This house...

This house is our home. It only stays clean for a few hours (if we are lucky) and constantly has noise in it--laughter, crying, shouting, playing, talking, strategizing, plotting, loving words. Our house is busy. Crazy. Like a circus at times really. Everyone talking at once. All at once. Well, except Carly who get her cries and screams in likewise. Lot of noise. We love it. Well okay, maybe every once in a while it is a bit much, but really, I don't know what to do with myself on those rare occasions that it is quiet. On any given day you might find this in our house...

A little bit of goofy!


Children ripping through their Easter treasures!


Children hunting for a MASSIVE amount of Easter eggs!


Marshmellows being roasted California style in our backyard!


Blanket forts taking up the whole family room!


A child dressed as a princess hiding out in her brother's room!

Blessings

I have mentioned this many times before, but we are truly blessed in our lives by incredible family, and friends that are family, that continually surround us every day. These are a few of Carly's "admirers'" I thought I got a picture of everyone but alas am missing a few...like my dear, awesome, incredible friend Courtney who came to visit me in the hospital and even brought me Valentine sugar cookies! My terrific, inspiring co-worker and friend Fran...she is the kind of person anyone would be lucky enough to work with and learn from. My beautiful friend Krista that is incredible at everything she does in life....she came to the house to see Carly and of course brought Dylan and Emma gifts too. When she pulled up, D and E were out playing with my mom. They asked Krista if she was here to see the new baby, to which she replied, "I am here to see you too!" Incredible! I also failed to get a picture of Carly with my Dad while he was here with my mom. He is the most amazing grandfather with patience beyond meaning. Dylan and Emma ADORE him! Below are pictures of more amazingly, incredible people that bless our family....




Carly with her godfather, Uncle Mike! We love our Uncle Mike!



Carly with my mom...truly as incredible as moms get. My friend Krista said if you look up the word "saint" the definition would be Sandy...my mom!



Carly with "Miss Kari" as D and E call her...a truly inspiring mom, friend, and person. We were blessed when we moved into our neighborhood three years ago and my children found another home away from home at her house.



Carly with Auntie Julie...the "bestest" friend anyone could EVER ask for. She is amazing, gifted, and loving beyond words.



Love. Need I say more?



Carly with Grammy "J"...Julie's mom, who continually loves my children as her own grandchildren. Julie's love and support are mirrored by her mother always.



Carly with one of her biggest fans, Zachy! He loved her from the moment he saw her. We love you Zachary!

Of course!

He adores her and of course she adores him!

Life with 3....

Am I tired? Of course.

Do I feel overwhelmed? Of course.

Can I get it all done? Of course not.

Do I think I can get it all done? Of course.

Am I loving every minute our sweet newborn cuddles up and sleeps on me? Of course.

Do I love watching how much Dylan and Emma love their new baby sister? Of course.

Has this child blessed us beyond anything we ever imagined? Of course.

Do I sometimes what to cover my ears running from all the whining, crying, and arguing? Of course.

Do I love my family more than anything? Of course.

Would I trade any of this for anything else? Of course not.

Is having a newborn a ton of work? Of course.

Is it all worth the snuggles? Of course.

Are Dylan and Emma the best of friends and worst of enemies? Of course.

Do they take care of eachother no matter what? Of course.

Does my heart overflow with love repeatedly? Of course!

Carly Elizabeth

More pictures to come soon.... :-)

Blast from the past....

Just thought I'd share this picture that my mom just emailed me of my sister and I when we were younger. I would guess that it was around 1982 with me being around 4 1/2 or 5 and my sister close to 2.




It made me think about how fast time truly does go by with our little ones. Now my parents are grandparents! After looking at this picture of me, I'm not sure if Dylan and Emma really look that much like me. :-)

We had a fun dinner with our neighbor friends tonight and let the kids stay up a little later than usual. They were great, until we got home of course. Isn't that how it always goes? :-) Emma was sobbing that, "I'm really not tired mommy!" Yeah right, we can tell! Just yesterday Emma and I were watching a cartoon together and she told me, "Mommy I like Curious George." Me: "Oh really, why?" Em: "He makes naughty choices sometimes just like me." I was laughing out loud.

Someday these memories of my kids will be a "blast from the past" as well, as they grow up so quickly right before my eyes. I hope I can always remember to cherish every moment, even the screaming and crying and tantrum filled ones, as much as I possibly can.

Resolutions for 2009...

Two new posts in two days? Gasp! After I haven't written in months, literally. I guess this mini two week vacation has motivated me to be more productive, and let's face it, I am more rested on vacation and not falling asleep on the couch at 8 each night! My wonderful children have been sleeping in to 7:30/8:00 each morning, and we have all been enjoying naps or "rest time," Last week, my husband was off all week Monday-Sunday which was a huge help for me! The kids were in heaven! Ryan works alot so this was a real treat for all of us. (Well, not for the bank account as he was on a furlough and not getting paid, but he has a job and we are thankful!).

So, what will you resolve to do in 2010? One of my resolutions is to enjoy as much time as possible with my three (soon to be four) superheros....



Aren't they just adorable? They were so fun this past Halloween and trick or treated for an hour and a half, running from house to house. Dylan was enamored with his "ninja" of a dad. Did I dress up? Of course I did. I went as Ryan! :-) Complete with golf shoes, golf club, hat, shirt, the works. He thought it was terrific.

I guess mine is more of a hope than a resolution for 2010. I hope that we continue to have as many wonderful family memories as 2009 blessed us with. Not a day passes that Ryan and I don't find our selves laughing out loud or under our breath at our silly children. We are bonded in so many ways. We can't wait to add another little girl to our crazy, loving, fun family. 2010 is sure to bring great memories!

I'll be home for Christmas (If only in my dreams....)

Looking back on 2009, we have had so very many wonderful memories and blessings! One of my fondest memories will always be having four generations in my house for Thanksgiving at the same time. Grandpa and Grandma from Florida, Mom and Dad from Washington, my sister and I, and our children. Here is a picture of all of us that I will always have fond memories of!




Dylan and Emma with their cousin Kaili, my sister's little girl.



Grandpa and Grandma with their Great-Grandchildren! :-)



My parents with my family!



So although I could not be home for Christmas this year because of being 33 weeks pregnant, I was there in spirit, and have wonderful memories of my times my family spends together. My dad is always so wonderful at pointing out how important it is that we create our own memories and traditions as the Harlow family in Aliso Viejo, CA. He is right. I try to carry on many of the same traditions that I loved as a child. But most importantly, as seen from the Thanksgiving pictures above, my greatest love in life is my family. Cherish the times together, no matter how crazy they may seem as you are living them, because those moments don't happen near enough or last long enough. Family is forever.