10 months old today...

I can't believe Eliza is 10 months old today! As the kids were eating breakfast at the table, and Eliza was in her high chair eating, I was at the computer (it's in the dining room also) and I realized that today she's 10 months old!
She's growing so fast! She's got a lot of personality in that tiny little body of hers! She's easy going, but will let you know when she doesn't like something that's going on! A friend today called her "a little spit fire!" which I think is the perfect definition of her. She wants to be with the big kids, and do what they do, whether they like it or not. Only two more months and she'll be a year old! Only two more months of nursing, and soon here I know she'll be walking! Happy 10 months to my little Eliza Rae!

Remembering where I was on 9/11/01

I was living in Milton, FL. About 3 months pregnant with Jonas. Usually I slept in until 10a.m. (remember those child free days!) For some odd reason though, I got up at 8a.m. Josh was at Officer Candidate School for the Navy. I was sharing an apartment with another friend Lysa, who's hubby was in OCS with Josh. Normally the t.v. wasn't on a local channel, but for some reason it was, and when I turned on the t.v. a little after 8a.m. the image I saw still hasn't left me. I thought it must be a movie, but it wasn't. It was real, it was live. I remember calling my sister Marilyn a little later, Lysa and I were still glued to the t.v. watching everything, and asking her if she was watching the t.v. and then while watching the second plane hit the world trade center. I thought it had to be re-playing the first plane, and was in total shock when I realized it wasn't a re-play it was another plane.
I think I called my sister because she lives in Maryland, near D.C. and I knew the other plane had hit the Pentagon, and didn't remember where Greg (my brother-in-law) worked.
I will never forget that day. Remembering feeling as if I were crazy to bring a life into this crazy, scary world. Wondering why I ever thought Josh joining the Navy was a good idea. I remember before this thinking how safe we were in our country, and taking that for granted. 9/11 has forever changed the way I think. I realize now no one is safe from Evil. We are all vulnerable. Even after that terrible day, good things did come from it. I think it was a day meant for us to look to Heavenly Father, God, or whatever else you may call him, (To me Heavenly Father) and realize why we are here on this earth. After that people seemed to want to be kinder to each other, and help each other. People were turning to their families, and doing things they had not done in a long time like go to church. I think for me it was a day I realized that we can't take for granted what we have in this country, we are truly a blessed people but I see our society becoming more evil, and I think that was our wake up call. Its now 5 years later, and I see things have gone back to the way they were, and I think its sad. Yes we take a day to remember, but then we put it out of our minds it seems. I'm sure the victims families, and those that got out of the World Trade Center don't forget, but others of us that just witnessed through television have. That was a terrible day, and those that died, it truly was sad. I feel for those families, but know that they are in a better place.
I know this has gotten long. I know I will never forget 9/11, and hope that no one else will either.

First Day of School Photos

After three long summer months, (okay, maybe not too long!) the official Pre-school year has begun! Jonas's first day was yesterday, and Maddie's was today. So far, they both seem to like school. We'll see how Jonas likes going every day. I didn't really get to enjoy my time with just Eliza today since I had a planning meeting to attend, as I was asked to help with an Enrichment activity scheduled for November.
Jonas was being a real stinker about getting pictures taken, but I did manage to get one!

a single mom, for a few days....

Yep, Josh is out again for a few days. But Lucky for me, Jonas starts preschool tomorrow (YEAH!) and then Maddie's first day is Friday! (WAHOO!!!). I have to say I might be more excited than they are. My friend Jenn pointed out to me though that you get so excited for school to start you forget you have to deal with the meltdowns that occur after they get home. She's right I know, but I'm really looking forward to getting on a schedule! Bring on the meltdowns!
We went and met with their teachers today, and got to see where they will hang up their coats and where their cubbies are, so much fun! Maddie was a little quiet and acted shy. Hopefully she won't be that way once she goes on Friday. I will post first day of school photos of Jonas tomorrow, and of course I'll get some of Maddie on Friday.

a picture of the rain

For those of you who are high a dry today... here's a picture of what it looks like from out my front door!

10 Things I'm grateful for...

I have been tagged by my friend Marie to write 10 things I'm grateful for. Since I have time, as we're sitting here at home not doing a thing since it's raining like crazy I thought I might as well reply.
1.I'm grateful for fruit snacks as my kids keep asking for a snack!
2. I'm grateful for electricity, as we have ours and my friend Jenn said she doesn't. Therefore we have Tivo! (all those prerecorded Doras and SpongeBob's!) Yeah!
3. I'm grateful for the internet, it keeps me entertained on rainy days.
4. I'm grateful for the rain, they cancelled all activity at Josh's work (obviously they can't fly in the rain like this) so he's home!
5. I'm grateful that I can go and scrapbook upstairs anytime I want.
6. I'm grateful I have food in my fridge so I don't have to go out in the rain to get some.
7. I'm grateful for mountain dew. (need I say more?)
8. I'm grateful for my sweet little 9 month old who loves me, and doesn't throw temper tantrums!
9. I'm grateful for my 4 year old, he will come and cuddle sometimes, the morning is my favorite when he comes and climbs into bed with us and cuddles. It doesn't last long!
10. I'm grateful for our home that keeps us dry!
I think I could go on, as the song goes, "Count your many blessing, name them one by one, Count your many blessings see God has done."
Have a wonderful day! Hope everyone that's getting the rain today will stay dry! I'm off to entertain!

Hurricane season is among us...

And we're actually feeling it. It rained yesterday, it rained today, and it's supposed to rain the next 3 days! So you might ask, what do you do for days when it's raining out and you have 3 children? Besides have those moments where you feel you're going to go crazy, there are also those moments to kick back and watch our favorite cartoons. Sponge Bob! Oh yes Sponge Bob is a favorite of ours. I used to think that Sponge Bob was bad, but really if you ever watch Sponge Bob, he's a very innocent character. Really just watch sometime, and you'll see it's a funny show. (please note I'm not getting paid a thing to endorse the show... it's just funny, so go watch it!)
Anyway, it's pretty cool out today it's only in the high 70's. I am actually wearing a comfy pair of jeans, and realized I missed wearing them. By the time spring comes, I'm so ready to put on a pair of shorts, but now I'm getting ready for jeans again. I got a phone call today to help out with our enrichment super saturday on Nov.11th. She wants to do some craft projects, something you can actually use... anyone out there with some ideas please feel free to shoot me some comments! I think we're going with something you could make for someone for Christmas. And speaking of comments, if you read my blog, and never comment, please comment and tell me who you are so I can know who's writing me! I love comments, I had a friend e-mail me and tell me that he read my blog, but I never knew because he never commented. So please feel free to comment away! By all means go comment crazy! Did I mention Eliza's new thing is standing up on her own in the middle of the room? Here's some proof. She won't move her feet yet, but I know she's thinking about it! Oh and my dentist update, I got a root canal, and have to return for a crown! No fun! I don't think I'm too fond of the dentist either, I'll probably have to change to someone else.

The Dentist.... ugh!

Well after much procrastination on my part, partly because of having a newborn baby and making it me a mom of three kids, I am FINALLy going to the dentist. I'm going to admit it here on-line that I have had a filling that broke off partially right before Eliza was born, the exact week before she came I think. And so I thought I'll get it done after she's born. So, of course we finally signed up for Dental insurance (yes I know we didn't do it before! Josh gets his done through the Navy, it's just his dependants that he had to take of!) and we got it and did I make any calls? You guessed it, no! So fast forward to last week, I'm sitting at the computer reading blogs, eating breakfast and I realize that my tooth feels sharp, and I realize that it's not food stuck in my tooth. I go and look, and sure enough part of my tooth chipped off where the filling was. So I finally called and got a dentist. So I am going in about an hour. I'm not afraid of the dentist, but having kids and moving around so much really had me put my dental work on hold. I really am just not looking forward to the after my appointment where my mouth will have that horrible after the dentist visit taste. You know what I mean right? Well I need to finish my lunch... and enjoy it while I can!

more pictures of our fun week with Meg and Jon...

So much fun...

Yes we've been having a lot of fun these past few days. With our friends Jon and Megan who are visiting us from Indiana. Wednesday we went to Busch Gardens and were there all day. Because we have season passes our kids are used to going there and walking around, not to say that they weren't tired too, but we definately wore out Isaac and Gabe! Then we went to the beach Thursday and yesterday, then last night was a talent show at church that I participated in. Its been busy here! I of course forgot my camera the first day at the beach, but I remembered it yesterday! So here are some pictures from the past few days!
p.s. Happy Be-lated Birthday Gina!

Norfolk Zoo

Here's a few from the zoo today. Jonas and Isaac are having so much fun playing with their light sabers! (must be a little boy thing!) Isaac was cute, he was calling the light sabers his Jedi. Jonas corrected him and told him, No it's a light saber, but I think Isaac prefers to call it his Jedi still! LOL!

Camping Pictures

So... Josh and our two older children went camping for a few days, while Eliza and I just sat around. (YEAH RIGHT! you know me!) Actually I cleaned the entire house (mostly during naps and at night!), and managed to hang out with friends, and scrapbook. Boy it's easier with just one kid! Anyway, I made Josh return for the camera which he'd forgotten, and I'm so glad he did, because he came back with some wonderful pictures that I can't wait to scrapbook! So here are a few, they took a ton! He let the kids take pictures too, which turned out really good actually!

you never know what will happen....

My title is there for a reason. I'm starting a new Stampin Up (www.stampinup.com) hostess club. How it works is I have 10 people, and every month they place an order, (minimum is $15)each month one person is the "hostess" and gets the hostess benefits, and a hostess set. So last week, I only knew I had 5 people interested in the club, and wondered will I be able to find 5 more people that are interested? And sure enough I have, well I have 9, but I have one more person I'm still waiting to hear from, and I'm so excited to start my new group next month! Actually this morning my friend Marie called up to see if I still had a spot open (she made it 9!), so thanks Marie! I'm looking forward to making this a great club since it will be my last one that I'll be doing here. Our future residence is still unclear, but I do know we will be moving, to where I have no idea!
On another church related note, (* anyone who reads this from Norfolk keep this quiet!) I've been in the Primary serving as a first counselor in the presidency for a year and a half, and will be released on Sunday. It was a surprise in a way, but then again it wasn't. I'm looking forward to whatever my next calling at church will be, which I haven't been given one yet. I have a feeling of where I'll go next but I'll keep that to myself for now.
My best friend from High School, Megan and her husband Jon and their two sons Isaac (age 3) and Gabriel (age2) are visiting us from Indiana. So far, they have all gotten along really well. Its been fun having them here, and they'll be here till next week. We're planning a trip up to Busch Gardens tomorrow. We took them to the zoo this morning, and currently all the kids are still sleeping, and its been 2 hours! Its been WONDERFUL! (well Eliza is still awake!)
Last week I got 9 pages scrapbooked, it was wonderful! I doubt I'll scrapbook this week, but I need to toot my horn on this because I felt like I was in such a rut with my scrapbooking, but now I feel like I'm on a roll! I'm going to have to take some pictures and post some of my pages. Well that's all for now folks! I'll post some pictures soon.

just the two of us....

As of yesterday afternoon, it's just me and Eliza. Josh took the older two kids camping in the Shanendoah (sp?) mountains, at the National park. They left yesterday afternoon, so its just been me and Eliza. I have a meeting on Saturday I have to be at, and we didn't think Eliza was quite ready for camping. Its funny how when you have your first child it seems very difficult to manage, and then when you have more you get used to it. Now with just Eliza and I, having one child is a piece of cake!
Its been fun to go shopping, and actually get to look at stuff! We spent some time at Barnes and Noble, and were there for about an hour! (that wouldn't happen with three kids for sure!)
I've noticed as we've been alone, she seems to be more talkative and loud! I think she must miss the noise of her siblings! I don't think she knows how to act when she can actually play with anything she wants to her hearts content and not have someone come by and pick it up! Hopefully she won't get too bored with me.
I do miss Jonas and Maddie, don't misunderstand that, but I'm definately enjoying my time with just Eliza, just the two of us. (you can start singing the song now....)

Before the kids took pictures

I took this picture of the three of them! Sorry about the red eyes!

This is what you get when your kids get the camera!

I tried to post these the other day and it wouldn't let me! I originally pulled out my camera to take a picture of Eliza. I get onto the kids about taking her sippy cups. So I caught Eliza with Jonas's drink, but I never got the picture as Maddie immediately picked her up and she lost interest in the drink! But we ended up having fun taking pictures!

growing a little more each day!

Eliza is 9 months old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! Today I took her to the doctor for her 9 month appointment. She is 16lbs. 6oz. and is 26 inches long. She's gained 3lbs. since her last appointment, and has only grown one inch in her length. She's still small, but still on the growth chart, just on the lower end! lol1 She got one shot, and got her finger pricked (poor thing!) to check her iron levels, and all is well. She's currently taking a nap, and seems to be sleeping well, as its been about 2 hours now! Hooray for naptimes! I'll post some pictures later.

Why??

I've had these thoughts lately, and I thought I'd throw them out there... I really don't need answers..but it's nice to vent!

Why is it that my kids will devour a frozen pizza, yet not eat the wonderful baked chicken breast that soaked in italian dressing all night?
Why is it that the little ants always come to visit me every summer in my kitchen?
Why is it that I can never remember everything I need at the store?
Why do I have 3 bottles of Olive Oil?
Why is it that my kids enjoy taking the toys out, but not putting them away?
Why is bath time not as fun as it used to be?
Why do people feel the need to tell me I have my hands full when I have all three of my kids with me?
Why is it I always get stuck behind the SLOWEST people while trying to get somewhere in a hurry?
Why is it that Wal-Mart always has really long lines when I don't feel like waiting in them, but no lines when it doesn't matter?
Why do people go to Wal-Mart, when everyone tells me that they hate Wal-Mart?
Why is it so easy form me to talk on the phone while fixing dinner, changing diapers, getting sippy cups filled, yet my (wonderful! yet handicapped) husband can't do two things at once on the phone?
Why do 4 year olds seem to think they know everything?
Why do 3 year olds have to be so stubborn?
Why do we eat ketchup with hot dogs, hamburgers, and french fries?

Eliza's new tricks

Eliza is growing so fast! I need to say something about her here otherwise I will forget! Right before we left on our trip her first tooth started poking out! So she has one tooth on the bottom, and it looks like the other bottom one is coming up to join its friend. While on our trip, she learned how to clap her hands. Its so cute to tell her to clap her hands, and then she does it too. What a cutie! Her new favorite thing to do (which is one I really don't like!) is she climbs all the stairs up to our attic, and then sits at the top and cries until I come and get her. This is a new thing she started doing since we returned home. I could put a gate up, but I really want her to be used to the stairs, and master them. If I block her off, then she'll never get good at them. (just how I feel) Luckily they are carpeted!

pictures from the trip

We made it home! And we are now just trying to take it easy! The weather here is extremely hot! It's 100 degrees, but the heat index says it feels like 112! YIKES! So we're just trying to stay cool, which means staying inside. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip!