Tuesday, October 7, 2008

SNHU Reunion


I remember just yesterday going off to college. Melissa likes to remind me that she was terrified to live with the basketball cheerleader that worked at the GAP. I think I was a little to hyper for her :) I also like to remind her that she was a little bit of a hippie back then. Needless to say that the doubt that we had disapeared very quickly because Best Friend doesnt even describe it. I was very lucky at school. I found 5 great girls that changed my life forever. We have definitely had some ups and downs but whenever we get together its as nothing has changed. Some us have gotten married and others have moved away but we have a friendship that is hard to describe. All I know is that I would not be the person I am today without them. Although we all couldnt be together the other night there were four out of six. :( Peckahead we missed you like crazy, but I am sooo excited to see you at the wedding this weekend. Annette we missed you but we didnt want the sick Bride to get worse at a rainy night out in Manch Vegas :) I hope you all know how much you mean to me! " I shall Believe"

Jonahs's First Birthday Party!

Then.....
Now....
The boys had a blast at Jonah's Big Day! I feel like yesterday Wendy and I were pregnant and now he's one!!! Wow Life really does fly by in a blink!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Miss Annette is Getting Married!!!





So last night I had a fabulous time!!! Ladies night on the town. My college friend Annette is getting married in a few weeks and we celebrated her send off in a big way! Going to the Bar The Estate which was so much fun! Some of you might appreciate this.... We met Lo from The Hills. I personally don't watch the show but a lot of the girls were super excited. I am posting a few pics from last night. I dont have the group shots of us girls with the tv star, but as soon as the pictures get sent around I will of course post it.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Dana and Kent

Hi Everyone,
Our friends Dana and Kent made a video to win a Pure Maine Wedding. Check out their video!! Please add comments to help them win!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiXjpph9Fdo

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Truck Day Wow Mama!!!








So this weekend was very eventful and fun for Mr. William and Master Jakers. We had Cameron's 2nd Birthday on Sat which the boys had a blast at and then to it was TRUCK DAY in Burlington!!! William kept saying truck wow Mama!!! We met up with Will's Best Buds Adian , Lukie James, and Clayton. What a better truck day then to spend it with the boys! Here are some pics of the boys in action! PS Dont minky the binky. I dont usually let him take it out but we were having a rough and tired day.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Meet Jack Emslie


Jackie was so brave to have three little boys at her house this past wen and the boys finally got to meet Mr. Jack Emslie!!! He has grown so much since I saw him last. He is such a little man and I love it. He is starting to look so much like his daddy. When are these boys going to look like their Mommies????? Thanks for having us over for a playdate Jackie!!!

Soon to be Mrs. Auger



Tonight was the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Auger's Jack and Jill. I have never been to one before and let me tell you it was sooo much fun. Also interesting to explain to my husband why you need all these different pans and 5 different mixing spoons. Here are a few pics of my girls and of course we are missing Peck. We miss you and cant wait to see you at the wedding! Yeah my roomies together again!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The world is full of suprises!!!

Someone performed a Mitzvah for me today. What is a mitzvah you ask??? It is an act of human kindness. Let me set the scene .....

I am at the Wrentham Outlets shopping with my cousins. I go to change the little ones in the bathroom and I put my wristlet on the back of the door. I get a call from Bryan saying I have been called to active duty I leave tomorrow mornig. I am in complete shock and rush out to the car leaving my wristlet on the back of the bathroom door. I run back in a moment of panick and of course it is gone!!!!! I then file a police report and this whole time having two screaming children beside me.

So after the tears and i drag myself into the car and head home with no gas or money or plastic. Well I see exit 34 in front of me. My exit and of course I run out of gas!!! Well my wonderful brother in law comes to my rescue. So that was the first act of kindness. Then today I get a fedex envelope delivered to me with my name is the return address as well. I have not a clue and when I open it up in it is my coach wrislet. Can you believe it cash and all!!! No note or hint of who this wonderful person is. I started to cry in joy that someone had made my awful week turn wonderful!!! There are still honest people in the world. So now it is my turn to perform a mitzvah!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Night Out on the Town!!!









So Terri and Dad were nice enough to watch the little ones Sat night so we could have one dinner with someone not yelling Mama or Dada the entire meal while we are talking. Here are some pics of our reliving our youth! The cousins came down to join in the fun!

Cape Cod Pics





We just came back from wonderful Cape Cod! All I have to say is I dont know how our parents did it all those years!!! The two of them in sand wow what a combo! Needless to say we had good times! Here are some pics of the little ones :)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Emily





I know this is delayed by I day but I still wanted to put up a post. It was two years yesterday that Emily Lousie Brooke passed away. She was the laughter in the room and always made me laugh. You try and make sense of tragic things that happen to ones so young. We search for answers and cant find any. Everyone that knew her misses her greatly and we just have to think that she is looking down on us taking it all in. Thank you for being our Angel Emmy.

Brayden is Here!



Sorry it has taken me so long ot update but with two little ones running around you would be amazed how the time flies by! We had an addition to the world this week and I can't believe he is here. We had dinner at Jen and Jason's house last week and I fully expected to do dinner again. Well Mr. Brayden had other plans for his Mommy and Daddy. So Welcome to the World little man. You have two of the most wonderful people I know for a Mom and Dad and are a very lucky little one. Auntie is going to spoil you rotten!!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Catch up On Pics!!!

























Hi Everyone! Here are just some pics I forgot to post from the Burlington Town Day last sat!!! Enjoy! Jakers had his first pony ride!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Invisible Mom

My Friend Keri (who is an amazing photogrpaher by the way! Her blog is http://sweetwhispersphotography.com/blog/) posted this touching poem that she had sent to her and as I read it I enjoyed and actually brought tears to me eyes. There is nothing more important than being a Mom. Thats my job. Some women get dressed up and go to work every day while I am lucky to have a shower that is longer than three minutes long. I am a cook , a taxi driver and a million other things. Do I miss work and adult work??? Of course. It is the hugs and the kisses that make me think this is all worth it!!! And on a side note.... Very exciting day today (Mommys you will understand) Jake cuddled a real cuddle on his own today. He crawled up to me stood up and hugged me and then put his cheek on mine. He is becoming such a big boy :)

INVISIBLE MOM!!!!!

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?” Obviously not; no one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I’m invisible; “The Invisible Mom.”
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, “What time is it?” I’m a satellite guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?” I’m a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s going, she’s going, and she’s gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I brought you this.” It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription: “To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour รข€“ the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” And the workman replied, “Because God sees.”
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.”
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, “My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I’d built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, “you’re gonna love it there.”
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. Great Job, MOM!
Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know….I just did. The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
- Author Unknown (If you know who wrote this, please let us know!)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Great Friends Are Fantastic!!


So today was one of those days where everything goes wrong. One kids screaming ,one kids crying, dog is barking ( from the song your going to miss this)Well that was my life today. So I was running out the door to meet my Auntie Susie at the cheesecake for a bday dinner and as I am putting Jakers in the car I realized something was missing. HMMMM um Will's car seat! SHOOT!!!!!! Although that was not the word that really came out of my mouth. Its in Bryan's car. So I thought what the heck do I do??? So I gave my friend and neighbor Kristen a call thinking maybe she had an extra car seat. She didnt but said I could borrow hers for the evening since they were not going anywhere. I have been very blessed with some great girlfriends in my lifetime. So Ladies thank you for always being there for me!! All I have to say is Super Kristen to the Rescue!!!!!

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Never Ending Week.....


So finally Friday is here. Since everything that is going on with the job search for Bryan I have picked up extra shifts at the restaurant and with my Dad's company to make ends meet. For three years now Bryan has been the bread winner so I guess its my turn for a few months. So for the past week, I have gone from spending time with the kids in the morning to work at my dad's, to go right to the restaurant.This has been for 4 days straight. I need a NAP!!! (Random pic I just love it!)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

The 4th A little Delayed!













I know this is super later but we took the boys to see the fireworks in Pelham. We were definitely daring taking the two of them out for fireworks at 9 O'clock at night not knowing if they would freak out with the noise. They absolutely loved it!!! William kept saying Mama! Dada!WoW!!!! He are some random pics from our first firework event!

Crazy Crazy Week!







Ok So I know I said I would try and post a lot but lets face it I have been slacking and it has been a crazy crazy week! First on Sat we had my Best Friend Jen's Baby shower! I can not wait for Mr. Brayden to come. He is going to be spoiled rotten!!! Not that I dont remember how much stuff you need for a baby but I forgot when it is in a room all at one time! The shower was beautiful and besides from being 90 degrees I think Jen enjoyed herself.

Then we were off to Clayton's 2nd bday party. I can not believe that he is two!! It feels like yesterday we first met when he was only 3 months old in a tiny car seat. Sunday Alaina and Samantha came over in the morning and we went to the beach on our lake. Then sun afternoon we went to Gail and Steve's house for a family dinner since Elyse was in town visiting from Colorado. Will absolutely loved playing with the big kids and was attached to Daniel. He actually threw a fit when it was time to leave. Poor little man he just wants to hang out. While we were at Gail's house we also discovered that Jakers has realized how to climb up a step or two. He is always in a hurry to catch up to Will. Someone HELP ME!!


Friday, July 11, 2008

I finally broke down and will keep up with a blog!!!!


OK So i have finally broke down and decided to keep up with a blog. We have the website for the boys put I have trouble adding video and it will only hold a certain amount of pictures per album. I figured that this would be a great way to keep a diary of what we (The Riley's ) do to pass our time because somehow it escapes me and I have no idea where it goes. Right now Bryan is off fishing and I am in complete amazement because Will is sitting on the couch watching PBS sprout with teddy, juice and a blanket over him while Jake is sitting on the floor with his puppy watching as well. They are now two little boys. Will is no longer considered a toddler and Jake is such a little boy. I walk into Jakers' room this morning and he is standing up in his crib babbling Mamamama. He is not even 9 months old yet and he is in such a hurry to catch up to his big brother. I think of where I was a year ago. For those of you who think having a little can be trying imagine have a little one who wasn't walking yet and being 7 months prego. I didn't think it seemed crazy at the time. Although everyone else thought I was. Looking back I have no idea how i did it. Especially with Bryan being gone for three weeks last June and then one weekend a month. If i was tired to bad someone was still waking up in the morning. Very different from being pregnant with Will where I could nap and insist that Bryan rub my feet. Needless to say life does happen in a flash but I try and remember every day that there is plenty of time to go back to work because it would be a lie if i said i didnt miss it. Just today after talking my friend Shay from work and her telling me all that is going on at the office I missed it desperately.I miss my friends , the military families and all that we do. I felt as though we were doing sosmething important and helping families through deployments. Though when Jake woke up from his nap and acted as though it had been years since I had seen him instead of one hour I know I made the right decision, because a job will be there but these little guys will be going to school before I know it and I can never get those time back. Now I know why my mother worked nights. So i will stop rambling with my thoughts and sign off for now because dinner needs to be served and I am now the cook.