Thursday, October 31, 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Friday, October 11, 2013

Happy 7th Birthday Madeline!






Dearest Madeline,
   I'm so excited that you turned 7 yesterday although I cannot believe it to be true.  I think I say it every year, but you truly amaze me.   You have a heart of gold and you love like no one I know.  You are the quickest to forgive and the you have to best laugh around; it is truly infectious.
  At 7 years old you are reading all the time.  Your love for books makes me smile because it reminds me so much of me.  You're talented in art (which does not remind me of me ;) and you love fashion.  You just earned "Principal's Pride" at school and we were so proud of you  because you were the first one in the first grade to be rewarded.
  You have such a strong faith in God and you are open about how much you love Jesus.  This makes my heart smile from the inside out.
  I'm so very thankful for you.  I cannot stress that enough.  You make me a better mom by being such a loving little soul.

I love you!

Love,
Mommy

*Pictures from the Top to Bottom:
1.  Maddie and Mommy at Principal's Pride 10-4-13
2.  A fun Maddie creation! 9-13
3.  Driving me around (A glimpse of things to come ;) Pennsylvania, 9-29-13
4.  Climbing a Japanese Maple Tree at Nonnie's, California, 8-19-13
5.  7th Birthday Dinner (Thanksgiving-style) at our home, Virginia, 10-10-13
6.  2nd Day of School Outfit, 9-4-13











 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Camping!!!




This happened last weekend.  The girls have been asking and asking for a camping trip and it finally came true last weekend.  Good thing it was only 20 minutes from our house.....

MJ and I accompanied Gabe and the girls to the campsite to help set up, eat dinner and then head home to sleep.  Come on....he's only 15 months and definitely needs the crib.  Plus, I need my king sized bed :)

Set up at the campsite proved to be tricky with having to make sure MJ wasn't in the fire pit, touching the BBQ or running into the road.  The girls were busy riding their bikes and tripping over hard to see tree roots.  It was....emotional.

Once set up was complete, we cooked the food and everyone ate.  I spent that meal continuously taking MJ off the picnic table.  (fun times)

Finally, I decided we should leave.  I bid them farewell and complimented Gabe on his adventurous spirit.  I told them I can't wait to see them all in the morning.

Flash-forward to 1:30am.  I fell asleep with my lamp on, reading my Nook, when suddenly 3 smiling faces approach my bed.  "Mommy, we're home."  I looked at them, confused, and asked the time.  "What are you guys doing here?" I asked, happy to see them.  "Maddie's back itched and the ground was hard, " Gabe replied.

Classic. Us.