A few pics . . . and thoughts

I know I promised pics last week, so here are a few from this summer's adventures . . .

Bailey's First Experience with VBS

Some Fun Outdoor Pics of Molly
(I love all of her expressions!)

Fun Day at the Zoo

I got a little sappy today. I was driving to a school for a training and turned on the radio. Here is what was playing ("Blink" by Revive)

Teach me to number my days
And count every moment before it slips away
Taking all the colors before they fade to gray
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this

It happens in a blink
It happens in a flash
It happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink (x4)

Slow down, slow down
Before today becomes our yesterday
Slow down, slow down
Before you turn around and it's too late

It happens in a blink
it happens in a flash
it happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink

My girls are growing up before my eyes. Molly is going to be ONE in less than a month. There is not an ounce of toddler left in Bailey. She has become a little girl.

The summer flew by. It's going to be September in less than 36 hours.

God is teaching me a lot these days . . .

...I need to slow down
...The necessity of "no"
...That gratitude is a powerful emotion.

I thank God everyday for my beautiful family and that God has entrusted Joey and I with the care of those precious girls. For a husband who works hard everyday for us, but is never too tired for hugs and "smooches." For the opportunity to be home with my girls several days a week.

What are you thankful for today?

Cammy

We're still here . . .

My poor neglected little blog - I am so sorry.

There will be more coming in the next couple of days. There has been so much going on around here. But, you'll have to accept a bulleted list for a few days until I can get pictures uploaded and details written.

• Bailey started a new preschool/daycare on Monday - Wee Care. She absolutely loves it! I love hearing about her day and new friends. Every night when I put her to bed she asks what she is going to do at "school" tomorrow. So sweet. She's also going to start AWANA cubbies on Wednesday nights. I'm sure she will love it.
• Molly is 10 months old . . . almost 11 months. She is a super fast crawler and into everything. She is also pulling up on everything, including mommy's legs, the refrigerator, the cabinets. Still as sweet as can be. Daddy can make her smile bigger than anyone else. It melts my heart.
• Joey is done with junior golf for the season at Rolling Hills. No more super early mornings or Sunday evenings teaching Pee Wee (5-7 year olds). Yippee!
• Mommy got a new toy. It's bright and shiny and "caMi" spelled backwards. No more excuses for my photo, video, or blogging projects. Can't wait to start using it. Joey just got it hooked up and is setting it up this evening.

Will write more soon. I promised myself a good night's sleep tonight.

Cammy

I was wrong . . .

So, I was wrong. Joey does read the blog. I guess it is bookmarked as a favorite at work. Another instance where I underestimated my husband.

So, there goes the surprise for Father's Day. Oh well. ..

I was so proud of Bailey for keeping "our secret." It was mommy who screwed up.

Cammy

P.S. - He still doesn't have a Facebook account so I'm safe there:)

Molly is 8 months!

Sweet Molly - you are 8 months old today. We love you so much! You are full of smiles and love to be around your mommy, daddy, and sister (and brother Holmes too!) You took your first trip to the zoo yesterday and stayed awake over 3 1/2 hours - a record! You loved watching all of the animals. You like to sit and play with your toys . . . as long as someone else is in the room, you will play for almost an hour! You love walks in the stroller and swinging at the park. You like to be on your belly much more than your sister did and you've started getting up on all fours. But . . . I think we still have a month or so before you start crawling. Mommy's OK with that - she's not ready yet!

In the past few days, you've started to perfect your pincer grasp - you can get the puffs to your mouth all by yourself now! And you have one tooth and are working hard on the second. Your favorite baby foods are oatmeal, peas with brown rice, and pears and mangoes.

You sleep about 11 hours at night and 4 or 5 hours during the day...you like your sleep just like your daddy and big sister.

You are growing up so fast. Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see what God has in store for you. We love you so much!

Mommy

(P.S. Mommy made good on her promise to get your pictures taken this week, but don't tell daddy - it's a surprise! Good thing he never reads facebook or this blog). Here's a preview for your friends.)

Sweet Molly Sue . . .

Look who finally made the top of the blog!

I've been feeling a lot of mommy guilt these past few weeks about Molly. Here's why . . .

1. I haven't added her name to the answering machine at home.
2. I hadn't changed the picture at the top of our blog to include her.
3. I haven't had her pictures professionally taken yet.
4. I didn't have a huge party after her dedication at church like I did with Bailey.

The list could go on and on. I need to do better. At least I have #2 taken care of now.

It's not due to a lack of caring or love. I think it's just part of having more than one child. Molly is one of the sweetest babies you will ever meet (OK, maybe I'm a little biased). She is incredibly laid back, an excellent sleeper, and is rarely cranky unless she is really hungry or really tired. Her smile melts my heart. While I was pregnant with her, I was pretty sure I was done having kids. But, she makes me want to have another one . . . another one just like her.

Right now, she is 7 months old. She loves me the most and lights up whenever I come into the room. I love how she claps her feet together when she is excited. She LOVES to blow raspberries - while eating, to get your attention . . . pretty much all of the time. She also LOVES to be outside. She would sit on a blanket playing with her toys and watching the cars go by for hours if I let her. And this weekend, we discovered that she LOVES swings. Here are a few pictures from the park on Saturday.


We love you so much, sweet Molly Sue. And, I'm going to schedule pictures this week. . . I promise!

Cammy

Papa Joe

As many of you know by now, we had to unexpectedly say goodbye to Joey's dad last week. He died in his sleep early in the morning Tuesday, March 16th.

With Molly's RSV and planning for the funeral, I haven't had much time to process and reflect on Joe's death. I thought blogging might provide me the opportunity to do so.

I loved Joe from the moment I met him. My first encounter with him was in the Sluggers parking lot. Joey and I had just started dating and I had brought some dinner up to Joey while he was working there. In the short 3 minutes that I was in the facility, someone broke into my car in the parking lot and stole my purse. Not ten minutes later Joe was there with a vacuum and supplies to help me clean up my car. The next day, he helped take me to the glass shop to get a new window. This was just the kind of guy Joe was - always putting other's needs before his own. I can honestly say that I never met someone that didn't like Joe in the past seven years.

Papa Joe was absolutely in love with my girls. He taught Bailey how to throw a ball and "what a rooster says." He laughed at her and with her. Every time we went over to their house, he commanded me to take Molly out of her carrier immediately so he could hold her. He held her for six hours straight on Christmas Eve. He was a wonderful grandpa.

Joey got so many of his wonderful qualities from his dad.. . his servant's heart, overwhelming generosity, and overall likability. Please pray for Joey in the upcoming weeks and months. His dad meant the world to him.

I love you Joe. I'm so glad Joey had you for a father and my girls got to know their Papa Joe, even if for a short time. You will be missed so much!

Cammy

Loving the Sun . . .

Isn't the sun absolutely wonderful? I forgot how much I need the sun.

The sun has allowed me to play outside with Bailey while Molly takes her late afternoon nap after I get home for work. This, in turn, makes Bailey very happy. It also wears Bailey out and helps her sleep better and longer at night. This, in turn, makes our morning routine a little easier. You get the picture. I love the sun!

It also does wonders for my mood. I've been really tired lately. Exhausted is more the word. After I get both kids to bed and finish a few things around the house by 8:30, all I want to do is go to sleep. I've been pretty grumpy with Joey. Poor guy. But, the sun has changed that this week. I instantly have more energy. I even stayed up and watched "a show" from the DVR with Joey after the girls went to bed last night. And, I feel just fine today.

I love the sun! Here's to many more sunny days this spring!

Cammy