Mood

In honor of the return of Project Runway... Here's Mood! Last October, my friend Lauren & I (who are avid fans of the show) were in NYC and so we took a field trip to Mood. I've never been to a fabric store like this. It's quite overwhelming (in a good way). I just kept thinking that my mom would be in heaven (and wishing that Tim was there to help me make choices!)

Lauren & I walked by at least 6 times before we figured out to look up.

Oh, the choices!! Hardly know where to look first.
I still have yet to actually do anything with the lovely chiffon that I bought.
How about you Lauren?

Cheese Gromit!

Which can be found in your local grocery store... And is quite yummy, too!

One Year

**Please forgive this break from photos while I share with you my thoughts and emotions about this date.**

One year. 365 days have passed since I gave birth to Rebecca and Maria. How differently I imagined this year passing. But somehow it has passed... And I have continued on, mechanically at first, but eventually able to live and smile with meaning again. This does not mean that I have forgotten or that my love has diminished, but I'm able to live again. I will never be the same girl, but I know now that I don't want to be. My experiences have always shaped me and this is no different. I might be slower to smile or laugh now, perhaps a little more sensitive and easy to bruise, but I'm also more compassionate and nurturing. I've experienced the wonder and joy of the first moment of seeing my children and the boundless love that accompanies it. I wouldn't give that up for anything.


Today, on their first birthday, I'd like to share the moment I first KNEW about our girls. As many of you know, we had a difficult time and looked to ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) to help. Because of this, we were given some amazing insights and extras that wouldn't have occurred with a natural conception. (Such as a picture of them as 8 cell embryos at 3 days old! IVF is truly amazing.) But my favorite memory was our first ultrasound at 7 weeks. Eric was there, holding my hand. We knew we were finally pregnant from the high hcg levels, and we nervous to see the flicker of a heartbeat. The tech started with a traditional ultrasound on the belly and I held my breath as the screen started to show my insides. Then, there it was... TWO little sacks.. but only one faint flicker. Up until that point I had been worried about our chances of multiples, but that was the first moment I realized that I very badly wanted them both to implant. The tech decided for an internal ultrasound and I remember my hands shaking so badly I could hardly change my clothes. Then finally, there on the screen, our two little blobs, this time with two matching fluttering flickering heartbeats. I was unable to see anymore as tears started to obscure my vision. I do remember hearing Eric's breathing change and feeling the pressure of his hand increase. I knew he was feeling the same thing I was. I was in love with them even then...and it only grew stronger as each day passed. My beautiful miracle babies.


I believe that you are never truly gone so long as someone still remembers you. The memories I carry are strong, and the tattoos Eric & I wear proudly declare our love for the world to see. If, at some moment today, you could find the time to pause and remember our girls with us, that they existed, that they are loved, it would mean so much.


Happy First Birthday Rebecca and Maria.

Garrett & Sarah are Married!

Now that school is out for the summer, I finally have the time to get my photos off my camera! As promised, first ones up are of my buddy Garrett (who plays all cynical and tough, but is really just a big gooey romantic underneath it all) who finally found the right one in Sarah. It was a fabulous wedding and I'm sure the start to a long and equally fabulous life together.

Congratulations to Garrett & Sarah!!

Walking down the isle as husband & wife!

Eric & I pose for a photo while the wedding party takes their pictures too.

Very sweet moment on the dance floor.

Cutting the cake.

DPT Comedy

Somehow I've managed to go from someone who hasn't exercised regularly in... well, let's be honest... ever to someone with two gym memberships! I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm hoping to see the results this summer. More time at the gym does of course equal less time to do other things, and that, combined with the end of the year, means fewer posts. I have some great photos from Garrett & Sarah's fabulous wedding, but they are still sitting on my camera. Next post! Promise!

For this post, I have for you some nice Beachy-style comedy. As a family, we tend to love to ham it up, especially for the cameras. It's nice to know that Eric fits in so well with my side!

Eric suffers through manipulation.

Christina always knows the answer.

**Photo credit given to my talented Aunt Maureen!

Graduation

Often I find myself in the situation where the pictures have built up such a backlog that I just skip over certain events in order to make way for the most current. However, with such an important occasion as this, I simply cannot do that. So bear with me as I take you through the weekend when my sister became Dr Beachy.

The big ceremony at the football field, where you can see Oprah on the big screen.

The smaller ceremony for just the Physical Therapy department where Christina was handed her actual diploma.

The whole crew of proud family members pose with the happy graduate.

Puddles

It has been quite the rainy week. Thought I'd show some photos of Fionn stomping around through puddles in honor of that. (Plus they are cute.)

Merrily splashing away.

Rescued by Kevin.

Fished out by Eric.

Still splashing happily... and watched closely.

Children's Museum

Has it really been since Valentine's Day since I last posted?? Sorry about that... March is just the worst month. But spring is in the air now and I'm flush with photos from my nephew's latest visit. I had to laugh as Rachel posted this photo of Zach in the bobcat which I think was taken the day after I took this of Fionn at the Children's Museum!

Fionn loves construction vehicles. It was quite the endeavor to pry him out of the Bobcat at closing time. Yes, Rachel, I think it is a boy thing.

Fionn and Kevin enjoy the golf ball room, which I admit freaked me out a bit. I hate small objects whizzing by my head at high speed. Oh, and yes, that is a helmet (and kneepads) you've been seeing... No, Kim isn't overprotective, Fionn decided he wanted to wear it and you really just don't argue that with a 2 year old. I'll admit to wishing I had a helmet of my own in this room.

Uncle Merc teaches how levers work in the water room.

Fionn as a bubble-head.

Valentines

I tell you, working with children is just the best thing ever. They constantly do things that surprise me and touch me.

Last week we were completing a project for valentine's day where the students write compliments for each other and I put them into a book. I'd been having a particularly cranky week and was busy throwing myself a pity party about how much life can suck, how nothing seems to be easy or go my way, blah, blah, blah... When I send the kids to go wash up for snack, a student (who I am constantly on to be more on task) comes up and hands me this:

For those of you not fluent in first grade, allow me to translate: "Mrs Jewart. Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Anthony" Entirely on his own, he took an extra copy of the paper and came up with this note to hand me on the way out the door. My eyes were so teary that I couldn't see to tell him to stop running in the hall.

Living Room Transformed

So I haven't posted construction pictures in awhile. Mostly because there has been no progress to show you! But this month, Eric & I decided to take back control of OUR house. We warned our GC that we were going to hire our own subs unless he got to work right now. He never responded, so we went ahead and hired new people and did some work ourselves too. The result is that our front room is livable again! There are the finishing touches to do still...curtains, pictures, some new pieces of furniture we'd like to add, but it is so pleasant to be welcomed home by a room that doesn't scream CONSTRUCTION ZONE! Enjoy the progression photos :) I tried to photograph from roughly the same location each time. I also searched for a good shot of the 'old' living room, but it was so small that there are no images to share of the room in entirety! The closest I came was this group shot and this of it empty.

Wall to master bedroom & closets taken out. Ceiling removed.

Insulation in place and ceiling ready for blueboard.

Blueboard installed.

Plaster complete.

Base coat of paint. Some trim installed.

Trim complete, including crown molding. Lights installed. Floor patched.

Faux finish applied. Furniture arranged. Room is livable again!

The Slopes

Decided to post these photos in honor of the crazy storms we keep having here in New England. I honestly can't believe the amount of snow on the ground. In fact, the pile next to our driveway is almost as tall as I am!!

We were lucky to have some great days boarding while in UT for xmas. Here are some shots from our trip to Brighton (which is usually boarder haven but where oddly, this day the ratio of boarders to skiers was closer to 50% instead). I don't mind sharing the mountain in the slightest though, so long as no one runs into me or over my board!

At the top of the mountain.

Eric being cool...

...while Erica poses for the camera.

Ringing in the New Year

Welcome to 2009! May it not suck quite as much as the second half of 2008. I must say, the year started off well as we celebrated with good friends and a fair number of gin & tonics =) And really, at this point, is there anywhere to go but up?

Erica poses with drink and 2009 paraphernalia.

Mumford captures Eric & I 'being photogenic' according to Colleen.

I capture Erica & Colleen with the next round!

I wish the best for everyone in this new year! I hope dreams come true, wishes are fulfilled, and overall peace and joy fill your lives. May you always have good friends and plenty of drinks =)