Alyssa's Birthday present from Daddy!

So Alyssa has been asking for weeks for a hamster for her birthday, and my daily response was "No", but of course as Daddy's little girl would have it last Friday after her doctor's appointment and while I was at work, Kyle took the kids and bought Alyssa her hamster. I must say he is kind of cute, but I told them both I have nothing to do with it. I take care of the dog and they can take care of the hamster.
This is Rino, which Alyssa named. He is named after the hamster in the movie Bolt.

Alyssa and Ethan enjoyed rolling him around in the ball.

She really does love her hamster, so I guess it is ok but I am not cleaning the cage though!! I will be firm.

Happy 6th Birthday Alyssa!!!!

By far one of the happiest days of my entire life was the day Alyssa was born. The first thing I said was "How can I love her so much, and I don't even know her?"Kyle still makes fun of me to this day. Endless words would never capture the depth of my love for her. I dread missing her one day, and her no longer needing me, once she is all grown up an mature. So I cling preciously to these present days that I still have with my little girl. She is so outgoing, her love of animals, butterflies, flowers,dance, music and of course shoes! She is so much like me in so many ways. She is such a social butterfly and loves making new friends.

In the quieter moments. I love to peek in on her when she is sleeping and share a silent thought, I can't believe I did this! I could not have imagined the beautiful daughter that I have. I am amazed by her everyday. I can honestly say Alyssa changed my life. She makes me want to be a better person. The day I had Alyssa life was no longer about me, but about her.

Alyssa will light up a room just by walking into it. She can do anything she sets her mind to.
Alyssa I am so proud to be your Mom and I love you probably more then you will ever know.
Your Dad and I are so proud of you and know that we will always be here for you no matter what!

DeVore family fun day

Our day started out with Tye dye shirts! Thanks to Alyssa and Grandma. We try and do a "DeVore family fun day" every year and Grandma Susie thought it would be fun for us all to have matching shirts! Well I did think that the shirts were going to be blue and white or something simple but Alyssa and Grandma went all out!!! The kids looked so cute.

Katlynn, Alyssa, Ethan and Kaylee. They looked so cute!

Of course since Kyle did put it on I had to snap a quick picture, and Kari in the back.

So we had planned to go to Aquatica, but things didn't work out so a fun play day in the sprinkler made all the kids happy.

Daddy working with Alyssa on practicing on her big girl bike! We are getting there!

Grandma had to wear Alyssa's helmet since the boys were throwing the football and hit her in the head.

Grandma wearing the Hannah Montana helmet for safety while watching the guys play football.

Aquatica

For Mother's day we decided to go to Aquatica and have fun. Alyssa and Ethan wanted to take a picture with the dolphin, it's way in the back every time I tried to take the picture of course the dolphin swam away and also I could not get Ethan to stop looking.

Alyssa was practicing her swimming, but the life vest made it much easier.

Alyssa, Pa J, Ethan and Mama J hanging out before heading into the rapids

Ethan was worn out he took a 2 hour nap! I was amazed that he could sleep right there in the middle of everything going on. We had such a great day and since we are pass holders we can't wait to go back!

Mother's Day 2009

I truly LOVE being a Mom. Some people may think they have a calling to be a priest, or a doctor or nurse. I truly believe I was born to be a MOMMY. The day I found out I was pregnant with my precious Alyssa was the happiest and scariest day of my life, you never know what to expect especially when you were expecting nothing...lol she was a surprise. But I have no regrets. I love her more then life itself and could not imagine my life with out her. Then to find out 3 years later I was pregnant with my baby boy Ethan it was a truly exciting day, after all with him we expected it. But then again he came 6 weeks before he was due...lol guess you just can't plan life! I found this poem and it is so true I LOVE it.

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom. \

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby...
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .

I LOVE being a Mommy and it is the best job I have ever had!
May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life