Leah is 5!

I gave in and allowed my baby to turn 5 at 2:01 pm! My heart hurt, but hearing her say "I just can't stop smiling!!" is a soothing balm! Grandpa and Grandma are here for all of the fun and our little community had a downtown merchant trick or treat hour. It was 62 degrees and fun to go trick or treating with G'ma and G'pa. (I'm just hoping we don't pay on the real night with a blizzard). Here are our Clone trooper and Sapphire Princess (with Hannah Montana hair).



Back to the big day! We had a party tonight with G'pa and G'ma, Aunt C and local cousins. Miss T next door came over for Hannah Montana cupcakes and presents. Barbies, sparkly nail and lip kits, pink clothes, bracelets and Hannah Montana jammies and a wig brought huge smiles. Some extra nice cards came with gift cards and now Leah has an identical pucci pups -just like Miss T.(thanks Kate and Anna!). Mom and Dad of course gave Leah the American Girl doll, "Marissa". Aunt J sent some new homemade clothes (Mom is still working on some more), and Luke gave Marissa a stand and some red ballerina shoes. What a day!



Leah's eyes closed the minute her head hit the pillow.

Leah, I am so happy that I am your Momma. You are growing up so fast and I am conflicted with wishing you slowed down and stayed my baby, yet at the same time SO PROUD of what you can do and how excited you are to learn and be helpful. You bring such sparkle to our life. I love how you pretend to be shy....but really are not! I love how you can listen and be so thoughtful. I love how you remember to pray for people when you see an ambulance, and show such compassion in your beautiful eyes when someone is sad. I love your gleam when you are teasing and your dimple when joyful. I love how you are so excited for days to stay at home with me. I love your giggles that rock from your toes and how you can dance to any music (Even if I am so jealous that my spine and hips NEVER moved the same as you).I love how you say "I'm 'berry'.....(happy, hungry, tired etc..) I love our hair sessions, with you in the green chair and watching a princess movie...and how when I'm done you always say thank you! I LOVE YOU ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOU ARE FIVE!!!! Thank you GOD FOR LEAH!

The correct way to weigh oneself!

AND TO THINK I'VE BEEN DOING IT WRONG ALL OF THESE YEARS!!!

Crying for.....

Leah woke me up at 3:15 AM, crying. Scared? NOPE. Sick? NOPE. Missing me? NOPE NOPE NOPE. "I miss Angie my babysitter!!!!!!" Angie has watched the kids a total of 3 times since we moved here. We are so grateful for babysitting, after 3 years at the sem when time and finances did not make date nights easy. We are able to take more time now -- but we don't. I'm not really sure why. But, as I think about it....I feel guilty pursing more date nights... unless it's Grandma and Grandpa. I just feel like the babysitter would be watching the clock...wishing I'd get home already. I don't know why this is the case. When I babysit....I never thought this. We pay good. I know date night is good for marriage and enjoy time with my husband. I guess I also worry the kids are 'missing out' on fun or taking something away from them. Guess I can't worry about that anymore, especially when Angie is around. Angie does seem to enjoy them and readily agrees to babysit everytime I ask. Yesterday, Leah asked me to make sure I took a long date!!! Time to schedule more time with my husband!! We had the best time eating at Olive Garden, browsing a Christian book store, shopping for warm sweaters and finishing a Star.bucks. Next time, we'll go to a movie. Wild nights, I know.

The New Book of Etiquette

There must be a new book of Etiquette....quite an advancement from Emily Post's.


If your 4th grade friend finds your missing wii game. (left after a play date). Be sure to thank him appropriately. A simple 'Thank you' will not do. A thank you card isn't necessary. Ask your Grandma for a Tupperware container. Punch in some air holes and catch a huge bulging-eyed grasshopper to express you gratitude. Then everyone is happy...... (just keep it out of your mother's sight).

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Meet Jan!!!

Meet our new best friend. "Jan" as in Janome the sewing machine. Aunt Karen and Uncle Bob gave her to Leah and myself as an early XMAS present as mine was lost in the moving 3 years ago. "Jan" has more tricks and gadgets than one could ever imagine. We are having a blast with her. Tonight we set her up and just from an old shirt -- made Marissa a new tank top. Don't look to close at the seams. Tonight was just for fun and practice. Leah thinks the glitter and glam is missing....but is so excited to learn. It's the best!!!!

Gotcha Leah.....and I'm never letting go!

4 years ago I gotcha.....The Judge said yes and I'll never let you go. Every October 5th we celebrate just the 4 of us as a forever family. Luke's day is February 21 and Leah is October 5. 2 of the most precious days to 2 very grateful parents. If God did not see fit to bless us with you as our daughter we'd never have these memories of sugar and spice and extra twirl to skirts. Thank you God for Leah and for Gotcha Day!!!!!!!

Grandmas for the weekend

We are at Grandmas!!! Only 3.5 hours from home. We can drive down on Friday nights and home on Sunday afternoons!!! We love living in our new home. Today we are seeing my nephews and going to a birthday party. Tomorrow we are seeing Baby H's baptism. (and meeting Schmoo and Boo.) What JOY!!!!

Off for some family fun............