My heart melts

I have to say that the Dargan boys make my heart melt. Joey always says he wants to live with me always or live in a house right next to me. When Joey goes to school, he always says "I love you mommy." Owen always says "my mommy." He climbs into my bed in the night and snuggles so close. TJ gives me what we call a "wrap hug." It's the most amazing hug where he takes his arms, wraps them around my neck, puts his cheek next to mine and just holds me. I could stay that way for hours. They are all just too cute for words.

On Thursday, there was a storm coming, but we knew we could sneak a hike in for an hour. We missed Ryley of course. We always do! With Ryley in school, we still need to have some adventures.

Our nature hike started with some peacocks which the boys always go crazy for. Joey and Owen led the way and TJ followed behind as usual trying to catch up. At some point, Joey and Owen always turn around, go back, and grab TJ's hand and say "come on TJ." It makes my heart melt. They look out for each other and it's so sweet. The trail we followed was filled with the colors of fall and the smiling faces of the Dargan boys who were enjoying the outdoors!

A last look at summer! Sea Isle 2010 at OneTrueMedia.com

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Daddy would be proud

All of you who know "daddy" understand by this picture why he would be so proud! The Dargan kids sit on the front porch of their home in Hillsdale waving American flags. Joe is very patriotic and is always talking to the kids about heroes and how proud we should all be to have what we have. Every day, he tells the kids how lucky we are. Yes, at times he is talking about living in America and having freedom. He talks about his Grandpa Joe who fought in the war.

Aside from freedom and waving American flags, what he is really proud of in this picture are those 4 wonders that look up to him with such admiration and listen so intently to every word he says. He tells me every day how fortunate our family is to have each other. He says "We are lucky. We have a wonderful family and we have something special." I wish Grandpa Joe and Gram could see what a wonderful father and husband he is. I wish they could see how much he adores his family and how much more his family adores him. Every day at 5:30, those 4 cuties stare out the window just waiting for their hero to come home. First they yell 20 times as loud as they can "daddy's home". Next, they say "daddy, how was your day?" Then there are lots of hugs and kisses and of course more questions.

We are lucky in so many ways. Most importatntly, we have our family which is healthy, happy and filled with love.

Keeping it simple

I have not been adding too much lately. It's not that I don't want to. I think am just enjoying my time with my family. Our days are now broken up by school schedules which I am not happy about. Lately, when Ryley gets out of school, we sometimes just sit on our deck and talk about our day or head to a local park. It's tough to go on daily adventures. That's OK though. My kids are perfectly happy staying local sometimes. The other day I set up a blanket on the front porch for lunch and they were so excited. They are easy to please. They still enjoy stroller walks where we have funny conversations. Fall is now here which gave us the opportunity to collect leaves. Sometimes the most simple ideas turn out to be the most exciting. Last weekend, it was a spontaneous hike behind the high school in Hillsdale. All the Dargan kids needed was a mysterious path, some great walking sticks and seeing a few deer along the way!

Just a thought

School has started and we are all trying to adjust. I already miss the lazy summer days of doing whatever we want. I miss all of us being together all day. We still manage to fill our days with fun and excitement. I have some one on on time with the kids which is great. They enjoy it, but what they love even more is all of us just being together. Fall is here and with that comes our outdoor adventures. TJ has just become one of the gang now. His sister and brothers adore him and he adores them as well. He imitates everything they do and will do anything to make them laugh. They are all so different yet share the same spirit and love in their hearts. I am so proud of them.

Boys first day

Well, it's Joeys second year of preschool. Wow, time really does go fast. Joey walked into his classroom with all smiles and he was so confident. He definitely gets that from his daddy! I am so proud of him. He was so excited and he looked so handsome! He is an amazing little boy, and I just love watching him in action, especially when he thinks he is Spider man! He is a character who makes everyone laugh. I am laughing as I am writing this just thinking about him. I love you Joey!

Ryleys first day at Kindergarten

Well I know this is supposed to be a very happy day and a big deal (blah blah blah). I have feared this day for 6 years. My little girl left for Kindergarten. OK, I am happy for her, but part of me just wants her to be 1 again. I must be doing something right though because she has turned into this beautiful, sweet, smart and caring little girl.

I cried for days before and I cried again as I left her classroom. I am fine now. It definitely has taken me a few days to adjust. So, my first day of Kindergarten was tough. The tough day for Ryley was her second. I think it set in that this is every day now and all day. Ryley is like her mommy. She likes to relax in the morning. Ryley doesn't like to "have to" be anywhere at a certain time. Joe says she got that from me! She cried a couple of days going in, but Uncle G spotted her on line and she was all smiles. I feel better now. I miss her very much, but I look forward to seeing her smile when she gets off the bus. I love you Ryley more than you will ever know. We are so proud of you.