Happy Birthday Gabriel!

My little Gabe is turning 3 tomorrow!!! Yesterday, we met his cousins and friends at the park since it was in the 60's and mostly sunny. The wind was a bit much at times, but overall we had a great time. As you can see, I think Gabe enjoyed being the birthday boy...

I can't believe he's three... I remember this moment like it was yesterday...

I cannot put into words the grief that I feel knowing that I will not have one of these pictures at Luke's birth. My heart is so broken.

My New Car!!!

I waited to post about how we got a new car, because I was waiting for these tags to come in the mail! Here's what happened...


Let me start from the beginning... 5 years ago, when Isaiah was first born, Justin and I were sharing his 2-door Honda. Can't complain, in ran great, and we had just built a new house. But getting a baby carrier in and out of a 2-door car is a chore. Jon and Shannon found out that they were expecting Jordan, and were going to need a van. Well they very generously GAVE us their Volvo station wagon, an awesome car. It has been such a perfect car for us and the boys. But recently, several things started going wrong and we knew we were getting close to having to say goodbye :( My Mom had been talking about looking at new cars and was always concerned about the car I was driving and that everything was working okay. Well, she offered it to us, and it couldn't have been better timing. I knew she was looking, but hadn't found a replacement yet... or so I thought. One saturday evening, Justin and I come home to the pathfinder in our driveway!!! I couldn't believe they were here! My Mom and sister had driven all day, my Mom in her new car and Hilary in the old car. It just so happened to be a 3-day weekend for my Mom, so we had a great girls weekend! And they drove back together and left us the old pathfinder!!! And here's what's so amazing about he timing... the very next day I tried to start the Volvo just to move it in the driveway, and it wouldn't start. We eventually had to have it towed and it turns out the the repairs will end up costing more than the car is worth! Pretty amazing.

I'm totally aware of how ridiculously spoiled I am. It's pretty unbelievable. Sometimes I just sit and wonder "why me?". Just in the past month, we've been given:
- a new car
- a couch
- a piano
- and not to mention the fact that I'm going to meet my 3rd son very soon!!!

My hope and prayer is that I manage to NEVER forget to be thankful for the generousity shown to us and that we make it a priority to "pay it forward".

now THAT'S tired...

I really need to put together a complete collection of all of the crazy sleeping positions I have found the boys in, but for now, here are some of the recent ones I had on my camera...

This is after they played all afternoon with their cousins (and got their faces painted):

I still can't believe Isaiah was actually sleeping in this position:
"What is Gabe doing out of bed?!"

"Oh, wait..."
"There he is!"

For some reason I don't think he's going to make it through that movie...

Yesterday morning, Gabe said, "Mommy, I lost Tiger. She at Grandpa's house?" After I caught my breath, I said "well, yeah, sort of" I love that at 2 years old, my son still has memories of my Dad. Instead of focusing on the fact that we've been robbed of making new memories, I try to focus on the memories he gave us and that they can last a lifetime as long as we don't let them die.

My kids are always wanting to know who's birthday is next on the calendar, even when it's months away. They love to start looking forward to it. Isaiah asked me when my birthday was and I told him first is Gabe's, then Luke's ;) then Daddy's and then Mommy's. He said, "Well, I'm going to buy you a dress when it's your birthday". Funny thing is that whenever my Dad would come for a visit, he would ALWAYS want to take me dress shopping, even if I didn't have an event coming where I'd need one. He would just say that every girl should have a beautiful dress to wear. It blew me away that that was the one thing that Isaiah had in mind to buy me for my birthday. Even this early, the likeness is showing. I thank God for every bit of my Dad that shows itself at random times.

Gabe was looking at my skin and was pointing out my many freckles, or "dot-dots" as he calls them. We discovered that he and I have a matching freckle on our left palms near the onside of our wrist. Isaiah and I have a matching freckle just below our belly button. God is so cool!

Our evening routine has been laying in bed and reading the Tale of Despereaux to the boys and then playing with my belly (Luke's usually kicking at bedtime) before the kids head off to bed. They gently poke and Luke pokes back. It's a lot of fun. Well, this morning Gabe poked my belly and nothing happened so he said "He's not talking?" It was cute.

Oh, and Isaiah called dibs on naming the next baby... don't hold your breath spud. Pretty sure we're done!

Misc. update

I have done a terrible job lately with keeping my blog updated. It worries me because it is so important to me to document the stories and special moments I have with these kids. They are growing up so fast. You hear it said all the time, but experiencing it causes you to feel the heartache of another day gone. The boys recently got haircuts, much-needed haircuts, and it caused them to look so much older, escpecially Gabe. Isaiah has always been a very mature boy. On a daily basis, he says and does things that show how sharp he is. Up to this point, Gabe has still really felt like my baby. As I watched each clump of hair fall to the ground, and how well he behaved for the hairstylist, I realized that he is really a little boy now. Quite independent, with a personality that melts you. Having this baby feels a little bitter sweet. I remember feeling like this weeks before Gabe was born. I was a little sad to give up the relationship that Isaiah and I had, not realizing how much the love of another adds to the equation. I guess I just don't want to miss any more than I already do now. I never realized that my heart could fall in love this many times and all at once. The weather has caused cabin fever, producing some pretty frustrating behavior, but I must say that since we've been able to get out these past few days, I have seen a side of my boys that makes me so proud. They love each other and Justin and me, even though I have no idea what I'm doing in this whole parenting thing. I make mistakes on a daily (hourly) basis when it comes to discipline and stuff like that. I'm reading the parenting books but I can never get it quite right. But kids are so forgiving. The very next morning they'll be right there climbing into bed with us and wanting the comfort of our "snuggle". I can't put into words how much that means to me. This whole parenting experience is quite a ride (I love the bumper sticker that reads "discover wildlife - have children") but there is nothing else in the world that could give me the joy, purpose, and heart felt satisfaction that motherhood brings. Here are a few random pictures. My kids are just the cutest and I can't help but brag sometimes. Enjoy.

I couldn't resist...

My Mom forwarded some pictures from their annual New Year's Eve party. For over 10 years now, the four couples have gotten together for New Year's. I think it is so wonderful that they stay in touch like that. Well, you've probably noticed the caption underneath my blog title. So I'm going to take a moment to brag about my Mom, the beautiful blond in the white blouse. Is she not stunning! Would you have believed she was a grandma!!! And I'm so comforted to see a real smile on her face. It's been a miserable year but she's getting through with a beautiful, graceful strength. I wouldn't mind taking after her in the looks AND character department. I love you Mom. Glad you had some fun with the girls!

I have been hooked on looking at old pictures the past few days. It all started when I cleaned out my closet and found a bunch and the boys and I sat there for over an hour looking at each of them when they were babies. Gabe says he was never a baby. I think he thinks it's an insult. Isaiah is a lot of fun this pregnancy because he really understands what is going on - that there is a real baby in my tummy and that we are going to see him soon. He loves to sit with me and watch my belly move and feel for kicks. He was too young to understand when I had Gabe but this time he's really soaking it all in. It's wonderful to watch his excitement. I came across this picture of Justin holding Gabe on the day we brought him home from the hospital. I remember taking the picture. We were so stinking tired. The labor and delivery floor of the hospital was undergoing renovations, so during our stay all we heard were nail guns, vacuum cleaners, and hammering. It was awful. I couldn't wait to go home. Gabe was born a whopping 8 lbs. 6 oz. but he still looks so tiny!!! I forget how to hold and handle them when they are so little! My excitement is about to make me burst. While I know the realities of bringing home a newborn, I still can't wait to hear his little grunts and snuggle up with this little miracle in my belly!

Christmas at Marathon Key Florida

Maybe I'm just an emotional pregnant Mommy right now, but this literally brought tears to my eyes...

'Twas was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode,
only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo Wii and Barbie, flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
she descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug.
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that?
Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat."

The mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes,
same double chin. "She'll cook, she'll dust, "
she'll mop every mess. You'll relax, take it easy,
watch The Young & the Restless." "Fantastic!" the mom cheered.
"My dream come true! "I'll shop. I'll read., I'll sleep a whole night
through! "

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.
" Mom my?! I scared... and I 'm wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part."
The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune,
as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.

"You?re the best mommy ever. " I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."
The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal. "
That's my child's love, she's trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear, "
Only one loving mother, is needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed.
"Thank you, Santa, " for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old, for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, Mom , You'll be all right.

Cleaning up after my own mistakes...

I made a major boo-boo this year. I underestimated my almost 5 year old. Too lazy to find a real hiding spot for their Santa presents, I ended up wrapping them and putting on the top shelf of our bedroom closet. The kids used to play in there, behind the piles of stuff that would accumulate after I cleaned and de-cluttered the house, but they hadn't stepped foot in there for several months, so I thought it was safe. Isaiah went in there the other day and looked up. His eyes lit up as he asked me "Are those for us?!" (a big Homer Simpson "DOE!!!") Did I just totally ruin the whole Santa thing for my boy? I decided to tell him that we had lots of other people to give gifts to, and those gifts were for them. ("Few" I thought. I think I managed to get out of that one.) Well, tonight, just to make sure that Isaiah believes me, we are going to load up the presents into Justin's car so he can "mail" them to our family and friends tomorrow. (I must say, I think it's a pretty clever idea... well, for someone who made the mammoth mistake of hiding the presents in such a crappy place!) Just pray that none of them make noise while we're carrying them!

Here's the deal...

I am so frustrated with our current computer situation!!! I used to do all of my blog updates from my laptop, but that got totally fried from a virus. Even our neighbor who works on computers for a living couldn't figure it out. So I've been using the ancient computer in our bedroom that doesn't even have Windows on it. Justin installed Ubuntu... It's terrible. When I upload the pictures, I have no idea where it's going to save them. It's like a 5 year old designed it... no offense Isaiah. Anyway, I need Justin's help figuring out how to work with this old computer. He has a very busy week this week so there are no guarantees that I will be posting again until the weekend. I plan on getting back on track after our Christmas in the Keys with Mom and Hil! I love telling you all our crazy stories so stay tuned...

Isaiah's 5th Birthday Party

We had a lot of fun celebrating Isaiah's 5th birthday today. I will do a full post tomorrow with all of the pictures. Here's a great one of the whole gang doing their silliest faces! You gotta love the sight of a bunch of happy kids!!!

We're still here!

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Today is Isaiah 5th birthday party! We're celebrating early just to spread things out a bit. I promise to have updates from the party, our tree, and more tonight! See you soon!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving family reunion in Hilton Head. Never a dull moment, lots of laughs, interesting conversation, and lots of catching up. I love my family. Each one brings such a special uniqueness to enjoy. Along with case after case of specially selected wine that I couldn't enjoy ;) My Uncle Rick and Aunt Theresa brought sweatshirts for everybody with "Kaiser Family Reunion" on the front and "Illigitimus non Carborundum -Art Herbert" on the back. That's something my Dad used to say. It means "don't let the bastards drag you down" ;) It was perfect. I always wonder what he would say in different situation and conversations. Sometimes I feel like I can hear him. Like he would complete the conversation. My Dad was full of clever sayings. Like when he gave me advice on dealing with someone with an ego, he said, "they act like their sh*t don't stink!" The mark that he left on each of us will never die. We will carry these stories and memories forever. Something to think about in our own lives. Priorities. What mark am I leaving behind? Anyway, what could have been a miserably depressing time actually turned out to be a sweet gathering of loving family members who all have a mutual sadness and wanted to honor a man we all miss. The spirit in that house was very sweet and I came away realizing how much I love each one and that although we were born into thesame family I would choose them for my friends. I did a poor job of picture taking this trip. But it was only because I was too busy enjoying myself to worry about the camera. Gabe loved to get a hold of the camera. Here are a few shots from his perspective...

Uncle Rick being silly...

Gabe kept taking pictures of the floor so Mommy tried to get low enough!!!

Gabe had a fever on Thanksgiving Day, so if mac 'n cheese hit the spot then mac 'n cheese it is!!!

Looking at Gabe's eyes, you'd think he had a few too many!!!

One of many cheers!!!

My prophetic son to the rescue!!!

Where do I begin? .....well, it all started when Justin suggested that we ride out and get something easy like take out or the drive-thru since I was in the middle of doing a lot of cooking for the Thanksgiving lunch for the guys at the shop. I planned on making stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a gallon of tea. This afternoon, he asked if I would mind baking an apple pie. I told him to bring home the ingredients and I would make it tonight. When he got home we started chopping apples together, and I made my Mom's famous homemade pie crust. So I put the pie in the oven and we all got in the car and headed for a drive through somewhere. Just as we were going over the lake, the car began to shudder... we had a flat. (I just had one fixed a few weeks ago, different tire) It was pitch black. I mean PITCH BLACK. No street lights. Nothing. But my four year old son just so happened to bring along a flashlight! Of all the toys he could have chosen! So I stood and held the flashlight for Justin while he changed the tire. We continued towards town and Justin pulled into the gas station. I thought he was going to check the pressure in the spare, but he wanted to pump up the flat one that he took off. He wanted to see how long it would stay full. Then I realized that we didn't have time to go through a drive-thru, because the pie was going to be finished! So we headed back home... and then... the shudder again. The spare was flat!!! Seriously!!! Thankfully Justin stopped to fill up the original tire, so we put that one back on! We finally made it home... and the pie wasn't burnt!!! That was a miracle because it was in there LONG after the timer went off. It was quite an adventure. Not the kind of adventure you sign up for, but I am thankful for the greatest husband in the world. He knew what to do, and we laughed quite a bit. Love makes the "bumps" in the road a lot easier to take.

If we could see our baby today...

This baby was born premature at 25 weeks (on an airplane!!! don't worry Mom, you know I'm ALWAYS late), which is what I am now. Naturally, I am growing very impatient and wish I could hold him in my arms, but at the same time want him to "cook" until he is strong and healthy and ready for the zoo that will be our home! I just love to see what he looks like at each stage. It's just amazing!!! Did I mention I'm excited?

How cute are they?!

Justin was on his was home from work and was going to take the kids to Barnes & Noble while I did the grocery shopping. Gabe has become quite the Daddy's boy and couldn't wait for him to get home. So he sat outside on that very cold afternoon and waited...

It snowed!!!

The boys got quite a surprise the other day when they woke up to everything covered in snow! I had no idea it was coming! So naturally, at 7:00 that morning, they were out exploring. Here are a few pictures.

Daddy's arms...

After an evening of running wild around the house, the boys settled down on the couch to watch a show. At one point Gabe got off the couch and climbed up on Justin's lap. He was asleep within 60 seconds... and it was only 6:45!

Aunt Hairy!!!

I had been telling the boys last week that Aunt Hilary would be coming to spend the weekend at our house. This would send them into chants of "Hil-a-ry, Hil-a-ry, Hil-a-ry!" But all that Gabe could say was "Hairy!" it was so cute. We all had a lot of fun just hanging arould. As you can see, the boys didn't let her do too much relaxing!