The Leonard Family

Let the Memories Begin

2012-02-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

The Leonards headed to Disney for a few days! We had such a fun time, just playing!! We enjoyed every minute, every show, every ride, every ice cream, every parade and the list goes on and on!

The Christmas Story

2011-12-08T07:56:00.001-05:00

This year, Silas seems very suprised by the fact that Christmas is about Jesus. He loves it - he's absorbing it - but it is as if he is hearing it for the first time. We've taught it, the church has taught it, his grandparents have taught it, his preschool taught it...So I know he has heard it. But the difference in hearing and believing are worlds apart. He has made some comments so far this season, that as a mother I know will stay with me. For instance, Sunday after church he told several people, "You know I really get it, Christmas is about Jesus first, jolly spirit second." I have thought about this all week. How true is it that if Jesus is first - the jolly spirit will follow? Thanks Silas for the reminder.
I have been really trying to re-teach him the Christmas Story, knowing that he is like a little sponge just soaking about all there is to learn about this "new" story. We were talking about it the other day and I asked him "How did the sheperds find Jesus?". Hoping that the part of the star had stuck, I waited for his answer. He thought about it for a minute and said "That's easy, you said they were in a barn so I'm sure they followed the stinky smell.".
We are still teaching......

In Sickness and In Health

2011-08-07T20:17:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! So hard to believe that 17 years ago I walked down the aisle and married my high school sweetheart. As the two of us took our vows on that alter, I know that we could not imagine the journey that God would take us on. In those moments, newlywed bliss was all that was on my mind....I imagined a life of laughter, smiles and no worries. As with life, that is not exactly what has taken place. There has been bumps, curves, downhill and uphill fights. But, through it all God has been faithful and the love that I felt for Beau on that day has only grown. The vows that we took, seemed so straightforward and simple...to have and to hold, in richness and in poor, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. The positive side is so much simpler to uphold sometimes - on good days, when the bills are paid and the kids are behaving and he smiles as I walk by - my heart still jumps a beat for Beau, just as it did in the halls of Virginia High School way back in 1992. Now, when the checkbook looks sad, the kids are killing each other in the other room, the house is a wreck and he has 101 things to do....I still love him but I would say it is a different kind of love!!

But let me tell you, when you see the man of your dreams laying on a hospital bed, now the love factor deepens to a new level. For the past month, Beau has suffered and still recovering from some pretty serious stuff. He has been a pretty awesome patient (90% of the time), and loving and taking care of him has been as easy to me as breathing! And, I know from experience that he would do the same for me.

I am so thankful for the past 17 years of marriage and for the past almost 20 years that Beau has been by my side. I am thankful for the laughing, the crying, the good times, the bad times, the sickness, the blessings....because I know that is what has strenghted us. I know that the road won't always be easy and right now there seems to be a lot of stuff coming at us, but I know that together we will face it and we will come out, one way or another on the other side.

Sisterly Love? Payback?

2011-03-28T09:07:00.004-04:00

My brother, Eric and I fought...I mean we really fought. We hit, scratched, kicked, yelled and body slammed! But we laughed until we cried and many nights you could find me snuggled up in his bed. Yesterday, Ellie & Clara fought so bad that I finally forbid them to speak to one another. We made it through the day, I sent them to bed and what do I hear....giggling, lots and lots of giggling. I seriously wanted to go in there and beat their little butts....I opened the door, stuck my head in and told them to cut it out and go to sleep! Clara says "Can Ellie sleep with me?" Oh my Lord, have mercy! What happened? What changed? We did have a serious prayer time earlier...were their hearts changed because I made them pray for one another, say nice things about each other and hug and kiss one another? I don't know, but thank God for the change. I went back in the room about an hour later and there the two of them asleep, snuggled together. Sisterly love....a love that can fight and not hold grudges. How I pray that this will always be the way. That they would love one another enough to disagree but that will also love one another to be that Rock in each other's life.

Change is among us....

2011-03-27T16:43:00.004-04:00

As kindergarten and high school registration are being sent to our house - I am reminded that our life is getting ready to make a major change. Fourteen years of being a "stay at home" Mom with little ones saying my name not once, not ten times but more like 70 times 70 times a day will soon be silent. I don't welcome the silence....yet. I know that I have been blessed to have this season be so long in my life. I know for years I never thought I would not be able to even have a sweet baby to hold but God blessed me 4 times. Four times I have experienced welcoming a baby into our family and what a blessing it has been. God placed in me a yearning in my heart to experience that and he filled that yearning with an extra big helping! I pray that as the last 4 months of this are upon me that I will relish in it. That I will take the time to have that extra snuggle with my baby boy. And that when the time comes that I will be able to let go with the grace that God gives me. That I will enter into this new season of my life with intention to look to for God's will for me. I pray that as more time is upon my hands, that I will look beyond the laundry to fill it.

Christmas Recap...Part One

2011-01-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

Oh how I love the Season of Christmas. The sounds, the smells and the spirit. This year did not let me down. One amazing husband and four wonderful babies filled our December with all of the above!
These pictures are from our night at the Billy Graham Library. It was a cold night and a very old fashioned Christmas. The kids enjoyed the live nativity, carolers and of course the hot chocolate.

I am all about free!!

2010-11-29T14:53:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to write about a free offer I was given! Searching the web for ideas on Christmas cards I stumbled across an offer from Shutterfly for 50 free Christmas Cards! I was immediately interested! I have had great expereinces with Shutterfly - I have had Christmas cards, Calendars and Coffee mugs made from their website! All have been a huge success! My family loves receiving Christmas Cards - it is a race to the mailbox everyday! They equally love sending the cards - we all work together to get the job done! I love that now with Shutterfly the job will be done in a snap....no gluing the picture to a card, no signing our name 50 times! With just a few little clicks on my computer the cards will be ordered and FREE!!
The designs at Shutterfly are great too - with 4 kids it is hard to get everyone in the perfect shot but on their website I'll be able to choose a design that allows me to include 4 individual shots. No more trying to get them all to smile at once! Check out their designs at http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards!

I also love using them after the Holidays to make Thank You Cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards!

And don't forget that their also a great way to make Birthday cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birthday-cards-stationery!

Start looking for our cards in the mail!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Happy Birthday!

2010-11-18T07:43:00.000-05:00

So hard to believe but the baby boy is 5! We are so proud of you Silas - you are an amazing wonderful little boy! My heart aches to think that you are already 5 but it also rejoices in the boy you are becoming! You are a blessing to us and we love you so much!
I hope you have a great day!

So Grateful....

2010-11-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

We all know that the I do not always keep up with things well....but in the Spirit of Thanksgiving I will start trying to blog the things I am so thankful for. We'll mark today with neighbors...we are so blessed!

Happy 60th Birthday!

2010-11-05T05:55:00.000-04:00

Happy 60th Birthday Grammie! What a great day we had celebrating! It was so fun to watch you open and read all of your cards - you have been such a great friend to so many people! Thanks for the best Mom & Grandmother - We Love You So Much!

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-05T05:53:00.000-04:00

Halloween....Take One

2010-10-29T10:13:00.003-04:00

Silas had his class party yesterday for Halloween! He had a GREAT time! His class went Trick or Treating around the YMCA! He and all of his friends were so cute and loved every minute of it!

Silas has come a long way and we are so proud of him when he is able to accomplish something like this! We are so thankful for a Doctor and Teacher at this time last year that were able to point us in the direction that we needed to go with him. Through patience, prayer and time he has been able to overcome so many things!

Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow!

Almost Eleven!

2010-09-23T20:29:00.000-04:00

Clara you are a joy and a blessing! We love you so much and are so thankful for the dynamic that you add to our family. You have always been our passionate child and that is still the case. You are passionately in love or completely detest everything that is going on your life. You tell us about ALL of it! I know more about Crestdale Middle from your one month there than I have known from Molly's past 2 years there! Thanks for being so open and sharing so much with us! You are so full and love and are so free to give it away.
I pray that God will bless you with an amazing year. We love you Clara Bug!

2010 - Girls' First Day of School

2010-08-25T13:32:00.000-04:00

There were no tears
I didn't even feel the need for a beer.

Ellie walked in alone
I think she deserves an ice cream cone!

Clara couldn't quit talking
and she just kept on walking!

Molly seemed a little nervous
but at least she was carrying a cute purse.

Ready or Not...here we come!

2010-06-27T19:00:00.001-04:00

Beau's parents got Season Tickets for all of us for Christmas....what fun we are having with roller coasters, corn dogs, water slides and more!

2010-06-27T18:58:00.000-04:00

Silas took his first swim lessons at the Y this spring! Grammie was sure he was ready....and boy was she right! He did such a great job and we are starting to swim without our belt now! Way to Go Si!

Molly's Cake Class

2010-06-27T18:53:00.001-04:00

Molly and Stephie took a cake class this winter! They had so much fun! This is Molly's final 2 cakes....pretty good I think!

Go Girl!

2010-05-28T16:07:00.002-04:00

Molly shoots....Molly Scores! Big Time on her EOG - she got perfect on her Math EOG and did very well on her Writing EOG!
Great Scores = Great Rewards at Crestdale Middle!
Last Friday she spent the day bowling for improving her score from last year and next Friday she will go whitewater rafting for being in the top 60 from 6th - 8th grade!
Some kids can run fast, some kids can shoot a basketball well, some kids hit homeruns...but this girl is gifted with intelligence and we know that gift is from the Lord!

11 days and counting

2010-05-25T20:50:00.002-04:00

Oh how I love the end of the school year. So much to look forward to in the next 2 weeks and I am praying God's grace and protection over the health of everyone so that we can really enjoy what lies ahead.
Pete & Joan are coming for Graduation Week - we are ALL so excited about that. The six months that we spent in Maryland made such a huge impact on all of us and each of us have missed them SO much! The kids are counting down the days until they get here! I am looking forward to laughing, eating and visiting for many days straight!
Grammie will get to tag along with Pete & Joan's visit which will be wonderful and the rest of the grand parents will make a quick trip for graduation.
We have Kid's Write Breakfast, Blue & Gold Day, 6th Grade Talent Show and Graduation to look forward to with the little girls. It is hard to believe that another baby is finishing up Elementary School - what a blessing Matthews Elementary has been and once again, this momma will be a blubbering fool on the last day of school.
Tomorrow is Silas' party at school - he is SO excited and he has no idea why! What a difference this year has been for Silas. His teachers has blessed me beyond measure and I am so thankful for the time and love they have given to him! He is a different boy - thank you Jesus for showing us what he needed and putting the right teachers in his path. Your hand was so evident and I am so grateful.
Molly and Clara both finished with 4's on their EOG's! We are very proud of them! Clara has not received her final scores but Molly scored high in Writing and she scored PERFECT in math!
Keep coming back ... lots of things coming up!

Drumroll Please.....

2010-05-19T11:19:00.003-04:00

Our Baby Girl hits 13! Molly Ann, you rocked our world when you entered it! We never knew we could love so much! You grew our hearts in a way that we had only dreamed of.

For years we wondered, yearned and prayed that God would heal my body and make it able to have babies and you were that first miracle. We praise God for you and the gift that He has given to us through you.

You are an amazing girl! You are smart, beautiful and God Loving! You make good choices, friends and grades...who could ask for anything more.

You are definitely a Daddy's Girl, sharing your love of basketball and TarHeels. I love to kiss you two good night leaving you on the couch for basketball! I love seeing that bond that you share!

You still love your Granddaddy with a "rose colored" glass kind of love. He does no wrong and is always right, I am so thankful for that.

You love to shop and your Grammie has spoiled you with knowing what the finer things in life really are. (good jeans - good shoes - good coffee)

You are a great big sister. You have set a good example for the little ones and you love them and you look out after them!

Sometimes an attitude that we don't like springs up within you, but with a few words you are back on track. I am so thankful for your sweet disposition and your obedient heart.

I pray that the teenage years will not be ones that we look back on and shake our heads thankful that is over, but that it will be years filled with happy times and happy memories.

I feel confident that you will give us a ride that will be wonderful and will fill us with pride. As we watched you cross the stage last Thursday to receive your Duke Tip award, in my heart I knew that this would be the first of many. God has blessed you with an unbelievable academic ability and I look forward to seeing how you will use it please Him.

I love you with my whole heart!

Friday Facts

2010-05-07T07:36:00.002-04:00

Let's try this blogging thing again!

Molly: accepted to a Duke Summer program - finished track - counting the hours until she turns 13!!!

Clara: Looking forward to summer - loved her trip to Williamsburg - got a huge surprise from her Daddy and went to see Taylor Swift last weekend!

Ellie: Quite the handful these days - learning to use her mouth against those 2 big girls! Just got a bunkbed and is loving her "own" space!

Silas: Doing fabulous at school - has went to his class at church 2 weeks in a row - riding his bike for hours every day!!

Friday Facts

2010-01-29T07:23:00.002-05:00

Silas: This week we received a note from one of Silas' teachers, it read as follows, "we caught Silas being social at lunch today" (followed by a smiley face) Praise the Lord!
Clara: After about 4 hours of a 24 computer ban looked at me very stressed and said "but if I don't claim my deers on farmville, they will be gone forever!" May it not be so.....
Ellie: Huge attitude improvement this week! She is such a sweetie pie but she can really let that temper go, we are working on it and seeing improvement!!
Molly: Finished course 2 in cake decorating - finished product looked pretty good! Watch out Duff and Cake Boss...Molly is on her way!

Playing Catch Up

2010-01-27T08:13:00.002-05:00

Bless this blog's heart, it has been neglected and ignored for too long. I realized recently, that this blog is my family journal. I can flip through the pages and take a trip down memory lane. It is important and years from now I will be thankful when I sit down and read old entries, remembering the innocence of my babies, that I took the time to write on a busy morning instead of changing the laundry.
So that is my goal, to write more....
Things have been crazy around here but little by little I should be able to catch myself up, so that it doesn't appear that we didn't exist the month of December and January. Because, man oh man did we!
Today we will talk about Beau. In November, he accepted a new job. A job that is 8 miles from home instead of 422 miles! Much improvement! The past month has been very stressful as he has closed out one job and jumped in with both feet to a new job, but he is surviving!
We are so thankful to have him home every day and night!
We look forward to seeing what is in store for us!

Fevers, Doctors and hospital visits

2010-01-26T07:26:00.002-05:00

In the last 3 weeks, I have taken more temperatures, given out more motrin, disenfected more sheets and visited the Doctor more times than I can count. It started out innocent enough, right before dinner Clara said "My belly hurts." .... the rest is history! First Clara, then me, then Ellie, then Molly, then Beau and then Silas and Silas lasted a long time. His was different, just a fever but it lasted for days and days. He spent a couple of days in the hospital, but now 2 weeks later he seems to be completely better. Praise the Lord!
It has been challenging, but as always God was faithful to provide what we needed, when we needed it. Friends have helped and we are so thankful.

Happy Birthday Ellie Kate!

2009-12-22T11:47:00.004-05:00

What a blessing the gift of Eleanor Kathryn Leonard has been to our family. We did not ask for her, we did not yearn for, but yet God gave her to us. We thought our quiver was full, but God had a bigger quiver in mind for the Leonards. How grateful and thankful we are that the Lord gives us not what we ask for or even what we deserve, but He gives us what he intends and wants for us to have.
Words cannot even begin to express what a true joy this little girl has been to our lives. She is full of love, joy, compassion and kindness. She has such an easy going spirit that makes her so much fun to be around and with!
Ellie Kate, we love you with all of our hearts. We love to see your big brown eyes dance. We love the words that come from your mouth (most of the time) and we love the spirit that lives inside of you.
You are a true blessing, we are so thankful for you and we LOVE you with all of our hearts. Happy Birthday to my baby girl!

Silas - isms

2009-12-05T07:04:00.003-05:00

Silas makes us laugh...alot! He has this quiet and extemely funny personality. Today he said some classics. Beau had to put a suit on for work today and when Silas saw him he put his hand on his head and said "Oh No Daddy is going to get married!" As Beau was leaving and I was in my flannel pants Silas said "Hurry Mom go get married with Daddy!"
Silas also loves Christmas Carols, we have been so surprised at how much he truly enjoys them. We have Jesus Christmas Carols and we have some very non-Jesus Christmas Carols. So tonight we are in the car and Silas says "Daddy is going to get drunk, watch football and play cards!" I was like "OH my goodness, where did my son hear that?" Then all of a sudden, my 2 big girls in the back started singing "Oh Grandma got ran over by a reindeer" - Silas was just quoting one of the lines out of the song! Maybe we should change our music!
He is such a hoot and we love him so much, we love how he makes us laugh until our belly hurts and tears are rolling down our cheeks. What joy he truly brings to all of us!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....

2009-12-02T20:07:00.003-05:00

Oh how I love the Christmas Season! Our tree is up, our outside is tacky and we are ready to go. I love this time of year, not just for the glitz and glamour, but for the whole attitude that comes with the month. I love Christmas music, hot cocoa for no reason and the fun of getting the mail and finding those wonderful Christmas cards.
Our girls are busy shopping and making their lists - of gifts they need to buy or wrap. I love that they are more concerned with that and they really don't have anything on their own list. Precious.
Silas is busy making lists and taking things off his lists. Precious.
My prayer this season is that I will stay focused on the true meaning, that our children will grasp the true meaning of Christmas and that God will use myself and Beau to teach that. I am praying that we will stop for a little while or a long while every day enjoy something "Christmasy".
Today, we did Christmas cards. Clara & Ellie helped a ton! Wonder what tomorrow will bring??

Thankful Guest Blogger - 11/22/2009

2009-11-22T19:27:00.003-05:00

Today, November 22, 2009, is Robin's 35th Birthday. I asked her if I could guest blog and she asked me not to publish this picture. After logging me on to her blog she left the room and I immediately grabbed the pic and stuck it on the scanner. You look great, baby!!!

I asked to guest blog "Thankful" today to tell you all how thankful I am for my bride. She has been my girl for over half my life and I am more thankful for her than I could ever describe in this blog. She knows me like no one else ever has and still loves me like no one else ever has. She is more than willing to put up with me in ways that no one else will. Hopefully that includes when I publish less than flattering pictures on her own blog.

I am thankful that she has the most genuine and strong motherly instinct. I am thankful that she knows when to push and when to pamper our children, seeing through her children's feelings to recognize their needs. She knows when it is time to reward, when it is time to punish and when it is time to "let it go". She knows when the meltdown is due to fatigue or hunger and is not the child's fault. She knows when my meltdown is due to fatigue or hunger and I need to be treated like any other toddler. I can't imagine parenting without her.

I am thankful for Robin because she is my best friend, my confidant, my help mate, my one and only. She sees my warts and flaws and loves me more. She sees my successes and cheers louder than anyone else. She gives me my wants at the expense of her own needs.

I am so thankful for Robin. She is the best person I know. She is the best mother I know. She is the best wife I know. I am better for knowing her. She is everything to me.

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." - Proverbs 12:4

Saturday Thankful

2009-11-22T08:12:00.002-05:00

Thankful that the Christmas trees and decorations are pretty much done!

Welcome to the Family!

2009-11-20T14:42:00.002-05:00

H1N1 joined the Leonard household through the sweet victim of Ellie.
So far, not so bad. She is high on Motrin, eating popsicles and ice cream by the truckload and is caught up on all her favorite shows.
We are disinfecting the house and praying that it goes as quickly as it came.
So for thankfulness today, I am thankful that Ellie is doing good! She has such a sweet spirit and taking care of her is much more of a joy than privilege.
Oink Oink from the Leonards!

Thursday Thankful

2009-11-19T06:03:00.003-05:00

*I am thankful I passed the test to renew my Driver's License.
Don't laugh...I have not passed before.

*I am thankful for Silas' funny spirit. Our tradition is to make toasts to the birthday person, last night he went and sat on the steps away from us while we made his. He would stick his head around and comment about what we were saying, but he would not fully participate.
He also would accept no "Happy Birthdays!" from anybody yesterday - we celebrated with a day out last week, and he said that was the only birthday he was celebrating. Unlike the Leonard Girls (me included) that like to celebrate for the entire month!!

Happy Birthday!

2009-11-18T12:08:00.002-05:00

Super Silas
Irresistable
Laugh maker (you always make us laugh)
Adorable
Smart

Thankful

2009-11-17T08:19:00.003-05:00

In my life, I have been an intimate part of 6 births. My 4 children and my niece and nephew. My "Labor" stories are as fresh in my mind as if they each took place yesterday. I remember what I ate, how I felt, the events in detail that led up to their arrival. I am not a very good pregnant person, but put me in labor and I am in bliss. Just knowing that the life inside of me is ready to take its first breath is overwhelmingly wonderful. To know that God made me for this purpose, that He gave us this gift is amazing and as I wait with every push for those precious babies to make their way into the world I am reminded of His love and care for me.
Literally, being on the opposite end of that is awesome as well. To actually cheer on Stef as she pushed and pushed for Briggs and Camille to come into this world was an extraordinary experience. To know that you would see that child take their first breath and hear their first cry is overwhelming.
It is insufficient to say that these experiences changed me, that they made me closer to God and that they made me so thankful. So thankful for life.
Last year, on this day and about this time, I experienced something very similiar. Instead of watching and waiting for a baby to be born, I watched, waited and grieved as I experienced a Heavenly birth.
To be a part of her death was a gift for myself, my Mom, Bob and Brian. To hold her hands as she drew those last breaths are a gift. My memory of encouraging Stef are words like "You can do it. You are doing a great job. One more push" But with Mary Ann, the words were "You are almost home - repeating to her words from 2 Timothy - You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race - you have kept the faith."
To know that just as I encouraged Stef to hang in there, to keep pushing to work through those labor pains, I envision those who have gone before Mary Ann doing the same. "Come on, you're almost home, you can do it, we can't wait to see you."
Can you imagine? Can you even imagine?
With all my heart I wanted to hold on to her, not to let go. Knowing that letting go would mean I was giving up something that I did not feel like I should have to give up. Letting go of the relationship that I had with her. I did not want to, I found comfort in just sitting on her bed, I found comfort in every breath she took. But she eventually took that last breath, hearts here were broken but I do no think that was the scene in Heaven. I know that there was rejoicing and singing and praising.
Praise be to God.
In 2 Timothy 4:7 the scripture says: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the Crown of Righeousness."
She received that crown because she did keep the faith. When adversities came her way, she kept the faith. When many would have thrown in the towel, she kept the faith. She left a legacy, a legacy of keeping the faith.
Though for the past year, I have cried many tears, my heart has yearned for her, my ear has ached to hear her voice I have comfort in knowing that she kept the faith.
Today I am thankful for her legacy. And I am thankful because of her faith, her death was really a birth. Maybe, you do not have the confidence or assurance that your death would be that. Maybe you worry about what will happen when you die, today would be a great day to find that answer. To find the assurance and hope that comes alone from Jesus Christ.
"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body is to present for the Lord."
2 Cor. 5: 1, 6-8
I am thankful for the assurance that I have - are you?

Thankful

2009-11-16T19:10:00.001-05:00

Thankful for the beautiful weather that allowed Silas to play outside all afternoon with his buddies. What a wonderful street we live on, so thankful.

Thankful

2009-11-15T15:44:00.002-05:00

"You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb,
be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever."
Revelation 5: 9-13

Thankful for Praise. Thankful for having a relationship with Christ that craves to praise Him. Thankful for a Savior who loves for me to praise Him, even though I sing off key. Thankful for my Savior.

Saturday Thankful

2009-11-14T17:42:00.002-05:00

I am thankful for not killing myself at the ice skating rink today! Ellie and I had a great time at her friends birthday party! So thankful for Ellie's sweet spirit. She is so kind to her friends - she is such a social butterfly. I pray that her spirit and love stays that way to others, she is such a blessing to be thankful for.

Friday Thankful

2009-11-14T17:41:00.002-05:00

Movie Night
Hot Doughnuts from Krispy Kreme
What a great family!

Thankful

2009-11-12T19:56:00.001-05:00

for Thursday....

clean sheets
Reese cups
Survivor, Grey & Private Practice

what a night!

Thankful

2009-11-11T19:58:00.003-05:00

Thank you to all of our veterans....We are so thankful for all you have given for our country.

Thankful (Tuesday)

2009-11-10T07:16:00.002-05:00

In one week we will mark the one year anniversary of Nanny going home to be with the Lord. As I was looking for something else, I came across the blog entries that I wrote during that last week and was reminded of how thankful I was and still am to all the people who helped me during those final days. So, today I want to again say thank you to them. The memories that I hold in my heart are precious and I have those because you helped take care of my little ones.

Beau - you brought me home when I needed to come home. You picked up where I could not be and I thank you for that. Thanks for being my helpmate during those hard times.

Eric & Heather - You helped SO much with Silas that week and allowed me to be with Nanny. You gave up time with her to take care of him and I will be eternally grateful for that. You showed me so much love and support...thank you.

Pucketts - you gave rides to my girls, you fixed them dinner, you did their laundry (and ironed it) - you filled in and helped Beau in an amazing way. But mostly, thank you for being there with hugs, kisses and prayers when they needed it the most.

I am thankful for each of you and for the way you rose up and ministered to me. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - I am thankful for you.

Thankful (Monday)

2009-11-10T07:12:00.002-05:00

Thankful for a wonderful husband, who loves God, me and his precious babies. Thankful that he chose me to his wife - what a privilege! Thankful that he can make me laugh. Thankful that he knows how to cook and does it! Thankful for the way he plays with our babies. Thankful to watch him and Molly be the biggest UNC nerds of all time together! Thankful that he has been by my side for over 1/2 my life....now that is a long time! Thankful for his perseverance over the past year.

2 days of Thankful

2009-11-08T16:53:00.002-05:00

Thankful for....
Clara returning safe and sound from her Retreat this weekend.
Having an afternoon at the Park with Ellie & Silas. What a blessing these 2 little ones are to us. God was so gracious when He gave us these 2 wonderful surprises!
Molly having a great time with her LifeGroup girls today!
A hubby who is home for the week.
A wonderful church service and an amazing Pastor who teaches me each and every week!

Thankful

2009-11-06T17:12:00.002-05:00

I am thankful for good neighbors. Ours are the best!

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-06T08:16:00.004-05:00

Thankful

2009-11-05T13:55:00.003-05:00

I am thankful for...
Today is Thursday...best TV night!
My Cel Phone....I love never being out of touch with "my people"
Silas being the BEST boy at school today!
Clara's Girl Scout Troop Leader - Kim Coleman! She is THE woman and I am thankful for the time she puts into the girls!

Ellie & The Ice Cream Truck

2009-11-05T08:24:00.007-05:00

Ellie won a visit from the Ice Cream Truck for her entire class! She put all of her tickets from the Fall Festival in this choice and was thrilled when her name was pulled. The Ice Cream Truck came to her school last week and she was able to go in the truck and serve all of her friends! She had SO much fun!

Great Report!

2009-11-04T18:37:00.000-05:00

Clara had her 1 week surgery check up and her eyes were GREAT! Her measurements were almost perfect! Thanks for all your prayers, notes and calls this week!

2009-11-04T09:06:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for...

Great Dentist visit for Molly & Ellie - No Cavities!!
A day off to catch up on Laundry!!
Diet Coke & Reese's Cups

I told you....some silly!

Girls who love to learn

2009-11-03T08:22:00.003-05:00

I am thankful for 3 girls who love to learn. They get up every morning without any hassle, they get ready, help pack lunches and get out the door with no problem. They go to school - absorb all they can, help the teacher and get great grades! They come home and do their homework and reading with little pushing or suggesting from me. (For the skeptics out there, I am not saying this is 100% of the time, we all have bad days and bad moments - but this is how they do the majority of the time!)
I am so proud of them!

A Month of Thanksgiving

2009-11-02T19:00:00.003-05:00

Inspired by several Facebook friends I am going to make every effort in November to blog something every day that I am thankful for. Some may be big, some may be small, some may be serious and some may be silly....It will be fun!

Day 1 & Day 2

I am thankful for a wonderful week at home this past week with my hubby, kids and parents!
I am so thankful for the fun we had and the memories we made! God is faithful.

Facebook, Surgery and Loose Teeth

2009-10-13T07:28:00.004-04:00

What has been going on with the Leonards? How about a little update!

Molly: loving being a part of youth group
Mom just let her join facebook -so exciting
doing great at school
has the "privilege" of being offered to take the ACT/SAT soon!

Clara: doing great at school
is becoming very busy....retreats, camping, friends etc!
has eye surgery on October 27th for her drifting eye - be praying for her.
hoping to be better by Halloween - she is going as a fortune teller

Ellie: Reading like a Pro
LOVING school
looking forward to Halloween - she is going to be Jessie from Toy Story
has no teeth left
learned to ride her bike

Silas: Liking school more every day.
learning a ton
starting to really pray - so precious
trying to have the nerve to dress up at Halloween - if he goes he is going to be Woody
fromToy Story. He and Ellie are too cute.

He Talks?

2009-10-13T07:22:00.002-04:00

Silas is doing much better at school. He is not crying when we get there, he is beginning to interact a little and every once in awhile he participates openly. I know he is getting more comfortable everyday so I was really able to have a good laugh with what happened to us last week.

We were in a restaurant last week picking up dinner and we saw a little 3 year old girl from Silas' class. She immediately greeted me and was talking non stop. As we were waiting for our food she came over to our table and look confused. She said "Why is Silas with you?" I explained to her that he was my little boy and then even more confused she said "He talks????"

Oh my, poor thing is still not saying enough for his classmates to know he can talk! We needed this more than I even knew.

Happy 10th Birthday Clara Jane!

2009-09-27T16:24:00.000-04:00

This is a beautiful picture that Clara took with her new camera! We are having a hard time believing that Clara has turned 10! Where has the time gone? I remember the details of the day she was born as if it was yesterday. What a blessing and healing my pregnancy with her was. Her birth brought such joy to all of us and she was a precious newborn.
She is now too a precious girl. One filled with such high strung emotion and passion. She has a hard time expressing herself except in a loud scream. Our prayer is that God will teach her to focus and manage that emotion and energy into something that is pleasing to Him.
Right now Clara is loving art, photography, Girl Scouts and Church LifeGroup. She is a straight A student. She is becoming more responsible every day and we are SO proud of her! Her goals in life have not changed much - she is striving to be a lawyer, governor and then the first Woman President of the United States of America! Watch out Sarah Palin!
Clara, we love you with all of our heart and we are so very proud of you. May God bless you this year!

Ellie's Blue and Gold...finally!

2009-08-27T14:31:00.000-04:00

Silas' First Day of School...Oh my!

2009-08-27T14:29:00.000-04:00

What a morning - Silas cried all morning..."I'm tired, I'm sick, I'm not a big boy and little boys don't go to school!" His Daddy was sad and I was ready to throw him in with the lions. I made him have his picture made...doesn't he look happy! We got to the Y nice and early and walked around...he began to calm down and right before we went in his class he decided we should pray again. So I prayed for him and he prayed for me, he took his lunch box and he marched in. Within minutes I could her him singing and playing! He seemed to have a great time - he says he is going tomorrow and that he likes it! Praise the Lord! Of course I had to pay off my bribe, a baskins robbins cake...I think moneywise I went in the hole today....Oh well at least he liked it!

School Days

2009-08-26T14:34:00.002-04:00

Can you even believe...we have a 1st, 5th and 7th grader! Wow! Where has the time gone...it seems like yesterday that I was dropping Molly off at kindergarten....I bawled the whole way out of the school. I didn't bawl yesterday...I saw mommas bawling though. I was okay this year...everyone was excited and ready to go! Ellie had a great day...she has some kindergarten friends in her class and they seemed to have a very fun day. Clara had a good day until her teacher told her she had homework...then the mood and attitude went south from there! Oh well...life goes on with or without homework...right? Molly had a good day too - found some friends in her classes and liked most of her teachers. So all in all...I think it was a great start.
Bedtime was EASY last night...they were so tired.
Thanks for all the prayers!

First Day of School

2009-08-25T09:56:00.000-04:00

ABC's of the Summer So Far!

2009-07-27T15:39:00.003-04:00

A - An AWESOME week at Camp Placid!
B - the Leonards' rode a banana boat!
C - Clara has lost 3 teeth!
D - Dollywood with Grammie and Granddad!
E - Eric taught Molly how to make sliders!
F - "fishing" in the creek!
G - A lot of time with Grandparents!
H - Heather and Clara bonded at church camp!
I - Ice cream has become a major part of most days!
J - a day out with Janet, so much fun!
K - a Kistner reunion!
L - LIAR - the girls favorite card game!
M - Mammie and Girls shopping days!
N - late late Nights!
O - Oh how we loved the Ocean!
P - precious cuddling with baby Holden!
Q - BBQ from Ridgewood - Yum-O!
R - Rest, Rest and some more Rest!
S - Ellie learned to Swim!
T - train rides at the park, Silas' favorite!
U - unbelievably good time on the 4th of July!
V - vacation is the Best!
W - a trip to the Barter for the Wizard of Oz!
X - an X-cellent summer
Y - Y does the summer have to end?
Z - Silas needs a visit to the zoo....

Mother and Daughter Pampered Chef Party

2009-06-28T20:29:00.002-04:00

My sweet friend Pam Lang, volunteered to host a Mother and Daughter Pampered Chef Party.

Sophia and Clara were the co-hosts and they did an excellent job making butterscotch fruit dip!

It was such a great night and the girls had so much fun!

Thanks Pam for hosting and thanks Clara & Sophia for being such great helpers!

We must have been bananas....

2009-06-28T19:52:00.002-04:00

I stepped way out of my comfort zone at the beach. The last time my body was in the ocean I was on a youth beach trip. At some point that week, Stan Hill threw me in a school of fish and I never got back in the ocean. Until this week...and for about 20 minutes I faced my fear and played in the ocean. It was fun, but later that day the lifeguard told us about someone seeing a shark early in the day and I guess with that it will be another 20 years before I am brave again.

BUT, in a moment of weakness I offered to ride the banana boat with my girls and Beau. I told little Ellie that if she would do it I would...knowing in my heart that little 42 pound shrimp would NEVER have enough nerve to do that. NOT....1 hour later I am buckled in my life jacket and they put me out to sea...to be eaten by whatever wanted me.

Honestly, it was so much fun. I would love to do it in a swimming pool....a big swimming pool. But boy was I scared....along with Clara who never stopped screaming at the top of her lungs....the entire ride....

But that little Ellie, she never stopped grinning!! It was a ton of fun!!

Have bag...will travel.

2009-06-28T19:40:00.004-04:00

This is definitely the Leonard Family Motto this summer. We are having SO much fun. School ended on a Wednesday here and we hit the road on Saturday for Maryland.

What a great time we had visiting with our family there. I am sure Aunt Joan will be sending pictures to me soon and I will be sure to post them.

Some fun things we did there were a pig roast, cook outs, kids in the pool and LOTS of shopping with Aunt Joan. Some would never dare take me and my four kids shopping but Joan was desperate and OFF we went. We hit every store that Westminster had to offer and before we could go the last one we had to make a quick call to Pete to meet us there because our car was full! Grammie has decorated from Virginia and we just did some finishing touches.

And with us shopping and buying by day that meant Pete and Beau had a lot of work to do in the evenings. Pete was the expert hanger and Beau was the furniture and knick knack placer. They were great sports!

We came home from Westminster late on Thursday night, spent Friday packing for the beach and hit the road early on Saturday morning. We drove to the beach, met Grammie and Heather at Cracker Barrel, had a big breakfast and was on the beach at 10 a.m. Not bad for a family of six, if I do say so myself.

The Beach was a TON of fun and way too much for one post so I will have to fill you in little by little on that trip!

We came home late Fr1iday night and believe it our not we are spending the week in Charlotte.

Then off to Bristol for fun...fun...fun

Pampered Chef Girl

2009-06-09T19:09:00.003-04:00

For those of you who don't know...I have started selling Pampered Chef! So far, I am LOVING it! I wanted to give you all my website, you can go there anytime and shop and order! It's very easy! So, take a few minutes and check out all the fun products!
www.pamperedchef.biz/robinleonard

Announcing....

2009-06-01T11:00:00.004-04:00

David Holden Lester

May 29, 2009

Proud Parents: Jason & Suellen Lester

Congratulations to Jason & Suellen (Beau's little sister) on the birth of their new baby boy Holden.

He surprised everyone by coming 3 1/2 weeks early!

He has struggled some with breathing and keeping warm but he is getting stronger every day!

Congratulations!

Odd?!?

2009-06-01T10:55:00.002-04:00

Many of you know that Molly Ann had a imaginary pet frog for years. He was orange with pink hair and he went and did everything with our family. He moved out after Molly started the first grade. Many of her pictures you will see her cupping her hand, because that is where Kermit liked to sit for pictures. Well, fast forward a few years and you won't believe what I am gonig to tell you. Yesterday at the pool, Silas told me something was in his ear. I pretended to get it out and handed it to him, I said "What is it?" and he said "It's my pet frog.!" And for the past 24 hours we have fed, bathed, played and put 6 "frogs" to bed! What does this say about my children??? Who knows, but for now it is really cute!

First Day at the Pool

2009-05-26T07:49:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Molly!

2009-05-07T09:41:00.000-04:00

12 Years old....unbelievable! You are an amazing daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend. You are loving, kind and respectful of every person you come in contact with. You are quick to help and slow to anger. You make us all so proud! We are so proud of your studies, your grades and knowledge simply overwhelm me. We are so thankful for the way you help your family, from picking up to cooking to letting Silas "blow" on your belly, you almost always do it with a cheerful spirit! We are so thankful for your relationship with God. We know that you listen for His voice and that your actions are because He lives in you!
My prayer for you is that God will bless you abundantly this year. That He will bless you with relationships that are strong and real. That He will bless you with good health. That He will bless you by protecting and watching over you. We pray that you won't just be on the receiving end of blessings, but that you will be a blessing this year, just as you always have been. We pray that you will grow in the Lord this year. That you will learn more about Him and that you will strive everyday to be more like Him.
We are so thankful for you and for the joy that you bring us. Have a Happy 12th Birthday!

Date Day

2009-05-07T09:17:00.002-04:00

Thanks to a bunch of people, Beau and I were able to enjoy a whole day out at the Golf Championship. Our neighbors shared from their stash of tickets with us (Thanks Brendan & Tony) and Beau's parents graciously adjusted their travel plans and spent the day with Silas!
Beau and I had a great time - it was so nice to be with Beau ALL day by myself...these days are few and far between. We enjoyed walking the course, eating the food and the lemonade was delicious!! I will admit that I was a little surprised at how crowded it was when Tiger was at a hole and how not crowded it was for the other golfers! I quickly decided following Tiger was not for me! I also will admit that I have not given Brendan credit for how HARD his job is!! Those golf bags are huge!!!

Silas did great with Mom gone all day. Mammie and Poppie now know all about Phineas and Ferb! Thanks again for coming!

We can't wait until next year - maybe we can get 2 days in!!

Ellie's Friday Family Night

2009-05-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

Ellie planned a great Friday Family Night....the menu this evening included sloppy joes made by Ellie. She did a great job measuring all the ingredients and cooking her sloppy joes. After dinner we took a walk to the ice cream shoppe and we all enjoyed a delicious ice cream treat. Her evening plans ended with popcorn and a movie. It was a fun filled night and we ALL had a great time! Thanks Ellie.

Springtime & Silas

2009-05-05T13:26:00.000-04:00

After a long day outside the baby boy went sound to sleep eating his bedtime snack.

Silas had his first big boy birthday party to go to...He was a perfect boy!

Silas loves to water the plants, somehow he always ends up needing new clothes afterwards!

Easter Pictures

2009-04-12T21:26:00.000-04:00

Easter Blow-Out

2009-04-12T21:21:00.000-04:00

On the night before we were to dye our eggs, Stephie and I decided to let the kids try blowing eggs. We went through a lot of eggs, had a lot of laughs and got some silly pictures! It was a hoot to watch and the kids loved it!
At one point I saw Ellie & Silas both holding their eggs about 18 inches from their mouth and they were blowing on their eggs....so funny! I have a great picture of Stephie and her egg, but have decided to not blog it in hopes for a sweet treat!!!

Carolina Girls

2009-04-12T21:13:00.000-04:00

Molly & Ellie dressed in their Carolina shirts for church...it has been a "blue" season here and it goes without saying that there were some happy fans at our house last Monday night! Way to Go Carolina.
And for the record, the bracket winners were Molly & Clara - Way to Go girls! The big boys are going to have to try a little harder next year!!

My boy....

2009-04-11T22:20:00.002-04:00

At our house, the tradition at Easter is doing Resurrection Eggs. Our girls have overwhelmed us with the facts that they know and remember about the Easter story and we give so much of that credit to these eggs. It has been so much fun to watch Silas grasp this knowledge this year. He has been precious about it...from the donkey to the nails he can tell the story. But one fact has gotten a little off for him, on day 2 inside the egg is a very small pewter cup. The teaching on this night is about the Last Supper and the kids learn about the wine representing Jesus' blood and the bread representing Jesus' body. Silas has told us over and over that the cup is Jesus' blood. I thought he was really getting it and was quite boastful about it. During spring break, I was walking the streets of Gatlinburg - Silas was holding my hand and we were chatting and we started talking about the eggs. We talked about the donkey and he told me that Jesus rode it and the people said Hosanna, then we came to the cup. And he said "it's the whoville cup (from Horton hears a Who) and it represents (can't even spell it like he says it) Jesus blood.
So even though he can say all the facts, some are still a little scrambled for him. I can only imagine what his little mind must be thinking...why would Jesus' blood be in the Whoville cups? ''.....

I am alive....

2009-04-11T22:02:00.003-04:00

The words to one of my favorite songs is "I am alive because He is alive in me."
How astounding is it that through Christ's death, we have the opportunity to
have Him live inside us and that by doing that we become alive.
This year, I am reminded that it is only through Him that we are alive. The past few months our family has spent alot of time talking and dealing with death. As we watched my Nanny slip into the realms of Heaven, death took on a whole new view for us. As we were singing this song at church tonight my spirit was reminded, our Nanny is alive and this Easter season she has been in the presence of our King. She has touched the nail scarred hands and she has worshipped. Praise God! Two years ago on Easter morning my family gathered in a hospital room and we had church with Nanny. My children read the Easter story to her and we sang and prayed as a family. We took communion - the wine was juicy juice juice boxes and the bread was saltine crackers from the hospital's snack room. But we prayed and remembered. Last year the same scene was in my mom's living room, Ellie had pnemonia, strep and a kidney infection and she laid lifeless in my lap. But when it was her turn to share the Easter story, she took all the strength she had and told it perfectly! Nanny was there to watch and how proud she was of her.
This year we are in Charlotte, we will gather around the kitchen table and we
will finish our Resurrection Eggs and have communion together as a family.
I am so thankful that through Christ, I am Alive and I can celebrate not just on Easter but everyday.
Happy Easter.

Catch Up

2009-03-30T21:02:00.002-04:00

Lots of fun things have been going on with the Leonard's over the past couple of weeks - I would love to blog them all, but time has gotten away, so I'll just give you a quick run down!
For Molly, March Madness couldn't be any better! Her bracket is strong, picking 15 of the Sweet 16 (not bad huh?). She and her Dad had a great opportunity to see her Tar Heels play in Greensboro, she had a wonderful day. School is going good for her, she seems to be settled and isn't even complaining about the bus! She is looking forward to the weekend and hoping with all her heart that her team becomes a Champion this year!
Clara has totally adjusted to the new school, grades are great, she loves her teachers and seems to be quite the social butterfly! She too picked a great bracket this year and is keeping her fingers cross that she wins the 5 bucks!! She is loving the warm weather and is spending her afternoons on her bike or roller blades with a cute pink i pod in her ears!! We're so thankful that her new fav is Pure N R G....a great Christian group that LaLa turned us on to!
Ellie is blooming in so many ways this spring. Her reading is amazing to us all, I love to see the look in her eyes when letters become words! Amazing! She is loving her new class, missing her old one. She is talking 100 miles per hour these days, sometimes we get what she is saying other times we don't. She loves her new speech teacher and is learning so much already!
Silas is our outside boy! He is loving having his dirt back - last night as I washed his hair I felt like I was exfoliating his scalp because of all the dirt that was on his head! He has a new friend on the street and he is loving to play with him!

Friday Fun Night

2009-03-23T10:03:00.000-04:00

This week was Ellie's choice and she did a great job planning. Her menu included pizza, brownies (made by her), strawberries and pepsi. We took our picnic to the park and enjoyed an evening at the playground!
Everyone had a great time!

Sleepover Fun

2009-03-17T15:23:00.000-04:00

Our first official Friday Night in Matthews all the girls had a friend over for the night.
They laughed and giggled all evening long.
A fun time was had by all.....

Clara & her longtime best friend, Lauren

Ellie & her precious friend Emily

Molly & her sidekick Carolyn

Watch out Tiger

2009-03-17T13:37:00.001-04:00

As the weather turns warm and our afternoons are spent outside, we realized that Silas is no longer a toddler and his "baby" outside things just aren't right for him. My first clue could have been when he pushed his little cute trike and said "this doesn't work.", or it could have been when he turned 2 die cast trucks into roller skates or maybe when I saw him sneaking onto Ellie's princess bike. Anyway, my baby boy is growing up and he is needin' some big boy toys! During our errands today he talked us into going into Dick's Sporting Goods. On our 3rd trip upstairs to the golf department, we caved and got the little man a set of junior golf clubs! He is really loving them!

Mom's touch

2009-03-14T12:30:00.003-04:00

This week Grammie came to visit for the week. She spoiled all of us with spring shopping trips! It was so much fun! All of us girls love shopping with Grammie!
She also did some redecorating and organizing in the house! She has successfully turned our dining room into a beautiful office for Beau, took our messy loft and made it look like an adorable playroom, updated the girls bedroom and our living room. She has such an awesome touch.
Thanks for a great week Grammie! We loved every minute and can't wait until you can come back - Silas keeps saying to bring Granddad next time!!

First 2 weeks

2009-03-14T12:26:00.002-04:00

We have made it through our first two weeks back at school. The girls have done amazing! Ellie has settled into her new class like a champ! She is making new friends and learning new things. She has learned some new "pocket" words and even how to tell time! Way to go Ellie!
Clara has blossomed over the past 2 weeks. She has LOVED "reconnecting" with so many old friends. She is loving her new class and said the Friday was the "best day ever!" She has had an awesome attitude and we are so proud of her.
Molly has survived the past 2 weeks. The first week seemed to have been the roughest and this week every day has gotten better! She is beginning to come our of her shell and catching up with some friends. We are glad things are improving for her - the attitude was about to kill Mom & Dad!
Keep up the good work girls!!

Kicking and Screaming!

2009-03-14T12:22:00.003-04:00

After much prayer and deliberation....the Leonard girls are going to start riding the bus! Silas and I are spending 3 hours a day in the car, every day and we think it's time to try something new! So starting Monday - I'll take them to school and the bus will bring them home! Ellie is my only girl that isn't going nuts on me - thanks Ellie! We'll keep you posted!

Snow???

2009-03-02T14:03:00.003-05:00

We came to Charlotte and threw our coats in the closet, put our gloves and scarves in the garage and pulled out our flip flops. It was 60 degrees and we were loving it!
Then we heard the forecast, snow in the air. Unbelievable!
We woke up to 4" of snow today and no school. Our girls' first snow day in Charlotte!
Silas and Ellie played for a little while today, the snow is melting and it is beginning to look like one big giant mud puddle out there!
Hopefully by the end of the week the beautiful weather we'll be back, until then maybe I shouldn't pack up the coats quite yet!

Back in North Carolina

2009-03-02T13:50:00.003-05:00

The Leonard's drove into North Carolina on Wednesday. We looked very similiar to the Clampett's driving into Beverly Hills. We had 1 sprinter, 1 SUV with lots of "stuff" tied on top with a UHaul attached, which was packed so full we barely got it open and 1 SAAB with a dirty clothes hamper in the passenger seat and coats in the window!! I'm sure we were quite a sight to all we passed. But, we made it. Our trip was good, the kids were great travelers and nothing fell off or came unattached!
My parents graciously met us here and we worked them to death for 24 hours and then they ran to their car and got out of here....
Granddad did lots of jobs while he was here, including but not limited to cleaning out of the garage and loading it with mattresses to sell, hanging pictures, fixing doors and several important trips to Baskin Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts!! Oh how Silas loves those trips...
Grammie did lots of rearranging and redecorating. She made some great choices and I can't wait for her to come back. She also took me on a huge shopping excursion to Costco - Thanks Grammie and Granddad!
We have officially unpacked everything, I think it is safe to say that we all know where our toothbrushes and underwear are now. That was not the case for the first day or so....gross!
Now, it's time to clean and get the laundry done! I'm sure one day I'll be caught up, but until then we will just keep on keeping on.
Thanks for your prayers over the past week, they have been felt.

A lesson in humility - Ouch!

2009-02-23T09:47:00.007-05:00

At the beginning of the Basketball season, my die-hard TarHeel daughter made a bet with her Uncle Aaron. Molly bet him that the losing team would wear the winning teams color to church the following Sunday. Easy enough bet, the TarHeels would never lose to the Terps. She anticipated that first game much like a child anticipates Christmas morning. She drank diet Mountain Dew to handle the late game, got her homework done early and settled in to watch the game. Uncle Aaron came over with an unexpectant heart. He took her jabs, insults and harassment with grace. He laughed with her and stayed to the bitter end when his team got their butts kicked!

Aaron led worship the following Sunday with his Carolina sweatshirt. He looked GOOD to say the least. Molly was mad, he should have worn the pj pants and scarf....she laughed, she mocked, she took pictures....she is a GREAT winner.
Over the next 2 weeks, she told everyone about how funny it was and how she couldn't not wait until Feb. 22nd when he would have to wear blue again. Uncle Aaron dreaded the game and the Sunday that followed - he told her "Molly, I have a better chance at the game getting rained out than winning."

We had a party planned for the game but the stomach bug cancelled that....but the text messages flew from Molly's fingers during the first half. She laughed, she laid out his sweatshirt ...she giggled at the thought of him at church the next day.

Then I went to sleep - I woke up in the 2nd overtime. Things were ugly, the score was tied, Molly was mean and she was only receiving text messages - none going out.

The game ended her team barely lost but a loss is a LOSS. Her phone began to ring, Uncle Pete came out of hiding and Molly was in despair. She cried real tears, skipped dinner and laid in the fetal position for at least 30 minutes.

Come Sunday, she put on her Carolina shirt covered it with a Maryland shirt and headed to church. She fullfilled her bet...but it wasn't easy.

Molly is a great winner, a not so great loser and she got it all from her Daddy. I think he has never been more thankful for throwing up and missing church in his whole life!!!

Cookin' with the kids!

2009-02-23T09:33:00.003-05:00

Friday night is Family Night at our house. It is very low key, normally a game or movie. But we do try to focus on doing things together. Lately, we have been taking turns planning the nights. Sometimes that has been good, other times (like when Ellie created a game show) it has not been so good. This Friday night was my night, in the midst of all that is going on in our house I did not really have a plan, not for the night or even for dinner!!! But when a few things fell together, we ended up cooking brownies and going to the mall for dinner. It ended up a huge hit and got rave reviews! Way to go Mom!
Molly actually skipped the cooking part, she was very busy getting ready for the upcoming move. We normally have mandatory attendance, but I let it slide this week. So the three little ones and I set out to make mini brownie muffins with reese cups in the middle. This was a great recipe shared by my friend Jen! The kids have alwasy loved to cook and it amazes me how much Silas loves it. Each one did their part in making the brownies - Silas dumped, Ellie cracked eggs and Clara measured! Then each filled their muffin tin. Clara needed no assistance, Ellie wanted to lick more than pour (she gets that from her mom) and Silas did a surprisingly good job!
While the brownies cooked, they opened the reese cups. We had exactly the right number and I was shocked that Silas could open and not eat. Then when they came out of the oven they each pressed their reese into the brownie. Some were a little more squished than they were supposed to be, but they turned out delicious.
I love activites that we can do as a family and it is fun to start having Silas really involved. Every since Friday he keeps saying "Let's make some brownies!!"
Wish I would have taken pictures, but we were a little too messy to pick the camera up...if in the packing I even knew where it was!!

Mountains of Laundry

2009-02-20T12:04:00.002-05:00

In the midst of traveling to Bristol last weekend and packing this week, I seemed to have forgotten that there was dirty clothes to be washed. When Beau laid out khaki pants last night instead of jeans, I knew it had been awhile. So early this morning the task began - but for me, I find such joy in doing laundry and ironing. I often use that time to think about and pray for my family.
As I was folding jammies today, I realized that some of this jammies that I'm folding are going to be the ones that they wear their first night back in North Carolina. I can't help but be excited, even in the midst of the mountains of laundry! God has been so good to us through Pete and Joan and leaving them is going to be sad. We are so thankful for the gift they have given us and we will never be able to repay that to them. (unless they accept dirty laundry)! But as good as the last 7 months have been, I am so thankful to be going back home. And home is in North Carolina for us Leonards.
I'm so thankful for the joy that the Lord provides for me. If I hated doing laundry I would be in bad shape with the family I have! So when you do your laundry today - find the joy!!

Guess whose coming home to Carolina?

2009-02-10T12:41:00.002-05:00

The Leonards'!

Us leonards are happy to share the news that we are going home to Carolina. After 7 months of living up north...our southern roots are taking us back!

Due to the unsuccessful sale of our home, Beau's boss has agreed to let him work out of our home in Charlotte.

We are sad to be leaving the family that we have become so attached to in Maryland, but we are so excited to be going home.

Happy 3rd Anniversary

2009-02-04T17:43:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary to my brother Eric and sister-in-law Heather.
You guys make a great couple and you compliment each other well.

Heather, we are so thankful for you and the wife you have become. But what impacts us the most, is the Aunt and sister-in-law you have become to us. We appreciate the unconditional love that you have shown us and the willingness that you have had to be a part of the Kistner clan!

Eric & Heather, I pray that God will richly bless you this year. That in your life, you will see His faithfulness and love every day.
I pray that as you rise in the morning and as you go to sleep at night, that God will be in your thoughts and mind.
I pray that He will guide you in the direction that you need to go and that He will give you the strength for the journey.

I love you both and I am thankful for your relationship and for your marriage!

Happy Anniversary!

Super Bowl Excitement

2009-02-04T17:30:00.002-05:00

Around here when it comes to sports, the Leonards are North Carolina through and through. Even though our team wasn't headed to the Super Bowl, we still felt that good food and fun should be part of our day! We were all talking about the yummy food we eat at the Puckett's for the Super Bowl party and the girls were talking about the fun they would have with their cousins. I decided to ask Ellie a few questions about the super bowl...here's how it went.
Mom: Ellie, I know you're excited about the Super Bowl. How come?
Ellie: I get to see Annabelle
Mom: Well Ellie, what is a Superbowl?
Ellie: I have no idea, I just know I'm going to Annabelle's.
Mom: I'll give you a clue, it's a sport do you know which one?
Ellie: I told you all I care about is that "I AM GOING TO SEE ANNABELLE!"

So I guess to at least one Leonard - the fact that the Panthers were snug in their beds didn't matter!

Report Cards

2009-02-04T12:33:00.000-05:00

We are so proud of our three girls...they all brought home great report cards! Way to go Girls!

Boy meets Girl

2009-01-25T09:07:00.002-05:00

Seventeen years ago today, Beau and I shared our first date.

Today is pretty neat because we have officially been together for half of our lives!

That's a long time baby!

I am so thankful for you Beau and I love doing life with you.

Happy Anniversary!

Another one bites the dust....

2009-01-15T16:43:00.002-05:00

Don't judge me when you hear this story....
On Tuesday I took the kids to Michael's, Clara had a gift card from Santa that was burning a hole in her pocket. We had about 20 minutes to shop so that we would be on time to get Molly, so we were quickly making our way through the store. Silas did not want to ride in the front of the buggy and I knew we could not get out on time if he walked, so I let him (as I often do) ride in the back of the buggy. Surprisingly, we were having a good trip. He was content and the girls were happily shopping. All of a sudden, I saw him hike up his little leg and I stopped the buggy to sit him back down. As I stopped the buggy, he toppled out. He hit his arm, then his head - but he was pretty upset and his head was really hurting. I brought him home, he was very quiet and not himself. About 3 hours later the throwing up started, so we had to take a trip to the ER. Silas had to have a cat skan - which he did great for. He had 2 nurses and 1 Doctor fall in love with him, he made great friends with the cat scan guy and walked away with a concussion and a bag full of Thomas stickers, along with princess stickers he picked for Ellie.
He has done well since the incident. He was a little fussy and clingy yesterday, but today he seems back to himself.
We are thankful for the protection that God had over Him!

That wasn't me....

2009-01-15T12:20:00.004-05:00

It wasn't me this morning that reluctantly rolled out of bed at 6 to shower for volunteering at school.
It wasn't me that woke 2 precious girls up at 6:30 to get ready for school.
It wasn't me that pushed and "encouraged" the 3 of us to get out the door on time.
It wasn't me that let the kids snowball fight on the way to the car, never thinking that we might be on delay.
It wasn't me that didn't think it was odd that no one was stirring in our neighborhood.
It wasn't me that said "Girls we are either way behind or way ahead because there are no kids or bus this morning!"
It was my Clara that said "There's no footsteps on the sidewalks or tire tracks in anyone's driveway mom."
It wasn't me that pulled the car over and asked her hubby to see if we were on snow schedule...

It was me that had 2 hours to kill this morning!!!!

We are not used to these Northern mornings!

Back to Nature

2009-01-12T12:10:00.004-05:00

I didn't give many posts on Silas and potty training, because quite frankly he was great about it! He decided to do it and he did it! Today, I realized he had mastered it.
(Let's keep in mind it is 29 degrees outside)
I hear the front door open and close and assume that it is Joan or Pete.
(my mistake)
A few seconds later, the doorbell rings. I go to the door, Silas is standing there in his zip up pj's, unzipped, underwear around his ankles, grinning from ear to ear. I open the door, and he says "Just need to pee on the grass!" What a boy! Old enough to go outside and pee on the grass, but too short to open the door by himself!!!
Hope you laughed as hard as I did!

New Pictures

2009-01-10T18:46:00.002-05:00

Be sure to click on the slideshow and see lots of new pictures....ENJOY!

Happy Birthday Beau!

2009-01-03T22:34:00.002-05:00

Oops, I'm a day late! Yesterday was Beau's birthday! His birthday is always the day that life starts again. No more holiday or sleeping late. He got up at the crack of dawn and headed to work! The kids had a great time making posters & certificates for him. Ellie made him brownies, Molly made him tacos and Clara was in charge of party plans! When we went to Target Silas said "I think Daddy wants a darth vader, a millenium falcon and some new trains."
It was a great day and we are all thankful for him!
Happy Birthday Beau!

This has changed my life....

2009-01-03T22:28:00.002-05:00

This year I received the BEST gift ever - TWICE! First from my mother-in-law and about 2 hours later from my Mom! The Rowenta Professional Steam Iron! It is amazing! I ironed so much yesterday that my arm ached last night! It steams unbelievably! I think in a few months my face will look like I'm 18 from the daily steam treatments I will be receiving!
Tomorrow I'm buying a stop watch - I'm going to start training for the fastest dress shirt
iron "er" in the world! I'm telling you girls...this iron will change your life!

Christmas has come and gone

2008-12-27T13:33:00.003-05:00

The Leonard's have had a great Christmas. We have sang, ate, watched movies, ate, shopped, ate, opened Christmas gifts and ate some more! We have attended 3 Kids' Christmas shows at church and 1 Christmas Cantata at School for Clara. We had one "iced" out for Molly and will be attending it in January! We have decorated cookies (that tasted HORRIBLE) and gingerbread houses! We have played yahtzee, The Ladybug game, Monopoly, I doubt it and unending hours of Wii fit and Wii outdoor challenge! We have laughed our heads off at everyone dancing to the Dance Dance Revolution and Beau has been given encouragement that maybe he can ski again on Wii Ski!
We have heard squeals when the kids opened their favorite gifts - a cell phone for Molly, a camera for Ellie, a DS for Clara and Silas just loved opening it all!
We have had sad moments as we have thought of Mary Ann and how much we miss her and how much she would have enjoyed all that went the Season. But we enjoyed our Christmas Day with the Thomas Family! Boone & Silas had so much fun all day and we are even noticing them "covering" for one another! Brian said that is a great thing outside of the house, but it is a scary thing for us parents!
It has been an incredibly fun Christmas Season, each of the kids have brought so much joy and excitement and I will cherish every memory we have made! Our prayer is that through it all we have remained focus on the true meaning of Christmas, we have spent time every day in Advent (Thanks Linda) focusing on the meanings of the Season! The little girls have learned tons at church this year and I was so pleased as we were playing a Nativity Trivia game with Ellie that it was hard to stump her....when we asked her how many angels came to the Nativity she said a lot and we said like how many....and her precious reply was a "heavenly host"!
I pray that the memories of this Christmas will remain in their hearts for years.
We are so thankful for the family in Maryland that we have made this year and we are so thankful that where our hearts have a place missing that God has brought so many people to us to help fill that gap!
Merry Christmas to all of you!

from the mouth of babes

2008-12-23T18:26:00.000-05:00

Tonight at dinner, we were talking about our Christmas Day plans. We started talking about Granddad's plans to go to the jail to hand out gifts. Clara piped up and said maybe we should sing....Nobody's perfect(hannah montana) For those of you not familiar with the lyrics it goes 'everybody makes mistakesn everybody has bad days....nobody's perfect ...That's our clara.

Christmas, 1983

2008-12-22T21:52:00.002-05:00

My parents had planned a trip to Vail, Colorado - they told us they would be leaving on Christmas Eve and that we would be staying behind. Eric and I were not very happy and could NOT believe they would leave us on Christmas. We pouted and fussed for weeks....

Mom & Dad continued planning and rubbing it in our face. "Sorry kids" they would say with a grimace on their face!

On the Sunday before the trip, I was moping around after church. Pouting and fuming, thinking about how mean it was that my parents would leave me for Christmas. My cousin Sean walked up to me and said "I'm about to make your day....your parents are taking you on the trip!" I couldn't believe it I was so excited!

On Christmas Eve Eve we had a visit from Santa and all of our gifts were all about Skiing. A new baby blue ski outfit from Nettie Lee, a pair of 110 skis for me, ski boots, ski goggles....I was looking good.

We headed out on Christmas Eve morning to Vail. Tons of luggage, all the Kistner's and Susan and Cindy Thrasher! We arrived at the airport to find Vail snowed in and no rental cars....they gave the 6 of us a brand new Jeep Cherokee and we loaded it down and headed out on the unpassable road.

Our condo was amazing and we had a wonderful white Christmas. On Monday A.D. Jones and the Watson's arrived. We headed out on Tuesday for a great day on the slopes. Eric and I were put in Bunny School to learn to ski. Eric fell half way through the day and had to be snow mobiled off the bunny "mountain" and spent the rest of the week in a leg brace with a torn ligament.

That left me to follow David Watson down the slopes for the week - I was flying down the mountain by the end of the day!

It was a great week and one of the BEST gifts ever!