Virginia Is For Lovers...and Families

“Virginia Is For Lovers” is one of Virginia’s tourism mottos by the way.

 My Dad had a conference to attend for a couple of days in Fredericksburg so Mom & I and the kids had free time on our hands during the days to explore the area.   We did have a few hours for all 5 of us to go exploring one morning.  We went to downtown to walk around for a while.

A fun little Diner we found.  Note the signs running along the top of the wall.

This one cracked me up!

A friend of mine who lives in the area told us we HAD to try Carl's ice cream.  It did not disappoint.

 The sign on this building was interesting to me too.

 beautiful blooms

What kind of tree is this?  They were beautiful and everywhere around the city.

ahhh...my friend Kay.  She played a roll in David and I starting to date the first time.  It was great to get to see her again after several years.

One day we drove Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park.  The beauty took my breath away.  If you ever get a chance to travel there you really should.

 On our way back to GA we stopped to have a picnic.  Jacob insisted that we needed to have a picnic on a red blanket under the trees.  He wanted to do this when we were up at the top of the mountains but it was just way.to.cold.!  So, he got his wish in North Carolina. 

Good times with Papa and Nana.

And to prove that I was on this trip...here I am too!

love, love, love this boy

At the end of our Skyline Drive trip we went to Monticello.  Another place well worth visiting.  But...ummmm...yeah, I can't find any of those pictures. 

Virginia was a great place to visit - I want to go back again as there is so much to see.  The truth is, though, this TX girl got a little claustrophobic.  There are a LOT of trees there!

Remembering

We said good-bye to the new life we thought would be our 3rd baby one year ago today.  This past year has definitely been filled with a roller coaster ride of emotions.  The sharp pain of that loss is gone now, replaced by a dull ache.  There is not a single day that goes by that I don't think about him/her.  I don't dwell on it, but I certainly do remember.  And wonder.  And wish.  But I can't change what isn't.  So I love what is.

You never said you're leaving,

you never said goodbye.

You were gone before I knew it,

and only God knows why.

A million times I've missed you,

a million times I've cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

you never would have died.

To some you are forgotten,

to others just part of the past.

But to me who loved and lost you,

your love will always last.

~Author Unknown

A mother never forgets her babies.

Fun With The (extended) Fam

WARNING – CUTENESS/PHOTO OVERLOAD AHEAD 

One evening Daniel and Cindy (David’s bro and sis-in-law) were gracious enough to host a fun dinner for us and the T. side of the family that live in the Atlanta area.  Their house was busting at the seams with laughter and good times.

The three older kids had a GREAT time telling secrets to each other, laughing hysterically, telling more secrets, laughing again, telling more secrets...you get the idea.

OK kids - time for another group shot!  Could there be a cuter group?  I think not.

Lia, Ella, Liam, Jacob, Addison, Noah

Now time for a little Tio fun!

Boys being boys.

Addison and Lia having a great time "fixing" that table, and rocking those boots!

 Sweet kisses for Tio.

Zack & Lydia (David's cousin)

Debbie & Tio (Jorge)

David's Aunt & Uncle

Daniel

David's brother

Mark, Jacob, Tio

some of the "Brown Eyed Handsome Men" in the family

 Noah and Jacob pretending like they're asleep after all the excitement of the day.

Thank you Daniel & Cindy for making our day with you so fun!  Can't wait to do it again!

Georgia Aquarium

I’m stepping back in time a bit to get my blog caught up. Back in April the kids and I took a trip with Nana and Papa to GA and VA for a couple of weeks.  One day my Dad, Sister-In-Law, and I ventured out to the Georgia Aquarium, all six kids in tow.  If you’re ever in the Atlanta area I would highly recommend going. We had a great time!

Just before walking into the aquarium...part of our crew:

Liam, Addison, Noah, Jacob

An attempt to get a photo of all 6 kids...it didn't work out exactly how we were hoping.

Noah, Addison, Ella, Liam, Lia, Jacob

The older three kids thought they were so incredibly cool with their map.

They were having a serious discussion about what sections of the aquarium we had already been, and where we needed to go next.

One of the portals (is that what you call it?) the kids could climb into to get up close an personal with the fish.

I don't remember which exhibit this was but Noah was making sure he got plenty of pictures with his super cool camera.

This was a tunnel that you walked through/rode through one of the aquariums.

Still Here

Just popping my head up to let you all know we are still alive - just enjoying our summer.  This is how we're spending most of our time...it's too hot to do anything else!  I'll get updated on here one day, but for now, the pool is calling again!

Hope you're enjoying your summer too!

Fishin' In The Rain

Yesterday after a thunder/rain storm passed through our area the kids asked if they could take their fishing poles outside to go fishing.  Not having any idea what they had planned I told them yes and went on about my business.  A couple minutes later I stepped outside to see this:

I pretty much melted on the spot.

This was not staged in any way.  It was all their idea.

I have loved watching their relationship bloom as Lia gets older. 

Mr. Jacob "fishing" - which looks more like he's swinging a baseball bat to me rather than casting his fishing pole but...what ever!  He's having a great time.

Mizz Lia had some issues with her pole.  She was asking me to "fik" it for her.  She knows exactly how it should be done.  See - she's pointing it out to me.  This girl slays me sometimes. 

And now it's time for a little love. 

And this...this just makes my heart smile. 

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day to our favorite Daddy!

Today

I realize I am so incredibly behind on catching this blog up. I'll get around to it one of these days, but before more time goes by I just want to share what I've been enjoying today.  Since the tragedy in our family two weeks ago I have been reminded once again that I need to enjoy today and all that it entails.  We are never promised tomorrow. Sooo...this is what I have loved watching today. 

My two babies.  I hope I get to watch them grow and blossom for the rest of my life. 

Georgia Cousins!

Back in April my cousin Mark and his family made a road trip out to TX for Spring Break. We were lucky enough to have them at our house one evening then we got to ride back to GA with them!  It had been about 3 years since we'd seen them so we had never met Kate and Lilly nor had they met Lia. It didn't take long for the kids to get acquainted and start acting like cousins though!

Very soon after arriving, introductions were made,

(and showing off commenced...notice the fancy boots, fancy mask, and fancy purse)

hugs were shared,

 (Lia and Kate are 3 mo apart)

supper was shared,

(notice that pile of clothes in the back-ground...that was the very beginning stages of my packing for the 10 day trip we were leaving on early the next morning)

and vehicles were inspected.

(this is the RV we rode in all the way to GA the next day) 

up next...Travel Day 1.

Happy 5th Birthday Jacob!

Dear Sweet Baby Boy of Mine,

How did you go from this

to this 

in 2.7 seconds?

Love,

Your Mom and Dad