Some people were just meant to be family.

At different times in your life, you cross paths with people that were just meant to be family.  People that you instantly form an unexplainable bond ... a bond that is sure to last a lifetime.  Growing up I had best friends that might as well been family.  We did everything together, spent time with each others families, and formed friendships that would last forever.  Distance, time, and grown up responsibilities sometimes get in the way of these friendships, but when we do get the time to catch up, it's just like it's always been.  We've built those bonds that will last a lifetime ... we were meant to be family.  

Then there are friends that Jim and I met in Florida, that made us feel like we weren't so far from home.  Quickly becoming our "Florida Family," we were so blessed for their friendship, help, and continued support.  It may have been a different time in our life, but the same bond was created ... a bond that will last a lifetime ... we were meant to be family.

Over the winter we received the news that our friends would be moving.  Moving?! No!!!!! Then we found out they were moving to Baltimore and we were ecstatic with the news!  After all, if they were going to move, at least they were moving to a place where we spend much of our time.  I must say... now that they are here and as happy as we are for them, it's made us realize that we won't have any family in Florida when we return home.

God places people in our lives that are special ... and those special people were just meant to be family. 

Much success on our road trip for our first visit to the Brancas :)

Abby was quite excited!

The new house is beautiful.  It's in an area much like my parents, providing a nice getaway from city living.  Peaceful, calming, and so pretty!  We went for a nice walk, played in GRASS!, made rice krispie treats and a huge mess, and enjoyed time with some awesome people.  (missed you Danny and Stephen!)

Thank you Branca family for always making us feel so welcome in your home.  Thank you for making us feel like part of your family. :)

P.S.  Don't you love that picture of Levi getting revenge on his sister???? 

Happy Memorial Day! :)

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day!

Then there is this ...

Just had to include the "out-takes" .... typical photos with both kids. :)

Happy Memorial Day!

Wordless Wednesday - Random phone pics :)

Just a few notes :)

- As you can tell, Levi loves yogurt and loves making the mess that goes with eating it!

- Abby and her friend Sadie have had a blast face timing together... the picture is a little blurry because they were jumping on their beds.... together, yet so far away. :(

- Levi is a bit obsessed with other babies .... it's super cute!

One of my favorite "firsts"

Early this morning I started writing about how hard it is to be a baseball wife.  How hard it is to be a baseball mommy.  Always multitasking, always on the go, always busy, always exhausted.  But instead of focusing on the challenging parts of mommyhood, I'm choosing to focus on the moments that mean the most ... and the ones that always make me smile and proud to be a Mama.  

Wordless Wednesday - Blowing Kisses

Disclaimer: Please excuse his messy eating habits and long hair.  (This was pre haircut)

And as cute as this is, I'm happy to say he can now blow kisses the real way. :)

Aaarrgghhh!

I love when spontaneity takes over and a lazy afternoon around the house turns into a fun adventure out with friends.  That's what happened to us last Saturday and it was just perfect.  

Let's first back up to last summer.  Living on the harbor and having a beautiful promenade to walk, the kids and I got into the habit of taking evening walks after dinner.  It was a great way to ease into the bedtime routine and we were able to feed ducks, sometimes get ice cream, and often times spot "the pirate ship."  We would stop and watch the pirate ship, witness all the commotion on board the ship, listen to the loud music, and most importantly ... watch the passengers aboard the ship shoot water on the bad pirate circling the big ship in his little powerboat.  It's quite the scene!  I debated taking Abby lsat summer because she showed so much interest, but ultimately was worried the noise aboard the ship would be too loud for her oversensitive little ears.  

Then Saturday came along.  We had a busy morning at Abby's tball game, so a restful afternoon was in store and maybe some dinner with friends in the evening.  While both kids napped, the phone rang, and just like that plans were made to ride the pirate ship that afternoon.  We quickly found a sitter for little man, so us Mamas could have some time with just our big kids.  It was exactly what Abby and I both needed!

Upon boarding the ship, we were outfitted with some pirate vests, sashes, and tattoos.  We were taught some pirate lingo that would be needed for the ride.  The story of "Mad Dog Mike" was told and we set out to sea for our adventure.  

Abby really got into it.  She listened intently to the stories being told, participated in all the dancing, loved the limbo, and enjoyed shooting the bad pirate with water out of the cannons.  I think having the boys with us was a great distraction from the loud sounds and she only plugged her ears a few times.  The kids left the ship happy with treasure, swords, and telescopes.  Abby slept with her sword that night and is currently hiding it from her brother in her closet.  :) 

Thanks to awesome friends for an awesome spontaneous day! We had so much fun! :)

Wordless Wednesday - My little fireman :)

While we were visiting Gramma & Grandad this past Sunday, Levi was able to sit in a firetruck at the firehouse.  What a nice surprise! :)

He took it all in .... wanted to look and touch everything.  Who knows ... maybe we have a future fireman on our hands?  :)