Score...again!

My boys did it again! They both got honor roll for the second semester this year. I'm so proud of them.

They both got their bottom braces put on today, and so they are both in a lot of pain again. Bren only needed three braces on the bottom teeth, but Sean got them on all of them, so he's in a lot more pain than Bren is. He had a milkshake this evening, but that's been it since the appointment this afternoon. Bren was able to eat some chicken and macaroni tonight, but it was limited. This will go on for another day or two before they have adjusted and are able to eat regularly again. I feel for them, but I have never been through it so I have no idea how painful it is, except for what I see from them. Sean was almost to the point of tears this afternoon, so I know it's bad. He has a pretty high tolerance for pain, so I know it's a lot right now. Poor kid. I suppose pudding and ice cream will be the agenda for the next couple of days.

Growing up

I'm just amazed at the things that Erin has learned in the past month. She is growing so quickly, and learning something new nearly every day. It's as if turning four has opened a new door for her, and she's anxious and excited to do everything all at once.

In just the past couple of weeks, she has learned to snap her fingers (her favorite thing to do now), ride a bike with no training wheels, and tie her shoes (about 50% of the time). She's on the verge of being a reader, and is already identifying key words and sounds together to form words. We totally expect her to be reading completely on her own in the next 3-5 months. No doubt. She is already able to verbally spell words that are a second grade level, as well as fingerspell all of them. Her ASL vocabulary is increasing like crazy as well, and she's forming complete thoughts in ASL on a regular basis with no prompting. She's bilingual before even entering kindergarten. And she's not signing english, she is using proper ASL format, and that can be tough (you'll appreciate this, Kim and Michelle). I'm so proud of her, and I love that she enjoys ASL as much as I do.

I never knew that four years old could be this much fun all over again. I remember this age vividly with Sean and Bren, and it's all so new and exciting again with Erin.

Baseball boy

Brendan waiting to have his number called


Running back in after catching both fly balls that were pitched to him

Brendan had tryouts for the Majors this past Saturday. They aren't eligible for the Majors until they are ten, and since he will be ten when the season starts, he is eligible. The results will be posted next weekend, so we are anxiously waiting!

WOO HOO!!!

The Saints pulled it off!!! Happy day!!!!

Sorry, Michelle (Huber). I still love you!!!!

Funny boy

Brendan called me on my way home from school last night, and this is the conversation that we had.

Bren: Mommy, what is your birthday?
Me: January 25
Bren: No, I mean, what year? 19 something or 18 something.
Me: No 18 anything, Bren. I was born in 1973.
Bren: Gosh, that's old.
Me: Thanks, bud.

Gotta love this kid. Every.single.bit of him.

One of the greatest gifts ever

I got a call on Christmas day from Larry, Sean and Brendan's dad. He called to tell me this:

"Michelle. I just want to tell you thank you for doing such a wonderful job of raising our sons. You have done a great job, and they have turned out to be great kids because of you. Seriously, I can't thank you enough."

Brian and Sean were standing there in the kitchen with me, wondering why I was crying. Talk about a HUGE compliment. I couldn't believe it.

Larry and I have come a long way in the past few years, and we get along very well now. I respect his wife, and there is none of the typical arguing or jealousy that occurs between a mother and a step-mother. It is so nice. When they are in town to visit, we all go out to dinner together. They have two children together, and Sean and Brendan love to go to Atlanta to spend time with their baby sister and brother. Madalyn was born just two weeks before Erin, and Trevor will be two this coming March. They both adore their two big brothers, just as much as Erin does.

It's so nice to have gotten to this point, and to have a good relationship for the sake of Sean and Bren.

Happy birthday to my princess

I can't believe that she's four years old already. She is the single sweetest little girl I have ever known. I am so blessed to be her mom.


Still sleeping at the exact time of her birth


Enjoying her birthday breakfast...chocolate cake


Beautiful birthday girl





After Erin went to bed last night, Brian went and bought a lot of pink balloons, and put them all around the house. When she got up this morning, she was so excited to see them all over the place. She got to enjoy a piece of chocolate cake for breakfast, too.

Her birthday party will be on February 3rd. We delayed it so that Brian's mom can be here to celebrate it with us.

Ready for the snow

Would you say that she's ready for our trip to Wisconsin?



We have started picking up a few cold weather items for the trip in two months, and while we were in Old Navy today Erin picked out this hat with matching gloves. She promptly put it on, and wore it through the mall the rest of the time. She wore it home, and for most of the evening, despite the 80 degrees. To say that she's excited to go play in the cold would be an understatement.

Happy New Year!

I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year!