Happy Anniversary

My sweet Mama and Daddy celebrate their anniversary today.  What a beautiful picture of tenacious love and years of keeping on! 

We were looking forward to celebrating with them today but life happens and special events often go by quietly, without fanfair or colorful celebration.  The event isn't any less precious or important - or the people who make it possible. 

We love you so much and are so grateful for your love and care in the quiet, often unseen places of life.  In the ordinary days - life and love grow and encourage me tremendously. 

Thanks for keeping on.  Thanks for loving. 
Thanks for holding on in the storms and continuing to fight and love and laugh. 

We love you so much!  Have a great day continuing to walk in the ordinary of life!

1st day of 4K... AKA "The best day Ever!!!"

Lydia has been looking forward to this day for months, I'm not joking.  And since the big kids started school over a month ago the anticipation has only grown to an even more intense level.

She is our sweet curlie que and her excitement is infectious!  We are all excited for her and do hope that she has "the best day ever".  But of course, with Lydia, EVERY day she gets up she declares it "the best day ever".  I pray she always greets each day with the same enthusiasm and reminder of God's new mercies.

As a sidenote,  Lydia wanted to wear the same dress to her first day of preschool that big Sissy wore in preK.  Aunt Vicki and Aunt Kimmy gave it to Lucy and the hand downs keep going and going!

last weekend of summer

I work tomorrow so today is my farewell to summer and we went all out.  After church and a nap....we went to the pool, heard the ice cream truck and got popscicles, played a board game and then watched a little cupcake wars!   Grateful for this family of mine!

We're back

Ya'll - we're back!  We didn't really go anywhere but I did take a blogging break.  So here we go - back to the wild world of redheads

Two mornings last week

Day 1 - This is how I started my day...spilling my coffee on the way out of the door. Circumstantially things didn't get better throughout the day. A shift in the ER reminds me of the hurt, pain, selfishness and stupidity of people. If I'm honest, I'm one of those stupid people most days, just more polished and able to hide the crazy. Grateful for PEACE in the chaos and Hope of certain Rescue!  Come Lord, Jesus, Come!

Day 2 - I didn't spill my coffee yesterday morning and I got to stay home and be a wife and mom :) Unlike my days in the ER I didn't get cussed out even once BUT people still hurt each other, did stupid things, we're impatient and spoke harshly. I was one of those people. Grateful for Grace, for forgiveness and family to walk with in this life.

My little HONDA

My car hit 215,000 miles as I drove home from work tonight. 15 years ago, this month, I bought my Honda civic. I had just returned from 2 years in Eastern Europe and was ready for new adventures. What a great car and great memories! Living in Atlanta for the first time as a single girl, Leaving wedding with Just married on window, bringing first baby home in the back, drives to work and just last year driving to Grandma's with three kids in the back, dog on the floor and bike rack full. My family now can't legally fit but my little civic is still great!

Family Portrait

We went to the beach in June with some friends - Lydia drew a picture a few weeks ago - "Its a family picture mama - the orange and red are seashells, the purple and blue are the water and that's all of us - you're holding Nathaniel"

40th year

I turned 39 this summer  - after 4 kids and 4 years in the ER my white hairs are popping out!

Lydia's 4 year old questions

Favorite color - purple
Favorite book - Sleeping Beauty, Baby Island by Ryrie Brink
Favorite movie - Malificent
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - playing Littlest Pet Shops with my family
Favorite foods - salmon, turkey, peaches
Favorite number - 8
Who is your best friend? - Nora Grace and Annika
Favorite game - Zoo game
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - watch Pound Puppies
Favorite person to play with - Nora grace, Nathaniel and Sissy
  What do you want to be when you grow up? - a clown
Where in the world do you want to visit? - Grandma's house
What are you most grateful for? Nathaniel
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
  What is your favorite type of flower?  rose and dandelion
  What have you enjoyed learning about this year? letters
  What kind of car do you want when you grow up?  lamborghini
  What is your favorite dance move or type? 
What is your favorite song?  In the first time in forever
  What is one thing you want to do this year?  open presents
  What do you want to learn how to do better?  to make bracelets - Georgia Tech bracelets
If you could tell your 25 year old self something what would you say?  Happy Birthday
If you were to perform in a talent contest - what would you do?  Running
What is your favorite thing to wear? my flower dress

Happy Fourth Birthday!

This sweet girl turns 4 today.  What JOY she has brought into our lives and such a unique personality!  We are so grateful for you  little one!

This morning Lydia said she wanted us to wake her up early and say "surprise!"  So we did.  While she ate her requested breakfast casserole she talked with brother and sisssy.  She is having a playdate with a friend this afternoon and she was telling brother and sissy that since she is the birthday girl she wants "No, argue-vating" (Arguing + aggravating = argue-vating) when her friend comes over.  She is ever making her own way in the world and words to describe it. 

Happy Easter 2015

Happy Easter from the Noonan's!

Secrets

Now you know the secret to our Carrot-topness - teething on carrots :)

Puddin' Head

He's just too cute!

Hair

She also got her hair cut for Easter - so super cute

Horses

We spent her birthday afternoon at a girl from church's home arena - grooming, riding and learning about horses. Lucy had such a wonderful time and enjoyed her first experience on a horse. She wasn't afraid and enjoyed the time.

Happy 8th, sweet Lucy!

This sweet girl turned 8 last Saturday and we celebrated her all weekend. A party with friends after school with a little cake (made by Lucy), hopscotch, Mother May I? and girlie giggles. Then dinner with family at the restaurant of her choice - the Irish Pub!

Her present from us was an Easter hair cut, Movie with Mom on Sunday to see Cinderella and a Horse riding lesson/experience with a sweet girl from church. Lucy loved her presents and I'm so glad we got to enjoy them together.

Lucy made her own cake - Strawberry cake with real strawberries blended in and chocolate icing with chocolate covered strawberries on top!

Math competition

Samuel has been working hard with the fourth grade MATH competition team at his school to prepare for a first ever county-wide math competition.  He has improved in his Math skills through the process and enjoyed the challenge.  I like seeing him try new and difficult things and WORK hard.  So grateful for teachers who volunteer their time to help with these extra activities!

8 is Great - and so is Lucy!

Favorite color - purple/lavendar
Favorite book - The Secret Garden - The Rose Years Series, Little House Series, Caddie Woodlawn
Favorite movie - Desolation of Smaug
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - Zoo passes to go to the zoo
Favorite foods - mashed potatoes
Favorite number - 8
Who is your best friend? - Nora, Faryn, Ashley, Bekah D.
Favorite game - trampoline
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - play wii
Favorite person to play with - Lydia, Reed, Roman and brother
 What do you want to be when you grow up? - a teacher or an engineer
Where in the world do you want to visit? EVERYWHERE - except Iran and Iraq
What are you most grateful for? Nathaniel
What is your favorite holiday?  Thanksgiving
 What is your favorite type of flower?  daffoldils, hydrangeas and tulips
 What have you enjoyed learning about this year? Matter
 What kind of car do you want when you grow up? a convertible - black
 What is your favorite dance move or type? jazz
What is your favorite song?  Ever-ever after
 What is one thing you want to do this year? take cooking lessons
 What do you want to learn how to do better?  swim
If you could tell your 25 year old self something what would you say?  "Get a good job!"
If you were to perform in a talent contest - what would you do?  hula-hooping
What is your favorite chore? Least favorite?  cleaning the sink and least fav is toilet
What is your favorite outfit to wear? jeans and tshirt

the beginnings of giggles

Everyday life

 We play and clean and enjoy life with the little one's life and sounds (screaming) in the background

 She is ever on the forefront of fashion - "this is so I don't smell Nathaniel's stinky diapers"

Sweet puddin'head is attached to me the days after I work