New Season New Goals!

Ok, so it's obvious I haven't posted in a few...long...months, but my way of looking at it is - I've been a little busy! :-) I can say...since my post in February...that we were ready for summer this year and had a fabulous one! Lots of fun trips and an "exciting" time at the Cape House. We traveled East and West, spent some time on the water sailing, played golf, worked in our garden, did lots of swimming and outside play! We were so rested by August and truly felt like our time was well spent with friends and loved ones.

We have had an enjoyable start to the new school year - not too hectic considering we are ALL back in school. I am at University of Maryland working on another degree - this one in Spanish. Going to school for personal enrichment and working on something I am passionate about definitely makes me a better wife and mom!

John, of course, is teaching another semester of Political Science and Unconventional Warfare - I think that's the name? Joshua started the 2nd Grade and is really excelling in all areas. Luke is in pre-school and loves it! Jack attends Daddy Day Care (John) M/W/F while I am at school, but will occasionally go to Luke's school for playtime. We're managing really well and the younger 2 are blossoming in the presence of friends!

Joshua is happy to be in the Chess Club at his school- he's always loved board games and they have a world champion instructor who makes it great fun! He is also doing Cub Scouts again and this year will join his dad at the Naval Academy to do youth Judo. John is the Officer Representative for the Midshipmen Judo team and excited about being around Judo again as it is something he really enjoys.

Fall is making its way to Maryland, with beautiful cooler days. Here are some pictures of Fall activities so far. Enjoy!

Game night!

John and Joshua playing Monopoly Golf! John took the 2 older boys out this afternoon to hit golf balls at Joshua's school. When they came home I heard Joshua say "I enjoyed spending time with you, Dad, thanks - that was fun." It warmed my heart. I look forward to the day when they can all go out. John was in heaven!

A Sunday Drive

A Sunday tradition that we have adopted is to go for a drive, after church, to an area that we've never been to before. This particular Sunday, we visited the St. Margaret's area of Annapolis - about 5-10 minutes away from where we are now. It's a beautiful area nestled back off of a back road to the Academy - by the water. We never imagined that we'd see all of the amazing places we did.

At one point, we let Tucker the dog out of the van to run free in an open area while we drove slowly along. Joshua asked to get out too, and these are the pictures you see. They had such a wonderful time.

The house we captured on camera was an example of what we saw on our wonderful adventure.

We finished up our day at a park near home. All of the boys had such a great time.

What a special day!!! Enjoy!

SNOW!

The boys loved watching it, playing in it and warming themselves with hot chocolate! It was a fun day!

Not in California Anymore - Cold Days!

We don't really have much snow, but the temperatures went down into single digits this past week! The 2 younger boys and I decided to get a little fresh air on this particular day because we were getting tired of being inside. I froze my behind off, but the boys had a great time - flicking gloves and hats off. We were the only 3 people at the park and it was a terrific experience! We returned home with red cheeks to enjoy some yummy hot chocolate. I love winter for days just like these...

Mistake turns into A LOT of fun!

I'm finally getting around to painting Luke's room. I don't really have a plan, I just know I want it to look somewhat nautical and classic, but also in a kid sort of way.

Without a plan, I just grabbed a can of "regatta" blue paint at Home Depot. I tested it out and decided it really wasn't what I had in mind...guess that's why you are only supposed to buy a pint - lesson learned! I just figured with a name like regatta blue, how could I go wrong?

After a little wall test and the desision that this wasn't the color, I don't know what made me do it, but all of a sudded, I started painting one of Luke's favorite sea creatures - the octopus - or OP-TI-KA as he enthusiastically says! Well, that was so much fun that I started painting all of his other favorites. You'll see that I'm no artist, but Luke thinks I'm the greatest! :-)

John was shocked - but smiled and laughed along when Luke shouted out the names - and Joshua, of course, wanted to contribute too! He painted the whale and the shark.

I think I was a little shocked too, at how my color-testing turned out, but it was a ton of fun and we all had such a great time. It's only paint, after all! :-)

Better for my family

Over the Christmas break I decided to take myself on a trip. Where wasn't important, I just knew that it would be better for my children and my husband if I did. :-)

I knew I needed a break. A long year, a new baby, a move, trying to get our new house settled (it still isn't), young children all day everyday, young children shopping with me, young children cooking meals with me - sometimes attached to me, Christmas shopping/wrapping/baking with young children, poop on the walls, paint and nailpolish ALL OVER the carpet, etc... A little time to hear quiet...a little time to do something that interests me (besides playing with my beautiful children of course)...a little time to interact with adults...some time for me. Perhaps that sounds selfish, but the stay-at-home mom with 3+ young children would understand. I met several moms during and after my trip that want and need some time away, but guilt is overwhelming them. Meanwhile, they are overtired, stressed, un-inspired, un-happy, etc...

I am really grateful to John for his support - from the moment the idea came out of my mouth. He did such a wonderful job with the boys and they are better too - for the quality time together!

Anyway, below are the pictures from my trip. I chose Puerto Rico after my plans to Buenos Aires fell through. That's another story, but I was able to re-book and I could still practice my Spanish in Puerto Rico and I didn't have to re-pack my suitcase.

I'm please to say that my time away worked. I came home happy and relaxed. Since returning, I have spent literally hours at a time playing with the boys - something I haven't done in a long time. I dance in the kitchen with Luke, I wrestle and tickle with Joshua, and I can't get enough of Jack!!! John is happy to see me happy and inspired again. I don't give him the sad, pleading eyes anymore when he leaves me and the children. :-) We've decided not to work at night and get to bed early. We were getting so tired we would just stare at each other the last few weeks of December. And, I'm excited to say - we're already planning a little time away during the Spring...together!

Jack's 1st Birthday Party

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since Jack joined us. What a blessing he has been to us! He's so beautiful and sweet and he has a great temperment. The older boys enjoy him so much. Joshua is a great big brother who really dotes on Jack and Luke...well, he likes to jump on Jack - but we know it's love. Here are a few pictures from our little family party last night.