30 April

The First Game.

He LOVED it. He was right into the action. There is a lot of action and a lot of running (and the rest of the rules, I still have to learn). His favorite was the face-offs (that's what he practices), he did at least five. He's number 17, and with all his pads, Helmet and game shirt on, I swear he looks at least twelve.

29 April

(photo by Trevor)

I was very inspired by this quote I read on Ali Edwards Blog the other Day.

Moving Forward:

You don't need a map or an itinerary for a personal journey, just a sense of adventure and maybe this reminder: That breathless, soul-quenching feeling of awe you get when you catch a watercolor sunset never comes during a commercial break.
To grow, you have to get outside and go. Whether you want to walk farther, pedal harder or simply take in the scenery more appreciatively, take every bridge with a brave and open heart.

Well, I'm moving forward and starting a very slow training to run a half-marathon this Fall in Virginia Beach with Irene. My goal is to finish and run the whole thing. Wish me luck:) I'll see you back in this space on Sunday.

28 April

Right Now........

Life is filled with a never ending list of errands, I'm not sure why.

We're taking out Spring and Summer clothes and putting away too small and the warmest clothes.

I'm LOVING little boy and guy plaid shorts.

I'm LOVING the basket of Easter grass Lucas grew at preschool (they make the best stuff!)

I'm LOVING finally having a forsythia bush blooming in my very own yard.

I'm LOVING the warm temperatures and humidity today.

I'm LOVING watching little hands hard at work, making and figuring things out.

I'm looking forward to another short time away this weekend with a girlfriend, catching up and scrapbooking!

27 April

These boots are perfect for Spring in Maine (and yes, this is what our backyard looks like right now.... Oh my!)

26 April

Making.....

My favorite spring/summer salad for dinner tonight.

25 April

Back to the grind of our everyday life, school and work. And Today, you are so excited for your first Lacrosse Practice!

24 April

Home sweet Home! We got back late last night, I had estimated 10:13 PM as we were driving out of Virginia Beach....well the exact time was 10:10 PM. The trip was uneventful, and the kids were as good as we could have expected for the 14 hour drive. Thank God for Irene's sandwiches (Lucas said it was the best crust-less sandwich ever-
I'm so lucky I have a Nanny still in my life to make me sandwiches for the road complete with sweet little notes)!!

Luckily, the Easter bunny was still able to make it to our house for Easter leaving some sweet treats and a few toys. Happy Easter!

Spring Break Favorites

I know all good things must come to an end, but I can't believe this incredible week is over....it went by so fast!

We remember:

• The drive (it was incredibly smooth both ways)
• Seeing all of New York from the top of the Empire State Building
• Almost losing our backpack in New York and having to wait alone in a Subway
• Trevor and I roller blading and jogging together every day
• Special Time journal writing
• Falling asleep to the sound of the waves with the door open
• The kids trying, "big ball" bowling
• Getting to be there to see Lily turn six
• Sitting in chairs and watching the kids play in the sand and water
• Watching the sunrise with my boy
• Digging a humongous hole
• I'm kind of a big deal
• The early am beach walk
• seeing the cousins
• Trevor loving playing with baby Ryan
• Skinny Dip
• Girls nite/Boys nite
• visiting with Family
• Watching Bre running in and out of the waves
• The aquarium and the zoo
• watching Bre at the zoo asking for"more animals"
• the amazing weather
• coloring eggs
• everyone being sad to leave
• This week......the whole thing.

23 April

And that's a wrap........we're hoping to make the LONG drive all the way back from VA to ME today:( We are a family that just loves vacationing and traveling, as long as we have space to spread out, a great view, lots of fun stuff to do and a washer and dryer. I'll leave you with some photos of the kids coloring their eggs yesterday. We had so much fun with our cousins! Love you guys:)

22 April

Last day:(

We met the cousins for a fabulous pancake breakfast down by the boardwalk. I can still taste the pecan pumpkin pancakes with my own real maple syrup (that I had stashed in my purse)---SUPER YUMMY. In Trevor's words, "it was worth the wait!" We also went to the Virginia aquarium (along with the rest of everyone who is living and vacationing in the area). The kids had a blast, saw fish and sharks, and even touched a stingray. We hiked a little path in between the buildings and it was a great way to burn off some energy! It's hard to believe it was 30 degrees warmer just a few days ago. Then Jeff had to go to work so Irene and the kids came back to the condo with us for some egg coloring and some dinner. We're packing up, and leaving in the morning. You know it was a great vacation, when you are (and the kids even are) sad to leave. this place is the greatest, and we had fantastic weather to boot. We'll be back!

21 April

Today.....

the weather turned much cooler, so we headed off to the Virginia Zoo in the afternoon. We always enjoy our trip there it is so manageable with the kids. It was baby Ryan's first trip to the zoo! I think Breanna was the biggest fan of all the animals and raced off to see each new exhibit (I think her future will include something to do with animals. It was so fun to see all the kids exploring together, excited and happy. It was a really fun day:)

20 April

Today....

Trevor got up early and we watched the sunrise together, then we wrote in our journals about the vacation so far (LOVE that he's "journaling"). Then we went running together-T rollerbladed, but we both did a 5K. I'm so proud of him!

It was a "perfect" beach day. We literally spent the whole day out there and the kids played together ALL day, building sandcastles, walking, playing cornhole, football and lacrosse, collecting shells, and running in and out of the waves.

Irene and I had a girls night out. We drove, we laughed, we shopped, we ate cheesecake and drank Sangria outside, we talked about the kids, we connected, we shopped more, we tried on clothes, and closed Kohl's down at 11 PM. Life is about nurturing connections, I'm committed to that in all my relationships. Girls need nights like this. Tomorrow......boys nite:)

19 April

Getting to be there to celebrate a very special girl's 6th birthday..........priceless.

18 April

6 kids+beach+awesome weather=happy memories.

The weather here is unreal. I mean, when we were packing I said, "I'll just throw in the bathing suits, but I doubt it will be warm enough to wear them." Well, we were wearing them, and even some of us were swimming in them. The kids are having a blast together. I'm loving the chaos, the happiness, smiles, fun, dance parties, laughter, and the joy that having us all together brings. Good times.

17 April

Bucket List item #1

Watch the sunrise over the ocean (no matter how late you went to bed the night before).

16 April

We're here! and it is amazing!

Some funny Lucas-isms and notes to self:

Notes to self:

• Never EVER stop on the NJ turnpike for gas, food or even to pee, waiting in those lines wastes a lot of time
• always add at least 2 hours to the destination time the GPS gives you for your actual arrival time
• don't always follow the GPS directions and always have a back up map with you
• scope out secret Dunkin Donuts ahead of time
• eat the worst food possible, but never wait in line for it.
• When you are over the bridge, you are not there yet.
• seeing Trevor pushing a heavy cart with two kids through Target, watching a major Thunderstorm over the ocean, falling asleep to the sound of the waves, and getting to spread out in three bedrooms and bathrooms........totally worth it.

Funny Lucas-isms:

• "Well, obviously?!?"
• Mom, i LOVE sleeping in hotels
• Mom, this hotel EVEN has a toilet
• Mom, this hotel EVEN has toilet paper.

15 April

Vacation Day 1: New York City to do list.....

1. Ride a bus to Port Authority.......check
2. Times Square.........check
3. Buy some overpriced stuff in an electronic store b/c you forgot essential chargers at home......check
4. M&M store to buy some overpriced M&Ms out of cool dispensers and two $7 pens.....check
5. Ride on a smelly subway train.....check
6. visit the Lego store and the ice skating rink in 30 Rock.......check
7. Little children having to use the bathroom at an inconvenient time........check
8. Wait in line 90 mins to go on a silly ride on the 2nd floor of the Empire State building b/c"some guy" told us the wait would be less to get to the top......check
9. Wait in another silly line to get to the 80th floor and then ANOTHER line to ride up to the top of the Empire State building......check
10. Getting to see the view from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building (totally worth the wait-next time to the 102nd).......check
11. Riding on anther dirty smelly subway..........check
12. Barely pulling off a fancy lupper with cloth napkins in Little Italy (at our favorite place-Angelo's on Mulberry).......check
13. Gelato from a street vendor in Little Italy.........check
14. Folding strollers and carrying them and unfolding them again for little kids to ride in......check
15. Walking across Chinatown to see all the strange food being sold at the street markets.....check
16. Losing our backpack and then finding it again(which involved J leaving wife and kids to wait in a subway and running a 5K across China town in street clothes)......check
17. Another subway ride complete with a small girl child touching everything then putting said hands in mouth.......check
18. Battery park and the Statue of Liberty (minus the ferry ride-Trevor we promise next time!)......check
19. Walking over 18,000 steps.......check
20. Telling the Kids the story of 9-11-01.......check
21. taking another subway, then bus back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and a SHOWER.......check
22. falling asleep before the kids........check

14 April

This year, a very exciting thing happened in Bre's Kindergarten class. The kids hatched baby chicks from eggs. The whole process took about 21 days and the chicks hatched about a week ago. Let's just say they are the most popular room in the school now, all the kids want to come by to see the baby chicks. To say that Bre is in love would be an understatement. She very gently feeds them every day. Here she is teaching one of the babies how to use a picture schedule. The chick would peck the picture and then Bre would move the picture to the back of the card. Bre's teacher took about a 5 minute video of it on her phone (the fuzzy picture is of the video on my computer screen.) It was really the cutest thing I've ever seen.

And Today.....we are off on a little adventure, but I will be checking in to this space throughout the week. Happy Spring!

13 April

Joy is.......

Believing in yourself.

Last night, we went to your Spring concert. It was Kindergarteners through second graders, up on stage in the HS auditorium singing, dancing and signing Songs about America. You were all dressed up in your red white and blue and we were ready. We were nervous. Just one short month ago, we were asked about you participating in the Spring Concert. Maybe you could hold up a sign, or maybe if we decided....."you could just stay home." Just one short month ago, you wouldn't even stand to be in the same room as your classmates and sing, you were under the table, hiding. Just one short month ago, they had counted you out. But we thought about it, and we advocated. We asked, "why can't she?" So they made a plan, they made videos, they (and we) practiced and practiced. We even went to watch the dress rehearsal. Tonight, girl, you stood up there, you signed, you danced and you even sang a little. You stood still, you were patient with all the waiting and you clapped. You had fun and You were so proud of yourself. We were so proud of you! I can't show the photos here, to protect other's families privacy, but I can tell you how priceless it was. I wanted to melt into a sobbing tears of joy heap on my chair, but I just smiled (and took pictures). I felt like I had just won the Olympic Gold medal. All you needed, all any child needs, is someone to believe in them. I'll never, in my entire life forget this moment.

"There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees." ~Victor Hugo

12 April

Around here, when you take the time and look for the signs of Spring (amongst the still melting snow and the mud)........you will find them.

11 April

Inspired by Ali , my latest home decorating creation. This little collection of favorite photos and poetry is right at the top of the stairs in the hallway. The frames were literally on sale for a dollar each at AC Moore last week, the collage frame I found in the office closet, and the canvas print was free. Now all my favorite pictures EVER are out of my computer and on my walls. Someday, they will all have a story written down to go with them. Love this.

The poem in the collage frame is by Bonnie Mohr:

"Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work Hard. Be Choosy. Say "thank you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord givith and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you inspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself ~ Plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment.

10 April

Today......

We took the kids to a Pirates game, front row. It was the last game of the year. I won't go into details, but note to self: Take Just Trevor next year.

9 April

Tonight.....

The first annual progressive party in our neighborhood. A progressive party is where all the neighbors gather together and go to a different house for each course of a meal (no kids allowed!). It started as a crazy idea at the bus stop last fall, then an Evite went around, and now like 32 people are going to be gathering for this event tonight. We have a real reason to celebrate.....Our neighbor Brian is out of the hospital and is going to be able to attend for a while-YEAH!

8 April

The anatomy of an IEP meeting

This is our third meeting since January, and I hope last until next year. So much work and preparation goes into these meetings. First, there is the follow up and the pre-meetings/e-mails and phone calls. Meeting with the close professionals and teachers before the meeting to get feedback and ideas, and gathering information. Then , There is getting all the paperwork together and our ideas of what we want covered in a bullet point format. Then, there is finding someone to watch Lucas for 2-3 hours of their morning (Thank god for neighbors!) Phew, that part is done, but the meeting hasn't started yet. We walk into the school and the secretary greets us and kindly tells us what room we will be in. Room 11. It smells like Tempra paint in fact I think the whole school smells like it. There are a few people sitting around a small (kids table ) in cold metal chairs. It is cold in the room. Some more people join in. Ten to Twelve professionals fill the room around the tiny table. We're offered coffee. I take out my papers and look them over. We make some small talk with the principal and regular ed teacher. We're waiting for one more person to get started, but we begin anyway. The facilitator of the meeting is a kind man, we are grateful for his professionalism and all that he brings to the table. I am thankful for all those who believe in Bre and want to see her succeed. We talk for about 15 mins about some data that is nicely charted out in a beautiful drawing with some colored pencils. I ask what information we can get from this, then give my answer, but I am pushed aside. We then begin going over reports/observations and recommendations. I have things to say, but I never feel like it is the right time to say them. Sometimes I do speak up. My stomach knots up, because it feels like there is too much to talk about to go too far into any one detail. It is a little overwhelming, but I don't show it. A new plan and goals are written, but it is unclear what they will really be until they are seen in writing. A new data and communication sheet is formed. Consult time is changed, expectations are laid out. The meeting ends, taking too long and leaving some things out. I never feel like it is finished. I'm aware of how I'm no longer emotional about how they dissect and label my child, and I wonder if that is right, maybe I should be more emotional about it. I guess after a while you just get over it, but I wonder at what point in her life that happened. We see Bre going to gym class and say "hi" as we walk out, then we get a smile from the regular ed teacher (LOVE her and her positive attitude!). I was so thankful for her in the meeting when she said, " I don't expect my other kids to be perfect, why do we expect Bre to be?" There are many other students coming and going. We walk to the car and our heads start spinning about the next e-mails and phone calls that need to be made. Josh is pretty hung up about and can't get past the graphs, Maybe it's funny to see a person in a graph. I wonder what my graph would look like? I know it's necessary, but still hard. Wow, I didn't even give that a second thought during the meeting. He didn't say a lot at the meeting. I wish he would have said more. He then makes his own graphs playing on his computer when we get home and I call my brother. Then the PT calls and I have to beep over to the other line. She has an issue with shoes. I call someone else and make yet another appointment. Another layer. I make a pile of documents to scan onto the computer. I try to focus on the rest of my day but have a hard time focusing my attention on anything else other than what just happened that morning. What should have been said and what still needs to be said? I finally let it go and go outside and play water guns with Lucas, he has been ignored long enough. We talk about it more at night after the kids go to bed, the stuff we feel was unsaid. We decide to let it go until the next problem arises, or until we have to remind them to follow through. Then the cycle begins again.

7 April

April showers bring..........

cute little boys outside to play!

6 April

The big game.....

was painful to watch. Lots of missed baskets. But all in all our team won. Go UCONN!

5 April

Gospel John 9:1

AS JESUS walked along, he saw a blind man from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him"

Love your true smile, beautiful girl.

4 April

Bedtime wrestle tackle....it's our favorite game.

3 April

Today......

We "pretended" it was warm and let the kids buy something off the ice cream truck (we've never done that before b/c really for 8 bucks, you can buy 3 boxes of ice cream sandwiches). We waited in the driveway warming our faces in the sunshine until the ice cream truck song grew near (at least a half an hour). The whole time Lucas was saying, "I'm so EXCITED for the ice cream truck..." Aside from that the weekend was spent just puttering, and doing little things like going back through Breanna's baby pictures (2004-2005), and watching the UCONN men's basketball team win. I hope I can get a start and a finish on her baby album during my girls scrapping weekend at the end of the month. Looking back through those pictures, man, where has the time gone? I mean, things seemed so much easier back then. I mean, as a baby, there were no expectations. Now with school, it just adds a whole new layer to things. I'm sure I'll be saying the same thing about Now (that things seemed so much easier) 5 years from now......

2 April

This Girl.......

I doing awesome in her ballet class. At the end of each session the girls have a little mini recital, complete with a crown for each season where parents are allowed to watch (parents are strictly forbidden to watch any other time). I have to say Bre's improvement and participation have increased about 75% in just three 5 week sessions. Given our busy schedule with three kids, skiing and sports, I'm so glad that we were able stick with it. Miss Vanessa, you are such a gift to these girls. Thank You.

1 April

Hello April. And a snow day to boot. You have got to be kidding me. We have been living in a world of white for eternity (it seems.)