04-26-15 Water

I know, I've mentioned it multiple times, but I love living near water. I've never much enjoyed the beach, per se, but I love being able to look out my windows and see water. And on days like today, when the weather is pretty much perfect, I love just being near it! So glad we have this little park behind out house. 

04-25-15 Maryland Day

Maryland Day has become quite a tradition for our little family. It is the one day out of the year that the University of Maryland throws open its doors and invites the community in for a huge open house. I mean HUGE! There are over 400 events spread across campus that cover just about every topic imaginable. There are activities for all ages and interests. Since my department is in charge of this day (not me, personally) we always run an event. This year I had the early shift, so we were on campus by 8 am. Once my shift was over, we spend the remainder of the day exploring campus. C was able to check everything off her list. The most important things were getting cotton candy, getting a balloon animal and giving the mascot, Testudo, a hug. The kids had a blast, and we covered nearly the entire campus. By the time we left, we were understandably exhausted! 

(Disclaimer... There are a ton of pictures.)

We ended the evening with a birthday party for my sister in law and they got to play with their cousins, so needless to say the kids were wiped when we got home. Praying they have a good nights sleep, 

04-24-15 Mom's Night Out

This evening I hosted a Mom's Night Out for our MOPS group. We did a photo scavenger hunt. I came up with clues for 25 locations for them to decipher and then take a photo of. It was a lot of fun and they did a great job! They got 21 of them in the hour and a half they had to search! Afterwards we grabbed Thai Food for dinner! Yum! 

The four person selfie with the iPad is tricky!

What is a bunny's favorite restaurant?

04-23-15 Purple for Abby

C has a pretty special friend named Abby. Abby was born with a rare medical condition that affects her ribs. Today was a big day for her, as surgeons were going to make a second attempt at a VEPTR surgery to help with her ribs. Her family requested that people wear purple today (Abby's favorite color) and send them pictures so that she will be able to see them as she wakes up. Praise God the surgery was successful and Abby is beginning the long process of recovery!

In honor of Abby, C wanted to do a little photo shoot to show off her purple! We love you, Abby!!

Get better soon, Abby!!!

04-22-15 Daddy and Goobs

Did I mention that Baby E's nickname is Goobs? For a short time it was Goober, but it quickly transitioned to Goobs. 

C was always Bug.

Big E was Boy.

As I was going through the blog I realized that Tim wasn't in it very much... So here he is, hanging out with Goobs!

Look at those cheeks!!!

04-21-15 Brothers

04-20-15 Our Visitor

Over the weekend, we got a new visitor... A pathetic looking, scrawny kitty. It has taken a liking to our stoop, so I put out some tuna for it.

Tonight I picked up this...

At least I will be prepared if she visits again!

04-19-15 On Running Away...

Tim went on a retreat with the men from our church this weekend. I am very glad that he got the chance to go. He always looks forward to this weekend. 

With him gone, though, it meant I was on my own with the kids since Friday evening. And I'm going to be brutally honest... It was horrible. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some great moments. We went for a walk with my mom and sister and got to see some beavers swimming in the inlet near our house. The kids got to see a magician and it was pretty cool watching them get stumped by his tricks and illusions. We played outside. We ate a lot of waffles and pizza and mexican food.

But with Tim gone they pushed every limit. Every request was met with a "no" or "not yet." I was kicked. I was hit. I was screamed at with such intensity I'm surprised they didn't lose their voices. No amount or variety of discipline broke through the disobedience. They wouldn't fall asleep at night and would wake up super early in the morning. The baby was up 2-3 times each night. It was exhausting and disheartening. 

Tim's arrival this evening brought some relief. I was so glad to see him home. He offered to watch the kids so that I could run to the store to get our groceries. And so I did. For 45 blessed minutes I strolled through the aisles in no hurry to leave. I paid and started my drive home. 

The sky was growing dark. The air was shifting. I debated about stopping by the boardwalk, since I was in no great hurry to go home. So I stopped. I parked. I got out. 

I walked over to the boardwalk, to the end of a small pier. The waves were crashing under the boards beneath my feet. The wind roared past my ears, whipping my hair. It was cold. The kind of cold that pushes through the fabric of your clothes, through your skin... Deep down to your bones. But I stood there hearing nothing but that wind and those waves and it was perfect. For those ten minutes, my only responsibility was to breathe.

So there it was, my adult version of running away. When my ten minutes were over, I smiled knowing that I was going home to the people I love the most in the world. It might be hard, it might be frustrating, it might make me break down and cry sometimes, but motherhood is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and so completely worth it. 

04-18-15 My Loves

04-17-15 Happy Birthday, GP!

Happy birthday to the first man I ever loved. To the man that taught me how a wife should be treated by the way he loved my mom. To the man that made me feel brave when I was scared. You are an incredible blessing in my life and I love you!