Stuck

Contessa can get herself into quite a big of trouble these days...Here she is stuck under the craft table. Since she cant move forward well yet she is just stuck! But still happy!

All That Glitters

Last night was the big event...I feel like I've been working on planning this Gala for months when really its only been about 6 weeks. But it has been a lot of work and the past week has been extremely stressful so it was great to see it pay off. This is the second time we have done this event for the hospital. Last year we had about 130 people and this year it was closer to 170!
And I got to spend the evening with some of my most favorite people...
Clockwise starting with Jordan, Cassie, Paul, Jason, Melanie, me, Stacie and Nick.
Thanks again for coming all of you!!!

A few more

We are pretty big Lincoln fans around here. So here are a few more of his great quotes:

"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Speech to One Hundred Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment (August 22, 1864), p. 512.

"Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume II, "Notes for a Law Lecture" (July 1, 1850?), p. 81

"Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VIII, "Speech to One Hundred Fortieth Indiana Regiment" (March 17, 1865), p. 361.

"In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Reply to Loyal Colored People of Baltimore upon Presentation of a Bible" (September 7, 1864), p. 542.

In reply to comments about General Grant's drinking problem, "Find out what whiskey he drinks and send all of my generals a case, if it will get the same results."

"I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."

"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe."

"It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong."

"My father taught me to work he did not teach me to love it."

On marriage:"No matter how much cats fight there always seem to be plenty of Kittens."

"The worst thing you can do for those you love is the things they could and should do themselves."

"When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees."

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

Happy 200th Birthday, Mr. Lincoln!

"And in the end, its no the years in your life that count.
Its the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln

What I love about Sully, age 3:

-his long long, dark dark lashes that frame those blue blue eyes...look out you cannot say no to those eyes. Its too powerful a combination.
-when he says, "Actually, mommy..."
-when he tells us out of the blue..." I love you mommy/daddy/avery/lauren/contessa caroline"
- that he is so loving and quick to hug and kiss and show affection
-that he talks to me LITERALLY ALL DAY LONG. I swear sometimes my ears must be bruised by the end of the day.
-that he loves puzzles and is really good at them and refuses to have help.
-that he loves to be read to
-when he says, "I not know" instead of "I don't know"
- when he says, "I want too much" instead of, "I want a lot"
-the way he loves Jordan and craves daddy time
-how he always calls Tess either Contessa or Contessa Caroline
-how he tries so hard to get his fingers in the position to show that he is 3, but just cant quite do it without help.
-that he loves to have 'spikey' hair
-that he loves to wear 'daddy shirts' aka t-shirts or tank-tops under his shirt.
-how excited he gets to see Jalen in the morning at school.
-how he and Jalen compare their shirts and talk about what is on their shirts when they first see each other.
-how he calls Rosanna, 'Zanna'
-the way he loves his uncles and gets excited to see them.
-how sweet he is with Tess
-how much he loves being outside
-when he tells me I'm pretty
-when he tells me HE is cute.
-how he loves watching Rick Steves with Jordan!
-watching him set up his Thomas tracks
-how he plays 'house' with his Spiderman characters
-how when he prays he puts his hands folded over his mouth and says, "Dear Jesus, Thank you for her and her and her and her and him. AMEN!" Pointing out each of us at the table and then screaming his Amens.
-that he cannot walk to the van in the morning with out sticking his leg the snowbank at least one time
-his incessant need to wrestle
-the way he uses one of my grandma's old canes as a microphone and sings into or puts on 'sermons'

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sullivan Joseph!

Sullivan Joseph...Where can I even begin?
Since as long as I can remember I prayed that God would give me a son someday. God answered my prayer with you. I must be the most blessed woman that you call me 'mommy'. I love knowing the special bond that mothers and sons share.

Each night after I tuck you in to bed and close the door I breathe a sign of relief, the sigh of relief that all mothers of sons must breathe. Then as I walk down the stairs I say a prayer. I thank God for giving you to me and I ask him to not let these days pass to quickly. Because I realize that there will come a day when I wont be able to hug you and kiss your cheeks whenever I want. There will come a day when you will be mortified by the thought of me snuggling and cuddling with you. And that thought makes the days when you try me to the point of complete exasperation, very much worth it.

You've taught us many things in your 3 years. You've taught us that there is truly a BIG difference between little boys and little girls. One of my biggest joys is to notice that with you and your sisters. You've also taught us that when God is asking us to trust Him, even when it is most difficult, all we can do is look to Him and trust with all our heart and soul.

Waiting for you to walk was an excruciating time for us. But the first time I saw you walk across the room was one of the happiest most gratifying moments in my life.

With the birth of your baby sister you have no doubt been put in a unique spot in the family. The lone boy. This makes you so very special and gives you so much responsibility! We know you are up to the challenge and we think you might even enjoy being Daddy's only boy.

Sullivan, words cannot express the dreams that you have fulfilled for your dad and I. There is nothing in the world that can compare to calling you my son. I am ultimately proud of you and excited to see where Gods path will take you.

As you grow I pray that you will remember that God has already worked miracles in your life. There is nothing that He cannot do if you will allow Him to take control. I pray that you will learn to be a man of God who looks to Him for your strength and encouragement.

And I pray that you when you think of 'home' you will think of your dad and I and you will understand that never has a boy been more loved and more treasured.

All our love Sullivan Joseph, all our love.

More Sully

There is nothing I love more than looking through old photos. I could sit here all night. I love love love the picture of Sully and the girls with wet hair in their jammies, they all look so very happy and fun. And I love the picture of Sullivan in the gait trainer and I am so thankful that it only stayed at our house for 2 weeks before we were able to return it to Physical Therapy.

Birthday Eve

I'm doing a little reminiscing on the night before Sullivan's birthday. I absolutely love the picture of Lauren and Avery meeting Sully for the first time. They were so in awe of him.

On the move

Tess is everywhere. Everywhere.
She isnt really crawling or army crawling but she is moving and getting to where she wants to go.

And she is really really close to true crawling. Tonight she is getting up on all fours and moving each leg once in sync with each arm and then going to her belly.

Also, tooth #1 is about to break though, I can feel the ridges.

She is getting so big. And she is so cute. She's got 'that' smile. You know the one.

Monday

Its definetly Monday. I have so much going on...a Huge event for work this weekend, Sully's birthday on Wednesday, Valentine party stuff to prepare for school, preschool and daycare, 10 pounds to lose before the event on Saturday night, and then of course just keeping a family of 6 fed, clean and happy.

I was about to get really stressed.

Then last night I stayed up way too late reading about what this family is attempting to deal with and make sense out of on their Monday. Suddenly my to do list seemed much more like a blessing than a stressor.

Other birthday kids

Jordan's sisters' Trina and Kylie and I share February birthday's as well. We aren't as young as the other party animals however!

Party Guests

Here were our party animals. Clockwise starting with Avery (4)at the top, Lauren (7), Contessa (7 months), Jalen (2), Sully (3 minus about 4 days), Alexa (3 minus about 15 days), Adele (4 months), Aaron (6 minus about 2 months). It was loud and rough in our house...very fun!

Sully and mom

The only time I end up in pictures is during birthday parties and that's because Melanie is good enough to take the pictures for me that day...thank you!

Birthday!

We had Sullivan's birthday party this weekend with family and friends. I'll have his real birthday post on Wednesday when he officially turns three. At least that is the plan...every time I think about what I want to say to him I get teary and emotional so I might not be able to get it out...

The one thing I love more than my own birthday is one of my kids' birthdays. I love to see them feeling loved and special on that day. We always surprise them with our decorating and the cake. Sullivan was thrilled.
He had a blast and got perfect gifts from our families. As you can tell, he is into Spiderman. But he also got some great Thomas sets that everyone is enjoying playing with.

Yes.

Yes, I sat her down on the stove to 'help' me make lunch. No it wasnt on and hadnt been on in like 24 hours.

Yes, that is a tv dinner box that I was 'making' for one of the kids for lunch. We were in full, 'getting ready for birthday party' gear around here.

Jordan hates it when I set here there and wanted proof - I wont do it again. I promised him.

And yes, she really is just that cute.

Sledding

We had a beautiful weekend around here...Sullivan loved being outside and would have stayed out all day. Even Contessa got in on some of the fun.

Right where she wants him...

He is putty in her hands and she knows it. She even manages to get the remote from him. He doesn't even let me have that.

My boy...

How can he be turning three? where does the time go?

Spring?

Yesterday I was having one of those days where I just needed OUT. Lucky for me, we had a warm, upper 30 degree day. We bundled up and went for our first walk of the year!
The girls had their Christmas scooters and I had to keep reminding them to slow down, Sully had 'his' Barbie trike and Tess and I brought up the end of the train.
It felt SO great to be outside and getting some fresh air. I cannot wait for spring to actually come and stay! Tess seemed to enjoy the time outdoors but her poor little nose got SO red!

And now Avery...

"Mommy? You know what hurts worse than shots? Stitches."

And she would know.