Days with the Dorans

As I begin to write about the Bigs' ball season, I realized I took some video (via my phone) so put it together in a fun video.

 I'm Baaaaacckk... I closed my classroom Friday, Ali had her recital, all Bigs have officially FINISHED baseball and I feel like I can finally EXHALE (and catch up on blogging)! Jeff finished school a week before I did and unlike us Elementary School Teachers, Secondary Teachers tend to close up their classrooms pretty quickly so instead of going to school my final week, the Littles got to stay home with dad. I don't think that it has really sunk in that Z will be going to kindergarten next year.  I took a picture of him with his teacher (the wonderful Miss Beth) but it didn't really feel like goodbye.  Miss Beth gave me an AWESOME journal filled with "Zachisms" that I can't wait to post here.  I also got a disc of pictures of both Zach and Sean and their adventures at school.  I feel so blessed for the wonderful beginning all of our children have gotten from their preschool.  But all good things must come to an end and so Z says fare-thee-well to ...

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...)