Unfailing Love: May 2012

Vincent Gerard

This is my hubby. Also known as Vinny, Dowey, Dowebally, and (as of last night) Pickle Juice. (You may learn that I have an affinity for nicknames, comes from my daddy!) Unbelievably, the hubs and I have been married for 9 years! I can't believe it! Seems like just yesterday I was a freshman in college and my friend introduced me to this hunky senior with a hot red car! Vince is working hard to support our family and traveling here and there. Vince is a WONDERFUL father and his girls (all of us) are the most important things to him!

Barclay Kathryn

What to say? I'm Barclay, usually known as Barclay (not much you can do with Barclay). I was an elementary teacher for fours years until I had Bella. Now I am doing the job I have wanted to do ALL of my life, being a mom. I love these two girls more than I can possibly express and it is my joy and privilege to be able to spend each day with them. I recently entered the blog frontier, and although my blog followers will probably be able to be counted on one hand, I thought it would be exciting to be a part of something so neat. I love that there are many other moms out there facing the same joys, hardships, questions, surprises, and challenges that I am. I also hope to be a sort of medium to spread awareness for others that need prayers, help, or just someone to walk through life with!

Isabella Kathryn

Usually referred to as Bella. As well as Bells, Bellie, Belly Boo, Bellsie Bubs, Bubs, Bubba, Bells and Whistles.... Bella is our first born daughter. She is 6. Bella enjoys school, reading, riding her training-wheel free bike, she could color and write for hours, she loves singing to the Momma Mia soundtrack, anything princess or pink, having bows in her hair, playing dress up, and her little sisters! God blessed us with Bella a month early but she was perfectly healthy. In six years she has become such a bright, outgoing, sensitive, and fearless little girl. Bella really is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She is eager to please. If she hurts or disappoints someone it literally crushes her to tears. This last year she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and we could not be more proud!! Love this sweet, blonde, blue eyed beauty!

Bryanna Karina

Usually known as Brynn. As well as Brynnie, Miley, Miley Moo, Geegs, Geegers, Brynnie Boo, and many more. Ten days before Bella turned 2 years old we were blessed with another beautiful, healthy girl by planned c-section. This time I was able to see my baby right after birth, watch her get weighed, bathed, etc. I couldn't wait for Bella to meet her. Brynn is now 4 and keeps me laughing all day long. Brynn, since she was about 2 months old has been the smiliest baby I have ever met. All you need to do is look at her and she will flash you a world class smile. Brynn is smiley, more shy and reserved about things than her big sis, can be quite the clown when she feels safe or gets in a silly mood, amazingly brilliant, she's been speaking full sentences since she was 19 months and continues to amaze us with what comes out of her mouth. She loves doing whatever her big sister is doing, dressing up, looking at books, her blankie, being held, twirling in her dresses, singing, and dancing whenever she hears music! Brynn is my compassionate baby, she hates to see people hurting. We just love this sweet, shy, snuggly, smiling little girl!

Brooklyn Blythe

Also known as Brookie, Brookie Cookie, Cookie Lu, Lulu B just to name a few. Sweet, sweet Brooklyn is our family's latest addition! We welcomed Brookie into our family on August 23rd 2010 at 12:23pm by planned c-section. I was nervous she would be a bit high maintenance since she came out screaming bloody murder and continued to wail anytime anyone touched her- get her footprints, take her temperature, etc. Amazingly, she would instantly stop the moment the Hubs touched her or began talking to her. And since her birthday, we have barely heard a peep out of her..... And fast forward 18 months, she definitely makes plenty of peeps now! :) We are full blown in the the terrible twos (which IMO last from 18-36 months) I believe. To make matters worse she's also cutting her 4 molars. She definitely knows what she wants but can't quite articulate it, so gets frustrated. Eating is also a hit or miss these days which is very foreign to me. Mixed with the crabby days though is the funniest personality ever. She is a riot! She LOVES chasing after her big sisters or having them chase and imitate her. She also has this adorable chubby face and will peek out of the corner of her eyes and just melt your heart! She is definitely shy at first but if you can get through to her she will keep you in stitches with her antics. We love you little BB and couldn't ask for a sweeter addition to our family!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Happy Memorial Day!!

Thank you to all who serve or have served our wonderful country!!

I have many more pics to share from our holiday weekend and weeks past but once again I have filled up the space on our computer and can't upload any new pics! :(

Hope to clear up some room soon. :)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Sniff....

Today Miss Brynnie Boo had her last day of preschool until the fall!!

First Day of Preschool Last Day of Preschool 2012

Can't believe how time flies.

Some of Brynnie's dear school friends!

Brynn and Madelyn

Brynn with her awesome teacher Ms. Denise!

(didn't grab pics with Ms. Sarah and Ms. Jill since we'll still see them next year!)

Brynn and Kacy

Brynn, Bella, Mara, and Ella

Brynn, Rosa, and Anna

Ellie, Anna, Madelyn, and Brynn

Ready for a summer of fun with you Miley!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Bring on the Summer Adventures.....

Beautiful weather has finally arrived!!

The other week our dear friends invited us to join them in a trip to the zoo.

We were so thankful and excited for a fun day.

The weather was just gorgeous!

Sunny and almost 80.

We loaded all 6 kiddos into our car, full house!

Everyone grabbed a map to help us get around.

We kicked things off with a look at the camels.

It was really neat to see how interested Brooklyn was in seeing the animals, or was it climbing the fences? :) Actually kidding aside she did really love getting out and seeing the animals. She'd point away and listen to me talk about them. It was pretty sweet.

Giraffes are my favorite! They loved watching them too!

Thankfully Miss Jackie kept hold of crazy girl in the middle there!

The polar bear was another fun stop!

Love these pics. :)

Just when it was getting a little warm we came upon the water spray area, ran through for a quick cool down!

This girl just loves her baby sis.

My two super B's!

This leopard came right up to the window for the kids, totally made me think of that video going around of the lion trying to bite at the baby sitting by the window. :)

Two VERY tuckered out babies!

Thanks Kissinger crew for a very fun day!

This was my first big adventure (other than every day outings or park goings) with 3 completely mobile children. They and I did pretty well! :) I was completely exhausted when I got home (didn't help that Brooklyn soaked completely through her freshly washed car seat and had to clean that up)!! Guess I'm going to need to get in better shape to keep up with these 3 crazy kiddos this summer!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Mother's Day 2012

I know I said this in the last post, but boy am I thankful to be able to celebrate Mother's Day!!

We had a low key mom's day.

The morning was bombarded with handmade presents that they were SO excited to give me. :)

Went to church and heard a great sermon on how God helps us be great mom's.

With the hurry to get to church in the morning I did not get breakfast in bed.

When I told Bella I didn't have time she burst into tears.

She wanted me to eat breakfast in bed so badly, so precious.

(Hubby was trying SO hard to get them to smile, waving things around and such that my head accidentally got cut off, oops! They look adorable though!)

After church the hub's and Mr. Joe offered to feed the kids while Miss Leah and I got to go have lunch sans kiddos! It was delightful.

After lunch we went home and put Brooklyn down for nap and just laid low for the afternoon.

The hubs kept the big girls happy so I could just enjoy the afternoon.

Hubster graciously got me Buffalos for dinner and was just a HUGE help with the kiddos and around the house.

That night I relaxed some more, got chocolate ice cream, and a massage by my hubby.

A nice way to spend a day with my family.

(Hubby also offered to take pictures of me with my girlies, which is the best gift ever! Too bad I'm in the pics, and too bad we didn't get to them until the end of the day when I looked completely exhausted. Oh well!)