Between Kim and I, I think we must have taken over 500 pictures last week of our vacation in the Outer Banks. Before we even left to go though I bought each kid one of those wooden $1 picture frames from the craft store, along with some wooden shapes like sunglases, sandals and a sun. I also brought some seaglass and shells for them to glue on. Last Friday we set them up on the outside screened in porch and they all made their frames. They all came out so well too. Now to just pick out a picture of the 5 of them to put in there. We both got some great shots of all 5 of them. Maybe I should pick out 1 for that frame and then get them each a collage frame of say 3 or 4 pictures and put them in there. Hmmmm, I'll have to go and see what I kind find as far as collage frames.

I need some energy pills and I need them NOW! I am so tired right now I could go to sleep. I guess I'm catching up on all of the sleep I missed last week while we were on vacation. If I think about it, alot of nights I didn't go to bed until after 12 and even later then that like after 1 and then we were up around 8 or 9. I'm not used to that. Normally I go to bed around 9:30/10. I'm still up early, but go to bed early too. I guess last week I was just trying to squeeze out every little bit of time to be with our friends. It was such a blast! And well worth me being tired right now.

The "Spijack Family" is having such a blast this week. Between having fun times with great friends and being here in this awesome house - I feel rich and blessed! The kids are loving the indoor/outdoor heated pool, the theatre room and the game room and the adults are loving the hot tub, the great sounding stereo system throughout the house and the huge kitchen and everyone is just having a blast!

To see what you're all missing click here and then there's even more awesome pictures here.

I wish this week would never end!

We just got word not too long ago that a good friend of ours that lives across the ocean checked themselves into an alcohol rehab all on their own. And no one over there even knew this person was having a problem. We haven't seen this person in over two years just because of the distance, but apparently this past year things have gotten really bad for this person and they just kind of kept going downhill faster and faster. The scary thing is though, like I said before, no one even knew it. So either this person hid it very well and everyone else was so wrapped up in their own day to day stuff that they didn't see it. I'm glad this person is getting the help they need though. Good thoughts are coming their way!

For spring break this year we're piling into our minivan and driving to North Carolina to spend the week in an AWESOME rental with some very good friends of ours. I cannot wait! One thing though I was wondering if we should look at and think about buying for our minivan are those van racks to put on the roof of the minivan. Being there's 5 of us we've got alot of stuff we need to bring. The contract says there are bed linens and towels and utensils enough for as many people that it can sleep so we're ok with all of that. And I know there is a washer and dryer there, but because we can't check into the house until 4pm on Sunday, I'm thinking we're going to need to bring a cooler full of food, plus all of our bags with clothes in them and of course you can't forget the beer! Then there's my laptop, camera, video camera and stuff for the kids to do. Although, the house is HUGE, has a game room, entertainment room and indoor/outdoor heated pool so I think the kids will have enough to do, don't you?

Yup, today is the big 4..0.. for my man! And it sucks he's not here with us. We made him a special big envelope to open on this day of stuff the kids made and cards, etc. But it won't be the same as him being here. This past weekend he sounded so depressed. Not only was he not feeling well, but just knowing his birthday was coming up and he didn't have us around to celebrate it with got him sad. His crew tried to get him to hang with them this past weekend and instead he stayed in his room the whole time. We're going to celebrate his birthday (and everyone's birthday in fact) that week we're with our good friends in North Carolina for Spring Break. I know being with them that week will make up for these past 6 weeks.

Have an awesome birthday sweetie and we'll celebrate it in a few months once things settle down! I love you and miss you!

Poor Sean is going to miss so much while he's away those 6 weeks. He's first going to miss Kieran's 6th birthday which is next week. Then he'll miss his own 40th birthday and St. Patricks Day which is right after. And then he'll miss Easter. This sucks! Tomorrow night we're staying home and vegging, having cake and celebrating all of those things before he leaves. (And we're going to be celebrating them again once he gets back but we'll be with our close friends up in North Carolina so we're all going to celebrate everything together!!!)

I got this off of my friend/fellow bloggers blog Alexis. They have unfortunately been personally touched by this disease. Alexis, you and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers!

Most people know that February is American Heart Month. But did you know that within February is also CHD Awareness Week?

To read Alexis' own personal story, please visit her blog.

Each year, an estimated 1 in 100 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect; CHDs are the most common birth defect and the number one cause of death from birth defects during infancy. Nearly twice as many children die from congenital heart defects as from all childhood cancers combined, yet research for cancer receives five times the funding. This is due in large part to the lack of awareness most people have about congenital heart defects.

So what can you do to help?

• If you blog, please make an entry helping to raise awareness. You can even link to her entry.
• Place a button on your blog for the month.
• If you are looking to give to a charity, think about donating to one that supports CHD research, such as the Children's Heart Foundation.
• If you give to the American Heart Association, put "Zachary Brooks Foundation" in the memo designating that your funds will go to a foundation set up specifically for CHD heart awareness.
• Wear read on February 14 to remember those who are affected by CHDs.
• And if you have children, hug them a little tighter and thank God for the miracle and wonderful gift you have been given.

Two wonderful people I know just started up their own online store and it's so cool! It's called Mom 4 Moms and I love the image on their home page up at the top left corner. It's perfect! So is the image on the homepage smack in the center.

They make some great stuff! Jenn makes awesome soaps! For kids and adults alike! She's got some great Autumn Leaves soaps as well as beautiful Rose Petals that look so real (I should know - I got some for my birthday this year) :) The soaps she makes for the kids are just adorable! Caelie would love the Nail Polish one (you fit it in there I see) and Kieran would love the Teddy Bear one. They would make great stocking stuffers and the prices are great!

Mara's works of art are just that - works of art! Her hand made jewelry is beautiful! I'm personally in love with one she had on the other day - the X Necklace. It's stunning! Maybe I'll tell Sean about it and he'll get it for me for Christmas! Mara also does Holiday Gift Items and Childrens Gifts as well as Visors and Accessories.

I'm finally getting into the Christmas spirit. Maybe it's because at church this morning we lit the first advent calendar - the candle for Hope. Or maybe it's because last night we attended a tree lighting ceremony up at the fields with good friends. Or maybe it's because this afternoon the kids, Sean and I put up our Christmas tree and decorated it and Sean and Tristan put up the outside lights. Or maybe it's a combination of all of these things. Whatever it is I am truly happy. I'm loving living here. I'm loving the friends we have here. I'm loving the fact that we will spending alot of time with both friends and family this entire month. And I'm just loving life in general!

The Christmas Spirit is here!!!!