Week 16 (April 14th-April 20th): Ready to Read

Books and Bagels

Caroline & I spent last Saturday hanging out. Bagels for lunch and off to a little friend’s birthday party. Per our routing, she took a big ol’ Richard Scarry book into the bagel shop.

We frequent the bagel shop just enough so that the owner, Jim, knows our faces but aren’t there so much that he calls us by name. He was delivering Caroline’s bagel when he asked her what she was reading. She didn’t answer, which is not unusual for her. He continued to talk to her about her book and even asked if she would bring one of her favorite books from home to read to him.

After Jim went back behind the counter, she whispered to me, “He probably doesn’t know this but I don’t know how to read.” She was a little embarrassed when she said that to me and I told her something that I absolutely believe to be true: “Not yet, but it won’t be long now.”

Week 15 (April 7th-April 13th): Three-legged friendship

I had a lot I wanted to write about. I had a few pictures from our fun weekend trip to Southern Maryland. And then, after the Boston Marathon bombings, I really couldn’t find my words. So I thought I would procrastinate and end up writing something profound and meaningful. Instead, all I have is a beautiful picture of two great friends having the time of their lives. That’s all I got, but thankfully, it’s enough.

“Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.”
–-Dean Karnazes

Week 14: (March 31st-April 6th): Soccer!

A cold, windy day for numbers 6 & 7

Saturday was the first day of soccer for our little munchkins. It’s the first organized activity they are participating in and the first day, although cold & windy, seemed to be a success. Liam made it about half way through the 60 minute practice before wanting to quit but I think a 4:30 wake up will do that to any player. Caroline ran her little heart out and scored a breakaway goal during the last five minutes of her session. Talk about ending the day on a high! We celebrated with a stop at our favorite bagel shop!

Fresh air + lots of running = healthy appetite

Week 13 (March 24th-30th): Priceless

There is so much to say about this picture, but I will keep it short & Simple. Last Saturday, the kids and I arrived home to find a box from Granny. The box was for truck floor mats. Since I wasn’t expecting a package and the kids were getting cranky and wanting food, I left it for Jeff to take care of. He was also a little cranky because of a broken bike chain, so the box was not on the top his list of things to take care of.

After dinner, while the kids and I were vegging out to a movie, Jeff opened the box and was immediately rendered speechless. I was called to the kitchen, upon where I was just floored. I mean completely. Talk about an AMAZING SURPRISE.

This painting was done by Jeff’s step father, Captain Mike. We had no idea he was working on it. The scene is from Jeff’s reenlistment in Southern Maryland the previous March. Liam was absolutely giddy about seeing himself in a painting and Caroline just ran around hugging everyone.

We are truly blessed to have received such a priceless gift from an amazing man. Thank you, Captain Mike!

A Priceless Gift

The original picture