HAPPY EASTER...

At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom.  Matthew 27:31

Thankful for this day...and the many blessings in my life.

LOVE YOU SO MUCH...

Last week, Bailey came out from quiet time and handed me this heart.  She said, "Sorry mommy, I know it's not Valentines Day...but I just love you so much".

Oh.... the kid kills me sometimes.

Love you too baby girl.

PLAYTIME!...

This weekend, G brought the kids over to play.  They always have a great time.  The boys are 8 months apart, so they are just starting to interact; even so, they were so stinkin cute together :0)  The girls were wild and crazy as always.  Tough part about our playdates?  When it's time to go home...that's tough on all of us! So glad that Spring is here, that means nicer weather and closer to time off school...which translates to more time together! Yay! :0)

Yep... Chris is playing and Brandon is checking out his toes :0)

Note the princess dress on Quinn...I think that was the second, no
maybe third dress she tried on.  She put them all on :0)

MAMA'S HOME...

This week marked a change in our family.  I officially became a stay-at-home mom (or SAHM).  PRAISE GOD!  This is something that I've asked God for, that Tom and I have worked towards, since Bailey was born.  For the past 10 years, I've worked from home (80% of the time) which has been an unbelievable blessing as its allowed me to keep my children with me however... I'm not going to lie, it has not been easy.  When Brandon was born, working from home became very tough so when an opportunity came for Tom to go to work for a company we took it (these past several years he has worked for himself, also from home, which is truly what made my working from home possible).  I have to admit, it does feel a bit strange not "working" (funny how raising two people and taking care of a home is not always looked at as working).  I've held a job since I was 15 and now (at almost 42) I've had a career in the same field for close to 17 years.  I keep having to push away these feelings of, "wonder if that has been taken care of" or "I really should call this client" BUT on the flip side...the relief that I feel, knowing that I can fully focus on my children, brings unbelievable joy.  I am so incredibly thankful.

16 MONTHS...

Hey little man... you're 16 months old and what an amazing 16 months its been!  You are SUCH a huge blessing to our family; you give us SO MUCH joy!  We praise God for you each and every day.

Brandon turns more into little boy and less baby each day.  Some days I put him down for a nap and I swear he wakes up looking different.  I may have to stop letting him sleep!

Little man still loves to read, dance, play with blocks, cars, noisy toys and any sort of electrical cord (yep...we have to watch him closely with this one).  He falls down or runs into things daily.  The left side of his head may have a permanent bruise from all of his bonks!  He still fits 12-18 months clothes (although I think this will change soon) and he now has 11 teeth that have broken through, including 3 molars!  This past month we've discovered the park which he LOVES and his newest thing is cleaning lint out from his toes.  Silly boy, he'll focus on his feet looking for any small piece of fuzz for several minutes!  It's a crack-up :0)

Brandon still does his "Mama...baby talk, baby talk, baby talk", but he's also branching out on new words.  He's becoming quite the talker!  Guess he's just trying to keep up with this "quiet" family :0)

Also celebrating today?  Uncle Jeff.  Happy Birthday Uncle Jeff, we love you! :0)

I WONDER...

Lucky for me, the vacuum has never bothered/scared Brandon.  Actually, it's the opposite...he likes it when I vacuum (which is good because I bring it out 2 or 3 times a week!).  So, when I saw this little vacuum at a garage sale yesterday, I just had to pick it up.  He LOVES it!  Played with it for a couple of hours :0)

When Boo got home from school, she saw the vacuum and of course wanted to play with it...what is it with big kids and baby toys?  Well, brother wasn't quite ready to share his new toy so we had a bit of a struggle, until I offered to bring out the big vacuum for Bailey which she jumped all over.  She took to the living room and did a great job!

Hmm... I wonder if I get Brandon a toy toilet bowl cleaner, duster and mop if sissy would clean the entire house for mommy?  Might be worth a try! :0)

Love the belly :0)

Love the dino tush :0)

Don't forget the bedrooms! :0)

END OF THE SEASON...

This past Saturday was the final cheer game for the season.  Boo had such a great time with this sport!  It gave her the chance to yell and jump around which is my child....all day long.  Plus, it also allowed her to socialize with friends.  It was a perfect fit :0) 

SCHOOL PIC...

Each year, Bailey's school does 3 pictures (Fall, Spring and Class) however....I usually don't buy one (simply because I take so many and we take her to The Picture People...so we have LOTS of photos :0), but I thought this one was too cute to pass up!  Right click on the picture for a closer view.

YIAYIA'S GIRL...

Boo was playing in her room this week and she threw together this outfit.  How this beautiful girl came from me, I have no idea.  I'm the kind-of mama that when I find a shirt I like, I buy 5 of the same one...only just in different colors :0) 

This sweet girl has style in her genes....then again, this mama is from the YiaYia so I guess we do know where Boo got her style from :0)