Blog Hop

 It's Time to Mingle!

Hosted by Happy Go Lucky, I Heart Crafty Things,

Joy in the Jumble and Keeping Up With Kristi.

Each week we will choose one blog at random to spotlight at the next week's blog hop.

This weeks guest host is: Northwest Lovelies


There are no rules to this blog hop. Just link up your blog's main page. Then have fun reading new blogs and making new blog friends. We would love for you to follow the hostesses in the first four spots and our guest host in the fifth spot. Please leave a comment so we know to follow you back.

Grab our button if you want to share our blog hop with others. There will be a new list every Thursday, so be sure to come back every week. <center><a href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Happy Go Lucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilowwZ1zXrIxTguiZuRDbiOZOWn58HJAFnoIxUhAHKd0-3ROjVB0h3Z3pMdS4qEJE7Elef7kj4chASNioZ63T3yvGU7Aw4mdiA_mH5ilCJtoW_M2-_Z4BmefOgCwnxX5kXZYrV_XJKPOA/s200/Mingle+With+Us+button.jpg" /></a></center> We hope you have fun and thanks for joining us!  We are so excited to find new blogs, share great ideas, and inspire each other.

Grandma's Letter

"Some people, like flowers, give joy just by being."

Today Julia received a letter from Grandma Donna.  As I read it to Julia all she could do was shine bright and beam like the sun.  Here is what it said:

 My dear Julia,


I was so blessed and proud that you were my granddaughter- when I visited you Sunday for Mark's Birthday.  What a beautiful, young lady you have grown up to be!  You greeted me at the door with a warm kiss and guided us inside your home.

You played so nicely with your friends Emma and Hannah throughout the evening and didn't act mad that Mark was getting all the presents because it was his birthday.  Instead, you played nicely with him too and acted just like a grown-up sister would!

You brought joy to my heart!  I am very proud of your behavior!  And I am so proud of your Mommy too--because she is teaching you how to be a lovely, young lady!

I love you so much!

Thank you for working so hard to be kind with such grown-up manners!   We are so proud of you--and I know Jesus is too. :)


Love and Kisses
xxx ooo


Grandma Donna & Grandpa Greg

Me and My Mom (Grandma Donna)

Thanks Mom for writing such a nice card to Julia.  You made her feel so special to get mail.  Your words ministered to my heart.  I didn't even prep Julia on how to act at the party, there was so much to prep just to get ready for the company, and yet she did everything we would expect her to.  I'm so proud of her and so grateful you recognized this good behavior!  Sometimes we forget to compliment her when she is doing such great things.  But we really try to when we remember she is only 4 and she is really such a sweet heart to her brother.

The Birthday Party--Mark's 3rd

New motorcycle, hat, and tool belt...from the parents.

Our Little Guy

So you heard how we spent our Friday of Mark's birthday weekend, Dad took off work, we headed to the Turtle Back Zoo, and then Big Ed's BBQ for dinner, but here is how we spent Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday was our prep day.  We were having about 20 people over for the big birthday celebration on Sunday so we had lots of back yard prep to do.

Last weekend John bought a new round table and set of 6 chairs for our patio.  It's awesome.

 But I hadn't done any planting for all our pots in our backyard, so we headed to our favorite local farm and stocked up on soil, miracle grow, flowers, and all of our herbs and veggies to plant in our garden.  Of course we picked the hottest day to do our outdoor prep work, but we spent a good 4 hours outside potting plants, digging up weeds, and making our back yard and garden beautiful for our company.  During this time the kids ate ice pops, watched us, rode their bikes, or played in their rooms...they were SO good.  After nap time and showers we decided we didn't want to cook or dirty the kitchen so we heading to West Lake (A Chinese restaurant with authentic chinese food on Rt 34) and treated the kids to a fancy dinner.  Oh, Marky boy do you see how much we love you?  We also stopped by another restaurant to order some sushi for tomorrow's appetizers.  

 Saturday night after dinner we all rested up for the big party.  After church on Sunday John went to pick up the sheet cake and food items, while the kids napped and I got things ready inside.  When Mark woke up he opened up our gifts to him.  Doesn't he look great?  He wore his tool belt all day and kept fixing things around the house.  When I tied it on him he goes, "Mom, it's like an apron!"  I was so proud of him!  His vocabulary is amazing.

On Pinterest I got an idea to open up presents throughout the birthday party at the exact time that he was born.  Since Mark was born on May 27, 2009 at 10:03 p.m.  every time it was 3:03, 4:03, 5:03, or 6:03 he opened up a set of gifts.  He loved this idea!  Also, it gave us all a chance to see what he got and he wasn't overwhelmed with 10 gifts at a time.  He was able to open up each gift and try it out.  We saved the best gift from Grandma Judy for last because it was his scooter that he's been asking for (we bought Julia one the day before so they could enjoy riding their new scooters together).

3 generations of McInerney men

 We kept the party small, so we could enjoy everyone, it wasn't a friend party, we will do a friend party for his 5th birthday.  We invited the Grandparents, the Aunts and Uncle Kelsey, Aunt Vivi and Uncle Adrian, and the godparents (the DiMares came but the Weavers couldn't come...it was our first Memorial Day weekend without them).  We also invited the Coyles.  Lisa and Jim have blessed us so much this year with their friendship and love and Hannah has become our babysitter recently, and she dotes on Mark as if he were her own son, they are so cute together.

Happy Birthday to you!!!

I think he loves me.

 It was an absolute perfect birthday, right down to the last detail, the food, the great gifts, the friends and family and the fun...thank you God for allowing us the chance to celebrate our son and his third birthday.  We are so lucky to have such a great boy.  What a gift he is to us.


****I have so many pictures from the party I am going to attempt to do my first Smilebox presentation and show it later this week!

Happy Birthday Bud!  Love Team Mac

How'd you get so big?

 

Big Ed's BBQ

Marky's Dream Come True

I'm just a normal mom wanting to make life grand for my kids.  I try my best to spoil them during their birthday.  I listen listen all year for all the things they love and try to smoosh them all together in a weekend or so to bless their little pants off!

Well, for Mr. Marky boy nearly every day we drive by Route 34 to get to Old Bridge to go to the library, church, taekwondo, the grandparents house or the mall.  And nearly every day Mark sees Big Ed's BBQ on the right side and he asks me, "Mom, when I get big can I go there?"  Now why you may ask would he want to go to a restaurant he has no idea about?  Well, the outdoor decorations are of silly pics of animals and the place looks fun, and he happens to LOVE Baby Back Ribs (yes, we are still vegetarians, but no on May 25 we were not, lol).  Once we were at a neighbor's house and I watched as 2 year old Mark devoured at least 3 ribs...I was in awe.

 So, after we went to the Turtle Back Zoo, and rested a bit, we headed to Big Ed's BBQ for some ribs and french fries...there was no calorie counting at this birthday weekend!!! It was time to celebrate!

 Seriously, can these two be any cuter?  I want to eat them up!!!

 Aunt Debi and Uncle Tio came and all the girls sat on the one side and all the boys sat on the other!

 Mark and Julia both shared some salad with us and had ribs and french fries with lots of catsup!
And a huge chocolate milk.  I've never seen Mark SO happy before!!! I'm serious...he was filled with joy as he gobbled up the ribs.

mmmmm, ribs and chocolate milk

 And then he ate the BBQ ribs...and got extremely, extremely, extremely...

 dirty!!! but seriously, he ate a lot and had fun, and was so happy!

 Here's to you Marky!  Can't believe you are 3 now!  And honey, Mommy and Daddy and Aunt Debi and Uncle Tio and Julia...loved spoiling you!!!

Turtle Back Zoo 2012

Celebrating Marky

 I am a multitask-er.  I am first a wife and mom and one of my side jobs is the Playdate Coordinator for my MOPS group (Christian organization which stands for Mothers Of Pre Schoolers).

I have been a part of MOPS since Julia was 10 months old in 2008 and got involved to help out the second year when Mark was born in 2009.  I love planning the outings because I love meeting up with the moms and getting to know them better and having fun places to plan for the kids.

Every May we take Mark to Turtle Back Zoo for his birthday...it's an early start to his birthday weekend, and this past Friday we went with 7 other moms (some MOPS moms, some dads, and some of my closest friends came).

Kaitlyn, Jennifer, and my Julia...our dear library friends

The weather looked questionable, but we all agreed it was best the sun WASN'T out because it would have been hotter than we could bare.  It never rained on us and actually it was quite nice.  So, thank you Lord, for giving us the perfect weather.

Julia and Lizzy Lou (my best friend's daughter)

I learned something very important on this field trip.  Julia is a nurturing mother.  She held 1 1/2 year old Lizzy's hand the whole time and kept pointing to different animals.  She wanted Lizzy to have a great time and she really made her feel so special.  Me and Christy were amazed and so blessed by these two and their little relationship. Field trips are so much more fun with your best friends surrounding you and it was so nice to have my Christy there.  Our children are becoming best friends and best cousins.

Julia and Lizzy even shared a carriage...Lizzy didn't want a ride, but once she saw Julia climb in she wanted to sit with her...what a pretty pair.

On the tiger at the carousel

The birthday boy got to ride the carousel with all his friends.  I just love him.  He's gotten so big and brave this past year...

Well this was only part 1 of the birthday weekend...tune in this week for

1. Big Ed's BBQ
2. The birthday party
3. Dorbrook Sprayground on Memorial Day

We had an awesome weekend!!!

Happy Birthday to my Marky!

The Story of You...Now Three

Previous Post

Click Here to read Mark's birth story

I am the luckiest mom on earth, because I have a godly husband, a stunning and super smart daughter, and a handsome, witty, incredibly snuggly little boy who tells me, "Mommy, I love you SO much!" at least 7 times a day.

This is Mark's birthday weekend.  I know it's Memorial Day weekend, but for the past 3 years it's been Mark's weekend...because what would we do without this little guy!

Click the above post to see pics from Mark's water birth and his one year old pics...and check us out next week as we post birthday party and zoo pictures from this weekend.

We are so happy to share our Marky with the world.  Happy Birthday Son, you are our best best boy.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

 

Blog Hop 280 Followers

 It's Time to Mingle!

Hosted by Happy Go Lucky, I Heart Crafty Things,

Joy in the Jumble and Keeping Up With Kristi.

Each week we will choose one blog at random to spotlight at the next week's blog hop.

This weeks guest host is: Hearth and Whimsy

There are no rules to this blog hop. Just link up your blog's main page. Then have fun reading new blogs and making new blog friends. We would love for you to follow the hostesses in the first four spots and our guest host in the fifth spot. Please leave a comment so we know to follow you back.

Grab our button if you want to share our blog hop with others. There will be a new list every Thursday, so be sure to come back every week.

<center><a href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Happy Go Lucky" src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m13/harveyusn/blog-hop-button-175.gif" /></a></center>We hope you have fun and thanks for joining us!  We are so excited to find new blogs, share great ideas, and inspire each other.

I'm Glad You Have Her

Beyond Friends

This picture says it all.

Mark was afraid to volunteer to participate in the song. Mr. Darren was giving out felt parts that would make a silly man made of food on the felt board.  Each child would be given a part of his "silly face"...felt nose (strawberry), felt body (waffle) felt feet (french toast).  There's a whole song and hand game we play on Thursdays, but Mark was nervous to raise his hand for a job...

Julia didn't hesitate.  When Mr. Darren called: "Did I miss anyone?  Does anyone else want a job?"  She proudly, but gently,  raised her brother's hand.  And instantly I saw him turn to look at me with the biggest smile on his face. His face said it all.  It said: Mom, I'm so lucky to have the best sister in the world.  And I couldn't agree more. 

Thank you Lord for blessing me with two wonderful kids.  Julia and Mark.  My pride and joy. 

A Litte Boy to Bless

My last week with a 2 year old...

Please break out the tissues...for the next few days I will be preparing for the big birthday weekend for the best boy who ever was!  Blogs will be short and sweet this week as my list is long.

We are visiting the Turtle Back Zoo this week with Daddy and friends, we are going rollerskating with friends, Big Ed's BBQ with friends, entertaining family on Bud's actual birthday (Sunday). We have special playdates planned and even a surprise visit this week from Great Grandma Corrine (my mom's mom).

And in the mean time I have to finish:
1. Goodie Bags
2. Wrap Presents
3. Print Photos
4. Finish Mark's 2 year old Book
5. Decide on Menu for Sunday
6. Get Haircuts for the world's cutest kids
7. Cry over my little boy growing up so fast
8. Buy thank you cards
9. Cry some more
10. And get all the hugs and kisses I can squeeze in before the big day
11. sob
12. Continue trying to potty train

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the world's best boy and best girl.  Thank you for our friends and family who are making this week so special.  Thank you for all the rain at the beginning of this week so this weekend can be gorgeous for our time outside.  You are awesome, Jesus.  We love you!   Thank you for Marky being born.  We can't imagine our world without him...
 

Home School Convention

ENOCH on Saturday

This past Saturday, we attended a home school convention to purchase Julia's Kindergarten materials and Mark's Pre-K materials.  Oh my I was in school heaven!

I made one big mistake though and joined the line for the used books...you know the long line that wrapped around and around?  Well, I was up front, and John and I divided and conquered, he took Mark to the robotics vendor while Julia and I waited on line.  But nobody told me that this would be a mobbed section and that Julia and I would risk our lives to look through some books...totally not worth it...I did get a few good reading books for the kids, but I got out of there as soon as I could...these home school parents were INTENSE and on a mission...there was no browsing, there was get it, grab it and go!!!  But you live and learn...next year I will either go alone, or skip that part.

But I was happy to have John come, he has never seen that many home schooling families EVER, he was amazed.  It was really neat to share the day...although he didn't realize how INTENSE I would be, I mean after all, I had my mental checklist of Saxon Math, Manipulatives, Reading curriculum and Science and History supplements I needed...there was no dilly dallying for me.  I wanted to get our stuff, order what wasn't there to save on shipping, get as many materials as I could so I could go home and PLAN!

And after an hour and a half we were done!

My reading materials will ship within three weeks, our Pre-K year will end officially on June 15 when we do Field Day with our Home School group...we will take a few weeks off and mid July we will do a practice week or two to get the school flow going but on July 30th we begin our official KINDERGARTEN year with Julia and Pre-K for Marky!  To say that I am excited is an understatement!

We got home, fed the kids, and put them down for nap time...and I sat at the kitchen table covered with all our materials and stared our lesson planning...

I pray that God blesses our school year...I know He has lots in store for all of us to learn, and I can't wait!

Philippians 4: 8 through my eyes

Philippians 4: 8

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 

I'm so thankful for God's Word.  God is helping to renew my mind and change my thoughts.

When I read this verse it reminds me to focus on the great blessings that God has given me, His Word, my salvation in Him, my family, my home, our cars, food on the table, our church home, the group of women who love and support me, the friends God puts in my path, all of these things are blessings.  How easy is it to lose sight of the GOOD things and to focus on our problems?

So today I am going to use this verse to bless the Lord and give glory to God for ALL the many things He gives me and shows me and showers me with.  Won't you worship the Lord today and think of all your blessings?

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, God's Word is true!

whatever is noble, My husband John is a noble man of great godly character.  I am so thankful for Him and I am so proud of him.  If I'm not bragging about the Lord, the next person is usually my hubby!  He works so hard and always comes home with a smile.  He always wants to spend time with us and he is so loving and kind and generous.

whatever is right, Julia excelling at her school work!  I wish you could see Julia's face when she circles the correct answer on her reading homework or math homework...she is so happy to be right!  The way her face lights up and how she smiles...I can think about this with a smile too.

whatever is pure, My sister in law in her wedding dress.  This past weekend my SIL got married...seeing her so happy and in love and so beautiful in her white dress makes me think of purity.  Our hearts were filled with joy for her as she embarks on this new journey of married life with Kelsey.  They are a perfect match.

whatever is lovely, When I visit my friend Lisa's house and see all her flowers in her garden and ooh and ahh at the loveliness of spring.  One of our favorite homes to visit is my friend Lisa's house...first of all she is a mother of 4 and is the sweetest, kindness, most generous person I've ever met.  She treats us like royalty when we visit and she dotes on Julia and Mark so much so that they cry when we have to leave.  Her home is so beautiful and lovely and her friendship has meant the world to me.

whatever is admirable,I think of how faithful and hard working my parents have been.  My parents have been married for over 35 years and I think it is awesome to watch them stick together through times of need and times of plenty, through thick and thin, and sickness and health.  John's parents also have a legacy in their marriage of barely any divorces and it is awesome to see so many couples stay loyal to each other and honor their vows before the Lord.

 

Whatever is excellent,All you moms and women out there who put God first and take great care of your families.  Let's face it, being a parent is hard work, and whenever I see women doing an excellent job of loving their spouse, caring for their little ones, and above all honoring God with their lives, it is such a blessing to see.  I have so many role models to look up to and to seek advice.

 

Whatever is  praiseworthy,My Lord Jesus Christ.  My best friend, Jesus, is praiseworthy.  He is the lamb of God.  He is kind, loving compassionate, holy, and just.  He made a way so we can have peace with God.  He is so worthy of my praise.  I love you Lord, Jesus!

think about such things!!!

Today, will be a good day because I choose to meditate on God's Word and think about such great things!!!

Blog Hop

 It's Time to Mingle!

Hosted by Happy Go Lucky, I Heart Crafty Things,

Joy in the Jumble and Keeping Up With Kristi.

Each week we will choose one blog at random to spotlight at the next week's blog hop.

This weeks guest host is:  White Lights on Wednesday
 

There are no rules to this blog hop. Just link up your blog's main page. Then have fun reading new blogs and making new blog friends. We would love for you to follow the hostesses in the first four spots and our guest host in the fifth spot.

Please leave a comment so we know to follow you back.

Grab our button if you want to share our blog hop with others. There will be a new list every Thursday, so be sure to come back every week.

<center><a href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Happy Go Lucky" src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m13/harveyusn/blog-hop-button-175.gif" /></a></center>We hope you have fun and thanks for joining us!  We are so excited to find new blogs, share great ideas, and inspire each other.