Keeping the "Us"

Dave and I have been married almost four years. Of the 47 months we have been married I have spent 26 of them pregnant. It has been a crazy busy four years! We have done our best to have routine date nights & time together without kids, but it is tough. When we just had Breena it was much easier to sneak away for an evening but when Eli was born things drastically changed. Eli was a high needs baby who demanded tons of attention & spent much of the day crying. He left me with barely enough energy to function. Because he was so colicky Dave & I chose to keep him with us most of the time. We only utilized a babysitter when necessary. I didn’t want others to feel annoyed by him. And because I am his mother I love him unconditionally, even in the worst of his crying I could comfort without feeling resentment or extreme frustration. The first six months of Eli’s life was a long & bumpy road. We took turns getting some time away from home instead of getting away together. We did our best to have “Date Night” after the kids went to bed. We would get a movie & pick up Carside-To-Go. It helped keep the “us” on track.. I felt such pride on Eli’s first birthday, I was proud of us for getting thru a trying year together. And I was so grateful that Eli finally seemed to enjoy life.

Soon, Dave & I are being treated to some time away. As we began planning this trip I was feeling so guilty to leave my kids. I have never left Eli overnight. Now that the time is getting near I am feeling guilty because I am afraid I will barely miss them! I have finally come to realize my role as a wife is as important (if not more important) than my role as a mother. Happy parents equal a happy family. I am so excited to get away for a little R&R. It is important that we remember to always nourish the "Us".  We have had a busy four years & deserve a break for a few days! I will post pictures & details after we return J

Taste of Summer

This past Tuesday we got a break from this crummy spring & the temperature hit 94 degrees! Time to whip out the kiddie pool!

Yummy frozen treat!

Dipping popsicle in pool water only makes it better!

Eli LOVES the water!

It's COLD!

It was so hot Allie was too lazy to stand up to drink. 

Zoo & Sick Days

For Mother's Day this year I requested to go the zoo.  Because our schedule has been so crazy lately the only day that Dave & I both had free was last Sunday.  It was 36 degrees, windy & even snowed a little.  But we still had a fantastic time.  The kids did great & loved the animals.

Last week we were battling various illnesses at our house and so we had a comfy-cozy sick day!



Our day wouldn't have been complete without a living room picnic watching Barney!  Resting helped their bodies, Barney helped their spirits!

Mother's day photo with my babies! 



Happy Mother's Day

To the children who have shaped who I am today....



I Love You to the Moon & Back!

Wishing all you beautiful mothers Happy Mother's Day!

Dear Mom

Thank you for…

* sending cards just because
* teasing me because I can’t eat bananas in the morning and reminding me not to take myself too seriously
* bringing over a bottle of wine & box of Kleenex and listening to me sob all day over broken dreams
* adoring my children and making them feel so special & important to you
* being a fantastic cook & treating us to phenomenal holiday meals
* treating my husband like one of your own sons
* being a constant source of support
* helping me stumble through my first few months of motherhood
* dropping everything to be available to help whenever I really need you
* encouraging me to try new things
* never missing a dance recital or band concert
* being the very best example of what a mother should be and giving me a goal to strive for

I once read somewhere “the best compliment I could receive is: you are just like your mom”. How very true. I feel so privileged to grow up with you as my mother. There are no words to describe my gratitude towards you for all you do. You are a beautiful person inside & out. Your kindness & generosity shine brightly. I am so proud to have you as my mother. I hope someday my children are able to think of me as highly as I think of you.

To the women I admire most in the world: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Love Always,

Your Daughter

It's May 3rd...

I’ll Hold you in Heaven

By Jo Ann Taylor

From the very beginning I loved you,
As I made plans to hold you and rock you:
You were tiny and helpless as you lay in my womb,
But something went wrong and soon you were gone;
My young heart was broken, my tears fell like rain,
I'd never known such heartache and pain.

I wonder who you look like, me or your dad,
Do you have my smile and his eyes?
Would you have been big and tall or tiny and small?
We had dreams for you that reached to the skies.
It was long, long ago and I still miss you so,
Thanks to Jesus, I'll see you in heaven.

I'll hold you in heaven someday,
When my trials on earth pass away;
The angels have rocked you, the Father watches over you,
I know you're waiting for me;
I never could hold you or tell you "Goodbye",
But I'll hold you in heaven someday.

To My Little One,

I think of you and smile 363 days out of the year grateful for the way things turned out; thankful to have Breena & Eli here. Two days out of the year I think of you and my eyes sting as they well up with hot tears. October 30 (the day I lost you) and May 3 (the day you were due) will never be the same. It’s been three years and today I still find myself walking around with lump in my throat. I love you. I hope they have birthday cake in heaven.

All my love,
Mommy

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 31st Anniversary to my mom & dad!  What a fantastic example of a great marriage you have shown us!  Love you!