2nd Best Day Of The Year...

Wow, flashbacks from when I was a kid...on each of our birthdays my mother brought us on our annual trip to Toys R Us to get ANYTHING we wanted in the entire store. Well, at least we thought we had our pick of anything and BOY was that a great day in life! There were 7 of us, we didn't get toys every time we went out, we appreciated extra special days like this. I will say though, it was horrible being the older or younger sister, helping them choose something and wanting it soooo bad for myself. But when it was my turn...look out!

Thankfully my kids' birthdays are together, so I took them both to Toys R Us last night and I had as much fun (maybe more) as they did. FLASHBACKS! I tell ya, I ran to that doll section, my heart was pounding...all the pink, all the chubby little faces, isle after isle, top to bottom! I was 6 again! It was the greatest! Reilly & Caragh already had a toy in mind before we even got there and went right to it, but I forced them to look around more, I didn't want to leave! I wanted to go through the entire store and let them choose what they've always wanted, make this (the best day next to Christmas) last a little bit longer. I was reliving a moment, living through my kids, which I often do. And no, they couldn't get anything in the store and I bet neither could we, but there's no better feeling than thinking you could. I hope that they can remember the feeling like I still do. They are pretty young but we have many more of these annual birthday trips ahead of us and I can't wait!

The EXCITEMENT!!!

Reilly chose a Pound Puppy b/c on the commercial it says that they have no homes and need people to take care of them. Good advertising, huh?!

This is what they settled on, a Pound Puppy, Twins (one for each) and Caragh chose a toy microwave. Great fun! Loved it!

Celebrate!

We had a small get together this afternoon to celebrate Reilly, Caragh & cousin Patrick's birthdays. It was a great time of course, always so good to get together!
Thanks for coming everyone and thank you for all the great gifts! We love each and every one of you!
Happy Birthday Patrick! 13! Have a great day tomorrow! xoxo


Snazzy new robes! Thanks Auntie & Nana!

Cousin Madison~check out those boots! Stylin'!

TAG

ODD THINGS

You know the drill...

1. Do you like blue cheese? just started to

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? NEVER!

3. Do you own a gun? no

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? never been

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? kind of, scary diagnosis' start going through my mind

6. What do you think of hot dogs? like 'em

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation w/ Chevy Chase

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coffee

9. Can you do push ups? no

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? engagement ring

11. Favorite hobby? TV

12. Do you have A.D.D.? no, not at all

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Can't stick to exercise regimen

14. Middle name? Jean

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:
what's for dinner, can't wait for spring, need a night out w/ Jay

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: take-out, that's it

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coffee, water, hot chocolate

18. Current worry? my parents, siblings, Jodi & kids being okay

19. Current hate right now? gained about 7 lbs this winter :(

20. Favorite place to be? anywhere w/ my sisters

21. How did you bring in the New Year? Chinese food w/ the Maxwells YAY!

22. Where would you like to go? Bahamas

23. Name three people who will complete this: Katie, Mary F., Mary S.

24. Do you own slippers? OMG YES!!!

25. What shirt are you wearing? long-sleeved gray cotton

26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I would I think, never tried

27. Can you whistle? nope

28. Favorite color? blue

29. Would you be a pirate? weird ???

30. What songs do you sing in the shower? none at all

31. Favorite girl's name? Shane...Jay wouldn't have it!

32. Favorite boy's name? James

33. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets

34. What's something that made you laugh today? a comment by Katie on someone's blog...I forget who's

35. Best bed sheets as a child? don't remember

36. Worst injury you've ever had? broke tailbone during Cassidy's birth, hurting at the moment actually, 14 yrs later!

37. Do you love where you live? I really do

38. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4

39. Who is your loudest friend? wouldn't hang w/ a loudmouth

40. How many dogs do you have? 1

41. Does someone have a crush on you? IDK, I hope so...haha

42. What is your favorite book? I Know This Much Is True Wally Lamb

43. What is your favorite candy bar? Reeses

44. Favorite Sports Team? Red Sox

45. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping

46. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? what pants are going to fit? story of my life!


*Your turn Katie of the Betts-Levine Family Blog

Caragh's Quilt

Thought I'd show off the quilt that Auntie Jeannie made for Caragh when she was first born. Isn't it beautiful! It just resurfaced after the move and Caragh is loving it even more now than she did before! Thanks Auntie! This is why she loves you soooo much!!!
*We all know how Jeannie is always looking for something crafty to do...I say you all put in your orders!

*Glamour Girls*

These two were workin' it!!!
Reilly always says that she wants to be an actress and go to Hollywood...the kid really can strike a pose!

This is Caragh striking her pose, we think she'll stay local! haha Just kidding!!!
Caragh, you are capable of doing ANYTHING you put your mind to! :)

Our trip to Portland...

We had a great time, John Edward's show was great! We didn't get a reading but I thought it was a long shot anyway, so there was little disappointment. The readings that we did hear were great and I must admit, very believable. I feel the same as I did before the show though, unsure if he's for real and yes, it would have been great to hear from Dennis but I really don't need anyone to validate his love for me and for the rest of us who miss him. That I know.

All us girls met up at Margarita's(ville~haha!), had some drinks and some laughs and then we were off to the show. Katie & I spent the night in Portland, in a very nice hotel and I wish I could say it was a short getaway for us...but the kids came along (Cass was the babysitter). Last minute bad move. We thought it made more sense to have them right there w/ us but NO, it didn't. It just made everything harder and crazier. It was a frazzled night but in the end, worked out fine and we learned a valuable lesson never to mess w/ the plans and make last minute rash decisions. We all would have been happier.

Overall, great time guys! I still love and respect John Edward and I'm very honored to have seen him in person. He's a very charming, funny guy. Next time though, on a plane to L.A. to see Lisa Williams...better start saving our $$$. ;)

Around the table: Katie, me, Mary, Jackie, Amy, Amy's mom, Erin, Dawn & Jeannie

GREAT TIME LADIES!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARAGH!!!

3 years ago...

I LOVE this picture b/c I totally captured a moment.
Caragh was due on February 21st and I ended up being induced on March 2nd. It was pretty frustrating, I was ready to go! Labor was painless and easy (DRUGS, of course!) but I found that recovery w/ her was the most difficult of the three. I was hurting! I had some issues directly after the birth and it was pretty scary for me, I had lots of pain and LOTS of anxiety. I think I was so anxious and scared about ME that I didn't really get a chance to give her my all right away like I did w/ the other two. Of course, I LOVED her the minute I saw her, even before that but it was a tough recovery.
Anyway, the day of discharge, I was hobbling to the bathroom, nervous, scared, weak, in terrible pain, thinking about ME and feeling sorry for myself when I looked over at my new baby girl, thinking she was fast asleep. Well, there she was~staring right at me and she looked so aware and so smart and her eyes just got me. I melted. There was just something about that look she gave me. It didn't quite dull the pain, but we just connected so deeply from that moment on.
I love you so much baby doll! (love all my babies!)
We all love you Caragh Bear!
Happy Birthday! ♥♥♥♥♥