Andrew Jeremiah is 1!

(Andy had to work all weekend so we celebrated a little on the day but today was the party.) Well, my baby is one year old - thank God I am not pregnant at this one year birthday! We had a party today and had a few friends over. It was so much fun. I was thinking this evening about how unique one year birthdays are because SO much change happens in the year to come.
The big tent thing was AJ's gift from us. We had it set up last night and got the kids dressed and showed it to them first thing this morning. After we played for a while and Abigail was asking to eat we came in. I was making breakfast and heard AJ crying "mammaaa, mammaaa", I looked at the slider screen and saw that he had got it a couple inches open and was wanting back out. As soon as I opened it he ran (1 year old style) to the tent/tunnel! So cute!

The Newest Fall Style!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY AJ!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry it's a day late little man. We thought of you though yesterday and hoped you had a fun day, got fun toys and got to eat cake and ice cream!

Hugs and Kisses!

Maybe this will be a positive temptation :)

Temptation

Every time I log on, the blizzard picture makes me think I need ice cream! :)

It's National Pancake Day!!!!!

That's right there is a "Day" for almost everything and today its Pancakes Day. We made bannana pancakes for breakfast yum yum! So get out those griddles and celebrate. :)

Thoughtful Husband

I just have to say my husband is the best. Last night right before I jumped in the shower I mentioned that a Blizzard sounded delicious.....a few minutes after I'm out of the shower my husband walks in with a Snickers Blizzard and it was so good! Thanks Baby!

September 24

Today is Juan Camilo's birth-mom's birthday. I will be thinking of her all day and praying that she has a happy day and a wonderful year. I am so grateful to her for her adoption plan that gave a little boy a better chance at life than she could give him at her young age. I wish I could give her a big hug today.

Since Mommy's Been Home

A few days after I got home from Las Vegas we finally got a play structure for the back yard! We have been checking Craigs List ever since we moved here and finally the right structure in our price range! Yeah! The kids love it!
Last night AJ took a nose dive off one of the little chairs out side and it resulted in the bloodiest accident we've had yet. In the picture it's hard to tell that he's scabbed up around his nose and down to his upper lip. His poor lip is cut both from the concrete and his teeth and is pretty fat. Poor guy, I just keep thinking it will make him tough but it's still hard on this mommy's heart!

Happy Fall!

Fall has officially begun! I think this is my favorite season.......

A Conversation with Noah Yesterday in the Van

Noah: When I grow up, I'm going to be a famous hip-hopper.
Me: Cool. Make sure your generous with all that money.
N: OH, yeah. I'm going to buy a house and give it to homeless people.
M: That's great! You could also adopt kids.
N: I will. I want to have 8 kids.
M: Whoa! That's wonderful.
N: Yeah. I want it to be a ruckus all the time.
- Pause
N: and I'm going to live in the jungle.
M: Why?
N: So I don't have any debt.
- A few minutes of me explaining debt and that one doesn't have to get into debt.
N: I guess I mean so that I don't have bills.
M: Well, you'll probably still have a few bills, but
if you're a famous hip-hopper you should be able to pay them. Bills are just part of being a grown up.
- Pause.
N: You know, I think I'll be a famous hip-hopper when I'm nine so I can just spend my money on toys.

First Day of Parent Tot

Elyse loved the "jewels" in the gravel

Picking apples

Kaelyn had to try every apple she picked :)

I can already tell that the girls and I are all going to love this class. When we arrived there were little bread dough mounds at the child sized table and chairs for the kids to "make bread" with, then load into the oven. Next is some free play time with all the beautiful wood toys. We then headed outside since it was a nice day for Circle time which is mainly several songs we sing, then the "blessing", hand washing and snack. Snack is beautifully laid out with real glass, linen napkins, and organic fruit and veggies and our freshly baked bread. We all sat on stumps and had our snack and the Moms do a "Check in" talking about how they are and any parenting issues. After cleanup we picked apples from the apple trees in the yard and then had free play outside. (Next week we use our apples to make homemade applesauce) We closed with the closing circle and song. Very fun! It is a class full mainly of boys and one other little girl who happens to be named Elise!

Reunion & Reintegration

Well the trip has come and gone and I am home again. Home-Sweet-Home! I am convinced that, usually, the amount of time you set for a trip is always just right. I missed Andy and the kids a lot, more than I expected.
Sunday morning when we were packing up to go it became evident that it was time to go home. I am lucky to have had a book to read because as it were, I was the first to arrive in Las Vegas and the last to leave. I read my book as I flew from there to home. I had to wait a few minutes for Andy to get there. When I looked in the van and saw Abigail and Andrew J. I couldn't believe my eyes! It wasn't that they had 'changed' as most people usually say; it was that I was seeing them through different eyes. Abigail looked so mature in the face. AJ was big and looked like his daddy did as a young man. WOW! They were all smiles and so glad to lavish me with kisses, I was very glad to receive them all. :)
We had a nice dinner out and then I was anxious to go home. All was well as we put the kids to bed and the night went well. Andy has gotten a good routine with Abigail, potty at bed time and potty again at our bed time. She stays dry until 6 am! Today my little ones were tired so Abigail was a bit cranky. However we had a great day. I had a hard time engaging. I didn't want to do anything. I am so glad and thankful that Andy doesn't have to go back to work until wednesday; this makes reintegration easier for all of us. Thanks for a good weekend gals, I had a great time!

New Hair!!!

Okay! Here is my new hair cut for those of you who have been waiting to see. It is much shorter than I have ever had before and I LOVE it!!! :)

Our Big Night Out! Hot Mamas!

Thanks for the Limo Tisha!

Hot Mamas!

MEAT!

Serena was our big winner and won $500! and just played a $5! WooHoo!

Playing the Slots

Too tired to play :)

Touring the Strip.......

Pool Side in Vegas!!