Things I've Done

I found this list while reading one of my favorite blogs. You can help but think, I wonder how many of those I've done? A lot more than you would think, probably! It was a fun trip down memory lane. I remembered some things I had definitely forgotten... you know what I mean. So how many have you done? How many do you want to do. It really made me think about places I still want to go and how much my kids still have to experience in their lives.........


Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train
Had a pillow fight
Hitchhiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Been to a Broadway show in NY
Ran a Marathon
Been in three states at once
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a Cruise
Seen Niagra Falls in Person
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in theater
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout cookies
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared my own meat
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee

A Happy Hospital Trip

Our dear friends Dr. D and Nurse Em were so gracious to use one of their days off to take our co-op kids on a field trip to the hospital and doctor's office. The kids were really excited. many of them have a very strong fascination/obsession with all things medical. i wouldn't be at all surprised if we have a few future doctors and nurses on our hands.
At the hospital we started in the radiology department where the kids learned how the xray machine works and then got a chance to check out some real xrays and play 'name that body part'.....
...the it was off to the CT scanner. Wow, like a spaceship.....
Then we headed up to the maternity floor. Sadly all the babies were with their mommies, but they still got to check out the nursery.
Afetr a quick stop to look at the helicopter landing pad, we went into a real patient room.
Then Dr. D took us all back to his office where they got to pretend to doctor their dolls and stuffed animals. Here's Carter ready to go....
It's a big job being an elephant ENT.......
They also got to use the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, syringes, reflex hammer, ear wax cleaner, and bandages. It was a great day. They were all so fascinated and jumped right in. We are so thankful for Dr. D and Nurse Em taking the time to do this for us! We love you guys!

And not only are they kind and gracious, they also have the cutest and sweetest little boys....

Jack......

and Luke.......

Snow Day! ......sort of.....

They predicted snow and it actually came (Jan 20), the rain when we went to bed made us all extremely doubtful. The kids were really excited to get out and play in it. Sadly, there wasn't much. And carter pointed out, "Mom, this is the wrong kind of snow." I agree. It was more like fake movie snow, totally dry and unpackable. It did work for snow angels, though- one of the kids' favorite things about winter. The snow in PA had several inches of ice on top so this wasn't possible....Here's Carter's angel......
Julia still loves the swing, snow or no snow. She's just happy to be back in the backyard.
It was good for eating. They both had a bowl of it with their lunch!
...and bike riding- cool tracks!How is it that going outside for 30 min can require so much gear, yikes!!
Sometimes it's more fun to play with the fake stuff anyway.....

Julia
Claire
Will

Mommy Mules

Motherhood can be a lonely place sometimes, especially with young children, and especially as a stay-at-home mom. I feel like I have a good perspective ninety percent of the time and I'm blessed to have an amazing support network of sisters-in-Christ walking this same road.

But there are still those moments......

Wednesday mornings is Bible study and everyone in our house knows the drill. They are old enough that it should be pretty simple- dressed, fed, hair and teeth brushed, shoes and coat, and out the door. That's when it all goes wrong. Does anyone else have a time warp between their kitchen and driveway?! We were completely ready at 8:50, how did we not pull out of the driveway until 9:17?! It's insane!! When they were babies it was dirty diapers on the way out the door, extra long feeding sessions, change of clothes. Now it's phone calls, potty trips, lost items, extra helpings at breakfast (only on days we have to go of course), left behind bags, car seat adjustments, and random discussions/debates (Do we really have to do this right now?!). It boggles my mind sometimes just where that time goes. Thankfully my Bible study girls are there to say, we're glad you're here and we get it, now let's get down to business- thank you ladies.

We had a great morning and lunch afterwards at 'Chicken-Lay'. Let me just say we are a sight to behold- 5 moms and 10 kids huddled around two tables. We apologize to everyone around us, though today was mostly peaceful and the seniors around us seemed to appreciate our 'youthful energy' :)

As 1:00pm came and went we started spiraling out of control- pretty predictable. Like a well-oiled machine we all launched into our assorted trips to the potty, diaper changes, table and floor cleanups, last bites, sock and shoe hunts and we were ready to go. As I gazed through the glass into the play area, Julia had that look- when you know they're 'going'. We're still dabbling in potty-training and don't do it much away from home, especially wearing lots of layers. Today I took Carter to the bathroom carrying Mia (Shana's baby) and Julia wanted to come, too. While we're in there she announces she has to go to. You know how it goes- you can't say no. Now what do you do with the baby? Thanks to the nice mom in the bathroom who offered to hold her :) Julia did go-yay! and the diaper was now dirty, so I trashed it and just left her bare in jeans..... you see where I'm going with this. So now she's in the play area, going again.... in the jeans, yuck. So needless to say we had a mess to clean up when we got to the car.

So now we pull into the driveway, back home. Do all you mom's have this moment, too? You take a breath look around and don't even want to get out. Did we just cross the country? Every person at church needs their own bag, plus my bag with books, my purse, our snacks/drinks, the mail, our winter coats, my morning coffee mug, a mound of dirty smelly clothes, library books, the shoes Julia took off in the car, and the two bags from the store. I feel like a pack mule. I don't know what I would do if I could just turn off the car, grab my bag, and walk inside. And I had one of those mommy moments when I wondered if anyone else felt this way.

Well it turns out just a short distance away someone else was having the same thought and wrote this poem.......

One day my socks will match,

I won't be dragging through the door;
Carrying 15,000 things,
With someone handing me more.
Coats, bags, sippy cups, snacks and lunch;
Did I remember to bring their shoes?
I know they say these days go fast,
Don't want to wish away the coos,

...I just wonder how many brain cells I will lose.

by Lara

They say your true friends are those who know the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you forget the words and I embrace that sentiment wholeheartedly......

But sometimes your friends are the ones who hear the pandemonium in your heart and can sing along with every word :) (Thanks girl, I needed that!)

My Darling Nephew

"Go Ahead. Make my day."

If that face doesn't mean business, I don't know what does. Anderson is getting so big, 16 months now and walking/driving/riding everywhere.

Carter's 5th Birthday

I don't know when or how it happened that my sweet little boy is now a five year old. I just checked on him in bed and he looks so sweet and innocent, but so big too! (I love the way he tucks in his tools, too.) I remember exactly where I was five years ago at this time.... 11pm...... sitting on the hospital bed staring at this perfect little baby dressed in his blue gown laying peacefully in front of us. All Billy and I could do was stare at him- he's ours and he's here, healthy and safe- unbelievable! I spent those first hours, days, and weeks holding him on my chest as much as possible- savoring every minute of his newness. I know firsthand how fast the time goes and that you will never again have the time like you do with your firstborn. My life was put on pause and I just enjoyed being Carter's mom. We would lay in bed everyday until noon. He slept the heaviest from 5am to noon so I did, too. I watched him sleep and memorized his sweet face. I took hundreds of pictures. Some days I watched him grow and change right before my eyes wanting to stop time, even just for a moment. But alas, we can't. It has been a true joy watching the little boy he has become. He has a heart of gold, a curious mind, a memory for everything, a close attention to detail, a passion for sports of all kinds, a budding faith, and a laugh that melts my heart. I love you little man and I'm grateful God chose me to be your mother.

It really was a great day. Carter was born on his Mimi's birthday, so they love when they can celebrate together. We had fun playing today, painting cookies, playing games, playing racquetball, and a yummy dinner at Luna's- divine!!

Here are some of the soundbites from the day that warmed my heart and made me smile. (and some pictures, too.)

Julia: "Today is my Carter's birthday!"

Carter: "Don't you want to sit and cuddle your sweet boy?" (and kiss the top of his head)

Carter: "Today Mimi and I get to pick all our favorite things to do."

Mimi: "If you're five, can I be six?" Carter: "No, you have to be more than six Mimi."

Carter: "I love you Mimi."

Carter: "I'm Mommy's sweet boy."

Carter: "I can do it. I'm five now."

Carter: "Mom, I just don't feel five. How do I know I'm really five?"


The weekend was topped off with a thrilling Eagles win!!!!

New Year 2009!

When you have kids new years eve takes on a new tone. We had a good time teaching the kids to play casino yahtzee. After one night they were hooked because we played a lot that week.
For over a hundred years, the US Marine Band has 'surprised' the commandant with a morning serenade. The event has become a treasured event where the band members and their families are invited to spend time at the house. Mimi and Grandpa were all decked out and ready to go.
We had the unique opportunity to watch the festivities from the parade field. Carter's eyes were like saucers when the band marched in. He loves to march like a Marine.
Looking up at the flag flying over the barracks I had to pause and thank God- for our country, for our freedoms, for all our dear servicemembers who protect and defend us and their families, for our friends, my family, our health, our home, our faith. I have to say, it is well with my soul.
Gen Conway and his wife, Annette, were gracious hosts, especially considering she broke her hip and had surgery the week before- poor thing. The band did a tremendous job and it was a treat to hear them account their year's events and receive a blessing and commendation from Gen Conway.
Then it was back to the house to make cookies and play playdoh :) Simple pleasures.