Hodgepodge Update

Wow! Time has gotten away from me ... it feels like a long time since I've posted an update! We've been busy around here. Let's see, what have we been up to?

Ty had a preschool field trip to a local orchard where he went on a hayride and got to pick an apple. It was a lovely fall day and I had fun going along with him. Ty goes to preschool on Wednesdays and is liking it more each week. It is hard for him to separate from us at times, but he seems to be tolerating it a bit better. He continues to be a little firecracker ... but that is how we love him!

Parker is now 4 months old! He had his check-up yesterday and weighed in at a whopping 20 lbs. 12 oz.! And, he grew 2 inches in the past month! He is w-a-y off the charts for both weight and height! I'm telling you, the boys thighs are the chubbiest, meatiest, CUTEST things I ever did see. He continues to bring such joy to our home!




Photo: Jackson & Isaac with their best friend JD (JD is my best friend Chrissy's son)

Isaac continues to love kindergarten! He especially loves writing workshop, and it is fun for us to see his writing skills develop more and more each week. I'm looking forward to helping in his class tomorrow for the first time this year! Isaac is excitedly cheering on the Phillies in the World Series! Go Phils!

Jackson, our big 1st grader, is reading better and better each day! He is gearing up for Saturday when he'll have a birthday party here at the house with 12 of his friends (including his brothers). We are hoping to be able to proceed with the planned birthday bonfire, however, we may be forced to move to "plan B" because of the pending forecast of RAIN!

Kevin and I have been busy keeping up with the boys. Aside from that ... we try to fit in sleep as we can! That's life at this stage, I guess! Oh, and Kevin, too, is passionately cheering on the Phils! Honestly, I could care less about the Phils, but I have no choice but to cheer them on!

Tough Loss...

"Great teams work harder after a tough loss." -- Ron Brown

Next week is another game and hopefully a big win!

It's Football Friday! Go #80!

I find myself excited that it's Friday! Not because of the usual anticipation of an approaching weekend, which means extra help/reinforcement by my wonderful husband, but excitement because of tonight's Penn Manor High School Football game! Penn Manor happens to have a current record of 7-0 and my adorable, charming, talented nephew happens to play on the team! Can you tell that I'm proud of him? I won't get too side-tracked, but let me just tell you ... this boy is an all-around "great package!" If I am so fortunate to have my boys turn out like he is at age 15, I will be one very happy, very proud Mama!

Kevin and I and our boys (all 4 of them!) have had so much fun attending the games this season and cheering on Demetrius!

We look forward to an updated record of 8-0 tomorrow morning after we whoop Warwick!

Go Comets! Go #80!

Soccer Moms Rule!

Oh. My. Word.!!! Whoever thinks that 1st grade soccer isn't exciting ... well, clearly doesn't have a 1st grader who plays soccer! Jackson had a soccer game on Saturday and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

It's so sweet ... the players (especially Jackson) try to line up the ball JUST perfectly before shooting in the goal. Most times the other team steals the ball while they are trying to get the ball aligned! But these first graders play hard, have their hustle on and put their heart into the games. It's GREAT! I still have lots to learn about soccer, and let me tell you I'm eager to learn as Jackson (and perahps some of our other boys) play soccer in the coming years!

By the way, Saturday's game ended up in a tie ...

Go Red Vipers!!!

Food + Friends = Great Time!

Last night I was able to enjoy an evening out with my dear friends Chrissy, Laura & Kelly! We had a nice dinner and wonderful conversation, as always. I always come away from our evenings together feeling refreshed and a little more sane. I'm thankful for good friends.

Ladies, I treasure our time together! Already looking forward to our next night out!

Taste of Autumn

Fall is in the air and although part of me would like to still be in sunny, beautiful Destin, Florida enjoying the warm gulf weather, I do love fall! This time of year is just so cozy. It makes me crave pumpkin pie, apple dumplings and caramel corn!

Well, yesterday morning I started a new ladies group at the church where Tyler attends preschool. As part of the snack, there was this wonderful dip that was served with gingersnaps ... it was about one of the best sweet snacks I've ever had and it just screamed fall! I'm including the recipe in case you want to try it. I haven't made it yet, but it sounds as easy as can be!

2 blocks cream cheese, softened
1 jar of caramel topping
3 Skor bars, chopped or 1 bag of Heath Bar (found w/ the chocolate chips in the baking area)

Mix cream cheese and caramel. Top w/ crushed candy. Serve w/ gingersnaps and/or apples!

My Wubba!

Since today is the day I plan to email my newly created blog to friends and family, I thought I'd include a post on my sweet little wubba (as I like to call him) -- Parker Nicolas. I know many of you haven't seen him recently or at all. Let me just tell you ... he is such an "easy" baby, which has been so wonderful for our 4th! He is a true joy and I am cherishing every minute with him, although he's growing way too fast. He turned 3 months old on September 20th.

He's a thumb sucker -- the first of our 4 boys! It's just too cute!

His smile and sweet personality just melts our heart! I love being his mother!

Hope you are having a great day!

Ready, Set, Go!

Well, I've been thinking about starting a blog and finally decided to just go for it! I'd much rather type than write in a journal, so if nothing else, this is an attempt to document some of my daily joys, stresses, situations, ponderings, happenings, etc. And, being the mom of 4 boys, I typically have plenty to "document!"

My son Jackson just turned 7 years old! In many ways it is hard to believe ... it seems just like yesterday that he was born; however, I can barely remember life before him! Crazy! Isaac is 5, soon to be 6 years old. Tyler is 3 and sweet baby Parker is 3 1/2 months old.

My husband and I celebrated our 15th anniversary at the end of August, and I feel incredibly blessed to share my life with this wonderful man!

I've been reminded many times recently that life ... every minute of each day ... is a gift. My goal has become to live each day in such a way that I'll have no regrets when I look back ... meaning no regrets with things I've said or things I wished I would have said, no regrets with the affection I've shown to those I love, no regrets with standing up for what I believe in, even if it isn't popular and no regrets with living each day the way the Lord would have for me.

I can't wait to share more with you!