Security...

Well, some might say it is a insurance policy, a retirement fund, ...yes it is these things. It is also much more, like a favorite blanket, Home, Being with family and friends. In other words, I think a need for security is healthy and part of what makes each of us unique.

As I journey through life my "security" has changed with the different stages. Of course, there are things that we have in place for financial security, home security, safety etc.... As a child, my blanket, binky, (we won't mention how long I had them), and being home with my family, a true blessing! Constants of security for me....Faith, Family and Friends!

Kevin and Our girls are a true sense of security for me. Family has always been and will always be a source of refuge and security, I know how blessed I am by this and to have had this through my entire life! Regardless of what the day has in store for me, there a true sense of security to being home with them. There is such an awesome feeling that comes over me when I walk into see the girls and they come running to me. Eyes twinkling, running "little feet" and grins from ear to ear....Security! Both our girls are snugglers, we are so glad to share in the joys of that!!

Kevin coming home, by heart still skips a beat! Security!

I am also blessed daily by my Love for Jesus and his sacrifice for us! My faith grows stronger everyday, (maybe it is age and raising a family), but I am so thankful for this realationship in my life. Some days throw us challenges and if I look to Him, I am comforted!

Friends, The family God allows us to choose! Our friends are so dear to us, and many of them are family to us! I truly believe in quality not quantity, a true friend, a true treasure!

Security....A Blessing in many ways! We encourage the girls to have their security! Tess, Loved, loved, loved her binky until the binky fairy came, she still has her bear, Beeper, she calls it her "lovey"! Ella, well she has a entourage. binky, blanket , some times a bear! They both love to rub my hair when they are tired (I love it!) Security....part of what makes us all feel comfortable and confident! ....

Spring Fever???

Oh Yes, I have a terrible case of spring fever! I am certain that I caught it from my amazing 6th grade students! Here are some of the symptoms, You might have a case of it as well?

• Squinting:...When I see the bright sunshine! I can't get enough and luckily we have had a lot of it lately.
• Impulses: to open the sunroof in the car, and you should see the smiles on the girls faces in the light wind, cute blowing hair....Good stuff!
• Itching: I am really itching....to get out and plant my flowers....about a month to go!

A wonderful time of the year! The girls are noticing signs of spring as well! Tess mentioned the birds singing. Ella has a true twinkle in her eye as she looks out the window and around while we are outside, so much new to see and explore!

As far as the treatment for Spring Fever....Well, it is one sickness I would rather not cure!!

Shoe Shine Anyone??

Do your shoes need shined?

I have the number for a great shoe shine duo! They can do it all and the laughs while watching will be worth the wait! My shoes look much better, but the fun of watching was the best part! I haven't seen Tess sit that still since I painted her toe nails!!

An Eggcellent Time!

Family Traditions....Some serious, some legacies, and some well....Silly! "The lost Egg Tree" As long as I can remember it was a tradition to decorate the egg tree at my parents house. Years ago it was common to see many egg trees in their neighborhood. I wonder why the decrease in the amount of "Eggcellent Trees" during the Easter Season in recent years. Is it "Too Silly", a shortage of eggs?, or, are people not taking the time to decorate? It was a fun part of my childhood.

The girls took part in their first "Egg Tree" decorating festivities at my parents this weekend! Although the adults did as much of, if not most of the actual hanging of the eggs, the girls had a good time! As I pulled away on Sunday in the car to head home, I had to smile as the simplicity of that tree, but yet, the joy of such a simple joy!

When Irish Eyes are Smiling....

I enjoy St. Patrick's Day!! It must be the Irish Dad that I have. He is so good about keeping up the family genealogy and so I have learned much about my Irish ancestors! I think the holiday is fun....green clothes, green rivers, pinching....:) We ventured out for anything but a typical Irish meal on St. Patrick's Day with our friends! To avoid the busy restaurants serving green beer we opted for an Italian restaurant and the kiddos had German chocolate cake.Yep! But they were wearing their green and we enjoyed the visit! Maybe one of these years we can go and have a "real" Irish meal....In Ireland!

Stork or Crane???

We have a visitor to our pond....The bird has returned after winter. It would frequent the pond last summer and in the fall. We joke at our house that it could be a "STORK" flying in, but the reality is that it is a crane.

Although it is probably feeding on the fish in the pond, we enjoy the visits. The girls are fascinated watching it, Tess makes a comment about its every move. We also had our first duck family visit this week....Signs of spring and warm weather to come....Maybe the tulips will pop up next!

AAAchhooo and some coughs too!

It all started with a fever for Tess, a sore throat quickly followed,....Then the cough. It is so hard for us as parents when the girls are under the weather. You can see it in their eyes. Things just aren't right!

Our hearts break for them to be uncomfortable and not feeling themselves. Yet, another time when I truly understand the love and care that our parents gave when Kevin and I were sick....so thankful to them!! Ella came down with it two days later. Uggg! Even harder, since she can't voice what is wrong.

SO, What shall we do???? We snuggle, go to the doctor, give medicine in silly straws to make it "taste better" and give many extra hugs! They have been little troopers, giving each other "get better hugs"!

This to shall pass and we look forward to seeing them back to themselves and full of energy!!! Until then Tess will continue to ask for her every need (she has this whole being sick things figured out....one of us in particular???? tends to her EVERY need. It is all about love and making them feel the best they can when they are under the weather!!

Waiting on spring....

There is such an innocence to watching little ones run around...Full of Life, Full of Energy and Full of Joy!! It causes an instant smile to watch and enjoy! While at Grandma Sherry's House....Tony, Eva, Tess, Jaden and Ella enjoyed a quick dose of some fresh air.....

Waiting on spring!! Check out those smiles! Simple Joys!

A New Day....Adjusting

A tough few days....an adjustment for sure! We are trying to get back normalcy, but we are finding that Larry is with us in our daily lives in many ways....We miss him, we will be reminded often of happy thoughts of his wonderful life and the times that we shared!

We are surrounded by many and we are glad for this everyday, the happy days, the tough days....We will be moving forward with out Larry, Dad, Pa-Pa.....

But we have the joy of looking back whenever we would like, we can reflect on the blessing of the times shared!! His legacy will live on....

We are so thankful for the love our loved ones showed during our tough time....

Cards, Flowers, Watching the Girls, Wonderful meals, visitation to the funeral home, and above all love and prayers! We feel so blessed and our hearts are deeply touched by the tremendous special things that our dear ones did for us.....so thankful!

Thank you dear family and friends for ....everything! We love you!

In her own words: Our Dear Tessa!

With the passing of Larry, the need was there to inform Tess....She has been praying for him so sweetly in her bedtime prayers..... Kevin let her know and her reply was... "Is he there yet, in heaven?" Yes, he probably is already there. She came sprinting into the kitchen to my parents and I and smiled and said with such joy, ..."Papa is in heaven with Jesus, and he is safe!" It sounds like she listens to the books we read and the teaching we try to instill in her. She then proceeded to tell us later that day the he is living in a pink house in heaven and he is not sick anymore. Yesterday, (the day of the funeral) she asked "is Papa still in heaven?" Yes, he is going to stay there, "Alright" she replied. We know she will miss him and ask about him at certain times. We had to embrace and love the innocent side of a our dear Tess. We are so thankful for her experiences with us and in her junior church that prepare her for a lifetime of faith and a relationship with Jesus. We too, are glad Larry is safe and with Jesus....But we really miss him!

Journey Home....

Tough news....My father-in-law, Larry, who I love and feel so blessed to have know, has gone home to Heaven. He passed away Tuesday Night. We will REALLY, MISS HIM, we already do! Such a wonderful man, never enough time together!...As always we must in God's plan and be with loved ones through this time....We appreciate the thoughts and prayers from our family and friends as we journeyed through the tough last few months.... Thank you!

Tessa's Recent Quotes.....

Makes you just want to bottle it up!! "I am so glad God gave me to you and Daddy!" "Mommy, lets clean up really good and show Daddy how great we did? What do you think about that idea Mommy?" "I like to play with Ella, she makes me smile all the times"

Job Description.....

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I have a proposal for you. I am requesting that you add to your job description or hire an assistant. I know that the economy is tough right now, however,.... Babies, Moms, and Dads could really use your talents during the nights of "teething". You see, while you are there to celebrate when children lose their teeth, they could really use when they are GETTING their teeth as well. My recommendation is that you could fly in at night and sooth their little aching gums....you have to have some kind of fairy dust of some sort. Our Dear Ella is really struggling, we snuggle her, kiss her and do what we can, but your magic would be great at say....2 a.m.

Let us know what you think....??

Sincerely,

Ella's Parents!

Our little pumpkin, so sad about her hurting gums, it hurts as parents to see them hurting. Then, she decided to try another remedy to combat the pain, I would call it....Wide awake at 3 a.m., delirious. She went from crying to, hmmm...I think I will walk around, explore and giggle to see if that would work (a little bit humorous, especially when you are REALLY tired) She bumped into the wall, laughed, roamed around a bit, then collapsed....Ahhh...The memories we make! What else are you to do....As Always, LOVE THEM! (and be thankful Tess is a heavy sleeper and isn't awake as well!) Ella, we are here for you XOXOXO