the red caboose.

Noah has been obsessed with trains since he turned two, and I am loving this phase of his. When Jill told me about a place called the Red Caboose in Pennsylvania I had no idea what this place was about. All I knew is that when she commented on my post about Noah going through a train phase she mentioned the word caboose, and I was sold.  

After looking it up online I knew this was the perfect place to take Noah for his third birthday, and we did.

Well, the Red Caboose is actually a motel with train cars redesigned into guest rooms, and let me tell you...it was interestingly fun. 

It is such a nice, laid back place in a quiet little corner in Lancaster County. All the kids had a grand time walking through the motel, and because its peak season there wasn't a lot of people which made it easier to take a few pictures of all of the cabooses.  

It was also a benefit for Noah since he was running all over the place, and on the train tracks. Don't worry...they don't work. 

I hardly ever see cabooses anymore. It's almost as if they have become obsolete. This one caught my eye, and since Lexie and I are the only ones in the family born in Texas I just had to take a picture of us in front of this train car.

I have a huge amount of respect for is the Amish. We saw buggy cars all over this county, and it amazes me how they live. Sometimes I wonder how life would be without technology. Probably chaotic, but there are some of us who can live without it. I'm sure I'd be going through a little withdrawal since I've been blogging more, but if I had to give it up I know I would. We were without electricity for almost 24 hours last year when Irene hit, and that wasn't so bad! 

 This was such a beautiful, quiet, place with a lot of space to run. I wish I could live here sometimes!

They also have a toy train museum in the back of the motel as well as a restaurant & gift shop full of vintage train cars to add to a train set. I wish I had a lot of money to have bought a few train cars.

The gift shop also has a huge train display in which you pay 50 cents to have it run. Luckily there was another person in there who paid to get it started, (and made sure it worked!) Then I paid to have it run again. Noah was in awe!

We had dinner on a train cart, and the food here was delicious. If you like Amish cooking then you came to the right place.

 The girls had so much fun sitting inside a train car eating their dinner.

Noah's birthday weekend has been so much fun, and I really don't want it to end! We sure did love this place, and next time we come we are going to spend the night here! So if you have a kid who loves trains, and if you're into vintage train cars...I totally recommend this place.

See y'all!

Noah is three y'all!

Today is your third birthday, and because I want you to see how you have grown throughout the first three years of your life I have decided to make a video.

Words can't even describe how much joy you have brought into our life. Even when your at your grumpiest (which is hardly ever) you are still a beautiful soul. 

You're growing up way too fast, and I have captured every single giggle, facial expression whether it's on video, or film. I never want to forget the sound of your baby voice, and your just too cute to go unnoticed. 

You are the most beautiful thing that your dad and I created, and I am forever grateful that I had you. I know that your sisters won't mind bragging about you on this post because you are the greatest thing that has happened to them too.

Happy 3rd Birthday Noah!

XO-

Mom

building faith & being fearless

We had our first snowfall yesterday and as I was driving through the wet roads with the kids I immediately felt a sense of peace. Seeing the snow falling down from the sky the day after the election was an indication to me that every little thing...is going to be alright.

Watching my youngest daughter who literally cried the other night because of the results of the election didn't put a smile on my face...it made me realize that we needed to have "the political talk."

Chelsea will be eight years old in a couple of months, and she's pretty sharp for her age. She told us about her class voting, and mentioned only three voted for Romney, and 21 for Obama. It was anonymous of course, and she felt bad that her vote didn't count. I know that the sadness she felt was the disappointment we felt as we stayed up until the wee hours of the night waiting for the results. That's when we explained to her that even though "her Mitt" didn't win that he is still a "winner" because of how he handled this entire election from beginning, in the middle, and to the end! I also said to her that her vote will always count in her heart, and that it will "legally" count when she is 18.

As parents we explained to her about building faith. You've got to build faith to have faith, and in order to do that it takes a lot of praying. I told her to continue to pray for President Obama in hopes that he will rebuild our country and make it better. I said to her that as her faith grows she will be fearless in sharing her beliefs, her thoughts, and her opinions...especially when it comes to voting.

After all...our children are the future generation, and their voices will be the ones to be heard.

Same goes for the rest of our kids. We are not the type of family who likes to judge others, but I have taught them that it's okay to be honest, and to express our feelings as to why we feel so and so should be president. Our two oldest daughters have seen the economy struggle in the past four years and have learned a lot from it.

Especially from us.

Our children have seen us struggle at times in the past two years, but I count our blessings every single day that my better half is still employed while others don't have a job. I count my blessings that I am able to stay at home to raise and nurture our children while other mothers have to work. I count my blessings for having health insurance and that it is there in case we need it, while others just can't afford it.

This years election will go down in history because of how divided the nation seemed to be. This years election was different because a devout Mormon ran for office. This years election was different because it was all over Facebook, twitter, and every other social network.

Sometimes people are afraid of change, and it scares them to death.

I know that Governor Romney was willing to change things, but we will never know the outcome of his goals because he wasn't chosen. Still...it is important to me to help our children understand the economy, and why it has failed for a lot of people. But I also want them to love their country, to love & respect their leaders, and to know that as they grow up having faith, and being fearless will help them get through life easier. I may not be "extremely happy" with the results right now, but I know that with faith, and prayer we can get through anything, and that life will go on.

I am "extremely happy" though that I randomly stopped on the side of a country road to feel of God's creation, and to see the smile that it put on Chelsea's face as bits of snowflakes fell from the sky.

That was priceless, and a moment that will be etched in my mind forever.

because this is history for my posterity

image by google

Remember how I mentioned in in this blog post  how excited I was about the election? Well, that excitement has dissipated. But I am a christian, and I am eliminating all negativity when it comes to President Obama.

After all...he is the President of the United States.

So instead of writing out my thoughts, and venting (that's what journals are for) globally I've decided to share various quotes by Facebookers. Some are positive, witty, and funny. Overall...I think they all have a good attitude as to the outcome of this election.

But first I want to share this wonderful quote in hopes that we will heed the words of Theodore Roosevelt...

"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other official."

"Support the office if you cannot support the man; remember the 12th Article of Faith. Far more important than who leads our country is how we conduct our personal lives; "stand in holy places and be not moved" is the best advice for those who wish to preserve our nation."

~Christopher C. DeSantis

"Why do I have the distinct impression that I'm going to be hearing a lot of "testimonies" of the imminence of the second coming & Sunday school lessons exhorting me that if I don't have a year supply of food already...I better REALLY get it now! 

~Rodger Burge

"I may not have much faith in the government right now, but I do have a lot of faith in God, and that is who I'll look up to."

-Janette Stones Walker

"We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States. After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter -Day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leader reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

 ~First Presidency & Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

and my favorite...

image via

"I believe in America, I believe in the people of America. And I ran for office because I'm concerned about America. This election is over, but our principles endure. I believe that the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and renewed greatness. 

I so wish- I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader. And so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and this great nation." 

~Governor Mitt Romney (read his wonderful speech here)

Prayers are important, and I will continue to pray for our country as well as our leaders. One thing for sure I will always be a "mom for Mitt."

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

an early start on a birthday with November treats.

November is the month in which prepares us for Thanksgiving as well as the Christmas season. It is the month when temperatures begin to drop in the evening as low as 39 degrees. It is the month where we begin to wear more scarves, gloves, boots, and less hoodies. It is the month of gloomy weather with sprouts of sunshine. It is the month in which we simply give without expecting a "thank you".

It is also the month of our son's birthday.

So with all that being written going trick or treating in November felt a little strange, but we did it anyway because of the kids.

And we had a blast! Just look at them! 

and we saw some many cool costumes!

Miss "thing"!

Our borough is so hype! Everyone decorated their houses so elaborately. I didn't go all out this year because of the hurricane, but these folks who live a few blocks away from us had the spirit of Halloween tucked in their heart, and saved it all for November. All the kids looked so happy to have finally gone trick or treating. This was so much better than going trick or treating at the mall last week!

After wearing his costume a few times Noah got used to walking with his tail. Sometimes it would give him a hard time especially when he had to walk up some stairs.

The night came quick because of the time change, and temperatures dropped to about 40 degrees. We decided to call it a night, and on our way home we stopped by a few houses that we missed because they weren't home yet. One neighbor obviously got cold and left their candy bowl out on their porch.

We all do that sometimes...don't we?

I think they forgot to write the word "Halloween", but we did leave happy though! Thanks for the note, and treats y'all!

We were out for about two hours, and boy did the kiddos come home with a lot of goodies!

Dinosaur candy

Now this is one thing that I hardly ever did with the girls, but I allowed Noah to eat as much candy as his little heart desired all evening long! Am I a bad mom for doing that? I'm only giving him an early start on his birthday week!

After all...he will be three this Friday.

"You better not pout"...you got plenty of candy son, and a birthday coming!

Now we are in the midst of preparing for a Nor'easter that is supposed to hit tomorrow. I continue to pray for those families who are still without electricity in Atlantic City as well as Staten Island. I pray that they will find ways to be warm. I pray many blessings upon those families. Hopefully the storm won't be too bad, but we are ready with the necessities, and all the candy that the kiddos received to comfort them.

I am eternally grateful for those simple necessities.

ready to vote.

image via

Election Day 
New Jersey-November 6th, 2012

Tomorrow is another chance I get to vote, and I have to admit I am excited about this year's election. 

Four years ago we were in the middle of moving from North Carolina to New Jersey so unfortunately when we moved here I didn't get the chance to change my driver's license right away. My husband did for business purposes, but I lollygagged, and didn't change it right away. I thought it wouldn't matter as long as I had a form of I.D. 

Well it did matter at least in the state of New Jersey. Since I had a Jersey address, I needed proof of that on my I.D. and couldn't vote. I was pretty bummed, but then again everything happens for a reason, and after seeing how the economy engulfed since I moved here four years ago I wonder if my vote would have made a difference. 

This year I am a Jersey resident with a Jersey license, and I am prepared to cast my vote. I know there are so many of us who are undecided about who to vote for, or who are not impressed with any of the candidates, and may not have the desire to vote. We all have different views on how we would like to see things run, and what things we would like to happen, but whether we like it or not the only two people who are running are Barack Obama & Mitt Romney...sorry!

We all have the freedom to choose, and all have different opinions as to why we will vote for this person. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to vote in a country where my vote will count. Whether we vote for Barack Obama or Mitt Romney I pray that the outcome will be civil, and that we will all respect each others decision, views, and the office no matter what. 

We all want to survive in a world where the economy has gone downhill, we all want better for our children, and their posterity, we all want to stop struggling, and living paycheck to paycheck. We all want to have secured jobs with reasonable pay, and not having to worry if you can pay the rent next month. Everything in this world runs like clockwork, and hope that whoever gets elected that they will do everything in their power as to what they voiced, and hope that they will accomplish their goals in order to mend this country. 

I prayed about my decision, and whatever the outcome of the presidency will be I will respect it, but at the end of election day it is up to us as a people as to who will become the next President of the United States. 

So whether you like the candidates or not...please cast your vote. Without your vote...you'll never know who could have won.

Every vote counts, and another thing...make sure you change your driver license in case of moving during an election year! I certainly learned that lesson! 

May we all be blessed in the next four years with improvement like we've never seen before, and hope that our country will slowly, but surely be reconditioned! 

mormon helping hands

There are many of us who risk our lives before, during, and after a hurricane has hit. Listening to this talk by Scott Simon on NPR was inspirational, and the way he described those who risked their lives to save others was said perfectly. Today I am thankful for being a member of a church in which no matter how busy our lives get, we make the time to go out and serve those who need our help. 

And then there is Mormon Helping Hands....

it's times like these in which people notice.

Today I want to express my gratitude as to how grateful I am to have been out of harms way throughout the hurricane.

This past week seemed...a little different. Some of us went out trick or treating on Halloween night even though Governor Christie postponed it until Monday. Some of us went to a nearby mall to go indoor trick or treating on Halloween, and even that was different. Truth is it seemed as if Halloween didn't exist. I still made that evening fun for our kids, but I still couldn't help to think of those children who didn't have any kind of Halloween, a warm home to go home to because they have no electricity, food, clothes, comfort, shelter, and no way to maneuver around the streets.

Yet, I have a warm home, food, clothes, lots of love, healthy, happy children who didn't fuss over not getting enough candy at the mall, and I have transportation in which will take me where I need to go while my little boy sleeps soundly in the back of the car.

It's times like these in which cities pull together, and lend a hand. It's times like these in which families, and neighbors come together to share their needs and help each other out.

In the five years that I have lived here, I have learned that true New Yorkers as well as those born and raised in New Jersey have that guarded mechanism in which you need to give them some time before they get to know you. A hug can mean something different to them on a normal day, but when a catastrophe hits is when I notice New Yorkers and Jersey residents coming together, and I'm sure there are a lot of hugs being exchanged as well as those sharing their basic needs.

I have been extremely blessed to have wonderful neighbors checking up on each other, as well as members in our church.

I live in between Atlantic city, and New York, and although some of us may think we didn't get it as bad in our area...truth is we did. Sandy may not have damaged our homes, but for those who have loved ones in those areas of devastation it worried their spirit. Having it hit so, so close to our area has made me even more motivated, and bold as to be even more prepared.

We live an hour away from Atlantic City, and it's only an hour and 20 minute drive to Manhattan (without traffic.) I'm sure for those who were born and raised here who have loved ones living in those areas have been affected, and my heart goes out to them, and to you. I may not be a "true" New Yorker, or born in Jersey, but this is our home right now, and as Jersey residents we will do what we can to help others in need. My prayers continue to go out to them.

"Sometimes it just takes a catastrophe to make us notice, and be grateful."

~Scott Simon, NPR news

Don't you forget about me.

For these kids this will be their last Halloween youth dance as they will be graduating high school next June.

Salt & Pepper, and the geek squad

Before Hurricane Sandy arrived these kids had their share of their Halloween, and it was a great evening! 

Scenes like this remind me of "The Breakfast Club" except that these kids are not rebels, jocks, basketcases, nerds (not in real life) or princesses. Well...the girls may all be a princess underneath the costume, and if you read a lot of books you might be considered a nerd, but according to our daughter these kids all had a great time tonight.

My version of "The Breakfast Club" after all...they all do wake up early for early morning Seminary! 

It didn't matter that there were only a few youth that attended. The storm didn't stop them from dancing the night away, and acting like a bunch of goofs!

I just love this girl, and our kid! With this being their last year of attending youth activities including dances (unless they are chaperoning) I know that these girls will keep in touch, and that they will never forget about each other. 

Same goes for the rest of the youth...don't y'a'll forget about each other!

Glad y'all had a great time!

Malloween

I heard on NPR yesterday that Governor Chris Christie postponed all trick or treating for all the townships in South Jersey for Monday, November 5. A little odd to still be celebrating Halloween next week while others are already preparing for Thanksgiving, but we are planning on doing it anyway.

Chelsea had her Halloween parade at school, and was still in costume when she got home. I had seen an announcement on Facebook earlier that a nearby mall was having an indoor trick or treating. While another township rebelled against Christi's announcement we decided to get Noah dressed and go to the mall to trick or treat!

After all...it is Halloween!

My dear mother-in-law made this dinosaur costume for Noah last year, but it didn't fit. Well this year it fits him perfectly, and for the past two weeks he had been wearing it off and on. He was so excited too wear it so that he can pretend he's Godzilla. You should of heard his cute little "roar."

our sassy 50's girl...all she needs is some chewing gum, or a lollipop...that was arranged!

When we stepped foot inside the mall boy was it was madhouse! I think I'd rather walk through the crowds at Macy's in New York during the holidays than being surrounded by a bunch of unruly kids without any supervision. We still managed to get our share of the fun, and Noah and Chelsea enjoyed this event.

There were moments in which Chelsea would pull Noah's tail, and he eventually got tired of her doing that so he held on to it for dear life!

Most of the stores were giving away candy, and it's a good thing we got there at the time that it started because I think that it was all gone within a couple of hours!

all aboard...we're going to ride the "Dinosaur train."

This was indeed a different experience, but fun for the kids and that is all that mattered. If Halloween was postponed again due to a storm we probably would do this again. Our prayers continue to go out to those who are still without any power, or shelter. Especially those kids who probably won't have any kind of Halloween! 

We will be trick or treating in our borough on Monday...let's just hope these kids don't sick of candy! 

  I seriously doubt it!