Tiff, Maddie, Aunt Sandi, and Gram...

A family picture of my aunt, myself, Maddie, and Gram. If my mom had shown up we could have taken a 4-generation picture....we still need to do that though and then we can submit it to the local paper for publication.

Maddie and Jeanine...

Maddie and our cousin Jeanine. We had a blast staying at Jeanine's house and it was so nice to be with family and feel the love and support that comes with being around loved ones.

OMGoodness....

The manuscript for my 2nd poetry book is in the hands of my editor as of yesterday. I cannot believe it - I actually finished my book and sent it to my publisher! Finally, completion of a big project....it's such a nice feeling of accomplishment when you finish something like that. Especially, since I'm so busy with my two munchkins....how did I find the time? Try in between naps and while London was away at school...it's amazing the things you can do when you manage your time right.

We're off to the zoo on Thursday, April 30th. Mike and I are going too (bringing Maddie too of course!)because we are chaperones for London's class. The cool thing is that this trip to the zoo will be London and Maddie's 1st time to the zoo and they get to experience it together! That is SO cool. And yes, I will bring my camera with fresh batteries from the battery charger so as not to miss a single moment!

Finishing my coffee and waiting for my aunt and uncle to arrive from California.....ta ta for now.....

Oh Happy Day...

Sooo, it's Saturday morning and all is quiet. Maddie is taking her daily morning nap and she's sitting right in front of me in her bouncer allowing me to get some computer time in. Michael took London with him for the morning so I'm able to have a little bit of peace and quiet. It's windy and gloomy outside and it would be a GREAT day to head off to the gym. Michael gave me a gym membership for Christmas and I had to wait until now (with my Dr.'s approval)to be able to use it. WooHoo, I can finally get my body back after having 2 kids! However, I must say that I have already lost 23lbs of the 36 I gained with Maddie. I'm almost back to my pre-pregnancy size and then I can work on all the lbs I gained with London. Yeah, 5 years later and I'm still packing around the extra pounds. That's okay....I have a wonderful husband who had the foresight to realize I might (oh yeah!) want to get away from the kids for a little while and work off my frustrations.

Finishing my morning cup of decaf coffee and then getting ready for the day. I'm also heading to the library with my laptop in tow. It's SO much nicer and faster to use their WIFI at the library - I get so much done and don't have to wait for dial-up...I can't stand dial-up but you make do with what you have. I'm entering London and Maddie into a photo contest too and need to go to the library to download my photo onto their form.

Off to begin my day......

Maddie and Jaymie...

Maddie with her cousin Jaymie. Soooo adorable! Our family makes beautiful children! We are truly blessed!

Handsome Guy...

London enjoys just randomly posing for pictures...it was a color picture and I turned it into a black and white. He looks very handsome and he's growing up soooo incredibly fast!

Such a Pretty Day...

It's such a pretty day today. Maddie slept through the night and has been sleeping through the night all week long. Woo Hoo! You know what that means, don't you? I'm actually getting some much-needed sleep!

I'm waiting for the library to open today (they don't open until 10am)so Maddie and I can go and use their WIFI. I love to take my laptop computer to the library and use their high-speed internet for free! I can get twice as much done in half the time. Plus, it gets Maddie and I out of the house while London is away at school and Mike is at work.

I'm working on downloading all of my poems for my new book entitled, "A Window into my Heart". I've found a new publisher (actually they found me after I entered some poems into a contest in November)and they pay twice the royalties I was making with my other publishing company, and they pay for all of the publishing costs. Plus, they physically stock your book on bookstores shelves rather than the print on demand concept. So, I'm getting my poems ready to send to the editor.....that's always such a nerve-wracking thing to do....it's like putting your baby out into the real world and hoping they return in one piece and not damaged. I don't know how I've managed to finish writing another book while being a very busy wife and mom of two. Hmmm....maybe I am Wonder Woman after all and just never realized it!

Gotta figure out what to have for dinner tonight and jump into the tub while Maddie is napping! The all-important multi-tasking Mom is at it again! Haaa!

Smile Pretty for the Camera...

Maddie is such a ham! She just discovered how to smile last week and she smiles all of the time. She's such a happy and good baby....yeah, she's colicky at times but most of the time she's full of smiles! She smiles especially at her big brother London. She loves him so much and he loves her just the same.

A Father's Love...

I really enjoy the rare moment when I can capture Michael on camera during tender moments with our children. He and Maddie were just "vegging out" watching TV. Actually, he was watching TV and Maddie was taking the all-important nap!
He loves our children and we went through a lot just to get the precious two that we have now. We are truly blessed.

Maddie's 1st Smile....

Maddie's 1st Smile.....so glad I was able to be a stay at home Mom and capture this spectacular moment! She and London are my pride and joy!

Grammy and Papa...

Papa and Maddie....

So precious....my Dad with Maddie!

Easter 2009...

London and Maddie on Easter. They look absolutely adorable! (I'm also biased though, being their Mommy!)

My Greatest Accomplishments...EVER!

London and Maddie - My greatest endeavor in my entire life!