Super Cailin Turns Three

Before our upcoming adventure I had to post pictures of Cailin...next Tuesday she'll turn three and tonight is her party. So I'd like to share a little about her and then you can look at the photos below...time is precious and I can't bother with arranging photos and labels. I think I'd loose my mind. Our Super Cailin has had other nicknames in the past. Mina- she mimics everything Alayna does. Godzilla- she used to simply destroy anything the kids were playing with. And currently I have started calling her Miss...chiveous- she tends to quietly get herself into trouble. Cutting paper to shreds daily in piles, conducting science experiments at meal time with food and drinks, and she is constantly flooding the bathroom when she washes her hands. As an infant she would climb tables and shelves. She also is famous for her, "Hold me, Mommy!" She can be very shy and very sweet and she could lead a team of screamers too. Cailin is an amazing little girl and soon enough she'll be a Superwoman!! We are looking forward to lots of fun times with Cailin. Thank you Lord for the blessing of her giggles and thanks for the times I can hold her. May she grow to love You and share Your love with others.

Upcoming Roadtrip

Jersey here we come. Here are photos of our last two trips...this time around we are attempting the open road. I will be trying to enjoy the trips...hours and hours of sitting, reading, listening to music. Right, the kids will be just fine. I packed them each a diaper box full of activites. So I can relax for a change. Right? We'll see how this plays out.

Last October, we visited Amanda's Field. I hope one day that my kids can truly appreciate what these visits meant to me.

Naps at Mommom's house are amazing. So is the company! And the food! I know we will be able to visit our family...but how many restuarants can we conquer??

So nice, too, to play at Mommom's house...the kids are most excited for ALL Aunt Darla has...cousins!!

This is Alayna...things get a little wild at Mommom's house.

That was her in October '09 and this is her August '08. Its amazing how time flies in between trips.

Here is Cailin in a dress that Ella is now wearing. I was actually pregnant with Ella when this picture was taken. It was Dom's graduation party...it's so nice to travel and see family and catch up with friends.

For so long now, Eric has been excited to see these guys. We will always have family and memories will keep us going til we can see them again.

And this little girl is quite popular in our house. She is often the answer to our 20 Questions game and Who Am I thinking of...we even have a tiger named after her.

Finally, these two are the reason behind our travels. They are going to tie the knot...get hitched...you know, get married. God has blessed them in so many ways, now together they can bless others in His name as a family. Soon you will see new pictures of our Road Trip to Jersey. We even get stop at our Nation's Capital to see Aunt Melissa!! Then, a week long of making memories...recorded on film and will remain with us til we see each other again. Each of our kids will be in the wedding. And Billy's the best man. Hmmmm...don't most comedies end with a wedding???

Thanks Mom

Thanks for taking care of me when I was sick. Even when you were tired. And frustrated. I just needed your help and comfort and you were there. Thanks. Thanks for a lot of things. But with my little ones sick these days, again, I know it was tough for you. So Thank You. Sick

'I cannot go to school today, ' Said little Peggy Ann McKay. 'I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I'm going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks, I've counted sixteen chicken pox And there's one more-that's seventeen, And don't you think my face looks green? My leg is cut-my eyes are blue- It might be instamatic flu. I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke, I'm sure that my left leg is broke- My hip hurts when I move my chin, My belly button's caving in, My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained, My 'pendix pains each time it rains. My nose is cold, my toes are numb. I have a sliver in my thumb. My neck is stiff, my voice is weak, I hardly whisper when I speak. My tongue is filling up my mouth, I think my hair is falling out. My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight, My temperature is one-o-eight. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, There is a hole inside my ear. I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what? What's that? What's that you say? You say today is...Saturday? G'bye, I'm going out to play! ' Shel Silverstein

My Tee

Today before dinner, we had a rare moment. Each of my kids were engaged in a game of Tee Ball. For so long now, its only been Eric and I playing afterschool, at night, and on the weekends. Just recently, with the incentive of a new purple glove, our girls have shown an interest in playing. With the assistance of the tee, the games flow smoothly. Well, as smooth as it could go, with a little crowd around us. This afternoon I sat in my beach chair in our backyard and watched my kids cheer each other on. Ella actually sat next to me in a little chair of her own. I was a spectator of, hopefully, the first of many baseball games they play with each other. Sure, it didn't last long. Alayna eventually had to check on her "pie" in her "oven." Cailin had to help her. Eric had to "destroy" her. And Ella never sits still for very long. As it ended, I envisioned taking our tee along with us on our next trip to the beach for some more fun. With moments like this I can be thankful for our full family :)

Time Crunch

I can't believe that it is the last day of April and this is only my sixth blog post. And May will be even busier. And March was pretty hectic. Come to think of it, we are always busy. Each and every day is jam packed with activity. Billy has been working a lot of overtime (a blessing in disguise) and that means Momma has been working OT, too. We say goodbye just after 7 am and settle down to chat just before 10 pm. With such a busy month, I have started to learn a few things.

ONE- It will always be this way.
TWO- I have to schedule time for ME for twenty minutes. Sit and relax and read God's word. Start or finish a project. Yard work. Walk. Read a magazine. Search the net for fun kid activities. Everything I still have to do, will get done.
THREE- Scheduling time better has helped us to focus on what matters. We take time to pray. We attempt to eat better and exercise. We try to be better stewards of our finances.
FOUR- Family time is the best time.
FIVE- Since we can't always have family time, we can always be praying for our family.

Busy times call for a reality check. What's important and what's not. Who's important and who's not. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2

Alayna Turns Four

My sweet baby Alayna turned four this week on April 20. She was born a Jersey girl weighing in at 7 pounds 8 ounces at Shore Memorial Hospital. She is a bundle of sass and sweetness. Her current loves are puppies, kittens, anything purple and chocolate. She climbed up to reach for brownie batter in this photo.

Hard to believe this bald head now is full of blonde curls. With Alayna growing into a "kid" it means school is around the corner. She cuts, pastes, writes, and reading is around the bend. She never ceases to amaze me.

Known as "Boo-Boo Girl" Alayna usually finds herself with bumps and bruises. She trips. She falls. She bangs into corners. She is not smooth on her feet.

Her smile is beauty. It shines from her eyes. You hear it in her giggle. Growing into being a "kid" she now loves nail polish and makeup. Hold on to her Daddy. It's going to be quick. I hope she will always be a Daddy's girl.

We see this face often. She's great at the pouty eyes and puffed up lip. She just recently nailed the whiny voice to go with it. It's the "kid" voice now. The one that knows what it wants and repeats until an explosion.

Alayna is "fiesty, a leader, and she knows what she wants and how she wants it done." The quote comes from those who have gotten to know her well. Sweet and caring. Thoughtful and concerned. Independent. Bold.

Our baby girl is growing up. Riding a bike and dressing up like a cheerleader. (Yes she had a perfect naturally loud voice.)

Alayna, may you always shine from your heart. Turn to the Lord and He will direct your paths. We will hold your hand. Love the unloved and speak for those with no voice. He can use you. May the Lord show you the good works He has planned for you.

I Love You, Lanie.

Busy Spring. Busy Week.

Alayna turned four. Had a party. Details to come.

Visited the zoo.

Visited a farm.

Trip to the Beach.

Field trip to State Park.

All moments in between- even more busy than our outings.

Can't wait to write about it....but I have to.