Declan...

My Darling Boy, Declan. I remember the day you were born. I remember holding you for the very first time. You were tiny and perfect in every way. You had beautiful long eyelashes (you still have those!) and blue eyes. You had the most precious face I had ever seen. Your Dad called you a genius that first day. He has bragged about you constantly ever since!

You have always been an empathetic person...so sensitive to the emotions of people around you. You are always willing and eager to help people who need you. You have a beautiful heart. You are a perfectionist (like your Mother!). You have a laugh that sounds like it comes from the very pit of you. I have loved watching you grow.

I remember when you asked Jesus to come and live in your heart. You prayed like it was a conversation! You said, "Jesus, would you please forgive my sin and come live in my heart? You will?! Ok. " I couldn't help but smile. Your prayers are awesome! I love listening to you talk to Jesus! When you read your Bible, I am filled with pride and joy in knowing that Jesus is with you and helping you to grow a little more like Him every day.

You are the most coordinated kid I have ever met! Riding a bike...rollerblading...these things came so easy for you, I could almost believe that you were born with those abilities! You have such a talent for sports...music (you have a great ear)...reading...I am constantly amazed by your talents! I am so proud of what you've achieved!

I prayed a long time ago that God would show me what my first child would look like. He showed me a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes and I know now that He was showing me a picture of you! God chose you to be a part of this family long before you were ever created. He knew that one day I would get pregnant and that the baby I carried would be that blonde haired, blue eyed boy of my dreams. I thank God every day for the wonder that is you!

I love you, Declan, but even more than that, I really really like you! You are a great person to hang out with and talk to. I love to hear what goes on in that head of yours!

Today you turned 8 years old. It's hard to believe that much time has passed already. At the same time, it feels like you've been here forever! Every year I find out more about you and every year I see a little more how blessed I am to be your Mom.

Happy Birthday Declan! May you grow a little taller, a little wiser, and a little closer to Jesus every day. God bless you, Sunshine!!!

Love, Mom.

Ahhhhhh....spaaaaaaa.........

My parents (who seem to have way more energy than me) took my children again this past weekend. I tell you, I am one spoiled daughter!! John took the weekend off and so we had some relaxation time. We went to a local spa, had side by side massages, I got a pedicure and John got a facial. We spent three hours there and had a fantastic time! What a great way to spend a day! I sang one of my new songs at church on Sunday and got really good feedback from it. Then my precious little ones came back home. As much as I love this time away from them to recharge my batteries, I'm always thrilled when they come home with big smiles and big hugs for me!

New look....

Some of you have already noticed the new look. This is just one of a few that I'll be trying out in the next little while. If you'll notice on the top right hand side of the screen, there's an address where you too can go and check out some cool new looks if you're so inclined. There was a lot of neat stuff on that site that you can use to spruce up your blog page. Being that music is such a huge part of my life at the moment, I thought this suited me well. We'll see if I keep it!

Tagged....

My Aunt Stace tagged me, my sister and my Mom to tell six unimportant things about ourselves so here goes nothing...

1. I am really shy. You'd never know if for how loud I am, but I get really scared talking to people I don't know and I seem to have forgotten the art of starting a conversation. Lucky for me I took a lot of drama in high school and college so I can fake my way through if I have to.

2. I'm terribly afraid of heights. I can't watch someone lean over a railing because it makes me want to throw up. Sad....really really sad...

3. My brain doesn't start working until I have a shower in the morning. You'd think my brain was mush if you tried to talk to me before I've had a shower. I love my morning shower...it clears the fog from my head. I can't go one morning without a shower. I know people who can shower every other day, I am not one of those people.

4. I don't like the sound of my own voice. I hate the way I talk, the way I sing...it just gives me a greebly feeling to listen to myself, so I don't. Other people seem to like my voice, so I'll keep singing, but it's not my favorite voice to listen to!

5. My favorite food is french fries from Wendy's dipped in a chocolate frosty. Yes, I know, it's weird.

6. I can't sleep with blankets over my feet. The rest of me is totally wrapped in blankets, but my feet will be sticking out every time. Otherwise they just get too hot and then I can't sleep.

There you go...things you probably didn't want to know about me, but now you do anyway. :p

Mark and Jay, consider yourselves tagged!!!

P.S. I love you...

My wonderful, energetic parents have taken my children. It all started when I got a call on Monday night from my Mom who promptly informed me that she wanted to whisk my little ones away for a few days. I told her I would gift wrap them for her! On Wednesday afternoon, my children were packed in her car and taken away. Today is Friday and though I miss my kids, I'm so happy I had this time away from them. John and I had our 7th wedding anniversary Wednesday night. We've eaten out every night since the kids left. We talk alot, we sleep alot! It's been great. Tonight John had to work so I did what any wife with no kids in the house would do. I went shopping, bought a great top, got some vietnamese food to go, and rented an awesome movie.

For those of you who've never seen P.S. I love you...run to the nearest video store and pick it up! There are times when you will laugh until vietnamese noodles come out your nose...there are other times when your heart will break and you'll cry while you squeeze the life out of your cat. The movie is about a young woman who's huband dies of a brain tumour. Before he dies, he writes her letters with instructions of things she must do. He ends every letter with P.S. I love you. This story is her journey through those letters. It's beautiful, heart wrenching, hilarious, and lovely. I will be buying this movie the next time I get to a store!

So if you ever find yourself alone with nothing to do...follow my lead! Go shopping, get some take out, and rent a great movie. I know I enjoyed myself!

Happy Birthdays and Anniversaries...

Today is a double great day. It's my Mom's birthday and my Parent's wedding anniversary. My Mom is one lady who has aged gracefully. Like fine wine...she just gets better every year! I think she's more beautiful now than when she was younger. I think she's wiser than she was as well. Could it be I think these things because I'm older? Yes, that could be. Every kid goes through that stage where they are convinced their parents know nothing. As you get older you realize your parents know what they're talking about and you should listen!



My parents have a wonderful marriage. I have been blessed to be able to watch them be the mushy, lovey dovey, so cute it almost makes you sick kind of couple. Yes, they really do chase each other around the house like a couple of honeymooners...my friends thought that was odd. I just thought it was normal. I was surprised to find out other married couples didn't act like my parents. It wasn't a strange event to walk in the door after school to find Mom and Dad smooching it up in the kitchen. I would always say, "ewwww! stop that!!!" but what I meant was "MORE!!! I LOVE IT!!!". It was great to have parents who truly loved each other and were never afraid to show it! They are a beautiful pair and I am one lucky daughter to have them.

So happy birthday Mom!!! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!! I hope you have a day that's even better than you could dream of cause you deserve the very best! I love you both!!!