blog under re-construction
i'm trying!

Long time, no blog!

I knew I hadn't blogged in quite some time.
I guess I didn't realize it had been almost 4 months!
At this point, I don't even know where to start.
So, I'll begin with the here and now. We are currently on vacation in Sanibel Island, FL. Wow, is it beautiful! July is hot and muggy, as it is in most of Florida. Fortunately we don't have to wear much more than our swimsuits.
Tropical storm Bonnie gave us some rain and wind today so we didn't hit the beach. Instead, we were able to enjoy other activities and for me to spend some time on the computer. I'll post more as time permits - but it won't be so long this time!

So many seashells by the seashore!

Carissa is 6 months old this week. Time sure flies!

Daddy and his girls...

The girls...

We're not done having fun, so we'll be back!!

22/52: A Decade of Happiness

At the beginning of March we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Early on we thought we would be spending our tenth anniversary on one of our favorite beaches in Mexico.
Little did we know we would have just welcomed baby girl number 4 to our family and gladly stay close to home!

My Mom was visiting so she kept the big girls and we went and stayed at Disney's Contemporary Resort. (If you've been to Disney World, it's the one the monorail goes through)

We had dinner at their restaurant that overlooks Disney World and the Magic Kingdom.

The view was spectacular over Cinderella's Castle.

It was a great place to watch the sunset.

They piped in the music from the parks during the fireworks show.

We had Carissa with us, but wouldn't have known since she did this the whole time.

In many ways the past ten years have been a blur. Never would we have imagined some of the roads we have walked. It hasn't been all fun and games - but it has been an exciting adventure. God knew the perfect match for me and blessed me with him. I am looking forward to the next ten years with the most amazing husband ever!

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog

Wordless Wednesday - Mwahaha...I'm Going to Get You!!

The God of Second Chances

I love Spring.
And I love Summer.
And I love Fall.
Wish I could say the same for winter!

For many people, Spring is often about new life and a fresh start. Which interestingly enough, isn't the New Year, a few short months ago, about new beginnings?
I guess we can't be given enough opportunities to start anew.

I think we can all appreciate a "do-over"

do-over noun
1. a chance to redo an action
2. alluding to going back in time

This Spring, I am thankful that God allows "do-overs".
No matter how many times I fail, He is faithful to pick up the pieces and give me another try. And on top of that, He is willing to step in and do it for me if I would just let Him!

"You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same"
(Indescribable by Chris Tomlin)

I need that kind of love...unconditional.
We all do.

Let's remember this week what Easter is all about. God's love for us expressed through His sacrifice and the life He has offered us through His resurrection.
(Check out Alicia's post here.)

Whether it be a new beginning,
a fresh start,
a do-over,
a mulligan...
the God of second chances is desiring to pour out His love on us no matter how many times we have let both Him and those around us down.

Doesn't that just put a smile on your face?

The Cavalry has come and gone.....

Once again, it has been so long since I have blogged...
I sat down to look at my pictures from the past two months to see what I would like to post and there are so many. A lot can happen in such a short amount of time.

First of all, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Each holiday I look forward to learning about that holiday's origin and traditions, etc.
Unfortunately, since I often function on little sleep, I quickly forget what I've learned.
So each March I read up on the origin and traditions of St. Patrick's Day.
I couldn't tell you what I learned last March, or the March before that, or the March before that..... Sad, huh?
I do like green though.

Secondly, I love this blog background.
I wish I could say I found it myself.
Well, I could say that.
I found it myself on my sister-in-law's blog and shamelessly blog-lifted it.
I'm sure she won't mind.

Third, I can't believe Carissa will be two months old on Friday!
The Cavalry has come and gone.....a few times.
Some of our family graciously changed their plans when the baby came 5 weeks early.
Others kept their original travel plans and we had visitors (visitors=help!) until just a few days ago.
God sure knew what He was doing with that arrangement.
In other words, He knew I needed long term help!
My parents were our final visitors and my Mom just left on Saturday.
It's back to real life now.

I will get around to posting pictures of what we've been up to.
I just don't know where to start.

Last month, our kids were passing around a cold - along with everyone else in the school district. Carissa got the sniffles and then a cough. I wasn't too concerned because her one month well-check was scheduled.
Her well-check became a sick appointment and she ended up in the hospital for two days with RSV. It was not a fun time, but we are so thankful she has recovered fully. We had about a week of breathing treatments and returning to the doctor for regular oxygen checks, but we know it could have been SO much worse and God really protected her! Thank you to our friends and family for your prayers!

Carissa's first breathing treatments did not increase her oxygen level, so we were sent to the hospital to have her checked.

Hanging out in the E.R. waiting for a room upstairs.

BIG Stretch!!!

In our room...sleeping peacefully

The hospital provides 'visitors'. We allowed them even though they were Buccaneers :)

The only comfort from home I need is Daddy's lap to get a good night's sleep!

All better now and so happy my sisters can play with me again!

Love

I've not done well at posting baby pictures (sorry family!)
I've not done well at finding any free time!
I would like to wait until I have something clever to write about - but that may not happen for quite some time in my sleep-deprived state.

This weekend is all about love.
I am in love with my husband.
I love our girls with all my heart.
My heart feels like it could burst with love for our new baby girl (even when she wakes me up at 3am!)
And most of all, I love the Lord who has blessed me with all of the above!