Saturday, March 31, 2007

Tough Stuff

THIS PIRATE MEANS BUSINESS
WHEN IT COMES TO POTTY TIME!!!

"don't mess with me!"



The child is officially potty trained, folks! Yeah for him (& his mommy!). He passed all the tests of wearing his underwear on various shopping trips, using the potty while at Walmart, the grocery store & church, and can pull his underwear up on his own! I think this calls for a celebration; well, at least a special treat---but NO M&M's, please! I don't want to see those for a LONG time!!! It was a long, arduous task, but well worth the effort! Maybe I'll go start on Jack, so I don't have to buy diapers for A VERY LONG TIME!!! (JK!)


SOME GREAT MOMENTS:

drew's first mate


destination potty

(waiting for the right moment)


the hidden treasure

the sticker chart
(this was great at the start...but eventually became only wall decor)

song of victory !!



I'm a big kid, now!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Our Little Climber!

OK ALL MY READERS! HERE IS OUR FIRST VIDEO! I WOULD SAY IT WAS SO EASY, BUT IT TOOK ME A COUPLE OF TRIES TO GET IT. THIS CLIP IS FROM BACK IN DEC. WHEN BRIAN & AMBER VISITED. DREW WANTED TO SHOW THEM HOW HE COULD CLIMB "HIS ROUTE." YES, WE HAVE A CLIMBING WALL IN OUR BASEMENT, BUILT BY MY HUBBY!

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Monday, March 19, 2007

1,095 DAYS

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU..."

I cannot believe it has been 3 years since we were first handed our little baby drew! Someone once described our drew with the word "inquisitive." And I don't think there is a better word to describe him, especially now as a "pre-schooler." He brings so much life to our daily routine and certainly keeps me on my toes. It has been extra special to watch him move out of "babyhood" and into becoming a little boy. God has given him a wonderful personality that freely expresses his friendliness in open conversation with others. Sometimes, I just turn the other way and pretend I didn't hear him, because I cannot believe the things he says.

For example, while at the mall, I ran into another young mother with a little girl the same age as Jack. She also had a 3 year old, though not with her, and we were "comparing notes." Well, her mother came out of a nearby store to meet up with her. Drew engaged in conversation with her. It was quite friendly at first, but then I heard him say, "You have wrinkles on your face???" Even though I was talking to the young mom, I glanced over and saw the grandmother's embarassment. She didn't say anything and I hoped Drew would drop it. But no...he repeated himself LOUDER & CLEARER. So I quickly ended our conversation and wished them a nice day. I tried to explain "appropriateness" to drew...but I don't think it quite got through.

On a more recent trip to the grocery store, we were waiting in line. I could hear a couple talking behind us and could see that Drew was looking at them. He pointed (very directly) and said (very clear & loud, again) "Mommy, That's Jesus???" I knew what he said, but did not know why he would say that...until I turned around to see who he was talking about. I faced a man with shoulder length brown hair and a full beard. I am sure he knew what he said as he gave me a sheepish smile, of which I faintly returned. I then turned to Drew thinking of something to deter the previous comment and said, "No, honey. Ask him what his name is!" And so he did and met Rob & his wife in the check-out line. So, yes, I am always on my toes with this one. I am hoping Jack will be a bit more..."layed back." We love our Drew so much and are so thankful God gave him to us when he did. I always wanted a boy first so he could be a "leader" to our other kids.

Our Handsome Fella

Today is Drew's birthday, although we celebrated it on Saturday with the family. (pictures of the party to follow...my brother-in-law took 300+ pictures!!) So he really thought that was his birthday. But he did get 2 big boxes in the mail and a call from my grandparents and family. We also spent a little bit of time outside. Emphasis on little!


a gift from my friend, Canon

to-do gifts from G. & G. Quinn



Jack is all bundled up for our walk around the house

HOLD ON TIGHT!!!
(this was after a tip of the sled and a face full of snow)

Saturday, March 17, 2007

HAPPY DAY



HAPPY ST. PATTY's DAY, EVERYONE!!!

WE LOVE THIS HOLIDAY & CELEBRATE IT WITH ENTHUSIASM!!!


"calling all irish babies..."


irish momma


my irish lad


irish brothers



"When irish eyes are smiling, sure they steal your heart away"


I don't know if you can read it, but on either side of the shamrock, it says "no girls allowed...moms are okay" I love it!!


cuddling with Patty O' Boy


Give me a BIG SMACKAROO!!!

Kisses for Momma!

my sweet irish baby

Whether you are having corned beef & cabbage today or not, may this bring you a smile!


from the "pride of ol' Erin"




Sunday, March 11, 2007

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Irish Baby


[Invitations I made for my soon-to-be niece's baby shower]



As I write this, my family is all together back home for my sister's baby shower. Even though I was not able to fly out, I am there in heart! I remember how sad I was that my family wouldn't see me when I was pregnant (with Drew). And if my surprise shower wasn't enough, they brought out my special gift: my mom & sister Megan! They had secretly flown out to see me. I wish I could have "gotten them back" on this occasion, but not this time! We did, however, surprise my mom for Drew's 1st Christmas (2004)! She had NO CLUE we were coming. My dad even had to make up some lame excuse to get out of the house to pick us up from the airport! She had no clue until she walked in the room and there was Drew sitting under the tree. I think she said, "Who's kid is that???" I don't think it clicked until we jumped out and yelled SURPRISE! Anyway, I do miss not being with my family today, but hopefully soon we'll be heading out to Chicago!




This was Shannon back at Thanksgiving time when she was 4 months pregnant. She only has 6 weeks left now!

Eskimo Hut


Yesterday, John's dad took Drew for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
This was the end result. As he was shoveling off his driveway, it was breaking apart into big chunks. So he thought it would be fun to build an igloo with Drew. Mind you, most of the work was done prior to dad picking up Drew. It was still pretty cold out and even though Drew is a New England baby, he doesn't last outside too long!

Monday, March 05, 2007

MY BOSOM FRIEND

[erin & stephanie]
[ PICTURE TAKEN IN 1994, OUR FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL ]



IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT STAYS IN YOUR LIFE FOR SUCH AN EXTENDED LENGTH OF TIME~OUTSIDE OF FAMILY, YOUR SPOUSE, YOUR CHILDREN. THIS FRIENDSHIP STARTED ON A TRAIL HIKE AT A CHURCH PICNIC BACK IN THE 5th GRADE. IT HAS BEEN BEST OF FRIENDS EVER SINCE. WE HAVE STORMED THE TRIALS OF FRIENDSHIP & HAVE COME OUT CLOSER & STRONGER. JUST WHEN WE GOT CLOSE, STEPH MOVED OVER 300 MILES AWAY. BUT SHE MOVED TO MY GRANDPARENTS CHURCH IN GA. HOW WONDERFUL. WE ENDED UP REUNITING IN COLLEGE. THEN WORKED CAMP TOGETHER. TRANSFERRED TOGETHER. TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHO OUR LIFE MATE WOULD BE ALL WHILE RUNNING BACK TO THE OTHER WITH THE LATEST STORY. STEPHANIE HAS MADE MY LIFE FULL OF ADVENTURE & SO MANY FUNNY STORIES. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR SUCH A FRIEND. AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL JUST AS CLOSE, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE MILES APART & EVER SO BUSY.




LOVE YOU, MY FRIEND

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y !



LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND IN THE BASEMENT!
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS ONE!
WHAT GREAT TIMING!

[July, 29, 2000]

Chris & Stephanie's Wedding Day

Missing You

Christmas Memory
4 Generations
June 2004
SHE PASSED FROM OUR LIVES ONE YEAR AGO TODAY.
IT IS AMAZING TO ME HOW QUICKLY A YEAR CAN GO BY.


MY GRAMMA HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A PART OF MY LIFE. ALWAYS AROUND. A FRIEND TO EVERYONE. ALWAYS THERE DURING CHRISTMAS, SPOILING US WITH EACH NEW HOLIDAY. WE MOVE ON AFTER THOSE SO SPECIAL TO US DEPART. BUT MAY WE NEVER BE THE SAME FROM THE TOUCH THEY HAD ON OUR LIFE.

I WISH I COULD HAVE HAD ONE LAST CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE.




This is me, at about 2 years old.
The Holly Hobby doll in the picture
is one of 13 that my Gramma Quinn
got me my first Christmas.

That's right, 13!!!
She was an extravagant giver!








These are the dolls now!
They are the last remnants
of my childhood.
One is missing her left arm.
Certainly a sign of a much loved life!