What now?

I used to blog.  Often. 
Then I stopped. 

I logged on today, and saw it has been over a year since my last post. 
Yet, in the past WEEK, I have had three people ask me why I don't blog anymore. 

I really don't have a solid answer to give anyone when they ask.   
Answers are plenty though. 
If you wanted to know information about me, you could call.  We can catch up via the old fashioned way....instead of reading about me from afar and feeling like you know what is going on in my life. 

Since my last post, in 2011, I started working outside of the home. 
I taught pre-school children at the school where my own children attended. 
I did not teach my children. 
I worked part time, a little over three hours, for five days a week. 

I didn't get a job because I needed money.  (As everyone knows, teachers don't get paid for their effort or what is required of them - the same is even more true for preschool teachers.)
Instead, the job found me, for a lack of better words.  I had such a grande experience during my time there. 

I felt purposeful.  I learned a new meaning of joy.  Joy from a three year old's eyes is way different than my own.  Not that I didn't understand the meaning of joy - I have children of my own.  But having the ability to share in joy with a child that is not of your own blood and truly love them and be proud of them for their accomplishments is on a different level. 

I formed relationships with people and I grew as a person.  I learned a new meaning of friendship and trust. 

My time there was short-lived because joy was found elsewhere.  After much struggle and the beginning of hopelessness, my family was blessed with the news we were pregnant.  We had wanted a child for so long, but had thought it wasn't in the cards for us.  Little did we know, as with any of God's surprises, that our hand just hadn't been dealt. 

So as I write today, I am less than six weeks away from holding another little Connaroe.  I have two little Connaroes that have grown up and become REAL people.  People who have thoughts and great independence and spunk and intelligence and drive.  They both have such big hearts and are very excited to meet the newest addition to our family.  I watch them with love and admiration at who they have become.  I am anxious to know if I did a good enough job with them.  And I am anxious to have to do it all over again....

I have sent my first born off to kindergarten, and I have seen the change in him.  He has grown so much in the last month since school started.  He is writing on his own, creating his own thoughts and reading us stories.  He has his own opinion about everything and I absolutely adore what a blessing he is to our family. 

And our little Mere has become such a grown up herself.  I am blown away by her use of descriptive words at times.  "Mommy, this is simply too hard!"  She and Lucas are both my ray of sunshine, even in the darkness asking me if it is morning time yet. 

So, although I can't commit to blogging often.  I can attempt to work it back into my life.  I am back at home, being a mommy. 

Worship Wednesday

Back when I had time to blog, I thought I would encorporate Worship Wednesday into the rotation of random ramblings and photos and what have you.
But things have changed, and maybe one day soon I will make time to tell you why I don't prioritize blogging anymore.

Regardless, today was Wednesday and I thought I would share a song for worship Wednesday.
Enjoy your week!

May Randoms

The last update I gave you was in May, from my brother's graduation.  So due to  the high demand of photos, I am going through the past few months starting where I left off....We had a few adventures in May, so those will get their own posts. 

But here are a few random photos that didn't seem to fit with anything....

Meredith still loves to blow bubbles....She is a super sweet girl, growing up so fast.
Lucas and Meredith both have outgrown the shoes they are wearing in the photos.

 On Mother's Day, we went to church.  When we arrived home, Lucas insisted that I go sit down so he could wash dishes for me.  Richard took a collection of photos of Lucas in action....this one was just super sweet.

I adore this photo of Mere.  She was so still and quiet and listened to me so well --I wanted to include her and the deer together.  Look closely, there is a doe beside Meredith!

I know it seems like I should have more photos....Don't worry, there are more to come!

4th of July teaser

I haven't blogged in a long, long, long time. 
For some, this is a complete let down because they use this as a method of communication with myself and my family. 

But really, I have had many family requests to post photos.  And I feel bad, because really, it is YOU that finds joy in the photos of my kids.  Even my husband, who is working away for the summer checks my blog now....and mentions how I haven't updated. 

So let's not talk about how I haven't posted since May. 
I will try to take a day and update the blog....and give you a flashback of all the fun we have been having -- mainly because I have some pretty cool photos. 
But let's start with this past weekend....I do hope you had a Happy 4th of July! 

Mother's Day Weekend!

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! 
Whether or not you are actually a mother, you have a mother or know someone who is a mother! 
This weekend was super busy for us! 
On Saturday, we went to Lucas's soccer game.  I am really sorry, but I never even told you Lucas was playing soccer.  I will make a post about it soon! 

I hung out on the sidelines with my baby girl and she ate while I played with my camera.  (Did I ever even tell you I received a new camera??)

Soccer is great for action shots obviously, and I need lots of practice with proper focus. 

After the game, every one and their brother wanted to talk to Richard.  It was super cool to be social, but inappropriately timed because we planned to get on the road right after. 

Since we were hanging out for like an hour while Rich gave advice, I fed us all from the concession stand at the church. 

Although the lunch was super early, we were grateful for yummy burgers and hot dogs - which were way better than fast food. 

So an hour later than anticipated, we headed across the state.   

My baby brother was graduating from college that evening and we had three hours of driving ahead of us!  We planned to stop along the way at the Williamsburg Outlets since we had a little extra time.  I only intended to stop by the shoe store for the kiddos, and thankfully that is the only place time allowed.  So after a brief stop (seriously thirty minutes) to find, choose and buy Lucas new kicks, we arrived to Norfolk in the nick of time. 

Richard had planned to take the kids to the beach while I attended the graduation.  So he was going to drop me and head out.  I was forced to change my clothes in the car while waiting at stoplights, so I looked like a hot mess. 

We had a short amount of time to get inside, so we headed to the lines....

My brother was a part of the class of 2011 from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, as proven by the sign below.

The ceremony was nice and went by rather quickly considering the number of students being presented with degrees.  I won't tell you that I cried when I watched Travis march in....and sit down...or when I listened to the speech by some lady (I feel awful for not remembering who she was, but she gave a great one about reaching outside your comfort zone). 

I guess it was an incredibly emotional time for me, as it solidified that my baby brother was no longer a baby.  I realize that he hasn't been a baby for years now, but seriously, it is easy to not recognize that those around you are also getting older.
I managed to pull it together and could see my brother shake hands and accept his pretend diploma.

And I saw how he was all smiles as he walked away. 

And after they went through everything else, the singing of the Alma Mater, and the procession out, Travis was still smiling. 

And here is my proof that I actually attended... alive in the flesh.

 

After some more photo-ops....

My brother and his girlfriend, Alicia

Forgive me for the bad camera angle and too many cameras, we are all looking different directions...I blame Alicia (see above). 

My dad and I with Travis

My grandfather and aunt with Travis (my mom's family)

 

So, with that, we had dinner out at California Pizza Kitchen.  I have not eaten dinner so late since I was in college and I was starving!! Dinner (for me) was a Hawaiian Pizza!  Yum!! 

We headed out pretty late and drove home in the wee hours of the night/morning.  When we finally got home, we hit our bed around 2:20 am!  And although I know my brother lives his life like this, it was hard on one who is nearly thirty!

Soooo, it was pretty miserable waking up early on Sunday. 

Lucas woke me up by jumping on me and yelling "Happy Mudder's Day!"

We had a fun day at church with a fabulous sermon. 

Rich and I both cried at some point during the service.  But I didn't tell you that either. 

That afternoon, Rich hit the books studying and I took a nap while the kids watched Pinocchio for the first time. 

We had pasta with shrimp scampi for dinner and after bedtime Rich hit the books again.

I had a few special friends send notes to me about Mother's Day - and I greatly appreciate their words and their friendship.  Things were different this year without my own mother.

So although I don't have any snazzy meals or gifts to tell you about, I don't need any of that stuff to make me feel special.   

I was able to snuggle my kids all day.

My husband and I actually went to bed together at the same time without a law book by his side!

And that was great enough for me!

And now that we have reached the longest post in quite a while, I am glad you read the whole thing :) 

Big Girl Bed for Meredith

Meredith has been begging for a big girl bed for some time now...some days she even requests a bunk bed. 

Richard and I have talked about whether we actually want to get a bunk bed, but we haven't come to any decision as of late. 

I do know that we had a guest bed hanging out all alone without any regular use.  And although I like the idea of having an option, having it take up space for a once a year guest wasn't ideal.

So on one of these rainy days this week, I had the kids help me clear out Meredith's room, take down her crib/toddler bed, and move the guest bed into Meredith's room. 

She was overjoyed with the new change!  (Sorry, I didn't pick up for you!  Imagine a clutter free room!)

I had picked up a quilt on clearance at Tar-jay a few months ago that was adorable and it was $7 (hello! i couldn't leave it in the store!)

And Mere was in love with the flowers when I showed it to her.

She tested out...

and she was satisfied! 

Here's to a good nights sleep! 

Disclaimer:  If you ever intend on being a guest, we have a couch that sleeps wonderfully and a newly purchased (also clearance!) air mattress.  But who knows, we may end up buying a replacement mattress or even a bunk bed! 

Birthday Bunny!

Since my Mere was sick on her actual birthday weekend, we didn't get a chance to celebrate properly. 

She insisted that her birthday was not over until we gave her a cake. 

And at her request, she wanted a bunny cake. 

I knew that I wanted to make her a cake similar to what my grandmother made for me when I was growing up.  I have always had a thing for bunnies.

The cake was in 3-D, with a body made out of a circular cake cut in half.

Coconut as the fir of course. 

And there are few things better than coconut.

I didn't really think this though before hand.

But I decided to make my mom's award winning coconut cake as the cake form.

I really wish I could have discussed this with her beforehand. 

I forgot that her cake (that has coconut milk drizzled over the top) would become super moist and would not stand very well. 

So although the bunny was not able to defy gravity, it tasted amazing!

And with her 3-year-old mind, she thought it looked amazing too!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Meredith!

We actually gave her gifts to her last Saturday.

Have you ever seen a kid so excited over a kite?

Most definately the best $1 I have ever spent. 

She adored Lucas' kite and wanted one all her own. 

And of course, the weather was perfect for flying a kite!

She couldn't have been happier with her birthday celebration!

Good Friday

I grew up in a Christian home.
And in all my 29 years, I had never known of a Good Friday service taking place. 
Service was always a celebration - a traditional Sunday celebration of Easter.
But our church was offering an evening Good Friday service. 
So tonight, for the first time, my husband and I attended a Good Friday service. 
We had no idea what to expect, as today is such an important day in history. 

It is observance of the day that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross...to forgive us for our sins and provide salvation.

So should we hear a regular sermon?  Would there be a special presentation? 
What does one do in remembrance of such a life-altering day in history?

Everything was perfect. 
We sang a mixture of old hymns and contemporary music, remembering the Cross. 
We reread the moments leading up to the Crucifixion. 
We took The Lord's Supper in remembrance. 

And although, we did not sing this particular hymn, my thoughts were brought to my mother's favorite hymn.  How Great Thou Art. 
She would sing this out of the blue.  Or often humming the tune while doing housework.

My thoughts are with her today as she finally has met the Great and Glorious God.  And she is spending her days continuing to praise him.

I will share with you, Carrie's version of this beautiful song on this Good Friday.

"And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee"