tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-236330682024-03-13T00:53:37.225-04:00Custom Made MiraclesWhat a long journey to parenthood for Eric and myself! Yet, becoming the proud parents of Elaina and Lincoln is the greatest joy we could ever experience!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.comBlogger725125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-42483476371445423662010-04-26T22:52:00.008-04:002010-04-27T22:40:40.050-04:00Extended Vacation...and I'm not just talking about the remainder of the week in Florida we spent <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">visting</span> Eric's parents! Hello.... would someone care to actually BLOG over here!!! Jeez.<br /><br />This final vacation post has taken FOREVER, but these pictures are truly priceless. On the first day we spent with my in-laws, the weather was the warmest (70'<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span>), the sun was shining and it was time to hit the beach. Even though there was a slight chill to the air and the water was freezing cold, it wasn't enough to deter any one of us from taking the plunge in the crisp, biting waves of the ocean. Fully clothed and the whole bit!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464649569913950290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZV1LS2UFI/AAAAAAAADDo/Cnaaq_W1Jqo/s320/Picture+247.jpg" /> Here's something: see the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">silhouette</span> to the far left? Oh! Hey! That's me! I went on vacation and actually turned up in a photo! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464649275914823794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZVkED_qHI/AAAAAAAADDg/_xzrI6eSRug/s320/Picture+271.jpg" />Just as we began to sink our toes in the sand, I joked to Eric that maybe he could take a few clicks on the other side of the camera, so as to get some pictures of me <em>with</em> the kids. (which I have very few of because The Hubs doesn't take pictures - and usually it's only the 4 of us) It was then that my very generous Mother-in-Law offered to take my camera for a whirl. And she wasn't stingy with the picture taking either - she got some amazing shots! In fact, she captured some of the most beautiful moments we shared with our kids. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZUl_2MNAI/AAAAAAAADDQ/wPXVCmd8m2Q/s1600/Picture+275.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464648209631294466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZUl_2MNAI/AAAAAAAADDQ/wPXVCmd8m2Q/s320/Picture+275.jpg" /></a> As for the days following, we finally caught up on some sleep, we went to the pool, shopped, went to a children's museum (to which I forgot my camera!) and enjoyed the laid back style of what vacation is all about. With the added bonus of a very doting grandma and grandpa to help entertain our kids!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZUZUjuMlI/AAAAAAAADDI/Y_t3HfRfocU/s1600/Picture+280.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464647991852675666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZUZUjuMlI/AAAAAAAADDI/Y_t3HfRfocU/s320/Picture+280.jpg" /></a>Even though our kids were mostly napless throughout our entire stay, not to mention Very late bedtimes, I was so proud (and impressed) to see that they were able to behave for the most part given all of the activity that came along the way. It actually made me think that vacation is getting easier already and more enjoyable with young kids. Last year, in comparison, was work. Good work, but definitely more involved when there was a 1 and 3 year old to look after. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZUL2JtWDI/AAAAAAAADDA/EfkfhVOAr4s/s1600/Picture+287.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464647760352204850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZUL2JtWDI/AAAAAAAADDA/EfkfhVOAr4s/s320/Picture+287.jpg" /></a> All in all, we had a wonderful winter vacation and LOVED spending time and making memories with our family. To my Grandma, Aunt Shirley, my Dad and my In-Laws: thank you for your hospitality, your never ending energy and all of the little things to make our vacation so enjoyable. It never would have been the same without you!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZT-dNrNZI/AAAAAAAADC4/ahAx6UWCnJk/s1600/Picture+297.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464647530319656338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S9ZT-dNrNZI/AAAAAAAADC4/ahAx6UWCnJk/s320/Picture+297.jpg" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-64591545140244782862010-03-31T22:46:00.002-04:002010-03-31T23:17:29.080-04:00Clips:Just stopping by to let you know that I haven't forgotten all about posting the second half of our vacation. (Because I know that y'all are on the edge of your seats, right?) It just seems that life and circumstances have gotten in our way. Besides, the pictures I have are too good not to share.<br /><br />With that, I'm going to bring you up to speed on what exactly is making blogging so difficult at times. <br /><br />For the past 2 days, Eric has been out of town and true to fashion, one of my kids ends up sick. This time was Elaina's turn. Eric hadn't even been gone for 24 hours when she begins to run a fever, chills, and vomiting. Needless to say, I have been home from work playing the role of Exclusive Caregiver to both kids on very little rest. <br /><br />This morning as we were cuddled on the couch, Elaina had gotten sick in her "puke bowl" just as Lincoln was crawling over the sofa to investigate. He eyes up the bowl and declares, "Soup!" Not so much Kid. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ewww</span>.<br /><br />At dinner, Lincoln started on a roll of making noises to see which one Just Might Be the Funniest of All. He began to "Oink" which led Elaina to follow with "Oink, Oink!" <<-- with inflection. Soon I found that I was listening to an entire conversation between my Darlings which only consisted of the word "oink." They were cracking each other up.<br /><br />While watching TV, I sat down on the floor to cuddle up with Lincoln and soon Elaina joins me on my lap. As I was hugging them together, Elaina noted that "we're a small family without our Daddy." She's right, I think we are all missing him.<br /><br />Finally, Lincoln is not potty trained. He is not actively potty-training and furthermore, I don't know when he will ever express an interest in being potty trained. As I was changing his stink diaper tonight, we had a conversation all about where poopy goes and how big boys don't wear diapers and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">yadda</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">yadda</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">yadda</span>... same as always. (He knows the answers!) My final question to him was, "Lincoln, when do you think you'll be a big boy and not wear diapers anymore?" His reply, "Good question Mom." <br /><br />Just one more that is too sweet to not make note: A few days back Lincoln was having a Behavior Issue (read: crying like a banshee for no particular reason except he's 2) and I've learned some multi-step tactics to deal with his fits. This particular moment found me cradling him in my arms without saying any words and just letting him calm down and cry it out. Before long, he takes his thumb from his mouth as he began to wind down and in a tender voice says, "Mom? thanks." <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">IlovehimIlovehimIlovehim</span>. <br /><br />So this is what parenting is all about isn't it?Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-66610464379211170942010-03-22T22:06:00.012-04:002010-03-22T23:25:18.190-04:00Florida, 2010<div>If you didn't already know, I am in love with what has become our winter tradition of a trip to Florida. Not only for the much needed break from Ohio snow and ice, but because my grandma is there and she does her best to make her house our home for the time we stay with her. And like anyone and their grandma, I really can't get enough of her. Oh, and the sunshine, of course!<br /><br />This year's trip was different from any other for a lot of reasons. This was our first trip down since my grandpa's passing, God love him. I haven't blogged about it previously, but my grandpa was an amazing man and a pillar in our family. I'm even more grateful than ever for our Florida vacations in the past in that he was able to meet both of our kids and even though they may be too young to remember him, they'll be able to see his pictures with them and know that they were such an important part of his life.<br /><br />Another hardship that our family had to face was the untimely passing of my Aunt Sandie who also lived in Florida and my grandma's oldest daughter. Her death happened only a week prior to our already scheduled visit. For this, my dad and my Aunt Shirley remained with my grandma for the duration of our time there as well. In the deepest sadness, we found joy. Being together as a family, supporting one another and sharing laughter and memories brought us all a step closer to healing.<br /><br />Without dwelling on our sadness, we made the most of our trip, filling our days with fun and togetherness.<br /></div><div>Do you want to know what I absolutely love about this picture?</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451655476211832594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6grxYFrVxI/AAAAAAAADCo/p3WWU-helss/s320/Picture+147.jpg" /> It reminds of me of last year when my grandpa played music for us. Lincoln was surely captivated.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6grfc3Hi_I/AAAAAAAADCg/xDzaOEUx-us/s1600-h/Picture+3221.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451655168255298546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6grfc3Hi_I/AAAAAAAADCg/xDzaOEUx-us/s320/Picture+3221.jpg" /></a> And about that little Lincoln of mine, did I mention that he came down with croup the week before we left? He seemed to be better just prior to our trip and then we arrived in Florida. And the coughing began. Croup again, which his prescription medicine couldn't even touch. Croup which caused him to be unable to breathe without coughing for a whole 2 minute stretch. Croup which landed us in the Urgent Care for an antibiotic. As an added bonus, he picked up the start of an ear infection somewhere along the way. My little Trooper!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654906332857058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6grQNH8QuI/AAAAAAAADCY/huFHIJQtdoY/s320/Picture+168.jpg" />Speaking of added bonus: despite the unfortunate circumstances, it was really nice having my dad assuming his Grandpa role while we were there.<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6grCAeYQUI/AAAAAAAADCQ/E4XnD_lDpWc/s1600-h/Picture+173.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654662419136834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6grCAeYQUI/AAAAAAAADCQ/E4XnD_lDpWc/s320/Picture+173.jpg" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Never mind</span> the windblown hair and the unprepared smiles, this picture was taken just before we boarded a 2 hour boat ride for a Family Fun cruise which my grandma arranged.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gu-8xRmBI/AAAAAAAADCw/AEY-iBFau5k/s1600-h/Picture+180.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451659007931553810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gu-8xRmBI/AAAAAAAADCw/AEY-iBFau5k/s320/Picture+180.jpg" /></a> It was easily the highlight of our time there for all of us. They had exotic animals for the kids to touch. (yes, that would be an alligator that my son is petting!)<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gqxXL06PI/AAAAAAAADCI/sQ1HKzcllcw/s1600-h/Picture+184.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654376457562354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gqxXL06PI/AAAAAAAADCI/sQ1HKzcllcw/s320/Picture+184.jpg" /></a> They had face painting which made for toddler sized pirates and unicorn fairy girls! (I hope they don't expect me to do this at home!)<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gqjkWl-LI/AAAAAAAADCA/YTPahggR3NA/s1600-h/Picture+194.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654139474213042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gqjkWl-LI/AAAAAAAADCA/YTPahggR3NA/s320/Picture+194.jpg" /></a> And best of all, they had a dance contest which Elaina entered, and WON!! I seriously thought my heart may have sprung a leak as it was about to burst with pride! Even though the winner was chosen by audience applause, and we did happen to have 6 <strong>very </strong>loud and <strong>very</strong> proud family members cheering our girl on, many of the other guests applauded Elaina and easily made her the winner. OH, was she ever cute!!!</div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gqXCI60fI/AAAAAAAADB4/XXvIE_1u8pE/s1600-h/Picture+212.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653924131623410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gqXCI60fI/AAAAAAAADB4/XXvIE_1u8pE/s320/Picture+212.jpg" /></a> As the winner, she received a goody bag full of candy, a gift certificate for the cruise line, a super large milkshake of her choice AND she got to steer the boat with the captain! My four year-old, commanding the ship! Her mother <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beaming</span>!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gp_vY83nI/AAAAAAAADBw/H5XU6-8K8L0/s1600-h/Picture+225.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653523961601650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S6gp_vY83nI/AAAAAAAADBw/H5XU6-8K8L0/s320/Picture+225.jpg" /></a>With this, treasured memories were made, sorrows were laid aside and we look forward to many more great trips to be with my grandma. And after all of this, can you believe that this is only a part of our Florida trip this year??? This year, we added a second leg to our tour. Stay tuned!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-85620981126530447432010-03-11T22:38:00.003-05:002010-03-11T23:13:58.823-05:00SO much.Have you ever had those kind of days in which you find yourself already at work, dressed for your work day and 2 hours into sitting at your desk, you decide to look down to make sure that your shoes match? And that your clothes coordinate. <br /><br />Come on... I can't be the only one! Okay, maybe so.<br /><br />There has been so much going on here lately that I hardly know where to begin to try an catch up. Maybe you can guess where this is going... YES! Bullet-point recap!! Sweet!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>[edited to add: okay, so I can't find actual bullet points on here <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">soooo</span>... looks like hyphens will do!]</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br />- One week ago today, we came home from a week long visit to various family members in Florida. The first half of our trip was spent with my grandmother while the latter was with my in-laws. For 7 straight days, our days were full, our kids were napless wonders and we were all spoiled rotten. A great vacation indeed! I will do my best to follow with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pictures</span> and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">separate</span> vacation post soon.<br /><br />- Over vacation, that little Lincoln of mine became an explosion of energy, eagerness and enthusiasm. Maybe it was the favorable climate, maybe it was break from our routine or maybe it's because he's come upon a burst of maturing. Whatever it is, he is ever-complex and I look forward to telling you all about him in a future post.<br /><br />- The saying is true: sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. This winter has found us safe, happy, mostly healthy and continually blessed. For this I am thankful. One who didn't bear the wintertime and (geriatric) life in general was our dog, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Keegan</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Keegan</span> was laid to rest the week prior to our vacation. I'm pretty sure that a follow up post about him is necessary as well.<br /><br />- In other random ramblings: I registered Elaina for Kindergarten. My truck (we bought new) hit the 100,000 mile mark at (almost) 7 years old. I ordered the most expensive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vacuum</span> cleaner of my life - a Dyson - which I am so anxious to fall in love with. The kids and I are leaving Eric behind this weekend to spend a night at my brother's house; our fun-line-up will blow my little kiddies minds! I can't wait! With a much needed break from our snow-filled state, our weather has finally hit a breaking point and I've already begun my psychotic- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">decrapification</span> from my house - A.K.A.: Spring cleaning meets crack. We've gotten new furniture for Lincoln's bedroom and a full sized bed is being made. Within a few short months, I hope to have his bedroom transformed into a big-boy room. The most obvious reminder that my last baby is growing up and won't want to sleep in a crib until he's 7. Where does the time go??? <br /><br />Speaking of time, where do you suppose I am going to find the time to sit down to write all of these follow up stories? Has anyone discovered a way of making time stand still? Oh, and not have to get tired. <-- very important!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-24272416337436039942010-02-08T21:50:00.002-05:002010-02-08T22:37:28.780-05:00Puppy Love, or at least I hope...With Valentine's Day soon approaching, for tonight's topic I'm going to write about Elaina and her "boyfriend." While my intention is to use the term "boyfriend" loosely, Elaina has a very different idea. <br /><br />I still remember the day; it was summer time and lovely weather. We were outside enjoying the day, talking to neighbors and watching the cars go by. Elaina was about 18 months old and was holding onto my hand as she walked the landscaped brick wall which frames our driveway. With each step, she became more brave, more daring and less likely to look down at her feet as she scurried forward. And just like that, she lost her footing and scraped the side of her ankle against the brick. Being the protective Mother Bear that I am (and a first time mom) I pulled her close to comfort her as she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">buried</span> her face into my chest. As she laid against me, I could only hear a slight whimper and hardly any tears came from her eyes even though her ankle was scraped red with blood. I saw her look up, resting her eyes on "Sammy" and realized that she didn't want to cry in front of him. <br /><br />Just then, I began to wonder if Elaina was holding back her feelings to show Sammy that she wasn't a baby. Odd reaction for a child who wasn't even two years old and hadn't ever seen that kind of behavior before.<br /><br />In the two years that have come to pass, she often talks about wanting to marry Sammy. She has asked that when she and Lincoln outgrow their baby toys, if we can send them to Sammy's house for Their kids to play with. During a recent conversation with Eric and myself on what she wants to be when she grows up, her answer was "a doctor, a teacher, a veterinarian and the lady who puts your tray up on the airplane." My reply was that it seemed as though she would be awfully busy with her careers that I wondered how she would ever have time to see her mom and dad. "Don't worry Momma, I'll still live right here, next door, with Sammy. And you can come over any time you want. And I'll even make you dinner." "I'm going to marry Sammy you know."<br /><br />Concerning, no?<br /><br />But it even goes further, she'll often talk about when she grows up, <em>when</em> she and Sammy will be married, what color her dress will be and they'll live next door and even what she will be naming her kids. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">RosaBella</span>, Maggie Flowers and Junior are a few that I can recall) She doesn't stop. She reminds us of her future plans at least a couple times a month, sometimes multiple times in the same week. I try not to react, but only to listen when she begins her fairytale life story with Sammy, but HOLY SMOKES KID, you're 4 years old! Where does she come up with this imagination? These ideas? Dora doesn't have a boyfriend. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">TinkerBell</span> isn't interested in getting married. My child has her children named!<br /><br />Did I mention that fact that Sammy is our next door neighbor? Who is also our friend. Who is also approximately 3 weeks <em>older</em> than Eric. He is well aware of Elaina's "love" for him and he is VERY much appropriate toward her and brushes her off as if he were a kind uncle reacting to her attention.<br /><br />Yes Elaina, when you are 25, your Sammy will be Golden Buckeye card carrying member and looking towards retirement. Every young girls' dream right? <br /><br />The only upside to all of our musings is that any time Sam lets me down for any reason, I remind him that he will not be my favorite son-in-law for long.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-30664709854699201352010-01-29T22:47:00.013-05:002010-01-29T23:35:47.504-05:00RefresherRemember these little Munchkins?<br /><br />(Yes, Mom, I know you're so excited to finally see pictures up!)<br /><br />These are the same two who have been growing like crazy and occupying all of our time. Not like I mind, of course, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">GEEZ</span>, slow down!<br /><br />In the early part of the fall, Elaina learned to ride a 2- wheel bicycle all by herself. After weeks of the training wheels barely touching the ground on her bike, she felt that she was ready to take a spin sans extra wheels. With only a few slight steady, starts from her dad, she was off like a flash and didn't turn back. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2Ouzq5OGiI/AAAAAAAADBo/FhQJKLTw6FM/s1600-h/Picture+32028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432377778249800226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2Ouzq5OGiI/AAAAAAAADBo/FhQJKLTw6FM/s320/Picture+32028.jpg" /></a> As for this little guy, he is pure speed on his scooter. He rides his 2 wheel scooter like it's his job! The first few weeks of the winter season were tough on Lincoln. With each passing day, the weather grew colder and he became more bitter about not being able to go outside to ride his scooter. It was pure torture for us to hurry him inside from the cold weather only to leave his scooter alone, without a rider for days on end. Eric has caved a few times, bundling the kids up and taking them out on clear days and letting them enjoy some time to zip around the driveway for a short while. Even if the weather was in the low 40's. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OumiPF9mI/AAAAAAAADBg/sVukUNe2ljk/s1600-h/Picture+32077.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432377552587322978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OumiPF9mI/AAAAAAAADBg/sVukUNe2ljk/s320/Picture+32077.jpg" /></a> And this girl... oh yeah! This big girl started <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pre</span>-K at school! Elaina goes 3 half days during the week and absolutely loves being in school. Her enthusiasm hasn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wavered</span> in the months since school began. In my telephone conference with her teacher last week, she reported that Elaina is one of her brightest students in the class (of 10) and very social and friendly. The teachers have been impressed with her language skills and memory. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pre</span>-K has been an excellent experience for Elaina, but it leaves this 4 year-old beat by the end of the school day. Oh, the hectic life of a preschooler!<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2Ouar-b-0I/AAAAAAAADBY/XbENGYOJhn8/s1600-h/Picture+32068.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432377349043387202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2Ouar-b-0I/AAAAAAAADBY/XbENGYOJhn8/s320/Picture+32068.jpg" /></a> This picture of Lincoln pretty much says it all. He's so cute and SO <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mischievous</span>!!! This boy is stealth! The 2's have hit Lincoln in just about every stereotypical fashion. He has begun hitting, yelling, pushing, kicking and having a hard time learning to share. Yep... our boy is 2. VERY, VERY 2. But seriously, when he flashes that Sweetheart Smile... OH, how I melt! God I love this little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">StinkerBoy</span>!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OuMnHM9MI/AAAAAAAADBQ/gmAuTlQ0NDE/s1600-h/Picture+32299.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432377107219805378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OuMnHM9MI/AAAAAAAADBQ/gmAuTlQ0NDE/s320/Picture+32299.jpg" /></a> Four is fun age for a girl. Elaina continues to be into all things <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Girly</span>. The more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span>, the better. The best part is, she wants to do as much stuff with her mommy as she does her daddy. This is the same girl who demands to wear a dress every day no matter what the day holds. In the same moment, she is also the child asking her dad when he's going to take her hunting and when they can go camping together. She loves everything sparkly and glittery, yet she asked to see the groundhog her dad shot - just to see what a dead groundhog looks like. Not grossed out or anything. Just - "Oh." "Daddy could we go get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slurpees</span>?"</div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OuB34hHnI/AAAAAAAADBI/50IRGyzgRBU/s1600-h/Picture+32157.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432376922743053938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OuB34hHnI/AAAAAAAADBI/50IRGyzgRBU/s320/Picture+32157.jpg" /></a> And this My Friends, is what my blog is all about. <br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432375992707082098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/S2OtLvOqZ3I/AAAAAAAADBA/W3TGx80LZPo/s320/Picture+32113.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-64969620598189858702010-01-29T22:32:00.002-05:002010-01-29T22:39:39.850-05:00Because everyone needs a starting point...Even if it's to restart a project for the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> or even 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> time. <br /><br />The good news; I'm energized. I'm refreshed. I want to renew my blog! (and get my Lovely, Well-Meaning Family off my back over Blog Guilt!)<br /><br />I'm not going to spend a moment longer dwelling on why I have taken such a long hiatus from blogging other than to say that it's a blog worth saving!<br /><br />My fresh approach: tidbits.<br /><br />Yep. Tidbits of our lives. As they happen. I'm not the best writer, nor am I the most witty, but my kids and some of our daily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurrences</span> are well worth noting and a blog is just the spot for all of that. Of course it always has been, but I'm considering this my written permission slip for "quantity performance" over "quality." It's a recession People; it's time for cutting back! <br /><br />Join me in a toast: "Long Live THE BLOG!!"<br /><br />Cheers!!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-19476745855221259802009-09-28T21:48:00.004-04:002009-09-28T22:31:31.213-04:00Dropping by...So it's become pretty clear to me that blogging is most definitely taking a back seat in our lives these days. I don't even feel the need to make excuses any more, let alone, empty promises. Now, if someone were to offer a couple extra hours in my day or help me find a way to never tire, well then, bring it on!<br /><br />Since it's been a month since my last entry, I'm happy to report that Elaina's "bad spell" ended just as abruptly and swiftly as it started. Our sweet, little darling is back to normal. While I'm on the topic of Elaina, one more thing that has changed is that our baby has started school in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pre</span>-K program. She has wanted to go to school for the past year and a half so this is like her dream come true. I'm more than pleased that she loves school and along with that, I'm very glad that it's only 3 days a week. We've come to realize that on the days she has school, she is worn out. I mean, BEAT! When I arrive home, I've often been finding her laying on the sofa, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">zombified</span> in front of the TV, too tired to even acknowledge me. When we make plans for Friday evening (another school day) she does everything in her power to stay awake, alert and pretend to not be tired even though her eyes become all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">starey</span> when she idles for longer than 2 minutes. The good thing is that she loves school and we've gotten good reports from her teachers.<br /><br />With all of the talk about Elaina, how about that little brother of hers? My little Lincoln Man! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">OhMyGoodness</span>! That little guy has begun talking up a storm! I thought it would never happen! He was certainly taking his time in the language arts department. Along about August, he began putting words together and expressing that he was actually getting something out of the words he's been using and hearing. Every single day, he picks up more words, shows more personality and even a sense of humor. Up until this point, he's always been a little reserved to the more-serious side and quick to react when things don't go as planned for his little self. This is still the case, but the reassuring part is that by and by, some of his quick-to-react fits are gradually improving with the help of him learning to communicate. We're all happy about that!<br /><br />And since I'm spilling all the beans about my kids' behavior, let's talk about Lincoln and hitting. Oh, that child is SO 2! His "thing" has become hitting. Swatting rather, since he just swings his little arm from side to side until he hits what he's been aiming for in his path. This, I cannot stand. It seems that every single day he is hitting someone; even if he's generally happy-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span>, he makes it a point to give someone a whack, quite possibly just to see their reaction. I don't know how to explain that. With a variety of tactics in place, we're getting through each day with fewer and fewer instances, but hitting still seems to rank pretty high on cool-things-to-do-to-upset-your-family.<br /><br />Other than that, life here is pretty good. Our days are busy, our children are loved and we're all very blessed to have happiness each day. With every hurdle I face throughout the day, I continuously remind myself, "Work hard, play hard." And that's exactly what we've been doing!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-68812246091629355952009-08-20T22:05:00.004-04:002009-08-21T09:12:25.914-04:00NOT part of the Fairy Tale<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/So4BSzJLPSI/AAAAAAAADAA/8WMVgxwUMoI/s1600-h/Picture+31790.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372232827977547042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/So4BSzJLPSI/AAAAAAAADAA/8WMVgxwUMoI/s320/Picture+31790.jpg" border="0" /></a> See this little Cheezer?<br /><br />This is the same little Cheezer that I live for. I adore. I share my heart with and pour every ounce of love into. My sweet Elaina.<br /><br />Without warning, without explanation and without cause, this sweet, darling daughter of mine has warped into an absolute brat. Did I really just call my child a "brat?" This time : YES.<br /><br />I'm not sure if the planets are out of alignment, maybe the air is a little too thick or maybe I'm just due for some cruel twist of fate. Whatever the case might be, Elaina has been bad. Like B-A-D bad.<br /><br />It wasn't even a slow progression either. Along about 3 weeks ago, we had been running in a crazy-typical-busy-but-structured fashion and her behavior seemed to indicate that she was overly tired and needed a break. We slowed down, made earlier bedtimes and exhausted every bit of patience with her to see her through her rough patch. Every day that following seemed to amplify more misbehaving and more attitude. While I don't know every one's view on spanking kids, (and this is not the time nor place for a full justification or debate) but the only thing that seemed to slow her down, get her attention and curb her behavior was a firm swat on her bottom. She's gotten more swats in three weeks than she's had in her lifetime. She's already told me that she likes going to time-out and staring her in the eye (with a firm grasp on her arm) and sternly explaining the necessity to STOP her bout-of-crazy, eventually became ineffective.<br /><br />To try to better explain what exactly it is that we've had such problems with is likely vast and ever changing. Basically, it's the fact that she has been taking deliberate actions to intentionally defy and disobey us and do things that she already knows are wrong. And that she seems to take such pleasure in knowing that she is being defiant. And then does more. All this with the added bonus of a teenage-sized attitude. If she's seemingly run out of leads to get in trouble, then she turns on Lincoln and SQUEEZES him and hugs him so hard or plays with him so rough that she thinks she ought NOT to get into trouble because she "is just loving him."<br /><br />I can't even begin to explain what a toll this has taken on me. Each day I wake up believing that it will be a fresh start and then I get more of the same and sometimes even before work which is just GREAT! I have been missing my sweet daughter and it has torn me up that she has been acting so crazy. Each night I lay in bed with her and we try to talk about her day and the things that make us happy. I've talked to her, encouraged her and praised her. Sometimes I can just about my see my words slipping right out of her ears as she convinces me that the "good Elaina" will soon come back.<br /><br />As of tonight, I'm happy (blessed) (overjoyed) (proud) (excited) to report that Elaina seems to be on an upswing. The past three nights have been successful without incident and without attitude. Thank you Sweet Jesus! In turn, I have done my share of praising her and reminding her of all of things she is doing right and how much I love her nice words. And how much I have missed her sweet self. I'm not sure what kind of crazy she had going on but I am more than relieved to see us all on the other side and that she seems to have literally snapped back into the little girl I know and love so much.<br /><br />Is this what you would call growing pains? If so, I'd like to order the antidote right now. Monthly installments, please.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-71793194266819227862009-08-11T21:29:00.006-04:002009-08-11T22:44:37.549-04:00Anyone for a little June?This is how I felt about most of the month of June. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIdT2KFe_I/AAAAAAAAC_4/_tc0YemiUbg/s1600-h/Picture+31650.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368885932571589618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIdT2KFe_I/AAAAAAAAC_4/_tc0YemiUbg/s320/Picture+31650.jpg" /></a> It was a fun ride with lots of smiles, but a little bit blurry and it went by fast.<br /><br />The most outstanding event which occurred in June was that our daytime babysitter went on a week long vacation. And why would that be significant to us, you may wonder? It's because we filled her position with temporary, out-of-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">towners</span> to watch our kids during the day. Grandparents!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIdHjMsP9I/AAAAAAAAC_w/sOt5y9kob3M/s1600-h/Picture+31656.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368885721323814866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIdHjMsP9I/AAAAAAAAC_w/sOt5y9kob3M/s320/Picture+31656.jpg" /></a> My parents were willing to come to stay with us for the better part of the week to watch the kids during the day so that Eric and I didn't have to use all of our vacation to be at home with nothing planned. From what I understand, they had a pretty good time and Lincoln made it pretty clear that he is my dad's biggest fan. He began to call my mom "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eema</span>" which suited her just fine as he finally gave the person changing his dirty diapers some well deserved recognition.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIcw0sCUxI/AAAAAAAAC_o/qKl8oaXhRLc/s1600-h/Picture+31662.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368885330881696530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIcw0sCUxI/AAAAAAAAC_o/qKl8oaXhRLc/s320/Picture+31662.jpg" /></a> It was during this same week that we happened to have our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-scheduled dental check up for Eric and myself and Elaina's first visit to sit in the dentists' chair. The first thought to cross my mind was how unfair it seemed to leave my parents on duty all day long strapped with a kid (kids) while we were gone until the better part of the evening. (we were scheduled after work and our dentist's office is an hour away) The more practical side of me began to think of what a great experience this could turn out to be for Elaina with her first trip to the dentist and a special date night with just both of her parents and herself. In the end, all of our appointments turned out well and we rounded out our day with a trip to Build-a-Bear, a restaurant and an ice cream cone. Lincoln managed at home just fine.</div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIcjbQ61yI/AAAAAAAAC_g/ci8RLZKSEag/s1600-h/Picture+31665.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368885100718774050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIcjbQ61yI/AAAAAAAAC_g/ci8RLZKSEag/s320/Picture+31665.jpg" /></a>During my parents' stint as full time babysitters, my mom and dad also filled the role as part-time help with household projects. My mom was a huge help with our laundry and making dinner while my dad joined Eric with more outdoor projects than I can list.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIcU1L6YUI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/9OWJg621eIs/s1600-h/Picture+31666.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368884849979056450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIcU1L6YUI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/9OWJg621eIs/s320/Picture+31666.jpg" /></a> And just in case it's worth my while, (for posterity of course) I should also like to mention that I made a full fledged effort to get the kids pictures taken at the portrait studio. On the day we arrived, they said that they had our appointment scheduled for the day before. (they were wrong) The blame fell on the shoulders of a new worker and so we rescheduled to an even better time slot for the following weekend. Come picture day (again) Elaina was still sporting a scuffed up scab above her right eyebrow and I refused to consent to her idea of letting her wear a band-aid to cover it up. Lincoln, being otherwise healthy, woke up that same day with a persistent fever. Picture appointment cancelled. Oh, and after about 4 days of Lincoln being mostly miserable with a fever and loss of appetite, Elaina came down with the same, only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hers</span> involved vomit. So there. No 2 year old and 4 year old pictures yet. </div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-58005752275771278872009-08-11T20:49:00.003-04:002009-08-11T21:01:18.046-04:00This too...Maybe I failed to also mention that Elaina has spent a good part of her summer months growing. While I wasn't aware that a steady diet of hot dogs, salami, cheese, bread, yogurt, pudding and cookies will make you grow, Elaina somehow found a way around the rules. Her hair is also on board with the growing trend. When her hair is wet and brushed straight, it hangs to the middle of her bottom. Her body is growing sturdy and she's really taking on the shape of a school-aged kid. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368873856698592514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoISU8BmrQI/AAAAAAAAC_A/iH5viqlUQIs/s320/Picture+31629.jpg" /> <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoISB7V7UqI/AAAAAAAAC-4/gBifiwoFDS4/s1600-h/Picture+31630.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368873530097881762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoISB7V7UqI/AAAAAAAAC-4/gBifiwoFDS4/s320/Picture+31630.jpg" /></a> I think she is going to be a little upset that they don't allow princess dresses as part of the regular school dress code.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-50599831582899730772009-08-11T20:02:00.000-04:002009-08-11T21:28:02.483-04:00BLINGI'm realizing that a summary of the month of May wouldn't be complete without mentioning Elaina's new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">bling</span>. Girlfriend got her ears pierced! It had been something that we had discussed and even though she wasn't nagging with eagerness, she never changed her mind letting us know that she didn't want to. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIVotPpn9I/AAAAAAAAC_Q/rsPMBvl4wwc/s1600-h/Picture+31537.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368877494863241170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIVotPpn9I/AAAAAAAAC_Q/rsPMBvl4wwc/s320/Picture+31537.jpg" /></a>Much to my pleasure and surprise, it was a mere coincidence that she chose her birthstone ruby studs as her starter earrings. I hesitated to tell her too many details about the quick procedure they were about to perform, and so with two store workers and two quick snaps of the piercing guns, my baby girl now has earrings. <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIVZPgtK5I/AAAAAAAAC_I/8C4TZ5cPtRU/s1600-h/Picture+31544.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368877229183675282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SoIVZPgtK5I/AAAAAAAAC_I/8C4TZ5cPtRU/s320/Picture+31544.jpg" /></a>She cried a little out of pain and the fact that no one had ever hurt her so intentionally before. We celebrated her triumph and milestone with a $4 cookie and hugs. And the minute I turned to really look at her with her ears all blazing red and her sparkling, ruby stones gleaming, I wondered what I just let happen to my BABY! And then I began to cry.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-65758506477637131812009-08-04T22:47:00.008-04:002009-08-04T23:54:31.622-04:00And May went on...Have you ever had so many things going on in your life at the same time that you begin to see those "things" as hurdles to cross before moving onto the next one? That would pretty much sum up my feelings toward the month of May. Of course, the biggest, best and my favorite event of all was celebrating Lincoln's birthday. Oh, my little guy and how he has grown and changed in such a short period of time. I could just eat him up. But there's plenty more about Lincoln still to come. Let's talk about May for now. <div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>The weekend following Lincoln's birthday I flew to Florida by myself to be in one of my best friend's wedding. I served as the Matron-of-Honor and I'm pleased to report that I did my reading during the ceremony without flaw, without being nervous and without passing out. (which DID fuel my stress level immensely as I truly believed that at least one of them Would actually happen to me) By the way, the ceremony took place at a <a href="http://bonaventure.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp">gorgeous hotel</a>, outside, in 90 degree heat. God bless them; the sun fell directly on the groomsmen in their tuxedos and not one of them passed out! It was a good day. The wedding was gorgeous, my visit was fun but I can't even begin to tell you how much I missed my babies. This was the very first time I've ever spent a night away from both of them. Minutes felt like hours until my plane landed and I drove myself home. Hugging and squeezing them in my arms is the best feeling in the world, how could that ever get old?</div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><em>*Hurdle #2 : Success!</em></strong></span></div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366309658370744242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Snj2M83vn7I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/xyrTkTNDv1g/s320/Picture+3159.jpg" />The days continued to fly by and believe it or not, Memorial Day weekend was already upon us. Along with some of our closest friends, we've begun a tradition of them traveling to our house for Memorial Day weekend. My girlfriend and I are garage sale junkies and there is an awesome annual allotment garage sale scheduled for the same weekend. The better part is that her parents live there which provides us with a free lunch and convenient potty breaks at their house. The dads have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-arranged "Daddy Day" which gives them charge of 5 kids under the age of 7. As for next year, Daddy Day will incorporate child number 6, once my friend delivers their new addition this winter. The dads take the kids to a great playground/amusement park which is somewhat near our house, while my friend Beth and I load my truck with great steals and treasures. Dinner always follows at our favorite local pizza place and we always end up eating mountains of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">S'mores</span> that same night. I guess there's something to be said for tradition.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366313325234106626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Snj5iZAGMQI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/0Z5pxH-NoO4/s320/Picture+31608.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366313825324204050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Snj5_f-3gBI/AAAAAAAAC-o/hppdMK8OQR8/s320/Picture+31601.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366313565236230178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Snj5wXFD-CI/AAAAAAAAC-g/Qma4Oeprh4k/s320/Picture+31604.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366314034273913746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Snj6LqYXC5I/AAAAAAAAC-w/K4VtXastACk/s320/Picture+31593.jpg" /></div></div></div><br /><p>The following weekend was my last <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bunco</span>/Girls night since we decided to break for the summer months. I never really know how much I need a day or evening or even an hour to myself until I get one. Playing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bunco</span> with my girlfriends has been so much fun for me. It's a true break from any thinking, planning and acting like a grown up. It's not that I don't treasure the time I spend with my husband and kids, but girls' night doesn't require for me to tell anyone to finish their food, wash their hands, stop pushing their brother in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">babydoll</span> stroller, etc.... what a welcome stress-buster to have to look forward to each month. And now, we've been on a break. At least the month was coming to a close anyhow. </p><p>And that was May.</p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-53059410301208415372009-08-03T22:41:00.008-04:002009-08-03T23:15:27.012-04:00Out of the Gate<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365935213430662338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SnehpYxLZMI/AAAAAAAAC-A/K5LMy9iy6PQ/s320/Picture+31615.jpg" /> <div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SnehUJ7ci0I/AAAAAAAAC94/4rsonwz0yxE/s1600-h/Picture+31616.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365934848669944642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SnehUJ7ci0I/AAAAAAAAC94/4rsonwz0yxE/s320/Picture+31616.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SnehEhUIMpI/AAAAAAAAC9w/4wuhAbhxkO4/s1600-h/Picture+31620.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365934580069577362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SnehEhUIMpI/AAAAAAAAC9w/4wuhAbhxkO4/s320/Picture+31620.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sneg4I40yBI/AAAAAAAAC9o/Y3U0Sfn6BVc/s1600-h/Picture+31624.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365934367354177554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sneg4I40yBI/AAAAAAAAC9o/Y3U0Sfn6BVc/s320/Picture+31624.jpg" /></a> Remember these little faces? </div><div><br /> </div><div>These are the faces of the same little munchkin grinners that have kept us so busy all summer long. Although I've not been blogging, I sure haven't missed a beat with my camera in hand just ready to flood my blog pages with pictures. </div><div><br /> </div><div>I've spent the past 30 minutes logging all of the pictures I plan to post from the past couple months. Without exaggeration, I have taken close to 300 pictures since the middle of May. So, even though my blogging hasn't been up to par, I have the filler content just waiting in the wings, ready to overtake my pages here. </div><div><br /> </div><div>Thanks to my family and friends who have commented on my last post, I think that I have actually come up with a plan of attack to begin making up for lost time. I'll get there slowly. It doesn't look like the dust and cobwebs in our house are going anywhere any time soon. Let the blogging resume!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-64180432260451323902009-07-29T22:32:00.003-04:002009-07-29T22:57:01.972-04:00Rekindling the RomanceWell, hi there! <br /><br />Remember me?<br /><br />Um yeah, well, where do I begin?<br /><br />I feel like a 7 foot freshman trying to make friends at a new high school. In May. <br /><br />I guess that after a little impromptu blog hiatus, I need to start again sometime. (I've missed writing and I've missed your kind comments. I haven't missed 1:00 a.m. bedtimes and the feeling of commitment that I sometimes attach to blogging.) The problem that faces me now is where to begin to make up lost time?<br /><br />An explanation for my absence? (there is none)<br /><br />Jump right back into blogging like time has stood still? (I'm pretty sure that if you've come back to visit, you've noticed that almost 2 months are not accounted for)<br /><br />Call off work for 2 weeks straight and send the kids to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">babysitter's</span> house to begin to start from where I left off? (not enough vacation time)<br /><br />Back date my posts? Because if I'm blogging purely for the sake of posterity, in a year from now, the fact that I skipped out on 2 months could be our little secret. (the beauty of blog editing)<br /><br />Pretend that we spent the past couple months at Graceland and met Elvis at a diner and we've been hanging out with him ever since. (because that could happen to anyone)<br /><br />So, if anyone has stumbled back here still checking for a pulse, feel free to offer your grand insight and helpful suggestions on where I should begin to account for almost 2 months of sheer craziness, living each day to the fullest while writing about it all has taken an unfortunate back seat. And I'll be sure to tell Elvis how nice y'all are.<br /><br />Good to see you back My Friends!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-63145523607290182712009-05-31T23:11:00.013-04:002009-05-31T23:57:03.869-04:00Lincoln Turned 2It's really been too long my dear blog buddies. My parents have been griping at me to "post some pictures of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">grandkids</span>! We miss seeing them!" (Bonus points if you used a pretend mom-voice when you read that!) Blogger barely recognizes my log-in. And my picture file is nearly bursting at the seems. BUT! In the midst of this crazy month, my precious baby boy celebrated his second birthday and is making his making his debut as a terrific 2 year old.<br /><br />With an early May birthday (May 7) I'm pretty sure that Lincoln's birthday will likely collide on a Mother's Day weekend more often than not. My in-laws were kind enough to host Lincoln's birthday party at their house this year, which just happened to go hand in hand with celebrating Mother's day as well.<br /><br />The weather was perfect, the food excellent and the company couldn't be matched. Lincoln's second birthday party was a success.<br /><br />Here are some of the highlights of our day:<br /><br />My birthday boy waiting for the party to begin!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNMLQeuewI/AAAAAAAAC9g/Gwx3OjhAzno/s1600-h/Picture+31561.jpg"> </a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNMLQeuewI/AAAAAAAAC9g/Gwx3OjhAzno/s1600-h/Picture+31561.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342197339277654786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNMLQeuewI/AAAAAAAAC9g/Gwx3OjhAzno/s320/Picture+31561.jpg" border="0" /></a> Great-Grandma W. and Elaina look summery fresh in their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">coincidental</span> red and white gingham.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNL6k5rnuI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/qiASduEQLoY/s1600-h/Picture+31548.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342197052701646562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNL6k5rnuI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/qiASduEQLoY/s320/Picture+31548.jpg" border="0" /></a> Elaina just "happened" to get a new princess dress to replace her tattered blue Cinderella dress.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNLsJ5mcvI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/fcP-I8neia4/s1600-h/Picture+31556.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342196804935381746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNLsJ5mcvI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/fcP-I8neia4/s320/Picture+31556.jpg" border="0" /></a> Aunt Cindy thought of everything and supplied the bounce house to help counteract the affects of the cake and ice cream on my rascally children.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNLdTwemcI/AAAAAAAAC9I/z0xRN1WwLmk/s1600-h/Picture+31558.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342196549883435458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNLdTwemcI/AAAAAAAAC9I/z0xRN1WwLmk/s320/Picture+31558.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the truck that did my boy in. It was attached to the top of a gift and once Lincoln got his hands on his new wheels, as far as he was concerned, his birthday was complete. It was only present #2. No more were necessary or even remembered.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNK8qWXskI/AAAAAAAAC9A/HMD97Lvnvb8/s1600-h/Picture+31566.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195989012263490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNK8qWXskI/AAAAAAAAC9A/HMD97Lvnvb8/s320/Picture+31566.jpg" border="0" /></a> Along with Elaina's generous help, she and I had to finish unwrapping Lincoln's gifts and tried to entice him into noticing something more than just his truck. Hello one-track-mind<br /><div>-child!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNKuV0x_tI/AAAAAAAAC84/4ygBJOIPCiA/s1600-h/Picture+31567.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195742984502994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNKuV0x_tI/AAAAAAAAC84/4ygBJOIPCiA/s320/Picture+31567.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lincoln's cake theme ended up being Sesame Street this year. Aside from cars, trucks and everything else with wheels, letters and numbers seem to fascinate my little guy and he does seem to enjoy the show as a whole. Let me not fail to mention that little boy party themed decor is minimal at best.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNKgMqespI/AAAAAAAAC8w/aE1j6A2ILCE/s1600-h/Picture+31577.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195500007207570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNKgMqespI/AAAAAAAAC8w/aE1j6A2ILCE/s320/Picture+31577.jpg" border="0" /></a> The cake was the only thing that distracted him from his new truck. Gotta love a kid who's willing to take the first taste for his guests, right?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNKTKf05EI/AAAAAAAAC8o/XeO-w_STEDU/s1600-h/Picture+31576.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195276087354434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SiNKTKf05EI/AAAAAAAAC8o/XeO-w_STEDU/s320/Picture+31576.jpg" border="0" /></a> Happy Birthday my sweet son. I'm so excited to see what age 2 has in store for us. I love you Lincoln Todd.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-40018192603342525872009-05-13T21:07:00.002-04:002009-05-13T21:23:38.933-04:00And my list keeps growing...I just knew that May would be like this. To say that I've been busy would be an understatement. May is kicking my butt and we're only halfway through the month!<br /><br />The worst part is that I don't even foresee a break for (serious) blogging until the end of the month and there's so much to catch up on. This past weekend we celebrated Lincoln's 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> birthday and Mother's Day together. Not to be out done, Elaina got her ears pierced. I still need to post pictures of the kids' cute new bathroom. And there is just no time. NO TIME!!<br /><br />As I'm stealing away some time here to whine, I should be preparing for my weekend trip (alone) to Florida to be in my friend's wedding. I should be googling something about what to say at the reception as it is my job to give a toast to the new bride and groom. At some point I should be confirming my flight itinerary. It would be a really good idea to figure out what summer dresses fit me AND that I like from last year because other than my peony colored bridesmaid dress, I'm clueless about what I'm going to wear. And shoes! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aack</span>! Shoes!! And since I'm leaving Eric to run the show around here, it would be nice if I could at least make sure that he's not left with mountains of laundry. (READ: ME being stuck with EVEN MORE laundry when I get home) and my baskets of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">laundry</span> could use a little ironing by now. My head is hurting with anxiety and I feel like my allergies are acting up with this crazy weather. OH! And I really didn't mean to take all this time just to complain, but there's more. Really. The weekend after I get home, is Memorial Day and we're hosting our friends (family of 5) for the entire weekend and there is CLEANING to do. With 9 people moving about the house for 3 days straight, it surely helps when things are in order and the dust bunnies and cobwebs are history. <br /><br />So. WOW. That's my month. Maybe you can stop back when the crazy lady is no longer behind the keyboard and not complaining. I promise that there will be a flood of pictures one day soon and stories upon stories of what May was all about. Until then, I think I need to go dust off the suitcase.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-80064874983684737572009-05-04T23:09:00.005-04:002009-05-04T23:35:36.371-04:00Behold!I've likely mentioned before what great friends and neighbors we have in this little town of ours. And being friendly in return, we just couldn't expect our neighbors to drop their plans on a whim, on the most beautiful days that this year has brought to us and expect for them to work on our swingset in the hot sun on their days off. And so we waited. And waited. Patiently as you can see. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-vKQzUqlI/AAAAAAAAC8g/GpTQvytNomI/s1600-h/Picture+31523.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332173074673740370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-vKQzUqlI/AAAAAAAAC8g/GpTQvytNomI/s320/Picture+31523.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is how our driveway looked for an entire week until Eric was able to pull together some help to get this mammoth secured in our yard.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-u9AcFIKI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/tWKJ5HmZ_ss/s1600-h/Picture+31522.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332172846942986402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-u9AcFIKI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/tWKJ5HmZ_ss/s320/Picture+31522.jpg" border="0" /></a> Judging from the pictures, our 80 degree days have dropped by about 15 degrees and given way to overcast skies, but still nothing to keep our kids from enjoying THIS!!! <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-utfAFwbI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/FflR43EpTBY/s1600-h/Picture+31532.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332172580269179314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-utfAFwbI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/FflR43EpTBY/s320/Picture+31532.jpg" border="0" /></a> Although it's a little hard to tell from the picture, there is a rope ladder to the right platform and an opening to the left which accommodates a slide. The unfortunate part is that the slide is just a little too big for our yard to contain. It slides the kids right onto the the driveway. oops. But how about that for a FREE swingset!!??? We're going to look into buying a curved slide to attach on but in the meantime, Eric is going to have to do a little detail work on fencing or blocking off the unused openings. It seems that a certain fearless boy child is very much into learning to jump right now which doesn't bode well for this nervous mother or his barely 3 foot structure versus the 6 foot drop to the ground. <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-ugRGWhbI/AAAAAAAAC8I/_dDoURUVZlw/s1600-h/Picture+31534.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332172353199048114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/Sf-ugRGWhbI/AAAAAAAAC8I/_dDoURUVZlw/s320/Picture+31534.jpg" border="0" /></a> Let summertime resume!</div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-75281126023239980182009-04-26T22:35:00.003-04:002009-04-27T08:59:05.620-04:00Monkey BusinessOkay, really? It seems like I was just here writing a little something last night and a whole week has passed already.<br /><br />I'm here to report the highlight of this past week is that we got a whale of a deal on a PLAY SET for the kids!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Woot</span>! I had been secretly wanting one for the kids but I thought Eric would veto my idea since our backyard space is minimal to say the least. What do you expect when you live in a (very) small town on a main street? A smallish yard, that's what. When Eric presented the idea of a play set, well I had to bite my tongue to not seem overly eager in letting him know that I had thought of that first and of course, it was a great idea!!<br /><br />We slowly began pricing swing set/ play structures to learn that $600 affords you a rather modest one. We're not asking for an Olympic sized play set, but we wanted more than a set of swings attached to a couple rungs of wood. While neither of us were particularly eager to dump a cool $600, I began to ask around and talk to some people at work. Within a weeks time, a friend of mine came up with a friend of a friend whose kids had outgrown theirs and just wanted it GONE from their backyard. My friend jumped on the case, brought us pictures, Eric checked it out and as of yesterday, we're the proud new owners of an enormous backyard play set!! The best part of all? FREE!!! Oh YES!! Free is a beautiful thing when it comes to saving $600! And it's awesome! So, what if it does eat up MOST of our backyard? So what if the kids can climb to the upper lever fort and peek into our neighbors yards and windows? It's a pretty cool structure and recycling at it's best. Hello and Happy Earth Week!<br /><br />As for pictures? Well, Eric had anticipated having a couple buddies over today to help, but when a fire call interrupted his afternoon and the temperature peaked at a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">stiffling</span> 85 degrees; well, let's just say that no one was coming knocking on our door, just asking to help in the sweltering sun. The weather forecast isn't looking quite so intense for the remainder of this week and a completed play set may just be in our future, sooner than later. That will put an end to Elaina asking 76 times a day if her new "tree fort" is ready for her to go swing yet. The bad part is that I am nearly as giddy as her to see this new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">behemoth</span> all set up and ready for it's new life with our kids!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-31956826542816657572009-04-19T22:38:00.004-04:002009-04-19T23:02:41.971-04:00Sunday ChroniclesIt seems like my blogging pattern has been unimpressive to say the least. As a happy medium, I've decided that until I can reach full capacity of blogging or our life slows down even a little bit, I'm going to settle with a commitment to reserving enough time each Sunday night to wrap up our week and posting. If by chance I get a light week night, well, consider that "bonus" blogging.<br /><br />The fortunate part of this past week has been that there is just not too much going on. That's good. No, that's great! It's not to say that we haven't been busy, it's just that Eric has been home early every night, we've had no evening commitments and our week has run pretty smoothly. Typical week. Good week! <br /><br />So, while I'm not sure about everyone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">else's</span> "typical" week, but let me tell you a little bit about our evenings in our typical week. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned, the evening starts when the work day ends and everyone is at home. Eric generally picks up the kids at 4:00 and I get home from work at 5. I change my clothes as fast as I can to begin dinner so we can eat promptly at 6:00 before a certain little boy loses touch with himself and his stomach begins to eat at his backbone. At least to hear him yelling as he's trying to climb into his highchair, one might suspect is the case. <br /><br />Dinner and clean up can sometimes take up to an hour and Eric and I work together to get things cleared as quickly as possible to get on with our night. During our clean up time, the kids get about 20 minutes of "free roam." This is generally their time to wind down, watch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tv</span>, play with toys or play games on the computer. Every other night is bath night and they are still a fine age that they can bathe together without incident. Once they get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jammied</span> up and their hair dry, we've taken to hosting a dance party in our bedroom for the kids to romp around. Eric pulls a few favorite songs from the "music on demand" channels and Elaina and Lincoln hold hands and dance and swing each other around. And yes, it IS pretty much the cutest thing ever! After a few songs, we rotate nights to put each kid to bed and after 2 books per kid, it is down time. Our bedtime routine is pretty consistent each night and the kids know what to expect. The only setback to the whole game plan is that Elaina still likes for someone to lay with her for "just 3 minutes, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pleeeassse</span>." And I'll be darned if that innocent request of 3 minutes hasn't lasted an hour or more before I peel <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">myself</span> off of her covers. And so goes our typical evening.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-6913462000579091912009-04-15T21:45:00.019-04:002009-04-15T23:18:57.340-04:00Easter: In all of it's gloryLet me just begin by saying that this Easter weekend was fun, exciting, happy, full, busy and great. In a nutshell, perfect.<br /><div></div><br /><div>For the past few years, Eric and I have decided that hosting Easter for our family (anyone who is able) is something we enjoy doing and hope to make a tradition. Part of having a big house is wanting to have the people you love the most come to fill it up. And this weekend was proof that we did just that. My parents, Eric's parents and Greg, Kate and Colin came to town for the weekend to celebrate Easter together and also a belated celebration of "Kate's" birthday.<br /></div><div>When our weekend was all said and done and our guests parted ways, we were left with a fridge full of delicious leftovers, a floor full of Easter grass and a camera loaded with happy memories. So many great pictures in fact, I've taken it upon myself to dole them out here for you with prestigious award captions attached to each. Without further ado, here is our weekend in pictures:</div><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;">Prettiest Birthday Girl:</span> "Kate"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQ2QNNNXI/AAAAAAAAC74/L1V7z60Rtek/s1600-h/Picture+3332.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325102871149884786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQ2QNNNXI/AAAAAAAAC74/L1V7z60Rtek/s320/Picture+3332.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#660000;">Best Use of Air Quotes:</span> Kate (just read the writing on her "cake") <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQqXNLHYI/AAAAAAAAC7w/BlfNepGAFRI/s1600-h/Picture+3333.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325102666870365570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQqXNLHYI/AAAAAAAAC7w/BlfNepGAFRI/s320/Picture+3333.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Most Apt to Initiate a Cavity from Abundant Sweetness:</span> Lincoln wins over a double helping of spice cake and ice cream </div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQdpN1vhI/AAAAAAAAC7o/7Khga2IZofs/s1600-h/Picture+3334.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325102448366698002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQdpN1vhI/AAAAAAAAC7o/7Khga2IZofs/s320/Picture+3334.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Perseverance Award:</span> Kate in her most notable performance as a willing artist, held hostage in my bathroom with constant interruptions and people of all sizes looking over her shoulder. We have all learned that the kids' bathroom maximum people capacity is approximately 8, provided they are all standing. The great reveal of this room will be noted in a future post once all accessories have been put in place.</div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQQXlKVrI/AAAAAAAAC7g/CZCuhj2Lk6M/s1600-h/Picture+3340.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325102220294379186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQQXlKVrI/AAAAAAAAC7g/CZCuhj2Lk6M/s320/Picture+3340.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Most</span><span style="color:#660000;"> Notable Quote of the Weekend: </span>Kate with: "Colin, I never knew who would teach you about guns, but I never would have thought it would be your cousin, Elaina with her pink gun."<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQFiE5V9I/AAAAAAAAC7Y/olBh_jxeVWo/s1600-h/Picture+3342.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325102034133276626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaQFiE5V9I/AAAAAAAAC7Y/olBh_jxeVWo/s320/Picture+3342.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Endurance Award:</span> Lincoln; this veteran driver of almost 2 seasons withstands driving conditions in almost any climate. It looks the driver in the other lane has completely lost sight of her car, but Lincoln is going strong and continued his race long after his captive audience left the stands. Only his dedicated race team of Grandma and Grandpa W. stayed with him to help avoid racer's rage leaving the track.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaP5tc02qI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/q854LftIS4I/s1600-h/Picture+3346.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325101831028005538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaP5tc02qI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/q854LftIS4I/s320/Picture+3346.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Most Team Unity:</span> Greg and Colin; they worked together collecting the great loot that the Easter Bunny left out for them, while carefully avoiding the land mines in the grass left by the Easter dogs. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaPrz366rI/AAAAAAAAC7I/1S3zQwBuhCA/s1600-h/Picture+3348.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325101592234093234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaPrz366rI/AAAAAAAAC7I/1S3zQwBuhCA/s320/Picture+3348.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Best Disguise:</span> I don't even know who that is but she deserves an award for looking cute and producing three of her secret agents to conspire with her.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaPbZnxDxI/AAAAAAAAC7A/JxzfkYYUu7g/s1600-h/Picture+3349.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325101310309109522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaPbZnxDxI/AAAAAAAAC7A/JxzfkYYUu7g/s320/Picture+3349.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaPN_zTn4I/AAAAAAAAC64/5NedREUC24A/s1600-h/Picture+3350.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325101080039890818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaPN_zTn4I/AAAAAAAAC64/5NedREUC24A/s320/Picture+3350.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325123035021879186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeajL8e6p5I/AAAAAAAAC8A/_TPy0SRcQBg/s320/Picture+3353.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#660000;">Child in Most Need of a Shopping Cart:</span> Elaina; this Lightweight Champion enjoyed collecting her treasures so much that she didn't want to put them down for even a second. You never know when that sneaky Easter Bunny could come back and snatch all of her great finds. (I'm such a proud mom!) <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOv7iUCmI/AAAAAAAAC6o/Y6X_fxPXBNA/s1600-h/Picture+3354.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325100563498797666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOv7iUCmI/AAAAAAAAC6o/Y6X_fxPXBNA/s320/Picture+3354.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Most Daring Attempt:</span> Colin; take note of this adolescent Brown's fan (by default of his parents) touching the holy grail of Steelers collectibles and not growing athletic talent on the spot.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOjBrjiXI/AAAAAAAAC6g/bOwlxL0TR4Q/s1600-h/Picture+3358.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325100341809875314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOjBrjiXI/AAAAAAAAC6g/bOwlxL0TR4Q/s320/Picture+3358.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#660000;">Best Pose:</span> Elaina; as I asked her to turn and show me her Easter basket, she pivoted, popped her elbow back and showed me her stuff! Oh how this girl makes me laugh!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOWFRP-PI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/MS2fJY5eGX8/s1600-h/Picture+3364.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325100119434983666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOWFRP-PI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/MS2fJY5eGX8/s320/Picture+3364.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;">Most Likely to Melt his Mother's Heart:</span> Lincoln; after our family left and Elaina, Lincoln and I shared some quality nap time, Lincoln pulled out his new Car book and began to read to himself.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOKY6hwlI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/Sno6BROxKlQ/s1600-h/Picture+3365.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325099918549959250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SeaOKY6hwlI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/Sno6BROxKlQ/s320/Picture+3365.jpg" border="0" /></a>And with that, our awards ceremony must come to a close. An honorable mention should also go to Kate for posting a great recap of our weekend on over at <a href="http://mmmyfiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter.html">her blog </a>as she shares more details on how our Easter egg hunt almost didn't happen and how "Kate" came to be. Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend while remembering the reason for the season.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-66732112645980409672009-04-14T10:50:00.002-04:002009-04-14T11:03:51.593-04:00twitch-twitchIf you're reading this, you know that Easter is 3 days in the past and Monday has already come and gone and judging from this entry, there are no cute pictures as promised and no whimsical recap of our Easter weekend. In fact, all that you have before you is a sorry post about my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> being down last night. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aack</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nevermind</span> my slight twitching from being disconnected from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">blogosphere</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">facebook</span> for an entire evening and a sporadic weekend of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">internet</span> usage. Hello, my name is Laura and I think I may have a slight addiction to the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wwwdot</span>."<br /><br />Eric was on the phone first thing this morning with the cable company and is trying to resolve the issue of our disconnect. Until then, I'm accessing the web from work in a super-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sleuth</span> fashion while drinking my cappuccino and trying to keep the cute and funny stories of our weekend locked up in a file in my mind until I can roll them out onto my blog later on this evening. The silver lining of no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">internet</span> access is that my bedtime last night was closer to 10:00 versus the standard-too-late bedtime of midnight, so I am feeling very rested, if not even punchy today. I hope this stays with me until tonight and that we're connected by the time I come home from work. Stay tuned.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-59858735517495245612009-04-07T22:20:00.002-04:002009-04-07T23:02:04.274-04:00Un-Quality"Un-Quality:" I'm thinking that is the best word to sum up what I am about to lay out for this grand daddy of an update.<br /><br />It seems like forever since I've posted and while fleeting moments sweep through my mind and funny conversations play out in front of me, I can't seem to run my bedraggled self to the computer to get it out of my head just as fast as something else new pops up.<br /><br />So here it is; my crazy, random, disorganized collection of things that have been occupying our time.<br /><br />* Since the spring weather greeted us a few weeks back, I've been stricken with "the fever." Spring fever that is. I've been on a mission to sort, clean up, clean out and purge every corner of our house. It will be a long time to get accomplish every room, but that's been my goal. My intent is to make my house 200 pounds (of useless stuff) lighter by the time summer comes around. <br /><br />** Last week, our babysitter caught a horrible case of the flu which happened to coincide with Eric being out of town. I stayed home from work with the kids for 2 days, while Eric rounded out Friday at home with them. On my stint as a homemaker, I took down curtains to wash, iron and rehang, I washed a few windows, cleaned out a few closets, tackled some heaping mounds of junk mail etc., and even made a trip to the library. <br /><br />*** I really enjoyed staying at home with the kids. Our days were sometimes long and it is definitely a lot different than a scheduled work day, but I kinda hated going back to work.<br /><br />**** I've wanted to redecorate the kids' bathroom for several months now. Last week, I came across a picture which was the perfect inspiration for the pond-theme I've been wanting to decorate with. I finally conned, I mean, convinced Eric to repaint the walls and with the help of my artistically inclined SIL- Kate and my mom, they will be able to add the final touches on making the bathroom wall details complete. <br /><br />***** The timing of our project had everything to do with the fact that my parents, in-laws and bro, SIL and nephew are joining us for Easter weekend on Saturday. I thought it would be great to have their art displayed on our walls and fun at the same time to see the whole project completed. Lucky for me, my mom and (SIL) Kate are totally on board with creating works of art relating to amphibians and insects. WOOT! (Now, if I can just think of a way to lure them back when I'm ready to re-do Lincoln's bedroom....)<br /><br />*I've mentioned previously that Eric's work has taken him out of town a lot lately and I'm very happy to say that his overnight trips are finally calming down after this week. He'll still have trips away from home, but they won't be nearly as frequent starting soon.<br /><br />** I have severe mom-guilt. I'm pretty sure that no one is on the edge of their seat awaiting Lincoln's list of "25 Random Things," but every single day, I am fully and conscientiously aware that I have not done one yet. Soon. Very soon. My mind is reeling with fun Lincoln tidbits that I can't wait to share.<br /><br />So, um, I think I might be done. Quite possibly that's all that I have left as I've been shaking out my head and trying to play catch up here. Easter weekend is soon approaching and our families will be joining us this holiday at our house. While I'm very much excited, I've been trying to combat clutter and stay on top of the never ending laundry piles so that when the weekend rolls around and we have a house full of people, I can rest easy and just enjoy all that the weekend brings. And as for my picture drought, I can assure you that will be taken care of by Monday.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-33369494189227302182009-03-30T21:46:00.001-04:002009-03-30T21:51:06.431-04:00Well, now what?At dinner this evening, I warned Elaina that if she got up from her seat one more time <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">before</span> she was finished, she was going to sit in time out.<br /><br />To this she replied, "Okay. Momma, I like time out. I'll go now."<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Me:</span> (crap. crap. crap.) "Sit down young Lady. You need to finish two more bites before you leave this table. Tell me why you would like time out."<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Elaina:</span> "I like time out because it's comfortable and quiet to myself. Mommy, can I go now?"<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Me:</span> (crap. crap. crap.) "TWO BITES!"Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23633068.post-27889331213333040972009-03-29T22:04:00.010-04:002009-03-29T23:52:37.698-04:00Custom Made Kids: OursFor as long as I can remember, I've never wanted any more out of life than to be a wife and a mother. The kind just like my own mom.<br /><br />And as long as I can remember, I've always wanted 2 kids; my daughter first followed with my son, 2 years apart. And in the most round about way and in a way that I would have never in a million years would have imagined, I got exactly what I wanted. Without flaw, without mistake, but pure perfection wrapped in sweet Elaina and Lincoln packages.<br /><br /><br />One of Ava's nurses from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NICU</span> once told me that if it weren't for Ava's passing, Elaina would have never been a part of our family. On the same token, we would have never gotten Lincoln if we weren't already prepared for adoption.<br /><br /><br />It's these reminders that I hold dear when I look at our family dynamics and how our children came to be ours. It's for these reasons that I started blogging in the first place. It's been plenty healing while at the same time, pure and honest. Having adopted both of our children makes our bond of love even a little bit more <em>unique</em> than that of having biological children. Even though this isn't the way that I dreamed our family would be created, this is the family that I've always wanted. From the moment we held our newborns in the hospital rooms, we gazed upon the faces of little strangers. Little people who would change our lives and capture our hearts. With minimal family history at best and hardly a description of their biological fathers, their stories would be unfolding in our homes as they shared our last name. All the while knowing that their lives and their futures were changed from that very moment.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdArRMDoP8I/AAAAAAAAC6I/R9XCBxJnZ2U/s1600-h/Picture+03196.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318798734218772418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdArRMDoP8I/AAAAAAAAC6I/R9XCBxJnZ2U/s320/Picture+03196.jpg" border="0" /></a> With promises of love, happiness, family, faith and abundant spoiling, our bond was cemented. While I'm not naive enough to believe that raising our kids through the hormonal teenage years won't always be sunshine and rainbows, our kids will always have that extra "circumstance" of being adopted to cause a potential riff in our Fairy Castle Dreamland. I'm using our time right now to capture these pure and celebrated moments to remind our kids that there wasn't a day in their lives that they weren't loved. That there's not a single thing in this world to suggest that they weren't meant for us and us for them.<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdAqf7wdNvI/AAAAAAAAC54/CAnt1sZEdwM/s1600-h/Picture+3184.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318797888029800178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdAqf7wdNvI/AAAAAAAAC54/CAnt1sZEdwM/s320/Picture+3184.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of very reasons that I began blogging all those years ago was to have a keepsake to come back to. A time capsule of pure and honest tales of our kids growing up and the happiness they have brought to everyone around them in the process. Memoirs so clear that I can just about hear their throaty, little giggles in the hallway while each of them thinks that the other looks the silliest. While they chase each other from one room to the next until finally realizing that they both want to crash atop mom and dad's bed with the silky comforter to squirm around on.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdApcXHmrZI/AAAAAAAAC5w/kkquL1NtJW8/s1600-h/Picture+03186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318796727143542162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdApcXHmrZI/AAAAAAAAC5w/kkquL1NtJW8/s320/Picture+03186.jpg" border="0" /></a> To remember the tender moments of the eldest convincing her mother that she wants to lay with "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lil'Lincoln</span> in his crib so that he doesn't get lonely." And then laughing and playing with each other for nearly an hour before either lets the other rest.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdApKcmMoiI/AAAAAAAAC5o/CgiTEeMk-Wc/s1600-h/Picture+03167.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318796419376390690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27WeTTqklpU/SdApKcmMoiI/AAAAAAAAC5o/CgiTEeMk-Wc/s320/Picture+03167.jpg" border="0" /></a> And at the end of our crazy, long days, finding a mom that is most happy and satisfied with both of the little strangers who have made her life even better than she could have ever dreamed.</div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01383085140924042138noreply@blogger.com2