Regained Energy

...means revamping in my house!  I am starting to feel human again and I feel like I have to recover my house from the last 2-3 months of my life.  Yikes.  It has meant a daily decluttering, organizing, and in some cases, even redecorating.  It makes me feel sooooo good and makes me feel more like myself.  I still  have a ways to go, but I'm proud of how this revamping turned out  :)  My living room has felt so dark and boring to me... so I am working to breathe some new life into it.  So, I gave my picture wall a makeover, mod-podged some scrap book paper on part of my shelf and my entire entryway mirror, and asked Matt to move my curtain rod a little bit.  I am already so much happier sitting in that room!  Now if anyone wants to donate to my new lamp fund....... ;)

o9i

Found some Fireworks!

Considering we haven't had rain in... forever... the fire ban is pretty serious business around here.  In fact, you can't even grill unless it is gas/propane (sorry all you faithful Kingsford users!).  Add to that the 100+ degrees it has been every day and we are one crispy state.  However, a small community just north of us somehow managed to get permission to still shoot off fireworks, so everyone and their mother crowded into Cumberland Furnace for a show!  We had a great fourth - swimming, eating, playing games, being with friends/family, and fireworks.  The boys were out exceptionally late but were only marginally grumpy the next day.  We are so grateful to live in this free country --- grateful for the men and women who serve and have served to make it free.  I don't know about you, but I have a hard time listening to the National Anthem and/or saying the Pledge without getting choked up (maybe pregnancy hormones have something to do with it this year too...).  We are really blessed.

Uno, dos,...

Ta-da!

We are so thrilled to announce baby #3 due January 6th!

OH&NY

We took a somewhat spontaneous trip to Ohio/New York a couple weeks ago and had a blast!  On the trip, we went to visit my 93 year old Grandfather and also got to see our 96 year old Aunt (as well as a lot of other family... just have to mention the 90 year olds :)!  The boys traveled so, so well... seriously, I ended up not having the correct adapter for my DVD player and so we were movie-less and yet they still were amazing (for, ah, over 24 hours of driving).  The boys found Grandpa's house to be magical (of course!  I always have as well!) and had fun running around.  In NY we checked out the falls, picked up some Weber's mustard and DiCamillo's Italian bread, and enjoyed lots of time with family!  Matt couldn't come with us this time, but was well taken-care of by his family in TN :)  Thanks for not letting him go hungry!

Although I don't have a good picture to relay this... it has to be noted that I also discovered my third-great grandfather while in Niagara Falls (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).  So, so excited!  We knew we were related to Joel Robinson, a well-known local, but had lost the connection between him and our Charles Robinson.  Through the historical society on the third floor of the Niagara Falls public library I was able to find the obituary newspaper article for Charles which stated his father's name... RUFUS!  I basically wanted to jump up and down and squeal with joy in the middle of the library... but kept it to an ear-to-ear grin. I also found tons of articles about Joel and some of his other children and found Rufus and his family on the 1860 census.  Ahhhhhh!

Family History rocks.  

4 Generations!

Swim, fishy, swim!

We got Mason into swim lessons again this year and he is doing so well kicking and 'scooping ice cream'!  He had a blast at lessons and talks about Jared, his instructor, all the time.  Today we went swimming and Mason proceeded to "dive" in the kiddie pool - sans floaties - and hold his breath, float, and get a little distance kicking all at the same time.  I'm impressed :)  I also found the best flotation devices - thanks to a friends' facebook post - called Puddle Jumpers.  Highly recommend!  (30-50 lbs/ Found ours on walmart.com.) With the puddle jumper on, he has the freedom to kick himself all over the pool on his own without us worrying or waiting for him to have some issue.  And let me tell you, it is PERFECT for Lincoln too -- who has not a fear in the world.  We love swimming... even more so when it doesn't cause a panic attack every 2 seconds!  :)

Bobby & Aunt Nancy

 We were sooooo excited to get a dose of these ladies - and the boys have been asking when they're going to see them again ever since!  Hopefully soon!  :)

 7 Generations in the picture!

We tried to get Lincoln in the picture too... this is what happened :)

Mother's Day

There are probably a million things I could say about motherhood... but instead I'll share this quote and a recent article that I enjoyed.  I firmly believe in the nobility and divinity of motherhood.  What a gift and awesome responsibility we have!  A friend shared this article from Ann Romney and it really reminded me of some of my own feelings!  I really enjoyed it: hope you do as well!  CLICK HERE   

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!