Our Last "Sweet Spring"

April  25, 2012

Our Home Sweet Home

On our Sweet Street

(Which is technically in Hummelstown, not Hershey)

I can't express how sad I am to leave the "Sweetest Place on Earth."

 Lance and I have lived on this street for 8 of our 8 1/2 years of marriage. 

We've grown here together and truly have found this place 

and the people in it to be the sweetest out there.

Thirty Years Ago...

April 24, 2012

...I was born!

Holy Cow, I'm Old! JK

Today started out great! 

Reuben slept through the night for me--best gift ever!

Sawyer was so well behaved and kept singing Happy Birthday 

to me over and over throughout the day. 

Lance had everything arranged for our friends Scott and Ashley 

to come over and watch both boys while we went out to dinner. 

He told me to get dressed up but wouldn't tell me where we were going. 

It turned out to be the Circular Dining Room at the Hotel Hershey! 

The service was exceptional, the food was fancy, and my date was to die for!
It was a very memorable and romantical evening!




Beautiful Flowers from a gorgeous guy...




Complements of the Chef...

My favorite dessert ever!
Don't ask me what it was, but it was delicious!




My dashing date

Anyone ever heard of Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving?

Yep. That's me in a nutshell. 

Thirty

Flirty

and Thriving!

I guess turning 30's not so bad after all!

A BIG thank you to all of you who
remembered me on my special birthday!
It meant a lot to me!

And the BIGGEST thank you goes to my sweet Lance
who put a lot of thought into how to make my day special!
I love you so much sweetie!

Let's Not Forget...

April 22, 2012

...Our little "Beam of Light" on her fourth birthday!

The name Tuya is a Mongolian name that means "Beam of Light." That may seem like an odd name for a dog, but for those of you who know us or our little pup, that name suits her perfectly. We got Tuya during a difficult time in our lives. After three years of trying, she was the closest thing that we had to posterity :) and Lance was beginning his intern year (80+ hours a week). 

During that lonely year, I spent a lot of time walking, playing with, and snuggling that little puppy, grateful to have something little to love.  About a year after we brought Tuya home, we were chosen to adopt a little girl in Texas. After traveling there, spending two days with, and falling in love with her, the adoption fell through. I came home jobless (I quit mine to be a stay at home mom) and heartbroken. Poor Lance had to go back to work, but I stayed home. That week, I spent the majority of my time lying on our couch, crying, and praying. It was during that time that my little "beam of light" didn't leave my side. It was as if she knew that my heart was broken and wanted to do all she could to help. Tuya became one of my best friends during that week. 

The story gets so much happier! About three months later, we brought our son home! Tuya was the most darling little dog and loves Sawyer so much. They have been fast friends and I love watching them play.

She watches over our new baby much the same way she did 

with Sawyer and Reuben is already showing interest in her.

It is so much fun to have an automatic friend for my boys.

Although she's not perfect, we wouldn't trade her for anything. She loves everyone and her gentle brown eyes are always eager for attention and love (and food!).   

As funny as it sounds, it is with tears that I write this little story to honor my sweet little friend on her birthday! Happy Birthday "Beam of Light." Although we are a lot busier now, and a little less patient, we love you so much and you will always be a special part of our family!

Philly Derm

April 21, 2012

We went on our first family overnighter with Reuben this weekend. Lance had grand rounds at U PENN and so the boys and I decided to tag along for the day and make a fun trip out of it. Lance dropped us off at the Embassy Suites on his way to grand rounds and the boys and I hung out in our hotel room, explored the hotel, and went for a walk outside since the weather was so beautiful. We had a pretty good time. However, once Daddy got "home" the fun really began! We ate quick microwavable meals that we got from the convenience store inside the hotel so that we would have time to go swimming! Sawyer LOVES swimming!

My Swimming Sweeties!

And Reuben did great for his FIRST SWIM!

The swimming made both boys really happy!

Well. . . All three I guess! 

Sawyer couldn't get enough water-time. 

We said he could play in the shower when we got back to the room. 

We didn't expect him to remember. We were wrong. 

He took his very first shower "all by himself." 

(With us standing in the bathroom watching.)

Since we had the two rooms, (we heart u Embassy Suites) we put Sawyer 

to bed in the main room and Reu and Dad and I hung out in the bedroom. 

It was a relaxing evening. Unfortunately Reuben didn't sleep very well that night. 

The next morning we went to the tasty (and free) breakfast in our PJ's

 and then headed back to the pool per Sawyer's request. 

Reuben slept in his stroller while Sawyer took turns 

swimming with Daddy and Momma. 

Around noon we checked out of the hotel and Lance treated me

 to a massage! while he hung out with the boys at a local park.

Man, did that hour go by fast! :) I have to admit, it was fun 

to see those three pull up in the car to pick me up! 

Then we picked up some Panera Bread 

and went to a park to eat lunch. 

It was perfect weather!

After lunch we went to Valley Forge. 

As we walked out of the building, Sawyer climbed up this little wall 

and scooted down on his bum. He laughed so hard that we let him

 do it again and again and again. Fun times!

Oh, how we love this crazy little man!

The rest of our visit was spent with Reuben eating 

and Sawyer posing for the camera. 

And my favorite. . . 

(taken by my hubby)

Yes, it was a fun vacation!

Reuben's Baby Blessing

April 15, 2012

Dear Reuben, 

Today was a very special day. It was the day that you got blessed in church. 

You looked so handsome in your white outfit. 

So many family and friends came to church to support you. Daddy, Momma, and Sawyer were there of course! Grandma and Grandpa Wood, Aunt B and Uncle Tay were here staying with us, so they were able to be here. Other family members that came were Grandma and Grandpa Wertz, Grandma and Grandpa Martin, Aunt Kristie and Uncle Brent, Aunt Celena, Uncle Ryan and cousins Mia and Ellie, Aunt Tania, Uncle Jonathan and cousin Sadie, Nana, GG Ma, and GG Pa Wertz, and Uncle Gerry. Momma kept looking around and tearing up because of how special it was to see our dear family all there with us at church. And some of Daddy's work friends were even there to support you, like Dr. Mike Ioffreda, Dr. Joslyn Kirby, and Dr. Kim Quach. Other people that weren't able to come, sent cards and thoughtful gifts.

Daddy, Grandpa Wood, Uncle Taylor, Uncle Scott, Brother Tom Clements, Brother Tim Hansen, Brother Brigham Ogden, Brother Rich Hardesty, and Bishop Voyles were in your blessing circle. Your Daddy gave a most heartfelt and touching blessing. As a matter of fact, Momma's eye make-up was all over her face when he was done because of the happy tears that she cried as Daddy spoke such beautiful words to you. Among many other things, he told you how you were an answer to many prayers and that you were loved very much by your earthly family and your heavenly family. Oh, I hope that you always remember that throughout your life! Momma wasn't the only one that cried. Your Daddy choked up a little as he gave you the blessing and your brother spoke loudly asking "Why is Grandma (Martin) crying?" There were many others in the congregation that also felt the spirit and cried happy tears for you. Bishop Voyles told Daddy that during the blessing you were looking up at your Daddy with a smile. Oh, Momma's crying again just thinking about it! :)

Brother Bryant Christenson, Sister Emily Deardeuff, and Brother Joseph Hopkins gave wonderful talks. Your Momma sang "I Stand All Amazed." And she even did it without crying! As she was sitting down, your big brother Sawyer said very loudly, "Great job Mommy!" That made a lot of people laugh. Overall, it was a wonderful Sacrament Meeting. 

After Sacrament Meeting, we went home and celebrated with some tasty food and and a lovely white cake. All of our family came back to the house. The Clements family, and Aunt Ashley and Uncle Scott came over too. 

Everyone was excited to hold you! 

Unfortunately your Momma wasn't good at taking pictures, 

but she did get one with your Nana and one with your GG Ma Wertz. 

We were late for your 2pm feed and you didn't get to eat until closer to 3pm. 

But you were sweet as pie anyway! Your Daddy came up after Momma 

finished feeding you and took a picture. 

It was a beautiful day outside--in the high 60's and partly sunny. 

So we were able to get a family picture outside. 

Yes. It was a beautiful day. A beautiful day indeed!