Mother's Day

Mother's day was great! The kids and Chad had breakfast for me in bed...my favorite scrambled eggs, toast, strawberries and lemonade. The kids brought me cards and then Chad played a sweet recording of them describing me and why they loved mommy. Jackson said that I was pretty and very nice. Isabel said my eyes were purple and my hair is black...close ;) They both said that I was a great mom because I bought them popsicles...cuties;)

Muffins for Mom at Isabel's school

Beautiful day today. Isabel greeted me with a flower that said, "If Moms were flowers I'd pick you!" My sweet girl spoiled me with muffins, strawberries and coffee... what more can a mommy ask for??

I also received a cookbook with recipes from all the children in her classroom. Her recipe was for eggs and it read:

Take eggs out of the refrigerator. Crack them and mix them up with a spoon. Cook them in a pan in the kitchen. Eat them with a fork.

She is such a fast learner!! ;)

Mrs. Head had the kids tell about their mommies and mine said:

My mommy is 4 years old. She has brown eyes and black hair. Her favorite food is cherrios. My mommy makes me smile when she laughs with me. I love my mommy because she is funny. Love, Isabel

A great beginning to a wonderful Mother's day weekend!!

A new leaf

OK so it's time to blog again!! No better time than the present. Thank you to all of those who haven't hounded me for not blogging!

Today marks one year of Momma Jones passing. Still seems like she was just with us yesterday. It has been a good year. I definitely went through the roller coaster of emotions when it comes to dealing with death and it has changed me.

I sought God out because I was angry with him. I didn't understand all the "why" questions I was having and I felt empty inside. The "God" I had known seemed to always show me that things do happen for a reason. This time I didn't like what God was showing me and I didn't want to accept any reasons for my mother in law's death.

Through prayer, conversations with Chad, family and friends I came to realize that celebrating her life and remembering all the ways she made us laugh and feel about ourselves was how my healing began. Momma Jones always saw the good in people. Her hugs and cares were always genuine. A great listener. I will carry those traits with me and share them with my children.

I believe God was preparing my heart and spirit all along my journey. I may not know the answers to my "whys" but I don't have to. I have grown closer to God because of this experience and I know that it is all answer I needed.

This year I renewed my spirit. I became baptized in our church. I finally understand what it means to surrender to God. I feel so much at peace.

Today, I will play with my children and take every second in just how I know their Buby would! With every kiss I give them I know she is sharing the moment with me..I love you Momma J!

Easter

We spent Easter with Chad's parents in Florida. This was the last time that we all spent together with Buby. The kids had a great time searching for eggs inside and outside the townhome.

Isabel's dress was from Buby and Papa for Isabel's birthday...beautiful!

Andres, Kitty and Sadie also joined us. Isa and Sadie were two peas in a pod!

Woooa! That's "lotsa" jelly beans Isabel!! ;)

We couldn't leave Lakeland before checking out this awesome brand new park called Common Ground. It had very innovative equipment that we've never seen before in a park. Among the slides and a tunnel there was a kid friendly rock wall, a dinosaur fossil dig site, a river rock path where the kids can climb and pump water from a well. Kids loved it!

This was the first time, that I've seen, where the "big kids" invited Jackson to play with them. They are getting ready to play tag in this picture. Jackson was a little shy and he asked me if they had wanted to play with him because they thought he was cool ;) And I said, of course!

Sunday breakfast by Daddy

Had to blog this because my husband has been trying his hand at cooking and that is really noteworthy! It all started when he told me that for the month of February he would cook us dinner...yes the entire month! It was very impressive and he made some great dishes like meatballs (from scratch) and spaghetti...it was delicious. So to carryover his cooking he is now doing Sunday breakfasts for us. This is his best so far. It's a fried egg over an English muffin topped with chopped tomatoes, basil, cheese and a drizzle of olive oil..very tasty!

I love my hubby ;)

Isabel turns 3!

Can't believe our baby girl turned 3! She has had a great year! She loves playing with Jackson and she also loves to drive him crazy ;) She still does baby talk and she mispronounces quite a few words which I hope lasts for a long time. Just recently she became fully potty trained..wooohoo and she is very proud of it. We rewarded her with pennies for her piggy bank and with her favorite treat lollipops!

Isabel woke up and was so excited to see the table decorated...her smile just melts me ;)

The kids took home cookie lollipops as favors ;)

Isabel, Abby and Hannah

Lunch was pb&j with fruit salad

We did a lollipop treasure hunt and the kids had more than enough suckers to last them through the rest of the year.

More lucky girls! Anna Grace, Madeline, Olivia and Hannah

Baby Jude was sacked out ;)

Faith did not miss out on the fun ;)

Pool was freezing but the kids didn't mind it at all. Lily was brave!

Isabel sang her own birthday song..so cute.

Those lollipops were irrisistable!

Cake was delicious but Isa only ate the icing...mommy took care of the rest ;)

Abby enjoyed every bite!

Luke did some great painting and writing!

Chad took these of her after we opened up presents. So photogenic just like her big brother!

She had a beautiful day and she was in a really great mood..no fussing ;) Thank you all of who helped to make the day so special!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMITA!

Girl Time!

Isabel had a girls day with Lily and Faith. The girls came over for a few hours while their mommies went on a field trip with their boys. We started inside playing dressup but spent most of the time outside enjoying the beautiful spring day.

The girls loved the trampoline. Faith was giggling so much it was cracking me up!

It was a great day for blowing pinwheels..cute cheeks!

On our walk we counted the worms and the girls inspected them very carefully..and yes they wanted to hold them ;)

"hmmm, can we pick these mommy?"

Only Isabel attempted the scooter..for 2 seconds.

They all took turns riding on the trike and I pushed them around the culdesac.

The girls definetely had a lot of fun and I enjoyed it just as much!!