Happy Birthday, Mary!

In celebration of Mary's birthday today, mom and I took the kiddos out for cupcakes.  We sang happy birthday, watched them crumble eat their cupcakes, and then watched them play on the merry go round.  All in all, a pretty good birthday party to say the least! 

I have so enjoyed teaching my kids about days like today.  Just yesterday, Paul pulled the stool up in front of the crucifix to 'look at Jesus' boo-boo's'.  During lent, we had talked about all of His boo boo's and why He has them.  It's so amazing to watch their little brains comprehend with such simplicity.  Hopefully, teaching them about Christ's sacrafice and Mary's 'Yes' while they are little will make being open to God's Will a 'norm' for them when they are older. 

Paul's First Day of School!

Yesterday was Paul's first day of school.  This year, he is going three days a week from 9-12.  Last year proved to be very beneficial for him not only on the talking front but also with stability through moving, new baby, and daddy leaving.  We were very excited about school starting this year and it was GREAT!

First of all, I feel the need to explain the backpack for school.  In my frugal, practical, and brilliant overly-simple mind, I had planned to buy Paul a L.L.Bean junior backpack that would not only last for a few years but could then be passed down for future use by his sibilings.  Well, upon hearing about my plan, multiple people quickly told me that my plan was TERRIBLE and I needed to let the poor, deprived child pick out his own.  So, I took him on a date to buy a backpack.  When we got to the store, he found the three 'Cars' backpacks and started searching through them.  After realizing that cars didn't actually come INSIDE of the backpacks, he headed for the door and said he didn't want one!  HA!  So, while they were in Atlanta, I searched all over Charlottesville to find the last of the 'Cars' backpacks and he was thrilled when he came home to it, complete with cars inside!  So, without further ado...

                                                              PAUL'S BACKPACK!

Oh, sweet Catherine...no clue!

The most dramatic part of the day was Paul saying goodbye to Catherine, as she did not want her "brutha" to leave. Thankfully, my mom stayed home with the girls and they painted nails so it wasn't TOO bad.

Sorry for the lopsided picture

To make her feel better, Paul made sure to yell out the car window "Bye, Sis!  I love you!"  He is so sweet to her!

Paul was so incredibly excited to get to school.  He told me where to turn, stop, etc, the WHOLE way.  Once we got there and got out of the car, he walked in like he'd done it all of his life.  He hung up his backpack and waited for the door to open.  He was excited to see that a lot of his friends from last year were in his class this year and that he remembered his teachers.  When they opened the door, I thought he would just RUN right in.  I was so touched, when he grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, mom".  We got up to the door and he ran in.  No drama, as expected. 

Paul's first day went great.  He came running out, into his sisters arms, with his first piece of artwork for the year.  He had a great day and is excited to go back tomorrow!

She has the BEST laugh!

We Be Cruisin'

WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE!!!

In celebration of Paul's homecoming and our 5th anniversary, Paul and I are going on a cruise at the beginning of January.  Not just any cruise, a 7 NIGHT/8DAY cruise.  A whole week?  WHAT? 

Excitement doesn't even touch what we are feeling! 

Welcome to the Caribbean Princess!

Now, knowing me and my LOVE of a good deal, I have spent a lot of time figuring out the best plan for our port calls.  Do we go on the ship shore excursions?  Schedule our own?  Is this island the best one for snorkeling or should we wait for another one?  Well, all the decisions have been made and our plans are set.

January 8, 2012 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico

After going on the Segway Tour in Washington D.C., we might take advantage of this tour in San Juan and see the city before hoping on the boat. 

January 9, 2012 - St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Discover Scuba Diving

We will take a basic course on Scuba diving in a pool and then be taken out to try in for real.  Paul and I have both always wanted to Scuba Dive so we are both SO excited!

January 10, 2012 - Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Dolphin Swim Adventure

Paul is being a trooper with this one!  I've always wanted to swim with dolphins.  I don't think he overly minds but I know it wasn't his first choice either.  This was one of the biggest savings that I found.  The excursion through the ship is simple an 'experience', meaning you stand in the water and maybe touch them.  I went straight to the company and not only is it CHEAPER but we are doing the package where the dolphins will push us and swim with us.  Super excited!

January 11, 2012 - Antigua

Zipline Canopy Tour and Ropes Course

Oh my goodness, we are SOOOO excited about this one!!!  We have been wanting to do a zipline course and this one is reviewed very well.  There are 12 zips and then the ropes course.  Knowing Paul and I, I'm sure this will be made into a competition to some degree. 

January 12, 2012 - Dominica

Island Tour with Woody

This tour came HIGHLY recommended on many sites and tripadvisor.com.  It is not a big tour, rather, it is a single guy named Woody who gives 'off the beaten path' tours of the island to individual groups (i.e. Paul and I).  He shows you everything that you wouldn't see if you would just do the tourist thing.  Additionally, we will have a traditional 'Dominica' lunch, I believe, served by a family member on the beach.  I hope it lives up to all of the reviews.  I have yet to find a website or review that is less than amazing.

January 13, 2012 - Barbados

 Thriller Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkeling Adventure

This is another tour that is a single owned business that has absolute rave reviews!  We knew we wanted to go snorkeling to see the turtles and the shipwrecks.  So when I started researching options off the boat I started seeing random 5 star reviews of this guy named Stephen.  It took me about a week to track him down but it finally happened.  His tour, taking no more than 12 people, takes you out to snorkle with the sea turtles, then you head to the ship wrecks, and then a reef.  All of this is followed by lunch on a quiet beach and swimming.  Sounds awesome to me! 

January 14, 2012 - Day at Sea

Who knows what will happen...thats the beauty of it!

January 15, 2012 - Disembark in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Unfortunately, the cruise will have to end and we'll have to go back to real life but I'm sure by this point we'll be ready to take it on with a new energy. 

We cannot wait for our cruise!  It's been nice to have something else to look forward to besides Paul's homecoming.  You can be assured that there will be LOTS of pictures! 

Anybody else planning any winter vacations?

HALFWAY!!!

It is official...

100 days left until we are a family again!   

We're not crazy! We're enthusiastic!

This week, the kids and I have been working on some welcome banners for Laurens arrival on Monday.  Not only have we had a lot of fun with paint, crayons, markers, etc but I have had a BLAST teaching them about enthusiasm.

I think most people, especially my husband, are generally shocked by the emphasis that I put on making sure incoming guests recieve an enthusiastic welcoming, birthday's always have balloons and signs, and general tone of voice in conversation.  For some reason, these are things that God has put on my heart and I know are very important.

While I know my children will gain some of these qualities by my example, I also know the responsibility I have to teach them about enthusiasm.  I am currently reading TLC's The Duggars 2nd book.  In both of their books, they have had some incredible insights.  One of my favorites was this one:  

"We teach them [our children] to overcome shyness by constantly reminding them of another foundation of our faith: Jesus' instruction to treat others the way you would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).  To us, it's not cute when our little ones turn away when someone speaks to them, or hide their faces in Mama's skirt, or stare back, wide-eyed and worldess; we believe that behavior is disrespectful of the other person.  In contrast, eye contact shows repect; it tells the other person, You're important; You're special. 

Turning away means the child fails to acknowledge the other person, and it also nurtures in the child a self-centered focus, something we want each one to learn to overcome as he or she matures."

This exerpt explains my thoughts pefectly!  It's about respect.  It's about showing other people that they are worth your time and energy to put forth a little bit of effort on their behalf.

This week, we have been practicing self-introductions on the phone.  They are so funny!  If you call the house any time soon, most likely I will have have of the kids pick up and you will hear, "Hi, I Paul" or "Hi, dis Cafrine".  Haha.  Baby steps. 

So, just know, that if you spend a birthday with us, you will probably have balloons, a sign, and cake.  If you come to visit we will either be waiting in the airport, in the driveway, and possibly even holding signs.  If you call, we will answer with "umph" so you know that we are excited to hear from you.  And if you speak to us, we will be sure to look you in the eye and answer you.  We want you to know that you are important to us and that we appreciate the relationship that we have.   

THE BECKERS ARE COMING!

About four years ago, I met one of the coolest and most fun girls I have ever met.  She and I met in California as we waited for our men to arrive home from a 6 month deployment.  Her name is Lauren Becker. 

Just a little bit about Lauren.  Lauren is one of the most fashionable, decorating savvy, do it her own way people I know!  We are complete opposites in that manner.  I choose simple, basic, color matching decor and clothes, and she and her family and home are always STYLIN'! 

Example : Our 25 Week Pregnant Pictures

            Simple                                                                            Stylin'

Okay, now before anybody says anything about my thinking she's better or anything like that, know that I am completely confident in my own style.  While that might come easily to Lauren, we'll just say that it doesn't for me and leave it at that!

Get it? 

While we couldn't be on any farther points when it comes to style, we are on the same page on the things that count.  We both believe in a Christ-centered home, where our husbands are the head while we are the heart.  We believe in raising children to be productive adults who are not reliant upon others for their own well-being and happiness.  We believe in living debt free and buying what you can afford with cash.  We believe that we were put on this earth for a purpose and we strive to fulfill the will that God has for us!  But most importantly, we believe in the power of music and HAVING FUN! 

Lauren has taught me one of my most life lessons.  I have always known that I am a very blunt speaker.  I tell things like I see them.  Over the years, I have worked very hard to learn to curb my tongue and speak gently but unfortunately, I still have times when I am quite frank and sharp.  In these moments, I will generally preface what I am about to say with "this might come out wrong" to which she would always reply, "Jeanne, don't worry, I know your heart".  Phew, what a relief!  Finally, someone who knew me well enough to know my intent.  She has taught me to give people the benefit of the doubt and look to their heart before their words. 

So, back to our story.  In short, we became super good buds.  We moved to Italy and they moved to Hawaii.  Could we be any farther apart?  Now, 3.5 years later, three kids for me, one and a half (she's pregnant) for her, and we will finally get to see each other again on Monday! 

She and her son, Roman, are home visiting her parents for 10 days.  When she called and asked if they could come stay a night or two with us, I just about cried!  She is taking 1/5 of her days at home to drive three hours (with a one year old in tow) to come see us!  How cool is that!?!?!

So, needless to say, in true Jeanne style, preparations are being made and their will be a proper welcoming for them!  I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!