These {7th} Birthday Moments . . .

Everybody in the (rather cold) pool!!!  Brrr!!!

Herself!!

Jonah and his goggles!!  : )

Mr. Levi.

Miss Gracie.

We decided to wait a few more weeks to let the pool water warm up a bit more before we celebrate Megan's birthday with all of her friends from school.  Instead, we celebrated with two of our favorite families, some eggplant parm, homemade cake and strawberry shortcake and some very happy kids enjoying the first swim of the season!!  : )

Megan and Quinn.

Mr. Jonah.

Miss Annika.

Meggie and her favorite baby, Amelia!!

Connor and Trevor getting the cake ready.

It was a wonderful night.  Lots of crazy kids running around and a few pink and purple frosting fingerprints on the walls but, other then that, perfection.  Just like our new 7 year old!!  : )


Happy weekend everybody!!


~ Wendy  xo

St. Patrick's Dinner at McDonagh/Valentine Cottage and a Sunday Saying . . .

Friday night we feasted on corned beef with all the St. Patrick's Day trimmings, compliments of my husband. 

The chef.  : )

We caught up with friends and family that we haven't been able to spend much time with lately and these two besties got to run around and play for a few hours. 

The many faces of Megan and Gracie!!

Lucky indeed!!!   🍀

Happy Sunday to you!! ~ Wendy xo


 

Letting Go and a Very Special Thank You . . .

On Saturday,  my honey and I spent almost three hours in Home Depot.  With long list in hand, we wandered the aisles looking for the remains of what we need to finish getting our house listed for sale.  It's starting to get real for me.  I've begun packing away all of the family photos and knick knacks that have sentimental value to me.  Our realtor told us this enables potential buyers to come in and envision where they would put their own personal things.  It's also helping me to detach from my home of almost 15 years.  

Some pretty pops of colorful flowers at Home Depot.

I have to admit I'm a little sad to be leaving.  I have a lot of memories connected to this little house of ours.  My first husband and I bought it together.  We brought our third born son home to this house.  I look out our front window and see the beautiful Japanese maple tree he planted  not long before he passed away suddenly four years after we moved in.  We were embraced by our little community when he passed and I can't begin to put into words how eternally grateful I am for that.

Six years later, with my new husband, undoubtedly sent from above, we brought home our sweet baby girl to this house. I've watched our two older boys grow from young boys to young men here.

Waiting to go in for my c-section.

So many beautiful memories that I'll always carry with me.  But I know in my heart, it's time to move on and make new memories in our new home.  It will be the first home that Jim and I purchase together.  It will be a new chapter in our lives and I'm so excited for that.  New places to photograph, new friends to meet, new friends for the kids to meet.  I'll be closer to my family and still only a half hour away from all that we have now.  : )

Speaking of new friends . . .

My wonderful new friend and fellow blogger, Lorraine, of  Mama's Mercantile , sent Megan this beautiful daisy headband that she made all the way from England.  I saw it on her blog and Megan happened to be looking over my shoulder at the time.  She said she LOVED it!!!  I commented to Lorraine about Megan's reaction and she generously offered to make one for her. 
 

She is one happy little girl and has worn it every day since we received it!!!  Thank you from the bottom of our heart, Lorraine!!!!  You are the best!!!!  We loved the handmade card, too!!!!  XOXO

 Many blessings for a beautiful Tuesday ~ Wendy

New Friends . . .

 Megan had her first "official" play date last week.  Cybele and her beautiful Mama, Ophie, came for a visit.  Back when I was a kid (many moons ago!!), you knocked on someone's door or called them on the phone and invited them over.  Now, with everyone's busy schedule, you have to check your calendar/iphone/blackberry (do people still use those things??) to see what day is good.  Thankfully, Megan and I have found a wonderful new family that I can text and say "come on over!!" to.  And, not only do our daughters get along beautifully, I have a wonderful new friend too!!

Inspecting for bugs.

"Look!! There's one!!!!"

"Don't worry, Cybele!!  I'll get it with my rake!!!"

 If someone had told me that I'd be the mother of a toddler at the age of 46 I'd have laughed in their face.  But, as they say, "We plan and God laughs."  No truer words have ever been spoken.  Not only do I have a three year old but I have a daughter to boot.  I still stare at her constantly and just can't believe it.  I don't know if that will ever end.  : )  

After the bug inspection ended, it was time for some serious fun.  The girls discovered our dog Sparky's love of sand.  The giggles coming from the sandbox were out of control!! 

If you're reading this Honey (my husband), I'm sorry but it was soooo worth the sand coming out of the sandbox!! : )

Cybele at Megan's birthday party.

I posted this already but it's the only photo I have of the two girls looking up!!  : )

I believe that the Universe puts people into our lives for a reason and it's always exciting to me when I meet a new Kindred Spirit.  I'm so blessed to have such wisdom-filled, smart, strong and funny women that I call friends.  My wish is that Megan will always have this too.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Saturday ~ Wendy

Trevor is 16 . . .

Yesterday, we celebrated our beautiful son Trevor's 16th birthday with some family and a few of his closest friends in our back yard.  

You can't go wrong with a Carvel ice cream cake in the middle of August!!  : )

I had to make the boys come out of the pool to sing "Happy Birthday" which is why Trevor looks like he's wearing a halter top!!  : )

Cousins in the bouncy castle.

Trevor's Pap.

My husband and my beautiful sister-in-law.  Don't worry, Michele!!  You can't tell you have a carrot in your mouth!!  : )

My nephew Tristan and my sister, Cindy.  Can you tell she doesn't like having her picture taken??  : )

All the boys who spend as much time at my house as my own kids do!!! 

My incredibly handsome son, Trevor.

Would someone please tell me where the time goes???????


Many blessings for a happy Tuesday ~ Wendy