Cars birthday party

If I ever quit my job as an exercise physiologist, I might just take up party planning. I had so much fun putting the boys cars birthday party together!  However, the party itself was...organized chaos.   There were kids running everywhere, in and out of the house.  I had one activity planned...it lasted about 5 minutes before kids lost interest and went back to running wild. I was exhausted by the time everyone left. But, I think (or hope) the boys and everyone else had fun!  I really hope that the boys will remember this party for a very long time!  While I can't post any pictures of the stars of the party, here are some of the decorations and cake.

 

Maine 2012

Last week was the third summer vacation that Chris and I have spent in Maine together but it's the first year we were accompanied by kids!  We were a little bit nervous about driving 17 hours with two 4 year olds in back but the trip was actually surprising uneventful!  The boys were great...of course, they had a few melt downs and temper tantrums but what kid wouldn't?  

We had a great week.  We did all the usual things- ran in the crisp cool morning air, walked the Breakwater, hiked Maidens cliff, hung out at the beach, searched for sea creatures, had a lobster bake and whoopie pie birthday cake, ate ice cream at Dormans and scones at Rock City Cafe, and most importantly, spent lots and lots of time with family!

Like always, it was so hard to come back.  You would think that each year it would be a little easier to say goodbye after family vacations but actually the opposite is happening.  I think I realize a little more every year that no matter how long I live in the south, I will always treasure my northern roots and have a very special place in my heart for New England.  Only 51 more weeks until we go back, right?

Her are some pictures of our trip.  We took about 185 pictures but unfortunately I can't post most of them as they were of the boys.  But, here are a few kid-free pictures!

Cake catch-up

It was a busy weekend for cakes!  It's actually amazing that I got them done despite a few unforeseen setbacks (long story...better not to ask!).  Also, we had a busy few days of softball...and we ended up winning the league championship!  I am SO proud of our team, we had so much fun and played hard (in the 100 degree heat!).  But, I digress...

Anyways, here are the cakes I made this weekend:

Anniversary cake.  Cake was devils food with chocolate buttercream.  The cake is piped with a large star tip.  The bow and gift tag are made with fondant.

Med school graduation cake.  I actually have to thank my husband for helping with this cake.  I may have baked and iced the cake but he made the majority of the fondant decorations! 

30th birthday cake.  The cake was low-fat french vanilla.  It is iced in vanilla buttercream and the decorations are fondant.  The ribbon at the bottom is non-edible.

1st birthday smash cake.  The cake was classic white with vanilla buttercream.  Ernie is made of fondant.  And of course, he has to have his rubber duckies! Side note, I made this little boy's momma's baby shower cake (check it out here)...I can't believe he's already 1!

Bookworm...

That's me.  I'm a bookworm.  I have loved to read since I was a little girl.  I have a lot of special memories of my mom and dad reading to me. These days, no matter how little time I have, I try to always have a good book close by.

Well, one of my favorite parts of my whole day now is when the boys will snuggle up at night and read books.  Eleven months ago this wasn't possible.  The boys had zero interest in books.  I would try so hard to sit with them and read books and they would squirm and play.  To be honest, I'm pretty sure they had never been exposed to books.  They didn't know how to properly hold a book, didn't know which way was up. They have come a long way and even ask to read books now (ok, maybe it's a way to procrastinate at bed time but I'll take it!). We have learned the trick. We have to read to them one on one.  So, at night, Chris will read to one of the boys and I will read to the other in different rooms.  We can now get through four or five books with no squirming!  They are recognizing some letters in the books and get excited when they identify them correctly.  It's so great to see them learning to enjoy books!  Here are some of my all time favorite kids books:

This is the boys favorite to read.  Did you know there's a mouse hidden on each colored page?

We read this one a lot too.  My grandmother, Nonni, actually wrote it!!!

This one is a little long for the boys to sit through yet...but we'll get there!

Again, a little long.  But such a great book.

Any Berenstain Bears book is a hit with us!

Ok this one is a chapter book.  But, I remember my mom reading this to me when I was in elementary school and we laughed so hard we cried.  I hope the boys enjoy it in a few years!

I have so many other favorites as well...but I'll keep this post short and sweet.  I really do hope that the boys will develop a love of reading!  There's nothing quite like getting lost in a good book!

What I've been reading...

"Jesus Calling".  If you're looking for a devotional book, this is a good one.  It only takes a few minutes to read each day but it's always super encouraging...truths straight from God's Word.  This is what I read yesterday.  I needed this truth...maybe you need it today too.

"You are My beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.

Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes."

Happy Father's Day!

Last year I wrote this post for Father's Day.  It was dedicated to my father, the best dad I could ask for.  This year, I have one more "father" in my life to celebrate.  My husband...

As foster parents there's this strange disconnect between feeling very much like a parent but not really yet being a parent.  So, when I asked Chris what he wanted to do for Father's Day he simply said, "well, I'm not a father yet".  I disagree.  I have never been so proud of Chris than to see him with those two little boys.  He is loving, playful, compassionate, and firm.  All the things a father should be.  He may not be their biological father and they may not live with us forever but I do strongly believe that those two little boy will never forget Chris and the "father" that he was to them.

I am so blessed to call you my husband Chris.  I am thankful for you on this Father's Day.  I know that you will be an amazing father to our children one day, just like you are to our foster children.  I love you!

Anniversary trip

This past weekend Chris and I were able to getaway for 48 hours for our anniversary.  Some good friends of our kept the boys (THANK YOU!).  Chris actually planned the whole trip, I was just along for the ride.  We were not able to leave until about 9:30pm on Friday evening so we didn't get to Asheville until close to midnight.  We were both exhausted and it felt SO great to be able to sleep until 8am on Saturday!  That hasn't happened since...well, last August!

On Saturday we spent the day at Dupont National Forest in Cedar Mountain, NC.  If you haven't been there and you like to hike, you really have to go.  Before the boys, Chris and I hiked a lot...I mean, every chance we got.  And in the past 10 months we had not gone once.  So, this day was absolutely wonderful.  We did a 7.5 mile hike and saw 4 gorgeous waterfalls.  This is where they filmed a lot of the Hunger Games...I can see why, it's a pretty amazing place.  

We were pretty tired and hungry by the time we finished the hike.  We crashed for a while at the hotel before heading into downtown Asheville.  Ok, Asheville is a weird place, ya'll.  Chris and I didn't exactly "fit in".  It took us forever to find a restaurant and we finally settled on one right across from some street vendors.  Honestly, we probably said about 20 words to each other the whole dinner, we were both so distracted by people watching...

Anyways, after dinner we, of course, had to stop at Kilwins for ice cream!

On Sunday we spent the day at the Biltmore Estate!  This is something that I have wanted to do since I moved to NC so Chris surprised me with tickets.  The house is pretty amazing and we only were able to see about 40 rooms out of the 255.  I can't even imagine how long it would take to go through it if we were actually allowed in the whole thing.  Unfortunately, it started to rain as we were walking through the gardens.  It was still a great day!

So, we had a great trip.  I feel so blessed to have spent the last 3 years with Chris.  This past year was  definitely the most challenging we have had yet but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I love you Chris and I look forward to many many more years (and challenges) together!

Triple Falls

High Falls

Another view of Triple Falls

One more of Triple Falls

Bridal Veil Falls