Did You Wear Your Purple?

Yesterday was National Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Day. To show support, we were wearing purple.

This is a very near and dear cause to our hearts. I have had Crohn's disease for 24 years now. I have struggled with the disease very hard. I have had 5 major surgeries. It is a part of our daily life. I hate that there are times that I can't do things with the kids. I hate that the kids know "mommy doesn't feel good and can't do that today." But I can't change it. I have limitations. The twins are aware of my limitations. They understand that mommy has to go to the doctor to get medicine (Remicade infusions), they know they have to be careful of mommy's owie (portable cath in my chest), they realize that mommy sometimes just needs to sleep and rest. Bless their sweet hearts, they understand and tell me that they hope one day mommy will be better. So in support of finding a cure for this devastating disease, we all wore purple.

National Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Day was started in 2007. It happens on May 23 every year. Hope next year you will join us! Wear purple and support us!

And if you want to read details of my struggle with Crohn's, check out Truths, Thoughts and Prayers. I'll be posting a detailed in depth story there in the next few days.

Another Field Trip

The kids had a field trip to the park to see the Firemen from Fire Station 6 (The one closest to the school and our house). They got a chance to watch a movie in the trailer and crawl through "smoke" (fog) to teach them how to stay low in a fire. They also got to check out the fire truck and ambulance. For the twins, this is familiar territory. They love taking fire station tours and have been on quite a few. Christopher loves being in the front and answering all the questions. He was the "volunteer" at the ambulance to have his heart rate monitored. He was the star of the show! Caitlin watched quietly and knew all the answers, but did not want to be the star. (Typical Caitlin) They both enjoyed it though! Then...lunch and free time in the playground! The had a GREAT time running and playing!

Fun with Out of Town Friends

We have made some amazing friends over the years. And have kept in touch with quite a few of them. We met our friends Kim and Robbie while we lived in South Carolina. They moved to Washington and we moved to Virginia. Kim and I were pregnant 6 months apart. Her son, Hunter is 6 months younger than the twins. They have come to visit us once before and Jim stayed with them when he went to Washington to join the crew of the Alaska. They are now in New York but we have not managed to see them much. When Kim said they wanted to visit, I was THRILLED! They came and spent 4 days with us. It was wonderful! Christopher was in 7th heaven! He had a BOY to play with! Almost all my friends here have girls, so having a boy to play with was wonderful for him! They boys got along GREAT! Caitlin felt a little left out, but she enjoyed having them to play with too. They boys even played pet shops with her!

For Jim and I it was a great weekend too. It amazed me how so many years could go by, but we could get together with them and it was like we just saw each other last week! We really enjoyed our weekend with them!

Me and Kim on a night out with the boys!


We spent a day at Busch Gardens too. They all seemed to really enjoy it! We are hoping to take a trip up to New York to see them soon! Hopefully at the end of Summer. I know I am looking forward to it!

Picture Day

Parent's night is always followed by picture day! Caitlin is in two dances again this year. I love her costumes! She says she smiled in her pictures, but we will see! Here are her costumes! The pink and black is tap and the blue is ballet. I love them...now just want to see her beautiful smile!

Parent's Night at Dance

I am always so excited for parent's night at dance. Caitlin is too, until we get there. Poor thing. She always gets up and dances at the recital, but something about parent's night just scares her. She did at least dance most of the dances this time. And she did so wonderful! She really loves dancing and it shows. This is our third year doing this. And each year it is a little bit better.

Great job baby bug! Another year down!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's day was a wonderful day. The kids each picked out a dozen roses for me, one in dark pink and one in light pink. They got me cards. Jim let me sleep in and made me breakfast. He also got me eclairs. (I love those things) We took the kids bowling for the afternoon. They had a wonderful time! Christopher slipped and fell once, but also got a strike! Caitlin did very well too. No strike, but she still had fun! Then Jim made me dinner.

I reflected on what a blessing my children really are. Days like Mother's day remind me how lucky and blessed I am. The twins are truly my miracles. Yes, they drive me crazy, but I would not trade them for anything in the world. They make me smile and cry. They bring me joy and sadness. They are everything to me. I thought I would never be a mom, and now I have these amazing kids. What a blessing they are. I am blessed that they love me, they still kiss me goodbye every morning and want me to tuck them in and sing to them at night, and most of all, that they call me "mom".

Thanks you for my Mother's day. I love you both very much!




I got a STRIKE!

Teddy Bear Tea Party

Caitlin attended a Teddy Bear Tea Party at another troop. The girls all brought teddy bears that they had dressed up and they played games and made crafts. They decorated cookies. They ate snacks. Then all the bears got awards. It was a wonderful time! Caitlin enjoyed showing off her bear!

Busch Gardens Fun!

Beautiful days often find us a Busch Gardens. The kids enjoy going and we enjoy taking them. This time, they both decided to ride "Elmo's Spire" (It was a BIG step for us!) They loved it and rode it twice! They also agreed to try riding the Grover roller coaster again. Christopher decided that he likes the roller coaster. Caitlin is still not sure. But it is a step in the right direction, they are willing to take some chances!