snake found dead

This ones for you Sonia… I know you’ll love it. what could be better than a dead snake?  ;)

Congratulations to…

Michael and Amy on their new little baby, Connor. Born May 15th.

And to Ben and my sister Cheri on their first little baby, Michael Connor. Also born May 15th.  :D

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School

One day while teaching Shani her numbers:

Me: put 3 and a 6 together what number does it make?

Shani: Thirty six

Me: Good! 7 and 2?

Shani: Seventy two

Me: 8 and 5?

Shani: eighty five

Me: Great! 1 and 9?

Shani: Onety nine!

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Shani wrote this sentence.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put them down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

It’s a girl!!!

Congratulations, Mom and Dad, on your latest addition to our family!!!

(#15 for my Dad, #8 for Mom)

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FREEEEEEDOOOM!!!

I’m officially a driver!

I passed my (3rd) test!

I got a “very good” with a smiley face :) from the examiner. Only two errors.

A Vic-tory out of seeming defeat. I got failed the day before by a small debatable offense. I said “hells no” and planned to walk in without an appointment the next day.  Thank God it worked out perfectly, He even arranged for me to get the sweetest driving instructor and an easier driving route. TYJ!

A BIG thanks goes to Doug Spencer (my driving instructor) who went above and beyond to ensure that I would pass my test.  And Sam Peck who patiently had me drive around town on our day off and sometimes skipping his exercise time to help me get more practice. And also to our co-workers who supported and covered slots for us.

God bless you all!

Tidbits

Kyla lost her first tooth today! She asked me to pull her tooth out after it had been wiggly for almost a week. She was very brave.

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Here comes the tooth fairy…

I’m going to need a tooth fairy budget.

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After praying with my girls for the night, Shani says a quick prayer for daddy not to crash (he’s traveling to some meetings) then pipes up that she wants to pray for Claire too. She then proceeds to pray all on her own:

(Shani:) Jesus please bless Darren and Claire, keep them safe when they do their job, and please be with them and help them to remember to brush their teeth after their job. In Jesus name, amen.

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Shani update: PINK is her new favorite color.

Ballet

Kyla, Brooke and Ella participated in their ballet school’s Spring show.

Kyla and Brooke were baby bees.

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Kyla did very well, I’m so proud of her. :)

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Kyla front center, Brooke second row left.

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Tada! (and that’s only half the “bees” that were on the stage)

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Ella was a pirate. A very pretty one.

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Har! Har!

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My twin and I

Julia and I :

Both flirty and coy.

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I’m observant.

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She’s a conversation starter.

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Quiet.

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Speaks her mind.

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Shy.

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Outgoing.

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Both wild and crazy.

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Both enjoy a moment of quiet.

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Both enjoy: beaches, rain, sunshine, cute little babies, kittens, food, drinks, dancing, and guys…of course.

I miss you!!!

Celebrating:

Sam’s Birthday. I love you babe!

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Saint Patrick’s Day (for the first time)

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Claire’s Birthday.

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(some of these pics are just a collection of the past year or two)