Grateful

I went to the memorial for those fallen in Patrick's battalion on Friday. Honestly, I had mixed feelings about going. On one hand, I wanted to go and pay my respects. On the other hand,I was not looking forward to the guaranteed sadness and heartbreak. In the past, I've had the opportunity to go to various battalion memorials, but I've never gone. I WON'T MISS ANOTHER ONE. It was truly a beautiful ceremony with a visual memorial to each of the 13 slain Marines. But, what really got to me and made me realize how important it was to attend these ceremonies, were the individual eulogies given by fellow Marines to each of the fallen Marines. It was so important to hear these stories; to hear about the men they were, not just the Marines they were.(I call them men but most of them were around 20 years old.) Most importantly, it made me extremely grateful. Not just for their sacrifice, but for the fact that my husband didn't have to make that same sacrifice. As I watched the family members of the Marines go up to the memorials and say their goodbyes; I couldn't help but think how easily that could have been me. How easily I could have been the one taking my children up to say goodbye to their Daddy. It's just a roll of the dice. Just like that. Everything gone but emptiness and sadness. So, as I do my daily worrying of bill paying, diaper changing, and toilet cleaning; I'm going to think about that now. That could have been us.

Stay Off of the Sidewalks!

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!

My Dearest Lucky,

Happy 35th Birthday! I still can't believe that you are only 5 years from forty, which is only 20 years from 60, which is only 40 years from 100! Thank god I am still young. Anyway, it's hard to express everything I feel in my heart for you on your special day. There is too much to say and mushy is just not us. Just know that I love you, I've always loved you, and I always will. You are a tremendous man. I am proud to be your wife.

Starfall

My baby girl is going to Kindergarten next year. That is the sad truth. I feel like I've failed her in the Pre K readiness department. When she was my only child; we did educational stuff all the time. She could speak in sentences at 12 months and knew her ABCs by 18 months. Then, I became the baby factory. After the boys came, McKenna lost alot of that one on one time with me and it's showing. She does great with counting,shapes, cutting, gluing, motor skills (ie jumping on one foot, etc.) Her writing and phonics skills are not so good. I feel horrible because I am a teacher, my kid should have the advantages. So, I've been really buckling down to get her ready and she is making tremendous leaps! Someone suggested getting her on the website, Starfall, to help. THIS SITE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I highly recommend it for any child that needs help with reading and phonics at any level. The best part is that it is FREE!

This is for you Papa and Coco

After immense email pressure from my Aunt Carol and Uncle John (Coco and Papa), I have updated my blog with pictures from their visit in October. We love you very much and thanks for taking the pictures. By the way, Aunt Coco makes some awesome quilts!



Make a Smilebox slideshow

How to Survive the House of Knapp

Diggy has learned how to cope with his insane life...meditation and adorableness. Happy 2 months Kane! Mommy loves you very much. Thanks for being so mellow in a household of crazies.

Sir Smilesalot

Kane, a.k.a Diggy, a.k.a. Sir Smilesalot is becoming quite animated. Everything is hilarious to him. (He's probably thinking that someone's playing a big joke on him.) His favorite person to smile at: Sissy of course.