...Good Life...

....I know that I have a good life and so much to be grateful for...

 

When someone you love passes away, it makes you reflect on a lot of different things. Donnie's Grandma (August 20, 1925-January 26,2013) passed away on Saturday.  She was a beautiful woman who was full of spunk, and I know that her spunky personality is what I will miss most.  I am thankful that the kids and I were able to spend some time with her this summer. Katie and John even got to take a ride in the convertible to get some ice cream with their Great Grandma Ginny! I know they will remember the special times like this one forever....

...the thing about life is we don't know if we will live

a long, happy life or if it will be cut short...

 

So enjoy the good days with friends

....celebrate the small things in life....

....don't be afraid to try something new....

....live out of your comfort zone every now and then...

....smile and enjoy the gift of life....

...In loving memory of Virginia Ahrens...

....Life is Good....

We are finally back into our groove. The holidays are behind us, the kids have had a full week back at school, I've started to actually cook and workout again, and we've enjoyed a few meals with friends this week too!

Life is good!

...the kids have been able to really enjoy their friends this week...

 

...extra playtime on the nights we had dinner with friends...

 

...and a good ole' fashion play date...

Luke and his "girlfriend" Abbey played for hours.  It was the kind of play date where you almost don't know they are there playing because they are playing so well together they don't need you for anything. It is so funny listening to them.  I wish I had recorded a few of their conversations. Their giggles and laughter will make you smile from a room away.  I was actually talking to Donnie as they were playing in the living room and he commented on how they sounded like an old married couple. And in many ways they do, they have such a special friendship that I can't even begin to imagine them not going to school together next year.  Of course, you never know with the Army.

 

The kids even had a sleepover this weekend. The boys crashed at our house and the girls at the other.  I makes me realize how much I must have worn my parents out with sleepovers when I was little. As a parent I now know that it isn't the sleepover that is exhausting, it is the next day that you have to make it through that is the challenge. My kids DO NOT do well when they don't get enough sleep.  But it was totally worth it! Awww to be a kid again!

We've been blessed with warmer weather this weekend too! The snow is slowly melting away, and I know that I should enjoy this brief thaw in our winter because more snow is on the way! Warmer days means the kids can stay outside and play in the snow much, much longer!  Snowball fights with the neighborhood kids, building snowmen, and small forts that don't last long with the melting snow.  Listening to the laughter and squeals while they play makes me smile!  It reminds you that life is good.

We are in a good place.

Holding on a little longer until we are cuddled up together again!

...playing catch-up...

...this seems to be the theme since Christmas...

...I never quite have everything done, I know that most other mommas don't either, but I usually don't feel quite so overwhelmed and I need a sense of order to keep me calm or as Donnie put it to me today, "Keep Calm and Chive On."  I am giving it my best shot! 

We had a nice Christmas with my family, but it just wasn't the same without Donnie.  I hope that we don't have to miss Christmas together as a family again, but I know that with the Army that isn't something that I should count on...I hate the thought of Donnie missing these little sleepy eyed faces on Christmas morning!


...or seeing how excited they are when

spending time with their cousins...

...or getting to do something special with Mimi& Poppy...

...missing rare moments like a white Christmas in Texas...

It was so nice to be home and be able to have a break from our routine.  We were all able to relax and have fun.  We spent most of our days at home, while the kids played.  I think this is truly what they enjoy the most, spending time together! 

We did take a day to go to the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas.  The kids loved it! There was so much for everyone to see and do!  I am so glad my parents got a membership so we can go back and see some of the exhibits we didn't get too!

 ...before we knew it was New Year's Eve and our 10 days in Texas were over, and we were on our way back to NY...

On our stop over in Chicago the kids convinced me that they NEEDED these Chicago Bears hats!  I thought it made a great Happy New Year picture for Donnie! 

Go Bears! 

 

Christmas & New Year's Eve was all rolled into one big night of fun and excitement for us!  We arrived home to a couple of feet of snow (we missed two storms while we were gone), and it hasn't stopped snowing! (I swear, we have snow flurries everyday!)

...and SANTA left some presents for us at home too...

...that had to be tested out immediately...

I wish I had a picture at midnight!  We rang in the new year with Donnie via skype! It was so nice to share the moment with him (at least I got to blow my love a kiss for the new year).  And the best part of this year is that he will be home in 2013!!!

 

I couldn't send the kids back to school without taking them sledding! So on our one day to "get things done" we did what HAD to be done and spent the rest of our time sledding!

...and warming up...

Let this new year be one, where all your dreams come true,

cherish each moment that 2013 holds!