what?

what? no pictures?
what? you've been where? doing what?

do not be dismayed, i am ALMOST back:)

between personal computer problems and a bum home wireless modem, let's just say i have been far removed from the world wide web.

tonite i post from joey's computer. so, no pics to share. BUT, coming in a day or so will be the blog update/catch-up.

while gone from blog world, where have we been you ask?

finishing school and beginning our summer fun.

playing at the park, having picnics, a graduation, the zoo, running thru sprinkler sprays, raising chickens and trying to prevent their death by our 2 german shepherds, playing in and out doors, grilling, throwing and attending parties, creeking, gardening, weeding, mowing, cleaning, and on and on...

seriously though, i hope to have my computer up and running asap. it feels weird after a year to be, uuummmm.... DISCONNECTED

Jade

announcing my FIRST niece... Jade! after 4 nephews and 2 boys of my own- i was due a girl. as was my sweet Briley who has waited patiently for a baby girl to mother hen. briley will never forget the day b/c she was treated pretty much like the big sis instead of the big cousin. she waited in the hall -right outside aunt dana's door with the grandparents (nonni and poppi). she and nonni danced a jig in the halls when they heard "it's a girl", she was one of the 1st to hold the baby, she "helped" in the measuring, and she came with uncle rich to announce the birth. she was so involved and i was so pumped for her. now she can't wait to stay over at her aunt dana's and help!

i wish i could post a pic of the proud parents but all i have are the baby was nursing pics and pics of us "vultures" that took over trying to get a hold and peek in:) by the way- she looks just like her very proud daddy!

we love you baby jade! dana and rich- y'all did good!

welcome daddy, loving mommy

oh how excited we were to welcome daddy home from Nicaragua on Saturday nite! he, along with 2 of my bro-in-laws, my very own father, and lots of my guy buddies went door to door sharing the love of Jesus and did construction work in 105 degree weather. their stories are amazing. check joey's blog for details and pics... yippeeee! daady's back!

Sunday was for loving mommy! i have a cry story related to my "carved serving tray" seen in the pic below. it was my mother's day gift from my 2 big kids. how, you ask, was i ever able to be the recipient of such an amazing treasure?

the short version is... all 3 kids and I are at our friendly neighborhood Publix on Saturday doing our weekly grocery trip (tidbit- i really try not to take all 3 kids but with summer coming up i'm sure it will be a group adventure- now back to story...).

we are on the baking aisle when Briley franctically asks, "when is mother's day?".
"tomorrow", i reply.
"oh mommy, you go down there- we want to pick out a present for you!" , Briley says.
"ok, i'll wait down at the end of the aisle", i say and off the Bear and i go.

i take a couple sneak peaks. there is big debating going on b/t the 2 big kids. i am imagining those cake decorating/icing thingys. you know, like the letters you stick on or the flowers or...

they come bounding back to the buggy hiding the treasure behind their backs then under the bread in the buggy.
as we finish shopping, i hear how it is only $3.99 and it is carved. "oooooh", i say, "but keep it a surprise!"

at checkout, once again i turn around so i can not see, and hear Briley telling the checkout guy "it's for my mom for mother's day. it's a surprise! oh, no sticker on it?! that's ok, it's $3.99 - just type that in."

brown paper bag and big smiles later we head to the car.

Sunday morning i am greeted with a gift bag full of purple tool and i pull out this "carved serving tray". i tear a little as i remember them searching for the perfect gift at no ther than Publix. how sweet my babies are to me. i also received the most precious card from Briley (another tear jerker). oh, and i had yummy muffins made for me.

to make it even better, we had lunch at J. Alex. Yum! Then, we went to sweet Mrs Connie's house for dinner and fun!

it really was one of my fave mother's days. i have had 8 so far. my very 1st one was super spectacular too. well, i can't lie- they've all been wonderful. i am very blessed.....


my proud kiddos and my present the "carved serving tray". don't mind Briley's gloves or my half closed eyes:)




my beautiful mom and me!

the moms at Mrs Connie's Mother's Day celebration.
back row (dana- due any day with her 1st baby, tiff, and me)
front row (nonni- dana's mom and the mother-in-law to tiff and me, mrs connie- tiff's mom, and mimi- my mom)


and there you have it welcome daddy, loving mommy

p.s. the white dress and also the brown dress i have on in the mother's day pics are both from Nicaragua. and so is Briley's pink dress. daddy always does so well picking out perfect treasures for us!

beachy...

i can't go to the beach without getting "beachy" pictures!




here Tiff and I are with the crew...

my best pic with kids... don't mind the strand of hair accross my face... it never fails you get the kids to "cheese" and you are messed up! oh well!

barron wasn't "feeling" picture time. seriously, there was some spanking going on. we did finally manage to get a few good ones but never the perfect one...

i love my beautiful Briley. she is growing up so fast...

handsome Braxton... got to love the beachy blonde hair!

while daddy is away...

while daddy is away...
we play and play!




making a run toward the beach...




digging in the sand...



jumping the waves...




hanging with our cousin Colby...

we were so excited our Mimi and her friend joined us. they did lots and lots of shopping but we did manage to build sandcastles, jump waves, and play with Mimi!

mommy loves her surfer dude Braxton...





Barron loved the waves, wa-wa, boats, and snack times...


5 kiddos say goodbye for now beach!

while daddy served the Lord in Nicaragua we were beach bums with our cousins Cy and Colby (whose daddy was gone too!). after a rainy start to the week the weather turned fabulous! we swam to our hearts content and managed to get sand everywhere. it was wonderful to get away while daddy was gone! the kiddos did awesome! don't be fooled though- with 5 munchkins adult intervention was needed several times:)

it was a blast but we sure miss our daddy! yeah that his plane lands in just a few hours!