Blessing My Daughters

Girl Time

I love spending individual time with my kids and I also love hosting parties.  So, I asked my Mom if she would take the boys for a few hours on Friday evening and planned a fun little girl party for Julia and Amelia.

One thing John and I always said was that we wanted to be the "Fun House".  We wanted our kids to feel like their friends were welcome in our home and that they could have people over and enjoy themselves while we were with them.  We want our home to be a safe place for kids to hang out and just be kids.

So I planned one Friday night for the girls and next Friday it will be the boys turn!  I didn't want to break the bank, so instead of buying pizzas I am going to make homemade pizza pies and I am going to have a few snacks out and also ask parents to bring a snack to share.

You know the Type A in me already planned the evening, and what was really awesome was that Julia totally gave me some great ideas!  We decided on having a pajama party where the girls bring their favorite stuffed animal.  Julia even made homemade Photo Booth props!  Here is how we envisioned the night will go:

5:00-5:30 pm craft and stencil time/play time

5:30-6:00 pm pizza and salad

6:00-6:30 pm painting toe nails

6:30-7:00 pm freeze dance/games/play time

7:00-8:00 pm AGD (American Girl Doll) movie and popcorn time

8:00 pm Pick up time! Hand out goodie bags!

Tomorrow, I will be kneading the dough for the pizza, baking brownies and cookies, setting up the craft table and getting things neat and ready for our Girl Pajama Party.  Trust me when I tell you, I am just as excited as the girls are for the party.  I told the moms they can drop off or stay, so I plan on hosting some sweet mom friends and enjoying my girls company!

One thing I wanted to remind the girls while they are over (perhaps right before we eat or while we are doing our nails) is from Psalm 139 that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and that God has an amazing plan for their life, (Jeremiah 8:29).  So often our girls hear negative things from the world about how they look and I just always want to be that reminder to my girls and their friends that they are beautiful and special and God has a purpose for their life.  I plan on having a ball tomorrow night!  And I can't wait to bless my daughters socks off!

Family Meal & Hosting A Crowd

Hosting a Lovely Crowd

We lead an MC at our church and once a month host a boat load of awesome couples, singles, and families.  This past weekend we had 30 in attendance and since we were rained out (we had planned to picnic at Holmdel park this month) we hosted in our home.  

Everyone chips in with bringing a side dish, or a dessert.  This particular month our theme was sandwiches and soups.  I made two yummy soups and a huge salad, and I wanted to share my soup recipes!  One easy chicken soup recipe in the crock pot that I've made my own and my favorite Rachel Ray Chicken Cacciatore Stoup on the stove top.

Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1 package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut up (about 2lbs)

2-4 carrots chopped

2-4 celery sticks chopped

1 medium onion

1 box of chicken broth or 2 cans of chicken broth

salt and pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

cilantro to garnish (optional, but my favorite part)

Directions:

Put all of your soup ingredients in the crock pot for 4 hours on high!  Add the cilantro at the end to top off the soup and add that extra bit of green!  I also serve with orzo pasta (but I do not include the pasta in the crock pot.)  I make pasta on the side and add it to each bowl so that the soup stays soupy and the pasta doesn't absorb all the liquid.

Serve with crusty bread!

Rachel Ray's Chicken Cacciatore Stoup

Ingredients:

1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 to 1 1/3lbs diced

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

3-4 tbsps EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 portobello mushroom caps (I always leave out)

4 ribs of celery

1 medium onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup red wine

1 -15 ounce can diced tomatoes (or just dice a tomato)

1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

2 cups chicken stock

3 tbsp fresh rosemary (I use basil or cilantro from our garden)

1 cup basil

Grated cheese to top and crusty bread

Directions:

1. Heat a deep skillet or a medium soup pot.

2. Add 2 tbsp EVOO and the chicken.

3. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

4. While the chicken cooks chop all the veggies.

5. When chicken is cooked through remove from pot and put to the side.  Add more EVOO and cook potatoes for 3-5 min until tender.

6. Then add the mushrooms, celery, and onion to the pot. Cook for a couple of minutes and add the pepper and garlic.  Season all the vegetables.

7. Add chicken back to pan and toss it with the veggies and add red wine to deglaze it picking up all the drippings.  And tomatoes and stock and stir to combine.  Add rosemary and reduce heat to low and cover and cook for 10-15 minutes.

8. Top with basil.  

9. serve with crusty bread and cheese for the top!

Every time I make my chicken stoup I get so many compliments so I had to post this recipe and give Rachel Ray all the credit!

The best part of hosting a crowd is seeing everyone talking and eating and just being able to make everyone comfortable and happy!  Having 18 kids in our MC is challenging especially since all of them are under 8 years of age, but we somehow make it work and there are lots of Dads and Moms in the room to referee any issues.  We pray, eat, and talk, and the kids love dessert time and the parents equally love the dessert time with piping hot coffee!  From our family meal to yours...

Bon apetit!

Getting Away From It All...COTW

C. O. T. W.

Last August was our first experience at Camp of the Woods.  We went with a group of our friends that are more like family to us.  This year we had to go solo because our Amelia is due to arrive in August and so we switched our vacation week to this past June.

Chapel

Canoe rides

Basketball

Sand fun

Swimming in the lake

Camp fires at night

Quality time with Dad

All 3 meals every day together

Kids Club each morning and afternoon

Crafts

Rock climbing

Volleyball

Mini golf

Shuffle board

Checkers

The list of activities we did every day goes on and on.  We started each morning off at breakfast together.  Having all your meals cooked for you and warm and waiting when you arrive is such a blessing.  It is definitely a huge break from cooking and clean up for me.  And even though you have to walk to every meal, the family bonding and exercise is worth it.  After breakfast we would drop all the kids off to their classes...each child has their own classroom.  Mark was with the Kindergarteners, Julia was with the Second graders and Micah went to a different building just made for nursery kids ages 0-23 months.

Chapel each morning was taught by Rex Keener (each week the guest speaker/pastor is different) and it would be from 9:15-10:15 with worship included.  It was awesome to go to church for 6 days straight and get your spirit encouraged and filled.  Afterwards the big kids would go to Chapter 2 class, the ages were K-third grade and they would play games and hear another Bible story and make a craft.  The kids also memorized scripture!  We only had to pick up Micah from Nursery and we would head to the Tee Pee for coffee and sticky buns and John and I would talk about the chapel and what God was teaching us.

At noon we would pick up the kids and walk to the Purdy center for lunch.  After lunch we would either swim at the lake, play mini golf, hang out with friends, rock climb, go to the sports complex...there was SO much to choose from and do.  It was just great to always be together.  We never have quality time with John like that.

Heading to dinner around 5:30 and afterwards just relaxing by the camp fire, roasting marshmallows and talking to our neighbors while the kids played.  I was able to actually rest and take naps on this vacation while John would take the kids out to do fun things.  They LOVED quality time with Daddy.  He was really good about taking each child out one on one and spending special time with them.  On Tuesday morning at 5:30 am he took Mark canoeing and on Thursday morning at 5:30 am he took Julia.  They LOVED it!  The mountain air, the wild life, and the life skills John taught them will last in their memories for a long time I think.

We never made the kids nap so at bed time everyone was exhausted.  No one ever fussed about going to bed.  In fact sometimes they just climbed up to their bunk bed and passed out!  If you asked each of us what our favorite part of camp of the woods was, we would say, Julia: The Lake and the playground, Mark: Swimming in the Lake and rock climbing, Micah: The sand and the lake, John: Canoeing with the kids, and Tee Pee talks with me over coffee, and me....my top 3 favorites were: Chapel time (I took so many notes and felt so much closer to the Lord), having John's company at every meal, and watching my kids thoroughly enjoy themselves with new friends!

All in all it was a wonderful week long vacation.  The fresh mountain air, the beautiful scenery right outside our cabin, the chapels, the exercise of all the fun outdoor and indoor activities, and the delicious food that I didn't have to cook!  't was good for the mind, body, and soul for sure!  It was our last vacation as a party of 5...and now we wait patiently for our little miss amelia to arrive.  

Hosting the Best BBQ

We LOVE Company!

My parents were the first in both their families to move to the suburbs.  Everyone else stayed in Staten Island, or Brooklyn, or the Bronx.  This meant we were one of the only families in our very large family of aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins to have a big backyard.  Most of our families lived in apartments and only had a small terrace.

So, that made our house the Entertaining house.  And I loved it!  I remember all my cousins coming over and hanging out in the basement, eating great food, playing board games, running around outside and having so much fun.

And my parents went ALL out for backyard BBQ's. I mean they must've spent a fortune in food!  They always played the best music, and everyone was always happy.  I never saw someone not smiling or laughing or dancing or not having a good time.

I give all my hostess credit to my parents.  I loved the way they entertained and once we moved out of our townhouse which had a minuscule backyard and moved into our Big House with a nice sized back yard I knew I wanted to have company!  Let me share some fun BBQ tips and tricks to a successful day of hosting the Best BBQ.

Be A Gracious Host

1. Set a time for your guests to arrive but be flexible if they arrive late.  Especially couples with kids who may have sports, or be caught in traffic, or just have a rough time of it being on time with little ones.  

2. Be sure to clean all the rooms of your home so that when company comes over and someone needs to take a nap in one of the bedrooms (small kids) or a mom needs to nurse a newborn you have a clean and neat space for them.  I will never forgive myself for the time I had a BBQ and I offered my room for the mom to nurse and later I saw I had laundry all over my bed!  I was so hung up on the food and the outside that I forgot the details.

3. Ask in advance if their are any allergies in the families that will be attending your BBQ.  In this day and age with peanut allergies, gluten-free, and milk allergies it is so important to plan your meal ahead of time and be prepared with dishes that everyone can eat.  There's nothing worse than seeing a guest of yours not eating because there's nothing they can have.  Remember to try to have a dish with no meat and no dairy for vegetarians.  I always try to have a pasta salad or a fruit salad because usually everyone can have those dishes!

4. If people offer to bring something say YES!  I used to always say, "Just bring yourselves!" because I didn't want to put anyone out.  And yet, I am the person who hates arriving empty handed!  So if your guests happen to ask what they can bring be honest and give them a side dish, a dessert, drinks, or a salad they can make.  People like to bring something because they know all the work it takes to host.  So, don't be afraid to accept their offer!

Plan in Advance

1. John and I always count the number of guests we are having and we make/buy more food than we need.  Have you ever been to a house where there was just enough food or not enough food?  It is uncomfortable for both the hostess and the guests.  I really try to have lots of side dishes because as the hostess my number one concern is to fill my guests stomachs!  I want them to eat to their hearts content and not feel like they can't have seconds.

2. We love to have back round music playing.  It creates a great mood for lively conversation and it just feels good to have good calm music in the background.  We love jazz music or norah jones, or corrine bailey ray.  

3. Remember to have appetizers, a meal, and a dessert planned.  Guests like to eat!  Eating is so much fun with friends.  If you want to focus on the meal then have your guests bring appetizer or dessert options.  If you like to bake then have your guests bring appetizers and a side dish.  Some great appetizers are cheese and crackers, (my mom used to make the best deviled eggs with paprika) chips and salsa, tomatoes and mozzarella, veggie platter, cheese and grapes or once I made these small meatballs with a raspberry glaze that everyone loved (I found the recipe in Real Simple magazine).  Appetizers are a great asset because as you are grilling and getting things situated your guests can still be happily munching away.

4. Have plenty of drink options, and ask your guests in advance if they are ok with you serving any type of alcohol.  Some people get very offended if alcohol is present and in that case it's best not to have it out.  If none of your guests mind then it is a non issue.  I love to have lemon water, iced tea, lemonade, sangria, sodas, etc.  I let John handle the beer and guy drinks.  And always have lots of water bottles around!  After dinner is over I like to put on a pot of coffee and ask if anyone wants coffee or tea with dessert.

Having a great BBQ is not only about the food and the drinks and music it is also about the conversations!  Keep topics light and really take time to LISTEN to your guests, this is a great time to get to know the people you invited.  Ask them questions about themselves and really really LISTEN. John is so much better at this than me.  Sometimes I get so hung up on the neatness and quality of the food and keeping all the kids happy that I forget to engage with my guests.  But the times that I do this is absolutely my favorite part.  We are people people and so having company over and getting to know them better really fill my social love tank up!

Enjoy all your BBQ's this summer!  I can't wait to host one in a few weeks!!!

Daily Summer Activities: Keeping Little Ones Busy

Excited For Summer

This post is a continuation from yesterday!  I was getting depressed thinking about the weeks ahead of me with being pregnant and having 3 kids to entertain (I love being with my kids, but I'm feeling super pregnant and a bit unenthusiastic at the moment).  So, I hopped on pinterest and started a new board entitled Stay at Home Summer Activities.  

Although we will go on weekly excursions to fun places, I wanted to find a list of fun things we can do in our own "back yard" so to speak, and maybe in the front yard!

I need a plan.  If I am ever feeling discouraged or defeated, God has given me a gift at planning ahead and looking to the bright side so that I can organize my time and look forward to things instead of being overwhelmed.

After pinning for a few minutes I came up with this list of things we can do at home:

1. Finger Painting

2. Chalk drawing on sidewalk

3. Swimming in the kiddie pool

4. Baking with mommy

5. Writing letters to our pen pals

6. Reviewing our Math Facts

7. D. E. A. R. Time (Drop Everything And Read)

8. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts

9. Making crafts

10. Memorizing God's Word

This will definitely keep us busy, not to mention, going to camp, VBS, library trips, play dates, pool time, and the beach!  Aaaaahhhhh, I'm feeling much more enthusiastic about the summer!  Check out my pinterest page for even more ideas!

Pink! Pink! Pink!

Team Girl!!!

This weekend was Daddy's birthday, and at our BBQ we had our baby gender reveal to finally find out if we were having a boy or a girl.

Now, my daughter Julia has been praying for a sister since I was pregnant with Micah.  And we all know how that story turned out...when the doctor told us that we were having a boy Julia yelled at my OBGYN, "But I wanted a sister!" To which her Dad replied, "Don't worry Julia we will try again."  I guess he thought that was funny...and now with this baby on the way Julia has been predicting and praying and telling us without a shadow of a doubt that THIS WAS A GIRL.

She even predicted a little girl would be sitting on our bed with all of us (we snuggle on Saturday mornings) even before we were pregnant.  I think she might be a prophetess! 

Although we knew there was a 50/50 chance of a boy or a girl, I secretly wanted a girl (for Julia and for myself) and John (he's so gracious) wanted a healthy baby (secretly I think he wanted a boy but prayed for a girl to make us happy).

One of Julia's reasons for wanting a sister is that she didn't want 3 brothers to tie her up and put whip cream on her!!! As if I would let my sons do that to her!  And where in the world she thought of that I will never know.

When John finally cut into the cake....my heart was pounding, every one kept telling me, boy, boy, boy.  Just like they did when I was pregnant with Julia, I was so convinced I was having a boy I wore blue to my baby shower and ended up having Julia....same thing happened this time, I wanted a girl so badly but everyone kept saying, "It's a boy...!"  And so I didn't want to believe it even though God kept giving me dreams that we were having a girl.

Julia at 8 months old

I was so nervous, and then....he pulled out the piece of cake and there was more pink than I had ever seen in my whole life.  I wanted to cry!  God, you didn't have to do that.  You didn't have to give us just what we wanted.  You always go above and beyond, and you spoil your children.  Thank you for this baby girl, Julia and I are already wondering who she will look like.  Will she be chubby like Micah?  Will she have blue eyes like all of them?  Will she have brown, red, or blond hair, I have one of each!?  I am so excited to meet her.  We are at 6 1/2 months pregnant so we have a few more months to grow and go before SHE is here!

Julia at 2-3 months old

Pink! Pink! and more Pink!  I can't wait to start shopping the sale racks and consignment shops and get lots of girly clothes and bows, and white ruffled socks with the lace and black patent leather mary janes.  I am so excited that our final baby (so we think) will be a bookend of our first.  Our sweet baby girl.  Team Girl wins!

This is my 1,200 post and it's dedicated to my little petunia!  I love you already sweet heart!

He took MY place...

Easter Traditions

Pretty dresses

Bow ties and suits

Chocolate bunnies

Easter baskets

Jelly beans

Peeps

Lilies

Decorated Eggs

These are all signs of Easter, right?

Well, in this house we have always taught Julia and Mark, and now Micah that the best part of Easter is that it is all about Jesus and what he did for us on the cross.  The best part of Easter is all about Him and not about us.  The month of March we started our Resurrection Eggs (each colored egg has an object of the real Easter story...a nail, a whip, a crown of thorns, a white cloth for burial, and the last egg is empty to symbolize the empty tomb).  It's always my favorite way of re teaching the Easter story because little kids love visual aids and opening things as you read.

This was the first year that Julia got excited about Easter because of the chocolate bunnies...and that scared me.  "Julia, what is the BEST part about Easter?"  Right away she knew I was talking about Jesus.  "That Jesus died for us on the cross."  "Yup! And that he ROSE again...He's alive!"  I don't blame the kids for getting excited to get Easter candy, or see family, or get presents from their grandparents and aunts, but  I do try to remind them that the best part of Easter is that Christ makes all things new...that he died and rose again for me, because of my sin.  That Jesus loves me so much that he died in my place.  He endured pain and suffering on my behalf...that is way better than a basket full of candy.

Isaiah 53:5
New King James Version (NKJV)5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed.

I wish all of you a Happy Easter!  He is Risen!

12 Years A Slave

Movie Review

Last Night was date night.  Kids were put to bed by 8:15 which is very early considering we let them stay up til at least 9pm on most nights to have Daddy Time.  

John picked up a movie from Redbox that I have been aching to see since it won so many awards this year for best picture.  Steve McQueen directed this film and I couldn't wait to see it for myself.  It is sadly based on a very true story.  My recommendation for all of you out there, do not watch this on a date night.  It was such a sad and cruel movie about our history's past (which I knew it would be) but seeing it was really difficult at parts.  And definitely not a romantic mood movie.

I think it left both John and I just plain MAD.  How could things like this happen in our country not so long ago.  In the North this man was totally free, and after a week of trickery with two musicians (the main character plaid the fiddle) he ends up being sold into slavery in the South.  A minute ago he was with his beautiful wife, in his home, with his daughter and son, and the next minute he's in a dirty basement outside of DC, with shackles on his hands and feet.

The part of the movie that got to me the most was the beatings and the cruelty, and the rape.  Slaves were seen basically as cattle.  They were sold completely naked, it was awful to see how debase our society was and it was all about making money off of their free labor.  The part that got John the most (I think) was the way they separated families.  I mean young kids were sold separately from their mom and it was devastating to watch.  And once the mom arrived at the new plantation crying over her lost babies, the woman of the house said, "Don't worry your children will soon be forgotten."  I really wanted to smack that lady!  No mother ever would or could forget her children.  No matter how many days, months, years, slip by.

This movie was so well directed and acted, painful at times to watch, but definitely a must see.  Sometimes we have to remember the painful past to step forward into a brighter future.  I am so glad this movie won awards.  It deserved every single one.

I learned that just because the Masters were cruel to the slaves, they had major issues as well, whether it be alcoholism, or just hardened hearts.  It reminded me that we all have this broken/hard heart problem and that we all need a Savior. Every time I saw a scene where a man or a woman, or a child was beaten by the Masters, I thought of Christ.  He took a horrible beating for me.  Because of my sin.  And it made me reflect on the fact that I have the same heart problem that these men had.  The main character of the movie, Solomon, needed a hero, he needed a hero to get him out of slavery.  He needed his papers back in the north which said he was free.  And it made me think how Jesus paid for my freedom with his blood on the cross.  By his stripes we are healed.

This movie was a must see.  

A Great Love Story: Tabitha and Jamie

And Then There Was Love

I really can't get enough of these love stories!  I love reading how God knits two people together.  I think it is awesome.

My friend Tabitha from MOPS is amazing.  She and I were recently preggo together we our boys Aiden and Micah.  Her children are adorable and Tabitha is such a laid back and fun mom.

Please read her love story with her hubby Jamie...

When did you two meet? 

(Jamie) In 1995 at Camp Calvary, a Summer camp that both our youth groups went to every summer and winter. 

(Tab) We were 15. We had mutual friends and we all hung out together. 

Who approached who first? 

(Jamie) We were introduced by mutual friends. If you want to be technical, I took the first step towards her, so I approached her first. 

(Tab) He approached me. I just remember thinking to myself, “Oh, he does talk!” 

Who spoke the most and who was shy in the beginning? 

(Jamie) Tab definitely spoke the most and still does! I was the shy one in the beginning! 

(Tab) YEP!

Where was your first date? 

(Jamie) Our first date was at the movies in Menlo Park Mall. We saw Cable Guy. How did it go? (Jamie) It went well, I was really nervous, my palms and arm pits were sweating. Good thing it was dark! (Tab) It was the dumbest movie, but I’ll still watch it whenever I catch it on television just because it’s nostalgic for me.

When did you know that she was the one! How long did it take to learn this. (Jamie) I knew Tab was the one while we were in high school. I knew if we could survive our first year of dating, she was the one! That first year was pretty difficult, we lived 1 1/2 hrs apart, we didn’t have our driver’s license yet, and we only saw each other 1 weekend/month!!!

(Tab) I knew he was the one when we were in high school. We were only teenagers, but I could seriously see “growing old” with Jamie. He was very thoughtful about making decisions when it came to our relationship. I remember him saying quite often “I don’t want to mess this up.” I love that!

How did he propose? Were you surprised? 

(Jamie) I actually talked her into cutting her family vacation short and told her I wanted to spend the rest of the week with her. We had left her family vacation in Ocean City early on a Thursday morning. She had no idea we were going until we arrived at the airport gate. Destination - San Diego, CA!!! On our last night, we took a walk after dinner. We were on a path on the La Jolla cliffs, looking over the ocean and watching the sunset. I was a nervous wreck, not only about the proposal, but about this ring that I was carrying all over the place! I had it during her family vacation, through the airport, and through 3 days and 2 nights in San Diego! I was checking my pocket 10,000 times a day!! I just wanted everything to go well. Thank God it did!

(Tab) I was shocked! Jamie planned everything perfectly! When we walked up to the gate at the airport I couldn’t believe we were going to SanDiego. It is one of my favorite places on earth! He’s great at keeping secrets and doing things “just because,” so I didn’t think he was going to propose. Although, after 8 years of dating, I was hoping it was going to happen soon. Our last day there, he sent me for a spa day, planned dinner at “The Cove” (a restaurant overlooking the ocean) and then a walk on the cliffs. I remember my feet were killing me because I was walking in 6 inch heels! I got over it quickly! During the wedding did anything unexpected/funny happen during the ceremony or reception? What was your favorite part? What memory sticks with you even now?

(Jamie) Besides being the hottest day of the year, nothing really unexpected occurred. I just remember the DJ playing the Cha Cha slide while we were outside our venue taking pictures with our wedding party! He made amends by playing it again for us towards the end of the reception! My favorite part and the memory that sticks with me is watching Tab walk down the aisle! She was so angelic, happy, and perfect! (Tab) I remember it being the hottest day of 2005, 105 degrees (August 13th)! I remember I wanted an old car instead of a limo. So I found a 1937 Roles Royce to take us to and from the church. When the driver showed up, I told him to keep the air conditioning on in the car so we would be cool on the way to the church. He looked at me an said, “Lady, you wanted a authentic 1937 Roles Royce. There was no air back then!” DUH! So one of my bridesmaids offered to take me (and my huge dress) to the church in her car so we wouldn’t melt. The car was just used as a prop in our pictures! I still laugh when I think of fact that I didn’t ask if there would be air conditioning in a car that old. My favorite part was our first dance. That’s when I felt like we were officially married. 

What is her best trait? 

(Jamie) Tab’s best trait is the love that she has for her family. She truly puts us before herself. She willingly sacrifices and serves us in anyway she can. She always wants the best for us and does not want us to settle or be satisfied for 2nd best.

What is his best trait? 

(Tab) Jamie’s best trait is that he allows me to be me. He accepts me for who I am as quirky as I may be. He is very logical, keeps me grounded and listens to me without judgement.

What is your secret to a great marriage? 

(Jamie) My secret is to be in tune with your spouse. Pay attention to the little things. Most of the time, it’s the little things that will satisfy your wife. (Tab) Take the time to learn what makes your spouse feel loved. It’s different for everyone. I know Jamie appreciates when I take the time to just sit and spend time with him without talking or trying to multitask. If you know me, it’s hard to do sometimes because I’m constantly talking and my brain thinks in “to do” lists. 

How do you solve disagreements? 

(Jamie) By biting my tongue!!! Haha! Usually we talk and regretfully, sometimes we go at it (when the kids are at asleep, of course). However, the Lord softens our hearts, usually mine first, and we apologize and make up! (Tab) Unfortunately, I am the yeller. I like to get it all out there and then it’s over. Over the last 8 years we have been married, I have learned to look at Jamie’s intentions rather than his delivery. His heart is usually in the right place, he doesn’t want to upset me. I realize I can’t hold him to a standard of perfection and hold myself to a standard of grace. We always apologize and then move on.

How do you share/divide housework? 

(Jamie) I usually vacuum, and collect and take out the garbage. I honestly try to help out with everything whenever I can. I’ll chip in with the laundry to washing dishes, from bathing the kids to sweeping the floors. I just stay away from the cooking!!! I only display my cooking skills about 5 times/year. (Tab) I am a stay at home mom for now so I have most of the responsibility of cleaning and keeping the house. However, Jamie doesn’t mind pitching in when he can or I ask him. He doesn’t mind doing laundry (a chore I despise) so it works out. What trips have you gone on as a couple that were very special? (Jamie) Wow, aside from our honeymoon in Hawaii, and our trip to the Punta Cana, we haven’t really taken any big trips alone as a couple. We’ve been to Ocean City as a family plenty of times, to California a couple of times, to the Mayan Riviera with Abby, and to Disney World with Abby and Ryan. (Tab) This question really makes me realize that we need to plan some time away as a couple. Our honeymoon in Hawaii was the most incredible 2 weeks, I loved every minute! Punta Cana was our babymoon and that was lots of fun too. We haven’t gone away as a couple since we had kids. I realize that the kids will only be young for a season and we will be able to to couple trips as they get older. I’m looking forward to that!

14. What is the best part of being married? 

(Jamie) The best part is coming home, sleeping, waking up, and talking to your best friend! It is something I try not to take for granted.

(Tab) The best part of being married is having someone who accepts all of me and makes me laugh. He still makes me giggle even if it’s for corny reasons. I love that we have jokes that are just between us. 

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on a vacation with your spouse where would you go? 

(Jamie) Within the US, San Diego, CA - Internationally - I always wanted to take Tab to the Boracay Islands in the Philippines. (Tab) Hawaii

16. If you could sum up your marriage in two words what would they be? 

(Jamie) Supportive and Fun

(Tab) Laughter and Respect
God bless your marriage guys!!!!!!!!! I loved reading your love story!  I even added it to my pinterest page!

Prepping for the Big Birthday!!!

Erin Nicastro Photography

First Birthdays Are Huge At Team Mac

My Micah turns one next week and this Sunday we are having a huge family party for him at my Mother in Law's house.  I am so excited!!! Today, I have to do some final things like order the sheet cake and pick up some colorful tablecloths to match our Super Bowl Football theme, and buy some face paint for all the kids.

Erin Nicastro Photography

I already ordered the balloons, cookie favors (Dina Newhard will be making them at Chloe's Creations) and bought all the games, decorations and goodie bags, and planned out all the food items.  He got his pictures done a few weeks ago by Erin Nicastro Photography.  She does all our family photos.

John is working on the year video of Micah.  We always show this at each child's birthday so you can see a progression of how they grew and changed throughout the year.  It always makes me cry to look back and watch them, and the big kids love to watch their video and hear the songs daddy picked out for them.

We are so happy to celebrate our Micah this year!  This has to be the fastest year of our lives.  So much has happened and  God has moved and blessed us in so many incredible ways.  I am very excited to share the joy with all our close family and friends!!!

Spring Break

Because Everybody Needs A Break

I didn't plan on taking any days off this year except birthdays and holidays.  But, we are so far ahead of the game with only about another month of school work left that I decided to take 3 days off this week and two in April on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

It has been wonderful!  We've been going to different play dates with our friends, and going to the park to play, and the weather has been gorgeous in the 50s and 60s and sunny!  We are so thankful for this taste of Spring!

It will give us a much needed break so that we can finish the home school year strong!!! 

Twin Baby Shower

My Sister

We are so happy for our sister Laurie and her husband Kelsey!  They are due this spring with twins!  This weekend we held the baby shower at my Mom's Clubhouse.  We had a great turn out and Laurie was extremely blessed with clothes, diapers, books, play yards, bouncy seats, double stroller, bedding, hand made blankets, you name it, they got it!  We saw lots of lavender and blue.

My mother and law and I were a great team and the day went so smoothly.  Laurie's friend Michelle made the favors, chocolate covered pretzels!  Our goal for the day was to bless Laurie and Kelsey's socks off and after helping her home and bringing all the gifts back to her house!  She truly was blessed.  Laurie announced the names of the babies...Ava and Nikolas Seon!  We are so incredibly happy for them and can't wait to hold those sweet babies in April when they come!  Twins! Twins! Twins!  God is so good!

Our Spring Wish List

Plans For Spring

One of the exciting things to look forward to this spring is good weather and finishing up the school year early!  We will be done with school mid May this year!  We started in August on purpose!  This year I am really excited to take all three of my kids to some awesome learning places and great parks!  I have listed below the places we will visit this spring and included prices, info, and links for those of you in the NJ area!  Bare in mind my kids ages are Julia-6, Mark- 4 1/2, and Micah-practically 1.

Local Parks:

Dorbrook Park, Colts Neck (cost is free, includes a huge playground, huge sandbox, jungle gym, bathrooms, and sprayground which opens mid June)

Holmdel Park Longstreet Farm, Holmdel (cost is free, includes 2 playgrounds, farm with sheep, peacocks, chickens, pigs, horses, and cows (milking is at 3:00 during the week), huge lake, tons of open grass and BBQ picnic areas, bathrooms, also great for running, and power walking with strollers because of sidewalks and hiking trails)

John Philips Park, Old Bridge (cost is free, baseball field, cricket field, soccer fields, 2 playgrounds for toddlers and one for older kids, swing set, bathrooms, benches, hiking and fitness trails, lots of sidewalks which is great for bike riding)

Thompson Park, Jamesburg (cost is free, two playgrounds, huge deer area, small animal farm, bathrooms are far from play ground, the children love to feed the deer which is allowed, the other animals you can see are all types of birds like turkeys, geese, roosters, peacocks, etc)

Learning Places-(click on place to view website)

Liberty Science Center, Jersey City 14C on Turnpike- (must pay admission and price of theater/Imax tickets, we got a year membership which has totally been worth it because a family of 5 pays about $91 for regular admission and theater tickets and the year membership is less than $125...totally pays for itself with a second visit, awesome exhibits, zoo on 3rd floor, Bob the Builder play area good for all ages on 4th floor, cafe and theaters and story time ages 2-5 year olds on 2nd floor, all the movies are educational.  So far we have seen one on Penguins (great for all ages) and Watermelon Magic (life cycle of plants awesome for 3-6 year olds). (gift shop) Admission: Adults 13 and up pay $19.75, Kids 2 and up pay $14.75, Imax or film $10/$8 per person....Hours Mondays: Usually closed, Tuesday-Friday 9-3pm, weekends 9:00-5:30pm

Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange-(must pay admission, we have a year membership which is totally worth it, Adults $11, Children $8, Under 2 Free...hours 10-3:30pm)  Variety of animals, cafe, carousel, playground, indoor exhibits, penguins, monkeys, peacocks, prairie dogs, pony rides, farm animals (you can feed them for a fee) eagles, panthers, cheetahs, turtles, train ride, reptile indoor exhibit, and gift shop)

Wonder Wing Museum, Brookdale College, Lincroft-($7 per person, children under $2 are free, huge ship to climb, ropes to climb, boat to play in, dress up corner, water play, craft room, lighthouse to climb, tree to climb) The only thing I recommend is to pack a lunch because you are not allowed to eat inside the museum we go to our car to eat or eat at picnic bench on the side.  On Fridays at 2:00 ages 4-6 Twinkle Tots Planetarium is open.

Rainy Spring Days: (click on name of place to visit website link)

Junglerrrific, Howell- Indoor play area for babies, toddlers and big kids, carousel, ball pit, indoor slide, cafe to eat, must wear socks (everyone required to take off shoes)  The owner Barry is so neat and clean and great with kids!  Cost $7 per child who plays, parents are free, it opens at 10 am- 6pm Mon-wed, and 10-5 Thurs/Fri.

All About Fun, Matawan-Indoor play area with dress up room, game room, music room, video games, craft area.  Times are Mon/Wed/Fri 10-3 Thurs-closed, Tues 1-4pm, cost $7 per child.

We are hoping for Spring temperatures this weekend!  We can't wait for all the snow to melt away!

Date Night Challenge

Life After Kids...

Date Nights used to be every Friday, Saturday and Sunday before kids.  Now, we are lucky if we get a date night twice a month.  This past month we had two awesome dates.  January 4th, was on a Satruday at the Count Baisey Theater in Red Bank when we saw our favorite comedian Jim Gaffigan.  And a week ago on January 24th, a Friday we went to a wedding together.  The kids were actually invited to the wedding, but we really wanted a night alone.  Both nights were really fun. It felt so good to get out of the house, do something totally different, dress up even, and have a meal together where we can talk uninterrupted.

Date Night Challenge

At the above link you fill in your info and Focus on the Family will send you 3 guides to Date Nights 1, 2, and 3...(I love a challenge).  The goal is to have 3 dates in 3 weeks and then once a month for the rest of the year.  I like this because I know we can exceed the challenge and try to get out even more than once a month, but it's great to at least have a goal.

I'm especially looking forward to the weather warming up because John and I like to go outdoors for our dates, whether it's sight seeing in Manhattan, or shopping at an outdoor Mall by the shore, anything to switch up the daily routine and be together and connect!

Won't you take the challenge???

And Then There Was Love...Tony's Side

Meet Tony and Jaime

Here is Tony's answers to the marriage interview questions.  I loved Tony's honesty and humor in all his answers...and some of his answers were so sweet.  I can tell that God put two awesome people together.  I love how He can do that!!!

1.     When did you two meet? A long time ago, before Five Guys turned me into Two Guys

2.     Who approached who first? I approached Jaime first, She thought I was cocky and arrogant and didn’t want to deal with me. As you can expect, curiosity got the better of her and she couldn’t help herself.

3.     Who spoke the most and who was shy in the beginning? I spoke first, and neither one of us really gets very shy. Jaime only ever pretends to be shy when she orders a lot of food at a restaurant so she appears dainty.

4.     Where was your first date? How did it go? I took Jaime to the mall, I bought a suit (because… handsome) and drove her down to Atlantic City in my coupe like I was James Bond. (I was) We went to dinner, gambled a bit and I kissed her against a pillar in the casino while we were waiting for the valet to bring my car around at the end of the night. It was as pompous as I could get.

5.     When did you know that Tony was the one! How long did it take to learn this.  I think Jaime was probably most impressed with how handsome I was. Perhaps it was my jawline. On the other hand, I smell really good too. Maybe it was because of how humble I can be? Now that I think of it, my biceps sealed the deal. NO! Wait… my melodious voice.

6.     How did Tony propose?  Were you surprised? I was in NJ for a business meeting. I was living in Pennsylvania at the time. I had already worked things out with Jaime’s parents. After the meeting, I picked Jaime up and pretended to be in a horrible mood. It was the Summer so I asked if we should get ice cream for us and her family from Dairy Queen. As I had set up, the guy at Dairy Queen put an ice cream cake (her favorite) in the bag and everything in our order on top. The cake said “Will You Marry Me”. I deliberately annoyed Jaime and just said I wasn’t in a good mood and told her to just unload the bag. She HATED me at that moment. She was throwing the items on the counter and cursing me out under her breath. Finally she gets to the cake and says “What the heck is this? They messed up and gave us a cake! Idiots!” then she reads the cake and says, “Oh my God! They really screwed up! Someone was supposed to get engaged!” She turned around and I was on one knee. She slapped me. I asked her, “So are you gonna marry me?” Jaime was surprised… she never actually said “Yes”, she just kept hitting me and saying “Shut up!”.

7.     During the wedding did anything unexpected/funny happen during the ceremony or reception? What was your favorite part? What memory sticks with you even now? – We got married on the beach in Jamaica. After the ceremony, both us and the entire Bridal Party hopped on Jet Skis in our tuxedos and gowns (Jaime can always get another dress when she remarries)

8.     What is Jaime’s best trait? Me

9.     What is Tony’s best trait? I am oozing with machismo

10.                        What is your secret to a great marriage? We laugh constantly and both admire how awesome I am.

11.                        How do you solve disagreements? We both have a vote in a disagreement, then Jaime gets the tiebreaker.

12.                        How do you share/divide housework? I do my chores and then do Jaime’s when she doesn’t do them. Jaime nags the entire time.

13.                        What trips have you gone on as a couple that were very special? I chartered a private helicopter to take us on a sunset tour over New York City, followed by an overnight stay in a hotel suite after we landed. The next day, she got to go shopping. We’ve gone on camping trips, fishing trips, Mexico, Jamaica and many other trips and we always seem to have a great time just doing whatever. I like to enjoy the trips, Jaime likes to chronicle them with pictures to make it “look” like we have a great time.

14.                        What is the best part of being married? It’s the only time when someone has chosen you. Your family didn’t get to pick you. Your kids didn’t say “That’s the Mommy or Daddy I want!” You were chosen. (By the way, Jaime made an EXCELLENT choice) The first time that I said this to Jaime, she got angry and thought I was being mean and nasty. I guess saying, “You know, there’s only one person in this world who ever chose you, and that was me” can be misinterpreted.

15.                        If you could go anywhere in the world on a vacation with your spouse where would you go? I was stationed in Pisa, Italy when I was in the Air Force. I’d like to one day take Jaime there. I’d push the Tower of Pisa down on top of her, then watch her striped socks curl up and leave two ruby slippers. (Which I would return for store credit because Jaime keeps all of her receipts)

16.                        If you could sum up your marriage in two words what would they be? “Alright! FINE!!!”