moments

Have I ever mentioned how much I love being a mom?! I'm sure I have. If not, what better time than now. Nothing specific happened that caused me to put up this blog other than the simple fact that I just love my girls & their wonderful daddy, of course. There are some moments in a mother's very fast paced life that cause you to just take a deep breath, pause & notice all of the wonderful things around you. I'm not exactly sure what it is that causes these moments. I like to think it is God....yep, God, that's it! It is in these moments that I am able to realize all of the wonderful things I have in my life & how much I have to be grateful for.
The girls are growing wonderfully. Much too fast of course. Yet, at the same time, I am so thankful to be able to realize this & know that it is okay to just stop for a minute & LIVE in that very minute. Thankful for everything I have at this very moment! Just to sit back & watch. I love seeing them play together. Whether it is Isabella loving on Mackenzie because of the fact that she is just so overjoyed with being a big sister or Mackenzie staring in total awe at Isabella anticipating the very moment that she will be able join her running around & discovering all there is to discover in this world, or the times when Anthony comes home from work & is just completely filled with happiness to be with his girls and you can literally feel all of the love in the room. I love watching it all.

Too many times we are caught up in the rush of life & getting ready for what is going to happen next that we forget to enjoy where we are. My biggest prayer right now is to have more of these moments....moments when I am able to realize it is okay to slow down & just enjoy life & live in this very moment.

Here are a few pictures of the girls doing what they do best, loving life....and each other!:)

Some of their favorite times are the those shared with their cousins...

Daddy time;)

A Soldier's Coming Home!

Jamie's homecoming from Iraq was definitely one of the most exciting things that I have ever been able to be a part of. After being gone for 15 months (minus the very short leave he was able to take when Cian was born) we were all very excited & anxious to have him home. The buses came in around 11pm that Sunday night. After several hours of waiting in the cold, there were hundreds of people eagerly awaiting their soldier's arrival. When the buses pulled up across from the fields where all the family & friends were waiting, all the soldiers got out on the opposite side & were not seen until the buses drove away. (I felt like we were in an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition when everyone is shouting "Move that BUS!") Then we had to wait even a little longer for the speech. Luckily it was short, sweet & to the point. Next it was a mad dash to go find Jamie!

Betty, Mackenzie, Mom & Don

Harley, Rose & Amy....anxiously waiting for Jamie

Cian & Papa Bear

The buses just arrived!!!

And they're off!

Reunited at LONG last!

Harley loving on her daddy.:)

The last time Cian saw Jamie was for only a couple of weeks after Cian was born (11 months ago!!!!) But there was no doubt, he recognized his Daddy right away!

Kisses for Daddy

Jamie & his dad