Birthday Girl X 2

Dear Maggalicious,

Despite my crying, pleading, and bribing you not to get older, you went ahead and turned five years old today. I think Charlotte and you are in cahoots. The both of you keep insisting you can't stay little forever since that isn't how God made you. Hmpf. I guess all I get are photos and memories to remember these days. It goes so quickly. The funny thing is, I think you would stay little if you could just to make me happy, you are just that sweet. My heart swells with love when I think of you and how precious you are to me. You truly fit the saying "Sugar and spice, and everything nice." Watching you with your little sisters and seeing how patient you are with them, brings tears to my eyes. You will be a fantastic mommy one day! So loving and kind you are; I could learn some things from you. The overly sensitive side you have I've already mastered. When your eyes fill with tears and you say to your offender, "You hurt my feelings.", it takes me back to my own childhood, only you have the guts to speak up. Please don't loose that confidence; it's one of the many things we love about you.

Today was a great weather day and we spent it at the pool club. It was so fun to watch you as you made your candy necklace, played with the playdoh, and got your face painted. Of course your little sidekick was right beside you every step of the way. Coming home and having your birthday dinner of Chinese food (girl after my own heart!) was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

It has been my pleasure, and for sure my honor, to call you my daughter. As much as I wish you could stay little forever, I really am looking forward to what the future holds. You are such a blessed little girl and I know we will see great things from you!

Happy Birthday, Maggie! May the Lord watch over you today and always!

Love,
Mommy

Birthday Girl

Dear Charlotte Rose,

You are 3 years old today. We're going to pick up Alexa and Shannon and head to the pool club. While we're there you will remind me, over and over, how big you are getting. My pleading with you to stop growing means nothing to you. All you do is giggle and smile, saying, "Mom, I can't stop growing; God made me this way!" *sigh* Indeed He did, but did He have to move it along so fast?

It's amazing to me that you are only turning three. Sure, size wise you are right on target (maybe even a tad bit small), but that brain of your's! The questions that you ask; jokes that you get; sports that you can play; bikes and scooters that you can ride; all of it beyond your years. There have been many times another mom will turn to me and say, "How old is she, again?" with a confused look on their face, as they watch her out run, out jump, or out smart their four year old. We're used to it, but I can remember when you were just four months old having that same confused look on my face when I realized everything you understood at such a young age. My dear child, you haven't slowed down at all. Whether it's because you are our fourth child trying to keep up with your older siblings (I suspect that's a big part of it) or just naturally smart, you really keeps us on our toes.

Along with turning three comes the 3yo-whine-instead-of-talking faze I so look forward to with you children. How about we make a deal and you just skip it and move right along to the more obedient age of four? You were trying it out this past weekend and you saw that I didn't like it, so just drop. Now. Okay, sweetums? It's not a pretty momma when her face contorts into all kinds of weird ways, right? That's what happens when mommy's ears hear that and it travels to her brain making her face strange.

Tonight's dinner is your choice, as is the tradition around here on birthday's. Do you know what you picked? Chickens and cheeseburgers, and french fries, of course. A la Wendy's. I'm shocked.....not. There are very few things that you are willing to eat. They include: cereal, pancakes, pb&j or pb&fluff, Wendy's, mini pizzas, grapes, apples, bananas, and just about anything sweet. Oh, yeah, it's fun to serve you meals. My favorite part of the day is when I put your dinner plate in front of you. It makes my heart swell with pride when I hear, "Thanks mom, for this delicious dinner." Oh, wait, that isn't what I hear; usually it's, "But I don't like this dinner." And from there you will dig in your heels and refuse to even try a bite. If we look under stubborn in the dictionary, your picture is there.

It's amazing how fast the years have gone by, and equally amazing how much you have brought into my life! I am so looking forward to watching you grow in the years to come. Well, little birthday girl, it's time to head to the pool, where I am sure you will tell everyone you come into contact with that "'I'm the birthday girl!" and they will all smile and wish you a Happy Birthday. May the Lord watch over you today, and all the days of your life!

Home Safe And Sound

After arriving home at midnight Sunday night and pretty much collapsing into bed, I'm now caught up. I have to say Jeff did a GREAT job and I came home to a clean house. The kids had a blast and didn't even miss me! My prayers were answered above and beyond. He even took them to Mass by himself; how cool is he?

The weather in Florida wasn't much different than here, so where we thought we might die of heat exhaustion, it was really quite comfortable. We had a few showers, but overall it was mostly sunny and beautiful.

Here is a picture of my girls in their new (fake) crocs that dear Aunt Jenny bought them. Sarah has barely taken them off since I gave them to her. It was too funny last night after giving her a bath and putting on her pj's she ran right into the kitchen and put them back on. Earlier, I tried taking them off her for naptime and she let out quite the scream (yeah, that went over well with me)! I finally convinced her that she couldn't sleep with them and I would put them back on her just as soon as she woke up. The pic isn't the greatest since I took it with my cell.

Two Days

In a little over two days I will be loading up the van with my luggage, my children, and my tears. Jeff and the kids will take us (my friend Ashley is going with me) to the airport for our 8:30 pm departure flight. As usual, the closer it gets the more I second guess myself. I know I will miss them so much. Will they be okay without me? What if something happens while I'm gone? Jeff is a great dad, but after so many days with them I worry he will lose patience. Yes, let's remind me that He is in control, not me, so what am I worried about? My prayers will be that everything will be fine and Jeff will find it in himself to be extra patient and just have fun with them. The kids gave him a Wii for Father's Day (yes, they used most of their own money......yes, it took some persuading.), so I'm sure they will enjoy that.

For my part I will have all laundry done, fridge full, and house (somewhat) clean. I have two days to do it, plus pack my suitcase......with what, I'm not sure; nothing fits me now......and Jeff is working pretty much up until I leave. Who needs sleep?

My Father

My dad had another heart attack last night. The first one was in May, 1994. My mother found him sweating on the couch and called for an ambulance. It turns out one of his arteries was 100% blocked. They did the catherization around 2 am this morning and it went well. The doctor told him he was good for another 5-10 years. He jokes that he is ready now, but we keep telling him God doesn't want him yet.

Tomorrow I will go and see him, and we will laugh and joke like always, but through it I will remember how lucky we are to still have him. He will be 77 in October, and I completely dread the day that the phone call will end differently. One day God will want him, but I really hope it's many, many years from now.

Please say a prayer for a quick recovery for my daddy!

Fifty-Five

That is the number of pounds I have lost since having my baby in November '06. It's been a long road, with many bumps (and bruises), but I kept getting back up to continue on. I still have about ten more to go, but I'm much more confident I can do it. My friend and I went clothes shopping tonight since we leave next Wednesday for Florida and I couldn't believe I was fitting size 8. Now the tricky part is getting my mind to see myself that way; it wants to still see me the size 16 I once was.

What; how did I do it? Mostly by eating less and moving more. The treadmill has become my best friend in most recent weeks. The Pilates moves I learned eons ago were brought back into play and my Curves membership was actually used. It is amazing how much more energy I have; which was my biggest motivator. Keeping up with my children is very important to me, and being overweight made it harder on my mind and body. Being able to run around, up and down many stairs, and accomplish so much more without getting winded has been a true blessing.

I'm very happy with my results so far (and Dh is.....um...a little bit, too) and really, really hoping to try out pregnancy at my new weight. I'm a good 20 lbs under any starting weight of previous pregnancies. It will be fun to see the look on my OB's face when he sees my chart. Let's just pray I get to see that look!

Heatwave

I had a long post all about setting up the pool, being incredibly hot outside, etc. and somehow blogger ate it (Hey, look, I found it!! I'll figure this blog thing out one of these days). Blah. I'm too tired to retype everything, and quite annoyed. Suffice it to say, it's hot outside and we are enjoying the pool.

Maybe one day I'll actually find my photo thingy (yes, I'm a professional photographer, can't you tell?) and being able to share some photos of said pool.