29 years ago today..........

My children will immediately recognize the above sentence. The number changes every year but it is usually heard a multitude of times during the day of their birthday. So as I'm starting this post I'll have you know that I was 3 hours into my labor of my first born, Chrissy. You know.....that really funny, witty, god loving girl of mine that writes not 1 but 2 blogs (www.stephsgonnawin.blogspot.com & www.claireandcocosmommy.blogspot.com)

This will not be posted until later so I'll be showing you our new pics we took tonight! We are so excited to be sharing our evening together along with some very special people. We are meeting for dinner at 6:30 and then on to see Jesus Christ Superstar!

I would love to give Chrissy the most amazing post ever because she is so deserving. But, as a Mom, I know that I'm very biased. To me she is everything I ever dreamed about my little girl being and becoming! How is it that my daughter is so bright, articulate, caring, giving, and absolutely gorgeous? I say over and over how blessed I am.....she is one example. Don't worry Jarad, you are another way that I have been blessed! The people that God has put in my life are truly my biggest blessings and I love to daily tell HIM thank you.

I have been able to spend today with her and have loved every minute. We started with spending the entire morning looking at houses with my wonderful son-in-law, Big Daddy! Are you supposed to like your in-laws so much? We love OURS! Big Daddy is on a mission to find a bigger love nest for his family. We ended up having lunch with Mr. Nanny,Cohen, Steph, & Big Daddy's Momma, Connie. Connie was house hunting with us or maybe I should say I was house hunting with THEM!

After lunch, we picked up Claire & Drew and headed to Coldstone Creamery for a little birthday celebration with the kids! Ice cream for ALL! Steph was even able to join us.

Which leads me to tonight.....
Chrissy & I had the most wonderful time meeting up with our friends Susan, Delphia, & Allie! Dinner was good, conversation was better! We then headed to see Jesus Christ Superstar...WOW!! The music was amazing! I especially loved when Susan leaned over and said, "Hey, after the show I have a question about Desperate Housewives". That is why I LOVE Susan, I laugh. Chrissy and I enjoyed our evening together, we enjoyed our time with the girls, and we are especially thankful to Big Daddy who held down the fort while she was away! Now I'm ready for our girls weekend!

Dynamic Duo!

Tomorrow is a big day for ALL of us! Jarad will start his first day working for his Dad! Mr. Nanny is in need of some more help at his company. He needs someone who can be trained quickly, who is familiar with the business, and on and on! While we were in Florida, he mentioned that he would love if he could get Jarad to come on board. He knows that Jarad loves what he is doing so wasn't sure if it would even be an option. Fast forward.....he starts tomorrow! Mr. Nanny is looking forward to working with his son.

As a mother, I am so happy to see everything falling into place. I didn't think our family could get any closer but our bond is so strong right now. We daily talk among ourselves, maybe not to each and every family member but our conversations get passed around so we do know what each and every one of us is doing and feeling! I see and feel God working in our lives. We know how blessed we are and don't take one minute for granted! I love how excited Jarad is to work with his Dad. I love how excited Ashley is for her husband to be happy! I love how supportive she is! I love how excited Chrissy & Brian are for Jarad! I love that there is absolutely no jealousy between my children and their spouses!

So.........I'm praying that this will be a win win situation for Mr. Nanny & Jarad and they will continue to grow in their relationship like we have witnessed in the last 2 years!

I also have to share the thing that I'm most thankful for and that makes me very proud........that Chrissy, Jarad, Brian, & Ashley are so supportive and so not jealous of all the time Mr. Nanny & I spend helping those other people (Scot, Steph, Drew, & Levi) that WE LOVE so much! Those crazy kids even offer to help when they see a need that needs to be met! We ALL consider those "other people" our family and enjoy when they are in the middle of our chaos, too!

So tonight when I go to bed, I will be praising God for working so hard in our family! Once again......I'm so blessed.

Easter at Nanny & Mr. Nanny's House!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We decided to do something a little different this year. We got together today to have an Easter Egg Hunt for our little ones! Mr. Nanny and I filled eggs with candy & money. Mr. Nanny hid them ever so well. Even though the kids enjoyed hunting eggs, they were soon forgotten for the waterfall. Chrissy, Ashley, Steph, & I discussed today how these kids never tire of playing in the smaller waterfall. They will play for hours and never get bored. We all sat outside and watched them play and enjoyed the sun! Jarad had won Easter dinner from Honeybake Ham so along with the ham, green bean casserole, cornbread dressing and carrot cake I made hash brown casserole, macaroni salad, broccoli & cauliflower salad, and wheat rolls with honey butter. Chrissy brought along a family favorite, mandarin orange jello salad! The food was great and the time spent together was even better!
This is last years picture of the smaller waterfall. They love to wade in the little stream that flows into the bigger waterfall/pond! Cohen looks like a baby!