A Flock of Fitzgeralds...

To the beach...

2011-08-04T21:28:00.002-04:00

We had a successful trip to the beach on Wednesday night and I couldn't be more happier with the beautiful photos we took of the kids. It's amazing to me to see how big they have gotten in just the last year... and I feel so blessed to have my husband and our two amazing children in my life.

On vacation...

2011-08-04T20:42:00.003-04:00

With life about to get really exciting around the Fitzgerald house, we decided to go on a vacation to Pawleys Island, S.C. Pat and I debated back and forth about going on vacation, but in the end we decided that we really did need to get away from our lives in Ruckersville and enjoy some family time.
Last year, we fell in love with the Litchfield Resort on Pawleys Island. It's a private resort that is very family friendly and affordable... and we've been able to get great deals on condos both years we've traveled here.
The next few posts will be pictures from our trip this week... I can't tell you how wonderful it has been to spend time together and see our kids so happy!

I'm going to be a teacher...

2011-08-04T20:36:00.003-04:00

One of the biggest reasons I haven't been able to post lately is because I've been working on getting into Virginia's Career Switchers program to become a middle/high school English teacher.
The program starts on Aug. 20 and will last through December. During this time, I'll be doing work online and going to Saturday classes once a month. I'll also be working in one of our local schools while keeping my job at the newspaper.
It's going to be a very busy fall, but it will be worth it when I can teach in a classroom and share my love of learning with young people.

Cool Dudette/Dude ...

2011-08-04T20:32:00.002-04:00

Need I say more...

Playing in the back yard....

2011-08-04T20:24:00.002-04:00

Pat took these pictures one afternoon while I was at work and he got some great shots... so I'm sharing a few of them with you.

Independence Day at the Fitzgeralds...

2011-08-04T20:07:00.003-04:00

I know I'm weeks late posting these photos, but Pat did such a great job taking photos of Savannah and her sparklers that I had to share them.

My two youngest enjoy the outdoors too...

2011-07-04T14:51:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures of the younger kids enjoying their new toy...

Happy July 4th...

2011-07-04T14:45:00.002-04:00

I have to admit that I have three children, the one I married and two I gave birth to! No offense to my wonderful Mother-in-Law, but there are certainly times when I think that I have a grown child on my hands... like when he buys the children a "Slip-n-Slide" and then proceeds to enjoy it more than they do!
My only concern is that we're going to end up in the hospital emergency room if he keeps on going the way he was in these pictures.

The many faces of Julius...

2011-07-03T16:55:00.002-04:00

I took these shots this morning before we left the hotel... and they capture so many of my wonderful son's moods.

Pool time...

2011-07-03T16:51:00.002-04:00

We decided to spend Saturday night in D.C. so we could rest up after a long day of traveling and visiting and so we could enjoy some pool time.
Pat and I bought the kids so floaters on Friday so they could be more confident in the pool and it certainly did give them great confidence... I have two water babies on my hands (they are Pat's children, you know!).
Pat went upstairs to get the camera this morning because the water was too cold for him to enjoy this morning... it was after we were in the pool for about 45 minutes and the kiddies were wearing down quickly.
This is the only reason you don't see excited faces in every shot...

Butterfly Garden...

2011-07-03T16:32:00.004-04:00

We met our friend, Michelle, up in Washington, D.C., this weekend and had a blast visiting the National History Museum. She was visiting a friend for the July 4th weekend and we were able to get together for a few hours on Saturday.
Michelle lives in Northwest Arkansas and is one of the wonderful women I'm lucky enough to call my friend. It was great to see her so happy and close by... and hope that the next time she comes to visit we can get her down here to our neck of the woods for a wine tour!
Here are a few pictures we took in the Butterfly Garden at the National History Museum... I didn't take my camera out before that because I was spending time with my dear friend.
The only regret I have is I didn't get a picture of us together... but I will do that the next time she comes to visit.

P.S. The first picture is of a butterfly that landed on Pat's back right after we entered the garden and I had to pry him off before we left... I think Pat found a new friend.

Julius' new bed...

2011-06-29T20:51:00.002-04:00

We set up Julius' new bed this week and it's been an adventure getting him to settle down into it each night. Julius outgrew his crib a while back, but we've used a crib tent and his exhaustion to keep him in the crib as long as we could.
Well, a few weeks ago he finally start climbing out multiple times in the night and we knew it was time to break down and buy him a new bed (although the crib converted into a toddler bed, it was well passed it's prime.
So, here are a few pictures of Julius in his new bed... we still have some things to do to his room and then we'll showcase it all... it will be in an Air Force/Cars theme.

Our own Strong Man...

2011-06-29T20:45:00.002-04:00

You can see we're in for trouble...

Mama trying to be artistic...

2011-06-29T20:40:00.002-04:00

Here are a few shots I took on Friday ... I'm always trying to find the perfect shot to send to Grammy and Papa or Grandma!

Up in the mountains...

2011-06-29T06:21:00.002-04:00

We took the kiddies up to Skyline Drive last Friday to get some fresh air and test out their new bikes. It was a celebration time at the park as it's celebrating 75 years this year so there were a lot of people getting ready for the big celebration that weekend (which I had to cover for the newspaper).
We spent a few hours tootling around and letting the children burn off some energy... and had a great time in the cooler temperatures.
We don't get out enough as a family and that is something Pat and I both hope to change as these days fly by... the kiddies won't be little much longer!

Pizza night at the Fitzgeralds...

2011-06-20T18:14:00.002-04:00

Pat is working at the paper tonight so I decided to have a little fun with the kiddies and allow them to make their own personal pizzas. Savannah and I have done this before at a Mom's Club event and I knew she would enjoy it... and I had no doubt that Julius would also enjoy anything that involved cheese!
We had a blast making these tasty pizzas and I think we'll be doing this again in the near future... hopefully next time Daddy will be home to join us!

Riding their rides...

2011-06-20T12:27:00.002-04:00

Learning to ride...

2011-06-20T11:33:00.003-04:00

We bought the children bikes this weekend and took them out yesterday, on Father's Day, for their first trial run. I have to admit the reason we bought them is because Savannah has to have one for daycare (yes, we put the children in full-time daycare when I returned to work in February). Every other week, we'll have to take her bike to school so she and others in our class can have some ride time.
We live on top of a hill so the only real riding time the kiddies will get is when we take them out to a parking lot to ride. In fact, I have a feeling we'll be spending most evenings out letting them ride their bikes as both of them seemed to enjoy it so much.
Savannah is a natural and has already learned how to pedal, steer and ring the little bell on her Barbie bike. She wanted a bike with a basket and therefore traded the Disney Princesses for Barbie... ah, the life of the preschooler.
Julius hasn't quite figured out how to pedal so he just pushes his bike along Fred Flintstone style or asks Mama or Daddy for a push. There were a few times when he fell off the bike, but he just picked himself up and got back on... he's a tough little boy (and certainly ALL BOY!)
Here are a few pictures from our adventures....

Long time, no see...

2011-06-20T11:18:00.002-04:00

I'm so sorry that it's taken so long for me to blog. It's certainly not a lack of desire, but a lack of time.
I've returned to the working world full-time as a newspaper reporter and it has left little time to do anything other than spend my little free time with Hubby and our children.
Pat and I made a decision today that we're going to try to start blogging again so all of our family and friends can keep up with our comings and goings.
Here are a few pictures to catch you up with what has been going on in the last few months...

A special treat...

2011-01-13T21:10:00.003-05:00

Picture In Landscape 5x7 folded card

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Shutterfly gave me an online coupon for 10 free cards and I chose to make Valentines Day greetings. Although I won't be able to share these beautiful cards with everyone, I can share the link (and then get a chance to get even more free pictures down the road).
I highly recommend Shutterfly to anyone who wants to print their pictures and share with family and friends.

Mr. Trouble...

2011-01-02T19:08:00.001-05:00

Need I say any more... just look at that face!

Sibling love...

2011-01-02T18:59:00.002-05:00

I took these pictures on New Year's Day and they are certainly a sign that my children, Savannah and Julius, love each other. Here they are sitting in their Daddy's recliner and enjoying just being side by side.
Normally (and unfortunately for their parents), the children are wrestling and fighting with each other. They play hard and love hard... running into each other from opposites ends of the hallway and then wrestling each other to the ground once they make contact.
I do know that Savannah has her brother's back as she's stood up for him on the playground when other kids thought he was being too rough. He looks like he's 3 and kids expect him to act accordingly... of course, he's only 22 months old.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T08:37:00.003-05:00

Well, we made it through 2010. It's been a crazy year for our house, but we've made it through. I feel luckier than a lot of people out there who've suffered a job loss because we've been able to make up most of that money each month by my working two part-time jobs.
I feel thankful to have found a way to make it work while Pat looks for full-time employment again and I'm hopeful he'll soon have a new job that makes him happy and takes him out into the working world again.
I checked my email this morning and found today's Dear Abby and I wanted to share it with you... I hope 2011 is our best year yet!

01/01/2011

NEW YEAR FULL OF POSSIBILITY REPLACES HARD YEAR FOR MANY
DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2011! While the last year has been arduous for many of us, a new one has arrived, bringing with it our chance for a new beginning.

Today is the day we discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones, and with that in mind, I will share Dear Abby's often requested list of New Year's Resolutions -- which were adapted by my mother, Pauline Phillips, from the original credo of Al-Anon:

JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

Just for today, I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully -- if only just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

And now, Dear Readers, I would like to share an item that was sent to me by I.J. Bhatia, a reader who lives in New Delhi, India:

DEAR ABBY: This year, no resolutions, only some guidelines. The Holy Vedas say, "Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflicted bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature."

The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are several versions) contains a powerful message:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

"where there is hatred, let me sow love,

"where there is injury, pardon;

"where there is doubt, faith;

"where there is despair, hope;

"where there is darkness, light;

"and where there is sadness, joy.

"O Divine Master,

"grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

"to be understood, as to understand;

"to be loved, as to love;

"for it is in giving that we receive,

"it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

"and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."

And so, Dear Readers, may this new year bring with it good health, peace and joy to all of you. Love, ABBY

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Dancing for Grammy and Papa...

2010-12-27T19:11:00.002-05:00

Savannah and Julius put on a little show for Grammy and Papa before we headed out from Virginia Beach on Saturday. Savannah loves to dance and Julius gets right up there with her.
I've got a budding ballerina on my hands!

Thanks from Santa...

2010-12-27T19:07:00.003-05:00

Savannah and her Daddy left Santa some of my homemade goodies and a small glass of milk and he left them a quick note scribbled on a napkin.
It's great to see Santa has good manners and knows how to eat and run and still be polite!

Christmas in Virginia Beach...

2010-12-27T18:54:00.002-05:00

We traveled down to Virginia Beach Friday to celebrate Christmas with Mom and Dad Fitzgerald. We actually were planning to go down on Thursday, but time got away from us and we didn't get to leave until Christmas Eve. I actually think it was best because the roads weren't as busy Friday morning as I'm sure they were Thursday evening.
We woke up early Christmas morning to Savannah being excited and peeking around the corner to see a Christmas tree and presents underneath it. Poor Julius wasn't quite sure what was going on and he, Daddy and Grammy went back to bed after the big present opening ceremony ended.
The kids got much more than they needed... a problem Santa's helper didn't realize until she saw everything under the tree. Although I consider myself to be a careful shopper, I'm sure there were several things we could have left from under the tree and neither of the kids would have noticed (I actually did keep two of Julius' gifts for his birthday in February).
Here are a few pictures of our big day... and we were able to sneak out of Virginia Beach before the big snow storm that dumped almost a foot of snow overnight.

Merry Christmas from the Fitzgeralds!

2010-12-22T23:59:00.002-05:00

This is the cover of some of the Christmas cards we sent out this year. I "cashed" in some of my Pamper points to get Christmas cards printed and only had a select few to sent out.
So I thought the next best thing to do would be to put the card on the blog to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas... I hope you have a great day!

Christmas cards...

2010-12-20T21:32:00.002-05:00

I sent out our annual Christmas cards earlier in the month... I know it's an old tradition, but one that I love because it's so personal. I don't care how must technology improves, I can't think of anything better than opening the mailbox and finding a card or letter... it just seems more personal!
Pat got the mail tonight and found a stack of Christmas cards and a package for the kids... there had to be about 10 cards in the mail and it was a pleasure to open every one of them.
I know it might be too late this year, but if you've never sent out Christmas cards than I suggest that you try it next year... you might be surprised what you get back in return.

Mommy-and-Me Day...

2010-12-19T06:26:00.002-05:00

Savannah and I had some Mommy-and-Me time yesterday and to see the Nutcracker Suite. This is something I dreamed for years and ever since I went to see my first live performance of the holiday ballet.
This Nutcracker was performed by the local Charlottesville Ballet Company and involved about eight adults and 15 little girls of various ages. There was only one male and he was the Nutcracker, of course.
Savannah was excited from the moment we got to the theater and she made it through the entire hour-long program and only complained about the music getting too loud in the most dramatic parts.
I really think I've found my theater partner in Savannah as she seems to enjoy live performances as much as I do... and I can't wait to take her to plays and other events in the years to come!

Tobogging...

2010-12-17T14:56:00.003-05:00

Pat went to town today and brought Savannah back a toboggan (I think he also wanted one for himself)! She had a blast going down the small hill behind our house as I tried to catch her and snap a few photos while doing so.
Pat also got on the plastic contraption and took a few turns down the driveway... and made it back in one piece.

Other photos from the fall...

2010-12-16T17:58:00.003-05:00

Here are some other photos of Fitzgerald fun we've had this fall...

Snow Day...

2010-12-16T17:45:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry it's taken so long to post on the blog. It's certainly not a lack of desire, but just a lack of time.
We got about three inches of snow today and was able to get out and play a little... here are some of our pictures.

Christmas Card 2010

2010-11-25T05:22:00.001-05:00

Holly Jolly Christmas Card

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Heritage Harvest Festival...

2010-09-11T19:37:00.003-04:00

In our effort to get the kids out to local events, we took them to the Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello this afternoon. This is a festival celebrating local foods and seed saving and we went more to get out and see the sights than to actually learn about seeds (there is no way to keep little folks quiet enough for the free classes).
We had a blast and enjoyed a lot of local foods... tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes and peppers. We also got to buy a few things like organic lemonade, homemade donuts and homemade organic popsicles.
We also had a nice time enjoying the weather, which has turned cool in the few nights.
This was also the first chance to the kids to ride a bus as we had to park off-site and get bused on to Monticello, home of President Thomas Jefferson.
It was a beautiful day!

Mountainside Petting Farm

2010-09-04T18:59:00.002-04:00

We spent our Saturday afternoon at the petting farm and had a blast.
The Mountainside Petting Farm is in Afton, which is about an hour from our house on the other side of Charlottesville.
Savannah has been talking about seeing cows and chickens ever since we went to the Orange County Fair last month so I thought this might be a great place to take the kids.
We drove through Charlottesville and took the highway to the farm, but drove back on Skyline Drive in order to enjoy the scenery and take advantage of our yearly pass.
The petting farm is small, but they have an interesting mixture of animals; including a camel, a pair of peacocks and a pot-bellied pig to go along with their calf, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep and horses.
Here are several pictures from our adventure to the petting zoo... I believe the top one is the best picture I've ever taken of our kids!

Welcome to my blog...

2010-09-02T23:22:00.005-04:00

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I haven't participated in the blog hops for a few weeks, but thought I would take some time tonight to link up to a few and meet some new folks.
If you're new to my blog than I want to say hello and hope you find something here that you like and will make you come back for more. If you've been here before than hello again and welcome back.
I'm a wife and stay-at-home Mama and freelance writer who has been working more now that my husband lost his job in a layoff earlier this summer. I know how fortunate we are to have kept ourselves afloat, but understand it's a daily battle to do so.
If any of you out there are going through something similar please drop me a line and share a tip or two... I hope to blog a little more in the days ahead as I've been so busy late to give much attention to the blog.

Not quite off the charts, but close...

2010-09-02T23:12:00.002-04:00

Julius had his 18-month check-up yesterday. It was a few weeks late because we had an insurance change due to Pat's job loss.
Julius weighed in at 35.97 lbs. and was 36.5 inches in length... he's in the 97th percentile for weight and height for kids his age. His weight was up a little bit this time for his growth chart while his height stayed about the same pattern as it had last time.
The nurse that saw us told me not to worry because Julius was probably in the middle of a growth spurt and would grow into his weight gain. I can tell he's in a growth spurt now because he's sleeping a lot and is cranky... both signs he's shown during previous growth spurts.
The nurse also tested Julius' hand/eye coordination, his speaking skills and his ability to play... all things they check when they're looking for signs of autism.
I'm happy to say Julius passed all of the test with flying colors and she said he was a very smart little boy and well within his age range.
She was even impressed he's used the potty a few times this week... yes, my 18-month-old will use the potty when his sister won't!

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-09-01T07:47:00.003-04:00

Little Man has his 18-month check-up today (a few weeks late due to insurance issues)... will let you know how he measures up (sure he'll be off the charts).

Butterflies...

2010-08-31T18:16:00.004-04:00

Pat and I have been enjoying all of the butterflies in the yard these last few weeks and we tried to capture some of them for posterity's sake.
As the weeks go by and summer is fading into black, it's nice to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Here is one of my favorite Robert Frost poems talking about the end of summer and the beginning of fall... I'm already seeing the leaves on some trees have started to change and the temps are cooling down after the sun sets...

Nothing Gold Can Stay

by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Back in the saddle again...

2010-08-30T18:13:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry.
That is all I can say about letting the month pass by without posting on my blog. It's not intentional, but I've been so busy working on my freelance and a new part-time job that I've hardly had time for myself, let alone the blog.
Things here in the Fitzgerald house have changed a lot this summer and for the most part they've been scary, but good.
Pat and I are trying to figure out what the next chapter of our lives together and how to make that happen. Our children are growing up so fast that it's amazing to me not to have any babies in the house anymore.
Pat's job ended on June 30 and he's become the stay-at-home Dad while he looks for another job. I think he's gained a new appreciation for what happens when you're alone with children all day, but I think he's doing a really good job taking care of them.
It's given the children a chance to bond with their Daddy and me a chance to remember how it is to have a long day of paid work. There have been days recently when I left the house before 8 a.m. and returned after nightfall... although those are rare, it is like the days of old when I didn't have children. I love the work, but I miss my children very much... thankfully we're still able to have Pat at home with them and we'll enjoy that as long as we can.
I miss being at home with my kids, but I'm very grateful to have the work to bring in extra money. There are a lot of people who haven't been so lucky and we're hopeful this work will help tied us over until Pat goes back to work.
On Friday, we took the children up to Skyline Drive for some family time as there haven't been too many weekday or weekends that I haven't had something to do... here are some pictures from that day.

Julius' first haircut...

2010-08-05T21:56:00.003-04:00

Pat took the children to get haircuts this morning while I finished up two freelance stories. It's been crazy around here as I have tried to take on more freelance and start a new part-time job and Pat has been taken on the majority of the childcare.
Anyway, today was Julius' first hair cut as I've been trying to put it off as long as possible and enjoy his baby curls. Savannah had baby curls until her first haircut and they've never come back again.
Pat said Julius did a great job and was a big boy as he sat in his Aunt Sharon's barber chair and cut his hair... he never cried or even flinched as she cut and trimmed him up.
When Pat walked him with Julius this afternoon I got emotional because my baby isn't a baby anymore... he's a big boy!

Family photos...

2010-07-30T06:15:00.003-04:00

Our friends and former co-workers, Dan and Amelia Hale, were gracious enough to meet with us earlier this month and take our family photos while we were on vacation in South Carolina.
Their work is absolutely beautiful and if you want to check them out please go to www.dreamlandimages.com.
Here are some of my favorites...

Nighttime at the Fitzgeralds...

2010-07-18T02:12:00.003-04:00

I turned in early last night and woke up to find Pat and Savannah had been outside lighting sparklers... I didn't find the sparklers themselves, but instead found these wonderful pictures Pat took of their adventures while Julius and I slept.
I'm glad Pat has some time to spend with each of the children as that is one thing this layoff has allowed us... more time together.

Our garden...

2010-07-18T01:56:00.003-04:00

Well, our little 4x4 garden survived being left to fend for itself while we were on vacation a few weeks ago. It's amazing to me the fact that I haven't killed all of it.
I promised myself during this last winter that I would grow something in our garden if we survived the piles of snow we had and I feel like I've accomplished that because I have a few tomatoes on my plants and the first is about to ripen (as you can see in these pictures).
I also have pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, strawberries and corn in our little garden and although several plants have had flowers, only a few have had fruit.
I keep telling Pat that if all five tomatoes on our vines ripen that we'll have the most expensive tomatoes of my life... I just hope they're also the most tasty!

A new "water table"...

2010-07-18T01:42:00.002-04:00

We thought the kids needed a water table to play with outside... since the temperatures have been in the upper 90s and they love all things with water in them.
We bought one at Toys R Us, but it didn't work properly so I took it back. Pat then decided he would make one out of an old storage container we had for recycled items.
I look at these pictures and I'm amazed at how quickly the children are growing up... it scary to see, but also good to know they are healthy and happy.

Julius and Mama time...

2010-07-18T01:31:00.002-04:00

Julius woke up Saturday morning at 5:30 a.m. and of course it was Mama who got up with him. While he was in full-force, I was on two cylinders... but I did manage to get these pictures of our time together.
I know I'm a little biased, but I think my son is just the most handsome child!

Dancing Savannah...

2010-07-18T01:22:00.002-04:00

I took these pictures of Savannah the other night as she entertained us with her dancing... we need to get her into dancing classes soon as she loves to move to the music.

Home again...

2010-07-18T01:04:00.002-04:00

Sorry I've been away from the blog for more than a week, but I came home to a pile of freelance work I needed to finish when we came home from vacation last Saturday.
It's hard to believe that it's just been a week since we came home from vacation as it seems so long ago. Having Pat home has been both a blessing and a curse because it's nice to have another set of hands, but it's stressful to not really know where the future lies for us on the job front.
I'm not going to go into all of that worry, but instead post some pictures from our visit to South of the Border, a wacky place Pat visited as a child on family trips and one we've been two twice now as we traveled down Interstate 95 southbound.
South of the Border is a group various shops filled with crazy crap... you name it and they probably have it.
Here are a few pictures from our visit... we left with some fireworks (just sparklers and smoke bombs) and three T-Shirts.

Watermelon time on the island...

2010-07-06T05:21:00.003-04:00

There is nothing better after a trip to the pool than taking a little nap and waking up to some cool watermelon.
Pat and I actually had a little time to ourselves when the children napped yesterday and we enjoyed ourselves relaxing and reading on the screened in porch at the back of the condo.
Our condo overlooks a pond and although it's not on the beach, we're in the newest building and it has the best thing a family could ask for... a washer/dryer in the unit! I swear we've already washed five loads of clothes and the only dirty ones we brought Sunday were the ones on our backs!

Pool time in Pawleys Island...

2010-07-06T05:11:00.002-04:00

We're staying at a wonderful resort here on Pawleys Island and it has a great pool area for families... in fact, the resort is huge and has several pools but this one is the one for our condo building.
This pool area was built with young kids in mind and the water in any of the pools only goes to 5.5 feet deep. There is also a great space for kiddies with a wading pool.
We went over in the morning and Savannah begged for us to take them back after dinner... and we did.
Here are some shots from our morning pool session...

Pawley's Island- Day 1

2010-07-06T04:59:00.002-04:00

We arrived in Pawleys Island, S.C., on Sunday afternoon and have been enjoying our little vacation... it's amazing what little effort it takes to have a little fun when you need it so badly!
Last week, Pat was laid off from his job and got two calls back on jobs he applied for. He actually has a phone interview this morning for a job and we're hoping it goes good. Even if these jobs don't work out it's nice to know his resume is getting some notice.
I wanted to share a few pictures from our time on the beach Sunday afternoon. We didn't stay for the fireworks and had two very rowdy children do deal with after a long car ride and new scenery... it was almost 4 a.m. Monday before both of them were sleeping at the same time!
We're here for the week and have been having a blast so far... and so much that it's taken me a few days to blog!
Here are some pictures from our first few days of vacation!

The hard work of marriage...

2010-07-03T08:38:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share a quote I found in the May issue of Good Housekeeping... in the last of the re-cycled magazines I brought home from Mom and Dad Fitzgerald's house a few weeks ago.
The magazine is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and every issue has been dedicated to how the publication has shaped the lives of women. This issue was the big issue and included the 125 women who changed the world's landscape in some way and an interview with First Lady Michelle Obama.
It was in the Obama interview that I found a quote I wanted to share here. The story is an overall interview, but it's what she said about the importance of understanding that marriage is more than just a big ceremony. It's the work afterward that either makes or breaks you as a couple and it is something every couple goes through.
I look at my own marriage and I know there are things I could do better and praises I could give more often. There are free moments with Pat that I could take, but I check my email instead and days when I let his teasing get under my skin a little too much.
Then I read something like this and it makes me realize everyone who is married goes through the same things. Situations might be different, but every person who has been in a relationship has worried they weren't doing enough or doing too much and wondering where the best balance lies.
We're now facing a new challenge as Pat's job has ended and we'll both be on the job hunt once we return from the beach. This trip, although it doesn't come at the best financial time for us, will probably be our last chance to get away for more than a few days as we hope one of us will be gainfully employed soon.
I'm trying very hard not to let my fears about the future interrupt our excitement about going away for our first family vacation. It has certainly helped that both of us have gotten nibbles on recent jobs we've applied for and hope to have at least one interview set up after we return from vacation.
It's in crisis that couples must come together and work towards a solution that is best for our family. I guess it's why this quote from Michelle Obama spoke to me this morning...

Here is what she said on what people can learn from the Obama's marriage...

"... Marriage is hard work. Even the best of marriages require a lot of hard work - even if you're married to your soul mate who has very few flaws. Building a life with a person other than yourself, and raising kids and dealing with all of the bumps and the bruises and the joys and the pains that go along with life, that creates the natural state of marriage, and it's a challenge.
I say that to people not to discourage them, but to say that you will inevitably hit those bumps. Don't view that as a shortcoming of yourself or your spouse or your marriage. Don't give up on it. Just understand that you're going along the path that everybody else goes on. Go in ready for the work."

I couldn't have said it better myself...

Packing our bags...

2010-07-02T23:45:00.002-04:00

I'm hoping by the time I post again, it will include pictures from our trip! Pat and I have already started packing the car (he put his beers - given to him as parting gift from his co-workers - and other beverages in the bottom cubby hole).
I'm sure we'll have a loaded down vehicle as I'm going to take way too much in case I need it and hope that we'll be bringing a lot less back because we've used it!
I hope all of you have a wonderful July 4th and weekend... and we'll be in touch with you from the beach!

Making new friends...

2010-07-01T22:55:00.008-04:00

Happy Friday and an early Happy July 4th! Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope you find something here that entertains you and makes you want to stop by again.
This has been an interesting week in our house as my husband worked his last day as a newspaper copy desk chief... and now he's unemployed.
It's a scary time indeed, but he woke up this morning to find a follow-up on a job he applied for last week... and by the end of the day of his first day of unemployment he had taken a copy editing test for a new job!
Hopefully he'll hear some positive news on the test!
Then next big thing we have going on here is vacation... we leave Sunday morning for a week-long trip to South Carolina. We've rented a condo near the beach and hope to have our first real vacation since Pat and I married more than four years ago.
We've traveled to see family and friends, but we've never had a trip just for us... and so we will accomplish that goal soon enough!
Anyway, enough about me and mine... thanks for stopping by and hope you come back to check on us from time to time.

Joy...

2010-06-27T07:03:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite things about going down to my in-laws is that Mom saves all of her magazines for me to bring home - so I always bring back a stack of Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, the weekly Dallas Cowboy Magazine (for Pat, of course) and once in a while a Reader's Digest.
It usually takes me a while to look through them all, but I usually find great articles and a few coupons still in date to use.
This morning I was reading February's Reader's Digest and stumbled on a story about Joy and the writer's (Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert) thanks everyone can find this wonderful quality.
Here is what he says:

1. Commitment - People who are in a committed relationship usually happier than even those who live together but are not married. Gilbert said that once he discovered this in his studies he went home and proposed to his long-time live-in girlfriend and found that marriage has made him happier than he was in the 12 years they lived together.

2. Little Things - Find happiness in the little things and try not to stress too much over finding the big joys in life. Gilbert says he's learned to find happiness in his daily walk from home to work and now enjoys that daily stroll.

3. You own strength - People are stronger than they realize and time really does make things better.

4. Go to Church (or join some sort of community effort) - Gilbert says it's not so much the religion that makes people happier, but the fellowship with the other members... therefore just joining a group of people who gather together can bring a person happiness.

5. Giving - People find joy when they give back to others... even if that giving is small, it makes a difference in the life of someone else and improves the life of the giver.

6. Invest in experiences - It's not the new car that will bring you happiness, but the times you spend in it that will create lasting joy. Gilbert says a splurge on a vacation and the experiences they'll have their will make him or her much happier than the new car ever will.

I thought I would share with you a few pictures of the three people who make me the happiest and bring joy to my life. Even though we're about to face a new world outside of newspapers, Pat and I have our healthy, beautiful children and each other to see ourselves through.

What to take?

2010-06-26T18:44:00.002-04:00

We leave next week (on July 4) for a vacation on Pawleys Island, S.C., and I'm trying to figure out exactly what we should be taking.
We've rented a condo that is fully furnished with all of the essentials, but I wonder exactly what that means... do I need a blender for my margaritas or a griddle in case Pat wants to make pancakes for breakfast?
If anyone has any ideas on what we should take to the beach, I would love to hear them... I know I need to pack toys and movies for the kids (and beach towels), but I'm clueless to anything I might need.

Blog Hop Friday...

2010-06-24T23:47:00.002-04:00

Thank God it's Friday... not just because the weekend is here, but because we're down to single digits before we leave for our vacation to Pawleys Island, S.C.! I don't think I've ever been as anxious to get away as I am right now... so it will be nice for the next week and a day to pass so we can head to the beach!
Welcome to my blog if this is your first visit... I set this up two years ago to keep our family far away up to date with the day to day life in the Fitzgerald house. It has grown into a place where I share my thoughts about all kind of things and I've met a lot of great people with blogs of their own.
Have a great day and a great weekend... and hope you find a few new blogger friends to say hello to!
Sharon:)

Father's Day in Virginia Beach...

2010-06-22T22:44:00.002-04:00

We traveled down to Virginia Beach last week to spend Father's Day with my in-laws. We had a nice visit and it just reminded me how important it is for the children to spend as much time with their grandparents as they can.
They have three living grandparents (and two adopted ones that live in Georgia) and I want them to spend as much time as possible with all of them. It's not as easy to visit my Mama in Georgia, but we do try to get down to my in-law's house at least once a month.
We went down late Saturday night and spent Sunday relaxing (and doing a little shopping) together.
Here are some photos I took at the pool next door to Mom and Dad Fitzgerald's... Jackie and Mike are kind enough to let us invade their pool when we visit.

Pizza, pizza, pizza

2010-06-17T19:22:00.003-04:00

I have a pizza chef on my hands!
Savannah loves making her own pizza today at the pizza play date. Several of the Mamas from our Moms Club met up at Megan's house armed with toppings and our pizza pans. One of the Mamas picked up some pizza dough from Harris Teeter and we went to town making our own dinners.
Some of the Mamas made their pizzas (and one made some pepperoni balls that looked yummy) and some allowed their kiddies to try their hand at adding the toppings.
Our pizza had pepperoni, onions and black olives (although Savannah has never had black olives on her pizza, she wanted to fill this one with that topping).
Savannah didn't want much help and ate many of the pepperonis before we got the pizza home. She then did made me take off all of the black olives before she would eat a piece.
The pizza was yummy and I hope Pat can enjoy a piece when he gets home (if my kiddies don't get up from their naps and eat the rest of our tasty meal).

Pizza Making/Pool Party Playdate

2010-06-17T19:10:00.003-04:00

We went over to our friend, Megan's, house today for a pizza-making and pool party play date and once again the kids had a ball! Julius just loves the sprinkler and it's fun to watch him run around and have such a great time. Savannah just loves having the other children to play with and with some of the other Mamas having babies there has been a great mix of kids to visit with.
Here are some pictures of the kids playing and then I'll post a few of Savannah making our dinner - a pepperoni, onion and black olive pizza. It was quite tasty and just one piece put Savannah right to sleep (Julius hasn't had a chance to eat his yet as he was ready for 'night night' when we got home).
Great time with a lot of great ladies and their beautiful children!

Miss Book Worm...

2010-06-17T19:00:00.002-04:00

Savannah decided she had to try on her Daddy's glasses last night after he came home modeling his new eye wear. Pat broke down and got a new pair of glasses before his eye insurance was gone along with his job (Just two more weeks to go!).
Savannah looks so grown in these pictures and it's amazing to me that she'll be staring school soon (just pre-school, but still school).

Mr. Bath Man....

2010-06-17T18:57:00.003-04:00

Julius loves, loves, loves the bath... he's totally the water baby among our children.
I caught him "soaking" in the tub last night and ran and got the camera so I could capture the moment. By the time I got back he had sat up again and I had to wait around until I caught him again... it wasn't as cute as the first time because he didn't have a grin on his face, but I still like the photo!

VACATION!!!!!

2010-06-14T23:25:00.003-04:00

We booked our vacation plans tonight and are so very excited to be going away in just 20 days!
We're heading to Pawleys Island in South Carolina and will be staying there for six nights. We found a great deal at a resort near the ocean and we're hoping to have a lot of family time and (if possible) a date night.
I borrowed a few of these photos from the town's official Web site and can't wait until our Big Red Van is headed south on the official start of our vacation!

A sprinkler of our own...

2010-06-13T15:57:00.004-04:00

I wanted to share a few pictures I took last week after buying the kids a sprinkler. Poor Julius is suffering through teething his premolars and hasn't been feeling too good these last few days... he didn't even make it through his first swimming class yesterday (not feeling good doesn't mix well with a broken air conditioner system at an indoor pool facility).
So, here are some moments from a happier time next week... hope to have swim class photos to share next Saturday.

Five Question Friday...

2010-06-11T10:41:00.002-04:00

I think these question blogs are a great way to get to know people... so here we go!

1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship? I think a great friend is someone who loves and supports you through the good and the bad. You might not talk to them as much as you would like, but when you do it takes no time at all before you're right on track again.

2. What is the last thing you bought & later regretted? We bought a Preschool game for Savannah and the first one wasn't Mac compatible (Hubby didn't look at the undamaged box he picked up) and the second one was TOO OLD to work on our computer. I've never heard of a game that was too old...
Anyway, I called the company's customer service line and they said the Mac version would soon be available at the Apple Store only... so you know it's going to cost more than the $14.99 sale price at Target.

3. Have you ever had a prank played on you? I don't know that I've ever had a prank pulled on me... but I guess it's never too late for that.

4. What is your favorite theme park? I have to say it's Walt Disney World... and I can't wait to take the kiddies there when they get old enough to appreciate and enjoy it.

5. Have you ever seen someone else give birth? When I was pregnant with both of my kids I watched Birth Stories on TLC (think that is the name of the show), but I've never watched someone in progress.

Finding some new friends...

2010-06-11T09:55:00.011-04:00

I took last Friday off because there was so much going on here, but I'm back now and ready to meet some new bloggers.
I want to welcome all of you who are visiting for the first time and hope you come back and see something you like. I also want to welcome back everyone who has stopped by before.
This is a bittersweet week for me as I remember my Daddy. He would have celebrated his 77th birthday yesterday and Sunday will be the second anniversary of his death.
I know Daddy is in a better place, but there are times I still wish he was here with us.
The good news is I've picked up some additional freelance work and hope that will continue to increase as the weeks of Pat's job dwindle down.
Anyway, I hope you come back and visit my little blog again soon. Happy Blogging!

Birthday wishes for my Daddy...

2010-06-09T23:43:00.002-04:00

Two years ago I woke up and called my Daddy to wish him a Happy Birthday... it was his 75th and considered a milestone by many. Daddy wasn't at home, but instead in the hospital once again fighting the battle to breathe.
I had mailed him a package containing more than a dozen little lemon muffins - a slight variation from the lemon pound cake he loved so much. He was quick to tell me that although he loved the muffins, they were not nearly as good as my regular pound cake.
Daddy never was one to mince words.
I can't tell you how long I talked to Daddy or everything we spoke about, but I do know it was among one better conversations I had with him that week. He had been in the hospital for several days and would only be there three more before he passed away.
Daddy had a lot of funny ways — some of which I couldn't stand and others I didn't understand — but I know he loved all of us the best way he could.
There are many times that I think of him and wish he would have known my children as they would have brought a new light to his life.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Daddy and Savannah... it was taken on the first of three visits they had together. I so wish he would have had the chance to know her longer... and to meet Julius.

Wordless Wednesday ... Outside with Daddy.

2010-06-09T09:34:00.002-04:00

Pool time...

2010-06-08T20:59:00.003-04:00

I took the kids to a play date this afternoon and it involved outside play in the kiddie pool and sprinkler... and you can see from the pictures that both of the kids loved it!
Both kids have their first swimming class on Saturday (Pat is going with us and he'll be the pool parent while I entertain the one outside the pool. Savannah has the first class so it will be interesting to see how I keep Julius entertained while his sister is in the pool... I'm hoping she'll be too exhausted to care about him being in the pool afterwards.
Here are some pictures of our play date today... we had a great turnout and it was good to see all the little ones. Julius was one of only two boys and he towered over the girls his own age (and the ones who were 18 months)... he really is our Gentle Giant!

Happy Birthday Grammy!

2010-06-06T20:55:00.002-04:00

Today is Grammy's (a.k.a. Mom) 75th birthday and although we're going to celebrate it next month with a family celebration, I wanted to post something about it today and let her know we're thinking about her on this special day.
We love you Mom and look forward to seeing you soon!

Our little model... Take 2

2010-06-06T20:44:00.002-04:00

This is a beautiful outfit Mom made for Savannah and gave to her over Mother's Day weekend. It's crafted from fabric one of the ladies in Mom's quilting bee brought back from Japan and it's absolutely beautiful.
Savannah has worn the outfit a few times, but I haven't let her play in it because I wanted to keep it from getting dirty or torn. Mom gently reminded me to let her play in it as that's the reason she made it for her.
I took these photographs for Mom to share with the ladies in her bee tomorrow and I hope they think it's as wonderful as I do!

Watermelon time...

2010-06-01T11:44:00.004-04:00

We bought our first watermelon of the 2010 season and it didn't disappoint... we all loved the sweet, sticky mess that occurs when you enjoy a piece of watermelon.
Now, this watermelon wasn't from the "Watermelon Capital of the World"... a.k.a., Cordele, GA... but it was still tasty!

Spending time together...

2010-05-31T04:15:00.004-04:00

We were supposed to go to a Memorial Day cook-out yesterday, but Pat decided we just needed to stay home and spend some time together. He and Savannah slept in late and then we ran some errands before coming home and finally retiring in the back yard.
Since I posted the video of Savannah dancing, I'll just post some of my favorite pictures of our evening out.

Dancing Savannah

2010-05-31T03:58:00.000-04:00

This is a video Pat took of Savannah this weekend dancing to music on her favorite Sirius channel, The Escape. She's hilarious as she dances around, stumbles a few times and even tries to do a few splits.
It's a long video, but worth it if you want to see her twirl and then fall over in exhaustion at the end. The video ends abruptly because Pat made me edit out the ending where I'm screaming that she has a large ant crawling up her leg.
He forgets that I was born in the world of fire ants... and when I see an ant, I instantly think they're going to bite!

Houston, we have liftoff...

2010-05-28T22:18:00.004-04:00

Savannah FINALLY used the potty tonight! It has only taken 18 months to convince her to use the potty.
This morning I sat her on the toilet in our bathroom and she wouldn't go, but tonight she told me she wanted to use the potty and she sat down on it.
A few minutes later she told me she peed and I looked inside to find a good amount of the yellow stuff in the potty.
Woo Hoo!

UPDATE: Savannah seems to have mastered the first part of potty training... remembering when she has to go #1. I eagerly await the completion of her training!

A last-minute reprieve...

2010-05-28T21:58:00.003-04:00

Like a death row inmate waiting for a call from the Supreme Court, Pat got an email today asking him to stay at the newspaper another month while they worked out kinks in their new system. He wasn't expecting it, but we're glad it came.
He agreed to stay and now we'll both have another month to find jobs.
I know he's not jumping up and down with excitement to be staying on at the paper, but he and I both know that it's better to have someone in the house working than both of us looking around at each other and wringing our hands wondering when another job was going to come.

Blog Hop Friday

2010-05-28T08:58:00.003-04:00

This is the first week I'm participating in the Blog Hop Friday and I hope to meet great people out there talking about their lives in the blog-o-sphere.
If this is your first visit to my blog I welcome you. This is where I share my thoughts and feelings with family and friends and where I hope you'll stop by and visit from time to time.
If you're coming back to my blog than I thank you for stopping by again.
Sharon:)

Thankful Thursday...

2010-05-27T17:36:00.002-04:00

Wow, this probably could not have come at a better time as this has not been the best week for me. We've got a lot of emotional things going on that I won't get into on the blog, but it's made for a lot of conversations between Hubby and I about how to handle things and what to do.
We also found out that Pat's job will probably end next week and although I know it's the best thing because he needs to concentrate on finding something new, it's also scary for someone who likes to have things planned out well ahead.
So, here are the things I'm thankful for:

1. My wonderful husband who has sacrificed his own happiness for the last two and a half years to take care of our family. He's been unhappy for a long time at his job and as the end nears I'm hopeful he or I one will find jobs that will make us happy.
I'm also thankful for how much he loves me as I think that love is really rare and I'm very lucky to have it.

2. I'm thankful for my two children, Savannah and Julius.
There are moments they make me laugh and moments they make me cry, but God blessed me with these children and I will fight to the death for them.

3. I'm thankful for my family and even if we don't always agree, I hope they respect and trust my decisions. Sometimes the right choices are not always the easiest ones, but I have to believe there is a better day of understanding ahead.

4. I'm thankful for the freelance work I've been able to do this week... it's nice to have contributed a little to the Fitzgerald Family coffers this month.

The end of the road....

2010-05-27T17:26:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Pat found out that his job at the newspaper would more than likely come to an end next week. Although I'm scared of what the future is going to bring for our little family, I'm eager for the stress of this job to be behind him and start looking forward towards the future.
We don't know where the job search will lead us and if he or I or both of us will have to return to work, but we'll face that when we get there.
Right now, we'll just spend the next few days waiting to see when his last day and preparing to say goodbye to the night shift (at least for a little while!).
If anyone knows of a great job in central Virginia please pass it along... and if we can't find one here, we might be packing our backs and moving to where the job is.

Julius' 15-month check-up...

2010-05-25T07:06:00.003-04:00

I took Julius in yesterday to get his 15-month check-up and he weighed in at 30.2 lbs. (in the 97th percentile) and measured in at 33 inches (in the 90th percentile for children his age).
He is a big boy!
When Dr. Mayo walked in the room, Julius had climbed into a seat and was sitting up like a big boy! He entertained her throughout our visit and she said he was looking great and she wasn't concerned over the fact he looks like he's already 2!
He's such a sweet boy (although he's already starting to have temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way or gets frustrated) and I wish all of you could meet him as he would give you a big smile and a hug!

I WON some PIRATE BOOTY!

2010-05-25T06:58:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Cindy at Little Yaya's (http://littleyayasandblessed.blogspot.com), my family will soon be enjoying a treasure chest filled with various types of Pirate's booty.
Cindi described these snacks as "all natural leaving out the artificial flavoring, colors, man-made chemicals, preservatives, or any ingredient that is synthetic and not derived from natural sources."
Please stop by her blog (click on the button above) and check out some of the other great contests she has going on over there.

Follow Me Back Tuesday...

2010-05-25T06:46:00.003-04:00

Here is another Follow Me Back Tuesday. Please click on the link to visit the sponsors and link to the list!
If you're stopping by to visit my blog for the first time, I want to say hello and that I hope you come back and visit from time to time.
Sharon:)

After the rain...

2010-05-20T16:14:00.002-04:00

We were finally able to play outside today after four days of steady rainfall... while the rain has been good for our little garden, it's has made both children really antsy.
The children and I spent about an hour and a half outside this afternoon and they had a blast running around and playing. It's just amazing to see how fast Julius can run and he tried to sneak into the front yard, but Mama caught him. It's still hard for me to believe he's already 15 months old... time is flying by so fast!
Like the old country song says, "Mama knows, Mama knows. Sometimes I think she's got a window to my soul."

Random Dozen...

2010-05-19T13:27:00.002-04:00

I thought this would be a fun exercise to do today as my mind wonders over things I can't change.

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? I would have to say it's my lasagna... I know all of the ingredients by heart and can put it together in a snap... although it still takes an hour to cook in the oven.

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) These days it's usually one of the kids... I can sometimes get away with leaving one of them with Pat when he's at home, but I rarely get to go anywhere alone.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? My in-laws house in Virginia Beach

4. Share one factoid of your family's history. My Grandma once employed a black maid who helped take care of my mother and the house where they lived. I just finished reading "The Help" and it's amazing to me that my mother had some of these experiences.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I .... used to live for the chance to write about someone else's life.

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? I would love a year's supply of income so we could take our time and look for a job that we could turn into a career.

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is .... I love way too much reality television. My husband swears I couldn't survive without the Amazing Race and Survivor... and part of me thinks he might be right.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? I would probably buy something for my children.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is watching my children. They usually each have moments in the day where they make me laugh... even if they're not trying to.

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? Make healthier eating choices and get in some exercise.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? Call someone up and let them know I love them and am thinking about them.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? Getting together with the other Moms at book club next week to talk about "The Help." It's a great book!

Follow Me Back Tuesday...

2010-05-18T09:02:00.001-04:00

This is a great way to check out more blogs and find new followers... if you're visiting my blog for the first time, I hope you'll find something entertaining and come back and read about our little family of four.

Mommy and Me Monday...

2010-05-17T09:18:00.005-04:00

I pulled out an oldie, but goody... the first official picture of me and my babies. There are times when I forget how lucky I am to be their Mama as they are two precious, wonderful children.

Fitzgerald Square Foot Garden - Day 1

2010-05-16T15:27:00.004-04:00

Instead of planting a garden directly in the ground, we constructed (Pat actually did most of the construction) a 4x4 wooden box to plant our garden in. This concept is called a square-foot garden and is meant for people who want to grow a garden in a small space.
After Pat hammered the wood together he and Savannah lined the bottom with newspaper and we filled it with Miracle Grow soil and we started a planting.
Our little garden (which has 16 spots) has corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, cantaloupes and watermelon. I also have a few okra plants and lettuce and spinach seeds that I need to find a space to plant in the yard later in the week.
I promise to keep you updated on out our project comes along... if we have veggies this summer it will be well worth the effort. Wish us luck!

My Mother's Day gift...

2010-05-16T07:56:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry to say it's taken me a week to post my Mother's Day gift. It's not because I'm ungrateful, but we've had two sick kids in the house this week and I've been working on a freelance story and looking for work.
Pat's job has held on, but we know it's just a few more weeks before his job at the newspaper will end. I'm really hopeful one of us will be well on our way to finding another job by that time.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of my Mother's Day gift. Those of you who have read my blog for a while might remember that I promised myself I would plant a garden once the snow finally melted from around our house.
Pat is holding me to that promise as he and the children gave me a few things to help me get started... the final picture is where on the side of the house I plan to plant my garden.
We've had a lot of rain here this week (and more expected in the days to come) so I haven't been able to get started yet... I hope I can get started today!

Follow Friday...

2010-05-14T19:35:00.001-04:00

I'm very late getting this up, but since it's been a crazy week around here I forgive myself and promise to check out a few blogs tonight and say hello.

New family picnic...

2010-05-14T18:28:00.002-04:00

Last night Pat took Savannah to the new family picnic at her school in Charlottesville. She was so excited to go to a picnic at school... she would be totally happy if they started the new school year next week as she's ready to go (although I think she's expecting to ride the bus!).
Julius and I stayed home because Julius has been battling a cold and I didn't want him outside in the elements. I did hate to miss meeting all of the other families because this is an annual event hosted by the current families to welcome the new families into the small community.
Pat said the group was filled with older parents and I'm excited to hear that... since Pat and I started out baby making late in the game it's nice to compare notes with others our own age.
Savannah met a new friend, Madison, and they seemed to hit it off fairly well... according to Pat. He refused to take the camera so I don't have any pictures to share... therefore I'll just post one of Savannah that I took in the last week.
We're excited about the days ahead and so glad Savannah is excited to go to school...

Mommy and Me Monday...

2010-05-10T08:56:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of test shots from Saturday... see, my girl can smile!

Julius time with Grammy and Papa...

2010-05-10T08:17:00.003-04:00

While Savannah was napping on Saturday, Julius had some time to be the center of attention for his grandparents. He had a blast going from one of them to the other and Pat and I enjoyed watching all three of them have a great time.

Mother's Day in Virginia Beach...

2010-05-08T22:18:00.003-04:00

We drove down to Virgina Beach last night to spend Mother's Day with my in-laws.
I have to admit that I hit the jackpot in the In-Laws Lotto as I love Pat's parents as if they were my own.
We went out for our usual "Shopping With Grammy" adventure, a favorite pastime of Savannah's and something she asked to do every time we visit. Even when we don't have anything specific to shop for, Savannah like getting out with Grammy (and Mama, Daddy and Julius) for a little time at the mall.
We usually focus so much on the children or Pat that I never pick out anything for myself... so day, I got to do a little shopping for myself and I enjoyed finding a few new items to wear this summer. I didn't enjoy waiting in line 20 minutes to try some of the clothes on, but I digress.
Here are a few pictures from our afternoon before and after our shipping adventure. I figure no one (including me) wants to see photos of me modeling my new clothes... so here are my cute kids instead!

Lessons my Mama taught me...

2010-05-08T17:21:00.002-04:00

1. My Mama taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.. I just finished cleaning."

2. My Mama taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet.."

3. My Mama taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My Mama taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My Mama taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My Mama taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My Mama taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My Mama taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My Mama taught me about CONTORTIONIST.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My Mama taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My Mama taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a bomb hit it."

12. My Mama taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My Mama taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.."

14. My Mama taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15.. My Mama taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My Mama taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My Mama taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My Mama taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My Mama taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My Mama taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My Mama taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My Mama taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My Mama taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My Mama taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:

25. My Mama taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Friday Follow #3...

2010-05-07T10:20:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it's Follow Friday again... seems like the weeks go by faster and faster the older we get!
I just wanted to say hello to all of you visiting my blog for the first time and wish all of you mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters a very Happy Mother's Day!
Don't forget to remember all of the special women in your life this weekend and every day!

The importance of a card...

2010-05-07T08:53:00.003-04:00

I love to give and receive cards.
Whether it's a thank you note or a card for a birthday or special occasion, I enjoy acknowledging people by sending them a little reminder they are on my mind. I certainly love to look in the mailbox and see that someone has send me a little piece of mail to let me know they were thinking of me, Pat or the children.
I'm not sure when I started my love of cards, but for a long time I kept every card ever sent to me. Those boxes have been purged over the years as moves have forced me to downsize, but I've kept those cards most important to me.
I started sending out cards as soon as I had my own money and I still try to remember special days or send little notes of thanks when someone does something nice for us.
Yesterday I received a beautiful Mother's Day card from Mom and Dad Fitzgerald (to those new to the blog they are my wonderful in-laws). Although we'll actually be with them on Mother's Day, it made me feel so special to have a card in the mail beforehand.
I think Mom has a master calendar with everyone's birthdays and anniversaries on it because she rarely fails to remember all of our special days. I don't know if she realizes how much her efforts mean to the recepients, but I know how much it means to all of us in this house.
The card reminded me to post a little tidbit on my blog to thank them and remind those of you who are reading this to get out and get that special card for the women in your life. You never know when that card can change the outlook of a day or make a difference to the recipient.

Before I was a Mom...

2010-05-06T09:53:00.003-04:00

This is a poem I got today and I wanted to share it with you... along with a few of the photos attached with it.
Happy Mother's Day to each of you women out there who are Mamas, sisters, grandmothers, aunts and just good friends.
Sharon:)

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

Send this to someone who you think is an awesome Mom.
May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life

A video for all Moms out there...

2010-05-06T00:20:00.000-04:00

One of my Facebook friends posted an Anita Renfroe video and I loved it so much I went to her page and found this one... and I've been saving it until it was close enough to Mother's Day to post.
Here it is for you enjoyment!

A Versatile award!

2010-05-05T19:27:00.007-04:00

Miss Angie at My So-Called Chaos was kind enough to award me and several other bloggers with a "The Versatile Blogger" award.
Thanks so much Miss Angie!

The Rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Rule #1 - Gratitude - Completed (see above.)

Rule #2
(7 Things about Me)

1. I used to cover cops and now I cover butts — and I'm always thankful for my current job.
2. I'm lucky to have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children who make my world complete.
3. I'm grateful for the sacrifices my Mama made for me and I hope I learned from the hard lessons she lived through.
4. I have to make myself go outside with my children as I've never been an outside person.
5. I really need to make more time for myself.
6. I have a spa gift certificate that I still haven't cashed in yet.
7. I'm grateful for all of the people who helped me along in life and try to pay forward whenever I can.

Rule #3
(15 Recently discovered worthy bloggers)

1. Happy Gramma at Happiest Family on the Block
2. Blue Violet at A Nut in a Nutshell
3. Cheeseboy at The Blog O Cheese
4. Jackie at My Perfect Little World
5. Kel at Between the Lines
6. Mellisa at Getting All My Ducks in a Row
7. Mama Cherry at Six Cherries on Top
8. K at Pull Up Your Potty Seat, this may take a while
9. Mama B at Mama B
10. The Ladies at From Blah to Ta-Daa
11. Melissa at Mommy Living the Life of Riley
12. Chubby Cheeks at Chubby Cheeks Thinks
13. Catherine at Catherine's Chatter
14. S.I.F. at Single Infertile Female
15. Amanda at My Nashville Nest

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-05-05T09:46:00.002-04:00