Gratitude Thursday

It's been too long, and I have so much to be thankful for these past few weeks. Here's what stands out in my mind...
~Uncle Wally coming to visit - it's been too long since we've seen him. He's honestly the only uncle I've ever really known. Thank you for visiting us and giving me the opportunity to remember such a beautiful person.
~For having the honor of creating a slideshow remembrance of my loving Aunt Eileen
~For beholding a ring that was my aunt's. I truly am grateful for this remembrance. I've been wearing it daily since I receive it.
~For the rainy day that stole our zoo outing away. It allowed me to spend time with M&M one on one. We had such a wonderful time at Imagine That. I asked the kids in the car what there favorite part was. Mark said the firetruck. Maria said running in the rain with you. It was a memorable run to the car in the pouring rain. I had her in my arms and she bounced up and down in the palm of my hand and he I dragged him along on the left. We slammed through puddles and screamed and laughed the whole way.

I'm sure there was more but I wanted to get these down now.

Gratitude Friday

Today I am thankful for...
~ thankful to have a patient and loving husband hold my hand in the ER while we watched the history channel
~ my ER incident being just an incident and hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it soon
~ watching my children graduate from preschool last nite ... they looked absolutely adorable as they sang their hearts out in their caps and gowns
~ looking forward to a nite away with the crew in PA, on the agenda...swimming, car watching, craft buying, german food eating and cavern dwelling

Just feel like I have to say this...
I love you Mark, Mark and Maria with all my heart and soul. Please never forget it.

To all of my family members...I probably never tell you, but I love you all so much too.

Gratitude Friday

I missed last week's 'Gratitude Friday'... so here's to last week's and this week's gratitude.

I am grateful for...
~Maria dancing beautifully last Saturday. She did such a wonderful job and received so many nice compliments. I am so proud of her.
~Mark making me pictures of fire trucks and fire houses, remembering to write 'MOMMY' on top.
~Although it was sad in the moment, I am grateful that my children got upset last night when I had to go out for a bit. They make me feel so special. The welcome home was even better when they came running from either direction and Maria yelled out, "Me first!".
~My week off last week, beginning to tackle that kitchen. One step at a time.
~Excited and sad to see M&M walk off to their new classroom last Friday for their whopping 50 min in Kindergarten.
~Father's Day--Blessed to have a husband that says "I missed you all...it was too quiet here." And follows it up with his best hugs. Hon, I love your hugs. Thanks for giving them to me every morning. And for the best Father ever, Dude, I love you so very much. Thanks for being such an awesome father.

Gratitude Friday

Today I am grateful for...


~Watching my nieces dance last night ~ Em, you are elegant ~ Lou, you simply sparkle
~Looking forward to having a week off
~Listening to the kids sing their hearts out to Veggie Tales music --- thanks for the hairbrush
~Getting closer and closer to finishing my granny squares for Maria's blanket
~Having french toast for dinner
~Having grandma and pop pop over this week...it's been too long

Gratitude Friday

Today I am grateful for...

~taking my best friend for over 24 years out to dinner for her 39th birthday
~looking forward to the Hungarian festival ad Somerville fair this weekend
~the town garage sale tomorrow morning
~getting a load of laundry done this morning
~loving to watch the video of my kids' first field trip last night
~having mom come home but hope that she finds come peace

Gratitude Friday

Today I am grateful for...

~getting out early and a 3-day weekend
~looking forward to looking at granite countertops tomorrow
~the ability to make boo-boos better
~the little pretend puppy with very long hair snuggling with me this morning
~listening to the kids sound out words, so exciting
~the unexpected "I love yous"
~my mom having a good day yesterday

Gratitude Friday

Today I am grateful for...

~Lil' Mark feeling better
~Mom getting through surgery (#3 in 4 weeks)
~the NICU event that we will be attending on Sunday
~starting to tackle the kitchen cabinets and feeling motivated to finish it
~picking and planting flowers with my children on Saturday
~Mark wanting to dress like his father
~Maria making lunches with me

High Tea ~ May 6

Maria had placed the high tea on her calendar a few weeks back. Every few days she would point to the day and giggle with delight. "This is the special girl place we're going to."

Sweetie, I'm so happy that I have you to share these times with.

She couldn't go without her lip gloss.

It's not easy taking your own picture, but I have to say this one came out great.

Miss Maria having tea with Miss Olivia

Her Daddy would be proud!

March, March, March ~ April 29

Here's to our 5th year participating in the March of Dimes.

We had a blast. The pictures tell all. Thanks again St. Peter's and for organizations like the March of Dimes. We have our living angels to prove their worth.



Here they are with Blue.

These baby footsteps were markers for the walkers. The kids were convinced that it was Blue's paw prints. They tried to find every set as we walked.

The things you say...

While in church, Maria whispers, "Are you going to get the God chip?"

While doing my make up Sunday morning, Maria asked why I do it every day. I told her when you get older, ladies like to wear make up to make them feel prettier. Maria replies, "But Mommy, you don't have to wear make up b/c you are beautiful already." All I could do is squeeze her.

Gratitude Friday (a little early)

Today I am grateful for...


having a huge work deadline behind me
looking forward to high tea with my daughter
looking forward to the strawberry festival
watching Maria dance her heart out while I made lunches
the cute little nuzzle Maria gives me to wake me up each morning
my husband for putting up with me for the past nine years (happy anniversary hon!)
having the day off tomorrow :o)

Kid Street

Two weeks ago we went to Kid Street Park in Bridgewater. What an awesome place. We spent two hours there. We could have easily spent another 2. They had a ship, castle, airplane, train, firetruck, racecar, zipline...whew. The list could go on forever. We'll be back for sure.





Argggh!





Goin' below deck

She was a little nervous at first.
After her first ride she was hooked.

Hang on!

She did her own hair.
I love those whispy baby bangs.

Vrrrrrooom!!

Maria, Maria, let down  your hair!

Gratitude Friday

Today I am grateful for...

this cool breezy weather
the sun shining
the fact that it's Friday
watching my kids play soccer
making stew for grandma and pop-pop
watching my kids get crazy in the bath
listening to christmas music in April
going to Wendy's for dinner

The things you say...

Just a few phrases I don't want to forget about you...

Maria~

• Come on you stinkin' light, we gotta get to school!! (if I were drinking coffee it would have been all over the dash)
• (while looking at my bra) Mommy, I like your breasts.
• Mommy, you look so beautiful in that shirt.
• Snoofy! (instead of snoopy)
• Mommy, I want to be just like you when I grow up.
• You're my best friend.
• (while putting her to bed) Stay with me, Mommy. I don't want you to leave me.
• I want to go on vacation (me too kiddo)

Mark~

• Mommy, I love your heart. (then proceeds to kiss the center of my chest)
• (while dipping your chin in the bubbles in the bath lifting your head and singing) Santa Claus, Santa Claus (as if it were jingle bells)
• Daddy, you have to wear your work pants, just like me. (actually, just the opposite, Mark wants to dress just like his daddy)
• Mommy, I love you. (always coming from the middle of nowhere which makes it even more special)
• I want Mommy to do it.
• Mommy will you sleep with me?