Special Visitor

James invited dear Kathryn C. over for dinner a few weeks ago. It was pretty special to have her come. She is such a youthful woman, despite how many years she really is. She loves the little ones, and is always so welcoming when they go to visit her. 

She really loved on Amy here. 

Cuteface.

Talking to each other. 

The old and the young - communicating. 

All of the kids with their friend. 

Thankful for my husband who is so thoughtful of other's, and what would bless them. I may not think of inviting a 95 year old woman over to a house full of active children, but he thinks outside the box, and knows that she would enjoy the life. :) And it works. 

Two Months!

Amy's Second Month Highlights

-Is getting cuter

-Started smiling and talking at 6 weeks. Absolutely adorable. She even laughs. And even though it's my fourth, it's still like a little miracle. Our eyes connect, and then the smiles come... it's beautiful.

-Still has hair

-Weighs around 14lbs

Yes. You're beautiful. 

Mom's Night Out

After hearing about the new movie "Mom's Night Out" (a family film that encourages mom's in the daily chaotic life) I had mentioned that it would be fun to go with a few of the gals from church. Well, brother Ben heard about it, and alongside Shelly - planned this girl's night out for Mother's Day. :) 

So after being told to dress up, and arrive at Shelly's place on time, we were met with a limo ride to a fancy resturant in Cambridge! (confession though - I did know about the surprise beforehand which made it even more fun).

A bunch of the ladies in the back drinking our elegant juices!

Fun shot -of us looking at Krissy's hands.

The group of us that went - Tara (almost ready to have her baby!) Krissy, Dena, Shelly, Deanna, Sarah, Althea (expecting twin boys in a few more weeks!) Diane and me.

Enjoying our pretty dinner. 

Since there was a perfect spot by the window, I made the gals get a couple pictures taken of them. :) They were sweet to oblige me. Love this one of gorgeous Dee.

Shelly - such a happy woman.

The pregnant ladies.

Deanna took mine. :) Thanks girl.

Then it was off to see the movie. So far, we had made it through the evening kidless - but our (Deanna and me) babies needed to be fed. Ben drove the 40 minutes to bring them to us, we fed and changed them in the limo, and then sent them back with Ben to enjoy the rest of our evening out. :) 

A first for that limo - having nursing babies inside. :) 

The movie was good - with many reminders of how great being a mom is, and how crazy it can be too. 

Side note - for all you have seen the movie - you know when Allison trips in her high heels... well, that was me, right as I'm about to get in the car to drive to Shelly's at the beginning of the night, I twisted my ankle in my "high heels" (yup -don't wear them often) - and without missing a beat, James said "it's okay -its just like the movie (trailer)"... too funny. So instead of crying, cause I really did hurt myself, Deanna and I just laughed like crazy. :) Good times with good friends. And so sweet of all our husbands, to let us have a fun evening while they watched their little ones.

Bonnie's 10th year Family Time

May 1st, marked Bonnie's 10 year anniversary. Ten years in heaven. 

So, the family got together, and went for a walk to the farm where most of the brothers and sisters grew up, and had supper at the nearby community hall, remembering Bonnie, and fellow-shipping together.

Their old barn where they played tag and swung from the rope attached to the rafters.

Watching Mark and William climb their old tree fort they had made years ago.

Shooting war. :)

Mark getting back across the stream.

The home they lived in - dad had built a built addition to the left of the picture, but I didn't get it in this shot. The owners were kind to let us walk around the property - it was my first time at the property, so I quite enjoyed it. Gives all stories James or the others will tell, some extra life as I know where they mean now.

Visiting the emu's. 

Nelly - we got to have her home for 2 days, before she finished off her school (her placement) in the Dominican Republic for four weeks.

This was just after Ben tried swinging from the rope high up in the barn...which didn't work out so well I think. :)

The sisters

A familiar sight - Looking at some adorable video or picture Will captured.

Mark switched camera's with me for a bit - so the rest of the pictures, are mostly from him.

:) This is how I get in a picture if I've got the camera. 

The engaged couple - Sarah royally waving as they are slowly driven back to their car.

At the rented hall, we had a time of singing together, had a nice Chinese Dinner - yeah for take out! -, and watched Bonnie's funeral video, and a slideshow of pictures Marlene had put together. There were a couple "wow" moments when we saw pictures of Bonnie that looked like Elita, or some expressions that were totally Laura...special to see bits of her life carried on into the next generations.

May our life for the Lord be useful, as Bonnie's was - Keep On.

Painting Eggs & Building Blocks

Well, all of my Easter ideas didn't work out for us to do this year. There's just not enough time, or else I'm not organized enough. :) So the Easter garden, Resurrection Eggs, and the Resurrection Rolls, will have to wait. We did paint eggs - but just after Easter. :) And the kids liked it just as much. Learning to "let go my plans, and just enjoy it when it happens..."

Laura having fun with daddy. 

As-big-as-her tower.

All Through the Night

Little Amy, had a few weeks where she'd wouldn't fall asleep til 1-1:30 a.m. every night. That was a bit tiring...but I got into a routine of putting her in my baby wrap, get all cozy with my robe over top us both, and head downstairs, swaying her to sleep, while watching the Duggars or something interesting. That way, I didn't get frustrated with the sleep that I was missing out on, but rather, enjoyed my "quiet" time, and my little girl would eventually fall asleep. Then I'd carefully put her down, hoping I'd fall asleep before she wakes up again...

Good and tiring times. 

These not-so-fun moments. Even though you wish you could have more sleep, and that life would get a bit simpler, you know you wouldn't trade it for anything... In the end, you know you wouldn't. I know that  when I'm 75, I know I'll be wishing for these days again. 

But for tonight...little girl... go to sleep.