WOW!

I can't believe I haven't touched our blog since June 25! Wow, four months and nada! We had a fantastic, busy summer and now our school year is moving right along. Joey is now three and Gavin will be four on Tuesday. FOUR! When did that happen?

Can't believe the holidays are right around the corner too. Yeah, I'll have plenty of time to play catch up ..... = )

While we keep busy, this is the kind of busy I'm talking about .... life is good!

I Just Might Be Turning Over That New Leaf!

Today, I took the high road .... and it actually felt pretty good! Although I can't help but wonder if it would've felt better to take the low road ... if I didn't go too low that is! = )

I received a request via email and my immediate response was, "are you friggin' (but not friggin'!) kidding me?" Thankfully, I paused before responding .... I actually paused twice because my second response was still on the bee-atchy side!

Some people .... the more you give, the more they try to take.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! We are one week and two small issues away from closing on the sale of our house in Richmond. This just might really happen!!!!!!!

If you are reading this, please keep yours fingers crossed for us!

Happy Father's Day!

My husband is many things.

.... feel free to insert all sorts of sarcasm here!

Seriously though, he's all sorts of wonderful but I must admit he is most wonderful at being a daddy. Even before we had our boys, I was always impressed by George's interaction with children. He has always had a knack with them. I must admit though, I seriously had my doubts the night we brought Gavin home from the hosptial. George got schnockered, 'celebrating' he later said, leaving me feeling soberly alone in parenting this little human we were now responsible for. Full of terror I wondered what I got myself in to! Since then though, my husband has continued to amaze me by how hands-on of a daddy he is. He's never been shy about changing a diaper, giving a bath, or taking them to a birthday party. He is there for them. He is present.

We started celebrating him on Saturday. My playgroup has a standing 'mommy and me' gymnastics playdate and we scheduled a 'mommy and daddy and me' playdate / pizza party for Father's Day. The boys LOVED having Daddy there to run wild with. George had to work most of Father's Day so we were left with a little playtime when he got home and then we grilled dinner after the boys went to bed .... a huge ribeye, shrimp, lobster (a surprisingly good lobster since we'd never grilled one before!), and veggies ..... YUM! We capped off dinner with brownies and cobbler a la mode. A bit glutenous but oh, so good!

Honey, I know I don't tell you enough how much I appreciate all that you do but please know that I do appreciate you and the wonderful father, husband, and provider that you are.

Love You!

George and the boys at gymnastics ....
the boys are totally NOT cooperating for the picture!

Joey on the rings

George showing Gavin how it's done

Don't worry Daddy, I got you!


Gavin mid-air

Getting a little push from Daddy


round and ...


... round!

Joey doing a back flip (check out Joey's tan!)

Summer Fun

hmmmm, I'm almost positive this is not an intended use for the slip 'n slide!

slip 'n run?

joey and kaitlyn at the drive in

playing frisbee at the drive-in


joey and christopher

ha, ha .... I got you!

bring it, meat

taking a break on the wiggle racer

sweet Per

my bubble lovin' boy

The Perfect Day

I've had the perfect afternoon

... the perfect morning

... the perfect night

... never the perfect day though until now (June 10).

Today was the kind of day you just want to wrap up and tuck away somewhere and never forget it. From start to finish, it was just a great day. I got to sleep in late so it wasn't long before it was time to meet friends for a pool play date. We had so much fun making ice cream, eating pizza, and playing in the water with our buddies. Nap time came very easy and it was cut short getting ready and out the door for the boys' last night of Vacation Bible School. While the boys were in VBS, I snuck in a pedi and dinner with some other mommies.

Yes, today was a good day. In part because of the fun we had. In part because of just how smooth the day went (how often does that happen?) but mostly because I am once again reminded how very blessed I am ... blessed with two beautiful and healthy children and a man who loves me. Sadly, my reminder comes at the expense of another's tragedy. My college friend recently lost her husband. When I heard of his tragic and untimely death, I saw so many parallels that made me think 'that could've been me' and scarily enough 'that can still be me.' Her husband died shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. He was having surgery and perished from cardiac complications. I have always and continue to be so thankful George's surgery was a success to remove his cancer and that he responded well to his radiation treatments. I am and will continue to be so grateful he is still cancer-free. I will admit, there are days I don't count my blessings but those days are few and far between.

Life is far from perfect but I am thankful for today and another opportunity to strive to be the woman God intends me to be.

So, here's to summer fun and all the memories to be made!

Vacation Bible School

The boys on their last night of VBS

Gavin and Joey just finished up their first Vacation Bible School experience! I am so proud of my little guys! They were both such good boys and enjoyed VBS so much! We started out with Gavin and Joey in the same class (they bumped Joey up) and after the first night, Joey got 'held back!' He was placed with his own age group and I was so happy when Gavin didn't bat an eye about going to his class all by himself. Of course, that meant we had to walk Joey to his class first and we had to pick Joey up from his class together (20 minute meltdown ensued when Joey and I showed up to get Gavin!).

George and I were able to squeeze in a little date on Monday night. I almost forgot how fun it can be to sit on a patio with my hubby in the light of day! = ) I enjoyed the other evenings to myself .... being productive some of the time and completely indulgent and lazy the rest of time. I tip my hat to whomever at Parkway Fellowship decided to hold its VBS in the evening!

Speaking of .... I am so very impressed with Parkway Fellowship. The VBS was top notch and the volunteers were phenomenal with the boys. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!