Zoo and Beach

This past weekend was a little busier than we had planned, but good. We went to the Zoo on Saturday and then the beach Sunday afternoon for some good family time. I have had the chance to go to work a little more lately with my friend having some time in the afternoon, and the break has been good, but honestly I have some rough times still. This upcoming weekend we are traveling to NY for Mom's burial, and that has been lingering for the last few weeks. I have blown up in the last few days and am trying to take it one day at a time. My mom would always know what to say, and I know what is right, but I also know what the Bible says and how we need to wait and trust in Him.

Here are the kids faces...

Daniel loves the beach, I think it is in his blood.
Noah did very well, he was playing and didn't even eat much sand. I went for a walk along the beach with Rachel, that's more my speed.
I would have to say the beach was almost relaxing this time, it's getting easier transporting the kids and going places with them all. It is a relief, and everyday I tell myself it is getting easier.
Well sometimes easier. Rachel is still testing the waters, Noah is getting more teeth, and Daniel still working on listening, but it is getting easier. We are off to Lowe's tonight to pick up a new washing machine, and I am excited about buying a new appliance, the last time I had to was 7 years ago. I am thinking high capacity would be smart with all the laundry I have been, and will be doing. I hope to post more pictures next of this upcoming weekend, we are going to celebrate life, and it will be a good time with family. My dad bought some camping stuff, and we are getting one of the bigblow up bouncy things for the kids. Thank you God for bringing us through.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Yes, it is bittersweet, I love being a mom to my kids, and love all the moms that have influenced my life, but also miss my mom. But we are getting though. I think I broke my little toe on my right foot this week, and that was another excuse to take things easy this week, it hurts a little, but I am keeping it iced and trying as hard as I can to keep off of it, but that didn't help as we went for a long walk today! Oh well. I also did a sewing project with my neighbor this weekend, and think I am almost ready to take the plunge and try the sewing thing for myself.

Rachel has been enjoying all her babies this week, and especially enjoyed seeing a newborn this week.

Today we went to Castle Island in South Boston, and although it was really windy, I think I want to go back and enjoy the fort when it opens and spend more time there. They had some nice parks for the kids, and reasonable hot dogs for sale.

Noah is almost walking, he can stand up and wants to take steps. He is quite big, but very happy, little boy. I can hardly fathom he's 10 months already.

Daniel took this picture below....
I love dressing her up in all the different colors thanks to family members and sale shopping.
We did end up reserving one of those iPads, I am going to pick it up this week and look forward to being high tech and learning how to use it. We have only had one computer for a long time, and it has been good, but there has been a lot more we have been doing on the computer lately so it was time. I am going to put in a few more hours of work this week, so that will be different, and it always makes the week fly by.

Disney World

I think each family has that place they go to that is their place. Like the beach, or to a cabin, but for my family it was always Disney World. Since the first time we went (back in 1986 was it?) we got the bug and went back almost every year from 1991 on.

Me and Beau with Mickey Mouse in 1991

A more recent photo, 2002 ish.

Well last Friday my dad, brother, sister, and nephew decided to take a last minute trip down again, and I was able to join kid and husband free, thanks to some great friends and very understanding husband. It's not that we won't be going to Disney World again, but the first time you do anything after someone passes away it is the hardest, and we wanted to experience that together. So it was a quick weekend but a time to really reflect and remember, and then to plan the next one with everyone again.

Me and my big brother Joe.

So in the mean time, it is May already and the weather is beautiful. The next few months will be busy and I know every week seems to go faster than the week before. I am just thankful for the times to be together, and am learning how to praise God for the little and big blessings in my life.

Baseball and Butterflies

This week we went out to a Red Sox game and I haven't been to one of those in years. I really don't remember the last time I went in Boston without kids, so it was a good outing. The catch came when we took the commuter line in and missed the 10:44 pm train by two minutes. The next one didn't leave until over an hour later. So it was a late night, and I am still paying for it.

Here's Kevin reading at 11 at night, while we are waiting.....

Us eating ice cream at the game.

I took the kids to the butterfly place this week, and I loved the pictures of the kids here. These are my favorite types of butterflies.

This week I had some difficulty with Rachel. She was yelling a lot, and I was having a hard time handling it. In the mean time, I had been reading the Birth Order Book, (thanks Wendy), and remembering she is the middle child and being reminded of the needs of each of the children now that they are getting older. I went for a little walk just with Rachel, and was amazed how she opened up and got sweeter and sweeter as we had one on one time. I am thankful that I can now see the needs of the kids and try to help them as they need it, and hope God continues to give me wisdom as the kids change.

Kevin's parents are here for a few days this week, and the kids are enjoying the time with them. I think I am going to try to get some extra sleep this week!

Mondays and Laundry

I feel like there is a lot more laundry to do on Monday. I think because I take a break from it on the weekend, and it just really builds up. I am also starting to notice that food is going quicker with three kids eating the same food, it is just interesting to watch things grow.

Daniel loves building with blocks and lego's, he was especially proud of this reindeer, or giraffe...

The kids were having fun making funny faces.

Noah eating stuffed shells, and wearing most of it.
Noah doesn't quite fit on the chair yet, but I was trying out all three at the table.
I went to the park a few times last week, and just tried to meet up with different friends in the mornings. Usually the afternoon get busy with the younger two naps, so at this time of life, the best times are in the morning.

I met this woman and her daughter on Monday at the park, and since the kids played so well together, we decided to meet again on Wednesday, and plan to meet again this week. She has decided to homeschool and we are going to compare a little how we do things. This Thursday we are heading to a Red Sox game and are pretty excited about it, I'm probably a little more excited than I should be about a baseball game. We are also looking forward to seeing Kevin's parent's this upcoming weekend, and it will be nice to spend a few days with them. Now I'm off to finish watching the Boston Marathon, and hopefully we can enjoy more of the Patriot Day activities later on this week.

The Quiet

So it happened this weekend, Saturday to be precise. I didn't do anything. And it was hard. I have been trying to keep busy, trying not to think too deep, and I couldn't help it this Saturday. We had no place we had to be, Kevin wasn't feeling well, and we stayed home. And it was hard.

I think of the Bible when God was talking to Elijah. He wasn't in the loud noisy things, He was in the still quiet voice. For one reason or another, maybe it's the three kids, things aren't usually quiet. I often dream of going away just by myself, buying something nice (some sparkly shoes perhaps), or eating something good(something sweet and chocolaty), some forms of escape, but my prayer now is for peace in the midst of this time. To truly enjoy the kids, and when I find myself utterly frustrated, taking a step back. To not push to go out and do if it is not working. To allow myself some time. No pictures this time, I didn't take much this week. I am going exploring with the kids today and we are having a picnic. I come back to this place of needing to slow down often, but it is always under different circumstances. So here I go again, ready to find my peace that passes all understanding, going to the strong tower, and dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.

A little bit of this and that

There was nothing big to post this week, just random pictures when I remembered to take them. We have really been enjoying the nice weather, took the kids out for a jog with us, and just enjoyed a quiet weekend this past weekend.

I love this picture of Rachel, she has pretty good posture, and loves her pink pony and Cinderella.

This little guy is climbing up the steps now.
Lets go fly a kite!

I cooked up some lamb on Sunday as our special meal, and boy was it tasty.
It has been a busy week of just normal stuff. Noah is getting teeth, Rachel is two and enough said, and Daniel has been writing letters and numbers lately and doing very well.