tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80713254012878750152024-02-19T09:45:49.511-05:00It all started at Kent State University!This is a blog written by a mom, wife, sister, and friend. I write about everyday life around my home, how I met my hubby, and about the loss of my precious stillborn daughters. Come along and read our adventures of this thing called life.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-67279441093699495202009-04-10T11:53:00.002-04:002009-04-10T12:57:20.754-04:00Photo Story Friday & A lesson learned for mom!As I stated to earlier I was out of commission for a few weeks with two very different ailments. When I got to the point that I felt better and just could not lie in bed any longer or sit on the couch for another second I decided it was time for some major spring cleaning in the home!! I started with every room in the house. Finding things for a garage sale, Goodwill, EBay, or just plain the trash can. I reorganized drawers, closets, and cabinets. I also started using the internet to buy things for upcoming showers, babies, and Weddings.<br />One day a box came from something I had purchased. It was a big box and along with what I had bought the box was filled to the rim with packing peanuts. So I had asked the kids to come pick up the peanuts that may fall on the floor when I lifted out the contents. They did and then asked to play in this big box with the peanuts. At first I was like “no way”. I have been cleaning and that is the last mess that I want to clean up right now. After the kids begged and begged I realized what was the harm? Why was I being so resistant? Then I began to think of their fun playing and not worrying about my time having to clean up the mess.<br /><br />This was a great lesson for me to just relax and go with the flow. To think about the small joy a box of packing peanuts would bring and not of the mess they would make. Enjoy the photos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eqNwKrFty63MtrgZtfmDkPDpS5mzhyphenhyphenavuJ1ftpvuAvVxfU9LwNvG4PsiagxsqXQCyqGV0lczCs7nZ9q6aAUT6Nki2Kc8PaQ5fUfzNtgjY050PYpQBesxo_xGDPxQyK0bMPgBdDBcJk2B/s1600-h/box+108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323093927584268162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eqNwKrFty63MtrgZtfmDkPDpS5mzhyphenhyphenavuJ1ftpvuAvVxfU9LwNvG4PsiagxsqXQCyqGV0lczCs7nZ9q6aAUT6Nki2Kc8PaQ5fUfzNtgjY050PYpQBesxo_xGDPxQyK0bMPgBdDBcJk2B/s400/box+108.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uPxCxpEnDH9jpCHbjDBed_ZKGU2RnvMUq91FPnYDhQCsgiuUel-dyb6vBAUfeVBdSdhE_KqTO0aL-rVOQKC5O1_kfRfzWVAyQ79zyA5-HjVia-dMQCvxQG8Cur2uFXXmRz8xLWM0WLu0/s1600-h/box+102.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323093468114034994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uPxCxpEnDH9jpCHbjDBed_ZKGU2RnvMUq91FPnYDhQCsgiuUel-dyb6vBAUfeVBdSdhE_KqTO0aL-rVOQKC5O1_kfRfzWVAyQ79zyA5-HjVia-dMQCvxQG8Cur2uFXXmRz8xLWM0WLu0/s400/box+102.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdZ6oo5C3eKfirIwjt5jym2H0l1aeiRhzZjqXxBXXFyAn7T_f1v5VVssXyu7G8dfWSNo0uivIN3a7bsPfFgEYLyDEOikaysYhR-JZyNPBjVueI4I5RuGxiTbo85jNmIEYDNYmhn1XJuKP/s1600-h/box+098.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323093162335631362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdZ6oo5C3eKfirIwjt5jym2H0l1aeiRhzZjqXxBXXFyAn7T_f1v5VVssXyu7G8dfWSNo0uivIN3a7bsPfFgEYLyDEOikaysYhR-JZyNPBjVueI4I5RuGxiTbo85jNmIEYDNYmhn1XJuKP/s400/box+098.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJYjTXaSdxoJSSQCQzlrfBN_r-6tUS2ZHwYS9pTsSJjLgKFgOj0wyWriNw0r8_x6Q5q1IOx-U-7fnz654ruP5ij8PjjTe8HlGoZMPUGnT2n1XdDMjQqWG35_RcmJOU8mfdRykEuKuLgUM/s1600-h/box+092.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323092811765704674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJYjTXaSdxoJSSQCQzlrfBN_r-6tUS2ZHwYS9pTsSJjLgKFgOj0wyWriNw0r8_x6Q5q1IOx-U-7fnz654ruP5ij8PjjTe8HlGoZMPUGnT2n1XdDMjQqWG35_RcmJOU8mfdRykEuKuLgUM/s400/box+092.jpg" border="0" /></a> <center><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/2007/06/iphone.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/whatworksforus/pfw.jpg" border="0" alt="PhotoStory Friday" /></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com" target="_blank">MamaGeek</a><p/></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-90315103441989708682009-04-06T12:12:00.003-04:002009-04-06T12:45:52.003-04:00Splash AwardSplash Award is an award given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive and inspiring blogs.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm9wNlXkD3GrOsiw2QSOPbClUibKd1qDrTujO3-o4-RVohyphenhyphenh3l2b_vmBgVOliSaXCohp_vow8cgJ2bBCmWlX7dunq0wP3Lg37l2fQs1tz268zcA6ZW8UHWX4eRUQONm-X2uwEYsCaPcam/s1600-h/mermaid_award_3.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321612267028203618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm9wNlXkD3GrOsiw2QSOPbClUibKd1qDrTujO3-o4-RVohyphenhyphenh3l2b_vmBgVOliSaXCohp_vow8cgJ2bBCmWlX7dunq0wP3Lg37l2fQs1tz268zcA6ZW8UHWX4eRUQONm-X2uwEYsCaPcam/s400/mermaid_award_3.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://bfoxxreads.blogspot.com/2009/03/splash-award.html">Bella </a>nominated me for my first blog award! How exciting is that? I am so excited although I am late in weeks by accepting it. Thanks so much!!</div><div></div><div>Here are the rules:</div><div>The Rules:</div><div>1) Put the logo on your blog/post.</div><div>2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.</div><div>3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.</div><div>4) Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.</div><div>5) Remember to link to the person from whom your received your Splash award.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Blogs I am nominating are:</div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.angiescircus.blogspot.com/">Angie</a> at 7 Clown circus~ She is an inspiration for me as well as amusing</div><div><a href="http://themcmommychronicles.blogspot.com/">McMommy</a> at McMommy Chronicles~ Always am finding a laugh when I go to this blog. A really neat style of writing also</div><div><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/search/label/Photostory%20Friday">MammaGeek</a> at What Works for us~ Need inspiration? Go here and view her photos and stories.</div><div><a href="http://thelifeofsuz.blogspot.com/">Suz </a>at Steece's Pieces~ This girl gives me inspiration every time I read her blog. She has the cutest quads and such a positive outlook which I need.</div><div><a href="http://our-munchkins.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> at the view from our house~ I am telling you all that I think somehow Laura and I are related. She does not know this, but we have so much in common that at times it is scary!! Great place for mom stories, inspiration, and cute kids.</div><div><a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/">Jennifer </a>at My Charming Kids~</div><div></div><div>Speaking of Jennifer. If you have never been to her blog you must go. If you are Christian and a folower of God please pray. Her son Stellan is in the hospital as we speak. What an amazing mother she is. Please visit her blog and write on your blog about her son. Please pray for this baby.</div><div></div><div>Thanks again for the award. </div><div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-58103904543373468002009-04-01T13:12:00.005-04:002009-04-01T13:18:53.299-04:00Month of March and where I have beenIt has been a month since I have blogged anything! I can’t believe how fast time flies by. Here is an update on what has been going on around our neck of the woods.<br />March was a hard month for me! The first weekend of March I woke up to get ready for a bridal shower. I had enough time to get in the shower and ready before my mom would be picking me up to go with her to the shower. My daily routine when I wake up is to go downstairs and get something to drink to take with me into the bathroom as I get ready. And if you really know me then you know that it is a Diet Coke that I am going after. I am not a coffee drinker and that is my wake up drink. So as I am walking down the steps I am noticing that I just don’t feel right. My ankles hurt my feet hurt my body is aching and it is painful to walk. I got my drink then went back upstairs. Again the steps were painful. I then tried taking off my wedding ring before getting into the shower and was unable to make the ring budge. I then got back into my bed. Jeff came up and I explained that I just did not feel good and that my muscles and joints were all very painful. I called my mom and ended up canceling on the shower. I then went back to bed. I slept until around 8 pm. When I got back up I walked down to see what my family was up to and try to spend time with them. It was then that we discovered that my arms, wrists, and feet were all swollen and that I had developed a rash on my arms. So we started going through our minds about a possible allergy. Had we used anything different in the home, had I eaten anything different in the past 24-36 hours? Again the answer was no. So I then took my temp and I was running a fever. To the point that I got down on the kitchen floor and felt better on the cool tiles. Jeff was then worried as I was. We called and made arrangements for the kids and he took me into the ER.<br /><br />Once we arrived to the ER. I had blood tests drawn as well as and IV. I also had a spinal tap performed on my back. I was given pain meds that were helpful. It seemed strange to us all. At the ER we also spotted that the rash was now all over my butt, legs, and trunk. Long story short we went home with the diagnosis of this is a virus. I then worried about the kids and if they could get it and the answer was no.<br /><br />I was just downloading photos and forgot that the kids brought me all their stuffed animals when I was in bed and then Gabby took some photos. So these photos are by a 3 year old that I did not know was taking pictures at the time. Jeff is trying to get my wedding band off in one pic.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319772615742995906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXYAs6Rv0kjOyKGaoe7ebT0SPdkO-EsL7VShctWAPs0E8PE96bMfuf_tAFsbOkyaxq2EgO8awthBEXpHq3TUbvYTqLk9MOFb5NLEqaXRU9XauHzjSMZbPes44mgc4E8qNf16NT8zBQeGS/s400/box+046.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319772938967225970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6FtQ6y-afd4YZJWhXZ5WOYgiKvcetp1oHtGfCHevNuXcPxLj1cfgq3RpcooKtOJypgy1u7Oduxxi-RyJtbq8RNhBvVcBtakDSplD6VnWw-jMQ3pbSfCVDyDd_mlizUdI5chlJvLt2bS_/s400/box+051.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319773292461491442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6wNoBAvRHr8bLOm-4geCkOL3eyFZc8S0oqw8H8VD2FQnCQNh5Z7mNuOwXLBIBeBB6wNqxDx60Sqr5fE4kNfMAw9hCXQjkRANbkPghv8FQbRp0kfx9GLLzeR0bi0luQR5mmTu8AxfllK8/s400/box+049.jpg" border="0" /><br />The swelling on my arms and fingers was very uncomfortable and at times very painful. Never have I experienced something like this before. This was on a Saturday and the swelling was finally down and manageable o the point that on Wednesday I finally got my wedding band off, and was able to see bones in my hands again as well as put my other hands fingers around the opposite wrist.<br /><br />So I start to feel better and am at the point of being so sick of lying in bed and resting. I was up in Gabby’s room one day a few days later and was on the phone and making her bed when I bent over the wrong way I guess and when I stood back up I noticed and felt something strange in my back.<br /><br />This was my next ailment. This was so painful and I began worrying about disks in my back and if I did something to a disk. I then was back at the doctor’s office and was told that the muscles in my back were spasming. So I was given pain meds and muscle relaxers. I felt better a few days later with the muscle relaxers. I am to the point now that if I sit for a period of time my back will really hurt. It is still hurting but not to the degree that it was. It was a 10 and now I am about a 4. So I am still having problems.<br /><br />After a week and a half of the back issue and pain and medications I was again so over being in bed and lying low. I then got into a big spring cleaning mode and have been cleaning out drawers, closets, and cupboards. We have been putting a ton of stuff away for a garage sale and also Jeff has been out of town the past few weeks. So now the month of March is over and I am ready for April and to hopefully be over the health issues.<br /><br />… And back to blogging on a regular basis.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-50987748814993828452009-03-10T18:37:00.007-04:002009-03-10T18:56:50.415-04:00Favorite things swap!!***First off I apologize that I am late in blogging about my participation in the <a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/">Mamarazzis</a> favorite things Swap! I have been in bed primarily for the past 4 days with some weird virus… if that is even what this is that is ailing me.***<br /><br />I signed up to be in my first swap ever and am so glad that I did. There was some confusion in the beginning being that I was in Florida and we were having email problems, but it all worked out and I was matched up with Steph over at And then there were 6. <a href="http://4girls4me.blogspot.com/">Steph</a> and I have lots in common and it made this very easy!<br /><br />My package arrived on Friday and the following are pictures of what all the goodies were inside.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311692356068875746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVn4goHjjfeDcHxQlAZksxhvUl0Q_16-NN8TifzfN5U9irseJ2s0xY9mq3zRePm7qWe5_xJACBxWV1RY2VdCst89ZFx5niz5JsnLNjmvVTip8Ymx9XWY45oKk91xe5DbGd5ghDl4XAAkU/s400/IMG_9306.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />All the goodies still in the box and wrapped up!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311692915267181074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOU2dVbicVntUyWBYGJVqR0TVYPAVsuUAw9d5_cTGK2IhDneP0SMfEurbxoAo70sWDzmMwUoGj6P_0g11h5oqc8NFuPlN_IsmsJ23a8X0eQ_jQH4nifteDQMVLEQyj760Hgt47k7qchSR/s400/IMG_9310.JPG" border="0" /><br />A note from Steph and everything out of the box.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK7XiyXyaAl3tT067kp7T_rAfLXR5oIhut-KkeaX1QbIfHSRCtWv3JkL17qR3G5EwzhWawLt_4Knwgq7jLhfKxcQ2EYIyDgzxcDmG-mWTAN0F6Ihk-5BipTc7U7KvRVjyMMrXhB15GzTG/s1600-h/IMG_9315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311693907383489778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK7XiyXyaAl3tT067kp7T_rAfLXR5oIhut-KkeaX1QbIfHSRCtWv3JkL17qR3G5EwzhWawLt_4Knwgq7jLhfKxcQ2EYIyDgzxcDmG-mWTAN0F6Ihk-5BipTc7U7KvRVjyMMrXhB15GzTG/s400/IMG_9315.JPG" border="0" /></a> Everything unwrapped. I am so excited to plant the flowers in Sam and Syd's garden.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WvdZfFuirGd0N-ZbDLY_2mOZniWpDevQ8dUv6b6BRPCcGEsF-UKpoNQJSPNR_-B2EkObjYIgCgyRJGxBCMfBFB1xCCYmdl_rlvpP2DmFi9cfxtNecwCXON_zti34BtUC_SRPEbcXSAa-/s1600-h/IMG_9313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311693350154670066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WvdZfFuirGd0N-ZbDLY_2mOZniWpDevQ8dUv6b6BRPCcGEsF-UKpoNQJSPNR_-B2EkObjYIgCgyRJGxBCMfBFB1xCCYmdl_rlvpP2DmFi9cfxtNecwCXON_zti34BtUC_SRPEbcXSAa-/s400/IMG_9313.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nail polish that Gabrielle was so excited about and we already painted her nails. Chocolate and brownie mix. YUM! I had to laugh at the Burt's Bee. Jeff loves and swears by the stuff. A great movie that I am excited to see again. </div><div> </div><div>Thanks Steph! I love it all and it was fun to get mail from you. Actually fun to get GOOD, GREAT, EXCELLENT mail from you. :)<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-34682207339589020942009-03-06T03:15:00.011-05:002009-03-06T03:47:04.441-05:00Photo Story Friday~ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique~As many of you know when we went to Sanibel Island on vacation we also took a side trip to Disney. Orlando is about a 3 hour trip from Sanibel. We had an amazing time in Disney, although it never seems like enough time. Our trip to Florida was not really planned nor was a trip to Disney. (Meaning this was not a trip planned out months in advanced) My dad has a condo in Florida and he is also a Florida resident. I think sometimes he gets bored alone in Florida so he called me in January asking if the kids and I would want to go to Sanibel for a trip. Of course I jumped on the invitation and then decided since we were in Florida and the kids are at such great ages that a trip to Disney would be a wonderful idea!<br />Little Miss Gabrielle is three and a half. She loves everything dress up and princess. So when I was on the Disney website in late January making arrangements for a character dinner and came across the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique it seemed like a no brainer to me. What is this boutique? I am glad you asked. It is an amazing, creative, and fun experience for any little princess. <br />Below is copied from the website:<br />It's hard not to feel as happy as a princess in this charming little boutique, owned by Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and operated by Fairy Godmothers-in-training. The boutique offers multiple hair styles, nail color, make-up and a total package including Disney Princess costume and photographs. <br />Girls 3 years old and above can choose from 3 hair styles — Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva and Pop Princess — in 3 available packages: <br />• Coach Package includes hairstyling and shimmering makeup <br />• Crown Package includes hairstyling, shimmering makeup and nails <br />• Castle Package includes the Crown Package plus the Imaging Package (one 6" x 8" and four 4" x 6" photos in a princess-themed photo holder) and complete costume of your choice with accessories <br /><br />I was so excited to do this for Gabrielle. This is how our princess experience went. We surprised Gabby and went to our appointment after lunch. After signing in the princess to be goes and chooses her gown and princess to become. Gabby chose Sleeping Beauty due to the fact that the dress is pink and so are the shoes! (Love that girl and her devotion to the color pink!!) She then goes back into the princess dressing room and puts on her princess dress. Then she sits in the princess salon chair. Because Gabby has short hair they made a very small pony tail at the top of her head giving her a “Pebbles” look. From there they used a head piece to create a bun and extensions of hair. She gets her nails painted as well as makeup put on her face. This all takes place by the Fairy Godmothers and the whole time she is called “Princess Gabrielle”. <br />ADORABLE!!! This was so much fun. Gabrielle LOVED it! It was so precious and I am just so happy that we were able to do this for her and at three years old when Disney is a magical place she could feel like a princess. I only wish they had this stuff when I was a kid!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbYRw3U4Kjpjd5NtVMrJTtSqiJBT9iBPfNvugf2TAA4X5vxImT5WPqczryX1zPL543nDN7oMNfxY3a3dFx5HYt1W93GoA1pIenZA2PZ1Foun__QNjED3y26b565tlTDgI0YiDuRSbNCe_/s1600-h/DSC00537.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbYRw3U4Kjpjd5NtVMrJTtSqiJBT9iBPfNvugf2TAA4X5vxImT5WPqczryX1zPL543nDN7oMNfxY3a3dFx5HYt1W93GoA1pIenZA2PZ1Foun__QNjED3y26b565tlTDgI0YiDuRSbNCe_/s400/DSC00537.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309992962139278466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_dm8GBiFpkgeGEJrmfIfJgF5n1LDKxUG19-cJASfxhz8j2XwqhiLxBbznDJw6aOjtU8tOQkbNqdM5E7II_pRZPbhRYLWUI5N1ZnUfean0qMA1kQpe3x2LakPyi-5c-5DeQPy01qq33Y3/s1600-h/DSC00542.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_dm8GBiFpkgeGEJrmfIfJgF5n1LDKxUG19-cJASfxhz8j2XwqhiLxBbznDJw6aOjtU8tOQkbNqdM5E7II_pRZPbhRYLWUI5N1ZnUfean0qMA1kQpe3x2LakPyi-5c-5DeQPy01qq33Y3/s400/DSC00542.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309992600092125474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFznNwCLR2ln5raZ3MR1vrYD2m8_jYrlwiEZU3jCqU_t8At1GHpNiOzICjYTHljUyuOptya8f1O9MZVtnoeY9paF9dGvXMwKIUyLDOliItT05gW-KgnF1mz9_kaGbt4e1AOWo3pFPCHPU/s1600-h/DSC00543.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFznNwCLR2ln5raZ3MR1vrYD2m8_jYrlwiEZU3jCqU_t8At1GHpNiOzICjYTHljUyuOptya8f1O9MZVtnoeY9paF9dGvXMwKIUyLDOliItT05gW-KgnF1mz9_kaGbt4e1AOWo3pFPCHPU/s400/DSC00543.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309992213100423314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-iRpIgKQyuLimOq_64nHspGeBjT4XWxzK3ONc8nYvu9fKb1I9eTAZbapQaLb6SZAvY_WcPnYkElqUzqcYsupHE9SOeBOvPa_e55hwlImFA0ONjDYv1zVt4-ixchBAzx0KKuJ7TRJvd5v/s1600-h/IMG_8916.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-iRpIgKQyuLimOq_64nHspGeBjT4XWxzK3ONc8nYvu9fKb1I9eTAZbapQaLb6SZAvY_WcPnYkElqUzqcYsupHE9SOeBOvPa_e55hwlImFA0ONjDYv1zVt4-ixchBAzx0KKuJ7TRJvd5v/s400/IMG_8916.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309991743987843762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMPaf8aFd7LxIw-Zisvg0E1dT3fok-MT24DZ15nMDO74BFGP9EySwxif8jlUiszqIf1VilBnnJyMGD3kP4Y2s1QHZQhiMKrNiXCbceuktzZ_Rf6JmYqGOM-QRTz-_KcjDWuGh19xxjp5X/s1600-h/IMG_8908.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMPaf8aFd7LxIw-Zisvg0E1dT3fok-MT24DZ15nMDO74BFGP9EySwxif8jlUiszqIf1VilBnnJyMGD3kP4Y2s1QHZQhiMKrNiXCbceuktzZ_Rf6JmYqGOM-QRTz-_KcjDWuGh19xxjp5X/s400/IMG_8908.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309991217762286850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24Nl9FqxWOGdq24IJwGRf94_LZfXx4GZQIrINpq2sIgxFKab-eDA8fK-cbCVPY4m_y9dKSDBHDrCg6qs88be_iyS3sr9v7dk8btis0wT6shf7ElWVDtnVSfKFvAFC8Ol125-qO3zyAqce/s1600-h/IMG_9033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24Nl9FqxWOGdq24IJwGRf94_LZfXx4GZQIrINpq2sIgxFKab-eDA8fK-cbCVPY4m_y9dKSDBHDrCg6qs88be_iyS3sr9v7dk8btis0wT6shf7ElWVDtnVSfKFvAFC8Ol125-qO3zyAqce/s400/IMG_9033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309990428275659842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXEnfHy4LAqkHkDg35U8aHIRKHtp5-T1sXM4kff1vyF1KTd5UfjALQqtcJ0pnH7IbLElyPuQ7hU1Rzy3xMztBnnngYgfGXrrTSW_0J-N76k1ACH-mvmUUV5J4T0SnAHWXGB7X12l6D6ef/s1600-h/IMG_9022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXEnfHy4LAqkHkDg35U8aHIRKHtp5-T1sXM4kff1vyF1KTd5UfjALQqtcJ0pnH7IbLElyPuQ7hU1Rzy3xMztBnnngYgfGXrrTSW_0J-N76k1ACH-mvmUUV5J4T0SnAHWXGB7X12l6D6ef/s400/IMG_9022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309989760100751778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4NqL9_mFrOE-dWbkQPtcggHvUGIWlnC-wOzLtcIySpkK1y5K4tGMqLBX5i5NBkyyB6fy7O_8mL6dcqUY7jlhV15VGrI7SHf6Jhdu5WSUmvRVC2b0SgN5UFQg-CHXqjEyoPaer8P_Ev1g/s1600-h/IMG_8957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4NqL9_mFrOE-dWbkQPtcggHvUGIWlnC-wOzLtcIySpkK1y5K4tGMqLBX5i5NBkyyB6fy7O_8mL6dcqUY7jlhV15VGrI7SHf6Jhdu5WSUmvRVC2b0SgN5UFQg-CHXqjEyoPaer8P_Ev1g/s400/IMG_8957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309989167661829458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLC4SJJ7ToIUC0xSJjvOHLo6rowr6FPYyaHffBADfz6mngTFwYWvP-gpKQpK8DlfhHeS_8HFFqGzHE5PP_LH11gz7mcfhhgfxT-9A5qPl-NGj7Vi6Ag9o8PvRD1rIPfimb4vqILzzn5qI/s1600-h/IMG_8898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLC4SJJ7ToIUC0xSJjvOHLo6rowr6FPYyaHffBADfz6mngTFwYWvP-gpKQpK8DlfhHeS_8HFFqGzHE5PP_LH11gz7mcfhhgfxT-9A5qPl-NGj7Vi6Ag9o8PvRD1rIPfimb4vqILzzn5qI/s400/IMG_8898.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309988418339894018" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/2007/06/iphone.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/whatworksforus/pfw.jpg" border="0" alt="PhotoStory Friday"></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com" target="_blank">MamaGeek</a><p/></center>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-561127694337294392009-03-04T13:32:00.000-05:002009-03-04T13:42:31.187-05:00Wordful Wednesday~ Siblings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLvS60ZlctB2oGj3LPkYRCETAmLS4M4rMkxt8py1Y7NyZy2fzohyMOWMydjA-wbLPCFry5BjvlnWJTtDwikKv4lApOhFui0-FFIWsLqH9oH1e73rQX4xqy_5m-RyBj-Yp_PgutXqk2_tf/s1600-h/IMG_9301.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309403264285605410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLvS60ZlctB2oGj3LPkYRCETAmLS4M4rMkxt8py1Y7NyZy2fzohyMOWMydjA-wbLPCFry5BjvlnWJTtDwikKv4lApOhFui0-FFIWsLqH9oH1e73rQX4xqy_5m-RyBj-Yp_PgutXqk2_tf/s400/IMG_9301.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div>Lately these two have learned how to push each others buttons. For example, Joey has decided that he does not like to be called “Joe Joe” and since little sister knows this she will call him “Joe Joe” at just the right times to force a whining and crying reaction out of her big brother. To get her back he will then call her “G G” (Gabrielle Grace) this will then upset little sister. So this will go on back and forth until mom steps in and asks them both to knock it off.
<br />
<br />But at the end of the day, we are brother and sister and we love each other very much!
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<br />Head on over to 7 clown Circus.. Sorry Angie I am having problems making the button show up and not cryptic text.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-45015508831705942222009-03-02T00:42:00.000-05:002009-03-02T01:05:09.493-05:00Our trip to Sanibel Island, FloridaWe are back from a wonderful trip to Sanibel! Joey, Gabrielle, and I spent nine days with my dad in Sanibel before Jeff joined us. Before Jeff joined us here is a list of some things we did:<br />*Swam in the pool<br />*Taught Joey how to swim without floaties! This was a big deal and after he got up the confidence he was so proud of himself and now LOVES to swim<br />*Walked the beach<br />*Made sand castles<br />*The kids were burying me feet in the sand one day as I watched 2 dolphins feed in the ocean<br />*Went to Ding Darling<br />*Ate at some wonderful places! We loved Grandma Dots and Island Pizza<br />*Shopped on Periwinkle<br /><br />When Jeff joined us we spent time one day on Captiva and took a dolphin cruise. We also got alone time one night and went to see the movie “he’s just not that in to you”. On Wednesday I will be showing pictures from Disney! I am so excited for Wordful Wednesday this week. The best parts of our trip have to be spending time Papa, seeing Joey swim, and getting away from Ohio and the cold temperatures. Tomorrow it will be a high of 16 degrees F and I just can’t wait! (ß Kidding!) Now some photos from our trip…<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwE0YE-bGwfh132tTnSIOa1k7qOFHPiimztoYrDileyymyGApxSBY6SHrBV-X7V6Qq2MrO0NcmV3wN_EnBJ4fpVXHtbkXRLSEwuq8_7MI-TKbb9jb9WpBE5fXPY8RjUKxv17Au_4XDAcA/s1600-h/Picture+095.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308466734566645986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwE0YE-bGwfh132tTnSIOa1k7qOFHPiimztoYrDileyymyGApxSBY6SHrBV-X7V6Qq2MrO0NcmV3wN_EnBJ4fpVXHtbkXRLSEwuq8_7MI-TKbb9jb9WpBE5fXPY8RjUKxv17Au_4XDAcA/s400/Picture+095.jpg" border="0" /></a> Attempt at a family picture<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWLtM0xn-QRDdZLOpd7DZoReS7kdwCW9UAqaPxVuTKJ575klxOhLXDphOLEHMMqKXVWZPayPImz-Rx3yXhhxRe55WDGDZbOii6kUPlXhF3YszAMWvXXB4mawHkBrrLoZepqemEkFkqBXe/s1600-h/IMG_8235.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308466225334717074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWLtM0xn-QRDdZLOpd7DZoReS7kdwCW9UAqaPxVuTKJ575klxOhLXDphOLEHMMqKXVWZPayPImz-Rx3yXhhxRe55WDGDZbOii6kUPlXhF3YszAMWvXXB4mawHkBrrLoZepqemEkFkqBXe/s400/IMG_8235.JPG" border="0" /></a> My handsome little boy<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BKO4sayISezY2qsE-_lT16NDFAqWWPUhuFL-DybWUhim5W_Bmice5tnPd4VPNjuN9n2Ugv4OZouS-giYTIlkJmOfY1GmMyKCz6uV6aJ3f80rLOXzC7EMNcfsINoNde1fObPO5F-R57K0/s1600-h/IMG_8205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308465606374376690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BKO4sayISezY2qsE-_lT16NDFAqWWPUhuFL-DybWUhim5W_Bmice5tnPd4VPNjuN9n2Ugv4OZouS-giYTIlkJmOfY1GmMyKCz6uV6aJ3f80rLOXzC7EMNcfsINoNde1fObPO5F-R57K0/s400/IMG_8205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRDmn1QtnioY8-zrzcnYN6o51xNMY0ksVKy55NHcCYjkm4diEAp5I7y8F8jS-iVyRmMaIyDVXjULdjAguu2emjQn5YfzT9TqsTR1MgGedxypAHrdlpUeWC5Vvu3lYzLen_GWSeEoNEcH4/s1600-h/DSC00492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308463994284030754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRDmn1QtnioY8-zrzcnYN6o51xNMY0ksVKy55NHcCYjkm4diEAp5I7y8F8jS-iVyRmMaIyDVXjULdjAguu2emjQn5YfzT9TqsTR1MgGedxypAHrdlpUeWC5Vvu3lYzLen_GWSeEoNEcH4/s400/DSC00492.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Beautiful girl in her bathing suit</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7elJJwRnNSUkIud5JpG94fNZ8RBBhbdXKKxduPtIAePsN0KtBnkTy_rooq3-FnrgY0fjSsRbEasKValmRwa2r5IicpLJTRl6D1TsSjAgKJUUiuyekSOJAD3D6rzM46WkFCcfkyyLGKSbl/s1600-h/DSC00480.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308463662173904242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7elJJwRnNSUkIud5JpG94fNZ8RBBhbdXKKxduPtIAePsN0KtBnkTy_rooq3-FnrgY0fjSsRbEasKValmRwa2r5IicpLJTRl6D1TsSjAgKJUUiuyekSOJAD3D6rzM46WkFCcfkyyLGKSbl/s400/DSC00480.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mommy, Joey, & Gab... I got a little too much sun one day. Ended up getting sun poisoning on my chest.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLvxk8WmKnDhz605DBk_FgOQ9kf9SyHa_Cl04a4hDuhAdnve9X6X4b2T8Sto_9l8XNQrTI5rwcOtv1FcYXWAejWP189LTFwxTY9Kdy1WtLkcSoauAMXcY_6hTB1ucIUza8h1rQORfp0E6/s1600-h/DSC00450.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308463112288865618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLvxk8WmKnDhz605DBk_FgOQ9kf9SyHa_Cl04a4hDuhAdnve9X6X4b2T8Sto_9l8XNQrTI5rwcOtv1FcYXWAejWP189LTFwxTY9Kdy1WtLkcSoauAMXcY_6hTB1ucIUza8h1rQORfp0E6/s400/DSC00450.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Joey & Gab at Ding Darling<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN669ccXd8m2Ni1fk3_z706h6hsu3KzZ_nFAyWGDPUsLIdymPyx4n5eo6e2N5gq4cu-3HnQzdaA2OJ_cZFk4guyWwsUwt1tV30O3vNO0gz8nXDggKoTd2thCb6ldicCMHaH0eIRZDG1hs/s1600-h/DSC00414.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308462676509388450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN669ccXd8m2Ni1fk3_z706h6hsu3KzZ_nFAyWGDPUsLIdymPyx4n5eo6e2N5gq4cu-3HnQzdaA2OJ_cZFk4guyWwsUwt1tV30O3vNO0gz8nXDggKoTd2thCb6ldicCMHaH0eIRZDG1hs/s400/DSC00414.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joey swimming with Papa with no flotation assistance<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCmTD0krboKv-lThv3pFcwTTHG5NRq1yr6pL-N8ziY3vwD3uRE_EaAaXg-hWsgb3-YdaIMgfNeBi6XYw-iS6N1UAo5mjHs8f_y1BEmIhY5pfqJc9p3i6PCzTAafxWN0mluEwrBOEasrG7/s1600-h/DSC00389.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308462252667721650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCmTD0krboKv-lThv3pFcwTTHG5NRq1yr6pL-N8ziY3vwD3uRE_EaAaXg-hWsgb3-YdaIMgfNeBi6XYw-iS6N1UAo5mjHs8f_y1BEmIhY5pfqJc9p3i6PCzTAafxWN0mluEwrBOEasrG7/s400/DSC00389.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Siblings!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-33487461211499915342009-02-17T01:08:00.000-05:002009-02-17T01:10:33.441-05:005 years ago today~5 years ago today I dropped Joey off to stay with nana while I went to the doctors<br />~5 years ago today I walked into the hospital for my regular periantologist appointment alone<br />~5 years ago today I sat in a waiting room thinking my little girls were going to be just fine<br />~5 years ago today when I went into that appointment I was ready to start talking about going inpatient<br />~5 years ago today I peed in a cup per the nurse’s request<br />~5 years ago today I had my blood pressure taken and was weighed<br />~5 years ago today my nurse was listening for heart beats using the Doppler when she replied “your babies are so active, lucky you you get to have an ultrasound”<br />~5 years ago today the words that the nurse spoke never leave my mind<br />~5 years ago today that ultrasound showed the worst thing imaginable<br />~5 years ago today I learned that my precious identical twin daughters Samantha and Sydney had died in the womb<br />~5 years ago today I had the worst day of my life<br />~5 years ago today after my appointment I walked into a gas station with a big swollen 20 week + pregnant belly (Plus extra big belly from just giving birth to Joey 6 months prior to Joey) and bought a pack of cigarettes with tears streaming down my face<br />~5 years ago today I bought that pack of cigarettes and the man behind the counter looked at me like I was nuts and I looked at him and replied “It doesn’t matter they died”<br />~5 years ago today Jeff met me at my mom’s and we cried<br />~5 years ago today I was scared, naive, and in a state of shock that I was not thinking clearly on how to deal with this situation<br />~5 years ago today I went back to the hospital to start the induction process<br />~5 years ago today I was in the hospital making little progress (per doctors and nurses assessments) when I felt the need to push and gave birth to my little babies with a nurse, anesthesiologist and Jeff present<br />~5 years ago today I watched as my water never broke and suddenly I pushed one push and a sac broke on my bed and 2 tiny babies lied at my feet tangled in cords<br />~5 years ago today I was rushed for a D&C<br />~5 years ago today I learned that I am not in control<br />~5 years ago today I learned that pregnancy is a scary thing<br />~5 years ago today I learned that there are no guarantees<br />~5 years ago today I held 2 of the most beautiful babies in my arms<br />~5 years ago today I felt lost<br />~5 years ago today I felt like I would not be able to live with this kind of loss<br />~5 years ago today I wanted to die and be with my girls<br />~5 years ago today part of me died with my daughters<br />~5 years ago today I learned that I could love 2 babies for a lifetime, yet these were 2 babies I had never met<br />~5 years ago today I made mistakes in not demanding to see my babies, take photos of them and the importance for me in that part of the healing process<br />~5 years ago today I felt like a failure for not giving my husband the opportunity to be a dad to his little girls<br />~5 years ago today was the worst day of my life!!<br /><br />Samantha and Sydney, my wish is that on this your 5th birthday you are having a beautiful time in Heaven. I imagine you with long hair and dancing. I LOVE you both more than words can express. I miss you terribly and wish I could see you smile, hear you laugh, and see how you would interact with one another. Would you have a twin bond? There are so many things I wonder about the two of you and I do look forward to the day I can hold you both in my arms forever.<br /><br />Below is a letter that your daddy wrote. I posted mine a few days earlier. Happy Birthday! As we do every year we will be singing happy birthday to you tonight. I hope that you know we will never forget and we love you!<br /><br />Mommy<br /><br />Dear Samantha and Sydney,<br /><br />I can’t believe that it’s been five years since you were born. In many ways, I try to put that painful day out of my mind – it’s just my way of coping with the loss. Actually, when your mom suggested I write this letter, I could tell by my inappropriate response (slightly angry) that this had stirred up some deep emotions that still have not totally settled. And then, the more I thought about it, writing this letter was a great idea. Oh, your mom is a wonderful lady. God knew what he was doing when He brought us together. We’re perfect for each other! She loves you very much! She may not admit to it, but one of the reasons she’s such a wonderful mom is because of these fantastic ideas she comes up with to express her love for you. She always amazes me with her ideas, and this is certainly another one of her brilliant ideas!<br /><br />Before I continue rambling, I want you both to know something; not a day passes that I don’t think about you. I mostly think about what is going to be like when your mom and I finally meet you in heaven. I often think about what it would be like if you wouldn’t have died. There are days that I look into your brother and sister’s eyes and I ponder what your own unique personalities, talents, and skills God has given you; would you sing and dance with your sister Gabby, or would you play hide-and-seek with Joey? Would you let me paint your fingernails? I wonder how much more laughter would fill our house if you were here with us. I wonder how much more singing, or dancing would fill our home. I wonder if you would wrestle with me. I wonder if you would surprise me with special hugs and kisses when I come home from work.<br /><br />I initially struggled with whether to write one letter or two, but then I realized that just writing this letter was a great step forward in the healing process. I also think about what it’s like for you in heaven; can you see us? Do you talk with Jesus? Are there angels watching over us now? How old are you in heaven? The older I get, the more I think about heaven, and the more questions I have for the Lord. I know your mom wants to now why He let you both die. And honestly, I’m not sure if we did have the answers that it would change anything. In my heart, I know that God is good and His purpose always works out for the best in His children’s lives. Nothing changes the fact that I’ll never get a chance to experience all of the special times that a daddy should have with his daughters. I must rest with the knowledge that you are with God. And someday Jesus is coming back to make this place the way it ought to be. So until the Lord calls me home or Jesus returns, I am going to love your Mom, brother, and sister. I’m going to be the best husband and father to them. And someday, when I make it home, I’m looking forward to the biggest homecoming ever!<br /><br />Sam and Syd, I wish you both a Happy Birthday! I’m hoping the Lord has you adorned in the most beautiful white dresses imaginable.<br /><br />All my love, DadLauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-15242087791766271362009-02-14T22:49:00.000-05:002009-02-14T22:50:22.853-05:00Valentine's Day... 5 years agoThe dates in February are the same that they were 5 years ago. 5 years ago today on Valentine’s Day we had dinner out with my family. After dinner we went back to my mom and dad’s house for dessert. When we were at my parent’s house I had my calendar out and was starting to schedule and pencil in where my immediate family would be in the coming weeks and month. We were 4 short weeks. 4 weeks from going inpatient. Seemed so close, but not close enough.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-23649099010524271682009-02-08T22:54:00.000-05:002009-02-08T23:00:20.788-05:00Sam & SydDear Samantha and Sydney~<br />I want to wish you both a very Happy 5th Birthday. As I sit here to write this letter I am in awe how fast 5 years have flown by and how some memories never fade, yet at the same time how my memory can forget things that happened last week.<br />There are millions of things that I want to say, experience, and share with the both of you. As your mom I hope that you know that a day does not pass that I do not think of the two of you and miss you, feel cheated, feel guilty, or wish that this was a horrible dream that I would wake up from. It is hard to think of you both as the separate individuals that you are as opposed to you both as one person. I have to remind myself that I did not get cheated out of one life, but two lives. Two babies, two people, two daughters, two sisters, two grandchildren that deserved to make their mark on this world. I had many dreams for you both while you were alive and well playing patty cake in the womb. I was most looking forward to the people that you would become and how you would interact with your not so much older brother and with each other.<br /><br />5 years old. You both would be in preschool right now at New Hope with Joey and Gabs. You would probably share a bedroom and if you were anything like your younger sister you would be into playing dress up, dancing, singing, and terrorizing Max. If you were like your brother you would be into playing with Star Wars toys, playing the Wii, coloring, and soon be learning how to read. In the fall you would start your first year at Valley Christian in kindergarten and in just a few days you would be with mommy and Papa at the beach playing in the sand and swimming.<br /><br />So cheated yes, we have been cheated. I do look forward to the day that I hold you in my arms and can love you and squeeze you. I want you both to know that we miss you terribly. That I will never forget you, and that you will always be loved, missed, and cherished by me. I will continue to keep you alive in my mind, body, and soul and to make sure that your siblings know that our family is not complete until the 6 of us are all reunited again in Heaven.<br /><br />With many hugs, kisses, and LOVE,<br /><br />Mommy<br /><br />XOOOXOXO<br /><br />P.S~ I hate that we have not been out to see you in so long. Reason number 10, 895 that I HATE that this happened, is because it is so COLD in February. That is why we feel close to you every time we look out our windows and see the statues in the garden. It makes me feel like you are always here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad21v0soB3w_kFut-PpYWPeQwAVVGF4Npovk-vwkhjxPKvYjdBFfb1xIalBwpLJCjXMyimvzbNQStmnEuj_OYMpiRqEk1cSa4W_scPMgP24-a5-hXYFOjRAx5szHjgI68N0bUjLRXbH_7/s1600-h/IMG_1943_B&W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300642237394677970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad21v0soB3w_kFut-PpYWPeQwAVVGF4Npovk-vwkhjxPKvYjdBFfb1xIalBwpLJCjXMyimvzbNQStmnEuj_OYMpiRqEk1cSa4W_scPMgP24-a5-hXYFOjRAx5szHjgI68N0bUjLRXbH_7/s400/IMG_1943_B&W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAZhQ6J1D7-OaWTykXcE88yU-o-mkmPSci7Hof-JvUmX01GrPyBBmsaorxfI8wLyaKXLUx_gowKI7qmnTrsNvjqzGxeCJHV_F66FbpjbCTML8Gr_o8bGf1Zp9TVP9NQ6YDpEkIoDZCfqk/s1600-h/IMG_1941_B&W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300642221291492306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAZhQ6J1D7-OaWTykXcE88yU-o-mkmPSci7Hof-JvUmX01GrPyBBmsaorxfI8wLyaKXLUx_gowKI7qmnTrsNvjqzGxeCJHV_F66FbpjbCTML8Gr_o8bGf1Zp9TVP9NQ6YDpEkIoDZCfqk/s400/IMG_1941_B&W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-60709287368806226682009-02-05T03:20:00.000-05:002009-02-05T03:23:48.420-05:00~A Pair of Shoes~ 11 days away from our 5 Year Anniversary~I am wearing a pair of shoes.<br />They are ugly shoes.<br />Uncomfortable shoes.<br />I hate my shoes.<br />Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.<br />Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.<br />Yet, I continue to wear them.<br />I get funny looks wearing these shoes.<br />They are looks of sympathy.<br /> I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.<br />They never talk about my shoes.<br />To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.<br />To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.<br />But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.<br /> I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.<br />There are many pairs in this world.<br />Some women are like me and ache daily as they try to walk in them.<br />Some have learned how to walk in them so they don’t hurt quite as much.<br />Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think about how much they hurt.<br />No woman deserves to wear these shoes.<br />Yet, because of these shoes I am a stronger woman.<br />These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.<br />They have made me who I am.<br />I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.<br />Author Unknown.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-39197277664662165222009-02-02T19:10:00.000-05:002009-02-02T19:51:23.606-05:00Baby Fix Gabrielle Grace... Part II<div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHlVI_YEdGbVst5EfjOBqAN38ZoWQqPmqc-aSb-Gq2kvg0A-06-LdUwH3xKE5_yRhacSAxem5P6S8YNx45E4eQw08-gcqSjJjpYYQeaysDDPcit92G4e3p_kkd6JN4E4Z8kL_VSrsEO3p/s1600-h/100_1318.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298361037030021970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHlVI_YEdGbVst5EfjOBqAN38ZoWQqPmqc-aSb-Gq2kvg0A-06-LdUwH3xKE5_yRhacSAxem5P6S8YNx45E4eQw08-gcqSjJjpYYQeaysDDPcit92G4e3p_kkd6JN4E4Z8kL_VSrsEO3p/s400/100_1318.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi0dbDbxeu3scx7cIbtGzoc_YSh8U5PPn8odYo9Vkj69pbvV337KCJswxRzNSMCxvrQmzSDr19SIs0FopEParv9OmcX3SYE1D0ROpnh__xK0RLMHUKB4oG-YjvWb3FRcQwZvjKWrVdXzQ/s1600-h/100_1103.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298359563782598994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi0dbDbxeu3scx7cIbtGzoc_YSh8U5PPn8odYo9Vkj69pbvV337KCJswxRzNSMCxvrQmzSDr19SIs0FopEParv9OmcX3SYE1D0ROpnh__xK0RLMHUKB4oG-YjvWb3FRcQwZvjKWrVdXzQ/s400/100_1103.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7MVciSCFV5Wfpk_eLqO8rL3QCxDXhbswzdmFCD-G0iSm3Rxs6jMMkLuZGMXQeUtXDcf7ihVe8-JuUzbXcKaSKCMOMuki3Kbcu3jS0eEj9So2CW1KLmw8pr25EtmObOR8BTA61izitRri/s1600-h/100_1029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298358835667340498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7MVciSCFV5Wfpk_eLqO8rL3QCxDXhbswzdmFCD-G0iSm3Rxs6jMMkLuZGMXQeUtXDcf7ihVe8-JuUzbXcKaSKCMOMuki3Kbcu3jS0eEj9So2CW1KLmw8pr25EtmObOR8BTA61izitRri/s400/100_1029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LvUFYjPLcUjpEmVG8GdthgaqM-FK0nRcoPDoQDilTyD8uxoke7uL5fSafZFGR4WEIEiqy2Bogb-6x3rz2NsbxJaJsVPE7z2bj-vXQIbBLxibOufTVY9-1NxgNKi0ozEcC3hzUWR7ZizV/s1600-h/100_0497.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298358311829581154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LvUFYjPLcUjpEmVG8GdthgaqM-FK0nRcoPDoQDilTyD8uxoke7uL5fSafZFGR4WEIEiqy2Bogb-6x3rz2NsbxJaJsVPE7z2bj-vXQIbBLxibOufTVY9-1NxgNKi0ozEcC3hzUWR7ZizV/s400/100_0497.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TbXI11_MHYxj72cyg7jhiv3tQs7Rcggd75uwuScvmQwE1OfOwIDlo4FqY2U5JVCuEsT3XyRBUjrbuSeWBbGZgOv2ZZaYsQ4t20jsH8-0ael6W-HxfFQv2y281tmyI0MbbQbd8bBVJyyp/s1600-h/100_1276_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298357316956236994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TbXI11_MHYxj72cyg7jhiv3tQs7Rcggd75uwuScvmQwE1OfOwIDlo4FqY2U5JVCuEsT3XyRBUjrbuSeWBbGZgOv2ZZaYsQ4t20jsH8-0ael6W-HxfFQv2y281tmyI0MbbQbd8bBVJyyp/s400/100_1276_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I know it is not her Birthday, but I am needing a baby fix in a big way!!! It is true though that once I let my mind remember the three high risk pregnancies, the many trips and admits to the ER/hospital, the loss of my sweet girls, and then the colic and post partum depression that I know that the decision for Jeff to have a vasectomy was the right one, but still... I miss babies. So now instead of a baby this is what is going on now with my BIG GIRL no longer a BABY. Even though she is my BABY she is just not a BABY. :(</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Now instead of diapers, bottles, and making crafts out of her hand and footprints my BIG GIRL can now do this..</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298363290377041618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSdJ6I1JK75Vgy4v1DiherolpNcUF7G-3IWkRg-B4S95LdAAY8QyvVVqzLnGViNX7siOhQjwsD6GTI84IxJz_aZY5Jq5DVN8JVNiVebvUp7qOEj_0FLuNcsEf-wAxyPn1xzpu3x6FOWuy/s400/IMG_8054.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298363797205229474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmcapXzvw_BEWXDZxOx-TvpFRiLzpQ2R_zynLXrSu9JFzVvOltIVrWPy5f31zfqzBXFH61M13qHYFEdD4Kr7r7P0B4cy6ozxyRGOTOri_q25ILESjOKETtNzFvH83adbzX1M29CQqhxR_/s400/IMG_8055.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298364458226612962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEynx57DfQz7kDzJWdBvfxoYwAKXMCHvgJptUTxm92r176_QFg_g12JgPQ3Q6Did6uRBqGGJ8J89XEhs-_6zcHeYDJipr0KNBEQzmjpyKWRCMdzQmFpxqRuePSOd35swgJVSBylkCT6lQ/s400/IMG_8057.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />...and just like typical Gabrielle fashion she did this on her own on her terms. We have been working with her on writing her name. Either we would get two responses (1) "no, I don't want to" (2) She attempts for 5 seconds but really wants to not do this for mom, but will do for her Pre K teachers. Then this past weekend she wanted to color and she said "mom look" and I am so PROUD!!! We knew she could, it is just everything is on her terms!</div><div> </div><div>And instead of conversations of singing to a baby or trying to quiet my youngest little girl with her constant colic and crying we now have conversations like this:</div><div> </div><div>Not too long ago I was in the bathroom. In typical fashion someone ALWAYS walks in unannounced... this time it was Gabby. I was having my monthly visit from aunt flo and attempting to change Tampons. Gabrielle says "mom, what is that"? "A tampon" I reply and then as I open the new one she looks at it out of its package and says "Wow, that is pretty"! In a VERY excited voice. HMMM I had to think about that. A tampon as pretty. Functional or great invention are words I would use not PRETTY.</div><div> </div><div>Gabrielle Grace I LOVE you and I AM SO PROUD of you. I love to listen to you sing, watch you dance and play dress up. You amaze me with your memory and I am so BLESSED beyond belief to be your mommy.</div><div> </div><div>I LOVE YOU!!! XXOXOX<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-79502730033671264392009-02-02T01:04:00.000-05:002009-02-02T02:17:13.919-05:00Just Need a Baby Fix~ Gabrielle Grace~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxISavLORGPA-BhnQqx2BWYlHqJnPtg0oQZZgcN_BRb0ZsXP5RD0YzBV89oEQh9ycIlXtoMJIYWdwtXUt61M7FX8TJB4eEK4S3LfQLSTvz65Tl3Ass7MZ8YmXrU1cTGPdYrB8om32luUH/s1600-h/100_0453.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298078204705145442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxISavLORGPA-BhnQqx2BWYlHqJnPtg0oQZZgcN_BRb0ZsXP5RD0YzBV89oEQh9ycIlXtoMJIYWdwtXUt61M7FX8TJB4eEK4S3LfQLSTvz65Tl3Ass7MZ8YmXrU1cTGPdYrB8om32luUH/s400/100_0453.jpg" border="0" /></a> She was the "cheesiest"thing I had ever seen!!! Minutes after birth<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU2rQWaRBa-RppGid2BNCNGacceqm1x1LB9dvKGN8sDG34eH6Rso-1OUWQhnADA0H2DZxMDtGGnP2h1JTSrmc1dqZbmUGqJhTQdqAQ5XwtFr2Ho7aieWf7dtP075otG7yBzx4DuTVgdDd/s1600-h/100_0488.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298077865469397618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU2rQWaRBa-RppGid2BNCNGacceqm1x1LB9dvKGN8sDG34eH6Rso-1OUWQhnADA0H2DZxMDtGGnP2h1JTSrmc1dqZbmUGqJhTQdqAQ5XwtFr2Ho7aieWf7dtP075otG7yBzx4DuTVgdDd/s400/100_0488.jpg" border="0" /></a> With mommy day 2 of life</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298080689995432946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1y4pXOht2RQvjJl9yz2Yfq98Mr3TfAloaVyl-mz8FDSh0_Mdu06khz6-kN_6bhKBKxLSDFJTfP5u8bbhVxSRBoVQpnxVEVTXzloIhBMvA-fjrD-tnY9D71JaXIlkHYjb6zDLQrIwXlM_/s400/11-6-2005-082.jpg" border="0" />... And then the real Gabrielle came forward and the colic began. It is then that I get my "baby fix" and remember the other reasons why we are done!<br /><br />To be continued... </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I have been reading so many new blogs and came across this tonight! It looks like fun and I would love to get more involved with other blogging moms/bloggers. So this is my first time participating in a swap and you can too!! Go check it out. We may swap with each other. </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/2009/02/mamarazzis-favorite-things-swap.html"> <center><img src="http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq48/aprildurham23/Swap4copy.jpg" /></center></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-82512388201999217162009-02-01T12:53:00.000-05:002009-02-01T12:59:14.190-05:00A Whole Evening Alone!For Christmas my sister gave Jeff and I 2 gift cards. 1 to the Cheesecake Factory and the other to Regal Cinemas. There was also a nice note in the gift stating that she would babysit so Jeff and I could have a date night! Great gift right?! <div><div><div></div><br /><div>I was surprised to wake up yesterday and hear that arrangements were made and after 4:00 pm Jeff and I had the whole evening to ourselves. The kids were even spending the night with family.... WOW, this does not happen often that Jeff and I come home to a house with just the 2 of us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So we went here:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297889638404404146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 123px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSlaS5WxbiQyA1SUATxHGeJNeSWJpLkJkks3sgVeeBWR91wHKEwTE_M1B0L0wbgT0vv0IE_u0fJDA9nuK2m9yQhUCnCe4jbj5oQNkTMQ2iShyqFZjYXGSh8VNT07FXheivwof8619TkB4/s400/cheesecake+gift+card.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>and then here </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297889644969653170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlutfPPR-t7IveXX8en9f_KaBzLL9QxV-gSv6C-4yRNV5SjBt-ylI6NY1K9TrjaxdA7RUoa2Fr6m_mgv9x7rlO5BHBr5rPTjq6UBeCbuoS3CPezGkoxwsjZpv7sD0VvmEGnShj1VBkm_9H/s400/regal+gift+card.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297889644969412754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3xehD4IzpCAjn3X3oAUZfrqi9oiJSFfcauPLOnmFY1mPkLziA0ETshDiRz9zUciz1Sk5bYU4vdug_rp1hMbW_EnNy80i73b-UexPaSQXG4RaCXLKWBUVjYa3iEqMW-a-0V0cvbYW7o-H/s400/slumdog.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>and it was a great movie that I highly recommend!</div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-9138389327045163922009-01-30T23:29:00.000-05:002009-01-30T23:30:54.714-05:00TuesdayThere are no words.... Please pray for this family. You can click on the button below to read all about Tuesday.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.half12.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k224/debi90/TuesdayPrayerButton3.jpg" /></a><br /><a class="quickedit" title="Edit" onclick="'return" href="http://www.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=3875999418117440257&widgetType=HTML&widgetId=HTML3&action=editWidget" target="configHTML3"></a>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-66460547646924214472009-01-26T12:35:00.001-05:002009-01-26T12:35:43.295-05:00Random LettersSometimes I am amazed at what my children know, yet I don’t know that they know they know these things. Gabrielle has been very interested in the alphabet and letters lately. Last week I was writing random letters down to see if she could tell me what they were.<br /><br />Here is an example of our letter practicing:<br /><br />Mommy makes a “T”<br /><br />Gabby looks at it and says “Tyler”<br /><br />I look at her confused and say” yes, Tyler does start with this letter, but what it the letter”?<br /><br />Gabby shrugs shoulders and says “I don’t know”.<br /><br />Mommy replies “T” and moves on to write an “I”<br /><br />Gabby replies “Ian”<br /><br />Again mommy is confused. Why is she saying names and not the letter?<br /><br />Gabby then wants a new letter. Mommy makes an “H”<br /><br />Gabby replies “Hope” but then does say “H”<br /><br />Mommy then makes an “F”<br /><br />Gabby replies “Faith”<br /><br />Then it dawned on me. These are all kids in her preschool class. She can identify the first letter of many of these kid’s names. I was pretty impressed!<br /><br />They grow up way to fast!Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-57790146030941829902009-01-23T12:35:00.000-05:002009-01-23T13:03:12.740-05:00I'm still waiting....As a person who likes some things in life to be perfect, I am still waiting for that perfect picture of my two children together.<br />I mean a photo with both my cuties looking at the camera,<br />smiling,<br />legs down,<br />underwear NOT showing,<br />eyes open,<br />arms and hands in place,<br />a perfect photo is all I want.<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">A photo to frame. </span></strong><br />In years past we have done the mall thing to do Christmas cards. I have had such bad experiences. Meaning two kids won’t stand next to each other or sit next to each other without fighting or crying. So since Gabrielle’s birth the entire photos end up being a good shot not perfect of Joey by himself and then a good shot of Gabby by herself and then finding a card with two frames and blending the card to one. It works but I still want that perfect shot. A shot with my two kids together and looking happy, one with Gabrielle’s beautiful dimple showing. One with Joey displaying a natural and not forced smile.<br />Well I have to tell you that mama is still <strong>waiting….</strong><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/2007/06/iphone.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/whatworksforus/pfw.jpg" border="0" alt="PhotoStory Friday" /></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com" target="_blank">MamaGeek</span></a><p/></center><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxldXSAj1-Y4KZ6bdiqgtkPdqJgSv660RymJRhZS-oMjaaEwzjbCtR1QJoQZyVcm94JiGOyqd-r5T8MKLh4lUBHopb3MjpyF_Z86hsdxTuKEab55bTYvitFBA-S6jT_dHt7FhyphenhyphenZThyphenhyphenEyGI/s1600-h/IMG_7343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294546579182048866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxldXSAj1-Y4KZ6bdiqgtkPdqJgSv660RymJRhZS-oMjaaEwzjbCtR1QJoQZyVcm94JiGOyqd-r5T8MKLh4lUBHopb3MjpyF_Z86hsdxTuKEab55bTYvitFBA-S6jT_dHt7FhyphenhyphenZThyphenhyphenEyGI/s400/IMG_7343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh0IcyRY4tni3XefRfDqqFmPVNL5yfAU_yK9-6CpQgUEiKKrelcsdEPQYDEJQoyzXpnYMgHx4cRMqwHaFaQt8f0ac6pY1-NuFDoS26sFOskogD_fU8bCiGA_IBaWDbD_aHP-RmNjYHfzm/s1600-h/IMG_7338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294546041114169122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh0IcyRY4tni3XefRfDqqFmPVNL5yfAU_yK9-6CpQgUEiKKrelcsdEPQYDEJQoyzXpnYMgHx4cRMqwHaFaQt8f0ac6pY1-NuFDoS26sFOskogD_fU8bCiGA_IBaWDbD_aHP-RmNjYHfzm/s400/IMG_7338.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9oPKtaCTI2KZFzVFZThawiM3ih5eWfzdivdR02DLMX2YkJAMZ6wIs4Hs4P7HLftdvV99OgpIyPbw-CSlbAluoP-WEqs2wtp13oG0iRCMacsFMz5exDXI17xtq3xCvXXqkOBDYeyc4sLq/s1600-h/IMG_7339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294545431297985986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9oPKtaCTI2KZFzVFZThawiM3ih5eWfzdivdR02DLMX2YkJAMZ6wIs4Hs4P7HLftdvV99OgpIyPbw-CSlbAluoP-WEqs2wtp13oG0iRCMacsFMz5exDXI17xtq3xCvXXqkOBDYeyc4sLq/s400/IMG_7339.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHDjJNRnufh-W24tsC5AsaY1vsGf1xSAIMwBuE9hJV8uRVOONcbLVBGBRG9i3MSxDxWcv4_v9AIGSemo36LahcnyuZHaPD1bk1G9GQshWrAFmOIuCrxWHKdCjLoVDyuGrlNxHoNgq6VON/s1600-h/IMG_7340.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294544885068009234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHDjJNRnufh-W24tsC5AsaY1vsGf1xSAIMwBuE9hJV8uRVOONcbLVBGBRG9i3MSxDxWcv4_v9AIGSemo36LahcnyuZHaPD1bk1G9GQshWrAFmOIuCrxWHKdCjLoVDyuGrlNxHoNgq6VON/s400/IMG_7340.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRJbdX_3tLdObQMJgjrMUJot2KMbFUlC9AwLHs71zjiuepD-569FNrB-x_VkSZU4cGRfcNACwlh9h_ILwdLxFKQNHphPTU2nZl4DEMHPNQucsu1fikhxmBv1hkbHEb-0cIK2ymSxl7L76/s1600-h/IMG_7342.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294544290582493826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 398px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRJbdX_3tLdObQMJgjrMUJot2KMbFUlC9AwLHs71zjiuepD-569FNrB-x_VkSZU4cGRfcNACwlh9h_ILwdLxFKQNHphPTU2nZl4DEMHPNQucsu1fikhxmBv1hkbHEb-0cIK2ymSxl7L76/s400/IMG_7342.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-39155622447796256342009-01-21T01:00:00.001-05:002009-01-21T01:02:53.180-05:00Wordful Wednesday~ President Barack Obama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0daTWMN40WKeQDHv7uOejhDYLYA3EU5bO6ZewE6gSzkvK6j_MmKOO3BYxpCUUBe2rLTt1d_dwuS7A1QYsdTKjAHlUrmJt4FwRximIZq3IcslZIe4aJD3jDC9SSq0fWPMKPAcK3b4s8Xx0/s1600-h/obama1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293623032660402098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0daTWMN40WKeQDHv7uOejhDYLYA3EU5bO6ZewE6gSzkvK6j_MmKOO3BYxpCUUBe2rLTt1d_dwuS7A1QYsdTKjAHlUrmJt4FwRximIZq3IcslZIe4aJD3jDC9SSq0fWPMKPAcK3b4s8Xx0/s400/obama1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaNUmLbXVeEZ7qOYLrNSmVYHgq4loJpXA3wQahIkXNagWY0aHhDbRfxVdIaJVZMASd7Q5t7ohJVPdcxUBr4YMDsgqQV4AiYDFDOdvEFdfdAeHIx0osxhHtsav13pF2_eNgrb0slO_iAYz/s1600-h/obama.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293623024278789842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaNUmLbXVeEZ7qOYLrNSmVYHgq4loJpXA3wQahIkXNagWY0aHhDbRfxVdIaJVZMASd7Q5t7ohJVPdcxUBr4YMDsgqQV4AiYDFDOdvEFdfdAeHIx0osxhHtsav13pF2_eNgrb0slO_iAYz/s400/obama.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If you have been reading my blog for the months before the election than you would know that I am a Republican and I voted for John McCain. The night that the election was decided Jeff was out of town and the kids were asleep as I watched alone the electoral votes come in and soon the winning of Barack Obama as our next President of the United States of America. As I listened to his victory speech I began to feel not so let down that McCain had lost the election. I also sat and was so happy for all of the African Americans who now felt like an equal and felt their emotion as I watched many people with tears rolling down their faces. I soon changed my attitude towards the 44th President and knew that as an American it was time to embrace this change in our country as well as the emotions of so many people who felt that never in their life time would they see an African American become President.<br />January 20th 2008 was a historic day! This is a day that I never want to forget. I love when our country feels excited and together. I love when you can feel the patriotism and feelings of happiness to be an American. I watched the inauguration from start to finish. I have had tears roll down my face today. I am proud to be an American and I am going to stand behind our new President, because to me I feel that is what being an American is all about. I may not have voted for him, but I believe that no matter what your skin color is and no matter if you consider yourself a democrat or a republican that the President of the United States is someone to respect and honor. I hope that as a country we can respect not only the President but also each other no matter our skin color or religious beliefs.<br /><br /><br />So today for wordful Wednesday I want to show some of my favorite photos from the past 24 hours! There are many more, but these are not my photos and they were not easy to copy. My favorite is seeing all the people in Washington DC to watch Obama be sworn in as President.<br /><div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-20398876841802092532009-01-19T17:33:00.000-05:002009-01-19T17:35:11.545-05:00A Heat Wave, A book review, and A movie Review!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWim4NMmubRD1bNBiozDEztd76uwDXY69BIc3dm2NYvzgeTO1Z1OU2rdWjise9Jo8NFgc9ZeqqPkRX_OPcRYHidnz7Dxj1G0mYPZgTH6j1VZ6ZQPT2Loz2N2wu0Nd2RuvJ4figSiuFRPHg/s1600-h/twilight.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293136978008457330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 56px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWim4NMmubRD1bNBiozDEztd76uwDXY69BIc3dm2NYvzgeTO1Z1OU2rdWjise9Jo8NFgc9ZeqqPkRX_OPcRYHidnz7Dxj1G0mYPZgTH6j1VZ6ZQPT2Loz2N2wu0Nd2RuvJ4figSiuFRPHg/s400/twilight.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It is a heat wave!!! Today the temperature got up to 22 degrees! Woo hoo. They even closed schools last Friday after our very low and zero degree temperatures. My niece enjoyed a day with no school.<br /><br />I know I am late to get on the bandwagon, but if you have not read any of the Twilight series books and have thought about it here is my take. First I love fiction more than nonfiction. I tend to read more fiction. With that being said I DO NOT enjoy Science fiction what so ever. I avoid science fiction at all costs. I am guessing that Twilight falls under fiction, but it took me some convincing by others to give the book (s) a try. I first started hearing about the books in November. My cousin, sister in law, and hair dresser all read the books. They all urged me to read them. I was very reluctant due to the fact that when I heard about vampires I thought this is not for me. I won’t enjoy this type of book. I ended up asking Jeff for Twilight for Christmas. I had the book sitting on the counter and read the other book he got me Jon & Kate plus 8. (I really liked the book... I love the show too) Anyways, I let a few more days pass and picked up Twilight and began reading. I was unable to put it down. I was not put off by the “vampire” part of the book. I was intrigued and ended up reading the book very fast and staying up into the wee hours of the morning to finish. I did then go on to the last three books and I have to say that I really. Really. Really. Enjoyed the books. So if you are looking for something to read that is entertaining I do suggest the Twilight series!<br /><br />Now I did then go and see the movie with my cousin. This is the first time that I have done a book series and then seen the movies. I have to admit that this was a BAD route! I should have just stuck with the books and skipped the movie. After the books I wanted more Bella and Edward. Wrong move on my part. The movie I give a c- maybe even a D. I was disappointed in the movie in so many ways. First off the acting by the MAIN Character BELLA (Kristen Stewart) was HORRIBLE! If I was the writer (Stephenie Meyer) I would be embarrassed by the fact that her main character in her wonderful books was acted out by an actress that looked bored, like she was speaking her lines with no emotion or feeling, and that she just looked out of place. Sounds so harsh, but it was so HARD to watch when you LOVED the book and wanted so much more from the movie.<br />Other things about the movie that bothered me were there were things from the book that were left out. I mean good parts of the book! Then the producers of the movie added their own pieces to the movie that never happened in the book. For example in the book Bella’s dad never gives her mace. In the movie they show mace at least 2-3 times and make it out to be more than it needed to be and it NEVER happened in the book.<br /><br />So all in all if you want a good read I do suggest the Twilight series and I would really skip the movie and keep $7.50 in your pocket!<br /><br />Am I the only one that read the books and was REALLY disappointed in the movie?</div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-73072296717319143222009-01-14T11:36:00.000-05:002009-01-14T11:53:46.158-05:00Wordful Wednesday- Vacation ~ Sanibel Island, Florida<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0OoEbeoAlwZ0kd68krvw21Q6wPF6SRQEOD8zNxnxbU_uaQTU0sg0TcgDHnySPrEztZFtrbCc7VNLUQqKpuDRpR5CfW8YpgytD2FNOql_T8K_klFUcrnG34ULrC2fcKfGZQIrZ0LgFyGv/s1600-h/090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291190408152701346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0OoEbeoAlwZ0kd68krvw21Q6wPF6SRQEOD8zNxnxbU_uaQTU0sg0TcgDHnySPrEztZFtrbCc7VNLUQqKpuDRpR5CfW8YpgytD2FNOql_T8K_klFUcrnG34ULrC2fcKfGZQIrZ0LgFyGv/s400/090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.angiescircus.blogspot.com/">Angie</a>, over at 7 Clown Circus started this. It is for those of us that can't post a picture for "wordless Wednesday" and not talk about the photo!</div><div> </div><div>This photo was taken in Florida... on an island... This is Sanibel Island, Florida. I am blessed in many ways and for me Sanibel is a BLESSING!! This is the place to go to relax, swim, enjoy the ocean, see wildlife, watch beautiful sunsets, shell, etc. This is also the place that Jeff and I got married. On the beach in barefeet. </div><div> </div><div>I got a surprise phone call from my dad who invited the kids and I down to Sanibel with him. We are so looking forward to going. Right now outside it is SNOWING. The temperature is maybe 8 degrees. We can't wait to see the sun and enjoy the warmth. We are also going to SURPRISE the kids and go to Disney World!! I am so excited. Please don't tell my kids... I also found online that at Disney they have a little boutique for girls. They make the girls into a princess of their choice. Gabrielle is now at an age that she loves to dress up and I am so excited to see her face when I tell her that she gets to have her hair done, nails done, be pampered, and DRESS LIKE a Princess... What fun!</div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-69984730365665307532009-01-10T00:04:00.000-05:002009-01-10T00:34:33.644-05:00Picture Time! Kalahari<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zEtcfU16fVwUNamklzB-1ITjHvpCxqGXdB5xLQAjaXU-zcautlvadY-uHr-5mu0Si2eSxkLTWD83yNk93NcTHZaFrH1gJrd8gQz78voB4klBooDuCl8bJbyuxveOj26jadTNcBzY-ofN/s1600-h/IMG_7681.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289533559268939474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zEtcfU16fVwUNamklzB-1ITjHvpCxqGXdB5xLQAjaXU-zcautlvadY-uHr-5mu0Si2eSxkLTWD83yNk93NcTHZaFrH1gJrd8gQz78voB4klBooDuCl8bJbyuxveOj26jadTNcBzY-ofN/s400/IMG_7681.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Botvinnik & Zapp Families ~Sammy, Joey, Jeff, Laurie, Gabby, Bianca, Alex, and Nicky<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289528375013181330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsqyPv4lVowpFEsdiop2bHj204PxSx_TkzYl-LHFj9FhZO0YhnVa8jVW8LPTq7BAWOAiggsWK5GqejXb-btdehnBLM9binjkyrMumhlzw3zD1VVLDMsY7sLZZ_JDloKbSlLAGAu2oXrns/s400/2008-12-26+10-05-22+-+IMG_1740.JPG" border="0" />Here is the water park... (above)<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289529156975101842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wjfkl2I5gc1Hjeveej4WJRQq5oVFq_hX2qvynS-9x_Fl5Wdk8nartWDkU00CXEs7E9-07SHfmz1eHdExsKPPgFcqMYH2jwOpwKdZ5jb9-i7XqyfUZbJ9aRpYWoAXtxNJKCZ2w68STUJ_/s400/2008-12-27+10-13-26+-+IMG_1806.JPG" border="0" />2 Swimmers ready (Joey & Nicky)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrVjwqkH3BxWs4bO0ckncBJKwBf7kQgNPgNa-CVNP4OImTTNioblx_mqjOyrvbQyHwFYSG9flbEBdGOLc68VLZBWMQYwVTwLw6AI7zXZhKl2TfXCHEvs11-rsDdei_hgpUA8Zo40kCJAq/s1600-h/IMG_7765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289530251688298418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrVjwqkH3BxWs4bO0ckncBJKwBf7kQgNPgNa-CVNP4OImTTNioblx_mqjOyrvbQyHwFYSG9flbEBdGOLc68VLZBWMQYwVTwLw6AI7zXZhKl2TfXCHEvs11-rsDdei_hgpUA8Zo40kCJAq/s400/IMG_7765.JPG" border="0" /></a> At dinner one night both Nicky & Joey won a coloring conest! How cool that they both won!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzqCENc16djlnojJmoRyQgRCrZ8naYs589iYmVCXL9KkbXLr8F5c9JRchc7XNEL0rHnd-ZMnyfns_QIetTlccYRGK5VCNwqUV1-nf0Ii_Ej699LJAW87qkIjI_fnGzpYhLmWd8muj4UIG/s1600-h/IMG_7714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289529716787159778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzqCENc16djlnojJmoRyQgRCrZ8naYs589iYmVCXL9KkbXLr8F5c9JRchc7XNEL0rHnd-ZMnyfns_QIetTlccYRGK5VCNwqUV1-nf0Ii_Ej699LJAW87qkIjI_fnGzpYhLmWd8muj4UIG/s400/IMG_7714.JPG" border="0" /></a> The floor was open for dancing and Gabrielle went up and got her groove on!<br /><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ3Qd8NNjzYpLFk9cU-l2a2tHqm0JM8sJnrI-QAg3Cyzw-U1xr03Bk_1FkHw9bxuxrezgvvWKB5EDML0WFVuT6-jySu2dtoeMcEM9GRDLs-rDVaRMPdeLZF_hWxJj_EOrL2kT5whcrmQV/s1600-h/IMG_7593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289527925304714930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ3Qd8NNjzYpLFk9cU-l2a2tHqm0JM8sJnrI-QAg3Cyzw-U1xr03Bk_1FkHw9bxuxrezgvvWKB5EDML0WFVuT6-jySu2dtoeMcEM9GRDLs-rDVaRMPdeLZF_hWxJj_EOrL2kT5whcrmQV/s400/IMG_7593.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The menorah<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289530749288710322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD-QaLFSPxjsOoOUP1hTqyqJtp8wY1wQsRUdMrzOwiNRofCZnoDOXDUzHY2woECy2M6kUXTIoIB2BNk-kLyxViOaiXxjllR7nxArKSYEIEClpVfGy4cUJTlqonn_N6QUBKA23FNaHIlfS/s400/IMG_7791.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Sammy... Is he not the cutest little thing!</p><br /><p>On the last night we ended up giving Joey Benadryl. He was having a reaction I believe to the chlorine. Here he is about 10 minutes after taking the Benadryl. I was waiting for the Front desk to bring up clean sheets after I discovered something nasty all over the sheets. I hope it was not there the first night we all slept in the bed. Yuck! As soon as they came we put my little prince into bed.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289530560991732482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJMnqeEyryX7Ll6sISv1VSgnoou8ry7a9rdCL2posXQzXiLeC64LY5m3SvOZg0G1xBcMOhwD_gE2DWJtB_eV5mtWvUPCN7joli4s6L608_ZLBBQGksj2pLbSMnDJc3qxWpeoWzEBQaPYJ/s400/IMG_7789.JPG" border="0" /></p>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-43339853829391213062009-01-07T17:34:00.000-05:002009-01-07T17:48:39.549-05:00Traditions, a new year, and our holiday memoriesIt is amazing to me how fast time goes by and it is now the beginning of January. I have so much blogging to catch up on, stories to share as well as photos. The middle of November up until now the time got away from me and we were doing so much and going from one activity to the other. This is the first year that it really did not seem like Christmas to me as well as some of our normal holiday traditions did not occur and new ones took over.<br /><br />In our family it is tradition that we put up our Christmas tree as a family the weekend after Thanksgiving. I actually spent Thanksgiving alone this year due to be sick with the flu. I did stop over at my mom’s house where everyone was for maybe an hour but did not last long and it was also apparent that everyone was afraid to catch my illness. So I returned home to a quiet home and my laptop. This year Jeff put up the Christmas tree alone. The kids were in bed and I was either sick or too busy with Ebay to try to help. It was so nice that he put the tree up and hung the lights on the tree as well as doing some decorating to the mantle and our house. The next day the kids were very excited to add ornaments to the tree and they did not want help as the placed the majority of the ornaments on the bottom of the tree as this was as high as they could reach. They wanted no help and putting the ornaments higher or spreading them out was not an option. Our tree remained this way and it was a reminder whenever I looked at it to the day that the kids decorated it. All on their own.<br /><br />I sold on eBay from September through December. I still have a few auctions going and may continue into February. I am proud to say that I made more than last year(which was my goal) and it is always a relief when I know that Christmas is paid for and we are now not in debt from buying our loved ones gifts. I sold more than I ever have and I was busier than I ever imagined I would be from buying, listing, packing, shipping, and returning. Jeff helped in making trips to the Post office or the UPS drop off location. For that I was grateful. On a few occasions when I had many things to ship he even helped me with packaging items for shipping.<br /><br />Jeff continued to be a major rock for our family to allow me computer time or time out buying especially in the evenings when I could go alone without kids. It is always hard to sell “hot” toys and take 2 kids into stores like Toys R Us or Target and not have them want everything I am buying. He was also busy with working and transitioning his clients to someone new and getting information for the new territory he will be working in. I am very blessed to have a husband that is so helpful at home and with the kids. I can’t stress upon how busy eBay selling really is, especially with the volume of items I was selling. Laundry often goes to a last priority as does making dinner.<br /><br />Joey and Gabrielle enjoyed the school parties, holiday parties, and the excitement as we waited for Santa to come. We did a new tradition in our family. We bought an Advent book as well as an Advent Lego set that was a welcomed event in the evenings before bed. The book has a story for every night leading up to Christmas. It was a fun book and had some messages that I hope the kids will remember.<br />For anyone that knows Gabrielle you would know that she is ALWAYS either singing or talking. She also enjoys dancing and dressing up. She was very excited to sing in her first (of many we think) Christmas concerts. She did an amazing job. At the age of three she knew every word and hand movements to all the songs taught to her at school. She and Joey were placed next to each other during the concert. Joey would sing the song if it was one that he liked. Gabby on the other hand sang every note to every song. I was so proud of both of them, but also very excited for Gabby. Being the younger sibling she has often sat through these before watching Joey. Now that it was her time up on stage she was definitely a star of the show.<br /><br />As much as I wish that we were baking cookies and doing craft projects as we got closer to Christmas there was really no time. We did take the kids on a Sunday to the Disney on ice show. I love to watch the kid’s expressions when their favorite people Mickey, Lightning McQueen, or Tinker bell are right in their reach. We had fun and memories were made.<br /><br />Christmas Eve this year was different in that we did not go to church. This is the first time in many years that I did not go to church on Christmas Eve. Felt a bit weird and out of the norm. We were blessed in a different way this year. This year Jeff’s Dad (Pops or Papa John) and his girlfriend (Dee) came and spent the night at our home. It was nice to have them and let them experience Christmas with us. I sure hope he enjoyed it and enjoyed experiencing watching his grandkids experience what Santa left behind. Maybe this flooded him with memories of his own kids in Christmas past. We loved having the time with Pops. I am hoping maybe he will make this a new tradition with us and I would love to throw church back into the mix.<br /><br />The day after Christmas we did again something that is new and not tradition, in years past we just hung out at home and had family time. This year we met up with our friends that live in Chicago. We met them at Kalahari a water park that is in Sandusky, Ohio. We spent our time swimming, playing games, video games, hanging out laughing and talking. We also all got experience Hanukkah. Ever night the Botvinnik (Alex, Bianca, Nicky, and Sammy) family lit the menorah and celebrated Hanukkah. Every night also we had to remind Gabrielle that she is not to blow out the candles that were placed in the menorah. Although we as families practice different religions and celebrate in different ways there is a respect there for both methods and is never a topic of discussion or feeling like one way is right and the other is wrong. I have nothing but love for the Botvinnik family.<br /><br />As the year closed I did reflect on some of the changes and events that occurred in 2008. We are no longer a family that is weighted down by bottles, diapers, wipes, Sippy cups, and entertainment toys for babies/toddlers. We no longer have a member of our family in a diaper or crib. We all now sit on the potty and have a big comfy bed to sleep in. This is sad in some ways to me that there will be no more babies, but in other ways the freedom we have now is exciting at the same time. We will be welcoming a new baby in May (my brother and sister –in-laws first child) I am more than thrilled to be an aunt again and look forward to getting some baby fixes and then returning that said baby and going home to a night of uninterrupted sleep. We don’t know the sex of this baby and it looks like it will be a surprise to even the expecting parent’s but with that being said I have reoccurring dreams that it is a girl… Sorry guys!<br />We also have now entered a time with both kids in school. This of course lingers in my mind that my stay at home time is coming to an end and it is time for a real job again. Not that being a stay at home mom is not a real job, because any of us that do it know that it is a very hard demanding job that never ends and has many challenges at the same time it is also a very important job that has many rewards not only for the parent but for the child/children too. Family time and vacations are now going to be revolving soon around a kindergartner. In the fall of 2009 my first born will be experiencing real school as well as learning how to read and learn in a way that he has never been challenged before.<br />2009 also brings the realization that almost 5 years now have passed since giving birth to our stillborn daughters Samantha and Sydney. It is amazing how fast 5 years have flown by and how memories and images seem to stay so fresh while other images and memories seem to feel like they never happened. I am just in awe when I say or think the words 5 years! For almost 5 years now 2 very important and loved babies who share my DNA have remained a very close part of who I am. Not that I feel like I should forget or not feel that way, but they remain a constant and as I know I have moved on in some ways I think I need to reflect in other ways how I have been unable to live and be happy. Hard to talk about but I am hoping that in 2009 I am able to work on some own questions that I have been letting surface and how I can move on and be a happier person and a better person as well.<br /><br />I am hoping that in 2009 I can work on answering questions like “what do I want”, “what makes me happy” as well as making time for me and allowing myself to be a priority. In that there are things that I need to work on. Exercise, diet, losing the baby fat, as well as two habits that I need to break. I am also hoping to work on becoming healthier spiritually as well as physically and mentally. I also have some motivation for weight loss in that I will be the matron of honor in my cousin’s wedding in July.<br /><br />Some memories of 2008:<br />*Going to Sanibel with the Botvinnik family in March<br />*Hawaii alone with Jeff in May<br />*Watching the kids grow<br />*Gabrielle starting preschool<br />*Joey’s success in soccer and t-ball<br /><br />I have many photos that need to be down sized and then uploaded which I will work on soon. Hoping all of you have a happy healthy 2009 and I look forward to getting back into blogging.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-79052782333099807632008-11-04T17:22:00.000-05:002008-11-04T17:23:47.375-05:00Who will win?? Did you vote?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhJZ8fRgxBFzwls3c_D33M2PmCHkjld5RPa-yaXZ39Db2DRxlbu97DYPkKEEw2LIHRAFpTApjsh8bjyzKRGdSW0F5L1BShpw59f_2SUvOuqv4lJ-NV1F195TdH90_AK7jMhzsJWOpJIH_/s1600-h/vote.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264931568934967010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhJZ8fRgxBFzwls3c_D33M2PmCHkjld5RPa-yaXZ39Db2DRxlbu97DYPkKEEw2LIHRAFpTApjsh8bjyzKRGdSW0F5L1BShpw59f_2SUvOuqv4lJ-NV1F195TdH90_AK7jMhzsJWOpJIH_/s400/vote.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Jeff is out of town…again and today I was a bit nervous at the thought of taking both kids with me when I went to vote. Last Friday Jeff went and voted early at the courthouse and waited for THREE hours!! So I had that in the back of my mind as well as two kids and waiting for THREE hours. It turns out that we waited about 20 minute’s tops and it was no big deal… Did you remember to vote? I guess that is a dumb question. With all the media attention given to this who could forget that today was voting day.<br />Here is a funny story to share. When I put the kids to bed they always have the same 2 questions. “What did we do today?” and “What are we doing tomorrow.” So we recap the day’s activities and then talk about what they have to look forward to the following day.<br />Last night Joey and I talked about the campaign “race” and that we would watch the “race” today but tomorrow during the conversation. When we got home from voting I turned on the news and Joey was excited because he wanted to watch too. He then kept asking me when they were going to get to the “race”. I said the votes have not all been counted yet. We will know more tonight. He said “no the race” and then it hit me. He thought Obama and McCain would physically be going out and racing each other! He is TOO CUTE FOR WORDS. When I told him they would not be racing a running race. He then decided it was time to turn off the news he was done. By the way he predicted Obama would win a running race and I would have to agree.</div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-6294544292738033802008-11-02T01:43:00.000-04:002008-11-02T01:29:58.219-05:00Halloween Past & Present<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHJI25oKdF16oAkkDN0gF7tQ_ErMDEviL2OSOJxynP9UDIRi4qbGENIBbJgZp3I4uPi8vSMsr5XVVRaYfxVUnT3IA3ScwS9zJsdzDfWoa2HECOUwyaD4pC18LhyphenhyphenoLPc_yKb-RvV82j8lD/s1600-h/100_4703.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263941928265707874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHJI25oKdF16oAkkDN0gF7tQ_ErMDEviL2OSOJxynP9UDIRi4qbGENIBbJgZp3I4uPi8vSMsr5XVVRaYfxVUnT3IA3ScwS9zJsdzDfWoa2HECOUwyaD4pC18LhyphenhyphenoLPc_yKb-RvV82j8lD/s400/100_4703.JPG" border="0" /></a>Joey's Halloween costume from 2006 above<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW0cTjYEQu9e7vXeJiP8B1C8l9DQ28hYe0Lp_grRYCTZCjyxuu4LRVGA94eThW4yY7L3grjbqv4wgu0B0HRfS_3DYdro1_fhnHOOx-otEY_vzwBLZ098kRQcAHKsfzpihYyR6Es5fY8oo/s1600-h/IMG_6126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263941572302075170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW0cTjYEQu9e7vXeJiP8B1C8l9DQ28hYe0Lp_grRYCTZCjyxuu4LRVGA94eThW4yY7L3grjbqv4wgu0B0HRfS_3DYdro1_fhnHOOx-otEY_vzwBLZ098kRQcAHKsfzpihYyR6Es5fY8oo/s400/IMG_6126.JPG" border="0" /></a> Gabrielle 2008! This was at her school. They dressed up and sang for the parents<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTgUvvltzg2bhazgE6Ughf7np3tK7DqtNS-E41brx596m0dNc54JHEmE-DcU0t0HBwdk3z4qznns52V_2pRG6_lEOL8v_N-2Qce-BqE_iXTSoSknHX6nJbp7VPIuYFs2ifgbRRSW5PEBs/s1600-h/IMG_6064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263940987037578034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTgUvvltzg2bhazgE6Ughf7np3tK7DqtNS-E41brx596m0dNc54JHEmE-DcU0t0HBwdk3z4qznns52V_2pRG6_lEOL8v_N-2Qce-BqE_iXTSoSknHX6nJbp7VPIuYFs2ifgbRRSW5PEBs/s400/IMG_6064.JPG" border="0" /></a> 2008<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6PMD9mBZEXxc3bbGh1_9Pn8D2RZoBX15Abn4MpdNEHf1RF0QbcCcHq0Ntg6FOtURryytlkbPZPn4FAZBdVbcp2ifsjL68cDDDQv0SuRX51xK5YQNMqOb3qLipJMOrZAiOIFGmMqV-ynm/s1600-h/IMG_6027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263940367472835762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6PMD9mBZEXxc3bbGh1_9Pn8D2RZoBX15Abn4MpdNEHf1RF0QbcCcHq0Ntg6FOtURryytlkbPZPn4FAZBdVbcp2ifsjL68cDDDQv0SuRX51xK5YQNMqOb3qLipJMOrZAiOIFGmMqV-ynm/s400/IMG_6027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Gabrielle, Joey, & Jocelyn 2008<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzuHD61IJKtE5Wb7m6tHnr9LKO0Q1EHe_c8ySE4F7zLXJEL6I4sKytdw3xGYArMrAquDsovie3hk4aWxRzqtaoWbDvMJtt4tNqRDSAeHKi5R_YBgqHyPEsWjXkm8hktexdHtJ0jI8nacJ/s1600-h/IMG_5555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263939488674766882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzuHD61IJKtE5Wb7m6tHnr9LKO0Q1EHe_c8ySE4F7zLXJEL6I4sKytdw3xGYArMrAquDsovie3hk4aWxRzqtaoWbDvMJtt4tNqRDSAeHKi5R_YBgqHyPEsWjXkm8hktexdHtJ0jI8nacJ/s400/IMG_5555.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joey 2008~ He is a clone trooper. We learned early on don't call that boy a storm trooper, there is a big difference?!?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kpThpyJovFelrqh45_4lwwiTvwx7o_Jn2uOx9YhFS3jnUNNu1Hm-NgMbNd9os-Kus8BH-d7p0BE5D7DH_TWMQjArlWpZasDYq1H_z-aTS6fnboxKglXH3uj9_uyOqrN_YFohRDKfrd33/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263938583859686946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kpThpyJovFelrqh45_4lwwiTvwx7o_Jn2uOx9YhFS3jnUNNu1Hm-NgMbNd9os-Kus8BH-d7p0BE5D7DH_TWMQjArlWpZasDYq1H_z-aTS6fnboxKglXH3uj9_uyOqrN_YFohRDKfrd33/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joey & Gabby 2007<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObnzq5uU-NOTXFs1JH2pZ1dCdabt6yrKMwLaxPipgUivzOPdSW3w0IRmaGnLh9PGWWAdvvD_qONkut4ftU8xLJp3bk3BJWDVtsNQ1jMc-rXoaWIUt9ePOxctlcUvqh67ck3hJJNN0FmPW/s1600-h/Picture+082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263937909047076482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObnzq5uU-NOTXFs1JH2pZ1dCdabt6yrKMwLaxPipgUivzOPdSW3w0IRmaGnLh9PGWWAdvvD_qONkut4ftU8xLJp3bk3BJWDVtsNQ1jMc-rXoaWIUt9ePOxctlcUvqh67ck3hJJNN0FmPW/s400/Picture+082.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joey first time ever trick or treating<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_J1EEVieOQ_wEwbykpVjb25saN3Qr2c5FQx4SG0owSsMYBS5kaX73Fb7xo-Tjj6VvrcFU3vjcfXduIslulBkl6KTXqIQPMGL0vQb2SkwBtqATMHpE55KEYiK87uA9jMK9DdvaaKxsCve/s1600-h/Picture+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263934331753527122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_J1EEVieOQ_wEwbykpVjb25saN3Qr2c5FQx4SG0owSsMYBS5kaX73Fb7xo-Tjj6VvrcFU3vjcfXduIslulBkl6KTXqIQPMGL0vQb2SkwBtqATMHpE55KEYiK87uA9jMK9DdvaaKxsCve/s400/Picture+023.jpg" border="0" /></a> Gabby's first Halloween~ She was 4 months in this picture. Makes me miss babies!!<br /><br /><div>Thought it would be fun to show some pictures of Halloween past and Halloween present. If you get a chance after viewing my kids Halloween costumes this year, then go check out <a href="http://our-munchkins.blogspot.com/">http://our-munchkins.blogspot.com/</a> to view what Laura's kids were for Halloween. Too funny! </div><br /><div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071325401287875015.post-25340810298137552702008-10-22T17:16:00.000-04:002008-10-22T17:17:16.056-04:00Do you know what day it is?Looks like I need to change a number in my blog profile from 33 to 34.<br /><br /><br />Happy Birthday to me.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07162729377463760769noreply@blogger.com10