Family visiting from England

Over Spring Break we had family visiting from England. It was the BEST week catching up and getting to know the hubby's family. Their kids and our kids had an instant connection, they were all stuck like glue to each other. I have never seen Taelor take to someone so fast and didn't want to let them go. Little Elizabeth  hoped she could "accidentally" get left behind here in America so she could stay longer, and Rosie was already planning her trip back here for next summer (hoping that her Mum would let her fly here solo....we shall see). Finlay just wanted to stay in our car so that we could take him home with us. It was so sad to see them go but the memories we created were priceless. Our week was filled with Sea World, Universal Studios, Balboa, swimming at the pool, dinners, Downtown Disney, laughing and chatting. Taelor cried herself to sleep after they left, it's hard when families live so many miles apart and you can't tell your children you will see someone in a few months. But hopefully we can see each other next year. Until then, we have already facetimed and we will keep in touch often. It was a week we will never forget and we look forward to seeing each other again. Thank you Caroline and Malcolm for making the trip out here, you and the children will forever remain in our hearts! XO!

Great times and forever cherished memories! This is not goodbye, just a see you soon!

A good read...Sparkly Green Earrings

I bought this book and finished it in a few days...Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle...( visit her blog at Big Mama Blog) I love a good book in my hands (no, I just can't bring myself to buy a Kindle) I like the smell of a book, the sound of pages turning and just having a book in my hands, maybe someday that will change, maybe, but I don't think so. This book made me laugh, it made me cry at times just thinking of how fast life goes by, but it made me stop and remember to make sure that I soak in all the little memories of my children. Here are a few lines that I loved from the book.

"Real motherhood is different. It's better and it's messier and it's more complicated. It will break your heart and make you laugh harder than you have ever imagined."

"I look back on those days and think that's exactly what people mean when they tell you the days are long but the years are short. Those were the days I would look at the clock and couldn't believe it was only eleven in the morning. Those were the days I 'd count down the minutes until bedtime. But those were also the days that seemed to be gone in the blink of an eye"

"Sometimes I regret that I didn't enjoy them more in the moment, but isn't that the way motherhood goes? Looking back the sweetest things are often the hardest things. They teach you the level of sacrifice you didn't know you were capable of, and for me, having a child was the beginning of a glimpse into the kind of love Christ has for us. Sacrificial love. Love that doesn't keep score. Love that isn't independent on what's in it for me. Love that is consuming and protective and unconditional."

" We become mothers and immediately realize our job is so raise these little people and pour into them and pack in eighteen years of wisdom, love and protection."

" Because raising a child is a fleeting moment in time that sometimes gets swallowed up in the daily routine of car pools and soccer practice. And yet it's quite possibly the most important thing we'll ever do. It's the daily balance of treasuring the moments even as we wish some of them away. It's treading water in a sea of imperfections. It's a delicate dance of guilt and joy."

"Even though there are times I can't be there and times she'll act like she doesn't necessarily want me there, God is always there. Watching, catching, loving and molding her into the person she was created to be. She's safer in His grip than she'll ever be in mine."

For me motherhood has been the BEST gift ever. I love my children, I love that they get to call me mommy, I love that we get to pour into them and I love that I am a mom! Some days may be hard, yes, some days may be too busy, but everyday I am filled with joy and I feel nothing but blessed. My children will always have my heart and I will cherish them forever. I love being a mom, especially to T & E!

Cousins are forever friends

These four are as close as ever and when ever they are together you can hear nothing but giggles and laughter. There is definitely no lack of being shy with these kids! I love that they are so close and I hope they continue to be this close as the years go on. My cousins were a big part of my childhood and they still are, there is something special between the bond of cousins, a love that is forever and most of all, a forever friend!

Easter Time...He Has Risen

Easter, one of my favorite holidays...He has Risen!!!! We spent the morning in the park with our church. I was so excited to see my bestie Tally and her family there, so we enjoyed a great message on the grass with our families. Of course my parents hosted an egg hunt at their house which was a great time. The best part of this Easter was being able to have Caroline, Malcolm and the kids over with us. After eating loads (as Rosie would say) of sweets and food, we headed to my Mother in Love's house for a wonderful dinner to stuff our faces even more and boy was is delicious, Sandie never disappoints! It was a perfect Easter, and we hope there will be more Easter's spent with their family.

Friends since birth...

These two sweet little girls Taelor and Hailey melt my heart. They are only 9 days apart and have know each other since birth. They have a special little bond even though they don't get to see each other all that often. I hope their friendship will always remain close and will forever be friends. They did a photoshoot for Raskulls and they were just too darn cute!