The thing about clichés... they're usually true.

Cliche- Noun: something that has become overly familiar or commonplace, and therefore loses its meaning.
It's never fun to hear the same thing over and over again, like when you have a newborn who is up and eating every hour and someone says "enjoy this now, they grow up so fast". During those moments, you may think to yourself-"anytime now will be fine. I want to SLEEP". Someone else may say "hug your kids while you can", while one is stuck to your leg and the other is hanging off your neck. In that moment you'd kill for a day to not be touched constantly from morning until night. And of course, there's the "one day you'll miss this", just after you get that mega-tantrum under control that about 30 people just witnessed at Target.
And of course, there's the one, that I actually love- "the days are long, but the years are short"....which hits you hardest the day your baby starts kindergarden. All you can think is "they grow up so fast", or "man, I'm going to miss this".
You take your baby to school (5 is a weird big kid but still a baby mix), walk them to their seat, and desperately want to pull the teacher aside and tell them how special your child is.
I mean,I realize there's 20 great kids, but mine is especially funny, smart, sweet, loving.... don't you think????
But, you know you can't be that parent.
Maybe I'll just throw a detailed note in his bag tomorrow...

Ready to go!

Best Wedding Ever.

**All photos courtesy of Sarah Bridgeman Photography**

Never have I seen more personal touches (the bride and groom sang together in lieu of a first dance), unique details (a candy table, old windowpanes for the program), and fun ideas (cool sunglasses for the wedding party- C'MON!, and a yellow school bus for our ride- gotta love the high school sweethearts throwback).
And, the wedding happened to be my closest cousin and one of my best friends, Marisa. Her guy, Matt (or cousin uncle Matt, as he's known by my boys), has been around us for so long he's simply family.

And, Sarah Bridgeman (http://www.facebook.com/sj.bridgeman.photography), a friend of both theirs and mine, did the second shooting of the wedding, and continues to WOW with each shot. Here's just a few... she's amazing. I would highly recommend if you're looking for amazing talent, a sweet personality, and reasonable prices. And, just sayin', you should contact her now before she hits the big time. It won't be long.

Seriously??? SERIOUSLY!!


Stud.

A little airbrush makeup never hurts...

"Somebody, Somebody, Somebody's Getting Married.... TODAY!"

Our days of cartwheels in the basement and banging the pots and pans on New Years Eve may be over, but here's to the future...so bright you might need to hang on to those shades...

He Did It!

My sweetheart "got five" as he likes to say. He's been looking forward to this day, well... pretty much since he "got four".
Love, love, love him and all his little funny sayings, faces, and ideas! So proud to be his mom! Hard to believe 5 years ago I was holding him in my hospital bed, without a clue about what was to come.

In front of the "Bob Wall" (aka, Fisher Price Little People)- Adam's tried and true favorite toy ever. Our surprise birthday trip was to East Aurora to see it first hand at the Fisher Price Store.

Next Chapter

Mixed feelings. That's the only way I can describe how I feel about my house, which is now on the market.

Sort of like "The Old Wagon" episode of Modern Family... when the Dunphy's clean out their old station wagon to to sell it, finding the kids old blankies, jars of sunshine, and even find sentiment in a shirt that was puked on... but know it's time to part with the nostalgic car.
Watch the clip, you'll get the idea (watch the whole episode if you have 20 minutes, it's super funny)....


On one hand, we've way outgrown it. At times to the point where I feel like that walls are closing in, and green army men toys are in invading every available space I have. It's old (charming too, I suppose), gets really dusty, and we need more storage. Usually I feel "done" with this city, and ready to embrace somewhere new, whether new is 15 minutes away or 15 hours away.

On the other hand, I see the home we moved into before life got complicated, when it was just "us". The house we made a home when we brought our babies home. The old heating vent they sit in front of in their jammies trying to warm up on these January mornings. The yard of summer memories, great gardens, and baby pool splashing. The 8 minute drive to Target, the 4 minute drive to work. I see the "Lights in the Park" from my house, and think of the charm the area holds despite the challenges of city living.
But, like everything, the time comes to move on... so prayers appreciated for the next chapter.
"Just us- 2004"

The first day home with Adam

Winter mornings (those cinnamon buns were stolen off the island, lol)

The Story of Our Van

Picture this... a cold, dark February night, 2007.
A one car family with jobs in opposite directions.
An advertised Christian car dealership we traveled an hour to patronize. Complete with worship music playing in the background on the sales floor.
We were shown a low mileage van at a really good price.
Upon inspection, it looked alright. I noticed that it needed a cleaning, which we were assured that after a full detail it would be in like new condition. We began the paperwork to purchase the vehicle.
The phone rang... it was my mom. 8 month old Adam was with her, and had spiked a fever. 103. My focus immediately went to needing to get to him, now.
I believe at that time the salesman's eyes probably secretly lit up. A set of concerned parents in a hurry... time to get a commitment. We caved. Bought the van.
So. move ahead a couple weeks There was an odor emerging. A hard to explain, but like an old man-cigar-smoking-not-showering-ever- type- odor. The kind that makes you want to cry at the thought of picking up passengers.
We went back to this dealership and, of course, were laughed at when asking for an even trade on something else. Even after describing the smell as above. The best we could get was an extreme detail job from Delta Sonic, with the odor neutralizing machine run in it, paid for. This made the smell bearable, but still not great.
We left it at that. So, over the next nearly 4 years, we drove a smelly van that we both despised, despite its mechanic near perfection. Ugh. Live and learn, right?
Despite many discussions and researching, we never did take the plunge into something we liked. But a few weeks ago, Paul and Adam ran into a store and I stayed back with Zachary who was sleeping in the van. I breathed a big breath of stale cigar (or something) and decided... no more.
So, we got this, a Toyota Rav4. And. we love it! The chemical "new car smell" is heavenly.

I am an admitted Facebooker. I have heard many of opinions on Facebook... some love it, some despise it, some have it as a result of peer pressure. I can say I enjoy it. I enjoy keeping up with those people who cross my mind a few times per year and just seeing how they are doing.

That cute couple in college- did they get married?

Some old youth group friends- wow- what are they up to?

My group of friends from college... do their kids look like them?

And, I ,like anyone (including the 300+ of you wonderful visitors in the last week who did not leave a comment, lol) love to do a little innocent stalking on those who intrigue me. Hey, I am human! Inquiring minds do want to know, you know.

That being said, today as I was browsing through some status updates, I saw many who reflected that 2009 was a painful year, a difficult year, a year of loss, one that they would like to forget for one reason of another (and maybe kick in the butt a few times on the way out).

It got me thinking... thinking again about the blessings in my life. Again about the need to stay happy and content. About the basic silver platter that has been handed to me and my family- a happy marriage, two beautiful, healthy, and well loved children, a more than suitable home, two reliable vehicles... and those are just the "things". God has blessed my family with peace and blessings. He has protected us from pain and harm. He has provided for us, even when we were not faithful to him.

Perfect? Of course not. Issues at times? Sure. But the big picture is pretty sunny.

So, I wanted to take a moment to thank the Lord for his abundant blessings we have been given as a family. I am not naive to the trials and bumps in the road that will surely come, but wow, God is good to us and I am thankful.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

Remember When....

...30 seemed so old? Now looking back, it's just a stepping stone (Alan Jackson)

Me, then




Today marks my last day as a 20-something. Wow. I mean, I can remember starting to date Paul at 20, marrying him at 23, buying our home and adopting our "fur child" at 24, having our first baby at 26, second at 28... The twenties were good to me. Very good. Truthfully, by the grace of God, I am right where I wanted to be at 30. And, they say the 30's are the best years... well if that is true then I have a lot to look forward to.


Me, now

Well, It's Here...

The "mommy guilt' has set in.
Going back to work has been hard on me, and seems to be a little hard on the boys too, mostly Zachary.
While I know that there is nothing wrong with having a career, the truth is I miss the kids! A lot! And, it's pretty clear at the end of the day they miss me too. Adam tells me, Zachary clings to me.
So, readers, if you are out there say a quick prayer for this mommy, I miss my babies!!


(Oh, and P.S. readers... leave a comment once in a while! (-: )

Day One

I had a great first day.
179 to go.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard

I realized that today is one year since I began blogging! I looked back over some of my posts, and am so glad I have stuck with it. This year has brought changes, joys, challenges, and I believe more is in store!

August 2008

August 2009

Reflection

It's here! The highly anticipated last day of school! I can now say- I MADE IT! This year has been one of transition, one of change- mostly for good.
Going back to work full time has sure caused me, at times, to burn the candle at both ends. But, looking back, I think I managed pretty well. My biggest struggle was with my own guilt, about not being able to be with the kids as much as I wanted to be. And, of course, keeping my house in order.
But, at the same time I felt excited, because I see two well adjusted, happy, and secure little boys that are loved through and through, at home, daycare, and in the care of family. How great is that?
So, here's my summer plan. I need one on paper to STICK TO IT!

AM- Breakfast, walk around park, stop at the splash park before it gets too hot, home for boys to play and me to clean up and fold laundry
PM- lunch, nap (hopefully including me), "school" with Adam to keep him in the Pre-K loop, and then outside for baby pool time.

Hopefully we can work in plenty of play-dates. This is my first summer with kids that I have not had my buddy Tara to hang out with, so that will be a challenge!!

I am sure this is boring some of you to tears, in fact, it's boring me to tears (no, no, not really!). But, I need this to avoid 60 consecutive "jammie days", as could easily happen around here!

Summer is here!

(PS enlarge Zachary photo to see priceless facial expression)

New Chapter

Hard to believe... Monday I start a new job! While I am excited, my feelings are mixed, as I am sure any working moms are....
The way my new job as an elementary school social worker has fallen into place, I am certain I am making the right choice. After all, it's the ideal job- working 9-3, two weeks off at Christmas and Easter, all the school holidays off, no on call, no after hours, and the big deal- SUMMER OFF! Add all the fringe benefits on to this package, along with the fact it's 5 minutes from home, and it's an amazing opportunity that could not be passed up.
On the other hand, I have never been away from my kids 5 days per week. This is weighing on me, especially because since March I have pretty much been home with them everyday. While some days I have wanted to go to work (I am not gonna lie to ya....), most days have been a lot of fun and a time that I feel is coming to an end all too fast. It's true that I have fantastic child care, shorter hours, and evenings and weekends, the bottom line is that I am going to MISS THEM!
So, this is just an opportunity I am taking to make myself vulnerable and put my mixed feelings out there for all to see...