How can we do this to so many children ?

I hate that there are so many children that have to go many, many months and years without seeing their parents and living in fear that Mom or Dad might never come home.

Three months

Today marks three months since Emily passed away. I went to sleep last night and woke up this morning thinking about her. You know, I feel like I should be more depressed but I know Emily would have hated that.

Instead, I move forward with life, cleaning the deck, getting ready to add to pizzazz to it with new stain. I taught Katy today how to ride a bike without any training wheels or help. :) We went to the skate park and watch Gabe try and do a half-pike. Afterwards, Gabe, Katy and I went and ate ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s (one of Em’s favorite foods) and toasted her life with chocolate. We just sat, watched the fountain and all the people gathered around it and talked about their favorite “Aunt Em” stories.

Life to me to so precious, I think that more so after Emily's death. I almost feel like if you take life for granted, if you wallow in your own fears and short comings you are asking for bad karma to come your way. I guess that is the “damn optimist” in me. I have three friends right now that are all dealing with their fathers' having cancer and I think – Thank God all mine and Mike’s parents are healthy. I am so happy that a have a close relationship with all my families – no matter what state or country they are in.

I see friends who have a disabled child and I am so grateful my children are both happy and healthy. I am happy most days for the life I have. And if I wake up and wish for more I just try to remember to be thankful for what I have.

I wish Emily could have lived a long life. I would have loved to see us as old ladies – regaling stories of our youth. I understand she watches over Noah and Ashleigh like she never could have before. I am happy she finally has the peace and love she sought for so long.

“A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You're free at last.”
written en route for the funeral of, Ronnie Van Zant of the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I still miss you Em – but just know I feel your presence at the strangest times and know you are okay.

No move to NYC for us ....

As some of you may have seen AOL is moving their corporate headquarters to NYC. That does not mean that where Mike works is closing. In fact, they just opened another daycare center on the Dulles Campus, so that might give an indication that the 4,000 people there will stay put.

In the Washington Post today...." The company said that while senior executives would depart for Manhattan, most of the 4,000 employees at the Dulles campus would remain. "

Good for us -- I would hate to try and have the 5 of us live in a 1000 sq ft apt for $3000 a month in Manhattan. ;)

Coming soon....

Katybug...a retrospective look...coming soon...the first nine years. :)

We are getting ready today for Katy's 9th Birthday Party tomorrow. This year it get to be on her birthday !! And since we have a heated outdoor pool in Reston she gets pool party. In fact it is a High School Musical Swim Party and Sleepover -- with a sing along to HSM. Just can't wait for that. :)

Here is a sneak preview of Katy's nine years of photos......

Katy, age 3, in St. Pete Florida

Katy, age 8, at the wedding in June

School starts back today !

WOW !! Katy and Gabe in 4th and 5th grade !! When we moved to Virginia, Bri was only in 4th grade and now she is a freshman in high school. Adam, now a freshman in college !!

This year Katy and Gabe start a new school. I little different for them because they went to Beech Tree since Kindergarten. Here are some photos I have taken of Katy and Gabe the 1st day of every school year for the past 6 years. This morning Gabe would not let me take the photo at the school ...nor could I walk him to class. :) (In case you wonder where Adam is..that was the time when it was not "cool" to have your mom following you with a camera. )

Today, 2007 ! 5th and 4th grade !

2006-- Katy, 3rd and Gabe, 4th grade

2005 - Katy, 2nd and Gabe, 3rd grade

2004 - Katy, 1st and Gabe, 2nd grade

2003 - Katy, Kindergarten and Gabe, 1st grade

2003 - 1st year in Virginia and Gabriel 1st day of kindergarten. He is getting a hug from big sister Briana, 4th grade, and little sister Katy, who is in Pre-k at St. Phillips at that time.

WOW...can you say time flies!!

Last day for pool fun

Today is the last day for Glade Pool, the one 2 minutes from our house, to be open for the summer. So, in honor of the closing we went and swam for 3 hours, had pizza for dinner at the pool and just enjoyed the last lazy day of summer before school starts tomorrow. :) Katy does still get to have a pool party though because there are two heated pool in Reston that stay open until Sept 30th. Whee !

Ice cream truck visits the pool for a last minute treat

Gabe coming out of the cold blue water

Katy, now a big time swimmer, has been practicing her strokes

Katy FINALLY goes off the diving board -- whee !

Great Country Fun

On Saturday, Mike and I decided that we need a day out with the kids, away from the house...so we drove out to the country, across the hills and streams of Loudoun County to Great Country Farms.

Of course everyone else had the same idea so it was PACKED. We had to wait 1 1/2 for pancakes but in spite of that we did end up having fun. We got to pick potatoes fresh out of the field and that night we had so many that I made some homemade mashed potatoes -- which were enjoyed by all. :)

Here are a few photos from the day......

Mike and the donkeys -- they are having a heart-to-heart chat

Gabe and Mike try to fiqure out on of the mazes at the farm

Me and Katy -- she is resting for a moment on the way to pick potatoes

Hurrying through the field getting fresh potatoes

This spud is for you
My favorite photo of the day -- Gabe in the apple orchard