Days with the Dorans

We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and to say that it was hard to go back to school was an understatement.  Perhaps the best part about the weekend was that we didn't have any baseball!  It was so nice to hang out as a family and not have to race from one field to another texting each other updates. There was of course baseball in the yard, Joe and Al teaching the Littles Patriotic songs while  sporting their homemade hats (I am horrible and didn't get a picture with Ali in her's), food and of course fun at the lake.  We (or should I say the Boys) got all the stuff in the lake (boats/ dock/ hoists...) and then we relaxed and just enjoyed the lake.  We also had our friends (newlyweds that I (STRESS ON THE I) set up), Angie and Ty over.  Thankfully we survived the evil swans and it was a great start to what will be many more summer days at the lake. One of the other huge highlights of the weekend was that Jeff and I actually accomplished some...

So I recognize that this is not the most flattering picture, but in going back through pictures and trying to play 'catch-up' in my late-night blogging I realized I didn't have a good picture showing the new holes in Ali's mouth.  This was the best I had and maybe I will take a new one and update it later (but who I am kidding... I shouldn't even be blogging with my long list of 'to-dos'. A couple Fridays ago, I got an email from Ali's teacher warning me that Ali would be looking a little different when I next saw her... she lost TWO teeth in school.  Because it was a Friday, it was a 'sleep-over' day.  Ali didn't want the Tooth Fairy to miss her so she left directions (taped to our hallway with stickers) from her room to the 'Sleep Over' room... Zach's Room Leave me a note. I am pleased to announce that the Tooth-Fairy did in fact find Ali (thanks to her directions) and also left her a note. (Sheesh... my ...

I love to write.  That being said when I write I usually write really quickly (with not much time to think about my word choice etc).  As a student I would wait until the last minute and usually kick out a great paper (there is a story in there about my final paper for my Master's but that is perhaps for another day). So, the night before we were going to give Joe his bible (an hour before midnight), I began to think about and then immediately write a letter to him that I would write in his bible.  I compose on the computer so I typed my thoughts in 'word' and was proud that I kept them to a page. It was amazing how easily my words (and tears) flowed.  I had tossed ideas and phrases around in my head in the weeks leading up but what I wrote just came out easily.  I shared it on facebook to get feedback from friends but started re-writing my words in Joe's bible (in my handwriting) immediately.  I didn't really give myself time for revisions... I the...

Mother's Day is always so bitter sweet for me.  I try not to make it this way, but it always seems to be that way (or maybe it's just me waking up on the wrong side of the bed).  Again this year, Jeff had to lead worship at church so he was gone early and I was on my own to get the fabulous four fed, dressed and to church on time.  Jeff's mom was able to come down and join us so I wanted to get ready a little earlier than usual (which amazingly, I managed). We met my folks at church where my dad brought all us moms (My mom, Jeff's mom and me) flowers.  My dad is a C, E & M Christian (the M being for Mother's Day) after his Uber-Catholic upbringing. Church was nice.  I loved the sermon and was moved by the music.  I always tend to cry on Mother's Day and I hate that a little.  I am so blessed to overflowing~ to want one (or two) more things seems so selfish and yet I think about those two babies that are not with me. After church we headed to my...

When I have no words... I usually make a video! (Click on the word "video" above...)

I had been looking forward to my niece Maddy's 3rd birthday for a while.  I remember when Ali turned three, her Auntie Jodi and Eric took her to  make her very own Build-a-Bear!  It was such fun and she still loves "Ruby" ( which of course I did a blog about way back when she was three! ) .  Ali made another bear (named Natalie) at her friend Natalie's birthday party and those bears have really been favorites for her.  The experience of making the bears is what is the best.  Steph was originally going to come and we were going to make it a girl's day but she had to work out of town so my mom came and snapped pictures which was wonderful because of course I had to document the day. When we got to Build-a-Bear Maddy found a pink bear that she wanted almost immediately.  There was a bit of a line, so my mom kept our place while the girls and I shopped for the perfect outfit for Maddy's bear.  She liked just about everything but when we got to...

Beautiful Ballerinas!  A few Saturdays ago, it was dance picture day for Ali!  It was a busy day for us that began at 8:00 for her to get her hair, makeup and nails done (the competition girls do this for the to raise money).  We were there pretty much all day (while Jeff was at the ball fields watching the boys' games).  Al had a lot of fun especially with her two friends Amber and Victoria.  Amber is in all of Al's classes (and was in ballet with her last year) and Victoria is in tap and ballet with Al but has tumbling on a different night.  Victoria's mom sent me these pictures of the girls which were much better than the pictures I snapped with my phone.  I didn't really think about blogging about picture day so didn't take any of the girls in their tumbling costumes, but since I did have a little video in that costume too, I decided to put together a quick video of the girls having fun (I love how easy iMovie is!). Terrific Tappers! ...

Sarah and Me taking our self portrait! (We have many of these!) I love my children, but I will be the first to admit that a night out without them with Jeff and my friends was the best thing ever!  We met our friends (the Millers) at Hockey Town and grabbed a bite to eat (and some drinks) before making our way to the CoPa to watch the Tigers play.  I love the Millers!!  Like us, they have an angel and there is something about that that binds you.  We had a great time at dinner and though I had two drinks, this (usual non-drinker... or at least one drink) girl was feeling those two drinks before we even made it to our seats! The game was AWESOME!  Some people were sitting in our regular seats so we went a few seats down (no biggie).  I ended up sitting next to Sarah and two men that I met (one in his late 60s, the other in his early 70s).  I loved these guys!!  We talked the entire game!  I learned all about them... their families......

Our Christian Dog... Praying for Sean to drop some food...  I am hoping to play some major catch up on my blogging this week.  With everything going on at school and with our kitchen remodel, I am having a hard time sleeping.  I kick out these thoughts (blogs) usually quite quickly (typing is so much faster than writing things by hand...). Earlier in the month Jeff and I started taking classes at our church so that we could get a bible and present it to Joe in front of the congregation.  While (to be honest) I felt like I knew what the classes covered, it was good to stop, take time and remember what really is number one.  With all our other 'kid' stuff, God was 2nd so the classes were really good for us.  And so (as per my homework) I scheduled a 'fun night' that we could have with the kids, and spend some time with God. Of course, there are NO days that we have nothing going on.  The least busy day, Jeff still had practice (ironically at c...

It is not like me to go so long without blogging about our daily adventures and I will be playing some major catch-up (hopefully starting tomorrow).  In case you are wondering where I've been... work, ball fields, dance classes, work at home, and oh yes... unpacking our kitchen.  We are in the midst of bumping out walls and adding some square footage to the house.  No sink with four kids at home... Pele's face says exactly what I am thinking... what the heck were we thinking??