Rain, Rain, Go Away

Jake and I have been house bound because he hasn't been feeling 100%. Today we had had enough! We both needed fresh air and excercise. So, why not jump in puddles??

Oh and picture day was yesterday... I could just melt over this picture...

Approved and Waiting...

Jon and I have been given the official go ahead to announce that we are approved for adoption!!! After seven months of preparation and appts., I cannot express all of the emotions I have about what the future may hold. I am overjoyed at the thought of bringing a new life into our family through adoption. I have already begun to pray for the birthparent(s) who will give a little life to us. I cannot wait and my heart is aching with excitement. I know it will be an emotional and unforgettable experience because it already has been for me. This weekend I am attending an adoption conference at our church to continue the process of preparation. We will also have another full day conference in November. So, the process is not over... but now we are simply waiting for the phone call... ahhh...

This song was written by a christian musician who was adopted. It is beautiful and every time I hear it, I have to run the bathroom for a dozen tissues. God has really shown me that this is something he wants for our lives and I couldn't be happier!!

Come Walk with Me

Every year Jon and I try to walk in memory of my mom at the South Jersey Heart Walk. It is a fun filled day and it means a lot to me to do something for her and others like her. This year Jake will be walking with us and we wanted to invite all of you too. Join our team and help to raise funds for heart disease!! Our walk is Saturday, October 16th at Campbells Field Home of the Riversharks. To join our team or make a donation towards my goal, click on the link below.

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=338258&msource=boundlessfun

Lancaster Weekend

This past weekend we took a mini-vacation to Lancaster, PA. I love it there and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. We were lucky to have some family join in on the fun too. We first hit up our favorite place, The Gap Diner. Yummy and amazing sticky buns!!! Then, we headed right over to Thomas the train. He visits the Strasburg train museum twice a year and we were determined to take Jake this year. He loves trains especially Thomas! We had a fabulous time and Jake was so into the trains. We took an hour long train ride, played with trains, looked at trains, rode many rides and of course went home with some Thomas toys and even underwear as well! The next day Mommel, Janet and I were off to the outlets and the boys and Kimmy went to Dutch Wonderland. I LOVE shopping at the outlets and could do it all day. I am sorry I missed Wonderland though, Jake and Jon had so much fun. Oh well, there's always next year!!

Jake's first roller coaster!

Water Park
My Boys



Jake absolutely loved the actual train ride.

We were upgraded to first class and boy was it nice. Jake had a grin the whole time.
Waiting for Jake after yet another ride!
Push/Pull train. Of course Uncle Rick and Jon made this a competition!


Little scared of the train horn
My Little Conductor

Playing with the many train table exhibits.

Check ME out on Etsy!

Check out my first of many Christmas ornaments for sale on Etsy! I hand paint them and can personalize them as well. So far, the first available is the "Just Married" ornament. Maybe you know someone who is getting married this year or was married. This is an adorable gift idea for a newlywed couple.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56609080/hand-painted-just-married-christmas

Preschool

So jake has officially begin going to "school." He started at Little Christians preschool this week. The first day was an orientation and I had the opportunity to be in the room with Jake for 15mins. or so. Afterwards, there was an orientation meeting upstairs, while the kids had mini-version of what their day will be like. When it was time for me to leave and go upstairs Jake did something I have never seen him do before. He stood behind my legs and said,"No mommy." I felt awful. I completely didn't expect this reaction from him. he LOVES going to nursery at church and whenever he is dropped off with family or friends he simply says," See ya soon Mommy!" So, this was a new one. The teacher picked him up and brought him to the rug with him crying and told me to go and he would be fine. I was so anxious during the meeting I could barely concentrate. When the meeting was over, I waited in my car in the parking lot to see Jake playing outside with his class. (stalker mom) He seemed like he was having a great time and he looked like such a big boy lining up to go inside. When I went in to get him the teacher said that after a minute or so of me leaving, he stopped crying and LOVED school. He actually said," No Mommy,"again when he saw me because this time he didn't want to leave school! Today was his first day by himself and it went much smoother. I hugged him and kissed him goodbye. Reminded him to obey his teacher and be nice to his friends and he was on his way. "See ya Mommy!" and all. Wow, my little sweet boy in preschool. My heart sank a little when I got back to my car and I realized he was officially a big boy. I was missing my mom at that moment and wishing soo badly that I could share this with her. He just looked so darn cute in that backpack and I know she would have loved to see him and hear all about it!

Nap Time is Craft Time

I have been wanting to make a plate collage for some time now. I first saw one in a store, on the wall and thought it was the cutest thing ever. When I was one home to visit my dad, I grabbed a few more of my mom's dishes. Then, Aunt janet gave me two dishes which went with my color scheme and that got me motivated to go ahead and do it! So, esterday Jake and I went antiquing and then to Home Goods (favorite store) and picked up a few more plates to finish it off. So, here are my inspiration pictures and then my end product is the last picture.

The question I am throwing out there is: Should I make mine bigger?

Online Photo- too big for my wall

A little too pink for my house, but I loved the arrangement of different dishes

My mini-masterpiece. Taken with my phone, but you get the idea.

4 Years in the Making...

To Jon (and anyone else who wants to read ),

Happy anniversary to my love! Our anniversary was yesterday and we celebrated four years together. What a four years it has been. From moving to NJ, getting engaged in Paris, planning a wedding, getting married, moving in together for the first time, decorating our first home together... then six months later finding out we were pregnant (suprise!). Now, we are in the house of our dreams and have a beautiful boy and a desire for a bigger family. Everything about our marriage has exceeded my expectations. When I first met you, I was attracted to this man who had his own interests, tons of friends, love for his family and a character that never faultered. I loved you then, but our love has only deepened. All of your good qualities have remained and you continue to gain more. I now see you as a sensitive soul, a godly man, a romantic guy when you want to be, a wonderful dad, a true companion and teamate and most of all my greatest source of strength and comfort. We have been through a lot together already. I feel like the experiences we have had have made us wiser than our years in marriage terms. We know that life doesn't last long and try to make the most of our time here on earth. I love that we work out our disagreements quickly and see eye to eye on almost everything. I love that you are the only one that brings out my stubborn side. I love that you want to provide the world for Jake and I. I love that when we met you didn't want any kids then you were the first to mention baby number two. I love that you have a heart for adoption like me. I love that you hate to dance, but are always a good sport for me. I love that I can be myself all the time and you continue to love me. I love that a perfect day to you is being home with us. And I love that at the end of the day, the only person I want beside me is you. It has only been four years and I can't wait for many, many more! Love you.

Picture Update

Psyched to start preschool on Wednesday!

Firehouse birthday party... LOVED it!!
"Again Mommy? Again?"
Dressing up at Mommel's
waiting to meet curious george with my cool cuz

"Hi george, I'm Jake"
Moon Bounce Fun

Free Tennis Lesson. Jake was awesome and now I want to sign him up!

Pony Ride

Trying on Daddy's costume from the 80's

Carnival Time! This year Jake actually liked the rides. H wasn't scared at all!
Mommy's mad basketball skills won me this!
Anxiously awaiting his next ride

Last few swims of the summer

Maul Hall

Our latest Anna Foundation Event was a great success! We had a back to school shopping buddy event. It was a wonderful social opportunity for all! Here are the directions to view pictures of the event.

To view the photographs, please go to www.noelleroberts.com and enter the site. Once in the site, click on the client lounge and use the password “mallhaul” to view the photographs. All photos are the property of the Anna Foundation For Inclusive Education and Noelle Roberts.

Potential

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life- well, valuable but small and sometimes I wonder,"Do I do it because I love it or because I haven't been brave?" So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So, good night, dear void."

Unfortunately, these are not my own words. Wish they were. Instead they are from my third favorite movie,"You've Got Mail."That's right, third favorite. First being When Harry Met Sally. Second, Sleepless in Seattle. Although these are not my own words, I actually used to keep the quote in my wallet from high school through college. I guess you could call it a,"life quote." I often felt that there was WAY more to this life than the eye beholds. I always sensed there was, but now I know there is. The bible tells me so. However, it is not very specific. So, often my mind wanders... I think about what my life might be like if I never felt scared, worried, nervous, insecure, awkward etc. All those crummy emotions that we have as people. If I truly lived up to the potential that God has given me. Wow, how amazing it would be. If I could be kind, patient, loving, passionate, gentle, selfless, faithful and most of all had self control... ALL the time! What a wife, mommy, daughter, sister and friend I would be.

I also wonder what experiences, feelings and thoughts I would have. If I could be brave all the time, think of all I could accomplish!!! Ideally... I would love to travel the world.... save lives... speak to masses of people and make a difference... love all who come my way... be Oprah for the day... the Eat,Pray,Love experience... However, I know I have a purpose in this little life of mine. I can make a difference. I can speak to the masses. Maybe not on a podium, but in the grocery line or at the gas station? I try... life just seems to get in the way. I pray that God continues to give me these nights where I sit and ponder. It motivates me to continue using the gifts we all have inside. To love my husband. To teach and show my son all that he is capable of. And maybe some day... save the world... whatever the plan is, I am game!