New York

Last Sat-Tues. Bart and I took Carson and Quinn to New York. It was the boys first time flying and my first time to NYC! It was a great trip. A place so fun to experience but so overwhelming. Before we left I felt like we were really going to get a taste of the city because of all we were doing. However, once you get there and see just how much there is to actually see and do....wow! I feel like we barely got started. Here's some pics from our trip.

The pilots on our flight were great! When they saw us walk on with the boys, they asked if the boys wanted to come to the cockpit. They let them both sit in the pilot's seat and even let Carson push the necessary buttons for the pre-flight checklist. So cool!

The first place we went right after landing was a Ground Zero Museum. It was a small room inside a warehouse building that had over 100 pics and artifacts from Ground Zero. Each picture and/or artifact had an audio clip that you could listen to. They only let one man inside Ground Zero during the recovery efforts to take pics so these are one of a kind pics. One interesting fact, he said during the recovery, he noticed that people were just throwing away artifacts so he started saving them. One of the "neat" things was an electric clock that had the time 10:04 stuck on it. The exact time that the plane hit one of the towers. Quinn is trying to be interested, but he got a little bored. :)











Who is this with Bart? Nobody knows. :) Funny story. So, the first place we went in NY was the Ground Zero Museum. We were in a hurry to get there right after our flight arrived because we had reservations. We rushed there from the airport, parked quick, and ran in. When we came back out, our rental car was gone! Yes, we got towed. We hoofed it 25 blocks through the city to finally arrive at our destination. Upon arrival, we noticed the long line of others waiting. Bart was told he had to sit and wait 1 1/2 hrs. until he could retrieve our vehicle. So, the boys and I took a cab to FAO Swartz Toy store (fun!) and Bart made friends at the pound! :) He was frustrated obviously, but typical Bart, he had a great time making new friends.









Sunday after church, we went to a Yankees Game. Perfect weather and last season in the old stadium so it was kinda cool.









We took a ferry from NJ (we got to spend some time with Bart's cousin Doug Hart and his family who live in NJ) to the Statue of Liberty on Monday. Very cool, but a little disappointing because since 9/11, they don't let you climb to the top. We got to climb just to the top of the base.

All in all, we had a great trip and are thankful that being towed was the only problem we ran into! :)

Carson

Carson celebrated his 8th birthday last week. I can't believe I'M getting so old. :)

Here is a pic celebrating with my family. Carson is holding my brother's boy, Noah, who just turned 2. Then my sister's girls, Emilie (11) and Shelbi (14), also had birthdays. When the family is spread out, you have to celebrate everyone's when you're together. :)

Just a trip down memory lane. After Carson was born, he was in NICU for 10 days with breathing difficulties. This is the first time we could hold him (about 5 days old).

Playing outside always brings a smile. 2 yrs old

Four years old and the first day of preschool.

Carson is a great kid. I think the thing I admire most about him is that he is a great friend to others. He loves being with people. I can't wait to see where God is going to take him in life.

Woman of Prayer

Live your life in such a way that, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says..."Oh no...she's awake!!"

Be grateful

Since I'm already on, I'll share a quip from a book I'm reading right now. Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. It's a devotional for moms (obviously). :)

"There is no neutral space between ingratitude and gratitidue. We are either grateful or not. If complaining marks our motherhood, we can ignore the deeper truths God wants to teach us, missing those fleeting growth opportunities God places in our path. Often, his growth plan includes mother-in-law tension, rebellious children, tired husbands, dirty dishes, snippy checkout ladies, or muddy shoes on new carpet. It's in those moments, our gratitude quotient is tested. More than his presence in the difficulties, what we really desire is a stress-free life-full of supportive mother-in-laws, obedient children, helpful husbands, clean dishes, smiling checkout ladies, and muddy shoes outside on the doorstep. When God throws mountain-sized wrenches in our hope for a stress-free life, we tend to pout instead of praise."

I'd like to say I am always grateful, never complain, and always desire God's presence first and foremost in my daily life as a mom. Unfortunately, I get caught up in having things run "smooth" and therefore am disappointed, complain, or pout when they don't. I guess that's why this spoke to me today. A great reminder to be grateful!

Correction

Ooops! A friend pointed out that I didn't list chocolate chips in my cookie recipe. I assume most of you figured it out, but just in case, it is 1 12 oz. bag. Sorry. :)

Cookies

Carson came home from school with a Mother's Day "book". Several pages of writing that he filled in about me, his mom. It was a great gift. I loved reading what he wrote and how he finished the sentences. One of them was "I like it when my mom...." Carson finished by saying "surprises me by after I get home she has a fresh batch of cookies." :) So, what did I do this afternoon...of course, made cookies! I was thinking I would just share this recipe with you all because it is a good healthy recipe for chocolate chip cookies given to me by my mom.

After several attempts to take a good picture that would entice you all, I gave up. I have a cheap camera and I'm not a photgrapher (I won't blame it on the cookies, b/c they really are good!).

Here are some better pics for proof.

Yum, finger lickin' good!










I love em!








Oooh. So tasty.










Chomp. Cookie monster. I can't get a big enough bite.

Recipe: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1c. butter softened
1c. firmly packed brown sugar
Cream these together.
Add 2 eggs
1T. vanilla
3T. milk
Beat together then add
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
Mix. Then add
3c. oatmeal
Bake 350 for 10-12 mins.

ENJOY!

Check it Off!!

Our second and final homestudy visit was this morning and it's done! I'm sooo glad to be able to check this off the list. Whew! I know it has to go through several more people before this process is done, but it feels so good to have that paperwork and meeting behind us. Thanks to all for your prayers. I think it went really well.

What do you do all day?

Has anyone ever asked, if you're a stay-at-home mom, what do you do all day? I always have to just smile to myself. When I stop and think what I got "accomplished" sometimes it doesn't feel like much. But, here's just some quick shots that give you a glimpse into my days....

Laundry!! With a family of 6, there is always laundry to do.









Cleaning up...Cole is into my cupboards lately. He is usually emptying them out while I'm trying to fill them w/ dishes from the dishwasher. Or, making a mess while I'm trying to clean up from lunch or supper.









Kitchen duty....do you feel like you spend the majority of your days in the kitchen? Preparing, cooking, cleaning breakfast, lunch, and supper. It's never ending. But look how cute he is...isn't it worth it?









There's a song that my mother in law just shared with me about the little boy in the highchair...what will he grow up to be? I am reminded of a quote that says, glance at life and gaze at God. I love this because it reminds me to keep an eternal perspective. When I do, I remember that this precious boy, so full of energy, is God's son and I am his mommy for just a short time.

Homestudy Update

The paperwork is finished and out of my hands! This is a big accomplishment, something I can mark off my "to do" list! I took it to our Social Worker this morning and we have an appointment set up with her next Monday. The only problem is, I couldn't get my kids in for physicals until June 10th. They had to be seen b/c it's been almost a year for all of them. But, we will probably be waiting on our background check for at least a month so hopefully these two will be done at the same time. Then...the Homestudy is complete and it's on to the next phase! Collecting documents for the dossier.