested please email niqolle@dock.net.

old friends

So on Wednesday we had a field trip to Plymouth Massachusetts. We went to see the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock. The boys will be doing lap books on Plymouth and the Pilgrims this month and next.

But the best part of the trip was seeing our dear friend Anne Marie and two of her kids. We were close friends in Ridgecrest. Anne Marie was one of the first people to watch Leo on a regular basis while I was at school. It has been 7 years since we have seen each other. Last time we went to Plymouth, I didn't call her and she read about it on the blog, well she only lives about 10 minutes from there. This time I knew I had to call her. Sorry for the last minute decision to go down there:) Moving with the military stinks sometimes but other times like these where we can reconnect with dear old friends makes all the moves worth it. Anne Marie I promise it won't be 7 years or even 7 months before we see each other again.

It is a beautiful day

Today it is absolutely beautiful outside. Fall is definitely in the air.
We went to story time at the library yesterday. It was a fun time for the girls. The boys sat quietly and read. There was another twin mom from my twin club there. It’s nice to start recognizing people when I am out and about, makes me feel like I am getting settled in. Then we went to the mall for some Lego shopping time.
Today we will be doing some park activities and "regular" school work. I am actually learning that Caleb at least does MUCH better when I give him one on one school time. We get done with his school in much less time with a lot less difficulty if Leo isn't near by or is otherwise engaged. Caleb really struggles with reading and Leo has to butt in and give his 2 cents every 2 seconds. So for now I will be having school separately for all the boys. It is definitely more of a challenge having 3 different grades this year. I think we get a lot accomplished during nap time as well.

Reuben is 6

Reuben is such a joy and delight. I am blessed to be his mom. For all his allergies and ezcema he is the most huggable of my boys. This week he started kindergarten. But you know what I am even blessed to be his teacher. There are days where I am tried and tested and at my wits end but I am thankful for Reuben and his part of my life. The sadness in today is that Sheri/Granny, my mother-in-law, isn't here to share in the joy the way she was six years ago. Back in 2002 she was in San Diego watching Leo and Caleb while Brian and I were in Loma Linda preparing for Reuben's arrival. Tonight we will be having pizza and brownies for dinner per Reuben's request.

School Has Begun

Reuben is in Kindergarten. Caleb is in second grade. Leo is in fourth grade. Today was a crazy first day but we talked about shapes, spelling words, compound words, nouns and pronouns, how special we are and began a book ALL ABOUT ME, seasons, scientific logs, force, went for a walk to the construction site around the corner, gathered leaves, saw a bull dozer, counted beans by twos, fives and tens, and even made brownies. Reuben's letter of the week is B. This is going to be a good year. Tuesday we are going to story time at Barnes and Noble and will do school during the girls nap time in the afternoon. The boys are keeping writing journals, spelling dictionaries, science logs, reading logs and math journals of random math problems.

Making strides/Ramblings

Today I had my first mammogram. Yep I am reaching that age. I refuse to grow old but I am going to take care of myself. I got my baseline mammogram, my next one will be in 5 years. Early detection of breast cancer is a MUST. In 5 weeks I am Walking in Making Strides against Breast Cancer to aid in the fight against breast cancer. This past spring I lost a very dear friend, who I look forward to seeing on resurrection morning, to breast cancer. I am asking for your help in this fight. Together we can beat this disease. http://main.acsevents.org/goto/desireetomlinson

Gustav hit a large portion of Louisiana but mostly missed New Orleans proper. I am continuing to pray for my friends that will be traveling home this week and next as well as those that have to clean up from the damage. There are three more storms brewing in the Atlantic. Even though I am 1500 miles from NOLA I am still keeping an eye on the storms and praying for those effected.

I will be editing some pictures of my girls and Nique girls in dresses that Nique's mom recently made. As soon as those are edited I will be sharing.

School is starting this week and we are busy busy into the fall season. It will be a busy busy year for us all.

Our church is starting a KIDS (Kids in Discipleship) program this month that will run once a week for the year and an evangelistic series for kids. The kids will be starting Adventurers soon. I am really glad to be involved.

Today

Three years ago I sat in front of a TV at my father and step-mom's and watched the devastation of Katrina. Today I am praying for New Orleans and the surrounding area once again as another hurricane is headed that way.

I was cleaning out my garage and being one of the lucky ones who suffered very little damage from Katrina was very frustrated today. While going through boxes from the move, we have at least four boxes that have suffered water damage in the four months that we have lived in Massachusetts. I don't understand. Thankfully most of it was salvageable. One thing I am made at the movers. A picture of my mom and dad was in the BOTTOM of a box not even wrapped up, glass broken and mildewed. I am grateful that I am the one that photographed them. I am only out about $40.00 to get it reprinted, matted and reframed, at least I don't have to go track down the photographer and pay them for another print. There are still at least two boxes to go through but that will have to wait til Monday.

On to better sweeter news. Tomorrow I celebrate being married for 16 wonderful years. So today I get a call. I am fully expecting it to be Brian wanting to talk on his way home to stay awake. He says go outside but watch your step. I see a red rose. He says follow the trail. So I look down and see a white rose then a pink rose then a red rose and so forth. There were a dozen roses alternating colors leading to the back of the house til I got to him where he was holding another dozen roses. He can be so sweet and romantic some times. Tomorrow we are going to enjoy a beautiful Sabbath although rainy then we are going bowling as a family after Sabbath. Then Sunday Brian & I are going out just him and I to enjoy a day just us. I am looking forward to another 16 years. When we celebrate our 32nd anniversary the girls will have just turned 18 and graduated high school, the boys will be 22, 23 and 25. Seems so weird to think about. I am going to just try and treasure the little moments now as they come.

One of my brother's is home

Last night we drove up to Brunswick, ME to meet up with my brother, Matthew. He was passing through over night on his way home from deployment. I hadn't seen him since he got married in February 2007. The boys hadn't seen him since October 2006. It was so nice to spend some time with him and visit for a few hours. He is still my baby brother and I love him and am so proud of him and what he does in the military. I am thankful for him. Welcome home to him all all his group of guys. Job well done:)

Thankful Tuesday

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS BEFORE WE EVEN ASK
BRIAN
A HOME WHERE WE CAN BE OURSELVES
FRIENDS
FAMILY
CHILDREN WHO BRING A SMILE TO MY FACE
RAINY DAYS
CLOTHES
BLANKETS TO CUDDLE UNDER

Kids and their imagination

The boys took all six dining room chairs and a blanket called it a "shuttle bug" and this is what the web cam captured Sorry for the picture quality (its just the web cam). I love their imagination. They were playing bus I guess and then took pillows and were taking "naps under there.

Our update

In the last week, Caleb has lost his two top front teeth. Then Reuben lost his first tooth on Friday night. My boys are getting so big. Reuben has an inner and outer ear infection in his left ear. Anneliese and Rebekah's vocabulary is expanding by leaps and bounds.

This week I met up with another twin mom at the library and then went to a MNO with two other moms that was so awesome to get out and have people to talk to other than the kids and Brian. I really miss my friends in NOLA. The joys of military life.

The boys got into trouble on Friday for not listening to us. As a consequence they are cleaning house. As I type this Brian is teaching them how to clean the kitchen. It is rather nice listening to the interaction amongst them. I have to make my grocery list and go shopping.

Yesterday we asked for our membership transfer from El Cajon. We never transferred it to New Orleans. So probably in about a month or so we will be official members of the Framingham Centre church. This fall they are starting a KIDS (program) Kids in Discipleship. We have had two sermons on it the last two months and it is amazing. The boys will start Adventurers in September. When the girls are three they will start in Eager Beavers. The boys will be starting some major schooling over the next few weeks. I found an awesome curriculum on USS Constitution that we will be working on this year.

Now I have written a book, I am going to go do my grocery list.

Anneliese

Ok a mother's worse fear, something happening to the kids. This morning I was getting dressed and Anneliese was jumping in the center of my king size bed. I guess Leo started playing with her, she slipped fell and rolled off the bed. She was screaming of course. I picked her up and she went limp, her eyes were reactive to light but she wouldn't say anything and was just hugging on me. Took her about 20 minutes to regain herself. Of course it was just as I was getting ready to walk out the door to take her to the ER, she returned to her normal self and never had another issue the rest the day. I don't think she hit her head so much as just really knocked the wind out of her.
This evening about bedtime Brian told her to go get Bekah, she starts yelling BEKAH BEKAH BEKAH. This is the first time she has called Bekah by Bekah. Makes my heart just melt.
I love my kids, they may be a handful but more a heartful than a handful.

A mother of Boys

Caleb got a frog today from the yard. He made a habitat in a shoe box with rocks, twigs and grass. I had the boys come inside to help me find my keys. Caleb keeps going out to check on the frog. The last time he went out the frog had died. I guess Leo was telling Caleb to give it CPR, well chest compressions. Guess that didn't work (I didn't know it had died yet) Caleb comes inside and asks for water for frog so the frog can swim. We get a bowl and I tell him to make sure to put rocks in the water so the frog can get out. I go out to help set up a "pond" for it and discover that the frog has died. Leo says give it more CPR. I tell them that's not going to work. So, they decide to go bury the frog complete with a funeral. Leo comes and tells me Caleb is crying over the frog.

I go outside and he's crying "the frog was like family" Reuben is also crying. I give them big hugs and tell them that there are more frogs. *What do you say to a boy who is crying over a frog he found this morning?*

I then offer them a movie in my bedroom, so they go to come inside. Caleb says I have to get the bowl. I notice shoe box is hanging from a tree. I tell them to get the box, Caleb says that's the marker for where frog is buried. I give them each a hug and bring them inside.

When life gets you down, turn to God

I have had the worst week or so. First I lost my camera while in Chicago, come back to Brian having to be at work for 2 days a day off then back to work. He ends up with a BAD ear infection. It was raining for 2 days straight and having the kids in the house driving me insane. Friday while Brian was home with his ear infection, I went to Starbucks for a break. As I was backing out of my parking spot, I looked both directions, no one was coming then I heard crunch. I hit a car that was going too fast for the parking lot. ARG…No real damage to my (Brian’s) car but the front passenger door of the other car was dented as well as the plastic trim on both doors is rubbed and the rear tire rubbed on his car. When I get home the kids are driving me even more insane and it’s beautiful out but they want to be inside underfoot. I decided to go to my room and two boys are watching TV in my room. ARRGG this house is so small I have NO place I can call my own. At least in NOLA I had an office/craft room. So I go outside to sit out there in the backyard by myself. Brian then sends the boys out to tell me I can go to my room. ARRRGGG so then my peaceful outside was inundated with 4 of the 5 kids. I went to the bathroom and sat in the dark just to get peace. Things have just been insane the last week.

Sabbath was really nice though, we went to church then came home and rested. I went to read my Bible in my room, Anneliese came in and "read" her Bible too. After reading a few chapters I decided to take a nap and that nap felt so GOOD.

Sunday we had a neighbor birthday party. We were having a good time and I went to get a drink and ended up hitting my head on the garage over hang. Boy that knocked me for a loop. I saw a second of black and sat down. How embarrassing. I sat there for a few minutes before coming home. The light was too much for me. So I came home while everyone else stayed at the party. Sunday evening we had to take a drive up to Brian’s office. He offered to go by himself but I didn’t want to be left home with the kids while not feeling good. The trip was uneventful. The boys played in the gym while we were there.

Today I woke with a killer headache but Brian is home and I am resting and relaxing. This week I am choosing to have a fresh start, work on my house in baby steps and get ready for a new school year with the boys. I will have one in Kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade. Caleb is improving on his reading. I think it has finally started to click with him. Hopefully before long he will be reading everything in sight like Leo. I know Satan is really trying to attack me because of my commitment to follow God. Sometimes it helps just to get it all out and move on.

Back home:)

It felt so good to sleep in my own bed last night. The trip was so good but Wednesday night and Thursday were both long and hard. My cylce started 3 days early (isn't that how it always works). Thursday when we got to the airport, I realized my camera was gone. I think I left it at the bellhop's desk while we were getting our bags. BUT noone has turned it in or remembers seeing it. Fortunately I had downloaded pictures to my computer except for Wednesday and Thursday pictures. But I am so sad, I love my camera and can't imagine not having it nor can I afford to replace it right now. But you know what, I trust God to give me PEACE. Either the camera is found or it isn't but I can't control that.

Brian took awesome care of the kids and house while I was gone. In fact, I came home to a cleaner house than I left and all the laundry is done. Now I have to keep it up. Today we are enjoying a day of family time.

Trip to Chicago

My trip to Chicago has been so much fun. Sunday I arrived and went to breakfast with a dear friend. Her daughter is a delight. Lola and I were prayer partners for many years while I was trying to conceive and she was going through a rough time in her life. It was great to reconnect with her and to affirm how God has answered our prayers. Then my downline consultant arrived and we went to get checked into the hotel. Afterwards, I showed her around one of my favorite cities. We walked up Michigan Ave, and through Grant Park. Just about that time our fellow team members arrived. We met up and went walking along the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Ave. We went into the American Girl store. I fell in love with the Itty Bitty Twins. We are planning a trip to the NYC store for the girls 5th birthday. It will take me that long to save for them:) We ate dinner at PJ Clarks. I had the best French Onion Soup. We walked over to Navy Pier where I sat and relaxed while most everyone else went wandering around. Monday began bright and early with an orientation and Home Office Tour. I am truly amazed at how large and awesome the Home Office is. We went back to the conference where we had trainings and announcements about our business. For dinner about 18 of us gathrered for Chicago Pizza with our Executive Director. It was a fun time for all. When we got back to our room, we CRASHED. Tuesday was another day of training and announcements and fun gifts. For dinner we had our executive banquet. Ours was a pajama themed party. The food was good, fellowship amazing and we had a BLAST. Wednesday was more training and WONDERFUL announcements. I can't wait to share with all my team. I feel better equipped as a trainer, mentor and seller. Once conference was over, my downline and I wandered around Chicago some more at a very relaxed and enjoyable pace. She was amazed at how much busier the city was today then Sunday but then I reminded her it's the difference between a weekend and a work day. We ate at Blackie's, where they have the BEST hamburgers. We took lots of pictures of these funky dress models with "dresses" of all different sorts of materials, from tiles to zip ties. We went into the Hershey chocolate and Ghiredelli chocolate stores. AWESOME samples. We had a late afternoon snack of Ethel M's truffles and Forte Tea. So much fun. Tonight we are planning to watch the fireworks at Navy Pier. Tomorrow we will enjoy a little more time here in the city before heading back to our perspective homes.

Feeling better

After a weekend at home, lots of water and cranberry juice Brian is feeling much better.

On a different note. Through a message board, I had the pleasure of meeting a family in NY who also has twins. Their oldest son was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia (AML) in January 2007 at the age of 7.5. After an 18 month battle his body was gone. His family is now grieving the loss of Dylan. I never met this family in person but I too am grieving the loss of Dylan. Through reading his Caringbridge page, I was inspired by his and his family courageous fight. His brother was a match and at 3 donated bone marrow to Dylan. Today hug your little ones a little closer and say a prayer for the Mayo family. My heart just aches, no parent should ever have to bury their child. This loss also make me long for Heaven more, where there will be no death, no crying or sadness. I long to see God & Jesus and thousands of angels coming in the clouds and see the dead in Christ rise up and go to Heaven for eternity. If you want to read about Dylan go check his page out http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanmayo

Vaious kid Happenings

Yesterday when I was editing the pictures, Anneliese comes over. She is my more vocal twin. She starts pointing at the pictures and saying the names of the people in the pictures. MOMMMY DADDY EEEO (leo) Bubba (Caleb) ROOROOM (Reuben) I think that is the cutest one. Kiki (Bekah) The interesting part about Kiki is that is what we called my Aunt Mitzi when she was young. Whenever she saw her self she starting screeching MINE MINE. I love how children come up with nicknames for everyone.

This morning we were laying in bed. Brian is suffering from another bout of kidney stones. Anyway, Caleb, Bekah and Anneliese are in the bathroom. Caleb is trying to teach the girls to brush their teeth. He is telling them "do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?" out of the mouth of babes. We started laughing and brian was like, I have told him that. After a few more minutes of banter, Caleb comes in and says I brushed Anneliese's teeth but Bekah wouldn't let me. He even told the girls we will do this again tomorrow. Too Cute. I love how he's willing to teach the girls how to do things.

4th of July family pictures

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Today we are celebrating our Nation's Independence. 232 years ago very brave men declared independence from England. Today we have a volunteer military protecting our country and the rights of others to be able to govern themselves. We live in an area where our Nation's battle for independence happened. I want to teach my children what a rich heritage we have. As you celebrate don't forget what today is about, take time to read our Declaration of Independence; teach our young people the importance of our freedom. BUT never take those freedoms for granted. Today we will be together as a family enjoying each other and maybe tonight we will go see some fireworks to make the United States 232 Anniversary. God Bless and In God We Trust.

Reminded today

In my Bible study this morning, this verse came to me. I know I have said and remembered it over the years but to see it in black and white in print is very uplifting

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

We serve the God who is FAITHFUL and He doesn't want us to be tempted to fail/fall into sin. What a promise ~ He doesn't want us to fail and has provided us an escape from sin.

Reading through the Bible

While doing the studies with my friend and going to the Michael Card Concert last week, I decided to take the challenge to read through the Bible in a Year. I signed up like my mom for a daily email because the first thing I do every morning is check my email. The website is http://www.bibleinayear.org/ I have really been feeling a pull back to God over the past few months.

It's Sabbath and dreary out

Today church is being held about 45 minutes away as it's campmeeting. We are going to stay home though. It's about to rain cats and dogs and I don't want to be outside in it with the kids. So today we will stay home and watch Christian/Sabbath programs. I will also work on the next Bible study that I am doing with a friend. God is so gracious, we need the rain. Yesterday though, it started raining while I was grocery shopping. By the time we got home it was POURING, THUNDER & LIGHTENING. I was very glad to be in my big ol' van and high off the ground out of the flooded streets. There was even a downed tree limb in the middle of the road by the house. My phone is up and working again. Thank goodness for phone insurance.
Only 2 weeks til Leo turns 9. Where has that time gone? I think back and am so thankful that God has blessed me with 5 children.

Silly Desiree

Yesterday when I got home from the library, I must have dropped my cell phone as I got out. I didn't think too much about it til later in the evening. In the meantime we had a TORENTIAL downpour. You guessed it, I found my cell phone in the grass next to the car. It somewhat works but not really, so I had to call today to get me a new cell phone. DUH. Good thing we have insurance on my phone now. The past six months has been hard on my cell. I lost two cell phones within 6 weeks and now have to replace another one due to water damage. I have to be extra super careful now, can't afford to keep replacing phones.

Concert

Last night we went to see Michael Card in concert. It was such an uplifting night. He sang songs that took us from Creation to the Cross to the Second Coming. All of my favorites by him. "El Shaddai, Jubilee, Joy for the Journey, Come to the Table and Why" just to name a few. If you ever get the chance to hear him please take the time to go. He challenged us to read the Bible through from Genesis to the end. I believe that I will take the challenge in addition to the Bible studies that I am doing with a friend.
A couple of funnies happened. The first was one that will bring laughter to my dad and mom. Just as the concert started, a dog started barking. It took me back to a church retreat many years ago as a teenager where when the singing started our family dog started howling. The second funny, is my girls decided to strip during the concert. Bekah took her shirt off twice, the second time hiding it in the stroller pocket. Anneliese only took her shirt off once. The couple behind us saw it happening and didn't even tap Brian on the shoulder to let him know. The girls are too funny.

Link to a amazing story

Another website had this story and it brought me to tears of joy and amazement. http://strengthenedbygrace.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/aborted-baby-lives/ God is so amazing. This little boy is a fighter.

Cleaning Update

Living room, kitchen, bathroom and 2 loads of laundry got done. I even swept and mopped the floors:) Brian was like is this the right house? HAHAHA Tomorrow I will be working on more laundry.

Spending the day cleaning

Today, I am in a cleaning mode. The laundry, kitchen, bathroom, living room and dining room. Things will be swept and mopped. So far I have already done the bathroom and started a load of laundry. Leo is unloading the dishwasher so that I can reload and clean the kitchen. There are boxes out in the garage that I want to get brought in the house but have refused to do so since I am not organized enough. The boys will be working on schoolwork and playing with the girls while I am cleaning. I will post my updates later on all my accomplishments.

Schooling

Leo is finally having "math" click. Caleb is still struggling with reading. I am beginning to worry that he is slightly dylesic or at the very least has some learning difficulties. He really struggles with letter recognition when looking at the paper. He knows the sounds if you ask him but putting those sounds to paper is a different matter. He understands math and can give you the answers when asked. We are working through the summer on school and hopefully will work through the difficulties and I am just being overly concerned. Reuben has great letter recognition and math ability already. I think he is going to breeze through kindergarten.

I found out this week that active duty military and dependents are free at the Boston Children's museum so the kids and I will take a field trip there soon.

Laundry

How can 5 kids make so much laundry? It seems just when the laundry pile is finally empty and caught up the very next second it is piled to the roof again. Ok so today, I am working on slowly clearing the pile and getting it put away.

Some other pics of the kids

While we were in Boston a photographer took some amazing shots of the kids. Here is a link to his page. He says the page is a little rough around the edges and a work in progress. Matty S Photography

Boston

Spent the day with old friends visiting Boston walking the steps where our coutries forefathers probably walked. We walked through Paul Revere's House. He is the most famous resident but it was lived in continously for over 200 years. Now it is a museum. We walked through the Old North Church where the signal lanterns were lit April 18, 1775. Old North Church was built in 1723 making it one of the oldest churches in America. It is still used for services on Sunday mornings. Amazing to walk among history and not just read about it in a book. Leo got a book about the Freedom Trail and will tell you all about it.

Our day started out with the kids eating a picnic lunch at Northend Park and then playing in the water fountains. Which was so much fun. Northend Park is one of several parks that has been added to Boston since the freeway has gone under ground. I really am enjoying Boston and the stuff to do down there. I also enjoy being up in our neck of the woods.

Run Down

This week, I don't know if it's the weather or a combination but I am really run down. Last weekend I had a migraine and slept all weekend, now I can't get my sleep patterns adjusted right. I feel like sleeping all day, I just feel really tired this week. I pretty much have been a homebody all week. One night I couldn't take it and I went to the bookstore without the kids. My van has moved exactly one tmie since last Monday to go to the commissary on Thursday. Thursday I tweeked my knee while shopping at the commissary. Not sure exactly what I did but OUCH, I couldn't even bend or fully straighten it that night or Friday during the day. It is feeling better, Praise God.
My goal this week is to drink more water and get some walking around the neighborhood.

Weather

Ok yesterday through Saturday is what I call June Gloom. It was rainy yesterday, today it's rainy, more of a sprinkle, gray day, right now it's 59 degrees out. When it's gloomy like this I have no motivation to get my act together, I really need to get the house organized and some stuff decluttered out of here. So I am not really complaining about the tempatures. Saturday our expected high is going to be 74 and then Sunday our high is going to be 90. Come on talk about one extreme to the next. I really do love the weather here, I know it could have been 90-100 for months already.

Family worship

Tonight Brian & I were sitting outside relaxing while the boys were bathing. The girls were already down for the night. When the boys were done we had them come out and have worship with us. We talked about Noah and the ark. The really special part was when it was time for prayers. Leo went first and his prayer was for the doctors to find a cure for eczema to help Reuben and to watch over his sisters. Caleb followed those same lines and Reuben as well prayed for a cure for eczema. How amazing that even at such a young age they can pray for such big things and not even for themselves but for their brothers (well Reuben prayed for himself but you know what I mean). There are days where Reuben is happy go lucky and not a care in this world the itching and scratching doesn't seem to faze him and other days it breaks my heart because he is in so much pain and aggravation. God is good all the time I know He watches over my kids as they play and deal with their allergies and ailments. Tonight was just a wonderful evening and a reminder of just how blessed I am.

Tattling

Tonight after making Mash Potatoes, I am sittling down and Anneliese comes and says "I good, Look" she points to Bekah who has the Mix and Chop (plastic) licking off the potatoes. Anneliese looks at me all innocently. Oh boy it has already begun at 2 years old. LOL

today's funny

Since we are potty training we have the seat toppers. This morning, Anneliese decided her baby needed to be potty trained so, she sets her baby on the potty. Too funny. What little mamas I have.

5 girls and a shower curtian

Give 5 girls (4 of which are 2 years old, the other is a neighbor) a shower curtain, a sunny day with a little breeze and you have about 2 hours of complete fun. Today Nique and I were outside enjoying an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day with the girls. We made an Army fleece blanket for her so, I had brought out the outer shower curtain to have a clean surface to work on. When we were done Elisabeth started lifting up the corner, that led to the five girls, Nique and I playing. Nique got out her camera and started clicking pics. It was so much fun. In my opinion there isn't much better than a child's laughter and I had it times 5 today. It was good to see Nique and her girls smile and relax.

Life is so short

Every day I am reminded just how short life is. This week we got a call at 1 am Wednesday morning, it was one of our dear friends crying uncontrollably. All I could understand was "died" Panic rushed through my body as her husband had just returned to Iraq on Sunday. When she was able to calm down enough to tell me, her close friend and fellow Army medic, Jessica, had died from wounds suffered from an IED. Three weeks ago, Jessica had suffered bruises and scratches in a similar incident. Jessica was 24. As a military spouse this is our gratest fear and have seen so many friends injured and lives lost. I salute our voluntary military members who willing join and give their lives so that we live in freedom. This week I am keeping Jessica's friends and family in my prayers as they begin to grieve the loss of a friend, sister and daughter. God Bless our Military and those that love them.

Updates

The past two weeks have been so crazy busy. We had some friends in town for a week. We went up to Kittery Maine to the outlet malls, went down to Plymouth. That was fun can't wait to go back when it's not so chilly out. Caleb turned 7, we went to Friendly's (restaurant/ice cream place). The boys really have got into building with their Lincoln Logs so Caleb got 2 sets of them and a scooter/razor. Then we celebrated Brian's birthday at home with his favorite meal -- Chicken Alfredo. This weekend I turned 35, wow what a difference 10 years makes. I remember being so upset turning 25, having lost my first baby. Now I have 5 wonderful children. God truly blessed us.
For Mother's day, I told Brian and the boys that I wanted to go take some pictures. I don't have any of all them together. So we went to Walden Pond (about 2 miles from the house). Walden Pond was made famous but Henry David Thoreau. He had a 1 room house there in the 1840's. So we hiked around and got some new pictures. The girls even walked most the way; towards the end they had had enough and Brian had to carry them.

Pictures of the house front and the back yard

Joys

Yesterday the girls decide it was potty training time. So we have begun this journey for the final time. Today, Bekah had one real accident and Anneliese had one. Anneliese is cute she doesn't even want to sit on the potty chair. Oh, now she is a BIG girl and wants to sit on the big people potty. Now I need to get one of those rings for the big potty. Oh the joys and wonders of having two two year olds. The girls second toddler day bed is set up.

Reuben, Leo and Caleb are LOVING the quiet street (except no boys their age) but having the ability to play and not worry about cars. They enjoy the playground that is just outside our front yard.

Today I discovered I do indeed have a dining room table and all the kids can in fact eat at it. Slowly but surely the boxes are getting unpacked. Almost all the pictures are hung on the walls. Every box is one step closer to being settled.

This weekend was the anniversary of Paul Revere's midnight run April 18-19, 1775. The state makes today a state holiday, Patriot's day in this honor. The area in which we live actually has reenactments. We didn't go this year but next year I want to take the boys; teaching our Nation's history first hand.

Next week we are going over to Boston to see some of the monuments along The Freedom Trail. wwww.thefreedomtrail.org

Home Sweet Home

We have a house. Our stuff is here. So far the only thing I know that got damaged was the boys dresser. It looks like the driver or someone loading the truck stepped on the top and put their foot right in it. Oh well, if that is the biggest damage, we are lucky. After 16 years we haven't had anything major happen. I am writing tonight from my couch in my home. Yes I said home because although there are boxes everywhere this will be our home for now. We are living in a little community of Army housing in a suburb of Boston, about 20 miles from Boston and 25 miles from Worcester (where Brian will be working). The house is small but most the furniture fits, not sure about the extras but we will make it work. The kids have a HUGE fenced back yard as well as a fenced community play area at the corner of our front yard. We are surrounded by trees including two in our front yard and on in the back. We visited one church last weekend that was awesome, kids like it but we want to visit a few others before settling on a church home. The boys have already made friends with the neighbor girls across the street. The other kids are in school. We are liking all the food choices, very reminiscent of our days in Chicago and San Diego. The weather has been in the mid 50's - upper 60's during the day and then 40's at night. This coming week temps are expected to drop down to mid 40's during the day.
God is so faithful and watchful over us. This week Anneliese fell and hit her chin/mouth on a table, cut the inside of her lip. She is no worse for wear. The very next day Rebekah just falls over her own feet outside and scraped up the bottom of her chin. Reuben's skin is looking really clear, he has his scratching itchy moments still. This weekend we will unpack and get even more settled in. Monday Brian goes to work and begins his next assignment.

2 blogs in one

Worcester

We have arrived in Worcester. 2900 miles, 12 states and 29 days later. We spent time with Jaime in Jax, a week with Mickey, a short visit to Stone Mountain and Twyna, family in Alabama, visiting Nique in Tennessee, family in northern Kentucky, my sister and her family in Pennsylvania and now our final destination. Tomorrow begins our house hunting journey. Brian will report to work early next week. I can’t wait to see our other friends that are moving less than an hour away:) and my family that only lives 3 hours away. But at the moment I am looking forward to having a house and settling down for a little bit.




Life is too short


A dear friend fought a valiant fight in a battle against breast cancer. I don’t think she lost her battle. She fought a good fight up until the end. Even in her darkest hours she was working for God and family. I hope that I can be that faithful to God in my darkest hours. She was an inspiration. On resurrection morning she will wake up and see Jesus Christ’s face. Cathy leaves behind friends, a husband, and a beautiful nine year old daughter. In honor of Cathy, hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight.

Little Blessings

Today I sit at a friends house listening to seven kids under nine play. God is so amazing. We have family that love us and friends that God has brought into our lives to have become like family. In the past week we have been to Georgia visited Stone Mountain; visited old neighbors and visited family in Alabama. Tuesday night Brian's brother, niece, granny, step-sister, her husband, son and daughter all gathered at Brian's Dad's house. It was truly a nice family gathering, one that should happen way more often than it does. We are now in Tennessee visiting with Nique and her girls again. It is such a joy to see the four girls playing and laughing together. Today was a nice Sabbath we visited a local church near the base. Tomorrow morning is Resurrection Sunday and we will celebrate the resurection of Jesus Christ our Savior by making Resurrection Rolls with the boys and spending the day together as a family. God has truly blessed us. Later this week we will travel to Louisville to visit more of Brian's family and then afterwards we will travel to Pennsylvania to see Lenea and her family who we haven't seen in over a year.

Animal Kingdom

This park was amazing. It was like a big wild animal park. We went on a Safari ride and saw wild animals in their natural like habitat, giraffe hidden in the grass, elephants, white and black rhinos, zebras and so many others. There is this huge tree in the center of the park with carvings all different animals. The best 3-D show we saw called It's tough to be a bug. At one point a termite that shoots out "acid" for protection comes out the flea says "hope no one is allergic to acid" Reuben says "dad am I allergic to acid" It was so cute. The girls were laughing and giggling. We rode the Mt Everest roller coaster. WOW that was fun. The boys rode several other roller coasters in the morning while Nique and I were out running an errand to get her a new military ID card. Leo then road the Dinosaur ride a second time with Nique. I tell you I am going to have some rollercoaster maniacs with those boys.

Every night after the parks we would spend time at the house in the pool with the boys after dinner. Brian is already planning on when we can go again. I loved renting the house to be able to have breakfast at the house, make lunch for the park and have dinner at home; saved us lots of money.

Magic Kingdom

The biggest of the parks in my opinion was tackled on Tuesday. We rode rides, saw the castle. Reuben loved Big Thunder Mountain. But Rueben and Caleb didn't like Splash Mountain. Leo LOVED all the roller coasters. The girls liked seeing the parades and sights as long as the characters stayed at a distance.

Hollywood Studios

Monday we went to Hollywood Studios. Brian loving movies the way he does loved being among all the movies. We went to the Great Movie Ride. The girls were scared but the guys absolutely loved it. The boys enjoyed the stunt show about how the movies do stunts. We decided that Hollywood Studios needed a second trip.

Disney-Epcot

Saturday Night we arrived at Orlando. The house we are staying in is amazing. The kids love the themed bedrooms; one room is Winnie the Pooh and one room is Mickey Mouse. There is a private pool and jacuzzi in the backyard. Sunday morning, we awoke to make our first day trip to Epcot. Kids loved it. We went to Project tomorrow. Boys and adults alike loved playing the shuffle board like game lighting communities. The boys then played other energy saving type games. We went to character spot where the kids got several autographs. Anneliese would give her book to the boys to get autographs, Bekah ABSOLUTELY wanted NOTHING to do with any character. We walked around the rest of Future World. Boys went on Mission Space. Off we went to the World area. There are some awesome areas. Very authentic buildings, shows, and shops. I loved walking and window shopping. At the very end the boys went on Mission Earth which they were very excited about and couldn't stop chatting about all the different time travels they went on.

In Jacksonville

We made it to Jacksonville late Thursday night. We decided to spend Wednesday night in New Orleans and get a fresh start Thursday. The traveling weather was awesome on Thursday. But the weather today leaves much to be desired. It is raining and nasty outside. Saying good-bye to our friends was exremely hard, especially for the boys. We saw our good friend, Jaime, and her son, James, last night. Tonight we should see my cousin, Andi

Here's a picture of the kids with their friends from our cul-de-sac in New Orleans.

2 weeks

Two weeks til the movers come to pack our stuff. Hard to believe our time in New Orleans is so fastly coming to an end. Three years ago, I was dreading our move here and now I am actually sad to be leaving. We have made some really good friends who will be friends of the heart for a lifetime. The girls will be two years old in 11 days. They are so full of discovery and joy so vastly different yet so similar. The boys are protective of their sisters and love to help them discover new things sometimes to my heart failure.

I am reminded of how short life can be. A dear friend of my mom's passed away yesterday. Another friend of a friend lost two friends in a tragic car accident yesterday. Hug your loved ones a little tighter today.

God is so good to us. Have a blessed day.

Crazy busy as always

Two weeks ago we went to Kentucky and Cincinnati. I had a fabulous time in Cincinnati with several friends. We went to Leadership Summit. Brian helped our friend Nique move from one house to another. He's such a great guy. Last weekend was the Little Rascals Parade. The kids loved it. Anneliese was really getting into catching and picking up the beads. As soon as I get pictures downloaded I will upload some to show off. This week, I took the girls and got them their first haircuts, mostly just a bang cut and trim. Both girls did AWESOME. They sat there like such big girls and were like "we can get used to this pampering and we are meant to be princess's". Our trip to Disney has been booked. We are going March 6-14. We leave New Orleans on March 5th for our move to MA. I am sad and excited all at the same time. Disney is going to be fun and the trip to MA will be fun, we are planning on stopping and doing sightseeing with the kids along the way.

December Pictures

We had a busy December...Decorating the Christmas Tree, Desiree hosted her cookie exchange with her friends, kids made caramels, cookies, fudge, chocolate mice and more. We went to see the US Marine Corps Band Christmas concert at Loyola University. We went to Christmas at the barn celebration (a wonderful live nativity that is very family/kid friendly). Took a tour of New Orleans with some friends, had a wonderful Christmas eve at home with just us and then went to a Christmas eve service. Christmas morning we opened presents and stayed in our pjs all day and lounged at home. New Years eve our friends from across the cul de sac came over and they played and had a wondeful time. December was such a blessing and a wonderful joyful time. The girls were so gleeful opening presents.

Here are some pics of our month.