5 little greenbeans

easter

2009-04-16T00:02:00.004-04:00

Only enough time to post pictures for now.....but as you can see, they speak for themselves!
I'll be back this weekend to write all about the past couple of weeks, but for now, Im enjoying my company :)

recovering.....

2009-04-08T20:50:00.002-04:00

i am now recovering from my long awaited double mastectomy.
I had surgery on Monday, the 6th....and i think i'm doing pretty well !
The worst is behind me, that's for sure.
I'll be back to blogging in no time :)
(especially with Easter right around the corner)

aunt cathy's house

2009-03-29T11:03:00.003-04:00

( yes, in the name of breast cancer........thats PINK you see)

we took the kiddies to aunt cathy's house in WV yesterday.
they wanted a fun day for all of the kids, so everyone on ricks family pitched in and got a couple of rockin' moonbounces for the day.
what a bunch of sweethearts!!
Here are a few random pics......

the best year of our lives..happy birthday sweet natalie grace

2009-03-28T09:33:00.005-04:00

Our sweet baby girl had her very first birthday yesterday!
She had a perfect day.
The sun was shining, her brothers and sisters only had a half day of school, she went to the store and picked her very own present,

AND who could forget the cupcakes!

don't forget to click on the video's below!!

our new friends.....

2009-03-16T11:59:00.004-04:00

Here's how you can brighten your kids day for $1.
We already had the bowl, and the shells from all of my shell art (that i havent gotten around to showing).
So, i headed to the pet shop and bought 10 little goldfish for a buck.
Yes, they are considered 'feeder fish', the ones that are squished into a big tub filled with millions, so we rescued them from being fed to other mean creatures.
Unfortunately these fish typically dont live very long, but as the kids know, at least we'll give them a good life while we can!

prayers needed

2009-03-05T13:59:00.003-05:00

Devastation has struck our family once again.
My aunt cathy's (aunt seems so generic, she is more like my sister, my best friend always has been, always will be), cancer has returned.
I am praying for a miracle from God.
she's been my strength, and such a light in my life, my whole life.
please keep our family in your prayers.

AAAAAAAAACCCCCCCK.

2009-03-01T09:33:00.002-05:00

Seriously, all 7 of us have had this stomach flu/upper respiratory virus for over 2 weeks!
Hello?
Don't these germs know that I don't have time to be sick?

Cae's birthday party is this coming weekend and so is my cousin's sweet sixteen!
I've got 2 school projects for sierra and carson that are due tommorow. yeah.

All while I'm trying to keep the other kids from bugging the crap out of eachother from being cooped up for so long, and taking care of little natalie.
Did I mention bob's been home from work for 2 days, sick?
One sick husband, is far worse than 5 sick kids.

So, I shall return, unless i completely lose my marbles by then.....
because as you might know, on a scale of one to crazy, I'm a penguin.
toodle-oooh

bit of an update!

2009-02-16T16:59:00.007-05:00

Okay, so don't blame me, but my laptop has been broken.
Which means, i cannot access any of my files, including photos, hence the lack of posting!
I'll have to wait for another laptop, so in the meantime, I'm using my husbands.
I can however take new pictures, and posts those, so here are a couple, plus 2 video's.
wow, it must be your lucky day.....haha.
No seriously, i feel so bad for not posting, and will be thrilled to catch you all up on missing photos soon, until then, here goes!
And by the way, I officially have not a pre-teenbean, but a real TEENbean.

Caeleigh turned 13 on valentines day, can you believe it?
I told her the happiest day of my life was 2.14.96.......my heart has grown every single day since then.
She had a cheer competion on her birthday, so her big "winter luau" is this coming friday.
I painted a little art desk in her room, and a big chalkboard on her wall, using the oh, so, delicious smelling chalkboard spraypaint. I'll take pictures of that too.

Here's a picture of her and our Tim-timmity, her lifelong best buddy.
(and lucky enough he lives right next door.)
Ever since we moved in, the day they first met, when little caeleigh asked little timmy (while she was crouching on the ground gathering random grass making a strange and exciting form of a birdsnest),
"do you want to play?"

I remember thinking how lucky we were to move next to such a sweet boy, and now, like caeleigh, he's all grown up and i thank god that he blessed us with such a caring , and thoughtful young man.
I will be so lucky if my boys turn out like Tim-tim.
He's been a big brother to them, and like a son to me, we all love him, and apparantly, sierra will marry him one day, and they will live in our backyard in a little house. haha.
Now that i've given you his life story, here's the pic.

Aren't they both so cute? I hope they'll always be the best of friends and never lose touch.

Next, here are 2 pictures of miss natalie, my little noodle.
I cannot believe she is turning ONE next month!

Finally, the videos.
The first one is of the noodle and the second one is just kind of funny, its all of the cheerleaders from the competition dancing.............except mine.
Yes if you look closely, mine is the one standing smack dab in the middle of the floor "texting" like a ferocious beast!

okay, c'mon let me have it....

2009-01-09T17:05:00.003-05:00

I know it, I've been a M.I.A blogger.
The holidays came and went so quickly this year, it's all been a big blur.
I'll tell you all about it tommorow when I have some free time.(promise)
Until then, here's a little video of the old man, the little lady, and my silly lishy.

.

Split second..

2008-12-17T23:17:00.006-05:00

cuz...seriously, that's all I have!
I've been so busy and am so run down, that by the end of the day I feel like I can't breathe.
I don't do 'busy' well.
Well, okay, with 5 kids I'm always busy, but it's my comfort-zone busy.
Not forced busy.
Forced- busy meaning pertaining to any and everything outside of my typical, already busy day, (ever tried to cook 2 separate meals with a baby on your hip , while helping 3 kids with homework, so that I can then give them baths and read 4 chapters of junie b jones before bed, while your oldest child is at cheerleading practice, and your husband is still at work, and you have 7 peoples worth of laundry all over your bedroom floor?)
Go ahead, try it, it's super fun!
Nah, I can handle that, it's my everyday life and believe it or not, I'm in my total element when I'm in super-mom mode.
My children give me complete and neverending joy, faith, and love.
All of lifes everyday problems seem to melt away when we're cuddled up together.
They make me laugh so hard I cry, and cry so hard I laugh, they make my heart feel like its so full that it will burst , although somehow,each new day, it seems to have more room, I just don't know how I got to be so lucky, and I thank God for them every day of my life.
So adding the 'forced-busy' days full of dr. appointments, Christmas shopping nightmares, school projects that take 5 million hours, having the tremendous stresses of financial worries, and thoughts of my upcoming surgeries (in february by the way, ho-hum) , poops me out.
.... throw any extra busy at me and that'll suck.
Ginormously so.
I'm the type of girl that sticks her fingers in her ears, closes her eyes, and says "lalalala i can't hear you" and poof, those problems are shoved to the back of my mind in a little black box with a big pink bow for another day...
I need to be able to wear my jammies all day, i take and pick up the kids in my jammies, the teachers always look forward to seeing which ones i'll be wearing.
Today it was my white fleece jammie bottoms that have merry Christmas written in green and red all over, with my long green and white striped shirt, and my red sweatshirt, and my lime green and yellow nike's.
Come on, don't be jealous.
I need to go at my own pace, in my own little world, and chillax with the kids.
That's the way we like it.
Friday, the kids have a half day followed by 16 days off for Christmas break.
I'll be able to breathe then.
Are ya'll finished hearing me babble?
Are you sure, cuz I can babble some more ya know.

Here are some recent pictures...
The first set is of Nattie....I just can't beleive she's 10 days away from being 9 months old! My sweet and silly gooseball. She's my precious little doll.
The second is of Carson the night of his pre-k program. We had a special cake and gift for him afterward because he was such a big boy singing up on stage.
The 3rd set is lil' bobby's birthday party.....although his birthday is in october....yes, life has been THAT busy, that we just had his party in december.

Another greenbean tradition!

2008-12-08T22:57:00.003-05:00

We had lots of fun making our gingerbread house this year!
Everyone was high off of sugar, that's for sure!

Except Sierra, she was high off of ginger, so she says!

I told her I was putting this picture on here....bahahaha

Carson, showing me his cute ginger bread man's face, before he ate him!

Bobby......showing me......uh.....ginger boobs.
Yes, that's right, he decided to put boobs on his ginger bread man.
Thunk of it all by himself.
Men, I tell ya.....sheesh.

VOILA!

The end!

random cuteness and poop soup!

2008-12-08T15:44:00.006-05:00

Look how CUTE!!!
When nattie is playing on the floor all we have to do is say " shake it baby, shake it"
and she starts shakin' her little booty up and down.
My goodness she's getting so grown up, isn't she?
She talks a little bit now too.
She can say dada, mama, hi, night night, baba

....and......my delicious poop soup recipe!
It was an accident, i thought i'd simmer some apple slices on the stove with butter and brown sugar.
Then, i thought maybe I'd throw 'em in the broiler for a few so they might get a little crispy.....and finally, what the heck, i'll throw some marshmallows on top....just for a sec, so they melt all over.
Yeah.....don't put marshmallows in the broiler.ever.not ever.
Caeleigh and I were flying around here like chickens with our heads cut off opening all the doors and wIndows so the smoke detectors wouldn't go off and wake up nattie.
Once the smoke clears.......voila.poop soup. turd stew. (click on the picture to enlarge the life like poop)
I've always dreamed of my kids daring each other to eat something I've made.

Our Traditional Thanksgiving!

2008-12-08T15:28:00.002-05:00

Yeah, so I never said we were normal, but it's our tradition!
Stayed in our jammies all day, hung the beans thanksgiving art from school, I cooked homemade mashed potatos, candied yams, green bean casserole, oyster stuffing, cranberries, dinner rolls and deep fried Turkey a la Bob.

The only difference this year was that we had our newest bean, the wild cranberry - eating turkey bird at our table!

After dinner we had coffee and played games...

And since the boys were the 1st ones passed out on the sofa......i got caeleigh to get my make up case and had a little fun!

Yeah, imagine being them when they finally woke up the next morning and passed the bathroom mirror!

{{{Good Luck Vibes}}}

2008-11-22T09:33:00.003-05:00

First competition of the season is today!!
Send some good thoughts and wishes to Caeleigh and her team mates!
{{{{{{{ goooooooooooooooooo c.b.c}}}}}}}}}}}}}

gobble... gobble.....

2008-11-19T14:52:00.001-05:00

wowie!

2008-11-15T10:31:00.003-05:00

When I came downstairs this morning, bobby was sitting at the kitchen table.
He had built Mario out of lego's!
I was super impressed, and very proud.
He's really proud of himself too, and he wanted to share his creation!

chester the chesapeake crab

2008-11-13T12:49:00.005-05:00

Chester is Carson preschool crab.
He visits each child for a few days, and then you write a story about and take pictures of his visit.
Here are some shots of his time with us!

Chester's hungry!

Chester and Carson playing with mighty beanz

Apparently, Chester's hungry again.

Nattie loves chester

Nattie's hungry!

Naughty Chester, pinching my little frog!

Chester holding on for dear life!

Drowning in projects....

2008-11-12T13:12:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately not my craft projects, but rather the kids projects for school!
They seemed to time them perfectly (not) so that they are ALL due the same week.
Sierra had a heritage project, and we did Scotland, Caeleigh has a science project, creating 3d plant and animal cells..oy....and Carson had his class stuffed crab come spend 2 days with us, and then I had to write a story and take pictures of his visit....(which i'll be uploading the pictures here too, so you all can see.)
Anyhoo......after this week, hopefully i can work on some projects of my own, but for now, thats why I haven't been able to update much!

our nature walk

2008-11-11T12:49:00.007-05:00

The beginning........

(she's cracking up laughing because we seriously thought we heard a wild warthog in the woods......and then we realized it was just her)

the middle......

the end........of a perfect day!

i know, i know..

2008-11-09T14:40:00.003-05:00

I'm way overdue for an update!
I promise I'll be back later tonight to post pictures.
This was parent teacher conferences week, and the kids have been off of school, for that, and also for election day.
Sierra has a school project due tomorrow, so we've been working on that.
Yesterday, i took all the beans on a nature walk since it was such a nice day.....we wound up walking 3 miles, i took lots of pictures.
You would die if you saw the massive mounts of everything i had to do around the house.
But I didn't care...housework.......who needs it?
One day, my house will be spotless, and that's the day I will be so sad, the day the house is suddenly way too quiet.
It's how I live my life, i don't want to think back when the kids are grown and say, why did i care so much about making sure the house is clean?
...these are the days the kids will always remember, and they can't stop talking about how fun it was.
I'm so glad I dropped the to -do list, and stepped into nature.
It was soo fun!!
I'll be back

Goooooo McCain!!!

2008-11-04T10:51:00.004-05:00

Sierra, Bobby, and Carson all voted for McCain in their school election.
We did not influence their decision, nor did their teachers.
They told me they chose him because they think he can get the job done!
Ahem..... I must give them props for making the right choice!

So, since McCain won the school election, the kids now tell me he is our new president......lol.
I had to tell them that wasn't the 'official' election, and neither is actually president at the moment.
Then Bobby asked if Obama is older then McCain, and Sierra replied " I don't think so, because McCain only has hair on the sides of his head."
bahahahaha

who needs halloween candy anyway!

2008-11-03T10:49:00.003-05:00

I've got my own halloween treat.....graham crackers......mmm mmm good.

Mom, it's very rude to keep taking pictures when clearly......i want MORE!

So gimmie the goods......right this second!

Trick or treat....

2008-11-01T10:28:00.005-04:00

It has been one BUSY week here!
But lots of fun.
Here are my 5 little punkin's.
(in their birth order)

You know, i was getting sentimental, as usual last night, and remembering just how long it has been since my sweet little girl has gone trick or treating with us!
Boohoo......
I'm so glad she has a good time and goes with her group of friends each year, but at the same time, if I could just go back to when she was my 4 year old little snow white......just once.
I'd hold her and never let her go.
Ah well....
Here my baby, all grown up (she's Dorothy)

The rest of her friends, in order...
Jessica was a power ranger ( poor jess, the rest of 'em bailed on her, they were all supposed to be power rangers)...lol
Mary was both little red riding hood, and creepy red riding hood..lol
Shelby was a cowgirl
and Kayla (aka Pebbles) had a sleepover here, and .....I've already tried to steal her costume..lol too cute.

Next, my princess Ariel, before I know it she will be off and running with her friends too!
By the way, she wanted me to give her bangs, and cut her hair to her shoulders a few weeks back, so here's my beauty queen!

Next...its the Super Mario brothers!
Mario and Luigi (switched sizes!) bahahahaha.
They refused to wear the hairy eyebrows, and Carson said the mustache made him "smell hair" all night.
bahahaha. Kay then.

Oh yeah......i was SUPPOSED to make their overalls.....mmmhmmm.
Tried to, would have......my sewing machine kept jamming up and there just wasn't enough time to try for the millionth time to figure out what was wrong......so thank goodness for Oshkosh!

And.......last but certainly not least.......my 7 month old PUNKIN.
I can hardly believe that she'll be running up to the doors with her brothers and sisters next year!

i meant to do that!

2008-10-25T14:07:00.008-04:00

Natalie loves to spit her food......and then laugh herself silly.
I don't quite think she was prepared when this time, she spit so hard that the sweet potatoes went all over!
But......after the initial shock, she laughed herself silly again!

And here's a cute picture from this morning!

my spoon is too big

2008-10-24T09:56:00.003-04:00

this is for my little beans, and my brother bryan, its our favorite video on youtube!

I feel like a princess!

2008-10-23T22:27:00.005-04:00

My dear friend Jennie, who has been a part of my life (daily) for well over 7 years, bestowed this wonderfully adorable award upon me today!
I have to follow some rules though!
Since I'm not used to conforming to rules, and since my ADHD is in full swing at this time of night, we'll see how I do.

Un~must display award
Deux~must link back to the person who gave it
Trois~choose 7 other bloggers to pass the bloggity love onto
Quatre~let them know they've been chosen.

Those of you who truly know me, what am I doing right now?
CORRECT.....I'm grinding my teeth with desire to break the rules and pick more than 7.
First because I love all of my blogger buddies, or else hellooooooo they wouldn't be on my list anyway.....duh
But most of all.........because I'm a brat and must...not...conform......
I reckon I can control myself for JUST this once...so here goes:

~Cindy
for not only being a fantabulously amazing artist, and my dear friend since we were teen's, but for the good times in the cherry bomb, headin' downtown to funks for some coffee sippin' goodness, and for the scary bats in the dark room in photography class....lol acccck) Hi...I'm cindi....wif an EYE.

~Lisa
for being one of my best buds for over 7 years, and for all the wonderful years to come, i love ya to death, you are extra special to me, and couldn't imagine life without my Lisa!

~Suzie
For having the newest blog on the block , a cutie new doggie, and mary and caeleigh being bff''s (the 2 cutest cheerleaders ever!)

~Christine
Because this is also going to double as LABOR VIBES......come on baby, I'm a waitin' for my phone call.

~Denise....
~Katrin.......
~Mary-Ellen......
(all 3 of whom are amazing friends of mine, who year after year, day after day, we share in the joys, frustrations, miracles, and sadness of each others lives)

I am one lucky girl to have such friends as I do....and so I'm gonna take this time to give a ginormous SHOUT OUT ,to a little group of us we call SOUL SISTERS!

We laugh so hard we cry, and cry so hard we laugh, we make each others day, give the best advice, and hold each other up, always have, always will.
I love my girls!

Dedicated to my #1 girl Donna, whom I did not put on my list because I know she's not up for bloggity fun right now, but knows I hold her in my heart and soul every single day.....Mwwwwwwah.

And TINA...no award for you missy until you UPDATE your blog (3 months sheesh girl, I'm gonna have to knock you out)
Get to crackin' girl, so you can have an award, a shout out, and be my 8th person.......thus allowing me to FINALLY break the rules!

the rest of our day

2008-10-23T22:14:00.006-04:00

Uncle Bryan came over today, straight from work, to visit for Bobby's birthday!
He is always so happy when Bryan comes over!

Here's his little cake

and his adorable little sis!

We finished the day with reading a bedtime story.

I love you my little dooby.........i hope you had a wonderful day, love mommy.

Lucky SEVEN!!!!!!!

2008-10-23T12:04:00.006-04:00

My sweet little boy is 7 years old today!
Time sure does fly when your having fun...

He's always been my little mama's boy, loves to cuddle up with me every chance he gets.
I remember when he used to tell me 100 times a day that he loves me....just a few years back.
I miss that so much!

When i came downstairs this morning, like a zombie, headed to the coffee pot, he came running up so excited and said "Mom, what's today?" with a BIGGEST grin on his face!
Boy he sure can brighten my day.
When i squeezed him up, and told him it was my baby boy's birthday, he giggled and said "I thought you were gonna say it was THURSDAY".
I told him 'no way jose', I could never forget the day my sweet boy was born.

From us, he got a ds game, and a skateboard that he's been wanting.
We put it in one of natalie's HUGE sam's club pampers boxes to trick him.
I told him it was so many diapers so he could learn to change natties poopy for me.

Here's the video of it.......he thought it was the truth!

one cute fireman.....

2008-10-20T15:16:00.003-04:00

At your service~

Its fire prevention week at Carson's pre-school.
All of the greeniebeans have gone to the same pre-school, and they always have the best time!
They got these nifty hats, learned about fire safety, and got to climb aboard a ginormous fire truck!

Meet my new best friend

2008-10-20T10:03:00.003-04:00

Serious props to this product! Dr. Brandt's 'pores no more'.
(you can pick yourself some up at Sephora.com, or other places like amazon.com)
I have never felt anything like it!
I have an oily t zone, (good for preventing wrinkles, not so good when I dont want a shiny face!), and have tried many mattifiers and primers throughout the years, which did the job, to some degree.
But never anything like this.
I even have bare minerals prime time.
This product is like, heavenly goodness for your face.
I can put it on in the morning, and not have a speck of shine throughout the entire day, even after running around doing 5 million loads of laundry, vaccuming 59 million rooms, etc.
And it dosnt dry my face out or make it feel tight.
My face is Sooooo smooth immediatley after I put it on, and is THEE best primer for makeup!

1st cold and still happy!

2008-10-13T11:23:00.004-04:00

My little Natalie has her 1st cold, or maybe its fall allergies.
Either way, she's still as happy as a little clam, even when I have to break out the dreaded boogie sucker...

...yes I went and showed you a picture.
I knew you wanted to see!
I swear, babies HATE the boogie sucker.......but my nattie girl just allows me to use it, without a care in the world.
By the way, how CUTE is her little princess walker?!
She's coming up on 7 months of being in our lives, 7 wonderful, blessed months.
We just love her to pieces, what a complete JOY she is.
I am one lucky mama that's for sure, and I never forget that!

grandma's...beware!

2008-10-08T10:57:00.003-04:00

Its not those naughty reindeer grandma needs to worry about!

Apparently our grandma, according to sierra, has been pinched on her buttcheeks, by naughty leprechauns for not wearing green on st. patricks day!

the secret life of bee's

2008-10-08T10:23:00.004-04:00

I can't believe one of my favorite books of all times is now becomming a movie!
I am ecstatic!
I've wished for this, ever since I read the book about 4 or so years ago (which caeleigh has also begun to read)
She and I will definately go see this at the theater as soon as it's released.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend this book.
And if you can, read it before you see the movie!
View the trailer here :
http://movies.yahoo.com/premieres/9334561/standardformat/

troll hunting cheerleaders on the loose

2008-10-06T23:17:00.002-04:00

One Sunday morning, 2 sleepy cheerleaders, still in thier jammies, decided for some strange reason, to walk along the beautiful drainage ditch behind our house.
Their long, treacherous journey (about 3 houses up), led them to this sign.

The cheerleaders were frightened, and believed with all their hearts that the sign was true.

They knew they shouldn't.....but being Super-cheer-o's (get it?) they crossed it anyway.....

Woooooooooooooo scary!!!!

The end.

the life of a cheerleader

2008-10-05T12:48:00.003-04:00

I know it's been forEVER since I've updated, and I'm sorry for that!
I promise I wont be away for this long again!
Here are a few quick pictures of miss Caeleigh and 2 of her bff's that I managed to get while they were practicing thier cheers in the backyard!

And here's a little video!

look who's talkin'!

2008-09-20T21:27:00.006-04:00

You HAVE TO watch all of these!
I couldn't choose just one, too much cuteness.
Just click play and turn up the volume!

Yes, yes.....dada is Natalie's 1st word!
I thik she was trying to say 'mama' instead.
Yeah, thats it! Poor thing just got mixed up!
This one cracks me up, because she's telling me NO!!

Monday mornin' pics

2008-09-15T13:07:00.004-04:00

My sweet girl is getting so big!
I can't believe she'll be 6 months old soon!

Bobby has been wanting a 'mowhawk' for a while now, so i finally gave him one (although he had it down today)

I love this picture! Natalie loves her big sis!
My oldest, and youngest.

Finally, here's the invitation I created for Carson (minus all of our juicy info for the random people out there)

make a wish

2008-09-09T13:00:00.003-04:00

Carson had a giant brownie cake!
(on his actual party he'll have all of his super mario decorations!)

FIV*E

2008-09-08T11:26:00.005-04:00

My beautiful baby boy is 5 years old today!
I have a bazillion pictures of him, but chose f*i*v*e to share!
My all time favorite one, is right above!
Elephants (or eh-eh-ehnts) as he used to say, were his favorite animals when he was a baby.
He saw a real one for the first time that day!

His 1st time meeting Santa at the mall......he was barely 2 monts old and instead of the typical pose, Santa couldn't resist holding him up!

How adorable is this one, J, for James (his middle name)

Last halloween...baby batman.......im sure he wouldn't let me call him baby this year!

And last but not least.....his first introduction to boyhood!
*I'll be taking more pics as the day goes on, and I painted him a mario birthday shirt there's a pic on the arts and crafts blog *

Happy Birthday Mama (aka GaGa)!

2008-09-08T11:21:00.002-04:00

We love you......

and miss you.......

and hope you had a great day!!!!

.......how many candles is it now?

this is what you get...

2008-09-05T11:18:00.001-04:00

the following year, after you kick a smashed pumpkin off of your porch, into your garden!

his very 1st day

2008-09-03T11:01:00.005-04:00

I truly cant believe this day has come so soon, or so it seems.
My baby boy went off to school this morning.
Granted, it's only pre-k 3 days a week, and only half days so he's home for lunch.
But still, school none the less.
Daddy dropped him off this morning, and Nattie and I will be picking him up shortly.
According to daddy, his was the largest in his class..lol.
Well, he will be 5, in 5 more days (he missed the cut off date for kindergarten by a week, so he doesn't start until he's almost 6) and he's in a class with mostly 4 year olds.
Okay or maybe he's just husky.
Either way, he's the cutest dang-on kid in the world, not that I'm partial or anything.
Thank goodness I have Natalie, or I would be a basket case right now, having all in school.
Whew.

oh my heavens

2008-08-30T16:44:00.004-04:00

There is nothing more heavenly!
Matching nightgowns and everything.

I can hardly believe my baby girl is 5 months old already.
Where has the time gone?
Our silly goose took a bath on the back porch today, so we could enjoy the nice weather.

WWMD

2008-08-30T11:57:00.001-04:00

'What would mom do'

So Caeleigh and her friend were at a pool party.
A boy was rude to the friend.
Cae told her friend she needed to stand up for herself, and told her friend to 'do what my mom would do' (meaning me)
So the friend walks up to rude boy and says "your such a DORK"
and walked away.
bahahahaha.
Glad I could help.

where, oh where has my little tooth gone...

2008-08-29T11:20:00.002-04:00

...oh where, oh where could it be??

Bobby lost his first 'top tooth'
He fell in the neighbors yard and it FINALLY came out, since it had been hanging from a thread for weeks!
Note the boo-boo on his mouth, from the same incident.
He was so upset when he couldn't find his tooth, but i assured him the tooth fairy would still come.
We wrote her a letter, telling her what happened, so that she would sprinkle her magic fairy dust in the neighbors yard, which would, in return, make the tooth glow among all of the grass!
It worked!

don't you know?

2008-08-27T11:19:00.002-04:00

That chinese elves make the BEST presents, because when i look on the bottom of my favorite toys it says 'made in china'?
yes, you guessed it......sierra!

video of nattie

2008-08-23T10:27:00.003-04:00

i tried to catch my honey coated peanut cooing and talking, but this day she was teething and only felt like chewing on her toy. (i'll try again)
Still cuter than a cupcake even when she spits up!

what if morning never came, and you had elephant nuts in your teeth

2008-08-22T17:59:00.002-04:00

Oh, sierra!
Need i say more?
yes, i do, so i will!
Yesterday she told me how she is SO glad God made roosters, because if we didnt have them the sun would never come up.
Then, as i was making dinner, i jerked my head around after hearing her say she had 'elephant nuts' stuck in her teeth.
i said "elephant nuts?????"
she had just eaten one of my peanut m&m's.
Aha! elephant nuts. because dumbo likes to eat peanuts.
whew.
She also was finally brave enough to try her bike without training wheels and mastered it like a pro right away.
Bobby has been riding (and doing tricks, God help me) with no training wheels since spring, but Sierra vowed she would still have training wheels "even if Im 100 years old."

happy 9 years to us!

2008-08-20T13:09:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful 9 years it has been!
I can honestly say that i am more in love with my husband today, then the day I was lucky enough to become his wife.

Creating these beautiful little lives, made from our love and devotion has been everything I've ever dreamed of.

I feel comfortable, secure, confident...unconditionally loved.

I am the person I am today because I had him, to love me.

And my heart still skips a beat whenever I think of him.

playtime

2008-08-15T14:20:00.002-04:00

We got a REALLY good video of our peanut playing in her new toy, but when I went to upload it, it was too dark!
She was babbling, and squealing, talking and laughing!
When she wakes from her nap, Im going to try and get another in more light!
Stay tuned, for now, here's a cute picture!

glamorous & quite vivacious

2008-08-15T11:21:00.004-04:00

My sister in law and my one and only niece (hint hint to our brothers and sister), came to visit.
Although it seemed like the visit would be lengthy this time, it just didnt turn out that way.
There was not enough time to spend with them, even though we did nothing but relax.
There are so many things I wish we could have done, and so much more time to be spent.....just not enough days!
Its so hard having them all the way in Florida, especially when we watch how much fun our kids have together.
Makes me think waaaaaaaaaay back when it was just Bob, Jill, Caeleigh, Sierra and I.......having spaghetti wednesdays and watching survivor.
I guess I dont realize how much I miss them in my life, well, I do, but I brace myself with knowing I'll only see them once a year.
I'll get to sad to think of what 'could' be.
For now, I enjoy the time I am able to spend with them, and am thankful for that, because I love them to pieces.
Jill and I were too busy sitting on our butts, not showering, eating ice cream and enjoying eachothers company, playing games, EATING CRABS (yum yum) that Im kicking myself for not getting a group picture, dag-nabbit!
I did however manage to snap 2 cute ones Of miss Zoe (aka vivacious) after a 'spa pedicure and manicure' (here at home, but I used my bubble spa foot bath to pretend it was real, along with some delicious gold speckled polish).

Here's an oldie but goodie of Jill and I, and she's holding baby carson!

So p.s. if you guys are reading........we miss you SO stinkin' much!
Keep on lovin those littlest petshops Zoe.....you'll have your very own soon!
( MISS monkey.....MIS-ter monkey......MISS piggie....MIS-ter dog)
I loved how you would say that!
And I also remember your favorites!
Squirel, turtle, baby mouse, and dragonfly!

my newest project & blog

2008-08-10T09:41:00.005-04:00

I whipped this up yesterday for preteen beans good friend, emily.
It was her birthday, and she requested something 'homemade', and that she loved sea turtles and the color turquoise.
It was an unfinished table which, i obviously painted, and added all of the beads and shells.
I love it, so now I have to make myself one.

By the way, I started a second blog to keep track of the things that I make.
Usually I forget to take pictures when I make something, and then I give it as a gift and never get the chance again.
So, having a place to keep my pictures, will give me that extra push to make sure I take pictures.
Its a brand new blog and I havent really messed with it too much, havent had the time, but i did manage to throw some pictures of a few projects up there.
Next, I need to go take pics of the rest , since i dont have pictures of half of my stuff.
Eventually, i'd like to add the steps I took and matierials I used to make each of my projects, in case i can help anyone else out there.
Here it is ,OR you can just click on my profile and get to it from there!
http://5greenbeansartscrafts.blogspot.com/

SURPRISE!

2008-08-04T08:16:00.005-04:00

We got him.
Mar-mar threw my brother a suprise party this past Saturday.
It was held at lake Burba.
She did an amazing job!
It was hard lying to my bro all this time!
Here are some pics!

Bryan's best bud Bobby..strapped his grill down in the back of his pick up truck......thats how he rolls.

Princess nattie, all dressed up for uncle bryan

My poor brother, being attacked by boobs from every direction.

Who is this couple?

Pictures with aunt 'caffy'

Happy 26th bday to my baby brother!

2008-08-02T08:58:00.002-04:00

Yeah, its one day early, but i dont know if i'll get on the computer tommorow.
Just wanted you to know how much we love you.
I am so thankful for you....your the best present our parents ever gave me!

Growing up together was so much fun, all the trouble i'd get us into....like making faces out the car windows on long drives, dressing missy up in cabbage patch clothes until she ripped around the house like a wild banshee, or remember when molly knocked down the christmas tree ? How about when we'd always play pall across the street at the 'field', and i punched big oafy mike in the face because he was mean to you, and he cried to his mommy.
You were my best little friend and I always wanted to protect you.

Most importantly is that you are still my best friend, but now Im the little one and you protect me! ha!
I love how we are still the same as we ever were.....all the fun we have when we play games late at night and i start getting mental, and we make martha mad when we talk about chinese people.
I love how we still have sleepovers on Christmas eve, and how we spend all of our holidays together, here........our happy little family.
You know I will be here for you forever and ever.

And I know I can always count on you.
My kids know they can always count on you.
They love you so much, and I thank God they have you in thier lives.
Remember when bob-bob thought you were one of the kids, like i was your mom?

(hey...click on the picture above to make it bigger.....check out carson and duke......he's always up to something! So he's supposed to be smiling for the camera but instead he'll just go ahead and stick his finger in dukes ear)

okay, just weird!

2008-08-01T17:05:00.002-04:00

Caeleigh is at a sleepover, and Sierra, Bobby, and Carson are at a nieghbors house playing with their children.
This is the first time the 3 of them have played somewhere other than here.
Bob is obviously working.
Its just me and Nattie.
Never before has the house felt so empty!
I really DONT like it.
Call me crazy if you'd like but I hate not having them here!
On one hand, I am thrilled that they are so excited to have a bit of freedom.......but on the other hand Im biting my fingers and pacing back and forth waiting for them to come home!
I hate when they all go off to school in the fall, because I miss them so much during the long days.
I wish I could homeschool....but yeah, they'd never learn anything.
We'd have pajama days too often!
Ho hum ho hum ho hum.
This is going to be my future when they head off to college.
Caeleigh will go first, then I'll still have 4 home for 4 more years.
Then it will be BAM-BAM-BAM.......
.......because once Sierra goes, bobby is only a year behind her, and Carson follows 2 years later.
Thankfully I have Nats, and she will still be here for another 5 years afterward.
Waaaaaaaaah.
I want my babies to stay little :(

talking to my butterflys

2008-08-01T14:26:00.002-04:00

Ocean City

2008-08-01T10:41:00.008-04:00

The smell of popcorn, cotton candy, and the ocean air...

The relaxing sounds of seagulls, the soft roar of the ocean waves in the distance, coupled with the loud roar of the rides, and the music coming from inside of Trimpers...

The views of the beach, the neverending atlantic ocean, dazzling lights from rides and games, miles of boardwalk lined with shops on one side, and sand on the other...

The tastes of soft cotton candy, fresh lemonade, but most importantly, and unforgettably, that of Thrashers french fries, doused with salt and tons of vinegar.

A magical little world that melts away the adult, and brings back the child....

Founded in 1887, Trimpers rides features this newly restored 1902 Herschel-Spellman antique carousel featuring hand-carved wooded animals of every imaginable shape and size.

These smells, sounds, tastes, and sights of Ocean City are ones that every child should expierience.
All too familiar to me, having been there a million times in my life, yet ones my own children had not yet had.
(except caeleigh, who has been quite a few times .)

On thursday Bob and I took the kids for the very 1st time.
I must admit, having not been in ten years myself, all of the familiar comforts rushed back to me, taking me back to my childhood.
As I watched my children on each ride, I couldnt help but picture my brother and I on there as well.

The WHIP....my favorite favorite childhood ride.....it dosnt look all that spectacluar, just going slowly around ...until it jerks you around each bend, and you cant help but crack up laughing.

BUMPER CARS!

Nattie and I waiting while everyone rode the haunted house ride, in which i was told, sierra was so freaked out that she screamed in one of the maintenance mens faces to get away from her and leave her alone (although he was just trying to do his job and fix something.......haha, she thought he was a monster.)

THIS fun house ride is the one I wanted to go on with the kids most of all, i couldnt WAIT.
Until I got in line and the person told me i couldnt go in wearing flip flops.
Boohoo...
So, Bob went in with the kids instead.

The kids wanted to ride the 'scrambler' over and over again.

Daddy was proud of this picture since he got all the beans in a row!
(minus the baby bean of course)

My preteen bean and I went on several 'big' rides together, it was actually like being with one of my friends, we had so much fun....
......except on the very last ride we chose, okay well I chose, thinking it would be the ultimate way to end the night.
Lets just say, we were both so scared, and not in a fun way.
I think we cried the whole time and begged for the ride to be over, thanking our lucky stars when it finally ended!

This will be a yearly trip for our family from now on, I wish we hadn't waited so long.
Trimpers rides are such an important part of Ocean city.
Without Trimpers, there would be none of these memories....
They are in danger of closing, after more than 100 years.
To see how you can help, go to http://www.savetrimpers.com/

Finally, here are 2 quickie little videos.
First one is of the fun mirrors that stretch, or shrink your body parts.
The other is of carson attacking something on a pirate ship.

Its great to be 8!!!

2008-07-27T14:22:00.004-04:00

don't forget to click pictures to see them supersized

Here is what Sierra wanted for her birthday this year:

ice cream cake

a sleepover with her friends (but only 2 because if she invited more than that, she'd get a headache, so she says)

and a realistic baby doll that looks like her

a pinata

We were thankfully able to accomplish all 4 wishes!
Especially since she (and her brothers and sisters) weren't able to have birthday parties last year, because mommy was on bedrest with Nattie in my belly!

Here are the girls!
Cae and her bff in the back and Sierra and her 2 very best friends.
I wanted a pretty group picture, but Sierra decided to make her silly face!

Soooooo I tried again!

Voila! Her very own baby sie-sie.

It is VERY hard to find a baby with red hair and blue eyes!
The red hair is hard enough, but then typically, the few red headed baby dolls either have green, or brown eyes, instead of blue.
But this little baby has big blue eyes, just like my baby.

She looks and feels so real, and is simply beautiful in person.
She is "Morgan the Ballerina" by Ashton Drake.

I know Sierra will take such good care of her baby, she has lots of practice with her little sis!
And by the way, if you ask Sierra what she wants to be when she grows up, she always says "a mommy, just like you"

Caeleigh and her BFF!

she's eight years old!!!

2008-07-26T09:52:00.005-04:00

i cant believe my little curly girl is 8 today!
(click on the pictures to see them supersized, she looks like a porcelain doll, and she still does, except now she has cute freckles and a few missing teeth...
...dear God how i miss those curls)
so bittersweet!
my precious baby girl with the big blue eyes!
her party is today as well....
...i'll be sure to take pictures and upload them tonight!
i cant wait to give her her special present from bob and i!

pierced ears

2008-07-21T15:09:00.004-04:00

Cae, Sierra, Nattie and I all had a girls day out last week.
Daddy took Bobby and Carson for a boys day out and they played miniature golf, where both boys beat daddy and got a hole in one!
The girls wanted thier ears pierced.
Sierra was the bravest and chose to go first!

Next came my fraidy cat preteen bean!

Nope, this little bean who hates being strapped in, did not get her ears pierced!
My rule is to wait until they are old enough to ask for it, and truely want them done, so that we can do what we just did........make a fun day of it!
After the ear piercing, we had some soft pretzels followed by a relaxing visit to Borders!

nightime swim!

2008-07-21T13:45:00.006-04:00

I try and swim with the kids each day (nattie included).
Its so relaxing.
So after dinner last night I thought it would be fun to go swimming before natalie's bedtime, that way she didnt need any sunscreen, or her sunhat.
Here are a few pictures of us, and of the other beans underwater.

rump shaker

2008-07-21T09:34:00.001-04:00

I rarely have issues with the beans intentionally hurting one another.
They have been raised since birth with the following rules:

No taking the Lords name in vain

No saying the word 'hate'

No name calling

No using your hands in a hurtful way (no hitting kicking, etc.)

The beans never seem to break rules 1 and 2.
RARELY break rule 3, i'll hear the occasional 'your a poopy butt' but they are usually being goofy with eachother, so i just give a warning.
The last rule, is the only rule that never gets a warning, if someones hurts someone else intentionally, its straight to Time Out (which is on our staircase, and is one minute per year (so carson 4 minutes, bobby 6, sierra 7).

When they go to time out, i explain to them exactly what they did, and why they are there, and tell them i will see them in x amount of minutes.
When thier time is up, they need to tell ME why they were there, so that they understand, and then they need to apologize to the person.

I honestly rarely need to use time out....during the school year, hardly ever, however now that its summer, and everyone is home, i may need to use it once in a while.
We lead by example and follow the same rules (never say hate, never take the Lords name in vain, Bob and I have never name called OR hit eachother or the kids, so thats easy.
I really feel they learn what they see.

So here was our situation:
Sierra comes in crying "Carson BIT my buttcheeks waaaaaaaaah"
Now, remember my rules, straight to time out for hurting someone, right?
So its "Carson, WHY did you bite your sisters buttcheeks?"
He is crying at this point because she told on him.
And he WAILS "Cause she was shakin' it in my FACE"

Well, dang, if someone was shaking thier rump in my face i might bite it too!
I wonder if Bob ever bit MY butt?
hmmm.

By the way.......yes Im well aware that today is Video monday, and I missed LAST video monday (shame shame) so I owe TWO video's today.
I'll get 'er done, promise!

sleeping beauty

2008-07-07T14:32:00.001-04:00

I cant help but kiss her up all day.....i love her so very much!

Video Monday! frogs and booboos

2008-07-07T13:34:00.001-04:00

I've decided each monday will be video day, which means I HAVE to post an updated video.
This way, I can be sure i'll take new ones each week.

Carson caught a froggy in the back yard.
He also got himself a big booboo from running around the pool which is not allowed!
If I had a bad booboo like that, i might not be smiling so big, but he cant help himself, my brave little boy.

Alright, here are 2 video's of the kids with their frog friend...make sure your volume is turned up, they sound so cute!

peekaboo

2008-07-06T21:47:00.001-04:00

my perfect, perfect little peanut

Happy 4th!

2008-07-06T21:36:00.001-04:00

So, we're a couple days late but thats okay!
Look at crazy bobby...always pullin' on his dingalong!

3 months, and Heaven sent!

2008-07-02T21:54:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh, you all have no idea.
This sweet baby girl is........AMAZING!
The best way I can describe the way she makes me feel is....a natural high.
She's so GOOD. So special, so soft, so smiley, so angelic!

I cannot believe she is 3 months old already!
She celebrated by having some yummy baby cereal (mixed with apple juice for some sweet goodness) for the 1st time.
She gobbles it right up.

If I could only freeze time for a little bit.
I can whole heartedly say, that I soak up all of her sweetness during the day, every single bit, and I am so thankful that thanks to my husband, I have the ability to do so.

our fun family project

2008-07-02T21:43:00.000-04:00

So!
I bought little flower seed packets, along with 4 of those terra cotta pots, and matching plates to sit under them.
I already had 5 bajillion things of paint and brushes, stencils, etc.
Each bean (minus the littlest bean, nattie) decorated their pot however they chose.
My only input was to make sure once they were finished decorating, that I would paint their hand, so I could capture a small piece of time, and have their handprint forever on the bottom of each plate.

Below are the plates. Top left is Sierra's, top right, Caeleigh's, bottom left is Bobby's, bottom right, Carson's.

Sierra's pot on the left, Cae's on the right.

Bobby's pot on the left, Carson's on the right.

Total cost of project $ 10 bucks.
Family time together making memories......priceless.

Tommorow we add the soil, seeds, and water.....stay tuned to see what grows!

my favorite place

2008-07-02T21:32:00.000-04:00

Here is our favorite summer place....right on our own back porch!
Literally, we are out here 90-96% of every day!
From coffee in the morning, to swimming, swinging, rocking babies, and catching fireflies at night, it doesn't get ANY better than this.
Screening it in was another of my sweet, hard working husbands accomplishments a couple of years ago!

swingin' the days away

2008-07-02T21:25:00.000-04:00

My sweet, hard working husband built our little beans a swingset.
We specifically wanted this to hold just swings, and eventually, we will build a slide/fort area under our trees.
There are 3 regular swings, and one double seater glider type swing.
Natalie and I like to swing on that with Carson.
Speaking of the littlest bean, she's got her own swing too, that we will switch out when she's a little bigger!
Here's the view from our porch, followed by the view from our trees.

Lookie what I caught!

2008-06-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

Here's a rare sighting of a beautiful creature called pre teen bean.
I told you one day I'd catch her, and force her to let me take a picture or 2~

I can't believe how grown up my sweet girl is becoming.....she is a true delight.
One of our favorite things to do this summer is to rock in our chairs on the back porch, having lots of "girltalk"

Check out that tan!

And little nattie is turning 3 months old tomorrow!

Sweet little sie-sie bean, is growing up right before our eyes as well!
I cannot believe she is turning 8 years old next month!
Check out those baby blues.
(oh AND....her teeth are not naturally streaked with red, she just finished eating a fruit roll up,)

4 out of 5 beans

2008-06-20T16:54:00.000-04:00

Still no pre-teen-bean, but she's coming home tommorow!
I managed to get a few pics of the other 4 beans, and 2 quick little video's!

Here's a cute little video of Natalie

Here's a video of the middle beans

And here are a few cute pictures!

splish splash

2008-06-17T20:33:00.000-04:00

Look at that devilish little grin!
She knows she's got her swimsuit on!

Just stopping in to share a few pictures!

The misses went swimming for the very 1st time!
(i call her 'misses' , like sharon osborne likes to do on america's got talent.......dont know why, i just do.)
I really dont like that show by the way.
Cant stand plastic man......whats his name?
Think think think.......oh yeah, Dorky Hasslehoff.

2 silly brothers, 2 years apart, and yet the very same size.

On the back porch, where 90% of our day is spent...
in this picture they are playing with those blow up punching balloon on a string things, remember those?

Where, oh where has my pre-teen-bean been?
Will she ever appear in our pictures?
She's been at a friends house for the past couple of days......
I vow to tackle her when she comes home and force her to pose for the camera!

dear dad...

2008-06-15T09:28:00.000-04:00

click card to view us supersized!!

p.s. we got you some of what you always ask for!

hi, from natalie!

2008-06-11T08:41:00.000-04:00

Just a couple quick pictures of my amazing baby girl!
I had planned to start updating at least once a day, but havent had the chance to do so.
Those of you who know me personally, know the sorrow I have been dealing with in regards to one of my best friends, and her family.
Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, they need strength everyday.
We've had so much going on with the end of school as well (tomorrow is their last day!)
Yes, summertime is upon us, which means I'll have all the time in the world to take a bajillion pictures of the kids!
Anyhoo....here's my dumplin'...........11 weeks old.

Wild maniac on the loose!

2008-05-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

You never know what you might find when you go digging through years of pictures!
Sierra was 5 years old here.....
What in the WORLD??
This is for sure a smile i'll be showing her prom date in the future!

Care to take a closer look?
C'mon, you know you wanna.......

And by the way....after being nursed most of his life back then, Carson had a jolly time with the statue's nipples.
Thats all folks.

2 months old

2008-05-26T12:11:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone is having a nice holiday weekend.
We've been taking advantage of the gorgeous weather, not a cloud in the sky, so we've been swimming all weekend!
I've been wanting to update pictures of my little angel, so here they are, one day shy of her turning 2 months old!
I can't begin to explain how much i love rushing in to get her out of her crib in the morning, and seeing her little face, or how much i hate putting her to bed at night because i dont want to let her go (she sleeps through the night by the way!)
She is more than I could have ever prayed for, and Im so thankful she is in my life.

Brotherly Love

2008-05-06T12:23:00.001-04:00

These 2 big Brothers just adore their baby Sister!
Nattie's future boyfriends....BEWARE!

Bobby is so gentle and loving......

And silly Carson loves her "more than all the numbers"

3 little middle beans

2008-05-02T19:44:00.000-04:00

Today was the perfect day to take much needed pictures of the 'bigger' kids.
We played outside for 2 hours and I was able to capture the heart of them!
Caeleigh is out of town with her cheerleading team, so I wasn't able to get her in the pictures, and miss Natalie was sleeping peacefully.......so just the 3 little "middle beans" today!

Where are my teeth?

This one of Carson cracks me up!
Throwing back his head and giving his evil giggle as he loads his water gun!
Notice the bubble near his head!
Cute.

Things that make you go......HUH?

2008-05-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

Apparently, I wasn't dreaming when I woke up to a pair of cartoon buttcheeks that walks talks and carries a gun.

Half asleep and very confused......i just stared at the tv until i could figure out what exactly I was looking at, or if it was my over-active imagination.
Nope, this was real, VERY real.

Yes folks.....its Assy Mcgee.
Its a cartoon on cartoon network late late late at night, when only us who have newborns are awake.

Why? I have no idea. Whatsoever.
Disturbing? Very...VERY.
Make any sense? NOT A BIT!
But it was damn funny!
Okay or maybe its just me?

Who the heck comes up with this stuff?

P.S. Click HERE to go to the Assy Mcgee fartboard for a wide array of farts.
You know.....just in case your bored.

quick little update

2008-04-23T15:52:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!
I know its been a while, but its also been a while since we've had a good routine going here!
Natalie will be 4 weeks old tomorrow, and 3 of those 4 weeks I have been sick.
1st with 2 back to back breast infections, and then with the sinus thing.
Carson had a 101 fever this past weekend, and Sierra came home early today with the same fever.
Add a bunch of not sleeping into the mix , along with 3 parent teacher conferences, a billion dr. appointments, trying desperately to get re-organized and clean after months of bedrest, taking care of 4 other children along with my newborn, and well.....
Its been crazy to say the least!

I feel though, that things are now getting back on track.
Its a good feeling!

Natalie is sweet as honey!
She is VERY alert and loves to be talked to.
She 's a good, good baby girl.
Only cries if she's hungry, or needs a diapey change.......okay and sometimes because she wants to be held......but thats okay cause I wanna hold her.........who wouldn't?

She is such a special little addition to our family.......she completes us.

One girl, One boy

2008-04-10T15:06:00.000-04:00

Mommy, Daddy, Carson, and Natalie had a nice little outing on this beautiful spring day!
Miss Natalie had her 2 week check up at the dr's office this morning.
She is not quite 7 pounds again, but she's getting there....we are going to start supplementing just a bit with some formula to bulk her up!
We will still be breastfeeding full time as well.

Afterward, we went to daddy's store to show Natalie off to her Nana Wanda.
Natalie sure liked all of that attention, she slept peacefully the whole time.
Im thinking about taking my pillow and blanket there next time so I too, can catch some sleep!

All of the little old ladies that came in and out of the store really enjoyed looking at her and talking all about her.
Carson was right by my side the whole time, drinking his cool blue slushee.
The nice old ladies thought how nice it was for me to have "One girl, and One boy".

AS IF!

It was cute to see them react once they learned that I actually have 3 girls, and 2 boys.

After visiting for a bit, we took our One boy to stride right to buy him some cool new sneakers to fit his WIDE WEET.
Thank goodness those stinky fireman boots are history.........but, i will admit i 'll miss seeing him in them.
They were always together.
Carson and his red fireman rainboots.
Another bittersweet memory.

As far as the new shoes......he loves them, and dosnt want to take them off.

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini!

2008-04-08T14:16:00.000-04:00

At least one of us will be looking sweet in her bikini this summer!!
Check out the hot little number Nattie's Aunt Niki bought for her!!
I can't wait to see her teeny little biscuits in it ......

Welcome to the world Natalie Grace

2008-04-07T13:01:00.000-04:00

Its been a while.......huh?
We've been a little busy having a baby, and getting over a couple of nasty breast infections, while breastfeeding.
We're on the road to recovery now, and more ready than ever to get back to "life".

After a long and ridiculous labor, thanks to our "doctor", which I'll spare you the details of, because, well, in comparison to having our special girl here with us, its just not important anymore.............

So........at 36.6 weeks, little Natalie Grace came into our lives on Thursday, March 27th, at 3:07 pm.
She weighed 7 pounds even, was 18.4 inches long, and more precious than anything we could have imagined.

The other little beans are in love with, and cannot get enough of her........ever.

One-armed maniac

2008-03-24T17:44:00.000-04:00

Click on the video if you'd like to see what a single piece of candy can do to my children.
Thanks , Easter Bunny.
This specific child, happens to be Carson, the 4th bean.
Although the video is dark....he is wearing his red fireman rain boots, as always.

Be sure to turn up the volume.......so you can hear the wild man's giggles!

Neighbors on fire! (video)

2008-03-24T12:12:00.000-04:00

We've had an eventful morning, with having the house behind us catch on fire.
The kiddies are all into it, asking a billion questions.
They are sad, bewildered, nervous.....quite a bit shaken up and i can imagine they will be afraid this will happen to our house for quite some time to come.

Along with being able to stand on our back porch and witness the whole thing ourselves, it was also just on the breaking news at noon, on channel 11.

Click on this link below to see the WBAL news....and while you are watching, you can see our house, and pool, on the left hand side of the screen.
So sad when it hits so close to home.......

click here for WBAL news

Thank goodness no one was caught in this fire, and the couple had no children.
Hopefully, they had good insurance!
Lets keep these folks in our thoughts and prayers.

According to the owners, the husband was in his garage, and went to start up his motorcycle when the whole thing burst into flames....it took the fire department 25 minutes to get here, and another 10 minutes to set up.

Here is the side where the garage was, the house you see behind it, to your right, is ours.

*i wasnt aware that the video was sideways the whole time.....sorry!*

Easter eggs (video's)

2008-03-23T08:56:00.000-04:00

HAPPY EASTER

2008-03-23T08:51:00.000-04:00

the final countdown!

2008-03-19T13:10:00.000-04:00

"We" still have a nasty cold and cough, however.........
here "we" are at 9 months!
2 days shy of 36 weeks.
Medication stops at 37 weeks.
Nattie comes at the very latest, 38 weeks.
So.......if little miss decides to stick it out, all the way to her 38 week date, that means we have 16 days left!
16 DAYS PEOPLE!
16 or less.
It really doesn't sound all that far when i say it that way!

p.s.those of you who see me in person......will from now on, ONLY see me in this outfit.
Its officially the only thing that fits!

I think the kids are going just as crazy as I am waiting for our bundle!
She's all they talk about.
Caeleigh always wonders how many days are left.
Bobby hopes she has green eyes like "us" (he and i are the only ones)
Sierra just wrote a note on the Wii, stating "i love natalie and chocolate bars and vanilla bars" (i didnt know there was a such thing as vanilla bars.....but ok then)
and carson....he just continues to rub and kiss all over my ginormous belly all day.

4th competition, 4th win!

2008-03-17T15:51:00.001-04:00

This past sunday, Caeleigh and her team, had their 4th cheerleading competition, resulting in their 4th, 1st place win!
This team is on fire!
Only one more competition before they are off to their Final Destination spot!
(which i wont disclose due to the wide array of freaks on the internet)
Go team Go.

Who knew?

2008-03-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

That the word "nostrils" could be so funny?

"Stop digging up your nostrils"
is what I said to Carson in the heat of the moment, as i see him pull a slimy booger out with his bare finger.
Followed by "now go wipe it on a tissue and wash your hands"
Only Carson......only he.

Apparently........i just made Sierra, Bobby and Carson's day...........simply by saying "nostrils"
Typically, i use the word "noseholes"

They cannot stop cracking up, nor can they stop saying "nostrils" to each other WHILE they are cracking up.
Who would have known?

Of course.......little Bob.............even in the midst of cracking up, abruptly stops and says to carson
" didja wash your hands", in an ever so bobby way.

Those who truely know Bobby, knows how genuinely concerned he becomes if someone does not wash their hands in a timely and correct manner.

Its going to be a long week with the kids home from school for spring break, while being on bedrest.
Why, oh why did i just have to scream....."no more touching your butt, or anyone elses butt"

whatcha think?

2008-03-17T12:55:00.000-04:00

Does this count as a little white lie?
See the pretty Easter picture Sierra made "me"?
See the purple scratchies on the upper right section of the page?
Sierra says she was making a purple "sky" but she got tired.
Upon closer inspection with my SUPER mommy x-ray eyes, I see THROUGH the purple scratchies.......in which it says "to Easter bunny"
bahahahaha.
Ah well, I think i'll let her slide.
All it means is she actually loves her mamma MORE than the easter bunny, and that folks, is all a gal can hope for!

laying low

2008-03-17T12:53:00.000-04:00

Along with all the joys and comfort of being 9 months pregnant, I now have a head cold.
Just wanted to let you know i havent gone into labor, nor have a i fallen off of the earth.

Just been dealing with single-nostril-breathing which = no sleep!
As if sleep was even an option with this large body of mine.
Cant sleep, cant breathe, cant function....
.....CAN sit with my mouth hanging wide open and snorting my snot all day long.
The same snot that wont come out when i blow.
aren't you glad you stopped by today?
Thought so.
My head is so congested it might explode.....which wouldnt be a bad thing.
At least the gunk would be on my walls and out of my head.
No-brain-power.

Somebody's really excited!

2008-03-17T12:42:00.000-04:00

In honor of st. patty's day, and my 35 1/2 week of pregnancy.........(which, if you've been keeping up, means ONE week until i stop my medication).....some little goose has "baby sister" on the brain, as it shows in her schoolwork last week!

My favorite poem!

2008-03-14T10:29:00.000-04:00

I have had this poem since i was a little girl.
It rings in my head from time to time, ever since i have become a mother.
Thats why when people say to me "you sure have your hands full"
I always respond with "i'd rather have them full, instead of empty"

My hands were busy through the day
I didn't have much time to play
The little games you asked me to,
I didn't have much time for you.

I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook
But when you'd bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun
I'd say, "A little later, hon."

I'd tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the light
Then tiptoe softly to the door,
I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past,
A little girl grows up so fast.
No longer is she at your side
Her precious secrets to confide,

The picture books are put away,
There aren't any games to play,
No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear
That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands once busy now lie still
The days are long and hard to fill,
I wish I might go back and do
The little things you asked me to!

thought for the day

2008-03-11T20:31:00.001-04:00

Natalie's nursery!

2008-03-11T16:25:00.001-04:00

We're getting there, slowly but surely!

isn't this cradle beautiful?

Now, Bob still has to paint over the wall that the crib is on.
Right now it still has Caeleigh's tropical theme.
Its going to be a plain green wall, just like the other one, so just pretend!

Apparently, the kids snuck into natties room and gave her a few of their stuffed friends, here's where i found them!

These 3 hearts belong hanging on the wall, but I need to wait for Bob to do that, I'd be all crooked about it!

my babies

2008-03-10T17:39:00.001-04:00

A few of my friends and I were talking today, about what we were all making for easter dinner.

I figured out that I would make (or rather sit on the kitchen stool and tell Bob how to make), ham with a brown sugar glaze, and pineapple rings on top, deviled eggs, string beans, and sweet potatoes on the side.
One friend mentioned how much she missed having her family around for big dinners.

It got me thinking at how I have my OWN big family.
Five children.
And one day THEIR children and husbands and wives, and how lucky I'll be to have them all here for big dinners.

Then I turned into a pregnant emotional mess, and starting wondering if they will always BE here, or if they will be scattered across the U.S. with their own families.

Its so hard to look at their sweet, beautiful faces , and feel their big giant hugs and kisses, and realize that one day, they just wont be mine anymore.
One day, they will belong to someone else.

How will I manage that?
How will I ever let them go?
Thats not fair. at all.

I have tears in my eyes as I sit here, and Im trying not to let them fall and mess up the only make-up I've managed to put on in 3 days.
And, its not working.
Darnit these hormones.

I wish I had the ability to slow down time.........just a little.
Since I dont have that ability......i guess i'll have to deal with a straight jacket and lots and lots of lexapro when the time comes.

a tiny glimpse...

2008-03-10T13:14:00.000-04:00

....into the past.
Yes, Im a video maniac today, but i just found this little short video of when caeleigh was in gymnastics.
She must have been......oh, SIX!!!
So my goodness, SIX years ago!
Look how tiny.....i miss her, time goes by too quickly.

my kissyface

2008-03-10T12:40:00.000-04:00

My little Carson kissyface.
He is his mama's shadow, we are two peas in a pod during these long days.
He blows me about a hundred or more kisses during the day.....just like this!
I'll be sitting on the couch and start hearing this lip-smacking noise.....turn my head and there he is, blowing me sweet kisses!
Can a girl get any luckier?