Easter Dinner at Penny's

Penny and baby Charlie.

Jackie Rose and Nana.

The O'Connells with Baby Jack in the Bun.

My sweet ones.

We are so blessed, these kids just love each other!

What hams!

He Lives, He Lives, Christ Jesus Lives Today...

I just love that song! Every Easter my family goes to Sunrise Service in Arlington National Cemetery. It is so moving, there is so much history there. When Will and Ryan were deployed to Iraq, Sarah and I were surround by our military family. It was so moving, I still get goosebumps every time I sit there watching the sunrise. If you have never gone, and just happen to be in the area, It really is worth the early morning wake up call.

This years Easter started off much different than most. I woke up at 4, Will to follow shortly after that, got dressed, woke the kids, got them dressed. Will was supposed to wear his dress blues, but some how a ribbon fell off and he was unable to wear it. That started my day off so sad. This was his last Easter to show off his uniform. UHHH. Then before we new it we were running behind. We finally get to Ft. Meyer, ride the bus to the service, we just made it. Willie was doing well. It was very cold but he seemed to be sucking it up. Before we new it, he was getting fussy. Will walked him around, which normally on a good day that would have cheered him up. NOOOOO way, not his time. So Mommy took over, and that didn't work. He just cried harder and louder. He didnt want to be held, but he didn't want to walk. The boy was so confused. He was having a total melt down. So Will and I left our sunrise service, holding a kicking and screaming kid, all the way back to our car. I was so worried. I had no clue what was wrong, and thought he was going to cry himself into a seizure. Thankfully that didn't happen. Once we got into the car, took his jacket off , and turned the heat on, he was a different kid. Will and I had to step back and take a deep breath. It was a big let down for us, it wasn't the Easter morning we had imagined. The serviced ended and Mom, Dad, Deb and JR got back to their cars, and we headed off to the O'club for some breakfast. Man , that went much smoother for us. Willie ate tons of food, well we all did really. Mom and Dad took Jackie back home with them. Will and I took Willie straight home for a nap, and we got to sneak one in as well. Boy we were much more refreshed and ready for our Easter family gathering at the Habib's. (pictures for that to follow) Hopefully everyone had a better start to their Easter than the Gazes'. But in the end, we are so thankful for our little man, melt downs and all. We are blessed with two beautiful children and a loving marriage. And today, Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia

The Gazes,,, Jackie was sitting with Mamie
Willie, pre melt down.

Mamie and Jr, isn't the background so breathtaking.

Jackie Rose and Aunt Debbie.

A much happier Willie man!

My sweet princess.

She is going to be a heart breaker!

My beautiful children.

They love each other so much.

Willie just adores Jackie Rose.

A true Daddy's girl.

That food was yummy.

Happy Birthday Paulie!


We were able to go out to our favorite restaurant , Cheese Cake Factory, to help Paulie celebrate her birthday. We had so much for getting to hang out with Poppa and Paulie. The food was great and of course the company ROCKED! Willie was having a blast running all over the booth stealing every ones food. Boy that little man can eat! He will put anything in that little mouth of his. He was also loves loves loves to hang all over his sister. Poor girl can't get a moments peace! She is always screaming for him to get off of her, and saying Willie, I need my PRI-BA-CEE. I love hearing her say that. Its so cute! Happy Birthday to Paulie. We had a blast!

I love Willie's face in this picture.

That's my boy, eating my asparagus.

Still hungry, eating Paulies fries and dipping them in tartar sauce, YUCK.

Her Happy Birthday cheesecake.

Once again getting pounced by Willie.

The birthday party gang.

House of Bounce...

Last weekend we were invited by Jackie Rose's best friend to go to the House of Bounce. Their church had rented it out for the day for their families. We had so much fun. Jackie just loved being able to spend more time with her friend Lilly. Willie was having a blast himself. He was running all over the place. He was climbing and jumping , boy did he sleep good that night! Its so much fun to watch your kids run around and just be a kid! Man they have some energy, if only I had half of that!

My little poser.
That's right, I am walking.

Jackie has no fear!

Willie laughing so hard!

Don't know what he was thinking, maybe it tasted good, or maybe he wanted a kiss..

He couldn't stand for very long, but that didn't bother him.

St. Patty's Day Parade

If you know me, than you know how much I love my St. Patty's Day! We went the the Manassas parade this year, and it was so much fun. I took tons of pictures, but mostly with my sisters camera. I will post those when she finally sends them to me. Willie enjoyed being outside and being able to walk all over the place. He didn't sit still for one minute. Jackie Rose sat still watching ever group that went by. She was also enjoying having so much family their with us. We couldn't have ask for a prettier day. It was so warm and sunny , Willie was getting a bit burnt. Ouch. I have to pack that suntan lotion in my diaper bag!!! We all went to eat at a local restaurant , were Mommy was able to have her traditional green beer!!! And for only 99 cents! It was a great time! Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!

Daddy lovin' on his little boy!
My " Super Star".

Poppa and Jackie Rose.

My hottie military man!

Friends, Fun, and Easter Egg Hunts...

Jackie Rose's best friend Lauryn got to come over and spend the day with us on Friday. We had so much fun. It was a beautiful day out so we headed to the park. Willie has learned to love walking these days, making it a bit easier to take him to the park. He spends his time going down the slide face first , swinging , and eating the wood chips. Good times for my little man! He even walks all the way to the park, which is pretty far from our house! I decided to go ahead and put 20 candy filled Easter eggs all around the park. I made Jackie and Lauryn sit down, and not watch were I was hiding them. (don't think that worked out well) Then I counted to 3 and off they went, searching for their eggs. They were running and laughing, all the while Willie was at the end of the slide throwing his wood chips everywhere. The girls had so much fun. It always so nice to see and remember how wonderful life is at 4 years old. How carefree and fun things are. We didn't leave the park without injury though. Poor Willie man walked faster than I could grab him before he went face first on one of the bars. So we have our first little black eye. My poor baby. He didn't cry to long, but man he cried hard when he did. Then he sucked it up and kept on running and playing. It was a great day for all!

Minni Break Down!!!!!

So I had a mini break down yesterday. First off I had to go out and get Jackie Rose an outfit for her pictures today. I was counting on a dress at Old Navy. Turns out they don't get their dresses in until today . UHHH. So she is wearing a cute pair of jeans a sweet shirt! OH well, not what I wanted but she really does look cute! I came home and Will was giving the kids a bath. He told me Willie had put his head under water. If you know anything about tubes, there is one rule, DON'T GET THE EARS WET. I had bought ear plugs, but Will said he didn't know were they were. UHH, you could have called me. Needless to say, I was freaking out. I called my cousin who is a doctor, and she said he would be fine. I called and left a message for his ENT doctor, and now he has an apt. at 2:45 today. So pray he is fine. I would hate for that bath water to be sitting in the middle of his ears. He seems fine, and I am sure he is , but I need this apt. to put me at ease. I was crying. I had to call my mom to vent. I am just burnt out with having my kids so sick. Willie woke at 3:30 then Jack woke at 4:30, hungry and saying her tummy hurt. Mom says I need to take care of me, because there isn't anyone else who will do it. AMEN, isn't that the truth. I just need to step back and remember I am no good to anyone unless I take care of me. Right now, I just look horrible, feel horrible, and that just sucks. I am gonna work on me one of these days.

Tag, I'm It!


10 years ago:
The year was 1998! I was in my Junior year of college. My then finance now husband was a Lance Corporal in the USMC. (man how time flew by for my Captain!) I was having fun skipping my social work class every Thursday night for Karaoke at Carlos O'Kellys! Man those were the days. I lived off of beer and chips and salsa! Good times! I worked every weekend of college for my dad as the manager of the cafeteria. I missed allot of good parties but I had money! I was enjoying being apart of ZTA.


Things on my to-do list today:
Take kids to the park. Its an awesome day! Get Jackie Rose her Easter dress so she can wear it for school pictures tomorrow. Finish up my dang laundry. I have gotten so far behind due to all my sickies here! Get the kids a hair cut!!!


What would I do if I was suddenly became a Billionaire?
I would build Will and my dream house! On pots and pots of land! Pay off all of my debt and my families debts! Build my parents, brother and sisters a house, go on a REAL GROWN UP vacation with my husband, and just like Sarah I would definitely give allot of the money to the Wounded Warrior program! I would even make sure there was a NICE hotel for families visiting their marine/soldiers!

Three of my bad habits:
1. Eating an entire row of Oreo cookies in one sitting
2. I let things get to me WAY to easy and WAY to much.
3. Slacking off working out,, can I tell you its been to long to mention!



Five jobs I have had:

1. Life guard at a wave pool (loved that job)
2. Manager at a cafeteria
3. Nanny (did that for spoiled brats,, hated that job)
4. Patient consultant for TLC/Whitten laser eye
5. Prevention Educator (teaching personal body safety and rape prevention to grads k-12)

I tag Alicia and all my friends who read my blog,, get your own blog already!!!!!

A Sigh of Relief!!

I just wanted to share something with all my blog friends. Last night, I put Jackie Rose to bed, she insisted i sleep with her. So after she fell asleep, and when I finally woke, I went into my bed. Will was already there sleeping, I was so tired, I just snuggled against him and fell asleep. Before I knew it, my alarm was going off. Yes you heard it right. I FINALLY got to sleep through the night. No sick kids waking me up, pooping or puking. It was a restful night. Something I haven't had since January 11th. OH MY GOODNESS, It was so amazing! Just to finally feel what it was like to sleep was awesome! I know , it may be a different story tonight, but for now , in this moment, I am finally well rested.

Ladies day out.....



Well , Saturday I got to go out to lunch with all the ladies in my family. It was so nice to sneak away for a few hours , away from the kids and all the issues going on with them. Everyone was feeling great, so I felt comfy leaving them alone with Will. Lunch was great. The food was amazing and the company was awesome! Its great to have some adult conversation, and not always talking about sick kids!



I got home, and the kids were happy to see me. Will sure was happy too. It was a long day for him. We had dinner, and it was so hard to get Jack to eat. She hasn't had much of an appetite since being sick last week. But I just tried to think positive. We put the kids down, Willie woke up once for about an hour. Just when my head hit the pillow, little Jackie Rose came running in our room. She had a fever and her tummy was killing her. She was screaming her tummy hurt . It was so sad. She was pooping and puking at the same time. My poor sweet girl. She had a 103' temp, and was just so miserable. She had thrown up the Tylenol i had given her. Man we just couldn't win. She continued this until 10:30 am this morning. She seems to be holding some fluids down, Thank you Lord!



I swear, just when i thought we were out of the woods, then this. I am truly being tested. Sometimes i feel like its just beyond anything i can handle. I hate to see my babies so sick and desperate to feel better. I miss the days of being carefree. Looking forward to the weekends bike rides, park visits, Chuckie Cheeses, and just getting to be healthy seems so long ago. I cant remember the last time we just got to be a happy healthy family. I am burnt out! My babies are burnt out, and poor Will, has to put up with my unstable self! Keep the prayers coming! I cant wait to blog about happy times again!