Rambling.

I am in need of some good BBQ. Craving it. Does Parker's ship? That is something I need to look into. ASAP. I am also craving brownies.

That reminds me, my new stove was delivered today. I have an oven again! It has been almost 2 weeks without one!

I am ready for the weekend. My week has been so jam packed with "stuff" that I haven't had time to just relax and love on my kids. I am thinking a trip to the zoo, or something fun, should be on the agenda soon.

Last night Caleb went to his first Cancer support group for kids ( at The Stewarts Caring Place, amazing AMAZING place by the way!). They gave him a giving doll. It is adorable! A little boy doll that he named "Dillan". He said that he has always wanted a baby brother. He brought one home to Addy too. A little girl one named "Ava". People sew these adorable, handmade dolls and donate them to kids going through tough times. Caleb told me last night that he was supposed to hug Dillan anytime that he feels sad about Cancer. He paused, smiled, and then said: "I don't know why I would ever be sad about Cancer! Maybe Dillan will be the one that is sad. He can just hug me when Cancer makes HIM sad." Bless his sweet little heart.

I think it is good for him to hear a little bit of info geared towards his age group and in terms that he understands. It makes things a little less scary, and helps him to be ok with some of the changes that he is around. A five year old should have no worries!

He loved being there too! This morning he was asking when he could go back and telling Addy about how much fun she missed.

On a side note, I just realized that in exactly one month from tomorrow, I will have a three-year-old little girl? Where did time go? Is she really turning 3???? My little Adalyn.

Time for me to get planning. I guess I have a Strawberry Shortcake party to throw, yes that is what she really wants!

What Easter means to me...

Easter is not just another "holiday" to me. Yes, I do enjoy the family meal, baskets, candy, laughing and fun. But, I also remember what was done for ME, and what was done for you too.

I am so humbled and amazed that God gave his son, that Jesus gave his life, in one of the most brutal and unimaginable ways, to give me everlasting life. That I, an unworthy sinner, have been given the opportunity to have a person relationship with Jesus, and to be forgiven- just because I ask. He who has created everything beautiful and good. He who loves perfectly and without condemnation. He who loves me unconditionally, in the most perfect way. I do not have to go through some high priest, or anybody else to get to him. He is there, waiting for me. I can approach him with no fear. I can pour my heart out to him, and  leave ALL my worries and anxieties with him. He holds me, comforts me, and gives me hope. He made all of this possible because of his gruesome suffering and death. Our eternity together awaits us because of his unbelievable, but undoubtedly real resurrection. My Savior lives, and my heart rejoices! Jesus died on the cross for my sins and inadequacy. He has victoriously defeated the sins that entrap me. Whatever I find, whenever I find it, He's redeemed it. Renewed it. The parts of me that feel unlovable, unusable and broken are created, cherished, and healed by Him alone. My selfish, unrighteous, imperfect ways are forgiven because of Jesus, and because of Him alone.

How could I not be full of joy, love, and thanksgiving?

I am forgiven.

I am loved.

 ...and so are you!

There is nothing too big, or anything too horrible.

"According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading..."

1 Peter 1:3&4

This evening my parent stopped by to give Caleb and Addy their Easter gifts. My mom made them each a beautiful blanket and they were both thrilled. The smiles on their face says it all...and now they are all cozied up in bed, waiting for the arrival of the Easter Bunny!

This is the first year of our new tradition. Because the traveling was becoming too much for our children, we decided to do the "every-other-year" thing. This year we will spend Easter day with Ross' side of the family, and next year with mine. I am hoping for a more relaxing day.

Happy Easter to ALL of my family and friends!

It is starting to look like Christmas!

Christmas. It is starting to look a lot like Christmas in our home. The tree is up. Presents are wrapped. Cards have been mailed. Snow is on the ground. And the official Christmas pajama pictures have been captured.

The kids always get excited when I pull out my backdrops and camera equipment. Of course, a 7:30 am photo session is the best way to go...that is when my kids are the happiest (Lord help me!!)

Yesterday was Ross' birthday. What a fun weekend we had celebrating! Happy 29th birthday honey! 

Other than that, not too much going on. I am staying pretty busy with all of the December birthdays in our house, plus getting everything ready for Christmas. I would say, considering all of the stress I have been under lately, I have stayed relatively healthy. I couldn't be happier for that! Knock on wood... 

We are planning a fun week with family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Savior. This is all after my root canal tomorrow of course! No fun in that!!
I pray that all of my friends and family ( especially the ones living away who I won't get to see...) have an amazing and wonderful Christmas.

...And a VERY merry Christmas to my brother who is now overseas, serving our country. I love you Matt!

Caleb turns 5???!

It has been awhile, I know. I have had so much on my plate lately, my blog has been pushed to the back burner. The most recent huge news is that my baby boy, Caleb, turned five last Thursday! Unbelievable that is has been five whole years since I gave birth to him. It really does seem like just yesterday...

5 years ago I was 36 weeks pregnant, preparing for my baby boy to arrive on January 9. He had a different plan for me! On December 9, 2005 I woke up at 5 am to a soaking wet bed; my water had broke. Being a first time mom, I had no clue. I had just thought I peed the bed. Seriously. At 8 months pregnant, it could happen! Moving to the couch, I realized that it was a little more than that. With a little urging from my husband, we headed out to the hospital to make sure. Good thing I did, I was 6 cm dilated and 100% effaced at arrival. I had never imagined it would happen so fast. Labor was well underway and could not be stopped at this point. At 12:34 pm, after only a few pushes, my beautiful baby boy, Caleb Ross, was born with no complications and completely healthy. I could not have asked for a more perfect delivery, or a more perfect baby boy. He was the most wonderful Christmas gift I have ever received. That little boy blesses me daily and fills my life with so much joy.

Fast forward 5 years. I just want to freeze time and keep him five forever now. He is growing way to quickly, right before my eyes. Caleb had school on his birthday, so we celebrated Thursday evening with a family dinner at Bravo, his request. The family birthday party was this past Sunday. We had a wonderful time celebrating with cupcakes, ice cream and lots of laughing (...and presents!)

Loved all the way from North Carolina!

WOW! Iron Man! Wowwwweeeee!

Even Addy got to join in the fun! A remote controled My Little Pony???!!

Has not set it down since! Hello new favorite toy!

Thank you Nana Sharon and Doc!

Grover all the way from New York? Thank you Uncle Logan!!

Cowboy boots. Real cowboy boots! Caleb slept in these for two straight nights!

Woody pajamas and a sled?! We will be using that sled a lot!

...And a Dairy Queen Blizzard maker??!

Thanks for the pillow pet sister!

Time for candles and cupcakes...

About to blow out candles, holding his prized whoopee cushion!

Monday came and my poor little (newly turned) five year old woke up sick, just like his daddy. He spent the day laying on the couch moaning and groaning... the stomach flu is no fun. We are all snowed in (major Ohio blizzard), so I guess the timing is okay, if I had to choose. I am sure he would much rather have spent the day sledding and building a snowman, like most kids did today (all the area schools have been cancelled), but we did enjoy a lot of Gatorade, ginger ale, naps, and movie time.  So far, and surprisingly, I have been the only one in the family who has managed to not get sick. Vitamin C, I swear by it.

...Now I should go get some sleep. Santa has more shopping to do this week. Christmas is coming fast!

PS. I am feeling great right now! The antibiotics did their job and I am cough and fever free, and pray it stays that way though the holidays! Thank you for all of your prayers!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

What I woke up to this morning!

Addy playing in the "little" bit we had yesterday! Now we have three times as much!

Caleb's Turn!

My kids are having WAY too much fun making movies of themselves. Caleb had a shot at it this afternoon, and Addy couldn't share the spotlight. My favorite part is at the end when Caleb is singing Jesus Loves Me and Addy says NO! Jesus loves me! Haha. I know my most recent posts are pretty boring, but my life is not all that interesting. This is about it! 

...Santa Claus is coming to town, already?!

The BIG TOY catalog came in the mail today. Caleb and Addy were ecstatic! Of course, I had dishes to unload from the dishwasher-again, so I saw it as the PERFECT opportunity to entertain them (and give me a two second breather!). I gave each of them a crayon, and let them circle toys that they want on their wish list for Christmas. I told Caleb he could circle anything he wanted, but could only put a star by 5 of his most favorite toys. (Hey, I need some birthday and Christmas ideas!) I already bought him the Toy Story 3 blu-ray (hiding from him until December 9th!) and we are planning our annual birthday mommy and Caleb date to Build-a-Bear. Birthday is pretty much covered...but, this procrastinating mommy has done NO Christmas shopping yet, and I am on a little bit of a tighter budget this year. So, I really should get my hiney moving.

The plus side of this? Caleb gets to practice making circles, which he desperately needs to perfect (according to his report card...)

His 5 starred items..in no order of importance (How could I ask him to choose a favorite?!):

1. ImagiNext Bigfoot-$85.00

(This is a plastic Gorilla that has over 80 actions and phrases, It comes with a remote...hmmm)

2. Toy Story 3 Ultimate Buzz Lightyear Robot- $119.00

(A 16" tall Buzz that walks, talks and responds to voice commands. Sounds fun to me...but a little pricey, might have to pass it on to Santa!)

3. A Toy Story 3 scooter- $25.00

(self-explanatory, a skate-board with handle bars, and I like the price.)

4. Stinky the Garbage Truck- $45.00

(**this toy actually looks like a blast, may get it for myself!)

5. A guitar- $35

6. (he had a hard time stopping!)... Zhu Zhu pets.

This kid did not circle cheap, but each little star cracked me up! I would have never guessed any of those particular toys, but I am not surprised.

I remember doing this as a child. Of course, I rarely got anything I ever circled (who does?), but what wonderful and fun memories. My brother, sister and I would spend hours drooling over the Toys R' Us and Sears catalogs, initialing everything I could dream of with a CJS...just to be sure that Santa-or mom- wouldn't confuse me wanting something Matt circled! No guns or Lego's for this girly-girl.

Addy's list was a little more simple. According to her scribbles, she likes the whole My little ponies page, Strawberry Shortcake dolls, Barbies, babies, princesses, dollhouses, and pretty much anything that was pink or purple! My kind of girl!

I love seeing the world through the eyes of my kids...so innocent.

The lop-sided stars, the imperfect circles, the huge grins and belly laughs- while scouring over a toy catalog- nothing gets more simple than that. Pure joy.

And I got the dishwasher both un-loaded and loaded, in peace and in under 20 minutes.

More pure joy.

*Thank you Target and Toys R' Us for sending these out early. You will be the perfect baby-sitters during laundry folding, floor scrubbing, and dish doing moments in the Sommers' household for the next week.

Christmas 2009

Caleb-almost 4, Addy-1

Changes.

Caleb:Halloween 2009, and now in 2010

Addy: Halloween 2009, and now in 2010

It is amazing to see how much the kids have changed over the past year, especially Addy. She has gone from a baby to a toddler, right before my eyes.

I sure love the both of them. More today than I ever have. They can make even the worst day better with their contagious laughs and smiles.

Some say how can you have Cystic Fibrosis and be a mother, I say how can I and not? They bring me so much joy and give me so many reasons to take care of myself.

On the days I feel sick, their kisses and cuddles seem to make everything so much better.

Caleb and Adalyn are two of the best choices I have ever made.

Apple orchard...

I joined Caleb's class today on their field trip to an apple orchard. What a blast we had picking apples, going through a corn maze, visiting the petting zoo, learning about how cider is made, and taking a hayride. The weather was gorgeous and the children were adorable. Brought me back to my student teaching days in college.

I think Caleb and I will be making some gourmet carmel apples this weekend. What a perfect way to celebrate this beautiful October!

Love and Toys...sent from North Carolina!

Love and toys, sent from someone special, ALL THE WAY from North Carolina. Addy and Caleb were thrilled! It was like Christmas in October for them...

Addy hasn't taken off the dress since opening the box!

Thank you!

So it's Friday!

I got a little package in the mail today.

I must be old fashioned, but I just love getting mail! It is so much more personal than e-mail or texting. It makes me smile...

On a side note. I get my wedding band back today. I have felt so naked without it for the past 2 weeks while it was being shined and buffed...and resized. Just in time for Sweetest Day tomorrow, another Ohio greeting card holiday which I love. I am a sucker for romance.

flowers, candy, kisses, hugs, romance movies, gifts, red, pink, hearts, love songs.

I am also a sucker for my babies. Aren't they adorable? It just melts my mommy heart that they are best friends!

*Edit*

I was so spoiled this evening with a dozen of the most beautiful red roses, and a cup of the most wonderful mocha coffee, by the most amazing husband in the world. He sure does know how to put a smile on my face!