Meet our newest family member...

Meet our newest family member; Midnight.  Our eight week old fur baby is a Great Dane and bull mastiff mix, a ‘daniff’. Our sweet Aaron might need a hand (or a paw) with mobility at some point, so we are hoping to teach Midnight to assist. She has a wonderful personality; she is playful, loving, and eager to please. Although she is a little playful right now, I’m confident she will calm down a bit as she matures.

I’m thrilled that my oldest daughter Grace is doing so well in school! We had been homeschooling but for many reasons decided to return to traditional schooling. She is really doing awesome, at times helping her peers with their work as well. Way to go, kiddo!

The kids all had promotions in taekwondo a few weeks ago. It’s amazing how quickly they learn! Rob and I tried class for a few days and wow, we were challenged!  Rob is going to stick with it for sure, but I’m not too sure I will. I would really like to try, but I’m not sure I can keep up, lol.

We are all heading to the pumpkin patch this weekend for a family trip to do some pumpkin pickin’ and hay ridin’ and scarecrow makin’! I can’t wait to share!

Whats for dinner?

So I need some dinner ideas for our house. We're in that rut of the same-old stuff ALL.THE.TIME. I've been trying some new recipes and trying but not doing so well  with making some meals healthier. We had veggie pasta, with home made pasta sauce the other night....gotta start somewhere right? So the kielbasa and the desert wasn't the best for us, but it sure was yummy...

So, today I need to find something yummy....and ummm, healthy too!

Changed..

It seems like just yesterday. The sounds, smells, and chaos are as real today as they were that day. Ten years almost… time really should make things like this easier to handle, or at least buffer the raw emotion. I’m not the same person I was then. My perspective has changed on life. Simple things like the sound of a neighbors annoying squeaky dog barking for hours on end, the smell of cut grass, and the business of a grocery store provide a haven of normalcy.

So much for the college education;  the nights of classes; the homework, and the long hours of study. Who would have thought one of the most significant lessons in life would play out right in front of me. Many of us lost friends, coworkers, family, brothers, sisters, parents, and children. I think of the loss of a dear friend…his life ripped so senselessly from his young son and sweet wife. The day of his funeral was almost too much to bear. Standing in Arlington overlooking our broken and charred Pentagon was like a sucker punch right in the face. And the smell…it was awful, I cant begin to describe it.

In the years that have followed, our wounded Pentagon has been repaired and our hearts have had time to learn to cope. I cant say ‘heal’…I don’t think its possible to heal from the loss of a loved one. Heal if you break an arm, yes. The loss of life is something you just cannot ‘heal’ from, but eventually learn to cope. 

I thought that volunteering as an EMT would keep me occupied after my mundane day at work. I didn’t realize that along with the events of 9/11 would change everything I would do from that point on…

Chaos of love, life, and many kids...

Some people often ask what a typical day is like with a family of six little ones. Well, its busy. I cant remember the last time it was quiet for more than 30 seconds, something wasn't broken, or a time I could use the restroom without a minimum of ten little fingers trying to reach me from under the door. Nap time..well, lets say that the children will be able to sleep anywhere when they grow up, noise wont bother their slumber! Laundry? Well, thank God for modern amenities like a washer and dryer. Most of the time we have at least four loads a day. Frankly, I didn't realize there were that many socks, undies, jeans, shorts, or jammies on the face of the earth. Lets not forget the occasional rouge Lego or crayon that slips into a pocket...aah, the technicolor dryer cycle.... And then there's diapers. Yes, I mean the cloth kind... the savings is worth it. I love the convenience of disposables, and love a great deal, but cloth for us equals savings to do other things like buy food.   Speaking of food, lets talk breakfast. This morning we had french toast, scrambled eggs and corned beef hash. Translation... two dozen eggs, one loaf of bread, a half gallon of milk,  four cans of corned beef, and two 46oz containers of orange juice. Good thing I like to cook, lol. We don't go out a lot, but we sure do have fun! Last night was game night... Risk with the kiddos. That was a blast! Jake made up his own rules as we went along, but that's ok!

Everyday is filled with chaos. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world. I cant imagine a day without our basketball team and a substitute...and being an assistant coach to the best husband I could have asked for is just a bonus.

Yummmmmmm

Ok, so I'll admit I have an ice cream addiction...but this weeks sale was too much to pass up! Hey, a nursing mama needs those calories ;)  Im grabbing at straws I know, but anything for some Ben & Jerrys, lol.

We made home made waffles this morning and took daddy breaskfast.I found a simple recipe that was fantastic! Flour, sugar, baking soda, bakin powder, vanilla, eggs and milk. Simple, but yummy.  Sarah wasnt thrilled when I told her daddy had to go back to work. She looked at me with her nose scrunched up and said, "no!" She loves her daddy for sure. And is an exact xerox of him, personality inluded

Tomorrow we try making some granola... that'll be fun :) 

Another lovely day...

My girls and I baked a load of cookies and 4 loaves of fresh wheat bread today...the house smells like a stinkin bakery!! Tomorrows project will be making making breakfast for daddy, and coming up with a home made recipe for granola and pancakes.


The girls are planning the new room and telling mom and dad what they want to see for their rooms. For Aaron, I'm thinking somthing nautical, beachy, tiki-ish

Zoo time was a blast with the kiddos. They climbed and played like there was no end in sight. Im hopefull that we can get the kids on the ice this winter!

Welcome to the world...

Our little girl Charlotte was born this week, we are so happy she is here safe and sound. Its amazing the things Ive taken for granted as a mom...after having Aaron my perspectives have changed quite a bit on being a mom. I wanted so badly to feed Aaron...and having the tubie (while necessary) was emotionally hard to grasp. I don't think he really cared, he was just happy his tummy was full...but how I wanted to hold my baby close and share that special time. At times when his health made it so that we weren't able to hold him, it was rough. My husband and I wanted nothing more than to hold him and comfort him...but we couldn't. Thankfully he is ok now, we cuddle away and let him munch on anything he will try.

Last night was our first night with Char..she is a night time gal! I'm not even going to complain...I'm so thankful that I was able to hold my nursing baby tight at 2am and talk about the flowers outside and how daddy's snoring was driving me nuts and how we were going to spend the day. After her nursing on and off throughout the night I was a little more sleepy than I thought, I dozed off with her in my arms. My husband had apparently woken up during that time, but instead of rolling over and going back to sleep he stayed awake to watch her and make sure she was safe, without disturbing her or I in the process.... I opened my eyes this morning to one of the most amazing things ever, watching a daddy's love for his daughter. I know my husband, I know how he like his sleep. BUT he would rather soak in his baby girl than rest himself. He got up early and took care of the rest of the kiddos and let me rest (thank you hun!) I know he is a great man, but sometimes I forget just how awesome he really is. This is what a family should be like. This is it. The only thing I will ever ever need in life...my family.