We're MEMBERS!

Our good friends the Itri's were looking for some friends to join in on their Please Touch Museum Pass.  It was too good of a deal to pass up.  So, on a whim we decided to venture out of the house and visit the museum.  We had been there before, but it was on one of their discount evenings and it was CRAZY.  This time it was a little busy, but NO WHERE near as packed as the first time.  The kids once again LOVED it.  I totally underestimated the craziness of taking 3 walking/running kids!  Needless to say we had to have the 'stranger' talk several times when Luke and Mika and Taija each took off running in opposite directions!!!  I may or may not have lost one of them at some point in our adventures!  Talk about a heart attack!  Here are some pics of our adventure!

Rita's Ice is a big deal here in Delaware...the kids had FUN pretending to serve the ice cream

Luke could have played with this thing for hours - he LOVED it!

Taija has always been pretty sensitive to loud noises.  She walked around this rocket launching exhibit with hands in her ears the entire time!

They have this cute hospital area where you can take care of babies.

This was a new McDonalds area...the kids thought it was cool to pretend eating GIANT hamburgers

Thanks to the Itri's for a fabulous time at the Please Touch Museum - we look forward to being able to go a lot more as we are now members!

NEW YORK NEW YORK

For my 30th Birthday celebration Kate and I decided we needed a 'night out on the town' in none other than NEW YORK CITY!  We had it all planned out...she was going to fly in on Thursday, she would assist with a Valentines party and hang out with the kids on Friday, and on Saturday we would PARTY!  We are talking a trip to Carlo's Bakery, the New York City Ballet, Serendipity that evening, then staying in the CITY overnight.  Did I mention ALL of this would be kid free???  I was so excited!  Well, that is until the weather RUINED our amazing plans.  ALL flights into Philly were cancelled on Thursday and since their 'replacement' option was less than ideal we knew it was not meant to be.  We were able to cancel our room, but since the ballet tickets are non-refundable there was no point in them going to waste.  Luckily my awesome friend was able to work things out with her husband and the kiddos and Stephanie and I were on our way to see the New York City ballet.  It was a blast.  We drove into the city (I may or may not have followed GPS to the wrong side of the ferry), found adequate - not too expensive parking, took the SUBWAY and found our way to the Lincoln Center and into the Koch Theater.

Subway selfie!

It was pretty funny because Stephanie had just asked me if I knew where the Manhatten Temple was located, all I knew was it was in a busy area of the city, and we step out of the subway entrance, take a look around and lo and behold...there is the TEMPLE.  Since we were right there and we had plenty of time before the ballet started we decided to go take a look.  The temple is located on the first floor, a small distribution center is on the 2nd, and a meetinghouse is on the third.  After getting cleared by the security guard we took a look around the 2nd and 3rd floors.  It was so much fun being able to be there.  And now we know where it is!

On our way over to the theater there was a DELICIOUS smelling waffle cart - we HAD to have one.  And they did not dissappoint.  Paired with a cup of Belgian hot chocolate it was pretty close to heaven!  We attempted to sit at the tables located right by the cart, but since it was snowing and all it didn't last long. We were able to finish our impromptu meal in the lobby of one of the theaters at the Lincoln Center.

Now it was on to the Lincoln Center Theater and over to the Koch Theater.  We went to see Coppélia, a 19th century comedy ballet.  It was absolutely amazing!  

These dancers are so skilled and dedicated!  I LOVED every minute of it.  Since you aren't allowed to take any pics inside the theater I borrowed these from their internet site...

Thank you to Stephanie (and Kate) for the amazing day in New York City. Although it wasn't how I originally planned - it turned out to be a wonderful day.  I was even able to make it home in time to say goodnight to my beautiful children and my amazing husband!!  30 is going to be GREAT!

VALENTINES DAY

Holidays are so MUCH fun with kiddos to celebrate.  This year I stole an idea from a post a friend put up...mailboxes with daily love notes and a piece of chocolate for the kids.  They LOVED it.  Each morning after breakfast they were so excited for their candy to see what their notes said!  We would then tape them up on the door so they could see how MUCH they are loved.  Taija didn't have preschool on the 14th so they had their party on Wednesday.  She was so excited!  We worked hard on her Valentines to share.  She wrote each of her classmates names and signed it with hers.  I made the mistake of taking ALL of the kids with me to the store to pick out which ones she wanted - so, Luke ended up getting some too.  The day of the party arrived and Taija helped me bake some cinnamon rolls to share (we had signed up to bring a baked item).  We even shaped them into hearts!  Poor Luke and Mika wanted to stay and play too.  Taija was such an awesome big sister.  On the way home in the car she told Luke he could have one of her suckers.  She pulled out each and EVERY Valentine she received and had me read her the names on it.  Taija even gave Luke the Ninja Turtle card since she was sure he would LOVE it.  It warms my heart to see how much she loves her siblings.  Luke tripped (and may have been eating his sucker) and broke the candy heart that Taija had given him.  He was so upset, but Taija was right there to give him another one.  And since he didn't like the new one, she found another one for him - no worries it wasn't wasted, just given to Mika.

On Valentines Day we hosted a fun HEART party for our friends.  The previous day was a CRAZY blizzard and we were worried no one would show up.  Luckily overnight it cleared up enough.  So the PARTY was ON!  We frosted heart shaped cookies, with enough sprinkles for an army; made cards; had a cupcake walk; and visited with our friends!  Thanks to Stephanie for taking such awesome pics and letting me steal them!

 

Cupcake walk (a few of the kids, including two of mine, decided to dress up before the cupcake walk, hence spiderman, the police officer, and princess)

Thanks to everyone who came...we sure had A LOT of FUN!

That evening we decided to have pizza (I was going to make a traditional 'red and pink' dinner, but totally failed making sure I had all of the ingredients).  Justin came home with cute cards for each of us to open.  The kids HELD on to theirs the rest of the evening!  I sure do LOVE all of my Valentines!

Thoughts

Since this is pretty much a journal for our family I wanted to put some thoughts down regarding an amazing opportunity I had today of attending a 'Celebration of Life' with Justin for one of his patients.  I hadn't planned on attending until Justin asked me to earlier this week.  I am SO GLAD that I did.  This little girl and her family are simply AMAZING.  She was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease at a young age after being in and out of the hospital since birth.  This disease simply put is the inability for her to eat and process food.  She has had a feeding tube and various 'lines' in and out of her body, but these things didn't stop her from living.  With the diagnosis of this disease came the word 'terminal' - the fact that she wouldn't live very long.  She was 5 year 10 months and 33 days old when she passed away.  And boy did she LIVE!  Her family made sure of that - several trips to the beach, 2 trips to Disneyworld (one of which was decided upon 10 days prior to going), lots of time spent with family, doing her favorite 'messy' crafts, exploring outside, or simply laying on the floor so she could play with her siblings.  Her mom actually spoke at the celebration - although she knew it would be difficult she said she thought it would be 'inappropriate' for her not to speak at an event celebrating her daughter.  Her mom is my new IDOL!  Talk about strength, determination, loyalty and faith!!!  After debating on a topic she chose to talk about what it was like to be this little girl's mom.  One of my favorite words she used to describe herself was as or rather THE advocate for her daughter.  She became and expert on this disease, she chose to be the BEST at taking care of her daughter, whether it was changing her dressing, doing her lines, and many other medical terms I have no idea what mean!  She was CONSTANTLY emailing her doctor, talking with the specialists, reading new articles and such.  My favorite quote of hers was "not doing something because it was too hard was NEVER an option."  I LOVE that!  Too many times I think, or rather choose NOT to do something or go somewhere with the kids because I can only imagine how hard it will be.  Well, NO more.  Life is meant to be lived.  I hope that I NEVER have to plan the 'celebration of life' for my children, but I also don't want to feel like we haven't truly LIVED while here in this life.
I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge I have that families are forever.  I LOVE being a mom - exhausted, frustrated, stressed, loved, and HAPPY!  Throughout the celebration the music playing in the background was a beautiful arrangement of primary hymns.  The first time Justin met them they had the same music playing.  The mom of another patient had given this particular arrangement to them to be a 'constant' source of peace for the little girl.  They could play it in the car, at their home, but more importantly at the hospital so that she would feel like she was in a safe place.  As a gift when Justin left his rotation on her floor he gave the family The Children's Hymn Book.  The celebration event was held at their church, not sure which denomination besides Christian.  It was very powerful and spiritual. I am so glad that I went and was able to get a glimpse into this little girl's life with her family.  CHILDREN are simply amazing!

VACATION - 2014

We started this year off right with a VACATION at the end of January.  And where else would we spend Justin's week off except the BEACH.  Florida here we come!  It was AWESOME.  Pa and Grammy joined us there and it couldn't have been better (well, maybe if 2 of the 7 days weren't rainy that would have been nice)!  My kids were in heaven - swimming multiple times a day at the beach and in the heated pool.  Poor Taija hates the COLD and has asked more than once when we will be returning to our Florida house.  She was so excited to be in the sun, wearing shorts, no jacket, sandals, just basking in the warmth.  While we would take a break for lunch inside Taija preferred picnic style laying out on her towel chatting with her Daddy.  I miss it already!!  Total picture OVERLOAD - enjoy!

One day we ventured over to the park

All too soon our vacation ended - until next time!