Joey turns 4!

It's hard to believe that life ever existed before this little man. Four years ago today, he came into our family and filled our home with love, happiness, and gratitude. I had always heard motherhood was something you couldn't put into words. Until I had Joey, I didn't understand what it meant to love someone or something unconditionally. He has taught me how to be patient and empathetic. He is the first person I see each morning and the second to last person I kiss goodnight. Every day I learn something new about life from his perspective. 

Top four reasons that make Joey the very best:

1) His love for life.

2) His contagious smile

3) His facial expressions when telling a story.

4) His pure heart. 

Matteo's pirate face!

Eden knocked the pinata down!

See you later

The hardest part about being so far away from home is being without family. Thankfully we've made friends here who we now consider family. Being in the same situation has brought us closer. We help each other like sisters, in time of need. When other opportunities come that take my dear friends to far away lands, a piece of my heart goes with them. This is not goodbye, this is see you later.

End of Summer Block Party

As sad as it is to accept, summer has come to a close. What better way to finish the summer fun than to celebrate with snow cones, pizza, games, cotton candy, bouncy houses, and body paint. Yes please!

I love these pudgy little dirty fingers. 

First day of Preschool

This is my first born, my heart, my joy, my Joey. We do everything together, morning, noon, and night. I had no idea how hard this day would be for me. In the weeks leading up to the beginning of the school year, he had a tough time adjusting back to "normal" life. We'd just gotten back from ten weeks away from home on a wonderful summer vacation. I was looking forward to him starting school, so that he would have something that was only his. Sharing with his brothers is taxing on a little boy. But when the day actually came, I was a wreck. I had no idea that three hours a day without him would feel like a lifetime. This is the beginning of him not needing me anymore. To be honest, it's painful. The only saving grace of all of this change, is how happy school has made him. I wouldn't trade his excitement for learning and story telling for anything in the world.