Worst. Blogger. Ever.

Yep, I am officially the worst blogger ever. I have not posted since April, and now have Meredith's birthday, Nathan's birthday, Mother's Day, End of school year parties, summer fun, father's day and fourth of July to post. And info about my job, VBS, and the new business I am starting. And I can't even start updating the posts right now because the children need to be fed, cleaned and dressed so we can run off to Gymnastics. Perhaps I shall have time to blog again when I am retired and the children are grown...If I can still remember anything that happened by then! Keep an eye out, I will try to start catching up with pics soon!

Matt's first 5K

Matt ran his first 5K after less than 2 months of training. He ran in the Redbud Classic in OKC and finished in 38 minutes. The hills were brutal for him, since he had been running in our neighborhood, and it was very hot at 2 p.m. when the race started. Nathan and I went and cheered him on, we are so proud of him! Then, the next weekend he ran in his 2nd 5K, the Remember the 10 in Stillwater. He finished that one in 32 minutes, and was happy to have shaved that time off. Crazy! I am not sure I would run even if I was being chased, so I don't get the whole "runner" thing, but I am so proud of him for sticking with it, and we had a great time waiting for him to cross that finish line! Go Matty!

Bella baby

We have our puppy! We wanted to get a puppy for the kids as a birthday present, so we looked around, figured out we wanted a goldendoodle (my dream dog ever since I first saw one) because they are hypo-allergenic and very sweet and good with kids. We found a breeder we liked and a price we could afford and waited for 7 long weeks...and now our little Bella is here!

Yep, I wrote that last part 2 weeks ago...puppies are not conducive to sleep, clean houses or extra time on the computer! So anyway, here is our little girl!

Toothless grin

Meredith came home on Monday with her first loose tooth. On Thursday she was eating her chocolate bunny and said "Hey, I just lost my first tooth! But I accidentally swallowed it. Oh well, we will have to leave a note for the tooth fairy." She is so matter-of-fact about everything! So, the tooth fairy came and left her a dollar, and forgot to take the note. We figure she must not need it since it was not a tooth. And here is our toothless girl!

Easter 2010 pictures

Here is what Easter looked like this year at the Donovan house...

The kids woke up and followed their trails (a tradition the Gerstenberger Easter bunny started) to their Easter baskets. Meredith picked hers up, Nathan commented on the "num-nums" on the floor and after picking up and eating the first 5 or so on his trail, followed the trail to the pantry, found his basket and went to watch Meredith. Leaving his basket behind, of course.

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I made Easter Bunny pancakes, which were a hit, and then we went to church. The kids devoured part of their candy after church, we did a family dinner and finished the day with playtime outside and s'mores over Matt's fireplace. It was a nice, relaxing day and the kids are finally almost recovered from their sugar comas!

Always look on the bright side of life

There is an excessive amount of drama happening with the in-laws right now and I just need to vent for a second and then remind myself that there are many positives in my life.

Venting: people who bottle up every emotion, won't talk to me if they have a problem, avoid me like the plague without ever cluing me in if I have upset them, make up lies and twist things around to suit their own neurotic purposes need to grow up and not flip flop between saying mean and hateful things behind my back and then pretending nothing ever happened (but still not talking to me) so they can maintain a relationship with my daughter. In order to have a relationship with my children, you must be at least willing to talk to me civally, you cannot use other people to go around me and try to be around my daughter. That doesn't work.

Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.

Now, the positives...Matt is in such a wonderfully healthy emotional state these days, he is so patient, kind and caring, and I really am truly blessed to have him as my husband. My children are a delight to me, and I am blessed to get to be home with them most of the time. Working 2 days a week is such a privelege, and I am grateful to have a job I love and a husband to supports our family so that I don't HAVE to work full time. Our house is beautiful, we are all healthy, and I have more wonderful friends than I could ever count, so life is good.

So much love

I am feeling reflective today, as it is Good Friday. I have been thinking all day about Jesus and his sacrifice for mankind. It overwhelms and humbles me to think that there is so much love from God and Jesus for all of us, and how undeserving we are at times. The concept of forgiveness is one that has been especially strong in my thoughts this Lent, and the line "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." from the Our Father continues to echo in my mind.

As I reflect on Good Friday, sacrificial love and forgiveness today, my beautiful children are running about, showing the purity, joy and kindness that I long to emulate. While I have been sitting here writing this, Nathan ran to the pantry and grabbed a snack. He ran over with 2 packages of crackers, one for him and one for Meredith. I know it is a small thing, and not as profound as the larger meanings of today, but I am brought to tears of joy and thankfulness as I watch my not yet 2 year old take care of his sister. She is always in his thoughts, and Meredith takes care of him too, by watching over him and teaching him, calming him when he is upset, and making him laugh. I am so blessed to have the genuine example of love at work in my life every day, and I thank God for His sacrifice that allows me to raise these tremendouly amazing little people.