The Big Four-OH

Well, it’s here. I’ve never really been sure how I would feel about turning THIS old. I remember when my Mom turned 40 – and she was such a young 40. Her surprise party at our house was full of friends and fun. I was 16 at the time and as a budding teenager, I was so well aware of the “fun” they were having (I knew they were all wasted and crazy, just as we will be). My one wish is that I take after my Mom, who is still a very young mid-60's today. If I’m blessed enough with her genes, I’m blessed enough. Thanks Mom.

I’m not phased by this milestone birthday much – except in a very good way. I feel so blessed and lucky to be turning 40 with my health and all things important to me. There are many more than 40 blessings in my life, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to take inventory and remind myself of each and everything that should be remembered and appreciated. Some people have a bucket list. Mine, for today, is my TOP FORTY list.

As an aside, I will admit, Casey Kasem was one of my favorite Saturday morning past times years ago with the top 40 countdown – it was no mistake who my college room mate and best friend ended up being – Tracey. She was a top 40 girl, as I was and was quickly nicknamed Tracey Kasem. Any of you 70’s kids will remember his sign off at the end of every top 40 run – “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars”. Oddly enough, I think of that saying a lot. Perhaps it’s helped me along these last 40 years...

In no particular order (aside from my top 4), here are the TOP 40 blessings that I am beyond grateful for – some as a result of hard work, most as a result of just pure luck.

~My husband – my rock, baby Daddy, confidant and lifelong partner.
~JD&Cole – my miracle babies who have taught me more about life than I will ever learn, in a very short time. You make me laugh daily, and cry occasionally. Watching you grow up is amazing – although going much too fast, I don’t take a day for granted. You will never know how special you are to me – you’ve completed me and made my life rich beyond measure.
~Angel baby Calvin-keeps me grounded, protects us all and reminds me daily of the fragility of life.
~Mom & Dad-the two people who have made me what I am today, through love, friendship and being incredible role models.
~My brother-what a kid to grow up with, and what a man to grow old with. Our memories make me laugh almost daily; we’ve had so much fun over the years;
~Girlfriends-you know who you are; without each other, we’d be insane by now. You guys are amazing and I am thankful to have such wonderful counselors, role models and fun seekers surrounding me.
~The roof over my head-my home is my safe place and I love it. It’s perfect for us and I’m grateful to have such a peaceful place to call home.
~My job - I genuinely love what I do and that I have the opportunity that I have. Not many people can be so lucky (most days).
~Aunt Kathy
~The hermie went to heaven, finally;
~Carolyn & Joe (my MIL & FIL) – for raising my husband to be the man he is today; and Carolyn for being a friend and huge help in my life.
~Jeb (my step FIL) – for being such a gem in our lives and taking such good care of Carolyn.
~Cousins – all of which are absolutely amazing people that I’m so proud to be related to!
~Great neighbors
~Fun Coworkers
~Moms of Multiples group
~Good doctors
~My camera – for recording our lives so well over the years;
~Blackberry - for helping me be able to stay in touch at work while I have time for my family too;
~Reliable car, which I spend 80% of my time in and gets us to and from safely;
~Trainer - although not as frequent as I would like, it's better than nothing;
~Good health - so far so good;
~Childhood friends - who have known me forever and still like me;
~The "juniors" - who I love dearly;
~My AMOM friends
~My husbands job/career & his work ethic
~Faith
~Laughter - as often as possible
~Godchildren – many of which were my first “kids” before my own;
~Nieces & nephews
~Sister in laws
~Flexibility I have with work so I can be with my kids
~The internet
~Microwave - because I am an awful cook;
~Pizza delivery guys (see above)
~Facebook - for reconnecting me to some very special people;
~TV DVR
~The best 40th birthday gift, our Beach cottage;


Blessed beyond measure and happy to make it this far. Can't wait for a weekend full of celebration and fun - 40th Bday and Mothers Day, all in one. Bring it on!

Slacker

I'm caught in this blog hiatus and it's eating me away. I miss blogging but have also enjoyed the reprieve as it became more of a "job" than an enjoyment.

I think I'm ready to get back to it - if nothing else, as a great memoir for the boys. Sooooo, I've got some catching up to do to chronicle the summer and all that we've done. It's been an awesome summer - and the kids have changed so much over the last few months. It's hard to believe it's been 3 months+ since my last post. I have lots of adventures, pictures and fun stories to share.

More to come....

Dreams come true

It's what I had dreamed of doing someday - and certainly one of the best days yet with the kids. We took them to their first real baseball game last night and it was awesome!

The kids loved it and Daddy loved it even more. I could see it in his eyes and his heart as we walked into the stadium - with low expectations on how much they would enjoy it, we both were so happy that they loved it as much as they did. I even splurged on a "real" baseball and they held on to those balls as if they were gold. The day ended with them fast asleep with the baseballs. Doesn't get any better than this! We're so blessed to have these little guys. My heart is so full.

P.S. - It's been almost a month since my last post. I have SO much to update on. Back soon with a good, long update.

sunshine & a picnic

We had such a fun day today - just had to share some photos. It was the perfect day for me - a day full of sunshine, laughter and fun with my boys. I treasure these days more than life itself.

We're all pooped!

HFMD

HAND
FOOT
MOUTH

FOR THE 3RD TIME THIS YEAR
ENOUGH SAID...

He's always there

I have found myself thinking about Calvin, our little angel, A LOT lately. Several times a day he’s popping into my head. I don’t know why. And I love it. Not necessarily sad thoughts – but just kind gentle reminders that he’s there. Maybe it’s the spring time that is reminding me of him – the new flowers and rebirth. Or maybe it’s that the boys mention his name more often now when we refer to heaven and the hermit crabs being there too. Maybe it’s that I noticed a few days ago that our baby lily has come up again this year and is getting ready to bloom. Or maybe it’s the time of year since it was around this time that we started to really get excited about our triplet pregnancy. I can’t believe that was THREE years ago now. Whatever it is, I find it comforting and happy when I know he’s around in spirit.

A friend of a friend of mine recently lost a triplet and her babies are currently in NICU growing and trying to make their way home. When we talk, it immediately takes me back to that place. It’s always a nice reminder of how far we have come – yet a tough one to realize that so many others have to go through that experience with their children. The Mom has lately been given some signs that her baby girl is there with them in spirit and is reminding them that she’s close by. Thank goodness for these little signs from above that let us know that our loved ones lost are still there and caring for us. Somehow it makes it all ok.

Another Shiner....

Not the first, and certainly not the last - JD accidentally (I think) clubbed Cole in the eye with a large wooden stick he grabbed out of the shed. On my watch. Ugh. Boys will be boys.

On a lighter note, it never ceases to amaze me how these boys, like all others, still love to run around naked any chance hey get - it's everything I can do after baths to get them dressed before they take off running like banchees around the house in their birthday suits!

School Days

The kids teachers have been taking photos of them in the classroom doing fun activities with the disposable camera that I left there for them. I knew I was missing some fun moments so they were happy to take photos of some of the "firsts" that they have had while in school. I got the photos back today and although the quality isn't great due to the camera, they capture some fun moments.

Cole and his friend Emma painting

Cole holding the flag during the morning pledge

Cole loves to paint!

Jessica gets a smooch from JD

Sharing the sit-n-spin

Finger painting

Messy marvin apparently loves jelly on his bagels

Easter Sunday

What a blast. The Easter weekend was so much fun for the kids - and the parents! I must say however, that I have forgotten how much candy is involved with Easter. It was worse than Halloween! Cole is a candy fanatic and ate candy ALL.DAY.LONG. He was sneaking candy out of every and any basket he could find and mastered the art of unwrapping chocolate eggs and kisses very quickly.


Both boys were really into the Easter bunny - we left carrots and eggs out for the bunny and low and behold, he ate them! They were so excited to run downstairs and see their loot in the morning - and were hard pressed to get ready for church when the time came.

We had our first fight about the outfit - can you believe at 2.5 they are already giving me a hard time about dressing up? We made it to church on time and lasted about 30 minutes. I started to get the stink eye from "Daddy" so we left early to head over to Mimi's for the egg hunt.


Cole loved hunting for eggs - and got lots of loot in his basket. JD on the other hand, would find an egg, open it, check out the contents, maybe eat a few, and resume his hunt. Needless to say, by the time he did this, all of the eggs were found and he ended up with about 3 eggs. He didn't care.


After Mimi's brunch, we headed home for much needed naps and then left for Gramma's for the 2nd round. More candy, more food, more cousins and more fun. All in all it was a wonderful day. I actually took time to reflect on how lucky we are as a family and how blessed we are to have two wonderful children. There is nothing more heart warming than spending the holidays together, with our families and watching the kids enjoy the special time. They are so surrounded with love from their family. So wonderful to watch.

Hope everyone had a special Easter season. Spring has sprung!

Easter Week

We've had quite a fun week this week. The kids had their Easter party at school, complete with Easter bunny, easter egg hunt, bag-o-candy etc. Yesterday we colored eggs for the first time. To my surprise, only 2 egg casualties - however we did have 20 stained fingers and 1 stained counter top. They really got into it and loved showing Daddy the finished project when he got home. It's the little things in life, right?

We've got a fun filled weekend coming up with more egg hunts, parties and lots of family around. Happy Easter and may you enjoy what this Easter season really is all about.