A little water made it bigger

Oh how our garden has grown. I can't believe that it is growing! We are putting the time into it and definitely the money and it has took off. The kids don't care for it that much but my husband and I certainly get a kick out of staring at it.




You might think it is a lot like watching grass grow but we are simple. Every couple of days we check and see how big it has got and it truly is growing before our eyes. Sometimes it seems to get bigger even after we water it.



Don't those planets look yummy!

Swimming Lesson

For 2 weeks the boys had swimming lessons. This has been LONG over do. I am a firm believer that everyone should know how to swim. And here living on the East Coast we go to the water quite often. Whether it be the pool, a lake, or sometimes luckily the ocean my boys love to play in them.

They boys enjoyed their swimming lessons. They were so happy to have us there watching and always asked if their baby could come to. I love how they are so including :)




They are not Olympic summers yet but they are not scared to put their head in the water. We will try to get more lessons soon.

An apology

Dear House,

I am sorry that we have let you go. You see its just been busy here with the new baby and all. Since he's moved in we have been overwhelmed but we still love you. There might be dishes piled in the sink but just think of those meals we spent with you. Sure the carpet is covered by blankets but look at all the joy on the children's faces while they play on them. Yes toys are everywhere because you are so much fun to play with. And the trash? Yes at least we are still taking that out :)

So house today is your day. We will spend it showing you our love. I know how much you love to be swept and vacuumed, like a rub on the belly. We will wipe your eyes so we can see out and the sun will sine in. House we will take care of you. We love you house, thanks for being our home.

Gregory turns 6

Another milestone we hit was for Gregory. You are now 6!!! What a big guy. You are growing so fast. Awe I remember just having you and 6 years later poof you are this awesome boy before me.




You have turned out to be such a cool person. I love you so much!



Gregory is the greatest. I could spend all day just being with him and loving every minute of it. He is so special.



he is the best big brother.



The king of Wii.



A great t-baller.



A smart cookie.



Nothing short of amazing.



I love him so much. He is a child that I have become so close and attached to. More than just for the reason he is my son. Maybe a little because he is my first born. He is so kind and loving I am so proud of him and will cherish him everyday!

1 month old

I can't believe he is 1 month old ALL READY! Baby you are growing so fast. The time is just flying by.





In a short month of having you in my arms I have fell so deeply in love with you. Not just me either.




Everyone loves you!




We are so glad you are here and could never imagine life with out you.



In just one month you have made it up to 10 pounds and 23 1/2 inches.



You are going to be so big.




Absolute joy and love!

A realization about processed foods

In all the posts I like to include pictures of our family and daily life. We are ones who never leave home without a camera so there are hard drives at our home full with photos. Long since the day of photo albums.

Since Brendan's birth there has been an absence of me in all these pictures. Two reasons can sum it up
1. I am 90% of the time the picture taker
2. Vanity

I put on a lot of weight again with this pregnancy and now I need to lose it.

I have made a good start popping out a 9lb baby and all the stuff that comes with it dropped a quick 20lbs off. That is great motivation for more. Plus I have the added comments of my sweet 6 year old and my mother.

6yo- pinches my back and chants back fat. I want to give him nothing to be able to pinch.

my mother- when telling her about going to the pool her honest reply by the speed it rolled out of her mouth, you can't wear/fit in to a swim suit can you? A quick apology did follow as I stood there jaw drop and said yes mom they do make bigger swim suits. Which I did put on and wear to the pool.

Summer is a great time to lose weight. The weather is great for walking my favorite thing to do and there is a bountiful of fresh fruit and vegetables. Lately I have been very observant about processed foods, how much I am eating and how it makes me feel. With the great farmers markets I have been eating a lot more salads and fresh local food YUM. But with the children we are often still doing the fast food lunch. I have definitely noticed the difference I feel afterwards. On the forth we went to McDonald's for lunch. A easy way to make 4 kids very happy and not to blow a budget when feeding 8. Halfway through my lunch I put down the food and started feeling horrible. I know it was due to what I was eating. I could not shake that feeling and did not eat the rest of the day.

The next morning I was hungry and wanted something quick because baby was needing a lot. Rather than grab some quick and easy fruit. I threw in a frozen pizza. Yes still frozen processed but at least its organic. It was pretty good but I did not feel great afterwards but a least not sick. Running errands later in the day everyone became hungry. We grabbed lunch at Sam's Club I got another piece of pizza. I again felt sick and was nauseated by their pizza. Is it all in my head? I don't think so. I took a while before I felt better again.

SO what am I going to do. The answer to me is pretty clear. I am going to try to cut out as much processed foods as possible. I am going to feed my family better than fast food. I am going to attempt to lose weight by changing my diet. Anything to avoid getting on the floor and doing one of those awful crunches. Maybe I will even dust off that stupid wii fit.

Welcome to my weight loss journey.




Me- 5'2" 140lbs
The big shirt is on to hide a big butt
DH- 6' 170lbs?
He will end up loseing too

Summer Treats

What says celebrating in the summer more than



watermelon



sweet tea



and ice cream



Happy Forth of July!

Painting the shutters

So do you want to paint the shutters honey? NO. I'm sorry dear that was one of those questions that only has one answer and it was decided for you ahead of time.



Poor guy. He spent two days painting shutters.



Why two days? Because he spent a lot of time gabbing with the neighbors.



I suppose when they got you cornered on the roof conversations can last forever. And there is always the loving distractions of little ones.

Fishing

The other day a very pregnant friend of mine came over. We were watching the kids play, relaxing and chatting. Her husband loves fishing. In fact he is hoping to open a fish and tackle shop on Chincoteague, and we can't wait to shop there. We have been fishing in the ocean with him and when we got our new monster truck one of the ideas that came to our mind was hooking up a sea fishing rack to the front. But hubby has decided to just get a boat since where we live now there are more lakes than shoreline. But in our chat she was mentioning how her husband had a fishing trip planned real soon but was going to cancel it because of the new baby. I was thinking awe what a wonderful husband then I told her this wonderful story of mine......

A day, yup just one day, before my scheduled induction my DH grabbed the boys, his friend Mike, and his two boys loaded up the truck and went fishing. His last words to me before he drove off were "I don't believe I have reception up there so don't have the baby."

The power of fishing. Now you understand why I thought canceling a fishing trip is a romantic gesture. But I am glad he went everyone had a great time.

The big catch eluded them but the blue gills were plentiful.