Then & Now

Last year this weekend I was on my way home with our new daughter! This little girl has brought so much joy into our entire families lives. We can't imagine life without her!

Goodbye 2007

As we get close to saying goodbye to 2007 I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! We have had a very eventful and blessed year! Our first blessing was January 17th when we met our spicy, full of life, beautiful baby girl, Gracie Mae Ying! And we also had a fabulous trip to China! In April Troy graduated from school and in May he passed his state boards! In June we moved into our new house! Loving all the room! We also went on a rather long road trip and got to see many friends and family! We also got to introduce Gracie to everyone! We had a great time and a trip we will never forget! In July, Troy was Commissioned and started OBC, in which he finished in October. In October the kids and I traveled to NY for my brother and new SIL's wedding. We had a great trip and got to see family twice in one year! In November my brother came and stayed with us for a few weeks, which was great to spend time with him, as I miss both my brothers so much. Which brings us to December, which has been full of Christmas get togethers, military balls, cookies, decorations, trees, wrapping presents, fun, and laughter with friends and family! My Mom and Tom were out to spend Christmas with us and we had such a great visit! Christmas morning was very exciting as the boys said, "we got the mother load" and they were right! The boys ripped right through their gifts, while Gracie took her time and really enjoyed playing with each gift as she opened it!

Well I hope everyone has had a happy and healthy year and that your blessings have been plenty! We are so grateful for all of ours! May you all have a Happy New Year!

Cooper turns Eight!

Coop turned eight in December! He is growing up way to fast! He is a sensitive, compassionate, sweet little boy, but he can also be very mischievous, sneaky and quite the wild boy! I believe he had a good birthday as we had 6 little boys come and spend the night! Holy cow, so glad we never had sextuplets! Maybe it wouldn't have been pure torture for me if Troy hadn't gone to work! I was so glad when 10AM came and we said goodbye to all our friends!

Happy Birthday Coopy Baby! I love you!

So Proud of My Boys!

Zachary was on the A/B Honor Roll, with his only B being an 89, the rest all A's! And Cooper was on the A Honor Roll with a 96 average! I guess all that after

school time with Mom is paying off! I won't take all the credit, just a pinch! They both are working really hard and they make their Mama proud! How great it was to look at their report cards and not have to make them read more, study more, take away electronics, etc, etc. I just hugged them and told them how proud I was and enjoyed the moment! Way to go guys!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween and as Gracie's first she couldn't believe her good luck! Everyone kept wanting to give her candy!! Her sweet tooth is a little out of control, but what can you do? Gracie walked the entire time we trick or treated and promptly crashed when we got home, but man she was a ball of energy with a big ole smile! Too cute for words! The boys, they know the drill and were on a mission, and it didn't really include waiting up for your baby sister. Next year I think we will do it a little different, one of us will go with the boys and one will get the leisure stroll with Gracie. I think I will take the latter!

We hope everyone had a great Halloween!

One Year Ago Today...

We were blessed with an incredible gift! We were matched with this precious girl! We were a happy family of four, we had our hands full with our boys amd they are the little loves of our lives. But something was missing and on that day the missing piece was found and now we are a happy, crazy, super busy, sometimes a little overwhelming happy family of five! Life couldn't be much better one year later! We now have three little loves that fill each of our days!

Gracie turns TWO

Well, we celebrated Gracie's 2nd Birthday on the 16th of August. Yes I'm just getting around to posting pictures! Where does the time go? Anyway, yes our Baby Girl is TWO!! We had a great day and a small family celebration! Gracie wasn't sure about the birthday cake even though she watched Zak the week before! She tried to touch the burning candles, so the boys blew out her candles for her and we all wished for a happy and healthy year for her! She really enjoyed getting presents! Very excited to unwrap gifts! She received a baby doll with a stroller and a big pink pig that helps her learn to count! She also received many gifts from family and friends and we thank you so much for thinking of our special little girl on her big day!

We are having a blast with Gracie! She brings a certain spice to each and every day! In January when we first met Gracie, she was a scared, shy, 18 pound baby with eight teeth. Now she is a 23lb 3oz bounding toddler, babbling up a storm, with 16 teeth, capturing even strangers hearts! She has all four of us wrapped around each and everyone of her fingers! She is very interested in using the potty and tries so hard to keep up with her brothers!

Happy 2nd Birthday my Little Love Bug!

I love you!

Zak turns 9!

Love that Chuck E Cheese!

Happy Kids!

My Handsome Boy !

What?, where has all the time gone, maybe you could be 5, but certainly not nine! Zak had a great birthday! He got the coolest gifts, according to Zak. We asked Zak where he wanted to go for dinner and we ended up at Chuck E Cheese, like we should have been surprised! The kids had fun and then we went home for brownie and ice cream. The next day we had a birthday party with some old friends and some new! Fun was had by all, at least I think everyone had fun!

Zachary is growing into such a sweet little boy! He is very inquisitive about everything and how it works and why things are the way they are. Some of his questions are very difficult to answer, but I am trying my hardest to teach him about the world and how to survive in it, while being a good, sensitive, honest, caring and loving person. Parenthood is really a tough job!

Happy Birthday Zaky!