The five of us took a walk up the street the other night. I grabbed my camera and took some pictures of the kids near my favorite farmhouse...
Love That Mama Drama
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Childhood Dreams
So I can finally officially come out and say that YES we have moved back to Smithfield and are in the home I grew up in. I know I have posted a bit about this previously, but I now have the permission of Hannah's principal that she may stay at her school through the end of the year so I'd pretty much like to scream to the world how happy I am that we are in this house! I love everything about this house. I love the memories I have as a child and I love hearing my children making those same memories. The lot is just beautiful and embodies everything it means to live in the country right down to our little groundhog living under the shed. The street is breathtaking with it's wildlife, nature and beauty. This time of year has always been my favorite with the trees budding and the birds chirping. I can't wait to enjoy the summer here on Williams Road. There is nothing that feels more home to me...
Friday, December 16, 2011
Goodbye Stress Ball... Hello Gingerbread Martinis!
This week was a blur of crazy, straight out stress! From the hectiness of our schedule, to my crazy business at work, I was a complete and utter stress ball. Which in retrospect, always makes me angry. It was a tough week to get through and I wish I could control that pent up, I can't breath, rushing around like a lunatic feeling and just take a step back and slow down. Life doesn't always work that way and even though you have every intention of enjoying every single itty bitty minute, life does sometimes have a way of setting you off course from time to time. I wish it weren't like this and as we are winding down the week, I wish I could have dealt with it better. Take it back and have a do over. It is what it is, and I cant go back so instead I am moving forward and taking one breath at a time. I fully intend to enjoy this weekend and take in all of the memories with the kids. I also intend to try and get some Christmas shopping done since there hasn't been a moment to do that! YIKES! I should probably plan the Christmas Dinner menu since we are hosting the second annual Murphy Christmas Dinner in our new/old home!
Speaking of the new/old home, how excited was I that I finally got the reindeer lit? My father bought these two yard light up reindeer when I was probably in Junior High School or High School. They were always my favorite decoration and he always made it known that one day they would be passed down to me someday. Well that day has come and they are now up glowing brightly in my new/old front yard. LOVE THEM! Thanks Dad, for handing down this tradition that I will make sure it will always stay in the family!
The kids, oh these boogers, they are all over the place. Cameron has been a bundle of fussiness. I am guess teeth or maybe the remnants of a virus. The child is constantly hurting himself and mostly banging his head and face. CONSTANTLY...and I mean at least 6 or 7 times a day. The other evening I was giving him and Layla a bath. They were fighting over a bath book when Layla let go and Cam went flying face first into the side of the tub. To say he looks like Rocky Balboa is an understatement. THANKFULLY, our Christmas pictures were done the day before! He is understanding so much more lately and trying to pronounce things like "Light", "Shoes", "Socks" and "Kitty". He also nods his head "yes" now. It seems crazy to me that he is growing out of his baby stage so quickly. His favorite word of all that he repeats at least a dozen times a day however is "truck". So you can guess what will mostly be under our tree this year! He also loves to say," Bu-bye." He is getting so much more brazen and the tantrums have begun as well. If you say "no" or take something away from him that he shouldn't have, it's an all out throwing himself around, banging his head tantrum. Can you say the male version of Hannah? He is very strong willed and if I had a penny for every time I have to say, "Don't touch!" to him, I'd be rich! Aside from this though, he is still a cuddle monkey and often loves to just be held by Mama and nuzzled. He even loves to get me my shoes in the morning when I am getting dressed. He also likes to go in the drawer and grab Daddy's toothbrush and brush his teeth with it. We wont tell Daddy about that one!
Hannah banana is in the full out I want everything for Christmas mode. God bless this child. I have tried everything but bang my head upside a brick wall to get this child to understand the meaning behind Christmas. To appreciate what she has and learn the joy in giving this season. To use kind words and stop having meltdowns when the word "no" is used. From day one, Hannah never could adjust to the word "no". I always feel like it is never enough with her. No matter what I do, I can't seem to make her 100% happy. (Hmmmmm I wonder who she takes after???????) Besides this however, she has been a huge help with the kids for me. She is always helping me with getting out of the house in the morning. Being it entertaining Cam, or putting on his socks or coat to grabbing some bags to help me, she does do this. She is so talented when it comes to drawing and anything creative. She always amazes me with her creativity. She has been much more huggy and kissy lately and has even found her way into our bed many nights recently. I swear it's her way of trying to make up for some of the things she puts us through during the day. She wants to be close to us and let us know that she is sorry. The little strong willed spoiled booger! On occasion when she is good for a period of time, she earns a prize. Recently she completed two weeks of good behavior and she was rewarded withe Biebs Christmas Album. Um, I am totally going to lose readers by posting this, but I seriously REALLY like it! LOL We jam out every morning and every afternoon in the car to it! Even Cam gets into the jam session. Leave it to the Biebs to hook me!
Layla bug, oh Layla bug. The kid continues to amuse us beyond belief. The other day I asked her if she would like some water and when she responded,"yes", I said, "Yes, what?" To which she responded, "Yes, Yes?" To which I responded, "Yes....????" to which she then said..."YES WOMAN!" I nearly fell to the floor with laughter. She has been getting a bit fresh lately which I am hoping is just a phase or maybe a little school influence? Or Hannah influence? I am trying to nip that in the bud immediately. She has been doing GREAT with potty training and is getting it down pat. She wakes up dry every morning now and only occasionally does she have an accident. I am so proud of her and so happy that I listened to my instincts and didn't push this issue with her. When they are ready, they are ready! PERIOD. End of story! She is doing great in school and I cant tell you how it feels to walk in the door to pick her up and have her pop up from her nap time cot and run over to me with the biggest smile while screaming "MOMMMMMYY" and wrapping her arms around me. She is so full of love. She exudes it. I can't believe how much she has grown up in the past several months and it is making my heart ache. I always felt this way with Hannah but then I could get through it by saying well at least I have Layla. The baby girl in her is so quickly vanishing. ... :( and now I feel like I have no more baby girls... sigh.
We are off to our Annual Romano Ornament Party this evening and I think I am most excited to show up in my pj's and new slippers that I treated myself to this morning. (I am rationalizing it by saying they were cheap and I deserved it after the week I had!) I am looking forward to celebrating with my family and getting dizzy on Gingerbread Martini's! LOL So happy last week before Christmas! Here's to getting it all done and having it all go smoothly. Even if it doesnt, just look around and count your blessings. Live each day as if it were your last!
Speaking of the new/old home, how excited was I that I finally got the reindeer lit? My father bought these two yard light up reindeer when I was probably in Junior High School or High School. They were always my favorite decoration and he always made it known that one day they would be passed down to me someday. Well that day has come and they are now up glowing brightly in my new/old front yard. LOVE THEM! Thanks Dad, for handing down this tradition that I will make sure it will always stay in the family!
The kids, oh these boogers, they are all over the place. Cameron has been a bundle of fussiness. I am guess teeth or maybe the remnants of a virus. The child is constantly hurting himself and mostly banging his head and face. CONSTANTLY...and I mean at least 6 or 7 times a day. The other evening I was giving him and Layla a bath. They were fighting over a bath book when Layla let go and Cam went flying face first into the side of the tub. To say he looks like Rocky Balboa is an understatement. THANKFULLY, our Christmas pictures were done the day before! He is understanding so much more lately and trying to pronounce things like "Light", "Shoes", "Socks" and "Kitty". He also nods his head "yes" now. It seems crazy to me that he is growing out of his baby stage so quickly. His favorite word of all that he repeats at least a dozen times a day however is "truck". So you can guess what will mostly be under our tree this year! He also loves to say," Bu-bye." He is getting so much more brazen and the tantrums have begun as well. If you say "no" or take something away from him that he shouldn't have, it's an all out throwing himself around, banging his head tantrum. Can you say the male version of Hannah? He is very strong willed and if I had a penny for every time I have to say, "Don't touch!" to him, I'd be rich! Aside from this though, he is still a cuddle monkey and often loves to just be held by Mama and nuzzled. He even loves to get me my shoes in the morning when I am getting dressed. He also likes to go in the drawer and grab Daddy's toothbrush and brush his teeth with it. We wont tell Daddy about that one!
Hannah banana is in the full out I want everything for Christmas mode. God bless this child. I have tried everything but bang my head upside a brick wall to get this child to understand the meaning behind Christmas. To appreciate what she has and learn the joy in giving this season. To use kind words and stop having meltdowns when the word "no" is used. From day one, Hannah never could adjust to the word "no". I always feel like it is never enough with her. No matter what I do, I can't seem to make her 100% happy. (Hmmmmm I wonder who she takes after???????) Besides this however, she has been a huge help with the kids for me. She is always helping me with getting out of the house in the morning. Being it entertaining Cam, or putting on his socks or coat to grabbing some bags to help me, she does do this. She is so talented when it comes to drawing and anything creative. She always amazes me with her creativity. She has been much more huggy and kissy lately and has even found her way into our bed many nights recently. I swear it's her way of trying to make up for some of the things she puts us through during the day. She wants to be close to us and let us know that she is sorry. The little strong willed spoiled booger! On occasion when she is good for a period of time, she earns a prize. Recently she completed two weeks of good behavior and she was rewarded withe Biebs Christmas Album. Um, I am totally going to lose readers by posting this, but I seriously REALLY like it! LOL We jam out every morning and every afternoon in the car to it! Even Cam gets into the jam session. Leave it to the Biebs to hook me!
Layla bug, oh Layla bug. The kid continues to amuse us beyond belief. The other day I asked her if she would like some water and when she responded,"yes", I said, "Yes, what?" To which she responded, "Yes, Yes?" To which I responded, "Yes....????" to which she then said..."YES WOMAN!" I nearly fell to the floor with laughter. She has been getting a bit fresh lately which I am hoping is just a phase or maybe a little school influence? Or Hannah influence? I am trying to nip that in the bud immediately. She has been doing GREAT with potty training and is getting it down pat. She wakes up dry every morning now and only occasionally does she have an accident. I am so proud of her and so happy that I listened to my instincts and didn't push this issue with her. When they are ready, they are ready! PERIOD. End of story! She is doing great in school and I cant tell you how it feels to walk in the door to pick her up and have her pop up from her nap time cot and run over to me with the biggest smile while screaming "MOMMMMMYY" and wrapping her arms around me. She is so full of love. She exudes it. I can't believe how much she has grown up in the past several months and it is making my heart ache. I always felt this way with Hannah but then I could get through it by saying well at least I have Layla. The baby girl in her is so quickly vanishing. ... :( and now I feel like I have no more baby girls... sigh.
We are off to our Annual Romano Ornament Party this evening and I think I am most excited to show up in my pj's and new slippers that I treated myself to this morning. (I am rationalizing it by saying they were cheap and I deserved it after the week I had!) I am looking forward to celebrating with my family and getting dizzy on Gingerbread Martini's! LOL So happy last week before Christmas! Here's to getting it all done and having it all go smoothly. Even if it doesnt, just look around and count your blessings. Live each day as if it were your last!
Check out bruiser... with an icy pop all over his face! ADRIENNNNNEEE!
The house.. with one reindeer lit! :) Just like it always looked. My Christmas Miracle!
My good friend Andrea, entertaining the girls! Love her!
Our Ski Lodge foam house. All I can say is 3 hours later and a lot of cussing.. it was done! LOL The girls got tired of it after 15 minutes and the thing didn't even come with directions!!!
I married MacGyver.. and this is his tree watering creation! LOVE HIM!
Why I am thankful and blessed this Christmas...
My high school friend Gretchen Day needs your help! Please read! I can't imagine the strength she has to muster up to get through each day. I know how worried you are during a pregnancy period. To have cancer and be pregnant and going through Chemo has to be just plain terrorizing and awful! I HATE CANCER! This baby boy will be such a miracle baby! Bless them both and keep them in your prayers! PAY IT FORWARD PEOPLE! Be grateful for your blessings and give back!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
OH Baby, Baby!
It seems like over the past several months there has been an abundance of really sad news. Sad news all over the world and sad news here at home. Most recently my hometown has been hit hard with some very sad news and I am praying that the loved ones of Justin Ruotolo can somehow find peace amongst this tragedy. Surely a life gone too soon. May your family and friends find the strength to endure the pain of their loss. May you feel the love of those around you and know that you are thought of and prayed for....http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/providence/obituary.aspx?n=justin-ruotolo&pid=153027514
That being said, I thought it would be a nice change of pace to talk about something HAPPY! I found out some really great news a few weeks back. Upon hearing the news, I immediately said to myself, "HOORAAYYYY FINALLY SOME HAPPY, AWESOME, EXCITING NEWS!" So I will start with this. Skip has been my best friend for almost twenty years. I have had many dear friends throughout my lifetime, but Skip takes the cake when it comes to being there for it all. We've been there for each other through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Part of the definition of a "friend" is someone you can count on. I can always count on Skip. There hasn't ever been a time when he hasn't been there for me. He's even been there for me, when he didn't know he was there for me. Like the times my Dad would find cigarette butts on the lawn and beer bottle caps in the driveway and he would question us. We would always give him the same answer. A shrug of the shoulders and a reply of "It was Skip." Somehow Skip never got in trouble with my Dad (except for that one time at work .. but we wont get into details here. We'll just say that it ended with a slap upside the head) Dad always had the ability to know when a person is good. Inside and out. Therefore, he always would cut Skip some slack. It probably helped that Skip usually greeted him with a big, dramatic, wet kiss on the mouth...(Grab your face and smooch kinda stuff) enough to make my Dad keel over in shock.. and then laughter. How could he be mad? The shock value of Skip's innocent actions always kept my Dad at bay with him. LOL! I honestly don't know what I would do without Skip's support in my life. He tells me how it is. If I am being stupid about an argument I am having with Billy, he'll tell me. "Ker, you're being stupid. I'm with Billy on this one," and vice versa. It's brutal honesty with us, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Who needs a friend to sugar coat everything? Give it to me straight. Tell me like it is!
So after twenty years of knowing someone, you get to know their family quite well. I have always said, "You can't choose your family, (Even though I got lucky in that department), but you CAN choose your chosen family!" Upon meeting Skip, I knew he had a younger brother whom my sister had dated in Junior High School (Can you even call it dating then? We use to say "going out" but yet, we never went anywhere! LOL) It lasted only a few weeks before his mother made him break up with my sister because it was Christmas and she didn't want to buy some little girl a gift. (I can totally say this because they will all laugh) Julie had already conned my mother into buying him a baseball cap... and she wasn't too pleased upon hearing the break up news. Yet, Greg didn't have the heart to break up with Julie, so he made his best friend Mikey break up with her. Best part, Julie and Mikey have been married for 5 years and have two gorgeous daughters! Long story short, through the years all of our friendship's flourished and somehow we even got our parents in on the mix. The Calamari Club was born and all the parents use to go out to dinner every Friday night. (They totally owe us for that one! If it weren't for us, they'd never had met!) I've touched on this a bit in older posts, but it's not too often that you find people in this world that have the same family values as we do. Somehow we have managed to surround ourselves with a circle of people who share our same belief, that family is a gift. To treasure it with your whole heart. The Youngs are such a family.
Through the years we all met our significant others and got married. I married Billy. Skip married Jane. Julie married Mikey. We were all part of each other's celebrations. As you may have noticed, Greg isn't mentioned here. It just took him just a little longer to realize that he was dating ALL the wrong women! LOL I'm not sure if I've emphasized that enough.... ALL the wrong, way too young, girls! We chosen family have this unspoken test. If you can bring a significant other to our Block Island vacation and they fit in, well then they are golden. Thumbs up. Until two years ago, all of Greg's girls failed miserably! But then there was Block Island two years ago when this gorgeous beauty accompanied him. Kirsten. I think we all began to see quite quickly that this was it. This was Greg's girl. This was the one! Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she's beautiful on the inside. There is no one better to compliment "my little brother" Greg. You see Greg is such a gentle soul. A laid back, I've got your back, type of guy. He doesn't get caught up in rumors or gossip. When he loves, he loves with his whole heart. He has one of the best smiles and his laugh is utterly contagious. He's kind and he's loyal. He's gentle and he is caring. He is true and he is honest. I have always said that he is a diamond in the rough. Now I say that he is a diamond in the rough and Kirsten is his gem. Together, they are a perfect pair.
Greg and Kirsten bought a house recently. The first step in beginning their lives together. Yet a few short weeks ago I got a phone call from Skip on a Sunday morning. I hesitated to answer because a phone call from Skip on a Sunday morning either meant good news, or bad news. I answered. Good news was an understatement! Kirsten and Greg had just found out they were pregnant with TWINS! To say that I was over the moon excited just doesn't even cut it. Amidst all the horrible things that have been happening lately, THIS is what now shines through. The GOOD in this world. The true BLESSINGS in life. THANK YOU GOD for putting Greg and Kirsten on this path. Every bone in my body knows that this is the right path for them and I am so excited to now see them have their chance to truly enjoy what I like to call, God's greatest gift.
So Greg, Kirsten, I wish you nothing short of all the happiness in this world. May your love for each other continue to grow stronger as you enter parenthood. May you always have the stars in your eyes and the smiles on your face. May you always be reminded of how very much you are loved and lastly... "May God bless and keep you always, May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others and let others do for you. May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung. May you stay forever YOUNG!"
All my love....
PS: Greg... when do you want to meet for a cup of coffee?
That being said, I thought it would be a nice change of pace to talk about something HAPPY! I found out some really great news a few weeks back. Upon hearing the news, I immediately said to myself, "HOORAAYYYY FINALLY SOME HAPPY, AWESOME, EXCITING NEWS!" So I will start with this. Skip has been my best friend for almost twenty years. I have had many dear friends throughout my lifetime, but Skip takes the cake when it comes to being there for it all. We've been there for each other through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Part of the definition of a "friend" is someone you can count on. I can always count on Skip. There hasn't ever been a time when he hasn't been there for me. He's even been there for me, when he didn't know he was there for me. Like the times my Dad would find cigarette butts on the lawn and beer bottle caps in the driveway and he would question us. We would always give him the same answer. A shrug of the shoulders and a reply of "It was Skip." Somehow Skip never got in trouble with my Dad (except for that one time at work .. but we wont get into details here. We'll just say that it ended with a slap upside the head) Dad always had the ability to know when a person is good. Inside and out. Therefore, he always would cut Skip some slack. It probably helped that Skip usually greeted him with a big, dramatic, wet kiss on the mouth...(Grab your face and smooch kinda stuff) enough to make my Dad keel over in shock.. and then laughter. How could he be mad? The shock value of Skip's innocent actions always kept my Dad at bay with him. LOL! I honestly don't know what I would do without Skip's support in my life. He tells me how it is. If I am being stupid about an argument I am having with Billy, he'll tell me. "Ker, you're being stupid. I'm with Billy on this one," and vice versa. It's brutal honesty with us, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Who needs a friend to sugar coat everything? Give it to me straight. Tell me like it is!
So after twenty years of knowing someone, you get to know their family quite well. I have always said, "You can't choose your family, (Even though I got lucky in that department), but you CAN choose your chosen family!" Upon meeting Skip, I knew he had a younger brother whom my sister had dated in Junior High School (Can you even call it dating then? We use to say "going out" but yet, we never went anywhere! LOL) It lasted only a few weeks before his mother made him break up with my sister because it was Christmas and she didn't want to buy some little girl a gift. (I can totally say this because they will all laugh) Julie had already conned my mother into buying him a baseball cap... and she wasn't too pleased upon hearing the break up news. Yet, Greg didn't have the heart to break up with Julie, so he made his best friend Mikey break up with her. Best part, Julie and Mikey have been married for 5 years and have two gorgeous daughters! Long story short, through the years all of our friendship's flourished and somehow we even got our parents in on the mix. The Calamari Club was born and all the parents use to go out to dinner every Friday night. (They totally owe us for that one! If it weren't for us, they'd never had met!) I've touched on this a bit in older posts, but it's not too often that you find people in this world that have the same family values as we do. Somehow we have managed to surround ourselves with a circle of people who share our same belief, that family is a gift. To treasure it with your whole heart. The Youngs are such a family.
Through the years we all met our significant others and got married. I married Billy. Skip married Jane. Julie married Mikey. We were all part of each other's celebrations. As you may have noticed, Greg isn't mentioned here. It just took him just a little longer to realize that he was dating ALL the wrong women! LOL I'm not sure if I've emphasized that enough.... ALL the wrong, way too young, girls! We chosen family have this unspoken test. If you can bring a significant other to our Block Island vacation and they fit in, well then they are golden. Thumbs up. Until two years ago, all of Greg's girls failed miserably! But then there was Block Island two years ago when this gorgeous beauty accompanied him. Kirsten. I think we all began to see quite quickly that this was it. This was Greg's girl. This was the one! Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she's beautiful on the inside. There is no one better to compliment "my little brother" Greg. You see Greg is such a gentle soul. A laid back, I've got your back, type of guy. He doesn't get caught up in rumors or gossip. When he loves, he loves with his whole heart. He has one of the best smiles and his laugh is utterly contagious. He's kind and he's loyal. He's gentle and he is caring. He is true and he is honest. I have always said that he is a diamond in the rough. Now I say that he is a diamond in the rough and Kirsten is his gem. Together, they are a perfect pair.
Greg and Kirsten bought a house recently. The first step in beginning their lives together. Yet a few short weeks ago I got a phone call from Skip on a Sunday morning. I hesitated to answer because a phone call from Skip on a Sunday morning either meant good news, or bad news. I answered. Good news was an understatement! Kirsten and Greg had just found out they were pregnant with TWINS! To say that I was over the moon excited just doesn't even cut it. Amidst all the horrible things that have been happening lately, THIS is what now shines through. The GOOD in this world. The true BLESSINGS in life. THANK YOU GOD for putting Greg and Kirsten on this path. Every bone in my body knows that this is the right path for them and I am so excited to now see them have their chance to truly enjoy what I like to call, God's greatest gift.
So Greg, Kirsten, I wish you nothing short of all the happiness in this world. May your love for each other continue to grow stronger as you enter parenthood. May you always have the stars in your eyes and the smiles on your face. May you always be reminded of how very much you are loved and lastly... "May God bless and keep you always, May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others and let others do for you. May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung. May you stay forever YOUNG!"
All my love....
PS: Greg... when do you want to meet for a cup of coffee?
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