Number 6

Happy Anniversary Baby!  It seems hard to believe that just 6 years ago we were getting ready for our wedding.  Who knew that you would be late and that we would have a monsoon?  (For the record, the limo driver made him late)   I will never forget the look on your face when our eyes met at each end of that VERY long isle.  You are still as handsome today as you were then!  I am proud to be your wife and to call you my husband.  

When we met, I was 15 and you were 18.  I would've never guessed that you would be mine.  I'm so happy that God gave me you.  I don't know what I would do without you!  You are the love of my life.  You are the best Daddy in all the land!  You make me a better woman, a better wife and a better mother.  I need you! 

Happy Anniversary!  I love you!

May 30

Aaaaahhhh, Smints.  The name of these cookies was 4 words long so I shortened it to Smints.  As in "Linda'S mints."  These babies MELT in your mouth.  They may be my favorite cookie.  They are easy and DELICIOUS!  They are made with Ande's mints, oil, flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla and baking powder.  They are REALLY not Weight Watcher friendly but I just can't stop eating them.  Anyway, Michael and I made these for his preschool spring program tomorrow.  Preschool mothers beware.....Your taste buds are in for a shocking refreshment!

May 29

Beallsville Tank.  It sits on a hill in Beallsville.  Jamie has been telling me for 2 years that it's right in front of her road and I have yet to see it till this evening.  It took Cassie to show me the way.  She brought Tiffany and I to the Beallsville Diner today.  Yummmmmm!

Or maybe I could use this beautiful barn!  I just love it!  Cassie suggested I use two pictures today.  :º)

May 28

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  We found this little guys crossing the sidewalk.  Michael wanted to touch it but was a little too scared.  Carter, on the other hand, almost crushed this baby when he knelt down to grab it.  

That's what He said

After showering this morning I opened the door.  Michael came running in and told me that I couldn't open the door because the frog would go away and he wouldn't be able to clean the frog off the mirror.  So, he closed the door.  "It's my job to clean the frog off."  I handed him the squeegee and picked him up.  He stands on the counter and cleans off the fog.  He LOVES to do it.  I stand right behind him.  He cleans the WHOLE mirror off then, when he's satisfied with his work, he hands me the squeegee and gets help down.  And since a blog is always better with a picture, here's a picture of Michael at the Patio 2 years ago.

May 27

Chamomile tea + Honey + My favorite mug from my favorite Ruth = My favorite remedy for this awful sore throat

May 26

The all mighty Rauhawk.  That's what Michael calls a mohawk.  It's a mix between row and raw plus hawk.  

Ummmm

Does anyone else see the problem with how they abbreviated this sign?  I maybe would've chosen to abbreviate "Creek"  instead of choosing "FORK"!  I laugh every time I pass it.  The bridge crossing over East FORK Duck Creek is on a busy road, so I FINALLY didn't have anyone behind me and I had my camera.  The planets must have been lined up in my favor.  Good times!

May 25

Michael came up to me and asked me if I could ask someone to throw him up high.  I guess Brian wasn't quite cutting it.  This is Henry, he is Jake's friend from middle school.  They are both Marines now and somehow, one has been stationed in Hawaii, the other on the Cleveland's west side.  Could you imagine?  What a bummer.  :º)  

May 24

Three jumps in 24 hours = one new battery.  This is Angela working on her first vehicle EVER!  Way to go Mrs. Molnar!!!!  Thank you for all your help in said 24 hours!  Love you!

May 23

Yours Truly!  Yours Truly!  It's a restaurant!  It's a restaurant!  Ha ha ha ha!  As soon as I knew we were meeting here for brunch with Dad, I knew this was going to be today's picture.  Here's to you Alexa!

May 22

Housesitting.  This is the Jenkins' house.  Carter and I are watching it for them while they're at a wedding.  We love those Jenkins!!!  They are great friends and Carter's Godparents.  It worked out well for everyone.  We were closer to Grandma's house and they didn't have to leave their house abandoned.

May 21

Jacob is home.  Well, he's been home from Iraq for a little while now but he made it to Cleveland today!  I miss that boy's face!  I love you Jake!!!  Thanks again for saving our freedom!!!

May 20

Laundry.....my Arch NEMESIS!  It just keeps coming.  This is the most I've had in quite some time.  I hope it never gets this bad again.  There are more than 20 tee shirts in each of the tee shirt piles.  This doesn't even include Carter's clothes or the 2 loads in the machines currently.  *sigh*  At least it's almost done for now.  

May 19

Cornucopia.  Carter got a sand and water table for his birthday.  I filled the sand side with corn because they already have a sand box and it's always good to get different textures.  Michael was LOVING the corn.  I took over a hundred pictures yesterday and, for the most part, Michael was in the corn.  It was a REALLY hard decision.  He spent most of the day picking it up and dumping it out.  I really liked how this one showed the kernels in stop motion.

Haircut Day

Before.

After I freaking love it!!!  :º)

May 18

Ahhhh, Pampered Chef.  She made this meal in about 30 minutes in the MICROWAVE!!!  Delish!  It was REALLY great to spend some time with new friends.  I can't wait to see what the summer will hold with my girls!  Thank you Michelle for having us out!

May 17

We moved the bird feeders.  I think they're actually protesting.  They find it every time.  We bought a new shepherd hook and we moved it in front of our living room window.  The little birds hopped right over and the big ones are refusing.  They're just hanging out here where the old one hung.  Eating the seed they spilled.

May 16

Rain, Rain GO AWAY!  Come back after more than just one day!  Seriously!  I know we needed some rain but not every day.  We had one day of beautiful and then we get this.

A fellow blogger asked that we put this picture up so we can all vote for her photo to win a scrapbooks etc. contest.  Please vote for Ms. Marquette.  Missy, Bobby and I all went to school with most of their family.  If she wins they'll use this picture as the cover!  You can vote every day till June 16, so get there and make it happen!  Thanks for your help!

G.P.S.

I'm pretty sure my G.P.S. has taken something.  I was on my way to DOWNTOWN WHEELING when my G.P.S. (also known as Betty) brought me here.  

And here!!!  Where am I????  BETTY!  What are you thinking?!?!?!?  She took me over an hour out of the way.  The worst part is that there are actually houses back here!  All I could think, while I was passing a house every 2-3 minutes, was "How on earth did they get building materials up these gravel, one lane roads???"   I mean...it was a beautiful drive.  It was just not what I was expecting.  And, I didn't bring my camera.  WAY TO GO HELEN!  What was I thinking?  "Do a photo a day in the month of May and DON'T bring your camera!"  *sigh*  

May 15

He's such a serious driver.  He's watching his Daddy mow the lawn.  He couldn't take his eyes off him.  So cute!

May 14

Driving companions.  I drove a LOT today.  All the way to Canton and then to St. Clairsville and finally home.  It made for a very long day.  My Ipod, XM radio and a flower from Michael.  The Ipod is always good to have on hand.  The XM is really good when I've already listened to my whole ipod.  The flower came from Angela and Rob's wedding cake.  He was helping Mom take the cake apart for the cutting and he made her suck the frosting off it before he regifted it to me.  I love him.  He's so sweet.  

May 13

"Why do you build me up?  Buttercup Baby..."  I love buttercups.  I haven't seen one in YEARS!!!  I walked outside with Carter and There they were.  Please note.... our yard has not been mowed in so long that I was able to fit my camera under the flower without touching it to the ground.  We'll have time to mow again in August.  This summer seems extra busy.  It started about May 1, and it's going to be crazy till approximately August 1.  Welcome buttercups.  Good bye summer.

Bresslauers

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!  My favorite couple in all the world!  They have married for 8 years!  And, let's be honest, Gwenn has been my best friend since she was born.  I really miss you guys but I hope this is the best anniversary yet!  I love you!!!  

May 12

The Dogwood tree.  I have a new found appreciation for the Dogwood tree.  I've seen them before but never in such multitudes as I have since we moved to southern Ohio.  Last year Martha P. brought a branch in to church and put it on the alter.  These blooms are so beautiful.  I was standing after church in awe.  She came up to me and asked if I had ever heard the story of the Dogwood tree.  I had not.  She went on to tell me that the Dogwood is the tree Jesus was hung from and God promised never to make a Dogwood strong enough to hang another man.  The 4 petals are shaped like a cross and there is a little brown stain on the end of each one to remind us of the blood shed.  The center of the flower is round and spikey like the crown of thorns.  When I decided to do a picture a day I knew I NEEDED to get one of the Dogwood in full bloom.  Thank you God for such a pure, beautiful reminder of your gift to us.

May 11

My Carter~Baby loves this little chair.  I caught him sitting here and I grabbed my camera.  He just started grinning.  

May 10

Happy Mother's day Mom!!!  Thank you for all the lessons learned and help given.  You ROCK Mama!!!

May 9

Well, here's most of the clan.  It's so sad that it takes a wedding to get us all together.  We all worked at Geauga Lake/Six Flags together.  What amazing friends.  I miss them all so much.  When we get together it seems as though no time has passed.  To think we used to spend EVERY day together seems long lost.

Happy Wedding Day Angela and Rob!!!  Thanks again for letting me be part of it!  I love you both and can't wait to see what marriage brings you!

May 8

The rehearsal.  This is Rob and Angela (and the hottest preacher ever).  They're getting married in less than 24 hours.  I just love them both.  I was really honored that I was asked to take part in their day.  

May 7

After hitting the spa and getting an amazing burger from Max & Irma's with Angela, we got to go to Archiver's.  That store is so dreamy!  I got some really cute graduation stamps.  It's tough to restrain one's self while in such a place.  You just kind of sigh when you walk in.  

May 6

Carter has figured out that when big brother is gone his toys are free range.  Michael doesn't let Carter touch this forklift.  Michael was at school and we couldn't pry it out of his hands.  And he was this happy the entire time!

Happy Birthday My Biggest Boy!!!

My big dude!  Happy fourth birthday!!!  You are so sweet.  I love you all the way to Heaven.  Four years ago you decided that May 5th was the day.  We were expecting you a little closer to June 12th.  When my water broke at 4:00 in the morning I didn't have too many choices.  Your Daddy was scheduled to go on a canoe trip with some intercity kids and if you would've waited even 3 more hours he would've been gone and you would've come into the world without him.  When my water broke I had to wake up your Daddy and he was stunned.  He may have sworn.  :º)  I was only in labor for 9 1/2 hours start to finish.  I was sitting in the bed and I remember looking at Daddy and I realized that if you in fact did come on that day that your birthday would be 5-5-5.  What are the odds?  It was awesome!  You made it really easy for me!  You were a little dude but you were all mine.  You have come so far.  I have been privileged to have you as my oldest son.  I love you Michael.  Happy Birthday Pal!

May 4, 2009

On Mondays I take the boys to John and Caroline's house.  They have a farm with dirty farm animals.  It's really something to be able to share this with my kids.  While I go to weight watchers the boys play on the farm.  It's a really great arrangement.  They love it and we get to see awesome animals every week.  I really like this horse because of his shaggy hair!  

May 3

Michael's 4th birthday party.  This is Alayna.  She goes to school with Michael and she was loving this neat balloon trick!  Remember when it was so simple?

Busy Day

May 2, 2009 

We had a very "all over the state" day today.  We had our camp meeting then we picked up the boys in Stow.  Then we went to Chuck and Linda's to pick up some things for Kimmy.  Michael LOVES to see Chuck and Linda.  They have the most fun stuff in the world!!!  This is the boys' tree house.  It's not really in a tree but it's so much more than a fort!  

Here we go!

May 1, 2009.  Okay, here's #1 for May 1st.  

We are cleaning the house getting ready for Michael's birthday party.  This boy can find bubbles if there are any present.  This is his Hat and Beard combo.

These are actually from yesterday but I just had to share.  Carter HATES these glasses when they show up on someone else's face.  Michael, playing the older brother, embraced this and kept putting them on so Carter would scream with fright.  Sibling rivals already?  I thought I had a couple of years for that jazz to begin.

On the other hand, he sure did love to wear them!  Aren't they funny?