Westport 2008

Hello all. Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. I have escaped to a secret little place called Westport, NY, nestled on Lake Champlain in the Adirondack Mountains. It's just unbelievable here. The air is intoxicating, the sights are breathtaking, and best of all, I'm with my Mommy! :) That's just something you never grow out of!!! It's both hard and peaceful at the same time, in regards to being here without my Dad this time. Hard, in that he was the ultimate companion for outdoors activities. Just to listen to him enthusiastically "oooh" and "aaah" about the "vistas" and get excited about every little activity. Just like Clark Griswald, he did everything all-the-way. I hope I can let go enough to let that live on through me, for my boys sake and mine. It's peaceful, being here without him, in that I feel very close to him here. My boys keep me distracted enough during the day that I don't often get still and "be with" my Dad. Here, he's everywhere I turn. I can almost hear him talking. Well, I'm going to get off this computer thing and get back to some my favorite things, my boys, my Mom, and this beautiful place...

Our new campfire pit!

After about a year and a half of wondering what on earth to do with this random whole in the yard where we tried to plant a dogwood tree that didn't survive, it finally occurred to me... a fire pit!!! We have really enjoyed the calm evenings together outside, roasting marshmallows and watching the kids play. The kids love to camp out with Justin so this will be a perfect addition to their adventure!

too many giggles often means they're up to no good

So this morning I was loading the dishwasher while I was talking on the phone. When I was finished, I went back to see what the hooligans were up to. They definately sounded like they were having too much fun. They decided to pile all of their toys up and lay on them to watch a movie... of course.

Note to self: don't do dishes anymore, don't talk on the phone

(I'll let you know how this goes...)

Love your neighbor...

I think this picture speaks volumes! Justin put our leftover spaghetti in Angel's bowl and put it outside so she wouldn't make too much of a mess with it. Well Fluff quickly ran up to see what Angel got, and the two of them instantly began sharing! Just think what we could learn from these two?

another reason to support chick-fil-a

Those of you who live in the south already know about Chick-fil-a. It's a great fast food restaurant that serves real, actual chicken with real, actual, fresh ingredients! What a concept! The founder is a Christian, so all the stores play Christian music and the people who work there are taught to truly serve you with genuine manners. It's really such a nice experience to go in there. Anyway, I came across this article in the news this morning. You've got to respect this guy. He looked beyond how there girls inconvenienced him and wanted to do what might help them best. Check it out:


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,395769,00.html

A great visit from Uncle Jack!!!

My brother Jack called and said he would be in town last week on business and that he wanted to come by! It was a great surprise for us! The kids started their two man attack on him before he could even get in the door! Pretty much the entire evening consisted of the kids begging him to fight! And Uncle Jack delivered! The boys slept great!!!

baby at 8 weeks!!!

As most of you know, I have been having terrible morning sickness. It started before I even knew I was pregnant and it lasts sometimes all day. Seeing pictures like this reminds me what a miracle I've been allowed to be part of and that it's certainly worth feeling sick and tired. This obviously isn't our baby; but I found this on a pregnancy website. I can't believe our baby has developed this much already. It's truly amazing. March 8th can't get here fast enough!!! I wish I could convey what I feel in my heart to all the people who believe in abortion. How sad not to be in awe of a miracle.

my little russian boy ;)

It drizzled a little bit this morning, and the boys got all geared up as if it was snowing! Gabe did not want this hat covering his ears!

Mommy... I'm bored!

Isaiah has been highly entertained these past few days. When things got quiet this afternoon he got bored. So naturally he decided to go sit in the sink...


Gotta love it!

a bad morning

Justin woke me up at 5:30 this morning to tell me that me had just accidentally run over Tiger while backing out of the driveway. I am so shaken up. I never imagined I would become so attached to an animal this quickly. I'm not a super animal lover but after caring for these kitties I really began to feel like their mother. Isaiah is doing okay with it. It was difficult to watch him try to process everything. He said things like "what if after I hold Fluff I want to hold Tiger again?" and "but we just got these kitties?" A few minutes later I brought Fluff inside for a few minutes and let Isaiah hold her. He looked up at me and said "Mom I guess we'll just have to take turns holding Fluff".

Here's my little buckeroo Gabe in one of his favorite get-ups... what can I say

he's an accessories man!

And here's Zay-a... already 4 and a half but will always be my baby.

Talking to the baby :)

#3 is on the way!!! YEAH!!!

... another hooligan to give me
great writing material!!!

remember when i said showers were over-rated?

this is what gabe did while i dried my hair this afternoon

i found myself doing lamaze

all i wanted to do was not smell when my hard-working hubby came home after being gone all week!

gabe should be very thankful i love him so much

Baby birds!

As if the excitement of two new kittens wasn't enough, we now have several baby birds in a nest on our front porch! Since we moved in, four and a half years ago, birds have been trying to nest near our house. First we found a nest in a wreath i had on the front door. A storm came and knocked the nest onto the floor and the eggs cracked :( This time they nested in the corner of the ceiling of our porch roof. One day I climbed up a saw some eggs and then another day I heard little chirps. I climbed up and saw several little hairless baby birds. The kids have really enjoyed watching this "everyday miracle". I am reminded of the scripture telling us not to worry about the provision of our needs as the Lord is even caring for the birds and fish. How much more would He look out for his sons and daughters? I am thankful for God placing this right under our noses. Take time to enjoy the everyday miracles around you. I need to do it more often, it's amazing.

misc pics

Angel has done so well with the new kittens. Don't get me wrong, she is very curious. But I caught this moment the other day. It was precious!


















This little kitty has my heart.
Isaiah has a heart for Fluff while Tiger is my favorite!
At least the love will be spread evenly!!!


Grandma bought these push pops for the boys in Hilton Head. They loved every lick!!!

Pool pics

Gabe, Jordan, Abby, Zach & Isaiah
Gabe enjoying the "beach access" to the pool


Zach and Isaiah controlling the spraying water














Shannon, Jordan & Isaiah







the sign of a great time!

meet Tiger & Fluff!!!

A couple of weeks ago, the kids and I were delivering Meals-on-Wheels and one lady had a litter of kittens on her front porch. She saw us admiring them when she opened the door and asked if we wanted to take some. They weren't ready to leave their mother yet but the sucker that I am aggreed to come back for two of them. Yesterday we went and picked them out. Tiger is the dark one and Fluff is the white one. Isaiah has been on cloud nine!!! He is doing such a great job taking care of them. Last night a bad storm came through with hail and dangerous winds. The kittens were outside in their basket when the storm came and I ran out there to find them. They were soaking wet. Justin grabbed a towel and cuddled them. He woudln't let anyone else touch them. It was so cute. What a protective little softy!!!