Catching up is for the birds!!

I know it's been a while since I have put anything on here, and a ton of things have happened in our life. We welcomed another angel into our family, Mike graduated from school, and we moved across country. That all happened in the last 2 months. Can you imagine what the last year was like? You guessed it, CRAZY!!

So before more time passes, I just want to put my thoughts down so I don't forget.

Let's start with Pittsburgh. I am becoming more attached to that place by the day. I never thought I would say that. I always thought that once I left I would never think of that place again, but daily I catch myself thinking of my home, friends, and life that we had there. There are days when I would gladly go back. We have great memories that will never be forgotten. Thank you to all of my Pittsburgh family that made our stay enjoyable and oh so memorable.

Next I have to talk about my kids. I have to admit that having 4 kids 5 and under is crazy. I love each of my kids deeply, and it breaks my heart to see that I can't give each of them the attention they deserve from a mom. I try my hardest, but a lot of times I feel like I am being pulled in a million directions. I pray that they know I love them and would do whatever I can for them. They are the light of my life. I thank my Father in Heaven for sending them to me, now I just pray that I can do for them what I promised them I would do in Heaven.

I have enjoyed growing with them over the last four years on our own, and I can't wait to see what life brings for us down the road.

Now, onto my Husband. I know we all love to brag about our husband's by saying that they are the best husband in the world and that our life wouldn't be the same if he wasn't in our lives. Well over the past 4 years I have come to a knowledge that that statement is so true.

We all have experiences good or bad with our significant other that will bring the relationship closer or tear it apart. I have had my share of both types of experiences. There have been times that I have wanted to run into his arms and never want to let go, but there have also been times that I have wanted to run away and never return. What I have learned is that I have a choice of how I want my life to be. Marriage isn't easy. You have to constantly work on the relationship that YOU chose when you got married. All I can say is good, bad, richer, poorer, I couldn't be happier in the choice I made to marry the man I did.

Mike isn't perfect, but he does the best he can for himself, me, and the kids. The Lord really blessed me when he put such an amazing & talented man into my life, and I thank him for it daily.

Lastly, I would have never had these experiences or time in Pittsburgh if it wasn't for my Heavenly Father. He helped me grow in ways that I would never think possible.

There were many experiences that we went through as a family that we wouldn't have gotten through if my Father in Heaven wasn't by our side. I know he is there for all of us, we just have to put the effort forth of opening the door and letting him in.

I know that our time in Pittsburgh is done, we have moved on, our friends/new family either moved on or is still there, but the memories will never leave. My desire to hang onto relationships becomes stronger and my love for my family, and those we left behind grows daily. So thank you to everyone who has played a part in my life over the past four years. My memories with you will not be forgotten!

Here are my AMAZING kids. Just don't be jealous of the post pregnancy look!

The reasons I love mother's day

Saturday night I had a dream that Mike didn't want to be with me anymore and it freaked me out because it was one of those dreams that you wake up scared because it was so real.

When I woke up the kids were by the side of my bed w/ a card and flower's for Mother's day and I realized it was really just a dream. By the end of the day it was clear to me why I love mother's day.

I love that I have a husband that keeps me laughing ALL the time. If any of you know him, he is very quick and can lighten the mood at any moment.
I have learned that he is perfect for me. YES we have our struggles, but I don't know of anyone else that could put up w/ me and still want to be with me!

I couldn't imagine my life without these three little people. They make me laugh all the time, but most important they are best friends.
I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending them to me and allowing me to spend my life with them.

Before this picture was shot, the kids were in the van waiting for us and when we laid down Payton opened the door and said "what the heck are you doing laying on the ground?" I love that we can both find joy in the simple things in life. It doesn't take much for us to laugh or to be happy together.

This man is my protector. I know that if anything happens in our life he is going to be on the front lines fighting for his family.

Babe, thanks for being there after 5 years of knowing me and my family, and still wanting to marry me. You are one brave man! I love you and thank you for making my mother's day so special!

More Pics

here are more pics of Mia and, I love them!
I always say that I hate the newborn stage because of all of the work that comes w/ it, but looking at these. I don't want her to grow out of it. She is so innocent.

If anyone knows me at all, they know that I love working w/ chocolate. So I thought what better picture than to get Mia surrounded by it? I love the way that this turned out! I promise she didn't consume any of it!

She was so fussy when we were trying to get these done, and this one was one of my favorites. The look on her face is precious to me. You always wonder what they are thinking or who they are interacting w/ at this time of their lives. I enjoy watching it.

I have to thank Kelly and Libby for helping me out with these. I couldn't have done it w/out your talented minds. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

She is here!

Well, she is finally here, and it couldn't have come at a better time!
My mom made it into Pitt after spending two days stuck in the Cincinnati airport the day before Mia made her debut into the world.
We got a call at 3:30 in the morning from the hospital telling us that they were ready for us to come in. I don't know what it is w/ me having kids and everything starting at 3 a.m., but with all of our kids we were up at 3 heading to the hospital.
She was born at 10:30 a.m.. Labor was fast and easy and we are both doing great! She was 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches long. She is sleeping great and gaining weight like mad.

She is so content. If any of you have been to my house you know it's not the quietest house around, but Mia doesn't seem to mind. She sleeps through the screams, laughter, and fits! At last a calm child. (I will report on that in a couple of months to let you know if it's still true!)

I love the fist on the chin. She is contemplating something important I guess.

I have been really nervous about this baby coming into our home. I doubted myself being able to handle the added stress of having a new born. Now that she is here, I can't imagine my life w/ out her.
I also feel like I have a good grasp of how life is going to be w/ 3 kids and it doesn't seem like it will be too hard. Saying that I also have to say that my mom is here and she is AMAZING! I don't think I am going to let her go. So again, I will post in a couple of weeks after she is gone and let you know that I didn't have a good grasp of how life would be w/ 3 kids, and the next time you see me I might have no hair and major bags under my eyes. Just you wait!
More pics coming soon!

So I found this on the internet the other day and I thought it was the perfect title for 2010!
I don't know if I would call it my new year's resolution, or just my desire to be a better ME this year!
For anyone who would like to join me, please feel free!

1st trip to see Dr. Dad

I have been meaning to post this for a while now, but you know how things get.

During the summer Mike was able to work on Payton for the first time, and they both did great!
Payton loved turning on the light and holding the mirror for Mike. He was a great assistant!

Mike is taking his blood pressure here and explaining all that he is going to do. The school has the kids pick out glasses to wear while they are being worked on, and Payton got the pink ones. What can I say, he loves pink!

Have you ever in your life see anyone more relaxed at the dentist office than this? I couldn't stop laughing at him. Mike would be working on him and he would slowly get lower and lower in the chair.

Payton is making sure Mike is getting just the right amount of toothpaste on the spinner.

And finally, Mike is able to clean his teeth. Payton did a great job. Xo was supposed to go next, but after watching Payton and it being nap time she refused. We were able to reschedule and she did great, but I couldn't go back and take pictures. Sorry.
Mike loves the fact in knowing that he is going to be a dentist sooner than later. He is going to be a great one!

Haterade

Haterade!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drFeD30vWsI