10 Years

In September of 1999 Bill and I had our first date - in my apartment.

Don't get me wrong, he had asked me to go out for dinner, but I offered to cook instead.

He was so sweet - he dressed up and brought a bottle of wine - and he was only 22!

The picture above it actually us with Cecelia at my Mom and Rick's boat which is about half way through our journey so far.

I really can't believe how fast time goes. Back then I couldn't have imagined being with someone for ten years!

I'm so excited about this milestone and where we have come to.

Love you Bill.

If They Only Knew

I wish that people that don't have kids knew that when they say (in the presense of your children, usually) "Uh! I am SO glad I don't have kids!" - or something to that effect - that it basically is saying "Your kids are so crazy and annoying and/or so much work I can hardly stand it."

It didn't use to bug me, but it has always bugged Bill. I guess now that I've heard it so many times from different people IT is starting to get annoying.

If they only knew.

Laney's 1st Day of 3-Year-Old Preschool

She is SO happy she gets to go to school like her big sister! She's only had 1 full day so far (where I dropped her off and came back), but so far so good!

Her class is so cute because they just seem so little, but I know she'll really enjoy the school year and make some new friends of her very own.

September 19th 2009

Yes, September 19th and we were swimming in the pool!!

We are getting our July in September.

I LOVE it.

Growing Up Too Fast

This sweet little bundle didn't let me rock her for her nap just now. I laid the blanket on my chest like I normally do, sat in the rocker and then she grunted at me and reached for her crib.
She didn't want to be rocked by Mommy. She just wanted to go to sleep on her own.
How is this happening??
All of my babies are changing so much right now. Cecelia in kindergarten and Delaney started preschool (I will upload and post those adorable pictures soon) and now my BABY doesn't want me to rock her before nap?
This is why I have children so close in age - because once they get to be around that 1-1 1/2 age I get that scary "I don't have a baby" feeling.

I am really looking forward to all the girls getting older and being able to do more things as a family (camp, dinner, movies, plays, museums, vacations, game nights, etc, etc.). It's just so hard for me to let go of the baby phase.
Luckily, most days I am still very much needed by all. Everyone needs a cuddle at one point in the day. I'm still kissing boo-boos and making things better. And Laila is still a "baby" in many respects.
Isn't she a darling?

Holy Funny

You'll be laughing at this. Trust me.

Cecelia's First Day of Kindergarten

There's my big girl with her Hannah Montana backpack!

I cried.

She had so much fun!

(We ran in to a glitch with the afternoon bus, it took the wrong street and missed our house. Let's just say she got the "scenic" ride home and I was guilty and LIVID!)

To focus on the positive, I was glad she had a good first day. I love her teacher and her school and there are even a couple familiar faces from preschool.

We also met with Delaney's preschool teachers. I am a little worried that she may be emotionally immature yet, but she is really looking forward to it so I'm going to see how it goes.

Last week we took the whole week to play before school started. We played at Clare's, we went to the State Fair, we went to the beach and Minnehaha falls.

Nothing got done around the house, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's to a whole new world.

Do You Know?

Do you know how much we miss you?

Do you know my girls do remember you?

Do you know this year feels like an instant?

Do you know how much I love you?

Do you know how many times I think about you in a day, week, month, year?

Do you know I still go to call you for advice?

Do you know we tell funny stories about you every time we are together?

Do you know how much I learned from you that I hold on to?

Do you know your absense leaves a gaping hole?

Do you know sometimes I think I see you or hear your voice?

I wish I knew where you were and what you see and hear and know.
I wish our hearts would heal faster.
I wish you were here.