Tuesday, September 18, 2012

put me in coach...

One of my favorite memories of our recent trip to Iowa was watching Addie interact with her second cousins....whom she had never met before.  Cautious at first...she most certainly was but by the end she couldn't get enough of my cousin's 3 boys.  And watching them with her...just made my heart melt...they were so sweet..so kind..so patient..so understanding.  Even when she had to have e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. they touched.  While I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wanted...I managed to snap a few of them enjoying some time kicking a soccer ball around.  Addie didn't quite get it...but these boys...they tried to teach her...tried to show her how to play the game.  And while she wasn't their best student...even the blades of grass distracted her...she had fun!!!

Photobucket
a little kick

Photobucket
inspecting this so-called "soccer ball"

Photobucket
its not an all-out sprint unless your tongue hangs out

Photobucket
"mom, i just scored the big one!!!"

Photobucket
future david beckham

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

we will never forget

I'll never forget the day...the place...the voices...the emotions...the fear.  Those memories are etched in my mind forever...but today, 11 years later...serves as a reminder of all of the sacrifice that so many Americans made and continue to make to support this county and preserve our freedom...and that should never be forgotten.



Monday, September 10, 2012

Show & Tell...oohhh, baby!!

I'm linking up for another wonderful week with Becky over at "From Mrs. to Mama" for Show & Tell Monday...and this week we are talking all things baby...yay!!  So...I'll list the questions and share my responses....and if you haven't already - head on over and link-up and share in the fun!!


1.  Tell us your favorite baby names.
 
Girls:
Olivia
Avery
Clara
Sloane
Cora

Boys:
Landon
Jack
Cam
Carter
Peyton

Side Note:  Don't expect any of these to make the final list when it comes to the hubs and I choosing a name in the future - we couldn't be more different in what we like...so it will take quite a bit of convincing for any of these to make the cut...


2.  Show me your dream nursery.


Girls:



Boys:


3.  How many children would you like to have?  How far apart?

uumm...how to answer this?!  ok, so if you'd asked me before we actually had Addie I would have told you the number was 3...no exceptions, no questions asked.  Now...I really don't know - the hubs and I have agreed to take it one at a time and know that we'll know when were done.  No, not like Duggar style or anything like that...I'm not sure we'll even make it to 3.

4.  Tell us what you think the importance of parenting is.

Not to sound cliche...but parenting is giving your child roots...so deep that they know right from wrong, have a desire to leave this world a little better than they found it, treat others with respect and compassion, and always say "i love you."  And then giving them wings...so strong that they can build their own lives on the foundation of everything you taught them.



5.  Show us your favorite newborn photo.

Seriously...next time I'm totally doing this...I die at the cuteness of this pic:



6.  Tell us some things you promise never to do as a parent (and if you are a parent, did you stick to it).

No video games...none.  Will they play them at their friends houses?  Yep.  Will they beg me and grovel at my feet?  I'm sure.  Will I give in? No.  I won't get on my soap box about what I think video games have done to society...I could write a whole post on that...and they are here to stay... but not in my house.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

how beautiful is the day that is touched by love...

the day we laid my grampie to rest was a beautiful one...the sun was shining..not a cloud in the sky.  his service was held in davenport, iowa and he was laid to rest in the rock island national cemetary in moline, illinois...just a short trek over the mighty mississippi...i'll let the pictures tell the story. 

Photobucket
Benjamin Franklin Matthews 1921-2012

Photobucket

Photobucket
the final salute...one of the most touching memories

Photobucket
speechless

Photobucket

Photobucket
my cousin and brother

and we're back....

not that anyone knew we were gone...BUT, we spent the last half of last week in Iowa celebrating my grampie's life and enjoying all of the wonderful memories the years held.  We were wheels down on the ground in Norfolk at about midnight on Friday and woke early Saturday to take a much needed 3 day hiatus in the Outer Banks...toes in the sand and a pina colada in my hand was just what we needed.  I've got tons of pictures I can't wait to share, a few toddler travel tidbits, and hopefully a little blog sale of some of Addie's stuff planned soon!!!  Gotta love these 4 day work weeks!!!