Reason #1 While I love the Spring

Blowing Bubbles with Layla!!!!

"Mommy, it says I can have this."

This is just one example of how I love the way Layla speaks and how her mind works. While watching me eat my lunch she discovers a bag of croutons. Picks it up, studies the back and says, "Mommy, it says I can have this." Spoken from a true blue severe peanut allergy kid! There are so many times when I feel terrible that she cant have certain foods. This is getting more difficult as she gets older and is more able to understand that other children can have foods that she cant. Sometimes it truly breaks my heart. Yet, then there are the times when there are yummy foods she can have and once we've checked and have given the okay, she is deliriously excited! So it is almost as if the not being able to eat certain things makes the things she can eat, that much better! (Does that make sense?)

The poor bit is out of sorts today as she was up most the night with asthma issues. Darn, we were doing so good. She is still struggling this afternoon and I am contemplating a dose of prednisone when we get home. Thinking it might be a good idea so that she can get at least a few hours of sleep tonight. Thankfully, she hasn't given me a struggle with the inhalers. Hoping to get it under control and get her back on her feet!

This was her sleeping on me last night during the Bruin's game. She had woken up with a night terror and I carried her down so I could watch the last period of the game. I don't know how she was sleeping with Billy screaming profanities at the television. He is a die hard fan and I have to allow him this "guy" time to scream his comments, however, I think there were some words in there that I have never heard before! Then of course with the Bruin's scoring in overtime, I screamed and woke the ravioli up. Poor kid. She didn't know what hit her.

Mr. Cam is also not himself today and I am almost sure it is his teeth. He's been fussy and clingy. Once I gave him some Tylenol, he seemed to settle down a bit. He is drooling and biting his hands (and mine!). He is sleeping soundly now. Looking so very sweet curled up in the pack n' play. Needless to say, he still manages to be his Happy Go Lucky self when he is eating and lately, I have had to strip him down before feeding him. He makes SUCH A MESS! LOL Food goes flying everywhere during his feedings! He is such a BOY! (A very cute one at that!)

Hannah Banana is the same ol' Hannah Banana. Full of fun and surprises and constantly giving me stress in the mornings when getting dressed! The child is me when I was thirteen. Yet she is only SIX ... and a half (I hate that half part!) I swear, every day she tries to put these outfits together that don't match in the least bit and that usually don't even make sense! LOL For the most part, I roll with it, but sometimes.. the stress gets to me. I am getting this back 10 fold as my parents always warned me I would. So here is my public apology... I'M SOOOO SORRY MOM for the way I used to try and dress. I GET IT now. I SOOOO GET IT! LOL We have been working on Hannah's math skills and trying to teach her to not use her fingers to count. The other day while we were practicing, I saw her turn from me a few times and I kept telling her not to use her fingers. Finally she turned to me and said, "Mom.. I'm not using my fingers! I'm using my toes!" (Always a step ahead of the game she is that spitfire!) "You didn't say anything about me not being able to use my toes!" Right she was.

Lately, I have been noticing the three of them bonding a lot. Granted there are times when I have to break up the screaming fights, but I feel as though now that Cameron is getting bigger there is more of a bond between the three of them. He wants to be with them at all times and the girls treat him like a little baby doll. Always watching out for him. Making sure he wont get hurt. Hannah and Layla too, are bonding much more. Layla is constantly making Hannah laugh with her silliness. I LOVE to watch this! It's always those deep down belly laughs... warms my heart. I also see them cuddling in bed at night and THAT just melts me! I don't care what anyone says. I love the fact that they share a room. They will remember all the memories that came along with sharing a room, well into their thirties at least. I am fortunate enough to remember all the great memories with Julie and I when we shared a room. I even remember my mother saying, "I'm losing my patience!" when we would giggle too much at night. Which would send us more into a roaring fit because then we would tease.. "Yes, Mom.. we see your patients walking right down the hallway." Memories... oh how I love memories! :)

I took this picture the other morning. Neither one of them even knew I took it but I couldn't even handle the sweetness of this moment!

Spring has Sprung!

The weather has been so absolutely tremendous this week! How could you not be in a good mood? The trees are blooming. The flowers are sprouting. Our tulips are flaunting their beautiful colors. Spring is here and I couldn't be more thrilled! Easter day was magnificent! We had a lovely day visiting friends and family and it was quite relaxing. The kids got a huge kick out of the "Bunny Tracks" left all over the house by Mr. Easter Bunny. (Thanks to the help of some baby powder and fingerprints!) Layla is still talking about how there are tracks all over the place!

My Hannah banana lost ANOTHER tooth yesterday. ANOTHER! She is going to be toothless soon as she has yet another wobbly one working it's way out. I can't believe how big this kid has grown! I had her education night last night at her school. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved that I was able to experience the way she is taught in the classroom. It is so magical to see how far she has come, especially with reading. I loved socializing with her teachers and meeting new teachers that she may have in the future. Everyone was so very nice and it turned out to be a great evening. Second grade.. just around the corner.. my baby girl.... Wasn't I just holding this 5lb miracle in my arms like last week?

Layla cakes and Cameron are also doing well. The two are quite the crazy pair and Layla continues to crack us up on a daily basis. Her choice of words is just down right hysterical to no end. Cameron is the Cameron MONSTER! (In a good way) I just turned around and found him to have climbed up on Layla's desk and he was standing on top of it. HOLY COW! I am waiting for him to take that first step. I can't believe we are already at this point with him. A whole year has almost gone by. He is still my lovable little guy and loves to snuggle with his Mama.. which I am so very grateful for!

I finally went to the doctor on Saturday for the crazy sore throat I had been having. I had literally had it for three weeks and it felt like I was swallowing shreds of glass. I was too scared to get it checked, which was why I waited so long. (Knowing that my bad habit of smoking cigars with Dad probably was not the best idea) Thankfully it was just an infection and after a few days of antibiotics I feel a world better!

I just finished reading Firefly Lane, by Kristen Hannah. Great book! I pretty much bawled through the last 5 chapters.. and I mean.. bawled. To the point where I woke up and my eyes were still red and puffy. It was a great read and I highly suggest it to anyone looking for a good book. I am a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand and Kristen Hannah is now right up there next to her.

I was able to get out and walk this week too. I love when the weather begins to turn and I can get a good evening walk in with the cool breeze blowing. I swear it makes everything feel better. Although, I do have to find a good playlist to walk to. Sometimes the sappy love songs don't keep me at a good pace! LOL I am hoping that we will be able to work out a good evening walking schedule with my McGuire girls. I did buy a pair of Sketcher Shape Ups, which up until the point when I put them on and walked, thought they were a crock.. but let me tell you... I could not get out of bed the next day! My whole body was sore. My legs, glutes, calves... everything ached as if I had done legs at the gym! So take it from me, they work. Anything to help me get in better physical shape these days!

I am looking forward to a fantastic Spring spending time with friends and family. As my girl Ana says, "I'm getting all the chores and projects done now, so we can have a summer full of grilled pizza and margaritas!" Doesn't get much better than that!

Happy Spring!

Easter Preparations!

Happy Friday! This week FLEW by! I am so glad that I was able to do a few fun things with the kids and take the time to truly enjoy Hannah's vacation week. Mom and Dad are HOME! That was surely my highlight of this past week. Months without seeing them, is just way too long. I love coming into the office and seeing my Dad's face in the morning. He is my rock. My idol. My "go-to" man! To say that I am a "Daddy's Girl" would be a complete understatement! LOL They are home and I am happy!

We were able to go see "Rio" Wednesday night, which was sponsored by the PTA. It turned out to be a great evening complete with pizza and unlimited popcorn and soda for only $7 per ticket. What's better than that? The kids loved it and even Mr. Cameron had fun and was such a good little Cannelloni! I have been trying to get more involved with the PTA these days to try and make the school a better place for my Hannah. (In all my spare time of course) I think that with more parent involvement and more people caring about the school, it could really be a great institution for these kids. I am hoping to rally the troops for next year and organize some really great events for the kids and their families.

My mother in law greatly helped me out this week and took the girls a few days while I worked. I was stressing having all three in the office with me. Thankfully she came to the rescue and spent some quality time with them, which they loved. The girls adore their time with her and I am so grateful to have her. I was also able to grab some drinks this week with my mother in law, sisters in law and Auntie Paula. We had more laughs and more fun. I am thinking we are going to have to do that a little more often!

Yesterday, Mom and I made the traditional Italian Rice Pies. Four and a half hours into it, we realized we created a MASTERPIECE! This went so much smoother than last year. We didnt even have to take any extra trips back to the market! Surely Mama was watching us from above. We spent the afternoon laughing and talking and enjoying each other. I soaked up this special time with my Mom. I realize how very important it is to share these wonderful memories with her. It was a blessing.

Easter preparations are in full swing. I was able to get the food shopping done early this morning and I was in and out of the market in no time. I still have to put the kid's baskets together, but I am ahead of the game this year because at least I have all of the items to make the baskets! LOL I just have to add some of Layla's special chocolate (Peanut, soy and milk free). I'm so excited to have THREE little baskets this year to put on the dining room table.

So in other words, LIFE IS GOOD. I am blessed and I am so very thankful to the Lord, for making the ultimate sacrifice. Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter. I hope you are able to wrap yourself in the arms of your family's love, the way I am able to.

Happy Birthday Billy!

Happy 36th to my fantabulous husband. THIRTY SIX! I met this wonderful guy close to 8 years ago and yet our courtship seems like it was only yesterday! Our "awkward" date at Spain.. where we sat as far away from each other as possible in a bundle of nerves... yet we did loosen up quite a bit after cocktails at the Ocean Mist! I remember him opening the car door for me and holding me on the deck of the Ocean Mist overlooking the ocean.. Okay.. wait.. no that was surely a lifetime ago because I havent seen that chivalry since! HA!

Truth be told, we have had our share of good times and bad times. Most importantly we have prevailed through the bad times. Together standing strong. He has given me three of life's most precious gifts and for that I will be forever grateful. I love him through thick and thin. I love him for his humor and I love him even when he leaves his stinky socks all over the house. I love him for being a great Dad and I love him because I simply cannot imagine my crazy life without him! So Happy Birthday Billy! I love you..through and through.

Everything,

Michael Buble

You're a falling star,

You're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.

Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.

Cause you can see it when I look at you.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,

And you light me up, when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery, you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're every song, and I sing along.

'Cause you're my everything.

xoxoxo

A jumbled bunch of thoughts

The title pretty much sums up where I am brain wise this evening. I have so many different thoughts all going through my head that I don't even know how to begin to sort them out. Therefore, I am apologizing ahead of time, if this post runs astray. The most prevalent thought at the moment is, "How do you even begin to say goodbye to your child?" In lieu of an old high school classmate and friend of mine, who is doing just that. I began writing this blog years ago as a way of being able to keep track of all the experiences I have with my children. To keep the memories close to my heart and to be able to go back and reread the many milestones they have already encountered. To be able to smile as I read them over and over again and remember these times as if they were just yesterday. As a way for my children to one day know how very much their mother loves them. My love for them has always been overbearing, this I know. I am overwhelmed by the amount of love I have for each of them. Day in and day out, I am consumed with keeping them safe from any and all harm. "Velcro Mom," as I have been dubbed. I never cared what people thought about how much I strive to keep them close to me at all times. I still don't. I never will. For what I fear the most is what the Mandeville family is currently encountering. The loss of a child. There never seems to be enough time in a day to do all the things that I want to do with my children. To cherish every second and literally sit down and play and teach and cuddle and love them. Before I know it, the day is at an end and they are nestled all snug in their beds as I am left wondering where on earth the day went. I suppose this very thought is what was nagging me on Saturday when I decided to forgo the housework and sit down and play. I did just that. I put aside the cleaning, the laundry and the cooking and I played. For four hours straight we laughed and giggled, snuggled and we drew the most amazing scroll pictures as a welcome home present for Nonnie and Papa. I enjoyed every last bit of it. Somehow the cleaning, cooking and laundry got done (or is still getting done) and it didn't really matter that it didn't get done when I intended it to. What mattered, was that I cherished the gift of time with the three little miracles I love the most. This lesson is something I revisit often. I somehow always end up in a vicious cycle of, "I have to get this done now," and "Okay kids, just one second, Mommy has to do this first." I don't want it to be like this anymore. I want to make a change and stick to it. The kids are growing and they are growing so quickly. These are the times when I need to stop, exhale and take them all in. In the blink of an eye, I know the day will come when I will have all the time in the world to do chores. I want to savour these moments with them now while I have them. I live in fear of experiencing what the Mandeville family is currently undergoing. I know that these blessings are a gift from God and when it is time, He calls them home to Him. How can I possibly not see that the most precious gift I have been given is this time with my babies? I see it, I do, but I need to make some changes to ensure that I am soaking up every last bit of them. As the clock ticks on and my eyes are becoming slits, I will leave you with this. I hope that if you do come to visit the Murphy household that you will most certainly understand why it may be cluttered, in need of a vacuum or mopping. Or if you see some dishes and toys strewn about.. you will know that it is only because I spent my day LOVING my children. With that, I am heading to bed with a very full basket of laundry sitting in the middle of the room waiting to be folded and there it shall sit.. . Please keep Bobby Mandeville and his entire family close to your heart and in your prayers as they now have to figure out how to get through their days without their beautiful daughter, Madison.

Spring Fever

The kids and I have definitely got the Spring Fever bug! Yesterday I actually did a photo shoot of them with their umbrellas and rain boots, along with their bathing suits! We are certainly longing for the warmer weather and I know it is just around the corner! I am currently in the beginning stages of starting up Kerri Murphy Photography and I am a bunch of feelings all jumbled inside. It is so scary to begin a business venture in times like these. Yet at the same time, I feel so very fortunate to be able to actually turn one of my dreams into a reality. It's actually happening! I can't wait to be able to market the business and create a satisfied client list. Ahhhh... (that was just me.. taking it all in!) The kids are fantabulous! Hannah lost yet, another tooth. She is so grown up that it is killing me. She has somehow turned into a "mini me" although she still most definitely has her father's personality. They are two peas in a pod! Layla, too has sprouted and grown up so very much. It is heartbreaking and bittersweet at the same time, to see her growing up. Thankfully, she is still my cuddle bug though and I get those night time cuddles with her often. Layla's big news these days is that two nights ago I forgot to put a pull-up on her and yet, she woke up completely dry! We tried again last night. She woke at around 11:00PM to use the bathroom and then again, woke up completely dry! What a milestone for her. I am so proud of this accomplishment. It's almost as if the second I stopped enforcing it and caring about it, is when she really took to it. (Mental note for the next one!) Speaking of the next one.. Mr. Cam is so totally mobile and into EVERYTHING! Did I mention that he is into EVERYTHING? LOL Things my girls never even bothered to notice, this little booga has his hands into. He is scaling furniture and pulling himself up on anything he can find. It is amazing to watch. He is his Mama's little boy and I just melt with his cuddles. Last Sunday I woke up and decided it was time to buy a new couch. Just like that. Billy and I have been doing some renovations in the house and I am just loving how it is all coming together. So I woke up and couches it was. In all honesty.. WE NEEDED to buy a new set. Ours was seriously becoming a health hazard with all the potty accidents, juice stains, milk stains and everything else you could think of soaking in it's cushions. It was for lack of a better word.. DISGUSTING! Off to Jordans we went and we bought this gorgeous chocolate brown leather set that I am in love with! It is so elegant and beautiful and matches the decor perfectly. We did salvage the old love seat and chair and that is currently residing in the almost finished basement! Billy completed the floors and it looks amazing. He did such a great job. I'm so lucky to have such a handy man as my hubby! Sunday, we also celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary. SEVEN years! Holy Cow! That flew by! I still cant believe it was 7 years ago that I walked down the isle. We have learned so much in our 7 years together and I truly believe that our bond has grown stronger with time. Seven years and three gorgeous children, I couldn't be happier. I am so blessed to have this wonderful family of mine. From my immediate family to my extended family, I am one lucky gal! We are finishing out our week saying goodbye to two extended family members. My Auntie Jen's father Robert Warren and Billy's great Uncle Joe Gesualdi. Both lost their battles with cancer and yet, I am at peace knowing that they are no longer suffering and that they are now with the Lord. I would like to give mention to my girlfriend's new jewelry business. I currently own 4 pieces of my own custom designed pieces and I can say that I LOVE every single one of them. My girls as well were fortunate enough to receive a custom bracelet from Miss Andrea and they have yet, to take them off their arms. These pieces are not only fashionable and elegant... but they are truly beautiful. You can learn more at http://duchessdesignsbyandreaduchnowski.blogspot.com Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Cha Cha Louise (www.ChaChaLouise.com) and her gorgeous HANDMADE couture dresses and accessories for little girls. Both girls will be wearing custom Easter dresses and I am just dying to get their photos in them as these dresses are simply divine! If I only had a quarter of the talent my friend Sarah had... seriously. If I could afford to buy the whole store, I would! Last but not least, if you are looking for someone to market your business, check out ViaSoMedia@ www.viasomedia.com for some great social media advice! Hmmmmm you know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking that I am surrounded by some extremely talented WOMEN! xoxoxo