the past 12 years ...

Today we had to say goodbye to our very first wedding present. As silly as it may seem I was a little sad. I remember being so excited when we recieved them. It is a bit amazing to think that it was over 12 years ago. It made me think of all of the changes and experiences that Mike and I have gone through.

In the past 12 years we have:

Honeymoon in Costa Rica
Move to Maryland (Mike stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds for the Army)
Dina works in Annapolis
Trips to Washington D.C., N.Y.C., Baltimore, Boston, Utah, Bethany, Idaho, Outer Banks, Philadelphia, Gettysburg
Travel to England, Iceland, Germany, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Vatican City
Mike does the Annual Bataan Memorial Death March marathon with his army unit in full army fatigues
Leave military
Move to Arlington, VA
Mike starts law school
Dina transfers to Camden Yard, Baltimore office
Emerson Marie Chatwin - FINALLY!
Mike summers with E.P.A.
Dina transfers to D.C. office
Mike summers with firm in Boston
Dina stops career
Move back to Washington D.C. for last year of school
Graduate from grad school
Pass first Bar Exam
Rileigh Camille Chatwin - miraculous birth
Move back to Boston
Mike starts first law firm
Buy first mini-van (Mike concedes)
Try to start business
Katherine Andrea Chatwin
Stop business
Amazing friends
Sell beloved old Civic
Drive cross country with girls
Move to Colorado
Buy home
Start second law firm
Pass second Bar Exam
Start third law firm
Pass third Bar Exam
Train for triathlon
First trip alone to San Fransisco
In those 12 years we both turned 30
Drove the girls to tennis, soccer, Spanish, swimming, ballet, art classes, piano, music classes, zoo classes, running club, drama club
5 siblings got married
4 grandparents passed away
12 summers passed (Beach trips, beach houses, vacations with Guymons, New Hampshire [Sarah's], Utah, Newport, Rhode Island, Nantucket, Boston, Vermont, Concord, Lexington, N.Y.C., back to D.C., Cape Cod, Williamsburg, Gloucester, Worcester, gardening, swimming, BBQs, tennis camp, hiking s'mores)

Can't wait to see what the next 12 years hold. I really love that boy.

Katie's visit

Katie and Tim recently came to visit. They were passing through on their way to D.C. to start a new career. Tim recently graduated from Business School. Their trip was brief but it was incredible to catch up with such amazing friends. The children could not get enough of each other and picked up right where thy left off. Boy, did I want to steal Henry. Katie and I laugh that even our business endeavour with Margaret and Becky never worked, the bonds and friendships that were strengthened during that time was worth our hours and hours of efforts.

Having Katie here made me miss her and that tight circle of friends from there so much.

gardening

what a 3 year old does when you ask her to go wash her face

sisters ...

I have always felt so blessed that my sisters are my very best friends. I cannot think of a single major life event when they were not the very first people I told. I specifically remember calling my sister Danielle from our bathroom at 5 a.m. (3 a.m. for her) in complete shock after I had taken a pregnancy test with E.. We were both so thrilled that we literally could not get words out because we were so emotional.

Dawn, Danielle, and Heather are my still best friends, my confidants. We laugh together and cry togehter, and yes, even still fight together. But we always forgive, and ALWAYS love. In truth, I have never felt lonely because I know that my sisters are there for me at anytime. Once, after I called off an engagement right before a wedding, I called Dawn. I was so scared and was beginning to doubt my decision. Dawn immediately drove to Boston to be with me and began calling all the invitees to tell them the wedding was off before I could change my mind again.

I love that somehow I, too, was able to give my daughters a gift that will last forever. I love that they have sisters. I sometimes look at my three girls when they are together and think someday you will know things about each other that I will not even know. Someday one of them will get their first kiss and run to each other before me. Together they will experience joy, laughter, heartbreak and tears. But since they have each other I know that will do it all together. And like I have felt, I know they will never be alone.

I try to remind them of that during those ever present bickering moments in childhood. Although, at times they look at me like I am crazy after they have been put in time out for arguing with each other. I know from experince that they will always be best friends. And lately, I have noticed that they like to play togehter best. They cheer the loudest from sidelines for each during soccer games and tennis. They encourage each other to "TRY HARD THINGS" (our family motto). They really are best friends.

I think one of the reasons I love the most about having all girls, is that they have sisters.

I really love them ...

crazy and hair and all. Even if they are growing up too fast.

out of the mouth of babes

R: "Mom, are you 90?"
Mom: "Definitely not."
R: "Okay, then you are at least 60."

K: " I hate boys and I hate bum bums. I weally weally hate boys' bum bums."

E's Baptism

On Feb. 6th our sweet E was baptized as a member of the church by her father. It was a special day. Her grandparents, Grandma Camille, Grandpa Terry, Grandma Andrea were there, along with dear friends from the ward and neighborhood. Her primary teacher, Aaron Cali, gave a talk on baptism and her Grandpa spoke on the Holy Ghost. Katherine Culpepper played a beautiful violin assortment prepared just for E, and two sweet Beehives, Eliza and Sariah, sang.

Her father confirmed her and told her how proud her Father in Heaven was of her for her decision to be baptized. He then went on to bless her with the ability to discern right from wrong. To always surround her self with friends that will be a positive influence on her, friends that will help lead her to Heavenly Father. He blessed to continue to love to learn all her life. He blessed that she will be good example to her sisters. He then blessed that when the time is right that she will live worthily to enter the temple to make sacred covenants. He told her that this is what Heavenly Father wanted most for her.

E glowed on that day. This was a day that she has looked forward to for so long. It was so touching to see her eagerness to make that important covenant and promise to be like Jesus. We are so proud of her for her decision to be baptized. She has always had such a strong desire to do what is right and be obedient. I still remember staring at her when she was a baby and wonder if I was worthy enough to raise this special little person. Eight years I feel that even more. We love her with all our heart.

San Francisco

Mike and I spent 5 days together in San Francisco. Grandma Chatwin came to watch the girls (with my friend Christina helping for two days - such a big thank you to both). I am terrible at leaving the girls. This was the longest that I have ever left them. It was hard, but it was nice to spend time alone with Mike. I love that after all these years we still make each other laugh. I love that there is no one in the world I would rather talk to and discuss things with. I love exploring with him.

We did so many things while we were there . We stayed at the Drake in Union Square, the location was prime. We saw "Wicked" (amazing seats and we were so lucky to get them). We rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, a totally charming beach town that is just a stones throw from S.F.. It was an incredible day. We ate the Pier (I miss good seafood). We spent as much time near the water as possible. I miss, even ache for the ocean. I keep thinking that someday I will learn to love the mountains as much as the ocean, but I am not sure. We went to Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden, Giradelli's, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and rode the cable cars everywhere.

It was incredible to see our dear friends the Guymons. One night we went up to Glen's office to see the most incredible 360 degree view of the city. The next night we went to dinner together, and the next day we went to church and dinner at their home. I have to admit I was so sad that E could not be there to see their daughter, her best friend since birth. The Guymons were kind enough to show us a beautiful lush park with redwood trees.

It was a great trip.

Thanks Mike. You're fun.

Children's Garage Sale/Bake for Haitii

I have said this often, and no doubt will say it again, but I truly love my neighbors.

We each were heartbroken as we watched the devastation of Haiti by the recent earthquake on that already struggling country. As I spoke with my dear dear Haitian friends, who I loved serving with for years in Boston, our heartache grew deeper as the fears for loved ones on the island grew stronger.

As we discussed this as a neighborhood we knew we had to help (most of our neighbors had already made generous contributions but wanted to help even more). But more importantly, our children wanted to help the Haitian children. I was so touched and humbled to watch our children and our sweet neighbors mobilize to somehow find a way to make even a small difference on the world.

We decided that we we would turn the entire cul-de-sac into a garage sale and bake sale. Our children gathered some of their loved possessions. Our neighbors literally stayed up ALL NIGHT baking the most amazing treats. (On a side note, one neighbor in particular that baked the bulk of the bakery worthy treats did so all the while preparing to leave for China just two weeks later to bring her home her beautiful son). The night before we had a pizza party and made posters to dot our town to attract people to our sale. The men gathered early in morning to set up for the sale. Hours and hours of efforts were made.

The sale was a huge success. Our children raised $705 in a few short hours. But more than the money that was raised was the hope that was ignited. In these trying times, it was so uplifting to watch our children learn that they have the power and the ability to change heartbreak in the world.

Our neighborhood has always been very close but on that cold morning as I watched these children work so hard, I felt an even greater outpouring of love for these good people. It is funny how service, more than anything else in the world, brings people together more.

Happy Birthday, K!

K recently had her third birthday. This little thing has the whole family wrapped around her finger. Luckily, for us she is such a cute little charmer.

At 3, Kate is independent and a bit stubborn. She dislikes being called Baby and at times when asked her name will reply "Big Girl Chatwin". She wants to do everything her sisters can do. She idolizes her big sisters. I love to watch her get excited for each of them to come home from school. She is also the loudest little fan on the sidelines during their sports competition, always yelling "you can do it! You can do it!"

She loves us so much. Randomly throughout the day she can be heard saying "Mommy, Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy ... I love you."

K, has an infectious smile. Her smile has a way of melting away even the most stressful of days.

She is such a loyal friend. K is surrounded by a darling group of little friends. If watching her at 3 is any indication of what type of friend she will be, I am impressed.

She loves to learn new things. She is a puzzle aficionado. She could spend the whole day doing puzzles.

K is also OBSESSED with all things Tinkerbell. OBSESSED.

What a loving little girl. She is so happy, sweet and kind. She really is everything a little girl should be should be. I love her. Since she is the baby, I asked her stay young. She politely declined with a laugh and a no. Everyday with her is such a joy.

they are not brainwashed, are they?

This morning I overheard R say to K: "If you are good you can go to Boston. If you are a bad you have to go New York."
What's best is that she said it in her left over Boston accent. Mike and I had a good laugh.

I promise ...

I have so much to write: Mike and I took a 5 trip to San Francisco ALONE, E had a birthday, K had a birthday, K had a birthday party, we had a Haitian Fund Raiser with the children and, most importantly, E was baptized. I promise to get to all that next week.

So to the last reader left of our blog, I promise to post once a week going forward (at least I am going to try really really hard).

I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world

Yesterday K was waking up from her nap. I went in to get her when she said "Mommy, I want Walle!". R, her ever attentive big sister, heard and went running up. She lifted her out her crib and then asked what she wanted to play. Together they went off and found R's most prized possession, her new American girl doll. R let her beloved little sister pick an outfit, and they dressed her.

When you think of R you can't help to think of laughter. She is always so funny. Children tend to gravitate to her because of her happy and fun nature. But she is so much more than her first impression. This dear daughter has such a kind and helpful heart. She is always so willing to find ways to help her family and friends. She seems to know exactly when a person needs a kind word or compliment. Her heart is even bigger than her laughter. But, oh, that laugh makes me smile. She is our middle, and as her father blessed her when she was a baby, she is our peace maker (thank goodness that she is, because being funny sometimes requires peace afterwards). We call her our family glue. I feel so blessed that she is mine. And, oh, how those blue/green eyes melt me. I couldn't imagine loving her more. I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.

why I am glad she is mine

Today E went to school from 8:30 to 3:30.

She came home and did her math homework from 3:35 to 3:55.

She then went to piano lessons from 4:00 to 4:30.

From 4:30 to 5:00 she finished her math homework.

Afterwards she had swimming lessons on the other side of town from 5:30 to 6:00.

She ate dinner and visited with the family from 6:20 to 7:00.

Finally, from 7:00 to 8:00 she finished her writing and spelling homework.

And I love her because even after an almost 12 hour day of nonstop studying and practicing she was still happy and never once complained. She was so grateful to be able to go to piano lessons and swimming. There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that this little person is mine. I feel like I learn more from her than she could ever learn from me. I absolutely love her.

Thanks Grandma

Christmas 09

To get ready for Christmas we, with our neighbors,went to a National Forest and cut down our own tree. The tree, Charlie, unfortunately, though tall, was too weak to support lights. Mike chopped it in half and set up in the landing upstairs for the girls. The presents that they were able to open Christmas Eve were under that tree. Also the elves brought their new Christmas PJ's and left them under the tree. We loved having two trees so much we have declared it a new Holiday tradition.

We were also able to go to the library and meet the REAL Santa Claus. Not just a helper Santa. The girls adored him (and Mommy thought he was pretty special, as well).

The girls favorite Christmas tradition (along with the daily advent activities) is the wrapped Christmas books under the tree. For the month of December there are 25 wrapped Christmas books under the tree. Each night the girls take turns picking one to be read. There is such an excitement with the mystery of the book. I love the stories we pick. In the middle of a crazy Christmas holiday it truly brings the real Christmas spirit in our home.

On Christmas Eve we had 40 friends over. The children acted out the Nativity again. I love Christmas. The Christmas Eve nativity is truly my favorite tradition. I am so grateful that our girls are still at the perfect age where the play is the highlight of Christmas Eve. I love that our little ones understand that Christmas is truly about more than a man in a red suit but a baby in a manger and the man He would become.

school performances

R's kindergarten class had the cutest school performance of the first Thanksgiving. R was a pilgrim woman. Her line was "Mercy me!". After MUCH practice - she delivered it perfectly.

E joined the school drama club with the neighborhood girls. They did a series of three short plays. In "The Christmas Carol" E was the ghost of Christmas future, in "The night before the night before Christmas" she was the mother, and finally she was Holly the Elf, in "Olive the Other Reindeer". She put so much time in memorizing her lines and entrances. She did great. We were so proud of her courage.

Photo Session

My friend, Gina Robinson http://robinsonphoto.blogspot.com/, took photos of our family recently. I loved how they turned out. She was so good with the girls. She even got them to look at her at the same time - and smile. She made it such an easy experience. Here is a sample.