Happy 6th Birthday Bridie

Bridie I cannot believe you’re six years old. I still remember the afternoon you were born so well. It was such a surreal and awesome day. I’ll just never forget the moment they said “it’s a girl!” You had just the sweetest and cutest little face and you were so calm and content right from the start. You were also very sleepy and you were happy to sleep so long that they were making me wake you to feed more.

This past year has been so much fun with you. Your sense of humor, independence, and ability to nurture has really blossomed. You love to make everyone laugh and you are really enjoying trips to the park with Maddie. The monkey bars are your favorite. You love taking care of Mary Jo and have a soft spot for Charlie McKillen. 💙 You are honestly so good to Mary Jo – it warms my heart. You’re patient with her and always share. You genuinely love spending time with her, especially in the morning. You love to play with your brothers too. Seeing your ride your bike and want to do more things on your own has been really fun.

things I’ll remember from this year …

how much you enjoyed our trip to Florida and Wisconsin – you just love it all

how good you were starting Irish dance

how you took care of all the cousins on 4th of July

playing baseball and soccer this year … your hits and especially the last game of soccer where you scored a goal!

Beginning kindergarten and how much you just love going everyday.

your really funny stories (some true, some made up) and your imitations of people

I love you so much Bridie. You have such a great smile that brings me so much joy 🙂 You live 100% energy until you’re 100% tired and tonight we were all tired ☺️it was a great day celebrating you❤️

The Day Today

5:45 am Wake up

get uniforms

Iced coffee yum

make lunches

Shower and get ready

feed Mary Jo

serve breakfast

make bottles

Physical therapy

make lunch

feed Mary Jo

help Bridie take a nap

pick up kids

Frangella for Italian beef sandwiches

Feed Mary Jo

homework and play

make dinner

Bridie lost a tooth

stopped at dunnes

dinnertime

feed Mary Jo

showertime

bedtjme

laundry time and cleaning time

tooth fairy time ☺️

12 am reading time

A Good Day

Today was 50 degrees … YAYYYY!

I had lunch with Mom and it was a great visit! And then nice to be outside – we took a walk and played bball at Trinity and then went to the park with Eileen and the kids. So much fun. Feels like we are in a new season. I am so grateful to see Mary jo growing and Bridie enjoying school and the boys loving basketball. We had good dinner conversation. Bill took the kids to open gym. Dad’s physical therapy went well. I’m still enjoying my book. I am so tired but I just want to remember these simple things from today and the feeling of a good day.

Today I Loved

Today I loved hugging Mary Jo and watching her laugh. I loved seeing her face when the boys came home from school.

Today I loved playing vet with Bridie and watching her come up with pretend names for her animals and for Mary Jo. I loved that Cupcake is her name of choice for Mary Jo. I loved watching her soar on her trampoline.

Today I loved watching the kids pack up their ornaments and look at each special one before placing them in their new Christmas box. It makes me thankful for the tradition my mom started for us and the one we’ve carried on.

Today I loved that Bill took the kids to a Marist basketball game. I love that he goes out of his way to spend time with the kids.

Today I loved watching Willie’s confidence grow while he read big full paragraphs of a new book.

Today I loved seeing the kids play with clay.

Today I loved making breakfast for dinner for our family.

Today I loved our life right where we are. There’s some things I’m scared about and worried about and I’m finding the more I live day by day the better off our family is. I place these worries in God’s hands tnite and ask that he will lead the way. I trust in you Lord.

Remember

I am sitting in a kitchen that has been cleaned I think 5 times in less than 24 hours and it is messy still – I think I have grown in that this doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it used to.

The house is messy and it’s a sign that we live here everyday and enjoy life. I’m sad that break is ending. I’ve loved having slow mornings and just the kids playing here everyday with their Christmas toys. Even the complaining and fighting has been welcomed from time to time. The kids are absolutely wonderful with Mary Jo and take such great care of her – they adore her and she has a special smile for each one of them. What a gift!!!

I listened to a podcast about a new book that I’m excited to read. It’s called into the wild light.

And I’m feeling energetic about taking the Christmas decor down, but it’s not making me crazy which is a welcome feeling.

Overall I feel just slightly more relaxed than oh say the last year. Not for a particular reason other than maybe just some time has passed. Please I beg God to help this relaxing feeling stay. Please help this year be slightly boring with excitement from just the everyday joys. Please lead me to a next adventure that is exhilarating without so much pain, suffering, or trauma Lord. I feel bad asking it this way but I think You understand God.

St. Nicholas Day

We celebrated St. Nicholas today with an impromptu fancy dinner on fine China. The kids loved eating with the candles. And then we watched Polar Express – I love that movie so much. The kids have been so fun – enjoying all these special moments with them.

Dreams Do Come True :)

When we were looking for a house I always hoped and dreamed we would be in walking distance to our church and school. Today the boys rode their bikes to school and they were just so excited. I loved it – that feeling of independence is so fun as a kid 🙂

I can’t believe how far she has come and what a sweet and gentle baby she is. I just love her sooo much!

Mary Jo is 5 Months!

Mary Jo,

5 months in this world and you’ve totally captured our hearts❤️ Your eyes have a kindness and wisdom and knowing in them…and a love like no one else. Your smile is pure joy. We love you so much! Happy 5 months😍What a beautiful difference you have made in our family already!

Thank You God

She is doing so well and she is the sweetest little baby. 💗💗💗💗💗such a little angel!

Thoughts

I’d love to help volunteer with Ronald McDonald or Jackson Chance

I want to become healthy again

I’d like to interview family members about their marriages, specifically what was the hardest time in your marriage and how did you get through it. And what advice would you give a young couple just starting out?

Work is on my brain. I’m feeling this pull to work part time or do something – isn’t that weird? Yes it is. Listening and wondering if I’m being called to do something part time? Hmmm

meanwhile I’m loving all the snuggles with Mary Jo. She is the best baby and so so so cute. She’s got the sweetest gentlest demeanor. But then she also has a side that is very much “I will be heard and I’m not afraid to voice my displeasure at being hungry or cold!” She looks very intently and is starting to make her little cooing sounds. I am so grateful for each little milestone she reaches. I love her so much💗💗💗

Look how big she is getting!!!