365::223

Last Day.

There were hugs, and tears, and smiles and more hugs. You will always be a part of Shooting Stars (there's a picture of you on their sign!) and they will always be a part of you. In the time that you were there, they grew from 6 kids to something like 40. I can't them enough for making us a part of their family, and for how they loved you. After feeling sad and anxious about you moving on for most (if not all ) of the summer (and REALLY just wanting to leave Holland totally), suddenly I feel the calm of us being in a good place. Ok, well I'll be a lot calmer a month from now, but I know you are ready. You are going places girl!

365:222

Moving up and Moving on.....

Bre's getting some lessons from her big brother on the rules of her new playground. I LOVE these later summer days, the weather is cooler and fall is in the air. I'm loving cleaning out the house, bit, by bit. I love getting rid of stuff. Today I donated 7 bags to Goodwill. I'm feeling good about things. WE haven't gotten to do everything we wanted to this summer, work schedules and house projects just seemed to get in the way. But we're going to be taking some amazing memories with us. And , Luckily....it's not over yet!

365::221

Our garden is bursting with things to harvest! Today we harvested 15 cucumbers, 5 tomatoes (and we are on the brink of about 50 more), wildflowers and basil. Lucas helped me make some homemade pesto (I didn't use a recipe) and we froze that. I promised him to make some banana bread tomorrow morning (this little guy is REALLY into cooking). Also, Breanna had her first private tour of her new school, lunchroom, bathroom and Kindergarten classroom, courtesy of her wonderful teacher (LOVE HER!). We said goodbye to one of her teachers at Shooting Stars that she has had for three years :( WE love you Ruth, you are family to us and we'll miss you! It's her last week at shooting Stars. WE love it there but she is ready. Moving up, and Moving on....its a good thing.

365::220

Today.....

Let's talk about fashion. Kristen and I had a Mom's day out. We shopped, we laughed, we tried stuff on, we ate, we drank beers, we tried more stuff on, we dealt with some interesting sales people, we looked at shoes. Now I'm not hugely into clothes and fashion....I shop at Goodwill often (which is a good thing to do), but we found ourselves in this store Delia's where I think the maximum age to try anything on was like 23. Kristen said, we're going to try on these jeans (they were buy one get one half off and you got a ten dollar coupon just for trying them on!). Ok, what the heck. We'll..... they fit (and I can't even pretend I'm back to pre-kids weight), and they kind of even looked good (for a date night maybe). SO they came home with me and so did a cool pair of sandals to go with those jeans, a dress for the wedding, and a second dress just because..... it fit so well. And yes, ladies....apparently bell bottoms are out and the tuck and roll (of the pants) is back (some things about seventh grade I'd like to forget!) I have to admit, it was kind of nice feeling carefree and almost twenty again (even if it was just for an afternoon!) and hey, my birthday is only two months away.

365::219

Eight

happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Grandma-You are my inspiration.......

365::218

Last night.....

we headed out to the Sea Dogs game for great junk food, beverage, a little baseball and the kids could have some quality time with their grandparents. Breanna had a tough time with the crowd, so we ended the night a little early, but it was really fun!

and Today......

I don't have one picture of it, but the Days came over and we did so much! Kevin and Josh went over to the neighbor's house for the day to help in a family/friend effort to build a dream backyard patio for Brian (our neighbor) who is undergoing a stem cell transplant in Boston this summer for Leukemia. We will surprise him with it when he gets home at the end of August, It came out amazing, and we were so touched by the Kevin's willingness to come and give a whole day's labor to a total stranger. In the evening, we headed down to OOB for some more great junk food (pizza, Pier fries and ice cream) and the kids rode some of the rides (again, not one picture!) And yes, my kids are the one's who cry at amusement parks b/c apparently there is such thing as too much fun! Good times.

365::217

Today.......

Josh and I both ran the beach to Beacon 10K road race. It was a PERFECT day for a race 65 and sunny, no wind. I have to say I have never run a 10K before and it was really fun to start with this one. We didn't get very many good pictures (but I managed one of the HUGE line of porta- potties), it was just a great experience and even though there were ALOT of hills....the crowd there made it seem not so long.....maybe we'll do it again next year (and Jeff and Irene----you guys are in for next year too!)

365::216

My first try at the big race tomorrow. This non-distance runner is going to run 6.2 miles!

365::215

I hope this little boy's bad day (and in turn his parent's bad day) made it be a really good day for other people out there.....

My neighbor and friend Brain got his Stem cell transplant today. He called it his "new birthday". I hope and pray he is on his way to bing cancer free.

I have been at work for 17 of the last 25 hours. Unfortunately I missed what seemed to be a 23 hour meltdown. He's refusing to use the potty again, and nothing else seems to be going his way. It's one of those times when Josh and I are just vacuuming together after the kids go to bed to get our frustrations out. Then we sit down and talk about what we could have done better and what is wrong with our life.

The story: We're trying to get the dinner dishes done. A BIG little voice comes up to us with a nerf sword and says, "GIVE ME BACK MY TIC TACS RIGHT NOW OR I'LL SWORD YOU!) The Dad of the little voice takes the tic tacs (which was all the little voice ate for dinner by the way) and throws them out the door as far into the woods as they could go. A supreme meltdown had begun and there was no stopping it after that.

Earlier in the day......I was at work and I turned to my friend Elaine (who has two boys, 18 and 15) and said, "well at least you can be happy that potty training is just a distant memory for you..." and she said, "every stage has it's challenges" which made me wonder......it never does get any easier, does it?

Parents work so hard, and most of the time in the earlier years we are just knee deep in S*@&! WE think to ourselves, "It's OK, b/c there will be a reward someday for all of it...." That is how we get through it.

On top of it all, there is a little tiny baby (too far away) that I'm just DYING to hold. So, I can relish in someone else's joy for a while, make all of this "stuff" go away, and remember how easy it was, "back then" when I could just cuddle them, hold them, feed them and change them. They just slept, ate, cooed and played. We thought it was hard back then....after we had our first baby b/c we were a little sleep deprived. What will we think about potty training in a few years (we'll definitely be laughing at ourselves)..............It never get's any easier, does it?

365::214

I want to remember: (eight years old)

Your little voice and your big front teeth

How you hold Lucas' hand in parking lots (and get him out of his car seat) wherever we go.

How you always want to know what's for breakfast the night before

How you say, HI Dad" and HI Mom."

How you love to take care of your siblings (and get them into trouble)

How you say your favorite thing in the world is "spending time with Mommy, Daddy, Lucas and Breanna"

How you want to (and try to) play the electric guitar

How you sing every song that comes on the radio

That you want an ear buds for your ipod shuffle

How you and Breanna have your little game where you call her Beenaeenaweenadinalinacheena

and she pretends to slap you across the face (and in general, you always watch out for her)

How you want to be a knight (with a horse?) for Halloween (yep, already decided)

How you love games, playing castle, nerf guns, anything sports related (especially basketball)

How you are really into Lucy and feed her every day at 3 o'clock

That you like taking 45 minutes to an hour to get ready for bed.

How you answer the phone.

That you are ALWAYS leaving your stuff around

That you are pretty much excited by anything we do

That you are super fun to be around.

Twist ice cream with rainbow jimmies

plain peanut butter sandwiches (no jelly) and you are still a picky eater

You can out together your own complicated lego ships now by following the directions

You are giddy with excitement about going to any type of theme or water park

You read in bed every night now and you help empty the dishwasher every day

That you want to grow your hair long and you hate taking showers

that you brush your teeth with Pop-Star toothpaste

That your best friends are Nick and Niall

That you sometimes argue and complain, but you are sensitive, fun loving and caring.

That I love you more that I thought I could love anybody:)

365::213

Our lives are the sum of each moment and interaction.

Each Day we work, eat, laugh, teach, play, read, remember.....

And work it all again the next day.

Within seemingly small moments we find opportunity

To build relationships, develop character, find joy

For the price of our time.

Life's most essential possibilities are realized at home.

Where we share, teach, grow, learn, serve, give

Our best without praise or fanfare.

Because every effort, every moment matters in the development of a person....

Nothing is really routine.

~Seeing the Everyday, the small things magazine

365::212

Happy 8th Birthday my sweet boy.....

We love you!

365::211

5 friends+1 Dad+sunshine+ street hockey+volleyball+cake+icecream+presents+baseball+

nerf guns+football+volleyball+basketball=one REALLY fun 8th birthday party

Fresh from the mouths of...

Me: Trevor, Breanna and Lucas....You have a little cousin. Lily and Emma have a new baby brother, Ryan, pretty soon we will get to see the new baby!

Lucas: Will he drive a his car to get here? Does he have his own car?

introducing......

Happy Birthday to

Ryan Jeffrey

7/31/10 at 8:40 p.m. 7 lbs 11 oz 18.5 inches long.

Congrats to Jeff, Irene Lily and Emma----he's perfect!

365::210

My new little nephew is on his way.... I CAN"T WAIT to see his face:)

365::209

The big Birthday weekend......

Saturday: Gammie and Grampa are coming to take me out to dinner and shopping for my birthday present (It's a surprise!!)

Sunday: I'm having some friends over for a sports party (we're going to play street hockey, basketball, football and volleyball) and cake and ice cream.

Monday: My ACTUAL birthday. We're going to go out to breakfast then Mom and Dad, Bre and Lucas are going to take me (for a surprise) to watercountry USA for the day.

Tuesday: I'm going to Funtown/Splashtown for the day with my friend Nick and then I'm going to sleepover at his house.

Wednesday; I'm going to come home and be whiny, cranky and waaaay overtired!

next weekend: my other grandparents are coming over!

365::203

Eight years ago....I was waiting patiently (a day overdue) for you to be born. I was waiting patiently to become a mother. All I had then was expectations. Now, here we are at sixty pounds, 7 lost teeth and 50 inches. Here we are at beginning crushes (that you won't admit), brushing your teeth and going to sleepovers by yourself. Here we are at asking when we can sit in the car WITHOUT a car seat. Here we are at almost eight. You are well on your way. Half way to driving, 10 years from leaving home. Ten years doesn't seem like very long. I too am still on my way on this journey of motherhood , full of people and experiences and difficult times that has shaped and changed me, made me learn, and changed my expectations. I look at pictures and can't rmember who that person was in the photographs of so long ago.

I have learned so much from you, from your siblings....but I still have a long way to go. Sometimes I have to remind myself that all I'm required to take on is one day at a time.

What I have learned most is that life is too unexpected to try to control or even predict. If you do that you might miss something really good along the way. It's hard...yes, exhausting and aggravating....yes, sad sometimes.....yes. IT is nothing like I expected it to be...... it's way better.

365::202

this time......

he left a note for the tooth fairy........AND the tooth fairy forgot to come until morning and luckily was able to scrape up a dollar and sneak it under the pillow AFTER the children had risen....

PHEW!

365::201

right now......what I'm spending time on.

Collecting and saving coupons and shopping store sales. Today, I saved $41 at Target, and the other day I saved $45 at Toys R' Us for about 15 mins. of work.

Writing letter to state legislators, the governor, and anyone else who may listen. Breanna's Preschool may have to close down in a year due to some major (and rediculous) changes the state is making...

Playing trains and taking kids to the bathroom (we're making progress, but it's been a rough few weeks)

laundry and trying to clean up the car (there is a ton of sand and some old gum stuck all over one of the car seats)

Waiting for my newest baby nephew to arrive....I'm so sad I can't be there!

365::200

WE're all ready for our swimming lessons!

365::199

We will remember........

the kids swimming in the ocean fully clothed

talking and laughing and having fun like no time had past since we saw each other last

Sea Dog Brew pub (LOVE the mussles!)

Rasberry wheat

Body surfing

Josh's 36th birthday and the best chocolate, chocolate cake ever

Lucas and his "girlfriends"

Lucas' butt (need I say more?)

enjoying the ocean, the deck and the campfire for hours

the perfect weather....with just a few raindrops "blowing through"

the grownup talks around the campfire

all the little notes, drawings and cardboard things I keep finding around the house reminding me of all the creative fun the kids had together....

Seeing the worst movie EVER---the INFORMANT (I can't believe I wasted 1 1/2 hours of my life on THAT!)

The kids and their movie night complete with blankets, pillows and popcorn

Katie and Lucas holding hands the whole walk at Fort Williams

The kids in the tunnel

types of underwear

I think I kind of like the red wine

eating like kings.....waflles, bacon, scallops and LOBSTER!

friends and summer. The best days ever.

365::198

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller

We had an amazing weekend. There is just something about having the company of good friends that makes it all just all that much more fun. The Lightles' are the most amazing laid back go with the flow people with adorable and low maintainence kids I have ever seen! It was overcast and a little cool on Saturday, but we found ourselves at the shore anyway. The kids headed in to the water....fully clothed (needless to say our van needs a bit of a cleaning when sand season is over...)

getting ready...

to celebrate the weekend (and Josh's birthday) with some really good friends that we haven't seen in over a year (15 months to be exact). They are from out of town so we'll probably be out on the town enjoying all the touristy spots coastal Maine has to offer (including LOBSTER!). See you back here on Tuesday:)

365::197

Important boy milestones:

First solid food, First tooth, first steps, first time running, first time riding a bike, first day of preschool.........first........BLACKEYE!

365::196

Tonight......

Trevor begged us all to wear the tie die shirts we made yesterday. It was fitting as we went to to Motor Booty Affair (a local 70's funk band) outdoor concert in the park that we go to every year. A "friend of the band" saw us in our matching shirts and had to get a picture for the band's facebook page. We always get a picnic dinner and the kids run around until they collapse. We saw friends, and we even saw Breanna's future Kindergarten teacher (who talks with me like I am an old friend--I LOVE her!). My kind of night:)

This picture....... it's sooo us right now. Not everyone is looking (at least we're all in the picture!), and my hair...we'll that's how I roll in the summer time---who has time for blow drying?

365::195

Tonight.....

The sky got black and we had THE storm of the year (tornado watch). We grabbed the popcorn (Trevor's idea) and watched the clouds roll in on our front porch (before the rain and major wind arrived). Summer memories:)

365::194

Today, it was a REALLY busy day with tons of errands to do (birthdays coming up and friends coming to visit) . I did some shopping (A LOT of shopping) with just my girl (who really still loves to just ride in the cart). We picked out this outfit at Target in the BIG GIRL section for the first day of school. I think she likes it, don't you?

365::193

Yesterday was all about kids and sprinklers (well, it was fun for some of them who don't have bathroom issues, I'm sure Kristen went home and said, "Thank GOD I'm not her!")

365::197

Our new ice cream place from last night......a little bit of a drive (15 mins) but melty, salty and sweet totally homemade gooey goodness.

365::196

Today......

it was hotter than hot. Bre was invited to her very first "friend" birthday party. In the evening, we ended up down at the shore. There was a wedding right amongst all of the beach goers. The water was warmer than I ever remember it. We saw friends, and it was high tide so we sat for the longest time, covered ourselves in sand and let the waves run over us. Josh even did some body surfing. Trevor ran and screamed with every wave that hit him. After that, we decided to go for some lobster rolls and then head out to try a brand new ice cream place. It was just the best time. I was happy all over thinking of the wonderful spontaneous summer memories that we had just made. We didn't have a care in the world this night and we didn't let the small stuff bother us (even sand in the house ---ALOT of sand.) We definitely need more of this.

365::196

In the garden......

Peas are ready

cucumbers are ready (and coming out my ears)

basil is ready (homemade pesto?!?)

lettuce is already picked and eaten

wildflowers are ready for picking (can't wait to make an arrangement for the table!)

The tomatoes plants are taller than me, crowded and there are many green ones

It's my best garden ever, but it's just a start, there are so many things I'm going to do differently next year.

365::195

Game night....

this article

got this from facebook (thanks Michelle). God Bless the good friends.

Saw this....

Read here.

I think parents of young kids need ALL of the above...

365::194

Mom, we're Fwahmmin'!!!

365::193

Today.....

Josh got to spend the day with the "big Kids" (how refreshing) at Watercounrty USA. They rode every ride (even the one's I wouldn't go near) at least 5 times. Trevor wouldn't ride most of them last year, I guess this is what being almost 8 is all about (friends and big, fun thrilling rides) :)

365::192

Right now.

Every Morning.......

Lucas is the first one up, we hear the pitter patter of little feet coming into our room (too early)

Breanna has to be dragged out of bed (and usually requests Daddy)

Sometimes you watch a show, sometimes not.

You all like different breakfasts (Lucas is a non-breakfast eater usually), but it's easy, so we don't mind.

getting dressed and brushing our teeth sometimes takes hours (especially in summer when we don't "have to" be anywhere

You all start brushing your teeth on your own (again three different toothpastes) Trevor likes mint with Stars, Bre Vanilla Mint and Lucas Silly Strawberry. We do our "cheesies" and then I help finish your teeth, sometimes we floss and do listerine too.

Every night......

We listen to the caterpillar story and read books (Trevor reads to Bre)

Lucas is the first one asleep (since he just gave up naps)

We lay with you, give you hugs and sometimes rub feet

Lucas and Bre always request drinks in bed, but we're trying to get out of that habit

365::191

Another favorite summer food=Icecream. Perhaps my favorite food of all time is Ben and Jerry's strawberry cheesecake. Since they were buy one get one free this week at the grocery store, we're going to be making our own cones at home on Sundays for the rest of the summer--FUN!

365::190

Date night to our favorite elegant restaurant (thanks to our favorite babysitter). No matter how hard things have been lately with the kids, there is SOOO much to celebrate. Here's to the best 11 years of our lives:) Love you.

365::189

I LOVE wild Maine blueberries (especially since they are free in our very own yard!) We're having blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

365::188

Today we spent the afternoon at the beach, which brings me to a little subject called potty training (please, join my pity party).
Today, I had two kids running back and forth at the beach, crying and having a miserable time b/c they refused to use the bathroom (and we went back and forth to the bathroom several times across a hot parking lot). There are kids who are totally in diapers, and there are kids that are completely trained....mine, well have been in the in between stage for about the last three years. Sometimes going on the toilet, sometimes using a diaper, sometimes having accidents, sometimes refusing to go on the toilet, and sometimes being totally happy with it. Let's just say this makes going anywhere for fun almost totally impossible. At least with total diapers, there is predictability there, and you are prepared for whatever might happen. I'm convinced that other parents have it so much easier in this department. I have absolutely gotten the three hardest children to potty train on the planet (well, at least two of them). We've been to doctors, social workers, potty training programs, workshops and tried laxatives, sticker charts, rewards and you name it. I'm done, done with it! If anyone else out there has been potty training for more than three years in a row, please join my pity party, b/c frankly I can't take it anymore. Why me?!!!

A summer poem

Read here--LOL!

Just for fun

Trevor, First Day of preschool (age 3) Spetember, 2005

365::187

Parenting, it's really about letting go, it's sad and happy, happy then sad. Wasn't this kid born about five minutes ago? I do miss babyhood. But I LOVE the person you are. You are curious and confident.

It was your first day of preschool today. You were SOOO ready. You were up at the crack of dawn getting your backpack out and your snacks ready. When I dropped you off, as some of the other new kids were crying about their parents leaving, you turned to me and said, "Mom, I get to stay here by myself without you, right?" Then you waved goodbye, gave me a hug and you were off, just like that. I'm so happy that you have been home with us for almost three and a half years since you were born, but I'm so happy that you have this all for yourself. YOu came home and you were so proud of yourself. You were in the best mood all day. The teachers said that you acted like you had been there for years, listening and participating. We're so proud of you and we love you Lucas!

inspiration for today

I LOVE this post, and her blog. Sometimes I yearn for those things that I will never know.

365::186

Our outdoor thermometer (in the sun) says 113, our car thermometer says 99. I don't remember it being this hot and humid here, EVER. Too hot to go outside today (with some miserable kids inside to boot!!)

365::185

Tonight.....baseball (and all the yummy treats that go along with it) and FIREWORKS! Happy 4th to you!

365::184

Today....we (the three kids and I) grocery shopped, did all the chores and we went to Aquaboggin as a heat wave was rolling in for the week. After dinner, we were all tired so we decided on a little family body drawing. We're celebrating the 4th tomorrow with baseball and fireworks!

365::183

I'm sure that when they grow up they will always remember spending summer days at their grandparents "camp", swimming until past their bedtime, fishing,boating, playing, and being kids. I'm sure that Trevor will even remember where he learned how to do his first canonball:)

365::182

But Mom, it's what boys do! (make messes and things out of furniture and play guns.)

365::181

Every night for the last week, she has been requesting that you (and only you) read to her. It's always Curious George and the Puppies. She loves how you make the funny slow George Voice at the beginning of the book. I don't think I could love this any more :)