Proud Sister

I've been meaning to blog about this--a few weeks ago I found out that my little bro just got accepted into PA school (physician assistant). I had this strong feeling flow through my body and I was overcome w/ joy for him and his cute wife. I am so proud of my little bro. This is such a wonderful thing! I feel I got just a taste of what our own parents must feel like when we succeed at something that we have been working so hard for. I've had a few moments of these w/ my little boys too. These are sweet moments and I look forward to many more.
You betcha--I am one proud big sis! Go Stevie!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all you wonderful family and friends out there--Happy Thanksgiving! Know you are all loved. Wish we could be with all of you today. Enjoy the day and eat lots of turkey and pie! I'm thankful for all I have, which is SO much.

J is out playing football this morning, I am crossing my fingers that he doesn't break any bones this year....

Birthday Pics

The birthday boy got lots of phone calls from all of his sweet family !He was so excited to open his presents! Thanks to everyone for the fun gifts.

We celebrated all week--we went to the zoo and Daniel's Farm.Here is my favorite pic of the boys. I just want to eat them up--they look so dang cute!

Jonas LOVED playing with the corn. The boys had fun covering me up--much better than sand.
J & I at Daniel's Farm.

My boys.

The GIANT tire swing!

The boys hamming it up for the camera.

I love this pic--I have some handsome guys don't I?!

Little J and Big J riding the tractor.
Their favorite part of the zoo--the TRAIN! Thanks to our adoptive grandparents for the fun ride!

Litte J, we had a blast celebrating YOU! Can't wait 'till next year!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

It's official--little J is now 2 years old! I can't even believe it! He is one amazing little one. He is quite the talker--his fav. phrase is I ____too Momma. K will say, "I love cars." J will then say, "I love cars too Momma." I am so impressed by his ability to pick up the English language--the words, patterns, pronouns etc.
The birthday boy has been singing the Happy Birthday song all day! It's been a week of celebrations (pics to come). Our family loves celebrating week long birthdays (me especially)!

Little J has a talent of melting all my stresses away. Both Big J and I are drawn to him when we do feel the pressures of the world. A big hug from him is therapeutic. This is a gift he gives us.

He adores his big bro. He follows him and wants to do/say exactly what K says. The other day they were Batman w/ their blankets (babies as little J calls them). Things he has learned from big bro--new happy phrase "Awesome Momma!" new mad phrase "Get out of here!" (Really should a just 2 year old be able to say that?!) He has also learned to climb WAY too many things, ride his tricycle way too fast down the driveway, and how to play hide and go seek.
Here's to your little one--you enrich our lives daily and bring us so much sunshine!

Summer Memories

Here are some highlights from the summer (thanks Jen for the idea!) The boys had so much fun doing the summer reading program (and so did their nerdy teacher/mom!) They got to go to the Rascals Game!
Here they are checking out the game! They didn't watch much. K was running around and J was obsessed with this lady who sat in front of us--she had a rose tattoo on her ankle. J kept running up to her and touching her tattoo--I'm serious, he did it like 10 times! Good thing the lady was so sweet about it!

My boys at Michaels--I KNOW how much you love that store Melynie! We do too. The boys doing what they like to do--play fighting!

4th of July proudly waving their flags.

The action shot.

Our kids LOVE petting zoos!

Our neighborhood had a parade for the kiddos. The boys were so excited to decorate their stroller and scooter.
We picked rasberries earlier in the summer. K was a great little helper. Little J not so much(: Sad to say that our rasberry jam is almost gone...until next year.

We spent many hours in our backyard--the two favorite activities--swinging and playing in the sandbox. It's amazing to me that my boys can play w/ sand for hours(if only they wouldn't chuck it in eachother's hair).

Swinging w/ Dadda. I adore this pic!

K's Bday!

K is now 4! He requested a Cardinal's cake, so I made him baseball cupcakes and sugar cookie baseball mitts.Think 2 active boys PLUS cookies, cupcakes, frosting and icecream=one crazy house!

We surprised him with what he had been asking/begging for--a rocket bike! J and I wrapped it all up with streamers and balloons and put it on the front porch. J set up the video camera,then rang the doorbell and hid behind the bushes. K got to answer it. He was so excited to see a surprise bday present! I was just as excited when he opened it up and said with 4 year-old-enthusiam "Yeah, a rocket bike!"

Little guy had a tough time w/ K's bday--he just didn't seem to understand why K was getting all these presents. While K was riding his bike for the first time, little J was throwing a MAJOR tantrum--crying, screaming, knocking down the garbage can...it'll be good footage to show him when he's older!! (;

K, we love you dearly!! You bring so much to our family--you have a talent of being so likeable, you are ALWAYS running and active, you have an amazing creative side with your paintings and bedtime stories. You have a zest for life that is contagious!! Happy 4th Bday!

The Split Second of Perfection

Calling all moms--do you remember premomhood (is that a word?!) where you pictured what life will be like as a mom--calm, peaceful, perfect? Then, you became a mom....not exactly calm, peaceful and perfect. When I do have those perfect moments I embrace them and write them down so I remember them in the crazy, not-so-perfect moments of mommyhood.
Here's one of 'em:
Last week I was with my boys in the kitchen. They both were coloring--working on their amazing art projects and I was sweeping the kitchen. Unprompted K started humming "Love at Home." I joined in. Then, my 21 month old semi-music genius started humming it too. Yes, here I am, the mother humming and sweeping in the kitchen w/ my two angels who were humming and creating works of art. Don't forget we were humming "LOVE AT HOME."

I actually started to laugh at how perfect it was--it lasted 2 min. tops--but it was still perfect.
One of the many reasons why I became a mother. Dreams do come true (I won't go into details about the screaming and unsharing of crayons that happened after...)