Remember When............

Where have the years gone? Its funny sometimes I hear a song or find an old birthday or Valentine's card or something and it triggers not only the memory of the day but sometimes there's so much more attached to the memory, like where we were, what we did to celebrate, if I was pregnant or not (ok that one's a bit sad), who was with us or where we were living. Its fun to remeber things like that, sometimes....other times it can make me a little sad. Well the other day it was a song rather than a card that triggered my brain. We took the kids down to a cave last Saturday and on the drive we put the iPod on and listened to some music. We played random songs for a while, whatever the kids called out from the back but then we found our way to an old album of Alan Jackson's and a song called Remember When played. He wrote the song of course about his life, recalling all he had done, both the good and the bad and that it takes both to bring us to where we are now. Well it got me thinking about how far we have come in such a short time. Its hard to believe our first 'baby' is 7 1/2 and will be starting 2nd class (grade) when school starts back again, how did that happen? Ty and I celebrated 11 years married this month and again the same question comes back to me, how did that much time pass already? It still is so vivid when we met...ok maybe not the night we met but our first few dates anyway. It seems like such a short time ago that we got engaged and mom and I picked out my dress and we stuffed and addressed envelopes for the wedding, how could it have been 11 years ago? We've done a lot in these 11 years, we moved, what seemed like, very far away from our family to a city where we knew almost no one then 8 years later had made some of the best friends we could have ever made! Then we really moved far away from family and friends this time and again have made some very good friends in a relatively short amount of time. It's amazing how things work out. We went thru such a trial leaving CO but it brought us 1/2 way around the world, something we had only talked & dreamed about before! And now we've already been here over 2 years, our 3 kids are in school everyday and now have another one the way! I can only guess where we will have been lead 5 years from now, only time will tell!!!!

We're gonna have a Christmas Baby!!!

Went last week for an ultrasound and found out we have a due date of 23 December which puts me almost 16 weeks along now. That was really good to hear, since we weren't sure of dates, even though it is just an estimate, it's still nice to have some type of an idea of when to expect the new little one. It was also good to 'see' him/her moving around in there and swatting at the doctor that was pushing in on my stomach/his or her little home. We got a great view of the perfect little spine and the doctor took measurements of the abdomen, head and length but that's about it because the baby would roll over off his/her stomach. I go back in October so maybe we can see more then. Not sure if we will find out the sex yet or not. I am doing ok, still feeling pretty yuky in the afternoon/evenings but I keep trying to convince myself it is getting better. I hope it is and that I don't have to have this through the entire pregnancy. All in all though really I don't have much to complain about, we are both healthy and that is a huge blessing!!! While laying down to try to rest today I think I might have felt a little flutter, can't be certain but it made me smile none the less!!! It's such a cool feeling!!

Let's see we've had so much going on, we moved houses (and with that lost our fast internet connection and now have dial up again) and my dad and step-mom came over for a visit. They stayed about 2 weeks and we all had a really nice visit! I think we spent of the time that they were here in the car...I'm pretty sure we drove all over Ireland...or so it seemed. They got to be here for the Girls' dance recital too which was HUGE to them!! They were so excited to have their grandma and grandad here for they're big nights. The recital was a great success which is especially amazing considering the chaos of the rehearsals. Thankfully everything went smoothly and most importantly that everyone had a great time! Of course we had the greatest, cutest and most wonderful dancers in the show! Obviously!!! ;o) We don't have any video (weren't allowed) but do have some pics...but will have to upload those at the office later.

Ok....so I think that's about it for now....more later

Can't believe it's been so long....

Ok so my last post was the beginning of April and now it's almost the end of May! Guess I haven't been so good at keeping this thing updated!!! So much has happened since my last post.........let's see.....there was Easter, we had an Easter Egg hunt at our house after lunch. Shortly after Easter I had to fly home for a few days to attend my grandmother's funeral. Sad occasion but I was so pleased that I was able to go. I got to visit with my dad and step mom and got to see most of my dad's side of the family. It was only for 4 days I think but it was a nice break even though it was sad at the same time. When I got back, Ty left for a few days as well, then as soon as he got back the kids were out of school for a week! I guess that explains why I haven't posted here in a long time...we were pretty busy. And that brings me to even more excitement.....during all this scheduling nightmare, it's no wonder that I lost track of time and didn't realise that I had missed something important....one of those things that, as women, we both dread but are relieved of at the same time........have you guessed it yet.......well we have recently found out that we will be expecting a new addition to our little family! Until I get a scan though I'm not exactly sure how far along I am. By my best 'guessing' I am either just over 9 weeks or just over 13 weeks. I think the 'morning' sickness is starting to subside just a bit, so long as I don't really let myself get hungry I do pretty well. I am getting very tired midday...right when kids get home from school! We took them to dinner on Friday and told them. We weren't really sure what to expect from them. Emma was not quite 2 1/2 when I got pregnant with Dagan so she didn't really know what we were telling her, not really (especially if you think by her little memory all she probably could remember was me having a big belly since I had just had Austyn). Well they were excited, emotional and had LOADS of questions!!! They were very cute! It is going to be a lot of fun I think seeing how they are this time around. It's like starting again for us too...should be an adventure for us all!!! Well it is past bedtime for the kiddos so I better sign off for now....I'll try to post more with photos sooner this time!

Journals Journals everywhere...

I decided to make a couple (haha) journals for the ladies in my bible study group....there are 8 of us. So, over the last week I've been cutting up A4 paper to the right size and chipboard for the covers, decorating them front and back and then binding 8 journals. It took the whole 7 days but I finally got them all done and to be honest I'm quite proud of my accomplishment. I think they are all great and it was a good way to go thru some of my stash that I've had for a while now.....and cleared it out so that I can get new stuff....hee hee.

So here take a look at what all I did...









Thanks for having a look.....I'll get some pics up here or Easter soon....all for now!

Great Holiday

The kids were out this week, and next, for Easter holidays. Some friends booked a house at a holiday centre, Trabolgan, down near Cork for our two families to share. The kids entertained each other really well, it was great that they all got on so well together. The centre was fantastic, the houses were clean and all the activities and shows and such were really nice. We had a wonderful time. Even though I'm exhausted today, the break was very relaxing I think for everyone. The place was kinda like a YMCA camp that we had at home, the best way to describe it I guess. We got to see Barney, Bob the Builder and the kids got to learn ballet with Angelina Ballerina and then had a performance one night with her. Ty taught the kids (and me) how to skip rocks on the water and we tried to fly kites but just didn't work. We never made it to the minigolf or pitch n putt or playground but we did make it to the pool 3 times! We got some amazing pictures by the shore, flying kites, sunsets, and of course ballet dancing! I will try to get some up on here very soon. I think we have decided to make that our Easter Break tradition!.....for now though, I've got a mountain of laundry to do...

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you....

Happy Birthday dear Ty.....Happy Birthday to You!!!! Yesterday was, yes you guessed it..Ty's birthday. I don't think he'd mind me saying that he turned 34 and is looking better and better each day! Well actually that is a very literal statement. He is (semi)training for the annual triathlon they have here, TriAthlone. It's in July (I think). He's been doing fantastic working out, he has been going to the gym 5 days a week, with very few slips, for the last 2 months almost! He looks great and is feeling good too. We are all very proud of him and I hope he can stick with it. I don't personally see the need to jump in the River Shannon when its freezing to 'race' people you may or may not know just to jump out and ride a bike and then run! But hey whatever! ;o) Seriously, he is doing great and I'm really proud of him!

Ok, got sidetracked....back to his birthday....I dug out some of my stamping stuff and cards and paper etc for the kids to use to make Ty a birthday card from the each of them. Here is what they came up with...


and here's mine:


Ok...well that's all for now. Aaron (Ty's cousin) is coming this weekend for a short visit and I have some laundry to do so he doesn't have to sleep on a bare mattress....more later

3 Little Artists

Here are some pics from our painting class from Ty today...