Happy Anniversary: 10 Years

Dear Jere,

Here we are ten years later.  What's that saying, that time flies when you're having fun?   Clearly, it's been one heck of a ride...something that Canobie Lake or any other amusement park just can't offer.   It doesn't seem that long ago.  I knew from the beginning that you and I would be just plain awesome together.   From surprising me at college my last day as a Senior to finding out during our first dance together that you ran out at 7am on the morning of our wedding because you realized we forgot to purchase a unity candle.  A lot has changed since then.   To think it all started out with an allen wrench and an AOL instant messenger conversation.   Today we have two beautiful and awesome children with a third on the way. You have worked so hard for all 5 of us.  You made it possible for me to stay home those "6" weeks after Samantha was first born.   You made it possible for me to stay home after we found out about Sarah's health issues when she was an infant.   And, you've made it possible for me to stay home now.  I hope you know that it never goes unnoticed.  I'm so proud of you and what you've been able to accomplish.

Things I've learned from you in the last 10 years:

1. How to cook (other than mac and cheese)
2. You don't sit still.   Just stop asking to relax and eventually you will crash on the couch.
3. Plans change at the drop of a hat and sometimes you just have to just wing it, and just go with the flow (still working on that).
4. That the job doesn't just stop at the finish, and instead to raise the bar and carry it just a bit further.
5. Corn really isn't that bad (just in Shepherd's Pie though.  Still can't eat a cob)
6. How to bleed brakes at 11:00 pm
7. How to change a tire.
8. All sorts of car parts:  manifold covers and head gaskets.
9. How to not just look at the bad things as "crap" thrown at me and instead think of it as learning curves.
10. How to be a better person.
11. Follow a dream, no matter how crazy it sounds.
12. Give people a second chance.
13. Have faith in people.
14. It's ok to strive for better, but be content with what we're blessed with.
15. Be patient, and just leave it in God's hands.  (Still working on that too).
16. How to really rotate tires on a car...and pizza in the oven ;)

So as the great Al Green once said, "let's stay together."   (I know it's not one of your favorite songs, but always been a top 3 of mine).   God willing, I hope to have many more years together with you.   You truly make life worth living and have taught me to look for the smaller things.  Thank you for loving me and for putting up with my crazy self.  Thank you for making me feel worth it, even on the days when I have no hope for myself.  Thank you for being my best friend and always having my back...even during my crazy moments.  It's been a tremendous and a glorious ride with you <3 .="" font="">

Love, me

#besttenyearsever

Samantha Visits the Pediatrician

Today Samantha visited her pediatrician for her 7 year appointment.  Today was a pretty quiet appointment.  Samantha passed her hearing exam, but unfortunately did not pass her vision exam.  Looks like we'll be getting eye glasses soon for Sam.  Samantha is all caught up on her vaccinations, so no shots until she's 11!

So here are Sam's stats for today: 

51" tall

63.2 lbs

Blood pressure of 86/46

Just for something to compare to appointments in years past:

2013 (6 years) 48.25" tall 51.5 lbs

2012 (5 years) 45.5" tall 45.5 lbs.

2011 (4 years) 43.25" tall 40.5 lbs.

Summer Vacation 2014 - Part 2

Last week we were fortunate to get away for a few days with our good friends the Gallagher's up to Branch Brook Campground in Campton, New Hampshire.   This is the 2nd year we've been able to go camping, and I don't think we're going to stop now!   We really had a great time while we were there.  Tons of yummy fresh food, fresh air, great weather the 4 days we were there (except for that really big, huge thunder and lightning storm in the middle of the week) plus did I mention a pool?

Samantha LOVED the water slides

Sam loves us taking pictures of her doing stuff where's she's "airborne"

There's nothing like the smell of hamburgers cooking....(sorry for those of you who are vegetarian)

Our very snazzy camp set up!

The girls waiting very patiently waiting for S'Mores

(Morgan & Shannon on the left and Sarah and Samantha on the right)

Fending off the bugs and gobbling up the toasted marshmallows!

Lots of sillies and giggles happened during our time there

(Shannon on the left, Samantha in the middle and Sarah on the right)

Many of our afternoons were spent in the pool

I told you this was no ordinary pool!

Samantha underneath the mushroom

Again, waiting patiently, but not before a fantastic "Frozen" sing along

My better half.

My normalcy.

My BFF.

And there's nothing like the smell of one of these.

LOVE SUMMER TIME!

Missing Socks

The Madoreables have always had a fascination of taking off their socks.   Samantha was born in the middle of the Summer never liked the feeling of her feet being covered.   Sarah never liked her feet covered either.

We're happy that their socks are FINALLY being put to great use:  with sock puppet shows!

Too Cool In the Pool

While Sarah has discovered how to swim without a life jacket, Samantha has discovered how to jump into the pool with flair.

JAZZ HANDS!

Hello Eggs and PBJ's!

This past Tuesday, Sarah was able to add another HUGE milestone to her already growing life's resume.   Sarah was officially discharged from her allergist because after being re-evaluated for her peanut and egg allergies.  After doing a skin test, we found out that Sarah is no longer allergic to peanuts OR eggs!   We did find out however, Sarah is allergic to Birch pollen.

Sarah's come quite a long way!  After discovering about a month after Sarah was born that she had a condition where she aspirated fluids into her lungs, we met with the Laryngoligical team at Boston Children's Hospital and they put together a game plan for us.   After almost 2 years of living with this crazy abnormality, Sarah was discharged from Boston Children's Hospital back in September 2010.

We discovered that Sarah was allergic to peanuts back in the Winter of 2009 when we went to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner.   Sarah became very agitated and just inconsolable.   Her skin turned bright pink and she seemed to get all weezy.   We ran her over to the hospital where her obvious symptoms seemed to have gone away, but were told to get her tested at an allergist.   We were told by the allergist that Sarah was not only allergic to peanuts, but to eggs as well.   It was a definite letdown, but honestly, if that was the only thing she was allergic to, then we would just roll with it.  

Early Morning All Day Playdate

This morning, we had a very early morning playdate at Shannon and Morgan's house.  

The girls had so much fun...despite the horrible rainy weather.