As Matthew and I tried for many years to have children lots of things went through my head. Dreams that I may not be able to realize, wishes for my chidlren and lots of love to give them. Today I saw one of those dreams come true and it made me cry happy tears.
I always thought about a little girl wearing my heels around and looking at how little their feet were in my shoes. Today as I was getting ready for our day I came upon both of my little girls walking around in my heels. I know it is silly and not something most people ever dream about but I did and today my dream came true times two!
Thank you Maggie and Mallory for making momma's dreams come true. I love you two and you can wear my heels any day, let's just not try to wear them down the stairs! You two will definitely keep me on my toes throughout your years and you are starting to "work together" on things - I am sure that will lead to lots of trouble! The truth is there is a time when I never thought that little dream would be realized but you made it come true for me today and I thank you and love you very much!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Happy Birthday to you!
DISCLAIMER: Their birthday was last Sunday June 24th but you know what life happens so here we go!
Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweets and as Maggie would say, "my babies" Mallory and Cale!
You are TWO! Really just the thought brings tears to my eyes and so much joy to my heart. Wow two years old. It seems like yesterday that you were brought into our lives.
And then the adults thought it was a good idea to put the pool at the end of the slide. Look who is the one on the slide - the one who has allowed us to hit our insurance deductible by JUNE!
Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweets and as Maggie would say, "my babies" Mallory and Cale!
You are TWO! Really just the thought brings tears to my eyes and so much joy to my heart. Wow two years old. It seems like yesterday that you were brought into our lives.
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| Cale Joseph |
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| Mallory Lynne |
For their birthday we planned a day at the ball park, "let's go REDS" is one of their favorite cheers right now! We were lucky enough to have our normal crew there as well as Aunt Erica, Uncle John, Jacob, Elizabeth, Maddox, Natalie and Aunt Carol! It was hot but we had fun!
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| We got a score board birthday wish! |
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| Our baseball day is ended! |
Then we headed home to have dinner, cake, ice cream and lots of fun! We are so blessed that our children have so many people who could be a part of their special day! Thank you all for your love and laughter as I watched what was one of the greatest days in my children's lives yet!
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| Present Time! |
To end the day we went back out to play, having day light for so long gave us LOTS of time, and we have figured out how to make our slide a WATER SLIDE - LOTS of FUN!
Can you tell who the ring master is on this one? Miss Maggie is quiet the water gal!
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| Swinging with our friends! |
What a great day. It was a perfect celebration of these two little lives which we LOVE.
Miss Mallory - if momma gets to sing Happy Birthday to you that much each year bring it on! I think we sang that no more than a million times and she particularly love the Happy To You version. Who needs the birthday part why not have the happy to you everyday?
Mr. Cale - please oh please give your momma's nerves a break and slow down in life. You live it full my little cannonball man and I love that but everytime you fall or go head first at something I see another ER visit in my head. Keep living life, just do it safely!
Happy to You Mallory and Cale - we love you with all of our hearts!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Happy 5th Anniversary John and Erica
Hard to believe five years have gone by, my how time flies and things change. They are excepting their SECOND child, who we cannot wait to meet and have an awesome little boy who will turn three this August. Oh Maddox how you light up our lives! Our Mad-Mad oh how we love you.
Matt and I were expecting our first twins when we were lucky enough to be a part of this wonderful day. Now the little ones are turning two. Hard to believe so much can happen in five short years.
Erica and John, you are lucky to have found each other. May this just be the beginning of many big anniversary celebrations. Who knows what the next five years will hold for you all.
Thank you for allowing us to share in your day, it seems like yesterday but we know it was not. Here's to many more years of happiness, love and memories!
We love you!
Happy Anniversary
June 23rd 2007
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| The bride getting pretty by our favorite hairdresser Ms. Cherie! |
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| Erica and Alexa their flower girl |
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| Missy and Kristen two pretty bridesmaids |
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| Kyle and Spencer |
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| John and his mom Jan |
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| Erica dancing with Drew |
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| Kyle and mom dancing the night away |
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| Matt and Kyle |
I am just sorry I cannot share the other great photos of the day with you - they are on the computer that died or printed out in memory and I cannot get the scanner to work :(
I am just sorry I cannot share the other great photos of the day with you - they are on the computer that died or printed out in memory and I cannot get the scanner to work :(
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Remebering to BREATHE!
I am finally finishing an entry that I started back on August 29th, 2011 - almost a year ago but anyways here it goes.
These 3 words were the pieces of advice that I received from a former boss when I received my promotion - that occurred almost a year ago - and have been the words that I have to remind myself of everyday in this crazy busy world in which I am running around. It was these and "good luck" that I was given, I have not relied much on the luck, well maybe I have but it is the remembering to breathe part that are the precious words to me.
This week, I definitely needed those words of advice. Started off heading to Omaha, stayed there Monday night, all day meeting Tuesday, plane to Naperville, spent the night there, all day meeting Wednesday, delays to get out of O'Hara and finally puling into the driveway at 11:50 last night, all the while I was coming down with strep throat! Really - could it be any harder to be away from my family and trying to cram everything I needed to remember into my brain? Why is it that every summer I come down with strep throat at least once? After a trip to the doctor and a nice painful shot of medicine in the hiney I am on my way to recovering, which I need to do quickly as we have birthdays to celebrate this weekend! The cool thing was I finally got to fly on the company jet - very nice way to travel if I do say so myself!
So remembering to breathe, it means many things at many different times in my life but they are the words that remind me to put things in perspective. This week has been hard, personally and at work, I never feel like I am doing enough of either or doing either really well. I know I cannot do it all and it will never be perfect but I have always pushed myself to do more and to do it better so I do not know how to slow down that is until I get sick and I am forced to catch up on sleep for me and to slow down. Not an ideal way to remember to do this but it has been this way since I was in middle school.
I have learned A LOT in a year, I have grown as a person (at least I think so), I have faced things I never imagined possible and I have watched my children continue to grow way too fast for me! I have leaned on those who are friends and family more than I ever thought I would but I could have never done a lot of things without them all! I have asked for many prayers and I have offered many prayers, all along remembering to breathe.
Yesterday I got the chance to sit down the with person who told me these three words, I am very thankful for that time, to make sure I am on track to do my job well. For the additional advice of continuing to get better at this job and for once more reminding me, I do not have to have all of the answers!
Remembering to breathe, three simple words with a lot of meaning. Just long enough for us to take a quick time out to allow us to get focused on what is important. Three words that I believe I will continue to use for many years to come.
It is all about perspective, remembering what is important and prioritizing when you cannot possible do it all. Remembering to breathe, possible the best piece of advice I have ever received and one I have learned a ton from at many different times. I am very thankful for those words!
These 3 words were the pieces of advice that I received from a former boss when I received my promotion - that occurred almost a year ago - and have been the words that I have to remind myself of everyday in this crazy busy world in which I am running around. It was these and "good luck" that I was given, I have not relied much on the luck, well maybe I have but it is the remembering to breathe part that are the precious words to me.
This week, I definitely needed those words of advice. Started off heading to Omaha, stayed there Monday night, all day meeting Tuesday, plane to Naperville, spent the night there, all day meeting Wednesday, delays to get out of O'Hara and finally puling into the driveway at 11:50 last night, all the while I was coming down with strep throat! Really - could it be any harder to be away from my family and trying to cram everything I needed to remember into my brain? Why is it that every summer I come down with strep throat at least once? After a trip to the doctor and a nice painful shot of medicine in the hiney I am on my way to recovering, which I need to do quickly as we have birthdays to celebrate this weekend! The cool thing was I finally got to fly on the company jet - very nice way to travel if I do say so myself!
So remembering to breathe, it means many things at many different times in my life but they are the words that remind me to put things in perspective. This week has been hard, personally and at work, I never feel like I am doing enough of either or doing either really well. I know I cannot do it all and it will never be perfect but I have always pushed myself to do more and to do it better so I do not know how to slow down that is until I get sick and I am forced to catch up on sleep for me and to slow down. Not an ideal way to remember to do this but it has been this way since I was in middle school.
I have learned A LOT in a year, I have grown as a person (at least I think so), I have faced things I never imagined possible and I have watched my children continue to grow way too fast for me! I have leaned on those who are friends and family more than I ever thought I would but I could have never done a lot of things without them all! I have asked for many prayers and I have offered many prayers, all along remembering to breathe.
Yesterday I got the chance to sit down the with person who told me these three words, I am very thankful for that time, to make sure I am on track to do my job well. For the additional advice of continuing to get better at this job and for once more reminding me, I do not have to have all of the answers!
Remembering to breathe, three simple words with a lot of meaning. Just long enough for us to take a quick time out to allow us to get focused on what is important. Three words that I believe I will continue to use for many years to come.
It is all about perspective, remembering what is important and prioritizing when you cannot possible do it all. Remembering to breathe, possible the best piece of advice I have ever received and one I have learned a ton from at many different times. I am very thankful for those words!
Father's Day
This year for Father's Day was a bit different as we decided that it would be a day with just the 6 of us, celebrating daddy and having some family time. We slept in a bit then got going to grab brunch at Frisch's and then off to Kings Island we went.
The kids are loving Kings Island, the passes are a great gift, thank you mom and Chris, and it was a wonderful day of rides and fun.
We had a great day, until a storm was brewing around us and we decided to head home. I love that Matthew is the father of my children, they love their daddy. It was a great day finished off with dinner with Big Papaw and watching golf.
While we did not get to celebrate with all of the other papaw's in our lives we are very grateful for them as well. Father's day is hard for me, for many reasons that do not need to be listed here, what I do know is that my children are loved by the Father's in their lives and I could not ask for better men to be role models for my children.
Until next year, Happy Father's Day daddy, Papaw Casey, Papaw Chris, Papaw Frank, Papaw Eddie and Big Papaw! We love you all!
The kids are loving Kings Island, the passes are a great gift, thank you mom and Chris, and it was a wonderful day of rides and fun.
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| Our day with daddy |
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| Waiting for "my turn" |
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| Pink car it is! |
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| Mallory was napping |
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| but quickly woke up |
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| All ready to go |
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| HI! |
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| Mal-Mal's turn too |
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| Beetle bugs! Cale and Maggie's favorite ride |
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| Look at those smiles |
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| LOVES the corners |
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| What a face! |
While we did not get to celebrate with all of the other papaw's in our lives we are very grateful for them as well. Father's day is hard for me, for many reasons that do not need to be listed here, what I do know is that my children are loved by the Father's in their lives and I could not ask for better men to be role models for my children.
Until next year, Happy Father's Day daddy, Papaw Casey, Papaw Chris, Papaw Frank, Papaw Eddie and Big Papaw! We love you all!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Ding, Ding, Stitches Round #2
Well he did it again, Cale has stitches in his head for the 2nd time in less than 6 months! What in the world are we going to do with this boy? His momma's nerves are shot! I swear I am going to wrap him up in bubble wrap, put him in a full body snow suit and put a helmet on his head to get through his life!
Yesterday as we were at the Brookbank family reunion enjoying some baseball time on the field he proceeded to run out from the fence and take a lick to the head off of the swing from Caden. Yes it was an aluminum bat and yes it was bad.
But boy am I glad that we had the right family members there, thank you to you all and most important our medical savvy ones, Doug, Mr. EMT and Sue, the caring nurse. Without you all I am not sure that I could have kept a level head that allowed my adrenaline to kick in and take over to get everyone where I needed them to be so I could leave to get that kid to the emergency room.
A HUGE thank you to all of the boys, Brady, Drew, Connor, Mason and Spencer, you all were champs - HUGE strong CHAMPS - who not only reacted quickly but with calm and passion. First, I cannot believe how much you all are growing up, second, because my kids love you and you them it made it easier all around yesterday. Keep growing into fine young men, we love you more than you will ever know!
Brooke, Ashley and Erin, you were there to offer to help in anyway possible, which means the world to me, it is wonderful to call you ladies family. To my mother in law Mary Jo who jumped in the car to come get the other 3 kids - I am so grateful you were home and around to help - we don't know what we would do without you. To the Gordon's who were waiting with cake and beer - cake the for kids and a beer for mommy - thank you - it was a great way to end the trying day.
My Caden Joe, our buddy is alright, it was a complete accident and I know it will take you some time to realize it but your brother is fine, he has a big, hard head and will bounce back like a champ from this injury just like the last. Years from now he may hold this over your head but right now, he is good my friend. I worry about you but I know you will be alright, your big, loving heart wants to know that he is okay and he is buddy, he definitely is okay.
A BIG, HUGE thank you to my hubby Matthew, even when covered in blood you were the calm and collected one. You kept our buddy awake on the way to the ER, reassured Caden it would all be okay and never let me lose it.
To the staff at Good Sam in Western Hills, you all ROCKED. This experience was so much better than our last with stitches. Although I recommend keeping blue popsicles on hand, my little dude wanted nothing to do with the red ones, by golly he asked for BLUE! But seriously, as hard as it was you all did great holding my monster and getting him on his way. You all do a special job that not many could do.
Lastly, Cale Joseph, my little surprise, my Buster, there is a reason that God did not let us know about you right away, there is a reason for everything but Buster, let's stay away from the ER for a while! You agreed to wear a helmet yesterday and mommy may make you - you are ALL boy and never stop - but I need you to be calm until you heal so this momma doesn't have a nervous breakdown! I was scared buddy, I really was, that could have been so much worse than 5 stitches, you have angels watching over you and for that I am grateful. Still worried about you but very grateful. You told us this morning, "ouchy, boo hurt" but you have been a good boy with the whole thing.
So here you go - a few graphic photos, I am not going to lie, they aren't pretty. But our little "stitch" as the boys have appropriately named him is doing good and giving his momma a nervous breakdown for sure!
Yesterday as we were at the Brookbank family reunion enjoying some baseball time on the field he proceeded to run out from the fence and take a lick to the head off of the swing from Caden. Yes it was an aluminum bat and yes it was bad.
But boy am I glad that we had the right family members there, thank you to you all and most important our medical savvy ones, Doug, Mr. EMT and Sue, the caring nurse. Without you all I am not sure that I could have kept a level head that allowed my adrenaline to kick in and take over to get everyone where I needed them to be so I could leave to get that kid to the emergency room.
A HUGE thank you to all of the boys, Brady, Drew, Connor, Mason and Spencer, you all were champs - HUGE strong CHAMPS - who not only reacted quickly but with calm and passion. First, I cannot believe how much you all are growing up, second, because my kids love you and you them it made it easier all around yesterday. Keep growing into fine young men, we love you more than you will ever know!
Brooke, Ashley and Erin, you were there to offer to help in anyway possible, which means the world to me, it is wonderful to call you ladies family. To my mother in law Mary Jo who jumped in the car to come get the other 3 kids - I am so grateful you were home and around to help - we don't know what we would do without you. To the Gordon's who were waiting with cake and beer - cake the for kids and a beer for mommy - thank you - it was a great way to end the trying day.
My Caden Joe, our buddy is alright, it was a complete accident and I know it will take you some time to realize it but your brother is fine, he has a big, hard head and will bounce back like a champ from this injury just like the last. Years from now he may hold this over your head but right now, he is good my friend. I worry about you but I know you will be alright, your big, loving heart wants to know that he is okay and he is buddy, he definitely is okay.
A BIG, HUGE thank you to my hubby Matthew, even when covered in blood you were the calm and collected one. You kept our buddy awake on the way to the ER, reassured Caden it would all be okay and never let me lose it.
To the staff at Good Sam in Western Hills, you all ROCKED. This experience was so much better than our last with stitches. Although I recommend keeping blue popsicles on hand, my little dude wanted nothing to do with the red ones, by golly he asked for BLUE! But seriously, as hard as it was you all did great holding my monster and getting him on his way. You all do a special job that not many could do.
Lastly, Cale Joseph, my little surprise, my Buster, there is a reason that God did not let us know about you right away, there is a reason for everything but Buster, let's stay away from the ER for a while! You agreed to wear a helmet yesterday and mommy may make you - you are ALL boy and never stop - but I need you to be calm until you heal so this momma doesn't have a nervous breakdown! I was scared buddy, I really was, that could have been so much worse than 5 stitches, you have angels watching over you and for that I am grateful. Still worried about you but very grateful. You told us this morning, "ouchy, boo hurt" but you have been a good boy with the whole thing.
So here you go - a few graphic photos, I am not going to lie, they aren't pretty. But our little "stitch" as the boys have appropriately named him is doing good and giving his momma a nervous breakdown for sure!
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| Patiently waiting for his stitches - still smiling though |
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| Right before going night-night and still smiling - God thank you for that smile! |
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