T minus 13 days and counting...

How can it be that in less than 2 weeks school starts back? And this year 2 of my boys will be in school all. day. long. That will be quite an adjustment for me, and as hard as it will be for me, it will be twice as hard for Ty to have both of his older brothers away all day. Wow, the summer has just flown by so fast.

We had a wonderful family vacation at Bethany Beach last week. Hope you enjoy a few pics from the week! I'll post more when I have more time.

Photo shoot fun and the 4th!

Thanks to some wonderful and VERY talented friends (M & H -- thanks a ton!!!!), our little family had a photo shoot as part of Kevin's Father's Day present.


I have been desiring a nice family photo for some time, but let me tell you ... taking 4 boys to get photos done in a studio is just. NO. FUN.!!! Somehow, trying to get them to pose prim & proper and smile big just leads to wrestling and acting goofy until one of them gets hurt. Use your imagination a bit and I'm sure you'll get a clear picture of the chaos I'm talking about.


Well, this photo shoot was different. We went to our friends farm and did some outdoor shots on their property ... near old barns, etc. And, they did an amazing job of capturing all of us in our natural expressions. It was so laid back and we all had fun, once we learned to relax (I'm not sure I ever really fully relaxed, but I tried -- I hate to get my photo taken, I'm just NOT photogenic! Ugh!).

Anyway, thanks Mark & Heather for sharing your talents with us! And, thanks to your kiddos for sacrificing time with you so you could bless us. We absolutely LOVE the photos!

Hope you all enjoy some of my favorite shots:

As we enter into the weekend of the 4th, let's remember to take a few minutes to give thanks for the men & women in uniform who won't get a long weekend w/ family ... their job is 24/7 and comes with so, so many sacrifices, more than I can even imagine. I personally take this country and our freedom for granted at times because it is all I know. When I purposely stop and think about what life might/would be like in another country my heart is filled with thanks and gratitude. I truly am honored to be a citizen of this great country and appreciate each and every man and woman who has served and is currently serving in the military to ensure we continue to maintain our freedom!

From our family to yours, Happy 4th! God bless America!!!

Stop! Summer is going too fast!

Well, as you know if you check my blog, I've been MIA (missing in action). This summer has been filled with all kinds of fun ... it's just flying by too fast!

June marked the last day of school for my boys and the end of a great baseball season for Jackson & Isaac. And, great news ... their "hot" coach that I mentioned in an earlier post ... well, we're on very "friendly" terms, if you know what I mean! (don't stress ... the hot coach happens to be my hubby!)

In mid June we welcomed some out of town/state family! We had a blast with the Kreider's from TN, the Hostetter's from AZ & Uncle Ed and Happy the dog from Pittsburgh! Our boys were so sad & weepy when their cousins left though, which was hard to see. They just LOVED having them close by and it was just so sweet to watch them play together and see the bonds and memories forming right before our eyes. We promised them that we'd try our very best to visit TN & AZ sometime in the near future. We just need to plant one of those money trees in the backyard and pray, pray, pray for a mighty ripe harvest!

the gang of cousins!

June 20th was Parker's 1st birthday! I'm still trying to figure out how my baby became 1 year old already??? He continues to be such a little love and a pure delight! He is now officially crawling, loves any attention his big brothers show him, loves to play with his toys, doesn't miss a meal (ooh ... he's got some mighty yummy meat on his bones!) and recently has been very amused by putting his finger up his nose -- yeah, he's all boy!

Special (allergy accommodating) cake made by Grandma B.! Thanks, Grandma! You are the BEST!

The birthday boy after indulging in some cake!

having fun on his new fire truck!

Right after Parker's birthday, we celebrated Father's Day. My boys have the most wonderful, loving, patient, fun, giving, selfless father. I am so incredibly blessed as I watch this amazing man "father/parent" our children. And, in addition to celebrating him we also celebrated both of our dads, who are also fabulous grandfathers to our children. What a blessing!

Then, last weekend my sister took me to Philadelphia to see Beyonce in concert. It was a wonderful treat, although I felt OLD! Our hubby's met up with us after the concert and then we spent a relaxing weekend in Philly just hanging out and exploring a bit. We had a fabulous time. Thanks, sissy!

In our spare time, we've been enjoying some time at the pool! Jackson and Isaac have become even more comfortable than they were last year with swimming. They both can manage quite well in the deep end and are becoming very good swimmers. Tyler has made amazing strides in his comfort level of the water. Last year one of his favorite phrases was "I'll get in the pool when I'm grown up!" Well, I suppose 4 is grown up to him because this year he seems to be quite the little water bug! I love to watch him splash around and "swim." And, Parker likes to get his feet wet, but is not yet fond of getting too wet ... there's still plenty of time left of summer though.

I guess since it is after midnight (well past!), it is officially July already. Hard to believe, but I'm hoping that July is as fun as June was! I hope you are enjoying summer and managing, amidst all of the busyness that life can hold, to take time to enjoy the simple pleasures and savor each day and each moment spent with loved ones! Here's to the rest of summer! Good night!

Just a thought...

I read this quote today and liked it:

"To the world you may one person, but to one person you are the world."

Hmmm...I might still be that "one person who is the world" to my baby, at least when his Daddy is not in the room. :>(

It's just so sad how a mother's status slowly disintegrates, huh? Can you tell all of this rain is making me gloomy? And, 2 of my babies are now officially in 1st grade and 2nd grade. I have NO idea how that can be possible ... for it seems that I just birthed their beautiful little 9 lb and 9 lb 10 oz little bodies of ultimate perfection and now they'll be in school ... both of them, all. day. long.! Boo-hoo!

No, really, I couldn't be prouder of my boys! Jackson and Isaac both had awesome school years! Ty had a great first year of preschool and Parker continues to delight and amaze us with his smiles and fun personality! Summer vacation has officially started! I am looking forward to all kinds of fun adventures with my boys! Bring. it. on.!

Want to party?

Lady friends,

Want to host a fun, low maintenance, in-home Pretty Unique show (the company I'm a consultant for)? I'm hoping to fill some gaps in my calendar for the months of June, July & August. What a perfect way to earn fun, fabulous, FREE fashion accessories while enjoying a night with the girls. For more details or to book a show, leave me a message here or email me at Knhostetter@comcast.net.

To check out Pretty Unique's website go to www.Prettyuniquefashion.com. Note: You can view our most recent catalog, but just so you know ... when I do a show I come with many, many more cash & carry items besides what is listed in the catalog.

I hope to hear from you and promise to make the process fun and easy ... I LOVE helping ladies earn new accessories!

What a day!

I awoke to breakfast in bed prepared by my boys. Breakfast was delicious and accompanied by the Sunday paper, some beautiful cards and a gift certificate for a manicure & pedicure. After breakfast, while still in bed, I enjoyed a back rub by Isaac -- my favorite little backrubber! Then, I had the pleasure of spending this incredible day outside walking around the Philadelphia Zoo with my honey and 4 of the world's most adorable kiddos!

It.was.glorious. I am blessed!

Mother's Day Weekend!

It's 1:38 a.m. and I've just finished watching a movie. Because I can't sleep my mind is busy at work and one of my thoughts happens to be about Mother's Day, since this is the weekend.

You know, there were many Mother's Days that had a very "different" feel for me than this one does. Not because I wasn't happy to celebrate my dear mom, but because the very thought of the day made me feel robbed, empty and, frankly, hopeless. I carried a baby, fell in love with this being that was growing inside me and gave birth to him ... and then watched him die in my arms. From the time I was a little girl I envisioned being a "mommy" but this experience wasn't anything like what I imagined. Nothing. I was his mother, but I longed to hold him, love him and mother him. Consequently Mother's Day became a very hard day for me in the years following the birth of my first son. A day of ... dread, to be quite honest.

As I enter into this Mother's Day, I feel so thankful for the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon my life.

1. I am thankful to be actively fulfilling the role of Mother / Mommy / Mama. What a gift it is! It is my "career of choice," if you will. It is the job I longed for my whole life and it is what brings me fulfillment and joy. True joy. It is what I believe the Lord has for me. And I thank Him for entrusting me with this calling.
2. I am thankful for the 4 little living beings that I am Mommy to. Jackson, Isaac, Tyler & Parker. And, I am thankful for Kevin Mathew ... I know I'll see him again one day.
3. I am thankful for the man whose children I am Mommy to. Kevin. The love of my life, my best friend and soul mate.
4. I am thankful for my Mom, my friend.
5. I am thankful for many other Mothers whom I love!

I hope this Mother's Day your heart is filled with joy and peace. Mine is and I am so grateful.

Happy Mother's Day!