{wordless wednesday: ring pop}

{new york!}

It's about time I share with you all a little of New York.

We woke up early Thursday morning. Of course, I woke up a little earlier than B because I am the type of girl who can't shower the night before and get up, get dressed, and feel good all day long. I need that hot shower to wake up and get moving. Our flight was an early one! I quickly got dressed in my excitement. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little nervous about boarding the plane. I'm also a girl who likes to know what to expect. So new experiences usually make me a little antsy. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't almost cry as I went and kissed my girls in the middle of their comfortable sleep. But, we were quickly on our way.

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to check in and get through security checkpoints. There was a little delay at baggage check in due to some flight changes that had taken place, but after a few minutes that was all figured out as well.

We didn't have a window seat on the flight up. I was a little anxious about that.. I really wanted a window seat.. I needed to see what was going on! When we boarded I was excited to see that the window seat was still vacant. I quickly plopped down in it and prepared to have to beg to stay there. Much to my surprise the guy frequent flier who held the ticket to that seat could have cared less.

Our flight was great. I didn't even panic like I expected myself to. Well maybe once, when we almost had a delay on the runway because of air traffic in Atlanta, which would have meant we would miss our connection to New York. Instead we had 15 minutes to change planes and had to run through the airport to make our next flight. Have to keep things exciting right? Up above the clouds...



Our landing in New York was a little bumpy. I didn't have much to compare it to, but much rougher than the first... so I was excited to just get off and make our way into the city!!

We jumped in a cab and took off.. Just like we had planned. We had no agenda on this trip. Just to get there and go where the city took us and to enjoy every minute of it!

Just a FEW of my thoughts on NY:
*we are already planning our next visit!
*you must be ready to walk - and walk fast!
*visiting ground zero will give you a totally different feeling about 9/11...
*cab rides are more scary than flying
*you won't lack a starbucks - there is one on every corner - and there is a reason they are there... you need the coffee to keep up!
*NY style pizza is delicious!
*it is the place to shop
*the subway is confusing!
*the city never sleeps!
*there really are food vendors lined up and down the streets
*it is noisy- cab horns really do honk 24/7... ok maybe just 22/7.
*don't talk on your cell phone and try to cross the street.. you will almost be hit.
*if you walk past a "statue" on the ferry.. chances are it's a live statue.
*a picture with elmo will cost you $1.
*dancing on the big piano will make you feel like a big kid!
*the city at night is... breathtaking!
*central park is beautiful.. you need a full day just to spend there!
*times square= fun.. even if you just sit and people watch
*Chinatown is just something you have to experience. you come away with great purses, too!


Many of you had asked was there a special occasion for this trip and the answer is no. We've both always wanted to visit New York and we as mommy and daddy were much overdue for an "us" vacation. We've never gone anywhere without the girls and we rarely even leave them anywhere overnight. We had decided that the city would be the perfect destination for our get-a-way.

I can't even begin to post all the photo's I took on this trip so I created a slideshow. (It's fairly long - I'm sorry - I couldn't help myself). And this is only a portion, but it hits the highlights of our trip! May have to post more later!




We are already planning our next trip.

{remembering 9/11}

It's hard to believe its been eight years.

">

I remember the day like yesterday. It's all so clear in my mind. I was in my car, sitting at the red light in town right infront of McDonalds. News came across the radio... I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That day forever changed the hearts of ever American.

It was so different to be in New York last week and visiting Ground Zero. Brad and I spent a lot of time there. I can't even begin to describe the feelings being there stirred up in me, the emotions.



We walked down the street and imagined what the people of New York witnessed that day. The shock, the horror, the sadness. I mean what would you do if you were walking down the street on any ordinary morning and a plane flew into the building you were possibly about to walk into? The your husband, wife, family member or friend could be in? If you got a phone call from your husband who was on a plane that was highjacked?



We were able to even talk with some New York residents, they shared stories and information. I still get chills. I heard over and over, this is not the same city it was before 9/11/01. "This changed the attitude of the city, of the people here.."





I feel like their just aren't adequate words to even describe. I'll never forget the most tragic day our nation has ever seen.

{wordless wednesday: er style}

I am somewhat proud to admit that in my almost five years of parenting that last night was our first trip to the emergency room. It was no surprise to me that it was for Avery. She heads up the excitement department around here. We actually laughed that we haven't landed ourselves there with her before and for something like a piece of styrofoam up her nose to be the reason of the visit.

We tried everything to remove it on our own without making our way downtown, but we were unsuccessful. We even tried the local fire department, but they didn't have a tool small enough. Trust me I was a little freaked out as we waited 3 hours in a waiting room full of people wearing yellow masks. At 11:00 we finally were given a room, at 11:20 I finally got Avery to close her eyes and of course at 11:40 the doctor comes in. Once we finally saw a doctor the process went fast. The process was no fun! She cried and I cried! After it was removed I was a little shocked at how large a piece, she never complained once in the hours it was stuck up there! He warned us that if this was the first time she may try some trick like this again... lets hope not!

{we are home! and totally addicted to the city!!}

We had such a wonderful time. I am a little tired..... it is true the city never sleeps!!

More soon!

{leavin' on a jet plane}

Yes, for the first time in my 27 years I'm going to board an airplane. (A little pathetic isn't it?? but true!). B and I leave for NYC early in the morning. I am so excited that I haven't had the time to think about being anxious, but I'm sure that time will come in the morning as I'm moving through security checkpoints!

I also haven't had the time to think about being childless for a little over 3 days. I know my girls will be in wonderful hands, so I'm not nervous about that. BUT, I've only ever left them overnight less than a handful of times. So, yes this trip is overdue and I'm really excited about it. But, you mommy's know how it is... I know I'm going to miss them terribly. I only hope they miss me half as much!! :)

Please pray for our safe travels and that I don't panic when our plan hits the runway. I'm only half kidding!

Talk to you all soon!

{wordless wednesday}

{quiet around here only means one thing........}

The girls were playing in their playroom yesterday. It was so quiet. I decided I'd take advantage of them occupying each other and instead of peeking in and distracting them that I would go ahead and start doing the dishes. After about 10 minutes I heard the patter of their feet running through the living room.

Much to my surprise this is what I saw...



That's right...big sister decided to give sissy a makeover with markers. Most everyone knows that my children, particularly Delaney, often times create a little body art with markers. So was I really surprised? No... But you should have seen their faces. They were oh so proud at what they had done. Of course, I just had to laugh. When my house is quiet there is always something mischievous going on...



Quickly, D decided it was time to try to clean her baby sister up...



It was just another Monday! :)