Half a Year Old

My, how time flies! It has been 6 months since we got our little Sully. It's strange to me to think that I went my whole pregnancy not knowing if he was a boy or a girl. It seems as if Sullivan was always just meant to be in our family. He is sitting up like a champ and working on the rocking back and forth thing. He gets to jabbering and shouts "DA DA". Not sure if he connects it to Casey yet but the other kids said Dada before Mama so once again Daddy gets the first word.

Family Resemblence

I saw this picture recently and was completely taken aback by how much it reminded me of Rory. This is Casey's grandfather when he was little...

and this is Rory at what I figured was about the same age.

Zucchini

My sister has had a bit of luck with a garden they planted this summer. She shared the bounty of her harvest with us and we were left with a 5 pound zucchini! What do you do with a 5 pound veggie? Well we made bread. Yummy bread that we have had with almost every meal. Thanks for the gigantor zucchini, guys!

Music Monday

I have had an ongoing playlist of songs in my head that are "classics".

***Classic is very much in the eyes (or in this case, ears) of the beholder but since this is my blog...classic they shall be.

You know those songs that come on the radio and you just can't help but sing or dance? I'll try to make this a weekly post. Come on...sing along!

My first entry is one from my elementary school days. I had quite a crush on 'ol John Cougar. Don't laugh...his mullet was fine! It's kind of the song that got this ball rolling so here it is...clap along and when it gets to the bridge...don't hold back!

John Cougar Mellencamp's Jack & Diane

I knew it would come...

...as much as I have tried to fight it, Maggie had to grow up and go off to kindergarten. She has been a bit apprehensive all summer at the thought of a new experience at a new school with new friends. I knew that she was ready though.

Last night, she picked out her outfit and set it out. We said prayers that God would be in her day. That He would give her courage, wisdom, help her remember her manners but above all...have fun! She went to bed with a nervous smile on her face.

This morning, Casey and I woke up to Maggie whispering ..."Mom. Dad."

I rolled over and saw her standing in our bedroom fully-dressed, shoes, hair brushed, and backpack over one shoulder.

"Kindergarten!" she said

We had about an hour and a half until it was time to leave but...she was ready. In every possible way. She was ready.

I was surprisingly overcome with pride over sadness. We took some pictures, I kissed her and told her to be polite and have fun and she was on her way. My little baby. It went by too fast.

We're In!

Hello, Blogworld.

We're finally settling in to our new house and I must say, we love it. There is such a peace that comes with being diligent to what God has planned for your life. We weren't sure how all of our move/Maggie starting Kindergarten/location was all going to work out. When it all falls into place, it makes me smile to know that God knew exactly how it was all going to work out and it was just our job to follow His lead.

Goodbye, House

We moved into our house when Maggie was 6 months old and we are now moving out of it so she can be in a good school district to start Kindergarten. We are so excited to be in a new home but sad at the thought of leaving the place where we brought two babies home from the hospital and the many wonderful memories that we will leave here. It is our last couple of nights before the movers come on Monday and we are nostalgic for the past but so optimistic for the future!

Goodbye, house.

Irena Sendler

Irena Sendler

There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena.

During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist.

She had an 'ulterior motive' ... She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews, (being German.) Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids.) She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto.

The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely.

Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most of course had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize . She was not selected.

*Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming.

I read this story about 2 weeks ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I can't even imagine the level of compassion it took to take such a risk. She truly laid her life down for her brother. I have always been fascinated with the Holocaust and what an image of grace and redemption she was for so many children!

My Little Napper

I spent (literally) years trying to convince Maggie that she needed to take a nap. I can remember days of repeatedly putting her back in bed. Threats, bribes, spankings, long back-scratching sessions, stall tactics (i.e. "I need a sip of water first" or "just one more book, Mommy?" or "I need to go potty" ...for the 5th time). When she turned 5, I gave up and she hasn't napped since.

Then, there's Rory.

He asks to take a nap. He doesn't want any pomp when it comes to his nap. Simply take him to his bed and leave him alone. He actually will tell us..."Mom, can you leave and shut the door on your way out so I can get some rest?" It doesn't matter where we are, when it's naptime, he's going to take it.

Here he is at Incredible Pizza. Neon flashing lights all around him. Buzzing, shouting, sirens, whistles and loud music. Sitting up at the table. BAM...naptime.

Family Photos

Tit for Tat

My dear, sweet sister thought she was SO funny putting my face in this website and posting it for all the blogworld to see.

Ha.

Ha.

Ha.

May I also introduce you to...

Foxy Dufilho

Talking & Teething

Since he can't speak yet, Sully has learned to communicate with us in other ways. He is making a lot of crazy sounds and equally as many crazy faces to express himself. I'm in stitches watching him. Now, granted, I'm his mom...but I thought you might enjoy it too.

Poor Sully is teething and he makes an 'old-man-with-dentures' face that
had us all cracking up tonight (Maggie & Casey a little too much :o) !