Siblings

Watching Evan and MJ play together brings so much joy to my heart.  Even witnessing Evan whacking MJ over the head with his cars sometimes brings a feeling of warmth.  I truly believe that those who grow up without a sibling miss out on something special.  I am so grateful my kids have each other.

10 Months

Ten months ago today we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl.  She has enriched our lives more than I could ever explain.  Her smile and her laugh can make the worst day pleasant and the best day perfect.  She has stolen our hearts for sure.

She is beginning to mumble words such as mama, dada, uh oh and several others.  She likes to mimic sounds which is helping her develop an early vocabulary.  Of course we think she is brilliant :)

She continuous to eat like a ravenous piggy - the girl simply likes to eat.

And look who is just about walking...

A House Full of Memories

Since the passing of my brother two years ago, I have struggled to rid myself of feeling broken.  The ring that once represented my family lost a critical piece that doesn't allow it to come full circle any more.  There have been other resulting causes as well, but I know every member of my family feels the disconnection and deals with its effects every day.

The only escape I have from this heart breaking reality are my memories which primarily take place in my childhood home - the home where we all grew up together - the home where everything made sense and everything was good.  It was our safe haven then - and now it is my refuge.

I make a visit to McDeeds Creek Road almost every day.  I play football with my brothers in the backyard hoping to make a few good tackles.  We build huge forts in the woods and beg my parents to let us sleep there for the night.  We challenge each other to races in the swimming pool and play two-on-two basketball until it's time to come in for dinner.

My family sits down to eat at our table for six as my mom serves one of her delicious home cooked meals.  My brothers and I argue about something trivial as my dad threatens a consequence if we don't be quiet.  I hear my mom asking why we can't ever be nice to one another - and in my mind I laugh.

For almost 18 years I thought life was easy.  I thought life was about playing and fighting with my siblings.  I thought life was simple and good.  At McDeeds Creek Road life was all these things - that's why I make my frequent visits - because that is where our ring came full circle.

In remembrance...

Happy Birthday, Old Man.

I am, of course, referring to my old man - the one. the only. Robert Stinnett.  You may be old, but you still make me smile.

Happy birthday to you.  

Happy birthday to you.  

Happy birthday dear, Ba-abe.  

Happy birthday to you.

This is what a sense of humor is all about.

My Dearest Blog

I have been neglecting my blog for several weeks now and I'm trying to get back in the blogging saddle.  I have come too far to just suddenly let weeks start slipping by without some sort of documentation.  It hasn't helped that my inspiration has dwindled a bit due to inactive weekends these past couple of weeks.  We literally did not step foot outside of the house last weekend and this weekend wasn't too much different.  Exhaustion has played a big part in that, but we have finally come up for air - so I think it's safe to say...WE BE BACK, YO!

We are currently in the market for two new cars.  Our lease agreements are coming up and we really need to transition to at least a 7 passenger vehicle.  Our top runners are the GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Traverse.  These are the only "smaller" SUVs that have 2nd row bucket seats that I am absolutely demanding.  After our last road trip, I swore I would either look into buying a van or find an SUV that had a similar seating configuration.  I'm still having trouble envisioning myself driving a van, so these are our current options - for now anyway.  The second car choice is still up in the air...

So yesterday we did a little car shopping - today we browsed a few other lots, but took the kids out for a little treat too.  Homemade ice cream is so irresistible...am I right?  Evan threw a fit because his ice cream was melting faster than he could lick it.  Mattie, on the other hand, was happy with whatever she could get.

Robert and I have a big weekend ahead that we're really looking forward to - celebrating 10 fabulous years together and adding one more year to his already ancient self.  We have made plans for just the two us and I-CAN-NOT-WAIT.  I mean who wouldn't be excited to spend a weekend with this King of Hotness?