easter festivities with granny

Granny bought this cute easter tree but when she put it in my window she thought it should live there. ok with me :) We decorated our eggs and had our egg hunt on thursday because we knew by sunday afternoon we would all be too tired and in need of naps! After the hunt and eating of some candy, James read the real meaning of easter - Christ Arose!! Praise the Lord! We sang the hymn 'He Arose!' It was a lovely ending to our night with the kids and it was beautiful to hear Conor tell me what easter was really about. It was nice for mam to be there and see our family love her God.

egg hunt

Coloring easter eggs with granny

Coloring easter eggs with granny

We thought we would join the americans and color some eggs. First time for the kiddos and let me just say erin was enjoying herself and annoying the rest of us... Because she was dipping her egg into all of the colors and we were afraid she was going to mess all the colors up. She didnt. we had fun - conor was awesome and loved it! Erin was awesome in her 2 yr old ways and she loved it :)

what we did with mam part 1 :0)

So I woke up Monday morning sooo very excited that my mam was coming to visit me that night! :) She ended up having ticket trouble and was not able to come until the next day (she got to stay a night in GA with my brother Kevin so she was fine - it was us that missed her!). We are very thankful to have mam visiting with us. So I picked her up on Tue and we headed straight to the stores - Kohls.... i love kohls :)bought a new dress for hawaii - yep, off to hawaii for my 30th birthday in june. We came home and enjoyed the night chatting and watching the kids interact with granny. Granny brought lots of goodies and she loved our house. This was her first time in the house and she loved the guest room. Wed we went to a few goodwill stores with the kids (which is never fun). that night we went to marshalls with just erin and it went alot better :) We enjoyed using the bbQ last week and eating dinner on the deck. Fun times! Oh - Conor woke up with a fever thursday morning... so he missed school and his gandparents day program was the next day?!! If you remember - he missed his christmas program bc he was sick. We prayed that he would be better for fri! Friday, we got up bright and early to get ready for the grandparents program as well as Gatlinburg :) :) Conor was so cute for his program (he was better). He went and sat by Elijah (his good buddy) He looked so nervous. Then up on stage he looked like he was going to cry. I felt bad for him but I also thought it was funny! Is that bad?! Mr Ragan and Mrs Jones are awesome so the child was in good hands. Conor was looking for us and couldnt find us. I dont know how he couldnt find us with loud erin shouting "CONOR....

CONOR????"

Very fun and so sweet that mam was there to see Conor sing on stage for the very first time and meet his first school teacher and see his classroom. You get the idea - we were very proud!

i know

I do know that I can't (am too lazy for spell check) spell. I also know that I use run on sentences. I think the kids will enjoy looking back on our memories.
They will know me and one day laugh at the things I choose to recall. I hope you all are writing down memories and things the Lord is teaching you for your family. I'm reading through the OT at the moment. I'm in Joshua. Hoping to focus on Easter this week with the kids and myself. It will be busy with mam here but I don't want to miss this special time and let the real meaning of Easter get away from me. The devil and flesh is sneaky like that. Check out 'A Holy Experience' blog for meaningful ways to celebrate Easter with your family. I am excited about this coming Friday. Conor's class is having grandparent's day and granny will be here for it :) I am also excited bc they are singing Easter Hymns. My 3 year old sharing the good news through song. Can this life get any better? I think not.

The kids are outside with their wellie boots on. Erin is sitting in the mud :/ I am so glad Conor does not like the same activity. I dont think I could handle it! Ok - I'm off now. Happy saturday!

It's been a good week

Today is Saturday and I can not believe it! Where did the week go?
Well, we went to church Sunday night and enjoyed the concert as a family. The songs were beautiful and ministered to me! We thought the kids were all better but we did not want to worry the nursery workers so we kept the two and three year olds with us :) Yes, we did bribe them and tell them if they sat still we would bring them to Brusters (ice cream)afterward. We were pleasently suprised and very proud when an older man told us our kids were the most well behaved kids he had ever seen - ha! Ice cream works. We headed for Ice cream where we heard the wonderful news that Hope had asked God to save her and she became a child of HIS. No longer an orphan but a child of the KING of KINGS. Praise the Lord! We are blessed at the moment to be helping hope along with the Warren King family. Hope is blessed with many people who love her and want to help her. We are thrilled to watch everything God is doing for her and we know that HE has great things in store for her and for all of us (you included!) as we trust and obey.

So, of course, Erin puked again sunday night and we were very glad that we did not put her in the nursery. The doc said that this virus would come and go. The great news is that it has gone for good now! I mean it this time :) Conor is forever washing his hands now bc he does not want to get sick again (a good thing of course!) I saw him eating a flower the other day and I was able to say "Do you want to get sick again?" He said "no no no no!" I said "well, let's not eat the flowers ok?" That was the end of eating flowers! He knows how sick he was and he does not want that to happen again.

Monday brought a wonderful suprise. My big brother Kevin stopped by :) He was on his way from up north heading home to GA and he was able to stop in and see my new house and my family. What a blessing and a beautiful suprise.

We had our first 'marriage' small group Monday night. I just finished the Captivating study with some girl friends from church. Afterward we decided to do the Love and War couple's study by the same authors. It was nice to be back with my girl friends. It was really awesome to have our hubbies with us and we were joined by some new friends. The night was refreshing and James and I feel blessed to be a part of these marriages - we get to pray along side them for growth.

Conor got to go back to school this week. It was neat for him to hear of so many that were praying for him and he felt very special that his teacher and friends missed him. He has been taking swimming lessons and he hates how cold the water is but he is listening to the instructor and by the next set of lessons he will be able to swim all by himself. Crazy! It is amazing to watch your baby grow - a mazing!

This week Conor said to me "mom, i love the smile you had on your wedding day." aweee :0) There is a pic of James and I in the living room and he noticed how happy I was with daddy. We were at the park and he was telling the other kids that I was his mom and he was so proud! James said he did the same thing to him at the children's museum this week. We are cool at the moment. I am sure the day will quickly come when we 'lose our coolness'. But until then - I'm a rock star! It's a blessing to raise these kids. Conor was talking about his future brother. God knows who he will be but we do not. Lord, please protect our kids from danger and please help all of our kids know how much you love them. We hope to foster/adopt in the years to come. Conor knows that and he looks forward to having more family :)

Erin likes to turn on the hose outside and make a mud pit. I really should snap a pic but I am too busy giving her a lecture.
I saw Conor run from inside the house to the back yard and he looked like he needed to use to loo. "Emmmmm Conor??" We don't go to the bathroom behind the tree when we can easily use the 3 bathrooms mere steps away! I couldnt believe he ran from inside to outside to pee! What kind of kids am I raising?!?!

We had some other happenings but I have told you enough about the week. We have had a few financial mishaps (as ya do). Trip to the ER, 150 dollar medicine, broken lawn mower, ants that will not go away, a few more things... which led me to think about couponing once again. I'm going to give it a try this week and I will write about my findings in the weeks to come.

We are all very very excited here today because my mother is coming to visit from across the sea - Ireland. Granny is coming monday night and we cannot wait. I am already sad that she will only be here a week. I know. I need to happy she is here and not sad she is leaving. I'm working on it. Really.

That was our week. Busy, fun, mostly puke free, inspirational... Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In ALL of your ways acknowledge HIM. And HE will direct your paths. Prov 3:5,6

Erin's 2 yr pic

We went to get Erin's picture taken last saturday. We went in the morning time and she cried and would not let us take her picture. Very strange behavior for Erin. We came home, had a nap and tried again that evening. We were happy with the picture:0)
Then we headed to chick fil a and play area in the mall to celebrate! God had a plan for us at Chick fil a. We met a young lady that God wanted us to encourage and we are enjoying watching this miracle unfold before our eyes. God is amazing and I love living with/for Him.
Well - when we got home that night, Erin started to throw up and ended up being sick all week and sharing her sickness with Conor and myself. It has been a sick sick week (on many levels!) But I am glad to announce - no one puked last night!
We also got to see our good friends from Michigan this week. They came to visit us as a part of their spring break trip. We had fun playing cards. Spoons was awesome! Taylor ended the game in such a perfect way - couldnt of been any funnier! Its good to laugh after such a pukey week! Thanks for coming Kananby fam!

K3 with Mrs Jones and lovin' it!

So in the previous post I went on an on about how much I love Mrs Jones and what a wonderful teacher she is and then I lost the post somehow... I said how sad I am that the year is coming to an end and cant blieve Im acting so emotional about pre k?!?! I used to say to james' mom "don't be sad its over, be happy it happened." (from dr suess) its alot harder to do when you're the mom... never the less, I am very thankful for this wonderful year. Our family is blessed to have such wonderful people help us out on this journey of parenting. Thanks RVCS and Mrs Jones!

Mrs Jones gave this mail box to Conor for learning his address. She had one for each of her students and inside the mailbox she put candy. Everytime they said their address she would give them a piece from the mail box. We keep his on top of the fridge and use it to review. Conor loves getting a treat from the mail box.

K3 with Mrs Jones and lovin' it!

My Favorite Children's BIble

My friend Dayna told me about this Bible and I love love love it! It is called "The Children's Illustarted Bible". Stories retold by Selina Hastings. Illustarted by Eric Thomas.

I have been reading (in my big girl Bible) in the Old Testament this year and am currently in Deut. Im not goona lie, I have enjoyed reading the kids Bible with them to fill in some of the blanks. I'm kinda slow! The children's Bible shares alot of detail and puts more detail and historical info on the side of the pages for the older kids.
If your family is in need of a new Bible, this one is my fav. I don't know about your house but our family devotion time tries to turn into a time of distraction and annoyance. We try to make our times in the Bible fun and stress free. I think the enemy shows up to get on our nerves. Don't give up and pray to ask God to give you grace and patience. That's my plan. They are small so dont keep them sitting for too long. Last night the kids were acting up during our time int the Bible and James and I laughed and said "so this is what is was like for our parents?!." :0) Keep going, friends. It may not be easy but it is def worth it.

Growth

Conor and I were sitting at the kitchen table on thursday and he says to me - "mom, tomorrow is a tricky day". He siad Mrs Jones (his k3 teacher) told him all about April Fools Day and that it was a day for playing tricks on people. I found this conversation humorous because the child is 3! :)
He said his trick was going to be when I told him to pick up his toys he was going to say NO! and that was going to be his trick :) I did go on to explain that April Fools is not a day to disobey but to make people laugh. He really wanted to play a trick on Mrs Jones but he didnt have school on fri - I think we will save one for class on Tuesday :) We did think about going over to her house and putting shaving cream on her car and tying balloons to it but Conor only wanted to do it if we could make the car float away and that would be a funny trick. What a little sinner!
He had show and tell on thursday and brought his two buzz lightyear toys. He wore his Buzz shirt and was very excited to share with his friends. This has been the first month that he has really been happy to stand up and share about his toy. The first time he refused, the second time he stood up and said nothing. He forgot to bring his toy for a good few months and on thursday he was ready for the next step. We didnt think it would be a big deal for him to stand up and talk because we think he enjoys attention. We were suprised, but once again - kids suprise ya! It is such a beautiful thing to watch your child grow in all areas. Emotionally, spiritually and physically. At the beginning of the year he said he was afraid to participate in show and tell. Here we are nearing the end of K3 and he is no longer afraid. He has learned it is a safe place. Beautiful! He told me Mrs Jones thanked all those helpers who talked about their toy. When we were sitting on the couch thursday night he said "Mommy, what will I bring to the next show and tell?" We talked about a few options and came up with a good plan. He said "Mom, lets dream about that every night ok?" I said ok (even though when my head hits the pillow im out and dont remember a thing til i hear a kid in the morning). I was happy for him though becasue he is happy and excited about sharing next month. He has grown! Im proud of him and love watching him grow.

Conor - one of my three biggest blessings.

Conor used to wake up each day saying "where are we going today and is anyone coming over?". For the last few weeks he has been asking "Are we staying home today?" and if I say "yes" - he says a very happy "yes!". He says he has a lot of fun at home and loves to play with his toys. He loves Toy Story and acts the movie out most of the day. He used to do that to the movie Cars. It's kinda nice that he likes to be home with me at the moment. When James is home with us, Conor prays ' thanks God that we can all be together'. It is humbling. It is humbling becasue God has given me a beautiful family and the relationship reminds and teaches me so much about Him and how He loves me. I dont deserve my beautiful gift of a family. But God has given them to me and I rejoice. I rejoice in God's goodness and grace and mercy. I can dance thinking of my joyful blessing. God, may i dance in the goodness of trials too. My biggest trial is prob being so far away from Ireland and the people/family there. It is a trail but it is small in reality. I know that. I have been through worse and I am sure you have been too. But, what I want to do is dance through those trials. Because it's all about God. it's all about knowing Him and growing in Him. I am not on a quest to have alot of stuff down here or to "arrive" down here. I'm getting to know the God of the Universe and be who and do whatever He has for me.
Conor, I pray that we will always be close to you and I pray that this house will always be a refuge to you. I pray your heart will be safe here. I love you,son.

Erin - in all of her glory :)

Erin, It is time to tarnish your sweet little name... Well, you were perfect for your first year of life but your second year?? :) I have a few stories! First of all, you are a light sleeper and dont take the longest naps ever AND you wake up bright and early in the mornings- very happy to start your day. Have I told you I am not a morning person?!
You like to pull everything out of your dresser draws in your room - I tell you (in more ways than one!) each time to please leave your clothes and toys alone while 'sleeping'.
Another thing you like to do is get into the diaper creams and vaseline and plaster it all over your body,legs,arms,face and your dollies and your wall. I put the creams in my bathroom but somehow you get to it if I leave you alone for any time at all. Have you ever heard of playing quietly in your room or reading a few books??
I came downstairs the other morning and found you in the lving room watching Dora with the whip cream tub (out and open from the fridge!) along with some turkey lunch meat. Hello, child who just turned 2 in feb? please stay out of the fridge and stop eating me out of house and home.
Another thing you like to do is walk around naked with your princess high heals on - that just makes me laugh! I do insist you wear a diaper but once you soil it (sorry folks!) ... you like to take it off! I have to keep a close eye on you to see where the diaper ended up and that no "remenants" are anywhere. Sorry but this stuff needs to be documented because Erin has been way too good (up until recently!)
You used to really like nursery but for the last few months you have not been a huge fan. You cry each time we drop you off. That is sad :( Good news though- this past sunday your teachers said you were 'helping' them by pushing the other babies in their swings. You love babies! You love hugs and kisses.
You love to color, play plydough, paint, sing and dance. You love the trampoline. You love outside more than Conor does. You could stay out exploring all day in any type of weather. You dont seem to love reading (hope thats not a bad sign for your sholastic future - ha)
You love people and are very friendly. When you are shy, you act so sweet (unlike someone else we know - conor ahem!)
The other day I was in your room and you told me (in your own language) to get into bed. So, I climbed into your toddler bed :) You covered me up, kissed my head, talked sweetly and shut the blinds and blew me a kiss from the door. You also took the toys out of the room which was hilarious to me. You did everything I do to you. After you shut the door, I climbed out of bed and knocked loudly on the door like you do! You came back in and pointed your finger at me and told me to get back into the bed!! You kissed me again and left. Ahhh Erin, I smiled from the bottom of my heart because you were being such a sweet mom. Am I always sweet? No. But you reminded me that you are watching me and learning how to be a mommy and a lady. I will act like God so when you act like me - you are acting like our Master and King of Kings - God.
I love you sweet girl.

what a beautiful princess you are, erin!

Erin Grace Feb 6 @ 4:53 pm - 7lbs 15 oz - 19 in long (birth,1st bday,2 bday)

Youre celebrating without me?

March is a sad month for me... Maybe because Feb is such a HAPPY month! We had Erin's 2nd birthday on the 6th. I love birthdays and celebrating with the people I love. Then we had James' birthday on the 11th. Then we had valentines day, Then we had our engagement anniversary which got me a weekend alone with my hubby at a marraige conference. See what I mean? alot of happiness.
For erin's birthday we had a party with skylar and addie. Addie is a li

ttle one yr old girl we mind (erin's best friend) and skylar is conor's age but erin really likes her too :)I am always blessed when parents bring their little ones over to my house to celebrate with us. When you live far away from blood family, God blesses with other 'family'. People who get to know your kids and love them like they were apart of their blood family. That means alot to this mom. Every mom wants people to think their kid is a rock star and notice their accomplishments and special days.
We also went to Ohio and met up with friends from our last church. Titus and Makayla Devlin (and their parents). We had fun at the creation museum and the aquairium. Its always nice to meet up with friends and catch up in person. I must add that i do hate travelling and def complain more than the kids while on road trips. I think part of the problem is the octopus arms we moms have to have. To switch dvds, hand out snacks, wipe noses, hand out drinks, wipe up messes, dry tears, maybe create a few tears, give the right toy to the right kid etc, ALL while strapped into your seat belt! Yeah - Im not a fan. Feb was fun for me but i know my sisters and irish family were sad to not be with erin on her birthday.
March brings my sister Tracey's birthday. Mam, Tina and Tracey had a nice little celebration together which i was sad to miss. St Patricks day brought another fun day for the girls that i missed and mam's 60th brithday is this thur. I would love to live around the corner from my sisters and my mam. It would be lovely to pop in for tea and a chat. Maybe an arguement now and then. Im sure we would have those with four very strong personalities. It would be lovely to have them around my kids and influence them. I havent lived in the same country as them since 1999. That date doesnt seem like long to me until i say 12 years. Wow - 12 years? I miss them. I miss them alot in March.
The good news is, mam is planning to visit me soon. She saw erin when she was a new born, her second time was last year when erin was one and this will be her third encounter with my daughter. Her grand daughter.
I know I am blessed to love them enough to miss them so much. I know I am blessed to be married to James and be the mom of these two precious kids. But I guess everyone has something. God gives us all something to make us ache for HIM. He can meet my every need. HE can provide other relationships close with 'skin' on. He has done that for me manys a time. On st Paricks day we went to the park to enjoy the sunshine. We bumped in to friends of ours from the church and they invited us back to their house for dinner. It was fun! It was God thinking of me and blessing me with friends and 'family'. God provides. I know this is not my home. I know that Ireland is not my home. HEAVEN is. That's what Im living for. That's my focus. If it's not - it needs to be. God, use me where you put me and Im looking forward to the day I will be home forever.

Conversations with Conor

"Mom, I want to go to a college where the mommy and daddys come too".

"Daddy, when I'm bigger I'm gonna get a wife and she's gonna have a baby." "Ok, what are you going to name your baby?". "Can I call my baby Erin?" "Yes"... "Daddy, is my wife gonna have another baby?" "maybe" "Ok - Im gonna name my second baby Sammy".

What I think is hilarious is that when he is old enough to get married he is not going to let us decide these huge issues. It makes me to smile to think that when he is older I can look back on this converstaion. Maybe Ill show him this and let him know that he once thought we were the rulers of the world.
I think it is awesome though that my job is to train him to be independent and not to need me but to need God and the wife that I hope will be in his future. - And of course little erin and sammy - ha ha :0)

Conor told me he would like to marry Mrs Jones (his k3 teacher) "but she is already married to Mr Tim" he said sadly! :)

"I know you're married to mommy. That means you will never be alone." great take on marriage, son. love you!

Happy 1st Birthday to our princess, Erin (feb 2010)

What a joy you are, Erin! You are a perfect little angel and we think youre the cutest little princess ever! You enjoy sharing a room with Conor. You love waking up (way too early) and seeing him! You go with the flo and are a happy go lucky kind of girl. thanks :0)You are my darling treasure. For your first birthday we went to the greenridge gym were you and Conor love to swim. We ate at Applebees for your birthday dinner and came home for cake and presents. We skyped your grandparents and aunties so they could see you on your special day. Everyone loves you and your nursery workers tell us such cute stories about you. You like to sing for them and you love the little tyke swings in there. You love to eat, play, have fun, read, sing. What can i say? youre perfect. I love you baby girl. Happy 1st Birthday!

Puggles

Conor and I loved going to Puggles together. Puggles is the 2 year old program for AWANA. I loved helping him learn to interact with his new friends and it was so much fun to see him learn and sing with his little 2 year old pals. Tomorrow night is Erin's first night in Puggles :) Our first winter here was cold and we had a lot of snow. Very unusual for Roanoke. Conor enjoyed playing in the snow though and James didnt have to shovel the driveway bc we didnt have one :) fun had by all!