Happy Mother's Day!

I never imagined my life with 4 little children in it! 

Honestly. I always wanted 2 kids in my dreams, but having twins right off the bat threw a little curve ball in our plans. I LOVED having twins! The excitement of 2 little human beings dependent on you was exhilarating. Your fist child (children) brings so much pleasure as they eat their first bite of cereal, smile, coo and laugh, roll over, sit up, take their first steps.You're always waiting for the next big milestone! Then you have your next child- my 3rd- and life is a whirlwind!  You no longer wait for the milestones and you are lucky to even stay awake long enough to realize their growing up! You world is full of boggers, dirty diapers, spilled messes, sticky fingers, Dora and Diego, and exhaustion! Then add another! I dont know how I have managed to survive four little munchkins in 5 years but through God's grace I have and honestly have tried to enjoy the ride! This Mother's Day, I woke up to a clean house, flowers, little plaster of paris handprints, a warm cup of coffee with biscotti and bagels and 4 little smiling faces beaming with pride because I am their mom and its Mother's Day!  I couldnt be happier! Yes, life is crazy and I often loose my temper and patience almost every day, but I have the love and hearts of 4 little people! I am instrumental is forming who these people turn out to be and how they view this world and their God! God is using me to shape 4 little lives. 

What a humbling privilege is mine!

my oldest by 30 minutes- Sophia Hope

my Arianna Grace

my Ella Faith (Ella Bella)

my last baby(and my BOY)- Elijah Benjamin

Post coming soon...

My camera cord got left on a bus in Boston. It is being shipped as we speak. TONS OF pictures and a post coming when it arrives! I know you've been missing me!

Food Post...

Its been quite a while since I posted a recipe- so here's 2 for you:)

Mom's Iced Tea: 

Our family drinks this by the gallon:) I make a gallon every other day!

 It is decaf and it is delicious.

 It reminds me of my mom who I miss so much!

12 decaf tea bags(I use Salada or Lipton)

1 1/3 cup of sugar

1/4 cup of lemon juice or more if you like it lemony

So, I bring about 4 cups of water to a boil with the tea bags (which I clip to the handle of the pot) 

Right after it comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low and simmer for a good hour-

Stir in sugar and squeeze out tea bags .

Add lemon juice

Add water .

I have a gallon pitcher that i make it in and just pour the tea in and then add water to the top.

Chill and serve- its great!

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches:

I LOVE this dinner and it is so easy. I just discovered it and I dont know why it took me so long!

1 lb of chicken

1 bottle of Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce (its the BEST) 

1 cup of water

Throw all of that in a crockpot for several hours till chicken is cooked.

Once chicken is cooked, use a fork to pull the chicken apart and shred it

I put it on warm and I left the lid off for a while so it thickened up.

Serve on a yummy bun with a great salad.

I just LOVE food:) 

SURPRISE!

My sweet friend Erika turned 30 a few weeks ago and I decided to surprise her 

with her close friends meeting at Olive Garden with small gifts and a good dinner.

 It was such a fun night!

I am so thankful for good friends!

Traditions

Tradition #1: Every Easter morning, we gather around after breakfast and open our Resurrection Eggs which tell the story of the REAL meaning of Easter- going thru Jesus's death, burial and resurrection in the Bible! The girls LOVE it and get so sad when we go thru what Jesus suffered for us! We continue to pray that it will become a HEART knowledge and belief in their young lives. I was in tears by the end just thinking of what a wonderful Savior we have who endured so much to bring me- a vile sinner- into His presence!

WHAT AMAZING LOVE AND GRACE!

Tradition #2: We then get all dressed up and I make them get pictures done before going on the egg hunt! 

Every Easter, I really miss my Nanny- we used to take the kids their (in PA) and hunt for eggs in her yard- she loved watching them search and run around.. I miss her so much!

Tradition #3- We then head to church and praise and worship the one whom Easter is all about!

Then off to Grandma and Grandpa's for an amazing Easter dinner!

This post can't wait!

Notice the curtains in the top right hand side of this picture-

I MADE THEM!

Can you believe that I actually made Elijah's curtains? 

All thanks to my in laws who gave me a sewing machine for my birthday!

And the best part of the gift was a basic sewing class which showed me how to work my machine.

It was SO easy!

I must admit, I looked at a pair of curtains that Kara made me when we lived in MA, and copied her design since I did not have a pattern. But, I did get creative and added the silk ribbon.

So, here is little Elijah's room which has only 2 unfinished projects in it... can you spot them?

I will tell you- I would like to make a new lampshade for his lamp to match the bright colors in his room

and I need to decorate his corkboard!

But, I am very pleased with the Monkey theme in his room

and the bright colors!

I also painted 2 monkey pictures to hang on his wall- a girl and boy monkey face:)

I just LOVE to decorate and create! I think it is my favorite thing:)

31 Years Young Today... pics of festivities to follow....