Our Life

Sweating it Out

2011-07-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

So on the news this morning it said the temperature was going to be 98 with a heat index of 107 degrees and to stay indoors if you can. Don't forget on the east coast the humidity is like wearing a coat and hat and gloves and a scarve on top of that 107 degrees. I just have to say that although we keep our air conditioning at 78 degrees it's like a refrigerator compared to walking outside. I just can't help but think about the people who don't have air conditioning at all and am continually grateful for this crazy luck I have. When I was in Nigeria 5 years ago there was no such thing as central air, you were lucky if you had a generator to let the fans blow over you at least to dry the sweat for a minute! It was crazy! There has to be more to us living here don't you think? To us having all these beautiful homes and delicious foods and spacious air conditioned vehicles. We must have them for some reason right? Or is it just crazy luck? And what do we do with it? I must think of something! Stay cool fellow east coasters!

Swimming Woes

2011-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time I was a fish in the water. And then I had a baby, and then another and another and yet another. And my swimming days were over as I knew it. No more jacknifing, diving, somersaulting, back stroking etc... through the water. I was then confined to sitting on the edge splashing with the babies or gently floating them through the water. It was good and fun and they all love the water because of it but my swimming skills took a serious nose dive! Now that my youngest is five and they can all swim like fish I have taken up swimming once again and I admit I was nervous the first few times I had to "breathe" under water. But it feels great to be back under and to be able to race and tease the kids while they perfect their skills! The muscles are a little rusty and have been sore but the rewards outweigh the pain! Lots of firsts this year, new job, new vacation spots, newly found freedom soon to come as they all go to school full time. I'm enjoying them growing! So gurgle, gurgle...off to the pool we go!

Brownies and Bread

2011-02-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

That's what I'm challenging today. After many long minutes looking at recipes for gluten free brownies and bread I chose one and set off! Leiah helped and about 45 minutes later we had some pretty chocolatey, pretty decent brownies. Everbody ate them and I even got the go ahead from Ada-my pickiest of the bunch! The bread is currently rising and is about to go into the oven!

So we are into the third week of gluten free cooking and many challenges have risen. I have to buy a new toaster for one. Didn't think about that-but I've totally been contaminating her pancakes in the morning. We attempted eating out at McDonald's but when we asked for a gluten free menu, they looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. So we stuck with a salad...again.

I'm looking into buying a grain grinder so we can grind rice. It's crazy expensive to buy it already ground into flour. A good grinder is an investment so I'm searching for the best one. Leiah asked me today when her tummy was going to be better so she could eat chicken nuggets. So that prompted me to come home and look for a nugget recipe which I'm about to try.

I've never been much of a cook. It's crazy how quickly you can change when somebody you love needs you. Oh and Obeta's lost 3 pounds, I'd like to think it was all my doing but he's been working at it too.

Sledding

2011-02-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

This is Dexter our new baby! And one of the kids many snow days! Today happens to be yet another ice/snow day. It's been fun having days off during the week to play!

Gluten Free Here we Come...

2011-01-24T11:49:00.000-08:00

So Leiah has been diagnosed with Celiacs Disease which sounds really scary but really just means she can't process anything with the wheat protein in it. So 3 days ago we started her on a gluten free diet. So far, so good. It only takes me about 10 minutes to mix the 7 different products together to form a gluten free flour and then I can proceed with whatever it is I'm baking. We made choco chip scones, pancakes, pigs in a blanket and today I'm making bread. I'm finding the diet is actually much healthier than we've ever ate before if not a bit more expensive and time consuming.

We found out in November and since then I've decided to make the entire household gluten free and try to eat from scratch at the same time. We went out for lunch today and she liked her seasoned chicken and veggies. She asked for the yummy bread they always serve at Longhorn, but took our answer that it would not be good for her tummy like a champ! I told her I would make her whatever kind of bread she wanted and she chose cinnamon sugar with chocolate chips of course.

It's going to be a process I've decided, we'll deal with each day as it comes. For the most part it involves me being a diligent label reader and an expert baker and my family being the guinea pigs! It's a challenge.

FYI-For all my family on the Campbell side Celiacs is genetic and it came through me unfortunately. Now whether it runs through the Campbell's or McCombs side I'm not sure. But if you have stomach problems, diarrhea, stomach pain etc. you can bring it up with your doc and get a simple blood test to diagnose.

That's the newest...I'll keep in touch!

Tran's Visit to NJ

2010-04-27T07:48:00.001-07:00

We had sooo much fun with Jess and Hal and Tyson! Thanks for the visit-hopefully we can make it up to you and come to Belgium next!!

House Pics

2010-04-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Here you go Melissa...especially for you!

Kitch

From the front(obviously)

Back Yard

Dining Room/Hot tub/Deck

Entryway to the Left/Kitchen/Living room on the Right

Graduation 2010

2010-01-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

No laughing at my pretty hat ok?! This was the big day-wish you were all here to celebrate with me! Thanks for all your love and support! Time to Play!!!

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

The long awaited cold white stuff has arrived at long last!! The kids are so relieved that their Christmas will have snow!! It's so beautiful outside I love it! Time for Little Women and some hot cocoa! Besides a few sick kids this week (Kaobe and Ada) and some studying it has been very relaxing and uneventful. It feels wonderful to not have to be rushing somewhere every second! I am so grateful for down time and for the chance to breathe after such a busy year!

The kids are all doing great besides the above mentioned sickies! I can't wait to spend some quality time with them the next few weeks not to mention sleep'in in! Yeehaw for Christmas Break!

Summertime

2009-06-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

Oh summertime where oh where art thou? That's my best at Shakespearean! I want some sunshine and heat-anybody else? I'm ready to pack up all my pants and jackets! So much for global warming huh?

The "Almost" Flower Girl

2009-05-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Leiah was asked to be the flower girl in Auntie Yemi's wedding a few weekends ago. We got there and got her dressed and was trying to get her excited about walking down the aisle-but she wouldn't hear of it! She kept running all around and giggling and I just couldn't let her ruin the big day so we pulled her out of the line at the last minute! She was the first "Almost Flower girl" of the family!

Leiah Turns Three!!

2009-05-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Leiah turns three! Where did my baby go? A spunky little toddler has replaced her! Leiah you are the sunshine in my life right now~you are the silliest~most loving little girl! I wish you the very best year ever!

Love Day

2009-05-03T17:43:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Valentine's Day with heart shaped pink pancakes and red jello with whip cream! Just a shout out to the love of my life....love you babe!!

Indy's First Tooth!

2009-05-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Miss Indy lost her first tooth this year! She was so excited to go to school and tell Mrs. Kelk all about it!! Little did we know that two weeks later she would lose the one right next to it!

May Already??

2009-05-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already May. Where did this year go? I feel like I'm just poking my head up from Nursing School hell and catching a breath of almost fresh air(not done yet!) Wow what a whirlwind of a year so far. So let's see...what have I been up to? Kids, school, kids, school, kids, school......etc, etc, etc. So now that you are all caught up on my spectacular life what is in store for us the next few months? Sleepin in, vacation to grandma and gramps, hiking, driving cross country twice, moving, swimmin, and all lazy things possible! I'm liking the looks of this! So I'm back now, lost a little piece of sanity but I'm back all the same!

Ada's Squeeze

2009-02-26T12:03:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I picked Ada up from Girl Scouts and she told me she has a secret that is just between her and her friend. A few minutes went by and she said "Mom, but sometimes my mouth just squeezes it out!"

Silly Ada~

Oh Leiah

2009-02-10T11:16:00.001-08:00

I dropped Indy off at school today and I asked Leiah if she wanted to come with me to get some bananas at the farmers market. (as if she had a choice) And she very lovingly replied- Oh, I can't - sorry mom! Oh Little Leiah

Naptime sweet Naptime

2009-02-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

Everyday at 1 is my naptime. Or so Leiah thinks. She tucks me into my bed and kisses me on the cheek and then snuggles in next to me. Then I wait 5 minutes until she is out and I sneek out as quietly as a mouse! Oh Sweet Naptime! Usually I use this precious time to clean or study or cook but today I am rebelling! I am using it to check my email, make cupcakes(okay I'm cooking-but it has fringe benefits!), read(not a school book), and catch up with a friend. I love rebelling!!

Grandma's Visit

2009-01-15T06:21:00.000-08:00

Putting Grandma in jail!

Liberty Bell, PA

Philly, PA

Our Little Italy loot!

We had an awesome visit with grandma. We were so excited to spend time with her and play and have fun! Thanks for coming grandma! We Love You!

Starting Again

2009-01-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

Well it's already that time again. School starts next week with a vengeance. Two tests back to back to remind us of all the things we should know. I've enjoyed my break, read a great book(A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), watched lots of movies, slept, and played with my babies. I guess I can't ask for more than that. I have mixed emotions-but mostly I'm ready to get going and finish this journey off. I also can't wait to drive home in the summer and spend time with my family. So here's to another crazy four months. Wish me luck!

Here Comes Santa!

2008-12-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas O8 funnest memories:

Kaobe & Ada MP3 players

Grandma Lola's visit

Eating gooey buns

Leiah and her Dora chair

Playing Monopoly

Watching Elf and Annie

Having the Mercado's over

Indrya and her Polly's

Daddy and his cologne

and of course the dart guns!

Sugar Cookie Bliss

2008-12-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

Santa's Cookies

Mommy and Ada

Ada, Indy and Kaobe making a mess! We had a good time making cookies and eating cookie dough!

Indy's Birthday

2008-12-29T15:53:00.000-08:00

Indy turned five on December 11th-this is the cutting of the cake video-taken by Kaobe!

10 Things I Love about Indrya Ezinne Morayo Osolu

1.She comes and gives me kisses at such odd times and wherever she can reach-on my arm or back or neck or hair! Very cute!

2.She switches moods in a hearbeat! She will be crying and then laughing two seconds later! And vice versa.

3.She is my most active child-always jumping up and down and looking for someone to run with.

4.She is a big big tease! She's always playing jokes on us.

5.She loves monkeys!

6.Her favorite thing in the world is chocolate chocolate chocolate-that's my girl!

7.She is very snuggly!

8.She loves to learn and play games-for Christmas she asked santa for games!

9.She loves to play with her friends-especially her sisters!

10.She prays every night and blesses Jesus.

Thank You

2008-11-25T09:02:00.000-08:00

I love it when I get to say thank you-and although every other day of the year is just as important-Thanksgiving makes me feel more grateful than ever. So here goes:

THANK YOU to my special man who brings me soup when I'm sick and listens to me whine and complain and loves me anyway!
THANK YOU to my beautiful children who give me kisses ten times a day and who always know when I need a hug or a reality check!
THANK YOU to my fantastic family who calls me and emails me and makes me smile and laugh.
THANK YOU to my amazing parents who are the hardest workers I know, who taught me who I am, to be strong, to never give up, to love and give every time you can.
THANK YOU to god who gives us our hearts and our brains to be able to figure life out as it comes. For the food I eat and the shelter I have, the beautiful 98 van I drive even though it smells! For all the beautiful things in life like the ocean, the leaves, the clouds and especially the flowers. For the compassion I feel for others who can't help themselves. For the hopes and dreams I have of making our world a better, safer place.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Halloween Parade 08

2008-11-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Halloween Parade was a hit this year-the kids had fun showing off for all the parents! Stay tuned for more Halloween pics...coming soon...once I find where the Big O hid them!!!

Apples Apples Apples

2008-11-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Our yearly visit to Melick's Apple Farm was a hit yet again! We had a great time-tried six different kinds of apples and of course ate way to many fresh cinnamon donuts. The kids had a fantastic time!

Fall 2008

2008-11-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

I Love this time of year! I love wearing sweaters and drinking hot chocolate with peppermint! I love snuggling under the blanket Jess sent me and watching my kids play or watching James Bond with Kaobe! I'll be sad when the leaves all fall off the trees-but I guess that is what makes it so special-that it only comes around once a year!

Yemi's Wedding

2008-11-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

Indy looking pretty!
Sola, Tata, Kaobe, Bunmi

Amanda, Lola, Nadeen

Nike, Indy, Leiah, Ashley, Ada, Ayo

We had a great time at Yemi's traditional wedding ceremony. The kids loved playing with their cousins and eating all the food! It was our first experience at a Nigerian wedding and I think we all had a grand time!

Birthday Girl

2008-11-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

How many ways do I love thee? My beautiful 7 year old daughter on her special day! Ada is a bright spot in my life. She is the most intuitive, loving, talented, emotional, happy, gracious, and sometimes challenging thing in my life. She is our butterfly catching, lady bug trapping princess. She loves to dance and sing with the karaoke machine. She loves to play the piano and play Monopoly with Kaobe-they had a 3 hour game a few weeks back. We have big dreams and lots of hopes for this special girl. She's the best oh, and she had a wonderful Birthday!!

Ada's Butterfly

2008-11-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

Leave it to Ada-she'll catch anything-anytime of day-anytime of the year-EXCEPT BIG BLACK SPIDERS!! This one stayed on her hand for a long time before she lovingly put on a bush outside!!

September

2008-09-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

It's already over I can't believe it! Started off with a big bang and is ending much softer thank goodness! The kids are all neck deep in school and so am I. They are off today and tomorrow for Rosh Hashanah-we did B&N and the park today. Probably hit up the mall and halloween stuff tomorrow. I've been in a vegetative state most of the day-coming down off of my high from getting my test results back. Anyway it's dinner time and the kids are all outside playing-except for Leiah who is sleeping and will now not go to bed until 12:00! We are good-I'm trying to control my anxiety and crazy schedule. Getting older is not always as fun as it looks! I'll post some pics from the Nigerian wedding we went to last weekend. It was pretty cool-definitely not your typical wedding! Later

Central Park, NY

2008-08-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Climbing the boulders

Kaobe doing the hula-on his own I didn't pay him!

Chillin at the famous fountain

On the train into the city.

We are planning on moving down south next year so we are taking advantage of the big city and all of the fun things there are to do here. We hit up Central Park on Wednesday. We took the train to Penn Station and the subway to the park-the kids loved the subway! The park is amazing and huge! We were there all day and only saw 1/4 of it. We saw a hot air balloon, lots of musicians, the zoo, we climbed the boulders and played at the water park. We counted on the map and it said there are 21 individual playgrounds. Kaobe was disappointed that we only hit up 3 of the 21-next time!!

Lancaster PA

2008-08-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

The Amish are amazing, we learned about their ways and had a first hand look at their lives. We learned a lot and had fun !

Chillin' by the pool-unfortunately still can't swim!

Dad and girls at the Amish farm.

We went to Lancaster, PA for a mini vacation and had a grand time. We took the bikes, swam and visited the Amish community. They live such a simple life that I was actually envious! We spent some quality time with the kids and came home feeling refreshed!

Chillin' with Uncle Blake

2008-08-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Statue of Liberty

Point Pleasant, NJ

The best shot I could get!

South Seaport, NY

So we had an awesome visit with Blake in May. We showed him the sights hoping to lure him out east! Blake is an amazing person-we had such a great time with him. Fav memories are hanging at the beach, The Bodies Exhibition, South Seaport, Times Square and the 3 o'clock train (yeah baby!), Kaobe breaking his colllarbone, Statue of Liberty and just getting to hang! Thanks for coming Blake and remember next year were skydiving!!!!!

Summer Summer Summer!!

2008-07-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here! Hooray! It all started with a bang with Kaobe breaking his collarbone playing football a week before school let out! He's in the final stages of healing now, but still no team sports or rough play. SO all sports camps were canceled and the board games brought out! He's a trooper-he's been reading everything he can get his hands on! We found a great new website he can sell his books too and buy used ones. We've also begun piano lessons a few times a week-so he's busy learning some tunes!

The girls have been spending lots of time playing clay, polly pockets, playing with "babies" (stuffed animals), going to book clubs, playing with the neighbor girls, dressing up, learning the piano, and having weekly classes with mom. The big summer challenges are to get Indy to ride a bike w/o training wheels and getting Leiah potty trained. Wish us luck on that one! Ada is reading chapter books now and is a pen pal with her teacher. She loves to stay busy and help me out. She is looking forward to girl scouts in the fall and swim lessons.

It's been a busy summer and we are only three weeks in. We visited Lancaster, PA last week and did some biking and swimming and visited some of the Amish attractions. We had an amazing time, the kids were enthralled with Amish people and their ways. They could tell an Amish house by the clothes hanging outside on a line and by seeing their buggies parked outside. We have gained a lot of respect for the people and their simple ways. We have a lot to learn from them.

Tata was home last week and we spent a lot of time doing things we love to do ie: sleeping in and staying up late!! He got to bike a lot and just veg for a change. Of course he is in shock this week-he left for Florida Monday and has been up everyday by 6! Needless to say-back to life. He's been traveling quite a bit to get ready for the fall and the time he'll have to be around to watch the kids while I'm at school. We are a year and a half into PEAL and it is still going strong. Look for the new and improved product and website in a few months. We are learning some tricks to the trade finally.

I can't believe how unbelievably busy I am with all four of my kids home. It has been a challenge-but I'm finally getting us on a schedule that includes quite time for me everyday!! I have lots of things to get done this summer including X-mas shopping and making a few blankets for the girls. Unfortunately I still have to study for school-we have a test on all of the skills we've learned two weeks into fall semester. I've been staying in touch with my schoolmates-that helps! I'm very ready for a weekend break with my sisters and mom in a few weeks-it's gonna be great!!

So that's Osolu's in a nutshell-signing off for now!

Spring Fever

2008-04-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Every spring I feel reborn. The sun and the warmth and the freshness. Yesterday Ada noticed how good it smelled outside-so I know the kids are feeling it too. I would love to live somewhere warmer but then I think we learn a few things during winter. We are forced to be inside conversing with each other, spending time together and learning to be in the same space. Then in the spring we are all let free with the warming and we all go seperate ways until it cools down again and we are forced back indoors. So as much as I love spring I think I've learned that I just have to get enough of it to last me until the next one. I think it makes me appreciate it that much more.

We had a great winter-a busy winter, but a fulfilling one. I can't wait to start running in the mornings again and playing tennis with the kids and going to the shore during vacation. We've had the healthiest winter ever. We all got a cold once at different intervals and that's about it. What a difference from last year.

I read a great book last night by Elizabeth Aston called The Second Mrs. Darcy. She writes like Jane Austin and does a spinoff from her books but adds new characters. If you get a chance she's got four that are all great!

Kaobe came home yesterday and said I have three good news and one bad one. Of course I prepared myself and said okay give it to me. He said, #1 Our class is going to do the play Johny Appleseed for the whole school. #2 I got the part of Johny Appleseed. #3 Then my teacher gave it to another kid named Michael(the bad news). And then #4 I get to be Johny's brother who is the second important person! He's so funny-so he's got about 12 or 13 short paragraphs to learn in the next two weeks-with all the time I have-wish me luck on that one and I'll send pictures of the play!

Anyway-Clar there you go I've updated-I'll try not to wait so long next time!! Love to all-me

Nursing

2008-02-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

I've finally entered Nursing school after years of hard work and determination, late nights studying after the kids have slept, and a lot of tears and frustration over one of the hardest decisions in my life. I've not always wanted to be a nurse, I think if given financial freedom I would be a freelance artist or a journalist or a gym teacher or an international something. So, Why Nursing? Well, I just can't seem to get away from it. I've had a lot of jobs(as my family knows!)and medical jobs just seem to come naturally for me. Plus I'm fascinated beyond words about the human body. If there is one thing I will ask God when I die is how did he dream up the body? Every single little detail is a miracle. I feel blessed to know my life's calling early on. There is something about helping someone when they are ill or down that you will never get from anywhere else. It fulfills a lot of things for me.

So, as I begin my Nursing journey and millions of bed pans are awaiting me, I'll just keep reminding myself that this is what God intended for me and this is where I belong.

Staying Home

2008-01-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

I feel pretty grateful for my life today. I've been doing my orientation for school the past two days and have been talking to lots of different people in all stages of life. The one person I have not come across is someone like me, someone who is blessed and lucky to stay home with her kids and raise them herself. Staying home is a very rare commodity in New Jersey. Usually it is reserved for the rich suburban wife who is thirty five or over and has one child. In school I have met a single mother of five, a mother with an 8 year old and a 10 month old, and a mother with a 10 and 8 year old, a mother with four children, and another mother with two children. Seems a lot like me except they all have to work full time. I feel a little like a spoiled brat when I admit I stay home with two kids and I haven't worked outside the home in a long time. These ladies are all great ladies who have just made different choices or haven't been able to make their own choices.

I am so in love with my husband today for allowing me to stay home and understanding why it is vital for our children that I am around for them. He has been so considerate to allow me to fulfill this dream and I am so very grateful. I will not take this privelege for granted because it is definitely something that millions of mothers dream of and can't have. I hope my children know I love them and feel how blessed they are that I get to be there for them daily.

A New Year

2008-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Welll, the holidays are over and the new year has been rung in! There is something exciting about the new year, even though it is just another day that makes me feel a little lighter. Maybe it's letting go of the past year and making goals to make the new one even better. So I don't have any grandiose goals this year, it's just wanting to do everything I do a little better. I want to be a bit more patient with the kids, love them a little more, hold them a little longer. I want to listen to Tata a little closer and hug him a little harder. I want to study a little harder and give the patients I work with extra care. I want to communicate better with my family and really be there for them. I want to cook a little better and eat a little healthier. I want to spend a little less and save for my kids a little more. I've tried millions of times to do great things for the new year and never accomplished much-so I'll let you know how I do this year!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!! The day is done, gifts are unwrapped and strewn throughout the house, the kids are in bed and Tata and I are sitting next to each other browsing the net and sending emails to our loved ones! I hope you all had a wonderful day. We really missed each of you today.

The kids opened presents, had cookie cereal, played and played and played. The highlights of the day were a million games of Connect Four, Ada's ATM, Indrya cooking dinner for everyone(on her play set), Kaobe putting the whoopie cushion under Tata repeatedly! Leiah and her new baby, mom singing with her IPOD, and dad acting out a clown during charades!

A good day.

How Much Can One Hold?

2007-12-11T05:18:00.000-08:00

Today I have a big nursing test. And I'm wondering how much I can hold in? What is humanly possible? I remember all of my experiences throughout the last thirty years-that's not a small amount of information. I must be able to hold more and more-does my brain get bigger? or do the cells in my brain just expand? How can we hold so much information without exploding? I know physically I can hold quite a bit. All of my kids-two in my arms and two on my legs! I know I can hold at least 10-15 bags of groceries(depending on what is in them!) I know I can hold Tata, for a brief moment anyway. Emotionally I can hold quite a bit it, but it most definitely always comes back out! I've heard that when adrenaline pumps one can lift and hold a car off of someone. So we really are truly amazing and I guess I have no excuse but to shove a bit more information in before my test. NO excuses. To all out there who is shoving in more and more it is only making us a better, well rounded person who can make better decisions based on more knowledge. So Happy Learning to all!!

Indy's Message

2007-12-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Indy and I'm three. It's my birthday soon and Lilly and Lucy are coming to my birthday. I like to play toys with Ada and mommy and Leiah. We are going swimming and I like it. I miss you, I love you and never give up! I have a point, my point is I love my mommy and Kaobe. Bye, Indy

Ada's Message

2007-12-02T10:48:00.000-08:00

I hope you had a nice Halloween. What did you do on Halloween? I hope you send a message back to me. I miss you really much. I hope you miss me!? I wish you have a nice Christmas. I like my school and I play in school and I work hard. Eating lunch is my favorite part, I get to see my friends. And I like to do puzzles. I wished for Christmas that I could have a kids chess set, ear muffs and more books that I can read. I saw your Rascal picture and we love her! And we saw your pictures, it made me feel good and that I miss you soooo much. I'll see you later, looooooove Ada

Sundays

2007-11-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

I love Sundays. Family time. The kids took a one and a half hour bath today. They spend a lot of time together on Sundays. I love it, they really have fun with each other. It seems all they need is a little direction and they are happy go lucky for a few hours a week. We sit down with the kids each Sunday morning for a couple of hours and talk about morals and stories and things we have gone through that we want to prepare our kids for. I love this time. I feel like amidst our busy lives it is my time to connect with each of them and to pass on some of lives never ending lessons. It's freezing outside today-in the thirties. Time to be creative on energy expenditure-no more park outings or walks outside! Anyway, just grateful for my Sundays and my family!

Snowy Morning

2007-11-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

We woke up to snow falling outside our windows this morning. It's a Monday so it couldn't have hit on a more perfect morning. There is something about the first snow of the season that just makes me want to curl up with a cozy blanket and Little Women or some equally nostalgic movie or book! Unfortunately my menu for the day includes breakfast for six followed by school for two, bathing two, answering work emails, reading my school assignment, playing Curious George, preparing menu for Thanksgiving, lunch for four, P/T conferences, dinner for six..... I could go on and on. I do love my life with all the chaos and schedules and cleaning and cooking. For now it is partly what defines me as a person. I am thankful for the snow falling because it makes stop and feel grateful for the quite moment before the chaos. Thankful for the magic that holidays and seasons seem to bring to my soul, and for God's glorious hand in all of it.

Half Days

2007-11-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

Today is a half day of school, so all three of the kids are literally hovering over me as I send off this blog. Indrya is standing behind me on the chair and caressing my hair like I'm a cat. Ada is trying to read what I'm typing and Kaobe is hitting us all on the head with a rolled up piece of paper. SO-this will be short and sweet. We are all ready for Turkey day which only we are going to call it Ham day-because we are having ham! So I have a big test in about four hours and three kids begging for some undivided attention. I love Sony and Toshiba!! Shrek 3 is playing at our house in High Definition starting in about 2 minutes!! Anyway more later!

2007-11-06T05:10:00.000-08:00

Hey all, this is my first attempt at becoming a blogger but from all the bloggers in my life I hear it's unavoidable-so here goes. Guide me if I do it wrong!! This is going to be my family post. Meaning me, my husband and my four kids. But mostly it will be me doing everything-as always-I'm smiling right now! So I should be studying right now but my loving sister sent me her blog and I thought why not start mine-right now!! What perfect timing-when it comes to studying I seem to always find something else that needs to be done. So it's a beautiful rainy morning in NJ. Probably about 40 degrees out. Tata went to PA for the day and the kids have already left for school. I'm sitting here with my coffee (Yes, coffee) and thinking about what great impact I can have on the world today. Maybe just taking a shower will help!! Anyway I think I like blogging!! So for now I'm off to study, or maybe mop the floor!