Date Night

Not exactly the picture you were expecting, right? Will and Brian had some much needed "man time" tonight with James Bond. Brian showed up at our door with flowers for Will. To to funny! After all, Will IS the most heterosexual male I know. The pictures below speak for themselves! :) He's all yours for the evening Brian. No curfew! Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy birthday Mom. We hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you for being an amazing mother and friend. You are truly an inspiration to me and a perfect example of what a mother should be. Thank you. I am so proud to call you mother and friend. Why do I love you so? :) Love you Mom!

I Just Couldn't Help Myself

Found this picture on flickr.com and thought it was hysterical.

Happy Halloween

Emma did not want a kiss from Hanna!


Just thought I would share a couple of photo's from Trunk Or Treat at the YMCA last night. Girls had a wonderful time. Their favorite part was when the magician made his rabbit, Donatello, appear....like magic!

Are You Serious?

Have you ever had a day where you questioned your own intelligence? I have, but will no longer beat myself up over those thoughts. There is always someone out there a little less intelligent than I. Take for example, the following conversation I just had with a popular TV satellite service.

Me: I was just calling to let you know that I returned your equipment via UPS today.

Customer Service "Guru": So, when exactly did you send the equipment back?

Me: Oh, about 30 minutes ago.

Customer Service "Guru": Well, I don't show that we have received it yet.

Me: Are you serious?

Yes, yes he was. "Bob" from India was serious. Man, I feel like a genius sometimes.

Please Pray

One of my very best friends grandfather just passed away from cancer. This has been a very tough battle for the family, but he was a Christian so we know that we will see him again. Please be in prayer for Sandi and her family. Isn't Grandpa Frank a handsome man? We love you Sandi and will be in prayer.

A New Princess Is On Her Way Home...

As many of you know my best friend was in the process of adopting her second precious daughter from Vietnam. Since Vietnam has closed it's door to U.S. adoptions my best friends heart was broken. But out of her brokenness God has provided many new options and answers. I am so proud to announce that my new niece will be coming home from Ethiopia. We could not be more excited. An Ethiopian princess in the family. I cannot wait to hold her and tell her how special she is and how God lead us to her. Please continue to pray for Kate and her family. They are in the process up updating all of their dossier paperwork in order to switch adoption countries from Vietnam to Ethiopia. You can follow Kate's journey on her blog. Please stop by and lend your support and prayers. We love you Kate and are so glad we are on this journey with you.

And He Wore Red...

This past weekend Will was asked to dress up as Elmo for a friend's daughters 3rd birthday. He said yes! I could not believe it. Will will do just about anything to help someone out and to make a little girls birthday extra special. This includes dressing up as Elmo. Well, the birthday girl did not like Elmo/Wilmo one bit. But Emma and Hanna were totally in love. They said that it was the best part of their day. They have no idea that it was their daddy in the Elmo costume. So here is a "family" picture. Thinking of using it for Christmas cards this year! :) I did manage to talk Will out of wearing a shirt over top of the costume that said, "Tickle Me". What a crazy man. Love you Will, thanks for doing all the things no one else wants to do.

A Beautiful Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend. The past 3 weeks have been so insanely crazy for us that this weekend we had a much welcomed break, nothing to do! Oh sweet freedom. It was so beautiful out this weekend that Will and I decided to take the girls on a picnic and to the park on Saturday. They had a great time. Today I was able to get out of the house for some "girl time" and went to see the new Richard Gere movie, Nights of Rodanthe. How is it possible that that man just gets better looking with age? Anyways, great movie if you need a good cry. Just do not try to go grocery shopping when your eyes are nearly swollen shut from crying. Not a pretty sight. It was such a relaxing weekend and I feel ready to face a new week.

A Little Sunday School Lesson...

This guy is so funny! His name is Tim Hawkins and if you happen to be in the Westminster MD area he will be performing on 10/12 at Westminster Church of God. Hope you enjoy Samson and Delilah as you have never heard it before.

Hijacked Post from GGG!

BOO!

Did I scare you, Amanda?

It's me, Kate, from Green Grass Grows!

Here's a little something from me to you.

Click on the link to make him SING!

Love ya!

http://www.popeater.com/music/article/exclusive-david-cook-turns-the-light-on/185647

Man, I feel old....

I just got finished reading over Emma's Student/Parent Handbook for the Public School System. Did you know that they have an entire section of the handbook for Electronic Communication Devices, a.k.a Cell Phones?! It is on page 6 of a 34 page document, so they must mean business. I am just shocked by this. I graduated not that long ago. 14 years ago to be exact. Wow, maybe it was actually a bit longer than I would like to admit. But anyway, you can get suspended for violation of the cell phone policy. This was not an issue when I was in high school 14 short years ago. Of course my first cell phone looked like this:


Oh how technology changes. It so was not cool to carry this little puppy around at school. I mean, you couldn't. It had to stay plugged into your Yugo just to keep power. But now, they have phones that are smaller than the palm of your hand, and it can play all your music, watch music videos/movies, hold pictures, take pictures, etc! Amazing huh? I am afraid of what will be around when my girls are in high school. Scary. Is there anything that just amazes you that exist today but wasn't around, or very different, from your high school days?

Happy Birthday Hanna!

My baby is 5 years old. I don't suppose she is still considered a baby, but she will always be my baby. She is more of a daddy's girl than anything. She certainly does love her Poppy. So much so I tend to get a little jealous from time to time. Seriously, a 9.4 lb. baby I gave birth to and she favors her daddy more than me? Argh! I am so happy she is attached to her daddy though. I wouldn't want it any other way. Makes him feel good and makes me proud.
Hanna has grown into the most precious little girl. She is so kind, considerate, and loves to make people happy. Just the other day we were in the car and I asked the girls what they want to be when they grow up. Emma tells me she wants to be an animal doctor, and Hanna tells me she wants to be what ever I want her to be and just to let her know when she grows up. I love that kid!
We plan to celebrate Hanna's birthday this weekend with a small get together with family. We gave Hanna the option of a birthday party or Hanna Day where we do whatever Hanna wants to do. She chose the latter. We plan to have Hanna Day at the Land of the Little Horses. Nothing says party like a few mini horses. Wonder what the weight limit is on one of those things...hmmm? I'll let you know how it goes!
I have been working some crazy hours at work for the past couple of weeks, so I apologize for not posting more regularly. Hopefully soon things will be back to "normal" soon. Ever notice what a funny word "normal" is? The very meaning of it can vary from person to person, and I do mean vary. I will let you all about how the Land of the Little Horses go, but for now here are a some pictures.

Hanna's First Birthday with Nana:

Yummy Cake!

Land of the Little Horses in 2004

Look at the love for Poppy on that face!

Mommy loves you Hanna Jean! You are the most beautiful 5 year old I know! Hugs and Kisses precious one!

What Happens When Your Four Year Old Finds Your Camera:

Guess Who Turned One....

Happy Birthday Jacoby. I can't believe it has been one year since you were born. You are such an important part of our family. We love you!


One Year Ago:

Emma and Jacoby (Partners in Crime):

New Birthday Bone (already destroyed):

Wordless Wednesday-"Momma, how much cents (sense) do I have?"

For more on Wordless Wednesday, click here.

First Day of First Grade

Wow. I cannot believe it. Emma started first grade today. She is at a new school, with new friends, going full days instead of the 1/2 days she did in Kindergarten. She had a wonderful day and cannot wait to go back tomorrow. I only pray this eagerness last for the next 11 years! Apparently the girls were so excited for Emma's first day of school they slept together on the floor. Emma woke up with the biggest smile on her face, as she does most mornings. She is such a early bird. So afraid she is going to miss something. Hanna did well with her sister being at school, but was so excited when Emma got home. She even shared her Tootsie Roll, giving Emma the biggest piece. Now that is love! Good luck at school this year Emma. Mommy loves you so much and you make me so proud! I love you Emma Kate!

Oh So Pretty....

They totally have a new pink PedEgg. Run, don't walk! You must purchase one, and they have pink now to support Breast Cancer Research! Why does this make me so excited? I don't know. Smooth feet and a Breast Cancer Research supporter. Awesome!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Enough said!

A Girls Best Friend

I am so in love with this product. Have you tried it? It works great. So worth the $10 is cost. I must confess even my husband loves it. :)

Major Bloggy Mayhem

So last night I was trying to be all computer savvy and update my blog. You know, give it a fresh new look. Well, computer savvy I am not. I totally messed my blog up. I was near tears. Every thing was in HTML format and it was like trying to speak a completely different language. I emailed my bestie who created my blog in the first place. The email went something like this, HELP ME! Knowing that she would be online too at 10:30pm she called me right away. I don't know how she did it, but she is a genius! She got my blog back, and introduced me to this website, which was so much user friendly. Not only is Kate smart, she's pretty, and can cook! A triple threat. Anyways, thank you Kate from the bottom of my heart. I {heart} you Kate! So what do you think of the new look?

It's a good thing Momma

Emma and I were in the car today running some errands when she starts reading all of the business and street signs we are going by. I told Emma I was so impressed with her reading abilities and that she was growing up way to fast. Emma then replied, "Oh don't worry momma, it's a good thing." Yes Emma, it is a good thing, but just not to fast. You will always be my first baby no matter what your age or reading ability.

Rock and Roll Daddy

Will taught the girls how to say "Rock and Roll". He was a little pumped after coming back from Creation 2008. We love you Daddy!

Hanna and her burger

Tonight while in the bathtub:

Emma: "Mom, come quick, Hanna has a burger!"

Me: "What?"

Emma: "Come quick, Hanna has a burger in the bathtub."

Me: "Seriously, you are going to make me get up?"

Emma: "Please! Come quick."

Me: "Fine, on my way, this better be good!"

Oh, you meant booger. Nice Emma!

Home Sweet Home

Well, we are officially back in the state of Maryland. The move is behind us and things are starting to settle down. We are so happy to be back in our "hometown". Things with the move went fairly smoothly. Will and I both feel for the first times in our lives that we have truly answered the Lord's calling. We both knew we needed to move back to Maryland, but it wasn't until we fully surrendered the situation to God that we became at peace with the idea. And at peace we have stayed. Following God's plan sure does feel good. We are happy where we are. Content. The girls love to swim in the pool and there are so many great places to walk Jacoby. Jacoby has quite an entourage when he goes out. All the neighbor dogs just love him. And why wouldn't they? He is awfully cute. Here are a couple of pictures taken today by the girls. Can you tell they love their dog? I was feeling awfully brave posting pictures of me with no makeup but focus on the girls...they're the cute ones!

Last Day of School!

I know, not exactly the happy pictures you might have been expecting. Today was Emma's last day of Kindergarten and to say that she is going to miss her Kindergarten teacher is an understatement. As we got out of the van tonight Emma began to sob. I thought she had hurt herself, that is how badly she was crying. I went over to her, picked her up, and asked what was wrong. This is the point where my heart broke. Emma told me she was sad because she wasn't going to see Mrs. B again. Apparently it had just hit her that she was now a first grader and that she would no longer be in her Kindergarten class. I haven't read in any parenting book quite how to deal with a sad six year old who misses her Kindergarten teacher. She did eventually calm down when I asked her to show me all the cool stuff she brought home in her summer fun bag. Diversion, that is was worked for me this time. Maybe next time will require ice cream?! Thank you Mrs. B for making such an impact on this precious six year old. You are a wonderful teacher! We will miss you.