Girl time

I haven't had much time to spend with the girls in a while ~ those days have been numbered since bringing home Maggie and honestly trying to keep up with the girls' busy schedules. So, when Ashley asked if I could watch them yesterday while she went to some appointments, I said sure.

4 girls, under the age of 6....oh my.

Oh how they love to be together.

I am so thankful for the love that Gabriela, Maya & Isabela have for Maggie. She adores them all. I wish I could post more pictures of all the girls together, but this one will have to do.

Silly photos for silly girls....

Maya

Gabriela & Isabela

There always seems to be a little bit of pillow fighting going on when CC is around....hmmmm.

It's hard to believe that Gabriela will be turning 7 in a few weeks, and the girls will be 5 in July. Oh how time flies!

Thanks for the fun time girls. CC loves you....to the moon & back :)

Easter 2009

Easter was once again a major "egg"stravaganza this year. Nana outdid herself (as she tends to do). We had lots of fun with dying of eggs, decorating cupcakes to look like little gardens and plenty of eggs to hunt through out the yard. The kids have such a great time playing together. (these are in no particular order)

Bobby's 11th Birthday

Happy Birthday, Bobby! I can't believe that you are already 11 years old. It seems like only yesterday you were a little boy and now you're growing into a young man. I know it's rough being the only guy around, but all the girls love you. We're so happy to have you in our family. We love you and are so proud of you!

Love Letter

I received the sweetest love letter last night. She was so proud to give it to me. She's been telling me that she had something for me for days. I could barely read it, from the tears in my eyes. Take a look and see for yourself. (You can double click on the letter to enlarge it).

WOW! I couldn't have been more touched, more impressed, more proud or more blessed than at that very moment. I just love love love you too, Gabriela!

Always,

Such a bad CC :(

I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted to this blog. What a bad CC!

It has been hard to adjust to not having as much free time to spend with all the kids, like I used to. Don't get me wrong ~ I'm not complaining, but free time is few and far between. Plus, as the kids get older, their lives get busier and more complicated. When I do have some free time, it seems like they have something going on.

I was able to go to Gabriela's dance program a few weeks ago (I'll have to post those pics) with Maggie in tow. We had fun watching Gabriela show off all her moves. Maggie & I joined Gabriela out on the dance floor for one of her dances ~ man, am I out of shape...or could it be that I was holding a 27 pound toddler on my chest? Yep...that's it!



Recently, I've had a few conversations with Gabriela that made me laugh :)

CC: Gabriela, do you have a best friend in your class?
G: Yes, CC, I do. And you're not going to believe what her name is?
CC: What's her name?
G: She has a really great name. You're gonna love it! Her name is Courtney.
CC: Wow - that's a pretty cool name.
G: Yep! But CC, just so you know, that's not why she's my friend.

** gotta laugh!**

G: CC, I've been meaning to tell you something.
CC: OK
G: You can stop calling me Gabriela and start calling me Gaby. That's what all my friends call me.
CC: Well, I'm glad that I am your friend, GABY, but that will be the one and only time I call you that. You will always be Gabriela to me.
G: Ugh, that's what I thought. Oh well...it was worth a try.

**Seriously?! ha!**

At Maggie's birthday party, all the kids were playing outside except for Isabela. She was playing in the playroom.

CC: Isabela, what are you doing?
I: Just thinkin'
CC: Thinkin' about what?
I: Thinkin' about what I want to do next.
CC: Oh ok....

**so serious and yet so funny!**

Thanksgiving 2008

SAMANTHA
MAYA
GABRIELA
ISABELA
SISTERS ~ MAYA, ISABELA & GABRIELA

TWO VIDEOS: ONE WITH ALL THE KIDDOS WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. 2ND ONE IS A CONVERSATION WITH MAYA.

How I told the girls...

I can't believe that it's been 2 months since I posted on CC's World! Life has been a whirlwind since mid-July when we brought Maggie home. I just realized that I never shared the story of how we told the 3 little ones about Maggie's arrival, so I guess I'll share it now :)

I was so nervous about telling Gabriela, Isabela & Maya about Maggie. I just didn't know how they would react, if they would understand. I've been so close to them since they were born, always with them, hanging out, doing things together...and I knew that those things would change when we brought Maggie home. I asked Ashley if she had told them about Maggie, and she said no ~ she thought I'd want to do it.

So, I came over to the house one evening, around bedtime. All of the girls were getting ready for bed and Gabriela wanted me to come and read her a story. So, I read her a book, and we just laid in the bed and chatted. Here's a little of how it went:

G: So, CC...what's new with you? (wow - loaded question!)

CC: Well, there is something I wanted to tell you about, Gabriela.

G: Ok, what?

CC: You know CC & Uncle have wanted to have a baby for a long time now?

G: Yes, I know

CC: Well, we are going to get a little girl to come and live with us and we're going to be her new mommy and daddy.

G: (squealing) a GIRL?!?!?! when?

CC: in a few days

G: how old is she?

CC: she's 1 1/2 years old

G: oh, so like Samantha's age?

CC: yep, a little smaller than Samantha

G: What's her name?

CC: Maggie Joy

G: oh, Maggie Joy. So, she's going to be my new cousin?

CC: yes, she is.

G: wow, that's awesome. Now, let's go tell the girls.

**** Before heading off to the girls' room, I just sat back and thanked God for this sweet little girl and how - just like that - accepted Maggie as our own.

CC: Maya, I want to tell you something.

M: Ok, CC...come in my bed and tell me.

CC: I wanted to tell you that CC & Uncle are going to get a new little girl to come and live with us.

M: What? A girl? (that seemed to be the theme for the night) You're going to have a little girl?!?!

CC: Yes, a little girl named Maggie.

M: Hey! Her name starts with a "M" just like mine (huge smile!)

CC: You're right it does

M: I can't wait to meet my new cousin, Maggie. I love her already, CC.

CC: I love her too.

M: Hey, CC....don't forget though...I loved you first :)

CC: I won't forget, Maya. (choking back tears)

M: Now go tell Isabela

*****

CC: Isabela, want to hear some good news?

I: Sur-a (sure)

CC: CC & Uncle are going to get a new little girl named Maggie and she's going to be our new baby.

I: You are getting a little "gurl"?

CC: yes, we are.

I: Wow! Is she going to yours For-ev-a?

CC: Yes, she's going to be our little girl forever.

I: I'm going to love my new cousin forever. Can you bring her over here now?

CC: Well, not right now. She isn't here yet...maybe in a few days.

I: Ok, well, make sure you bring her by so we can give her big kisses.

******

Could those 3 little girls be any sweeter? I mean, seriously! God knew what He was doing when He blessed me with those 3 sweethearts, in preparing me to be a momma, by being their aunt. They have taught me so much about love and acceptance in their short lives. Even now, recalling those special conversations, brings tears to my eyes.

We don't spend as much time together but the time we are together, is that much sweeter.

And I couldn't ask for better cousins for Maggie. They have loved her with an unconditional love, full acceptance and have never questioned one bit of how it came to be. There was no reason to worry about telling them...I should've known that they would respond as they did.

Moving forward, 5 months later...the screams that once greeted me at the door "CC's here! CC!" have now been replaced with "MAGGIE! Maggie's here!, and oh, hi, CC" But that's ok....I had 6+ years of greetings...I'm more than happy to pass it on to my little one, who never knew love like that, before she met the girls.

I haven't posted any pics of Maggie with her cousins, for security reasons, but since you can't see her face on this one, I thought I'd post it :) This picture was taken the first time Maggie went over to play with the girls.

Spanish 101

Gabriela is taking a Spanish class at school this semester. They meet one day a week, after school. She is already bi-lingual, as Ash & Ed have raised all the girls with both English & Spanish in the home. However, because this was her first true class, they placed her in the beginning class.

When I asked her today how her Spanish class was...this is what she said.

"CC, it's so easy. I know everything already."
"Oh really, why is that?
"well, CC...I AM Mexican"

gotta love it!

"Keep the Change"

When Gabriela started Kindergarten last year, she was finally at the big school and was allowed to have visitors at lunch. She was always asking me to come up and have lunch with her, but I couldn't due to my work schedule. Well, Maggie & I ventured up to Gabriela's school today to have lunch with her. She seemed so grown up...with all her other 1st grade friends.

Maggie & I waited for Gabriela to come to the lunchroom...ChickFilA waiting. Gabriela was excited to see me, but MUCH more excited to see Maggie. She sure does love that little one! (forget about CC, now!) Anyway, she sat down, started to enjoy her chicken, when she slyly asked...

"CC, do you have a dollar?"
"I think I do, why?"
"Well, I want to get an icecream"
"Ok...it's a dollar for an icecream?"
"Yep...everything is a dollar"....and off she went to pick our her treat. She came back to the table with her little BlueBell cup of icecream and I thought to myself...wow...what a rip off. I can't believe that cost a $1!
"Here, CC...here's your change." (65 cents...ok, that was more like it)
"Oh, there's change. I thought everything was a dollar"
"Well, I always give a dollar and then there is change.
Um, CC, how about you just let me keep the change so that I can get icecream again tomorrow?"
"Ok, Gabriela...you can keep the change!"

A smile went across her face and once again, CC was the favorite for the moment :)

Oh the joys of making a little girl happy...even if it is with 65 cents to buy an icecream tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Maya!

Dear Maya,

I can't believe that you are 4 years old today! Boy have you grown! Time has flown by and I have enjoyed each moment. It has been so fun to watch you grow, develop, and become the sweet little girl that you are today. You are soooo full of energy ~ no one would question that! You are a giggle box and it's contagious. I'm always laughing with you. You bring a smile to everyone you meet. You are loving and always giving me sweet kisses on cheek, hugging my neck and even throwing in an occasional "zerbert", which you find absolutely hilarious. You know that CC loves those!

You are growing into such a pretty little girl. That tilted smiling face is a killer :)I am so thankful to have been a part of all your firsts, your happy times, your frustrating times, your learning times and to see you become the little girl that you are.

Happy Birthday, Booger. I hope that you have a very special day. Always remember that CC & Uncle love you soooo much. I can't wait to make more memories with you this year.

Love you,

Happy Birthday, Isabela!

Dear Isabela,

As I look at this picture and see your sweet little face, I just can't believe that you're already 4 years old. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was in the waiting room, awaiting the news that Baby A had been born! We were all so excited to meet you and Maya.

You bring joy to those that you're around. Your sensitive heart and sweet spirit shines through to all who meet you, even at your young age. Your early years weren't easy with all your illnesses, but you were the best sick baby I've ever been around. You love to read and watch movies (oh how you love Spiderman, of all things, right now!) and do "crafts". You are the focused one, the more serious one, but also the more defiant one as of late. But boy are you cute!!! You have the most beautiful big brown eyes and the sweetest smile with those darn dimples :) I could just eat you up!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea. I can't wait to see how much you grow and change in the next year. I look forward to all the memories we'll build together. Always remember that CC and Uncle love you soooo much. Hope you have a special day.

Love you,