Diaper Gang at the Library

Hmm.... which one do I want??



This one looks good!














I love books!


Today I took Abraham to the "Diaper Gang Story Time" at the library. I pictured some old librarian lady just reading books to the kids. Good thing it didn't end up like that at all. We sang rhyming songs, read Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, did motion songs and then at the end the kids were able to play together. They ranged in age from 10 months to 22 months. Abraham did REALLY well, sitting still. He LOVED the songs and "sang" and clapped right along with us. It was a good time for all involved. I think we'll try and go back next week.

Making Memories

Me, Amy and my sister Kari

This past weekend was such a treat for me and for the rest of my family as well. My dear friend and "sister" Amy came from England, sans children, for a 5 day visit. It has been nearly 3 years since I've seen her. We talk about once a month or so but it just doesn't compare to face to face. She and I worked together on her coming so that it would be a surprise for my mom and sister. We got the desired effect - open mouths that were speechless as she walked in the door! It was priceless.

I had taken off Tuesday and Wednesday to spend with her but it seems as though that was unnecessary as MD was hit with a snow/ice storm on Tuesday. It closed schools on Wednesday and Thursday so I was able to have an extra day with her. I spent the night at my parent's house on Tuesday with the "gang". The house was packed - 9 of us sleeping in all nooks and crannies! The kids got to enjoy bath time together. Wednesday morning we all piled into Mimi and Gdad's "BIG BED" for cuddle time. We had a fun time!

Lounging in Mimi's BIG BED

How many bodies can you get in a king sized bed??

Mimi, Gdad and the grand-kids











It was so amazing to be able to share time together - to share Abraham with her (she had never seen him)- to share Moses with her - to sit and talk like we used to. There are few friends who I can be myself with - be "real" even tho "real" may very well be ugly. Few friends who take me as I am, flaws and screw ups and all. Amy has seen it all from me. My ugly, my "real", my flaws... She has been a constant friend that I always knew would love me, that I could depend on and who would always tell me the truth even when it hurt. I so admire her and love her. I'm blessed to count her a friend and a sister in heart and spirit.

Thursday Thirteen - Sharing Memories

This won't mean anything to anyone but me and those involved but I'm doing it anyhow. My friend Amy is like a 2nd sister to me. She is the best friend I've ever had, aside from my husband and my sister. Amy and I have been thru the highs and lows of life - and she has really become a part of my family. She has lived in England for the better part of our friendship but yet we have managed to stay close. She was just here visiting and even though it was really short, it was SO GOOD and REFRESHING to be together again. She, my sister and I have shared many memories together and I wantd to make them a part of my Thursday Thirteen this week.

Thirteen Memories that I Share with Kari and Amy

1. Father of the Bride sayings - "He's a genious and we need his mind!" "What's new pussycat?" "... the genious from the bun factory gottogether with the genious from the weiner factory and decided to rip off the American public. Well, I, George Banks won't stand for it!!"

2. Recording cassette tapes together - Mrs. Y. Manners, Sharita, Tawanda

3. Burning down the house - you little arson!

4. Harford Christian Christmas pictures - good God!

5. Amy teaching us to dance to techno music

6. Writing songs together

7. Having to live together in the same house/room for nearly a year - talk about character building!

8. Being "real" with each other - sharing our struggles and victories together, sharing our hearts

9. BAD HAIR!!

10. Praying together

11. Sharing Moses and his life

12. Having a marathon movie watching day with Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea - Gilbert Blythe was so cute! We loved the phrase "Tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes."

13. And the best thing about our friendship is that we can pick back up where we left off the last time we were together.

I'm so grateful for Amy's friendship. I'm a better person for knowing her and being her friend. She has taught me about being "real" and not hiding my feelings. She has taught me about honesty and integrity. She has taught me how to have fun and not take myself too seriously! I love her dearly - she is my bosom friend as Anne of Green Gables would say! I miss her terribly but I'm so thankful for the time that we have had together. I LOVE YOU AIMHEAD!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Harpers Ferry


The Jackson Rose Bed and Breakfast, Harpers Ferry, WV

This past weekend I took Michael away for a "date weekend". We have never done this ever - especially since Abraham was born. I thought it was about time. So I found a Bed and Breakfast in Harpers Ferry on the Potomac River. The place we stayed was actually Stonewall Jackson's home when he was in Harpers Ferry. We had the room where he wrote to his wife about a rose coming in the window. The Jackson Rose was a beautiful home and we enjoyed it tremendously.



We had a chance to do a few things that we have never done, in nearby Charles Town, WV. Charles Town is known for it's slots and horse racing. We placed a few measly bets on two horses and of course didn't win anything. And we did the slots just to say that we had done it. It was a really fun night and we enjoyed just being a couple again, as you can tell! It was good to talk and to laugh together without having to worry about the responsibilities of home. We were grateful that Mimi and Gdad watched Abraham for us.



It was a well needed weekend.

Thursday Thirteen

Based on the week, no, make that month, that I've had recently with my 3rd graders, this "rant" has emerged, rearing it's ugly head. Sorry for the language! Know that I've never, nor do I ever plan on, saying ANY of these things in class - with the exception of #1 and #5.

Thirteen things I wish I could say to my third graders

1. What the heck are you doing??

2. Life isn't fair. (said to me by my 5th grade teacher and I hated it!)

3. Don't your parents care about your education?

4. Do I LOOK like your mother?

5. What do you mean you lost the pencil I gave you 2 seconds ago?

6. Get a grip and quit crying!

7. Do you pull this crap at home?

8. Does this look like Starbucks? SHUT UP!

9. What part of NO don't you understand? The "N" or the "O"???

10. You are my favorite student this year.

11. You are too smart for your own good.

12. Your mother should have named you "Drama Queen/King".

13. SHUT UP!

My class is made up of 14 boys and 9 girls. The boys, God bless them, are VERY immature and it shows daily. They drive me insane most days. I have to get this out somewhere!! Anyone want to trade jobs for the day?

Local Celebrities Visit RFE

Jojo Girard, Sarah Jacobs and Me
2nd and 3rd Graders at RFE - Such BIG hearts!


Sarah Jacobs, Jojo Girard and Me with the wagon full of dough!!









So yesterday was the culmination of our "Change Bandits" fund raiser for Hopkins Children's Center. We were honored to have the local DJ's from the station organizing the Change Bandits - Jojo and Sarah - come to the Assembly. They came in the middle of their day to be a part of our celebration.

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a very behind the scenes person. I don't like the limelight very much at all. This whole project put me smack in the middle of it! Standing in front of the entire school body and speaking was uncomfortable for me. HOWEVER, for a cause like this and to brag on these amazing kids I did it willingly.

As of today, the kids have raised over $1100! Jojo and Sarah mentioned our school and me by name on the air today. I missed it darn it all.. but the thought was there.

I'm so blessed to be a part of this "family" at RFE and to have these kids as my "mission field".

Twinkle Toes???

There are no words other than "How embarassing!"
Let's just pray he doesn't hate us for these!

Playing at Mimi's house

Abraham loves playing in Alex and Chloe's room at Mimi's house. It's completely baby-proof so that helps Mimi not have to chase Abraham. And there are SO many fun toys!

Let it SNOW!!

All bundled up and ready to go



Snow days with Daddy


Last winter Abraham was too tiny to enjoy or appreciate the snow. This year is totally different. He LOVED opening his mouth and trying to catch the snowflakes. This was taken on one of the first "snow days" we had this winter.

Little Trouble Maker

"Helping" Momma unload the dishwasher



I just like making messes!!


One day last week I was in the kitchen unloading the dishwasher. Abraham usually likes to grab the tupperware out of the dishwasher and "help". I turned to put some dishes away and when I turned back he had climbed right up on top of the door of the dishwasher and was reaching in the top rack for Lord knows what - something that caught his eye I guess! He thought he was pretty funny!

So I got him off and put him in the living room to play.I had given him some goldfish to eat and put the bag on the end table - which sits up about 2 1/2 feet. I walked into the kitchen to finish the dishwasher and heard a noice that I didn't like. Came back into the living room and he had grabbed the bag off of the endtable and had dumped it all over the floor. He was sitting there laughing at himself and eating the goldfish off of the floor.

I had to take pics so that Daddy could see what his boy had been getting into! Just thought I'd share these with everyone!

Thursday Thirteen

Ok so I'm new to this but thought it was pretty cool. I can't think of anything original so my 13 is...

Thirteen things I love about being a mom to Abraham


1. I Love that I get to enjoy him and his smile every day.

2. I Love the way that he reaches for me from his crib in the mornings.

3. I Love the way that he cuddles with me at night before bed.

4. I Love the way that he plays with Michael.

5. I Love his belly laughs!

6. I Love the way he claps his sweet hands in pure happiness with himself.

7. I Love the light in his eyes when he splashes in the bathtub - we both love bathtime!

8. I Love how he is growing into such a big boy considering how tiny he was starting out.

9. I Love how inquisitive he is and how focused he is on playing.

10. I Love that he is my little "Vaccuum cleaner" finding all the stuff on the carpet.

11. I Love all the funny faces he makes.

12. I Love riding in the car with him and singing together!

13. I Love hearing him talk and laugh to himself when he is playing alone.