More details . . .

So, we already know that we will be adding a girl to our family. She is due this Thursday. She will have beautiful dark brown eyes, white fur, and a black wet nose. Oh, I'm so sorry to have misled you all, but our new family member (at least for the next three months) will be a darling West Highland Terrier by the name of Lucy. (I really didn't think anyone would believe me - honest!) My great friend, Sarah, is going to be living in Spain for the next three months while her husband is working there and they needed a home for Lucy. We were happy to adopt her into our family. This will be a good trial run for getting our own dog. April 2010 is coming fast . . . if you don't know why that date is significant, Darin promised the girls over five years ago that they could have a dog . . . hoping they would forget about it . . . in April 2010. Oh, how time flies. I do consider a dog like another child in terms of time commitment and responsibility - which is why I've put it off as long as I have. I just don't know if I can love a dog as much as I love my kids even though I know it will take up much of my time and care. So, for now, I truly am feeling ok about our new family member. Ask me how I feel in three months. Again, I am so sorry if I have upset anyone. Darin and I are still pondering and discussing adding another human child to our family. I promise I will not tease you if we do, in fact, decide to go that route in the future. Wish me luck with the new baby - of the dog variety!

News Flash

Darin and I have been so blessed with our four awesome kids. We love them all very much. When Matthew was born, the girls were thrilled. Then, along came Jacob, and all the kids were super excited. Two girls, two boys. Perfect, right? But, from time to time we have felt that our family is still incomplete. After much pondering and discussion, Darin and I have come to the same conclusion - the more the merrier! So, without further ado, we would like to announce an addition coming to our family. . . More details to follow soon. (So far, Kim is still feeling pretty good. Thanks for asking.)

Raging Nor'easter Causes School Delays

Yes. Really. That caused a Two Hour DELAY!

(No that is not tall roadside grass bending under heavy drifts. It is our "hasn't grown since October" lawn.)

Jacob's 4th Birthday

My Jakey turned four today!

I can't believe how quickly the time has passed since he was born. He is such a sweet little boy. I love all his hugs and smiles as he looks up at me with those big eyes of his and says, "I wuv you, mom." I love his constant chatter (yes, he really does talk - a LOT), his singing and humming while he plays, his eagerness to cuddle with me and read stories together, and his delightful giggle when playing tickle monster with me or Darin! I love that he LOVES trains. Here is his reaction when he discovered what his first birthday present was (another GeoTrax train):

He was absolutely trembling and hyperventilating he was so excited. Matthew had to finish opening it up for him, because he was so excited he couldn't stop jumping up and down. His heart had been captured completely. When Matthew tried to hand him his other presents to unwrap, he said, "You can have them, Matthew!"

We coaxed him to the table for cake and had to relight the candles three times to get a picture of him with them lit because he kept blowing them out so quickly - so he could go play with his GeoTrax. He didn't even eat one piece of his cake!

I know this isn't the greatest picture, but here are Darin, Jacob and Matthew setting up and playing with the new GeoTrax Timbertown Railway. All aboard! The girls and I enjoyed watching them play while we happily ate the forsaken cake.

I love you, Jakey Boy! You are precious. I hope you will always have such enthusiasm for life!

Meggie Turns Eleven!!

We were . . . jumping for joy

11 years ago when Megan Elizabeth joined our family. She was such a beautiful little blonde haired, blue eyed beauty. And, she came with a big personality which has entertained and delighted us ever since!
Megan has always been very creative and artisitic. She thinks outside the box and does her own thing. This year, on hat day at the middle school, she wore a foam cowboy hat with a crow stuck to the top of it. I was so proud of her for wearing it - I never would have dared, but she walked proudly to school wearing it - and all the other kids loved it!


Megan has a very tender spot in her heart for animals. I am always amazed at her confidence around unfamiliar animals . . . and how well the animals respond to her. Horses are her lucky favorite, and she's a natural with them. I hope one day she will be able to have her own horse.


She was a fearless swimmer right from the start. She would leap into the pool whether I was ready to catch her or not. I finally insisted on the float so I didn't have a heart attack everytime we were near the pool.

She is a good helper . . . and often sang "Sing, Sweet Nightingale" from Cinderella while helping at this age! So cute!

Yep! She's a daddy's girl. She's always had a special bond with Darin. I love watching them together. She'll still climb up on his lap and have cuddling and talking time with him.

Megan is a very kind and thoughtful person. She feels deeply and wants to help others. She is generous and compassionate - especially to those less fortunate than herself. A trip into Philadelphia with her will show you what I mean.

I always love being outside with Megan. She loves, respects, and appreciates nature. She can spend an entire day at Longwood Gardens with me, or marvel at the huge fungi we find in the forest, or gather small shells and water animals in the tide. She has a natural curiosity and fascination with all things nature that is contagious. Megan, I love you! I am so glad you are my daughter! You are a truly beautiful girl - both inside and out! Happy 11th Birthday!