Summer Fun

Here are some recent pics from Kid Junction and the St. Joan of Arc Carnival. Can't believe summer is ending!

Nice Wheels!
Being a postman, delivering the mail

Grocery shopping. He only wanted to buy fruit and bread

Playing the basketball game with Daddy. Needless to say we watched this game quite a bit.

Loving the dunk tank. He kept cheering," YAY." Every time the poor kid was dunked.

We are called to benefit the world

Beth Moore said it best when she said," We are called to benefit the world." I hold that phrase close to my heart and think about it often. (I'm actually looking for a place to hang it in my house, so it can be something my family sees every day) This post may seem random but, I have these... waves of emotion... every so often. That is the best way I can explain it. I've had them as long as I can remember. They definitely intensified after my mom passed away. It is as if I am being urged to do MORE. More what? I don't know. I just feel that I'm not doing enough with my time here on earth. It is a very hard emotion to explain, but it is very real and very frustrating for me. I know my roles as a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend are important. However, I feel there is something else out there. Some void I need to fill by helping others. I love doing charity work, volunteering and have always loved to fund raise. It brings me joy to see what I can give to others through my own perseverance. I am also very inspired by others stories of philanthropy. However, at the end of the day I am still left feeling like there is something more. Maybe I won't find out while I am here. Maybe God is preparing me. I am not sure. Only time will tell. I just keep praying for an answer and I try to be patient. Like I said random... but it was on my mind...

The Life of the Jake

Playing with a new fav, The Bus

Hiding in tuuperware cabinets
Loving his own reflection

Eating markers, but LOVES to color

Singing songs, I love how he always gets excited to point to his face and smile

More Decorating Fun

I'm having so much fun decorating. I am slowly turning my house from a more eclectic, contemporary style into more french country. Take a look at the kitchen before and afters.

Before

After ( so much brighter)

BeforeAfter
No more stained glass!!! Woo hoo! I also couldn't wait to hang up some of my mom and grandmothers china!!I like to be surrounded by things that remind me of her. It makes my home somewhere I want to be all the time!! There is so much more I want to do, but I am trying to take my time and do it right.

Finger Painting and Picture Framing

We spent the morning with our friends Irene and Drew

The boys did what they do best dumping

Cheese
We decided to do some edible finger painting...
Clean Up Afterwards!

Also, here is project #2. Some pictures still need to be added to the frames. Originally, I was going to continue adding frames into more of a rectangle shape. I think this is kind of fun though. What do you think??? The picture below is for comparison. (not my house)

Boys Weekend and Painting

Jakes favorite thing..
Notice the water guns...boys...

Jon had a few friends in this weekend and it was full on boys weekend. They immediately broke into competition and did not stop until they left. It began with a game of Uno that seemed to last hours, PIG with Jake's mini-basketball net, pool games, cards, Uno again I think, more pool games and they ended the night with a six hour game of Poker. They are gamers that is for sure. Jon had a wonderful time and it was nice to see him enjoying guy time. Jake and I stayed busy running much needed errands and I painted the kitchen! We had a very nice man named Sam from A-1 Painting come and take down our wallpaper. I am SOOO thankful that we did not try it ourselves. What a job and what a mess! Our kitchen just looks 10 years younger just from removing the wallpaper. I love painting, but it is definetely more time consuming with Jake running around. I have been working on the kitchen at night and during nap times and finally I am 90% finished. We have blue and white counter tops that are not my favorite, but I'm trying to work with them. SO, my plan is to do a yellow, blue and white kitchen. I love plaids and toile so I'm going to try and work those in somehow too. I wanted to do a pretty yellow on the walls and then do blue and white accents. Yellow is tricky! I looked at samples for a few days before picking the right color. I wanted it to be bright but not too bright. Now that it is up... I think I picked a good one. The kitchen looks so much bigger and brighter. Now, on to my next project... picture colleague in the playroom.

BEFORE

AFTER (stained glass still needs to go)

Photo Shoot with the Boys

We have had a crazy fun week over here. My sister, brother in law and baby Sean came to visit. We went to the shore and spent a few days and then spent a day or two here at home. It was so nice to just be with my sister and the babes. We broought the boys to Penney's to get their pictures taken. It was interesting... Jake never stopped moving so most of his pictures are action shots. And he had no interest what so ever in holding Sean. By the end of the shoot my sister and I were sweating and exhausted. I am happy with the pictures though. Here a few from the shoot. I'll post some from the weekend later!

Juice break!

Mischevious look

Random phone pics

Playing on the beach at 8:30 AM... that's right... have kids...your day begins early
Fascinated by Uncle Rick and Aunt Janet's Pond

Amazing... to say the least

I consider myself a pretty simple person. I am way more impressed or excited by Jon bringing me in a flower from the yard (if he were to do that.. hehe) than a bouquet of expensive flowers. I would much rather have family over to eat and have fun making a homemade meal then go to a big fancy restaurant. The thing that makes me the most happy is being with family and close friends and listening to music while I do it. So, Saturday was a great day. My brother, Katie and my close friend Lauren came down from NYC and another best friend Nicole came up from Charlotte, NC. I had some of my favorite people together and listening to some of my favorite music. The concert was well... amazing. I can think of nothing better than standing and singing my heart out while Billy plays his piano. Elton was great as well. Benny and the Jets...your song...classics... Dream come true! And so not an over-rated concert!!! I would go to see the show again anytime. Recommend it highly! Thanks to all for a wonderful day, especially my hubby who stayed home to watch the babes!

My cute "little" bro

Crazy Ol' Nicole

Mike and Katie

Lauren, my city mouse