HALLOWEEN 2013

AND FOR 2013!  HERE THEY ARE!!  Batman, US Marshal, Genie (not Jasmine) and Cowgirl Jenna!

Pumpkins

Summers Farm

Lots of fun at Summers Farm in Frederick today.  I think we've had (I've had) our fill of Fall Festivals.

Ham/Turkey Dinner :)

We met Grandpa & Grandma at our yearly ham/turkey dinner tonight  We got there early enough for a hay ride!

Ava

Ava is receiving the Sacrament of Penance tonight.   When I was taking her photo, she asked why she had to look so pretty to go talk about bad things.  

Pledge of Allegiance

JUMBOS - year14 (we think)

 Here we are!  Year 14 or so at Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch in Middletown, MD.  Beautiful morning with LOTS of people.

 Pretty Ava - happily posing for me.

 My girls.

 Checking out the old farm equipment.

 Watching Amelia ride her horse.

After our hayride and in the patch.  Pretty view.  Dave and Drew are back at the barn.

Class of '88



25 YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION!



"Mine"

Inside my bedroom closet chock full of my clothes you will find one of my greatest treasures, a tiny baby tee shirt. It is pure white with baby blue trimming around the collar. In the center there are two blue stars and the words, “mommy’s little star”. It is sized 3-6 months. It has been hanging there among my clothes since the summer of 2001. I look at it every single day.


Andrew, my son was two at the time I purchased that tee shirt. I thought it was just perfect for the son I was waiting to meet within the next few months. That fall, my second son Jacob was born and died within three days. I had so much grief, and seeing Jacob’s tee shirt hanging on a hanger instead of being worn by him was very difficult. So grief stricken, I could not anticipate the unexpected joy that was coming.

In May 2004, a healthy daughter came into my life. Amelia was born in the remote hills of Guatemala and we found each other. Two years later, another daughter blessed my life. Ava was also from Guatemala and just as Amelia’s arrival a few years earlier helped to heal my broken heart. Jacob’s death had brought me two precious girls that I needed, even more than they needed me. I learned I was pregnant in August of 2008, and this time with extra-ordinary care, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Jenna has graced my life.

That perfect tee shirt I purchased so long ago reminds me of the son I never got to know, and now because of him, I have experienced life in ways I would have never known.

FUN PICS

Jenna came downstairs tonight after her bath dressed as a rock star. 

Everyone loves to play with my phone.  This is taken by Amelia with my new phone. Thought it was neat.

 Found this one taken by Jenna.

Jenna went to her first school birthday party last Friday.  Jillian turned 5 and invited Jenna to Gaver Farm at night! 

12 years ago TODAY

DOLPHINS!

Amelia's awesome Brownie (I mean Junior) Troop spent the night at the Baltimore Aquarium last night for a private behind the scenes immersion program.  Amelia arrived and saw a dolphin show, had lasagna with a Mariachi band, saw a 4D movie about bears and trout, toured behind the scenes the vet area, rain forest and Australia areas, she even walked a catwalk above an 8ft shark tank.  She went to bed at 11:15, slept for 7hours on "kind of" carpet next to the dolphin tank where the curtain was closed.  She was a very happy girl when I picked her up this morning.

AVA IS 8!!!

Ava turned 8 today!  Where did that time go?  Ava had a good day.  I ate lunch with her at school.  She came home to find her presents and very pink, sparkly cake.  Ava's gifts included clothes, earrings, little pet shop figures, light heart pillow and some hair accessories.  She asked that her birthday dinner include hamburgers that daddy made, ceaser salad with lots of dressing, and strawberry milk. 

Just a little update on all things Ava - She is still very petite and loves to pick out the loudest, sparkiliest, brightest outfits she can put together.  She prefers to pick her own clothes out over me.  She loves Justice clothes. 

Ava is most always happy and easy, which is a far cry from her teary early years.  We even call her EASY!  Ava is very eager to please you, always asking if you are happy, if she can help you, if she did okay.  She doesn't want to hurt our feelings.  She also wants to help.  She will be the first one to get the door for Andrew.  She does very well in second grade, and is now working on her addition and subtraction facts, her spelling and reading chapter books.  She always gets great marks from her teacher.  She is very social and has several best friends (Cameron, Caitlin and Jasmyn) she is always talking about.  Amelia is still her best buddy - they are attached at the hip.  Speaking of attached- Ava still carries Doggie with her everywhere.  She is into her barbies, her littlest pet shop toys, her tv, and her "look".

She is a first year Brownie with her same troop, she sings in our church cherub choir, she also attends CCD and is working on receiving two sacraments this school year.  Ava just started her second year of cherub choir, and came out of the first rehearsal telling us "she was no longer the star - the red headed girl sang better". 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AVA !  WE LOVE YOU LOTS!