Christmas 2009

We had by far the best Christmas at our house this year. Christmas is so much fun with kids! The girls took it ALL in. I think my favorite memory happened on Christmas Eve. We were on our way back home from my Uncle's when we pulled into the driveway there were 4 deer standing there. The Belle screamed "there is Santa's reindeer! He must be near we better get in bed fast!" The next morning the first thing out of The May's mouth was "I guess Santa found his reindeer". They loved opening presents. The Belle had written Santa a letter (see picture; she wrote it all by herself) asking for a princess magical keyboard. My mom had already bought it and we actually debated switching gifts so "Santa" could give it to her but decided against it. After The Belle opened her presents Christmas morning she asked "why didn't Santa bring me my princess magical keyboard?" I explained to her that Santa knows what is best for her and that we don't always get exactly what we want but she should be very thankful for what she did get. Once she opened her keyboard at my mom's she told me "Santa knew that Nana had bought it for me; thats why he didn't give it to me." She has really turned into a "big girl". We have so much to look forward to in 2010. The Belle will go to kindergarten. I will get a new tummy. And who else knows what will take place. Hope all of you had a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Lynn's 1st Birthday

The Lynn celebrated her 1st birthday yesterday. She also had her first ear infection (double) diagnosed today. I knew she wasn't feeling well at her "party" Saturday morning and she progressively got worse. She is such a little trooper though. So to keep in tradition I have written her a birthday letter.

Dear Lynn,
It is so hard for me to believe that you are 1! I can still remember the day I found out I was pregnant with you. So many emotions overwhelmed me that day. First and foremost I was scared. I couldn't stop thinking how am I going to be a mommy to 3 babies 3 and under? I was worried how a new baby would affect The Belle and The May. I was worried about how we could afford another baby. But I was also thrilled that I would have a precious (hopefully girl) baby to love. Your daddy and I were so excited when we found out we were going to have another baby girl. The moment you entered the world all my fears immediately vanished and God has provided our every need. I can't imagine life without you. You are the most laid back baby I have ever known. Even the past few days you have been sick and you just "roll with it". Your sisters absolutley adore you and you them. When things get crazy around here it is you that keeps me sane. You are usually the one that helps me "hold it together". You are at such a fun age. You are learning new things everyday. The cutest thing you do right now is when I tell you "no,no" you shake your head no. You have also learned how to wave bye,bye and are walking all over the place. One of my favorite things you do is when out of nowhere you attack my face with a big mouth wide open kiss. You are such a sweet girl and you my little Lynn made our family complete. I love you more than words could ever express.

I wanna know.....

Have you ever seen the rain? Well, I have for the past week. No joking we are under all sorts of flash flood warnings. My girls haven't played outside in days. When it does stop raining its too wet and muddy to go out. I have forgotten what the sun even looks like. I have a new respect for Noah and his family. At least my ark is animal free. On a lighter note.....my Christmas shopping for the girls is finished! I'm so excited for them to open their presents but first we have to celebrate The Lynn's 1st birthday! Can you believe it? My baby girl is going to be 1!

The Bear

While we were on our Disney trip The Lynn got a new nickname: "The Bear". Everytime the girls would eat or drink something they would give her some. We would tell them don't feed the bear because she wouldn't be happy with just a sample. She would scream as soon as she didn't get more of what they were eating. So, since we have been back we have called her The Bear. Friday night she re-affirmed her new nickname. While Husband and I were getting ready to go Christmas shopping the big girls were playing and watching tv. I thought The Lynn was playing with them but I was mistaken. The Belle ran into my room yelling "Momma this is torrible, just torrible what The Lynn has done" I asked her "what is it?" and she couldn't even get the words out she said "please come and see the torrible mess she has made". I ran into the kitchen to find that she got into a brand new bottle of chocolate syrup. This bottle had never been opened. She tore the wrapper off and somehow unscrewed the cap off the top; just like well a bear. So what is a Mom to do when there is a ginormous mess on the kitchen floor (thank goodness it was in the kitchen and not on carpet) well she gets out the video camera and takes pictures. When I took the cap out of her mouth she yelled like a bear until I threw her in the bathtub (clothes and all) then she was happy. As I am typing this The Bear is digging through the trash can. I really need her to hibernate for awhile. On another note: the Christmas tree is up. I will try to do a post on it tomorrow. Oh by the way: chocolate syrup is a PAIN to clean up!

That's Why

Today has been one of those days. One of those days when I think to myself why don't I go back to work. At least there I will be contributing to our family's income. And well to be honest the girls won't be driving me crazy. Because all day The May has been crying inconsolably. The Lynn is only satisfied if she is on my hip or digging through the trash can. And The Belle well she has tried to "mother hen" everyone. Today was one of those days when I have cleaned up spilled food upteen million times to only turn around and clean up another mess. Today was one of those days when my sanity was worn down to the bone and I just want 5 minutes of peace and quiet.
And then as I look at my 3 precious gifts that God has given to me as they lay watching "Little Bear" on the couch in their footie pajamas I remember why I stay home with them. Because I will be the first person they see in the morning when they wake up. I will be the one who is privliged enough to fix them breakfast. I am the one who gets to hear their giggles as they tickle each other. I am the one who gets to read them countless books during the day. I am the one who gets to kiss their boo boos. I am the one who answers their questions. I am the one who gets their surprise hugs and kisses. I am the one that The Belle will tell "I love you Momma" when I least expect it. I am the one who gets to snuggle with The Lynn when she wakes up from her nap. I am the one who The May cries for when she goes to bed at night. That's why I stay home with them. Though these days are very few and far between they do happen. And those days are hard; really hard. Even as I am typing this I feel an overwhelming amount of guilt for having these very negative feelings. But, tomorrow is a new day and I will remember that I have my entire life to work but I only have a few short years with my baby girls. And that is why.

Disney World

We had a blast at Disney World. We are all ready to go back. It seriously is the happiest place on earth. The girls have talked non-stop about the trip. I know there are lots of pictures to look at but it was really hard choosing. I am finally back to somewhat of our normal routine (except for laundry; it is overtaking my bedroom I don't think it will ever get folded and put away). So, hopefully I can get back to posting on a regular basis now.

1st Family Vacation

We are packed in the van like sardines and on our way to DISNEY WORLD! I have a slight sore throat but it will not slow me down. Plenty of pictures to come!

1 WEEK

We will be on our way to Disney World in 1 week! I am so excited. When I stop long enough to think about it I want to jump up and down like a kid. I'm sure I won't get any sleep this week (due to the excitement and the fact that I will have to pack everything but the kitchen sink). The girls are very excited also. They really don't know what to expect. I know once we get there they will never want to leave!

Congratulations John!

Back in July I asked all of you to vote for Uncle John for the All-Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Team. Thanks to all of your votes he WON! I want to send out a special thank you to my friend Dedra. She took the initiative to contact a local news web site to post the poll voting for John. We are so proud of you John! It makes me want to break into a little song I learned when attending all of John's football games: Anchors Away! Go Navy Beat Army!


Nov. 8, 2009 – ANNAPOLIS, Md - Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced today that Tray Calisch (‘00), Steve Fehr (‘82), Matt Harmon (‘09) and John Skaggs (‘04) have been named to the All-Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Team as specialist and that Wayne Hardin (1959-64), Paul Johnson (2002-07) and George Welsh (1973-81) have been named to the team as head coaches. The team was selected as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

And from the homefront: there is a hurricane headed directly toward us. I think its going to be a long week!

Sand Tiger

The May has been saying the funniest things here lately. It could be her personality or her age or the middle child syndrome but whatever the reason she is cracking us up. Her favorite part of trunk or treat (other than eating her weight in candy) was passing out the candy. As the "treaters" approached the van she would begin to scope out their costume. If she didn't like the costume they would only get one piece. She told all the girls dressed as a princess/fairy/ballerina that they were "BEEUUUUUUTIFUL" and would give them handfuls of candy!

The other night she chose a sucker for her dessert. Her hands and face were covered in stickiness. I told her to go wash her hands and face. Husband went to check on her and she told him "I'm washing off with sand tigers." Sand tigers = sanitizer. Its never a dull moment with her!

Pumpkins, Kitty Cats, and a Flower

It has been a while since I have posted any pictures. These are from 2 visits to the pumpkin patch (the 1st visit wasn't a good one for The Belle; lets just say pouting and disobedience was involved and she didn't get a pumpkin). We gave her a second chance and it was much better. There are also pictures from Halloween. The Belle, The May, and Margo were kitty cats. Jude was a ninja and The Lynn was a flower. I must say The Lynn was the CUTEST thing I have ever seen. But, I may be a tad bit biased. We primarily call Halloween "Trunk or Treat" at our house because that is what we do on Halloween. On our way home from "Trunk or Treat" The May began to cry. I asked her what was the matter and in the most pitiful crying voice you have ever heard she said "No one gave me a tree tonight". Husband and I looked at each other with blank faces and asked what are you talking about? She said "we went to Trunk or Tree and I didn't get a tree." We tried to explain that it is not trunk or tree but rather trunk or treat. But, there was no getting through to her and she went to bed upset because she didn't get a tree. Poor girl.


















I know this is probably TOO MANY pictures but seriously with kids this cute how can you choose!