Christening Gown

Here is one of my favorite photos of all the pictures we took today. This christening gown was worn by my Great Aunt Fran almost 100 years ago. It's a little tattered but for the most part it's in great shape for how old it is. Anyway, it's a beautiful gown and Kate tolerated us taking her picture . . . for the most part.

Bill's Home

Bill brought home a bouquet of flowers for me (lilies are my absolute favorite!) and he brought a train for Isaac. Last night Ike woke up at 3:30 crying for his new train. He went to bed with it and I removed it when he fell asleep. (After all, it is a plastic toy so it's pretty hard.) Anyway, he woke up crying and saying, "I miss Diesel!" Bill went in and scrambled to find Diesel and once it was back in his sight Ike went back to sleep. This boy loves his trains!

All the little children!

My cozy little house was filled to the brink with pitter patter and joyful chatter today! I got to enjoy the company of four children at once:) I just follow them around and watch how much fun they have together. They will include me every once in a while, but mostly just for fixing toys and opening their juice box straws.

Since Bill has been out of town for the past week, the grass has gotten a little out of hand. However, the kids were delighted with the overgrown landscaping and thought they were helping by pulling it out. How sweet are they!

Bill is heading home today and we'll have a nice long weekend together. He was out of town for "defensive tactics" training so he'll know how to defend himself better when he's on patrol. We are thankful that he will be better equipped for work, but we are more than ready to have him home.

I am so blessed to have family in town to keep me company while Bill is gone. My sister came over to give me some "grown up girl time" and she came bearing coffee. We really enjoy sitting around, chatting, and cuddling with the little ones so why not do that together?

Since Ike is three we give him a pretty simple description of what his daddy does: keep the bad guys off the street. So the other day when Aunt Michelle was leaving, Isaac warned her to be careful of the bad guys on the streets! He knows he's not supposed to go in the street so his idea of "bad guys" is anyone who might be in the street. He loves his Aunt and wants to make sure she is safe and therefore needs to warn her.

Well, I now have just three kids here and all of them are sound asleep. I think I'll go read my book!

Vintage Treasures

Yesterday I went over to my Grandmother's house and she had this vintage pin setting out for me. I was more than thrilled as I LOVE pieces with a bit of history. She also set out the latest Country Living magazine where they had a page full of other beautiful pins from the same era. I just love the colors of the pin and can't wait to wear it on a black winter coat! What a great thing to collect and enjoy!

Little Ike

Ike was in his bedroom when I heard a crash, bang, and a boom! I hear Ike in his bravest and most manly voice shout, "I'm okay, Mommy!"

Ike brought me his broken train and I had to tell him that I couldn't fix it. His response was simple, "I need a new one . . . I need a birthday!"

Cinderella

My son is three. He's at the age of such pure innocence and carefree living. So today when he asked politely with his eyes so full of hope, "Dance with me Mommy?" how could I resist? I stopped whatever household activity I was in the middle of and danced with my darling boy. He spinned me around and we swayed back and forth. The joy on his face and the giggles of delight were just priceless. When we finished our dance I thanked him. As I was walking away he shouted, "Princess, come back!"

Today I got to play Cinderella and dance the night away . . . at least until Ike's bedtime. My home is suffering from a bit of neglect, but my heart is filled with love for that chubby cheeked little man!

So This is Love . . .

Little Miss Parramore

Girl's Day

Today we celebrated what would have been my Dad's 53rd birthday. To celebrate, some of my favorite girlfriends met me at Starbucks for a girls day. For those of you who don't know, my Dad had a great love of coffee so in his honor we had lattes! From here on out I will be reminding everyone of our annual "National Starbucks Day!" What a great reason to get together and hang out with my girlfriends! (We missed you Heidi and Celeste)

While we were out at Starbucks, the wonderful husbands hung out at our house and watched all the Little Blessings! Thanks guys!

Thanks Jordi for the flower from your beautiful garden! You are always so thoughtful.

Dressed Up

Dress from Aunt Christina.

Dress from Jeni.

Kailey Story

Cousin Kailey came over this morning. She's a vivacious four year old and always has a lot to say and has a lot of questions to ask. Today was no different.

"Do you know who lives in the White House?" she asks me excitedly.
"Who?" I ask.
"The Prisoner of the United States!"

Two Months Old!

Ike Conquers the Bike!

Isaac learned how to ride his bike on Sunday! He is so proud of himself and has to have Daddy's supervision because he's too busy making sure I am watching him!

Just Another Day in Paradise

Last night I passed Ike's room and peeked in to see if he had fallen asleep. He was indeed sleeping so I tip toed in and kissed his soft cheeks, stood there for a moment admiring my favorite boy, and reflected on how much fun we had throughout the day.

Ike is so sweet and thoughtful. Now that the sun is shining and everything is turning green, he scouts out the newest dandilion blossoms daily and proudly presents them to me. I always thank him excessively for the sweet gesture and we put them in a vase or bowl (depending if he got stems or not). I never knew these yellow flowers would brighten my day so much. From here on out every time I see a dandilion there will be a smile on my face as I reflect on how wonderful my sweet boy is.

Holding Kate is something Isaac really likes to do. However, since I am breastfeeding, Ike has a fear that when Kate leans into him she is going to eat him. He panics a little bit and wants me to hold her instead. If she has her "finky" in her mouth then he's okay;)

Our little Kate is two months old. She's now cooing and often sharing her sweet smile with us. Of course we are like every other parent in this department -- proud and delighted. She is just a bundle of joy and comfort. There is nothing like the innocence of a child and holding a baby close brings the most peace a human heart could ever know. We are just bursting at the seams with love for our dear little ones!

Dress from Pop Pop Parramore

On the Menu Tonight

Here is what we are having for dinner tonight. My hubby is from Maryland so anything made with crab he is sure to enjoy! Also I am a big casserole fan so anything I can make in advance really makes my life a bit easier.

Creamy Seafood Enchiladas
From the Taste of Home Cookbook

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup cottage cheese
1 pound shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined
1 cup cooked or canned crabmeat, drained, flaked, and cartilage removed
1-1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 Tbsp dried cilantro
12 flour tortillas (7 in)
Additional salsa

1) In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in broth and soup until blended.

2) Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, salsa and salt; set aside.

3) Place cottage cheese in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; add the shrimp, crab, Monterey Jack cheese, chilies and cilantro.

4) Spread 3/4 cup sauce in a greased 13 X 9 baking dish. Place about 1/3 cup seafood mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down over sauce. Top with the remaining sauce.

5) Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Serve with additional salsa.

Yield: 6 servings.

National Starbucks Run Day!

I am hearby declaring April 19th "Get Yourself a Latte Day!" Or for those of you who don't like coffee . . . . or those of you pregnant with twins ;) "Girls Day." So this coming Saturday, April 19th I invite all of my wonderful girlfriends to meet me at Starbucks at 10:00am. Call me or e-mail me if you are interested! Perhaps we can meet at my house afterwards for dessert!

Silly Stories

Ike's cousin Kailey came over to play yesterday evening. They got into a bit of mischief so I put them in "time out" chairs so I could clean the mess while their little hands couldn't get into any more trouble. While in time out, Kailey was trying to tell me that her throat hurt. I told her I couldn't talk to her until she was out of time out, but she persisted. I then told her to tell the door she was faced against. Of course she looked at me with questioning all over her face, but when I was out of site I heard her sweet little voice. "Door," she said matter-of-factly, "my throat is really sore."

Bill and I were able to sleep in this morning. Someone else was not sleeping though. When Bill and I finally climbed out of bed we braced ourselves for the worst -- flood, broken windows, disheveled pantry shelves, etc. What we found was a little boy enjoying his second ice cream cone! He had pulled his little chair over to the refrigerator, pulled out the ice cream cones, unwrapped them, and helped himself. He was in heaven. Bill and I had a good laugh and were thankful the walls were still standing.

Ike knows he's not supposed to climb on the kitchen counters. When his toy got out of reach on the counter I heard his low voice sadly say, "Sorry, Mommy." He was apologizing for what he was about to do -- climb on the counter!

This and That

Kate ready to go for a ride.

She loves the bouncer.
Ike and his buddy Wyatt.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

Sweet Pea

Kate wore her Easter dress from Grandma Linda to church yesterday. On Easter the kids had colds so we didn't dress up.

Daddy's Girl

A Quiet and Gentle Spirit

First off, I want to say that I think it's very important not to try to be anyone but yourself. However, it's nice to find people who challenge us to be the best person we can be. On that note, meet Les -- my Grandmother's college friend.

I first met Les this past February and my family and I fell completely in love with her. She is just the kind of person that you just can't help but instantly adore. Les loves everything -- among those things are the spring daffodils, budding trees, babies, e-mails and carmel lattes! I have to say, she is just a young girl with a lot of life experience. She's been through plenty of trials that could have made her bitter and angry . . . and yet Les has the sunniest disposition. I wish there were more people like her -- you just walk away from her feeling like you've absorbed some of that infectious, loving personality. She inspires me to be a better person -- to love more and to judge less, to embrace your blessings and relinquish your burdens, and to let loose and laugh often. Being in her company taught me a lot -- and from her quiet and gentle spirit I have learned how to be a better wife, mother, and friend.

We love you, Les! And can't wait for your next visit!

Mama said there would be days like this!

Yesterday I sat down at the computer to buy a pair of pants that I've been considering buying for a while. No big deal right? Well, apparently my little Isaac can get his hands into trouble without two minutes of supervision.

Isaac managed to climb up the pantry shelves to find the honey which is in an enticing teddy bear container. In other words, what child wouldn't be attracted to the cute little honey bear? I did watch him climb the shelves and somewhere in my head I must have passed off the act as something I'm quite accustomed to -- it didn't phase me at the time. I was trying to quickly buy a pair of pants after all. It wasn't like I was browsing through the store, unable to make a decision. With a click here and a click of the mouse there I wrapped up my purchase and was about to check on my now quiet son. I didn't have to go far because he was coming to find me with a set of very sticky hands. Yes, he had squeezed out approximately one quarter of the little bear's contents all over the family room couch. All I have to say is, "Thank goodness for leather!" We washed up the mischievous little hands before they could dirty up anything else. After that we scrubbed down the couch, but I have a feeling there might be a few other things around here tainted with the sticky substance.

By now one might be wondering what happens when I take time to write down these stories!

Handyman

All I have to say here is that these pliars have been the choice toy of the day. He's been pinching everything he comes in contact with. My hair has been pulled with this tool along with my shirt, ears, and pants. I had to make the chili with one hand holding up my sweat pants. These little pliars were pulling on the back pocket!

Lady in Red

Seven weeks old!

Posing

Jammie Ride!

It's official! We had our very first "jammie ride" last night!

Bill tucked Ike in bed around 7:00 while at the Brooks' household they were doing the same thing with Ike's cousin, Kailey (jammie rides are lots of fun if cousins are involved). A few minutes later Bill and I stood in front of Ike's door to find him playing under his covers so he didn't see us right away. When he finally surfaced from the covers, we excitedly annouced, "Jammie Ride!" He looked at us with delight sparkling in his eyes, yet not knowing exactly what sort of adventure he was in for. Hey! He was happy just to be able to get out of bed! He was all smiles and laughter, as we piled our little family into the truck.

The drive to Dairy Queen was a long one for a little boy awaiting the unknown! Once we arrived and announced we were having ice cream, he giggled and instantly chose strawberry. We didn't stop there with the surprise though. It just so happens that Great Grandma June's house is very close to our ice cream stop so we headed over for a visit with her. Not only was Grandma there, but cousin Kailey, Aunt Michelle and Uncle Jeff were there with their jammie ride desserts. We all sat around and ate ice cream and the kids got to stay up a little later to play.

We can't wait for another jammie ride. They are too much fun!