how we did mother's day

To celebrate Mother's Day my sisters and I took my parents out to Carrabba's for supper on Friday night.

My favorite dish from Carrabba's is something not on the menu.....but is a special they sometimes have and they allow you to order at any time. Mezzaluna Carrabba. It is half moon ravioli stuffed with chicken, ricotta and spinach served with grilled chicken and sautéed peas. YUMMY! We also enjoyed a bowl of Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup. Donovan and I split the meal and it was more than enough when you throw in all the free bread you can eat. Hot and fresh out of the oven. Ahhh.....

There was not a table big enough for us all...so the kiddos had a table all to their own just about 5 feet from us. Scary sight...isn't it?

Look at these 2...they are quite the pair. They make each other happy. And you know what?That makes me happy. These are my parents.

I am embarrassed a little to admit that it has taken almost a full 20 years to accept my plight in life. My mom died when I was 13 and my dad remarried. It took so much time to accept all of these changes. None of that was gracefully accepted as a teenager. Some acceptance came as I grew out of my teens and into my 20's. And now I feel I can fully accept (now in my 30's) my step mom for who she is as my dad's wife, to me as a mother figure, and to who she is as my children's grandmother. She is wonderful to us. She loves that we love her cooking. She loves when we come to visit. She loves to come to our house and bring dinner. She is a sweet friend to me and very accepting of our family. I have learned a great deal by God's grace. I think #1 would be that none of this life has a fairy tale ending. I see this as I grow older. I have always looked onto mother/daughter relationships with rose colored glasses. Thinking....." if only".......
Have you ever done that? Thinking that if only this would have turned out differently I would be happier? But changing my perspective and God changing my heart has turned this step-mom/step-daughter relationship around.

Saturday morning my girls and I went to a Mother/Daughter banquet at our church. I invited my mother-in-law to come with us.

We were joined by some other family that we there. I talked them into sitting with us, and it was fun. Aunt Dot is always full of spice and sugar. I love it.



My mother in law, Elsie.

You know what I love? I love how Elsie loves my kids. During the time that the speaker was talking Suzy was getting a little restless...so I sent her over to Grandma. Grandma was delighted. Drawing for her animals and pictures. Elsie is so into her grand kids, and it blesses me so richly to see them interact. Thank you mom, for loving them like you do.




Saturday night we celebrated mothers day with our little zoo by going out to dinner. As you can tell my favorite past time is to eat out.

We went to Mishawaka and picked up a chicken burrito from Chipotle. Complete with lime flavored tortilla chips. We got that to go and walked next door to Chick-Fil-A. Yep. Mexican for us. American for them. Because.....

I had to take a picture. This is the sign inside Chick-Fil-A. :) The kids all made me homemade cards and it was so very sweet to see their hard work and energy go into making something special for me. Each of them have different levels of spelling and different skills when it comes to drawing. So very sweet to have 4 little cards. I also was given a rose bush, some chocolates, and a plump new body pillow. Which they did not bring to the restaurant....but had waiting on my bed when I got home. Ahhh...it was a replacement for the one Cindy gave me from 9 years ago, and it was getting kinda flat.





Later Saturday night we went over to my friend Julie's house. She was having an informal birthday party for her 4 year old, and asked our small group over. What a fun fun time. It was so relaxed and fun to be together. Carla in our group brought over some clothes she wanted to put on a garage sale. So we got to look through those clothes.

I promptly changed into the clothes I bought from her. Comfy cozy!! How fun. These girls make my life so much fuller! Love ya Rose, Carla, and Julie.

Here are all the kids from our group including Ryan - the birthday boy in the green and white stripes.

Sunday....the actual day to celebrate Mother's day...we celebrated my nieces 16th birthday. I forgot my camera! So very sorry. She has turned into such a beautiful young lady. I can't wait to show her to you. I will post pictures of that day..when she emails the pictures to me. Hope your weekend was well and spent with the woman who gave you life.

Quote of the day:

Suzy: "Do I need a coat to go outside?"

Me: "No, just a shirt."

Suzy: "Why? Because God made a beautiful day?"

family

This past weekend we took some family pictures at the request of Donovan's mama. We had a perfect day for some outdoor shots.

Just plain delighted to be outside at Grandpas with cousins. I think in a child's mind...it can not get any better than that.

I'm pretty thrilled that my children are growing up with grandparents. Something I don't remember as a child, since my all 4 grandparents died when I was young.

The newest member of the family, Cale.


We also planted a garden...Our first in about 6 years. We had tried it in past years...but with having babies it was pretty hard to stay on top of the weeding/watering. So hopefully this will be a good project that will keep all my little peeps busy this summer.

We are trying a raised garden...Hopefully something will grow.

It was pretty cool to see all the enthusiasm of the kids. Jack seemed the most excited about putting the seeds in and covering them up.

We planted potatoes, carrots, radishes, green peppers, peas, and some flowers for cutting/decorating.

Quote of the day:

William: "Why are strangers bad?"

Me: "Because they don't have Jesus in their heart."

William: "WHAT? So that's the deal?"

spring has sprung..or is it summer???

Thursday morning I was hanging out the laundry and here was this little sweetie sitting in the woods (where we have a campfire ring) singing ever so sweetly.

I try to keep myself from taking SOOO many pictures sometimes...and simply enjoy the moment...but I see how fast this time is going for these little ones to be at home with me. Then I think how will I remember this moment if I don't snap a picture?? How is this journey through motherhood so very frustrating one hour and so very blissful the next??? Just that morning I was wishing for one hour of non-conflict. William was struggling to get the dishes put away from the dishwasher. He was letting the forks talk to one another than the spatulas were swords...and so it went for 1/2 an hour. I was wanting to get on with the day to go on a walk and play and him to be done..so I could put yet another load of dishes into be washed. But there he was taking his sweet time. So I set the timer for 15 minutes for a job that should have taken 5 minutes. With an explanation if the dishes were not done before the timer went off, we would get the golden rod out. I was out hanging out the laundry and I hear this moaning cry coming from the kitchen....

The timer had went off and he was not done. I hate when that happens. What is supposed to be the motivator to follow through with a job...turns into what he must have thought was a bluff. HATE to spank. But I also want to mean what I say when I say it. So in we went. See what I mean??? Blissful out here with smiley face and frustrating inside with the dish boy. As soon as I spanked him, he came to me hugged me and said he was sorry for messing around. I love that he is still at such a teachable age...such a soft heart.

We finished our work indoors and headed out for the rest of the day. Pure joy to be out after such a long winter.

Yesterday was in the 80's and we jumped the gun and got the kiddy pool out. It kept Suzy entertained for about 2 hours. It was so fun to listen to the joy and laughter.

Friday morning we were invited to join Marlys and Jessica for breakfast at E-haus.

Jessica had just drove in the night before bringing Grandpa's car home from Florida for them. Rod and Jessica were just in town for yesterday morning and then heading to Indy for a wedding Jessica was singing at yesterday afternoon.

Love Love Love these girls. We had so much fun.

Love this. Jessica told each of the kids they could pick one candy. How sweet...they were all pleased as punch. So fun!!

Quote of the day

by Jack yesterday at breakfast

Jack: "My water is all gone, I could use a beer."

Ummm...You forgot the "ROOT" part of the beer JACK!!!!

William Lewis

What I was doing 5 years ago today......having a wonderful c-section. Welcoming our 3rd baby into this world. See them pulling back on my tummy to get him out? Pretty cool...eh?

William Lewis

April 22, 2004

8:02 a.m.

8 lbs. 13 oz.

21 inches long

We named William for my Grandpa who was named after his dad.

My Great Grandpa...isn't he handsome?

And these are my maternal grandparents.

Isabella was 3 years old & Jack was 1 year old. It was so awesome to see the look on their faces when they met their new baby brother for the first time. Looking back on these pictures...I'm wondering how did we do that....3 that were 3 and under??? O.k. well I know how we did it...Just how did we manage the day to day?? Maybe that's why the nurses kept looking at me funny.Loved packing him up in his car seat for the first time...to take him home.

Ohhh...the power of pictures. I can almost smell this little pumpkin looking back over pictures of him. I would love to squeeze this little William at this stage just one more time. Yummy!!! He was such a good, good baby. I remember being amazed at how fast he would fall asleep. We would lay him down in his crib and he would fall asleep usually before we got to the door. He was so laid back even as a small newborn. I was shocked since neither of our first 2 children were like that. William is still my most contented child.

Wow....fast forward one year...

...and this is what we were doing. Already one year later, how did time fly so fast? We celebrated William's birthday in our basement apartment we were renting while our house was being built.


And then another year flew by....

and he is in love with tractors. Loves them!!!

William my handsome 3 year old.

Oh my goodness here comes 4 years old!!!

and here comes 5.

Last night my sister came over to bring William a gift...since we have small group tonight. We made a little celebration with chocolate pie. William's favorite.

I'm so blessed to be this little boy's mama. He is a bright spot in my day. I love his cheerfulness, and helpful spirit. He is often looking for ways to help me. I can remember one day a while back when I told him to get ready to go to the grocery store and he got his shoes on and then went and got mine...and lined them up right in front of me so I could easily slide them on. He loves to please. This week Suzy was helping me carry up frozen hamburger from the basement and when she got up here her hands were very cold. She was fussing and complaining. I was busy with something else....but when I turned around there was William with her one cold hand in the two of his warming her hand up for her. He was asking her, "Is that better Suzy? Are your hands warm now?" I wish I would've gotten a picture. William reminds me so much of his dad. He is so delightful. He loves to learn and is a self teacher. He just keeps working at something until he learns/memorizes it. Isabella and Jack have been teaching him addition, and he gets it. He really gets it...I can't believe it. So last night Jack and William were doing addition flash cards. And blow me over William beat Jack on some of them!!! What a guy. Neither of my oldest caught on to math that quickly.

Here is a quote from William while we were in the van headed into Goshen.

William: "Hey, this is the way we go to the baby shop."

Me: "the what?"

William: "the place where you get the baby out of your tummy.

Me: "Ohhh...The hospital."

William: "Yeah, the hospital."

day 9, 10, 11, & 12....of Florida

Promise this is the last post of me reliving my Florida days....some of you wanted to see this last couple of days so here you go...

Day 9...shock of all shocks I know --we went to the beach. Smile smile smile. It was a beautiful day and so most spring breakers were there at Siesta also. It took us about 20 minutes to find a parking spot..and another 20 minutes to walk to the beach from our parking spot. Even though we were at the beach early...by 10 a.m. Well not that early...but early if you are on vacation...right. But it was a good work out...and lots of great things to see on the long walk there.

Jack spotted this sight first....

Not something us Northerners see...ever.When we got to the beach...we met up with cousins. What a blast to watch the kids play and catch up. Pictured above:
Andy & Danielle, Donovan & I, Jenn & Randy

Donovan was in charge of entertainment...and gave the kids rides on the boogie board. Almost like sledding only with water and sand.

That evening we were invited over to Rod and Jessica's since they were not able to make it to the previous get together at the park. Loved eating outside....loved eating Jessica's good food....loved not cooking....

Loved laughing until my cheeks hurt...love these people.





Day 10....Jessica hooked us up with a pool of a friend of a friend. Great fun to play in the pool. I was surprised how Suzy would jump right in like she did last summer. She went right under, it was great. I thought with age she would get a little more fear of going under. But she loved it, as long as I had my arms out to catch her, and counted to 3. William on the other hand has no fear and more than once that day I pulled him up...because he went to far walking until he couldn't reach. He would get scared and then about 20 minutes later go for it again...venturing out to deep. I'm hoping swimming lessons will give him the boost to swim independently this summer. Isabella and Jack were in the deep end diving for pennies.

Later that night we went for dinner at a sea food restaurant. Isabella and Donovan both ordered fish. I had some yummy chicken.

Day 11 was Easter Sunday. I had Easter goodies for the kids and they opened those before we went to church. I love the excitement they had of opening their little surprises. I love the fun of getting them dressed up. We also did the Easter story through Ressurection Eggs this year. It was a neat way to retell the story of Jesus dying on the cross for a young audience. It had a huge impact on their little minds.

Easter morning we went to Abundant Life Fellowship, the church where Donovan's first cousin is the youth pastor. Also 2 other cousins attend there. It was good to be in a church with family on Easter morning.

After church Danielle and Andy invited us over for lunch....with all the trimmings.

Let me share the menu with you....

Ham

Mashed potatoes

& Gravy

Corn and green beans

Hot rolls

Mac & Cheese (for the kids)

and Pie
Hello!!! It was awesome!

The above pictures shows our kids toasting with Sweet tea...to the awesome lunch. It was so cute Austin (their oldest) even said prayer for the kids table. I didn't hear the prayer...but for days after that William repeated how Austin prayed....."Dear Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross." Isabella informed me that, it was how Austin prayed for Easter lunch. It's pretty cool when your kids learn from their cousins a prayer like that.

Our hosts.

After lunch the kids went outside for a water gun fight. It was around 85 that day. How awesome to be sitting outside soaking up the Florida sun.

That evening we were also invited to another Easter Celebration with Donovan's Aunt Wilma and Uncle Reuben and their family. It was such a bummer to decline...but we had a lot of junk to pack in our trunk that night so we could leave at a ripe hour of 3 a.m. the next morning.

How sweet that Aunt Wilma brought down an Easter basket for our kids with 4 of everything for our kids. How very very thoughtful of her....thanks Aunt Wilma. It was a great way to pass the time the next day.



Day 12 came and we got up at 3 a.m. we loaded up the sleepy kids and headed out. It was a great driving day and we had no traffic or weather problems. Which was a huge blessing. One sad, sad moment of my driving was to pass this great and awesome place without stopping.

Esp. since I still have a gift certificate to use from Christmas! Well another day I guess. The first 2 days of being home I have to admit were pretty depressing. Just getting into the swing of things and getting back to reality. Now Donovan he loves the trip home. Loves to be home. The man is a home body by nature. Me...well I think I would've stayed in Florida (if not for the cash flow issue) for another week. I just love to travel. I just love to be in a new place. The reality of back to the grind was just a little hard for me. But after a couple days...and catching up on the unpacking and laundry, seeing friends and family and I was happy to be back in my nest.

How do you do coming off of vacation?