update

May- we had a hog roast at my work and the kids had fun. Then we went out to eat with my sister for mother's day. Here are some pictures.

Hog Roast- We a missing a few kids.

Mother's day.

June- we had father's day and the Grewell family reunion

The trip back from the reunion our van broke down 40 miles out

of Columbus. Thankfully My sister was driving behind us. She

gave the girls and me a ride home and then we went back to get Lee.

It took us a tow truck and about $600 dollars to get the van up

and running again. Thank god for family. They came through

for us then.

July- was a busy month for us.

Eva was in the 4th of july parade. My dad got some pictures but I haven't

got them from him yet. We moved into a bigger place, but with more

space also comes more bills. So Lee and I have been working overtime lately.

We love the new place. Two weeks ago we had a major event happen that

made us all realize the life is too short. Lee, Irelynn and myself where going

home from getting me from work. We just left from a red light and heard a pop

but thought we ran over something but we where wrong. This car drove up next

to us and told us our car was on fire. Lee jumped out to get Irelynn but the flames

where at her door, so he ran to the other side to get her. the flames where there

also.I was still in the van so I climbed in the back to get her out. We all just

got out when the whole thing went to in flames.

Hard to believe that this is where Irelynn sat only a minute earlier.

This is my side.

We are looking for a new car and THANKING GOD

for everyday. See you next month.

Erica

busy past few weeks

Things have been busy here. Lexie had her 7th birthday party over the last weekend. She had a party at build a bear. Everyone had fun.

Irelynn made a bear that we named Irelynn jr. She has a OSU tee shirt on. Then the next weekend was my birthday. Lee sent flowers to my work with a bear.

The bear is for St.paddy's day but if you know us then you know why. For those who don't know Lee and I got married on St.paddy's day a year ago.After he picked me up from work, the girls,him and I went to dinner at Buca di beppo. He told them it was my birthday so they sang to me. All I can say is pay backs are fun. this week I've been to the ER three times. Twice for myself and once for Irelynn. She has pneumonia and is crying day and night. Lee is taking tomorrow off to be home with her. I'm not off till Saturday so she has to go back to the sitter on thursday. I lost my bonus because i had to leave work early today, but my family comes first. I can always find a new job if i had to but I like my job so it would be hard. well I need to get off here and spend some time with the girls.

what we've been up to.

The girls where in a fashion show. They got to pick out a outfit and the manager picked out another. Here is Irelynn and her two outfits.

This is Eva in her first and second outfits.

If anyone can tell me how to add the pictures where i want them. please tell me.

I started work last week after being off work for almost two years i couldn't run there fast enough.I'm working in the medical records department of a nursing home. Me going to work everyday has Irelynn confused. She is so use to me being home with her all day long. She crys the moment she is dropped off but I'm hoping that she will out grow it. We are going to put her in daycare when she turns 18months old. I think being with other kids her own age might do her some good. Right now she is going to her half brothers and sister's house. My husband's ex-wife is watching her. With me working we all have to go to bed early during the week. 4:30 am comes fast. The going to bed early will take some getting use to also. Well off the watch some movies with the girls and have some family time. popcorn and a movie on a rainy night. sounds good to me.

first denist visit

Irelynn had her first visit to the dentist yesterday. I was worried because they try and have the parents stay in the waiting room.when the parents aren't around the kids will act different. most little ones cry when not with mom or dad. my little one didn't even shed one tear. Her big sister had a cleaning the same day, so she walked back with her. they said Irelynn did well. the hardest part was bringing her back to me in the waiting area. she wanted to wave hi to everyone and see what was in every room. they said her teeth are coming in just fine. she now has 4 on top and 3 on bottom. Eva's teeth are great they said she is taking good care of them. so the visit went well for both of them. one thing surprising was the lady that cleaned Eva's teeth turned out to be my cousin's wife. I had not known she worked there. it has been a long time since I've seen her.

On Tuesday we found out that Eva is going to get to go the high school she has want to go to. In February I put her in the lottery for the schools. You can pick A,B or C schools. We put in the ones she wanted. In March school B made a offer. they said she could go there if she wanted. Well it is a good school but no marching band. That is what she wanted. School A she was on the waiting list. number 22 on the list. Not bad most of her friends where further down on the list. They school board told me to call back in a few days to see if she has moved any. when I called on Friday she had moved 2 places. Then this Tuesday they called to say that school A is now making a offer. We jumped on getting our acceptance letter in to them. School A has a marching band and I meet the band director.He is really nice. If we didn't put her in the lottery then she would have had to go to her home school. which is in the news a lot. The kids there are rough. Now we have to get with the band teacher and see what instrument she will be playing. there is no oboe in the marching band. She played the sax last summer for band camp. She was good at it so maybe they will tell her to play that.

oh and for those wondering how my anniversary went. It was great. Hubby woke me up that morning to say "Happy anniversary" and a kiss good bye. He was off to work. It was a rough day with Irelynn so by the time he got off from work i was so tired. Irelynn and I took a nap, when we got up he had made a nice dinner. He cooked dinner, set the table and even cleaned up afterward. No dishes for me to do. Then we sat and had a quiet night together. That was the best night for me. I was thankful he had a night off. Most of the time he is at work from 5:30am to 11pm. I very seldom get to see him.

well I better get off of here and get a few things done before my little helper wakes up.

our wedding anniversary

well Monday it will be a year since our wedding. last st paddy's day hubby and i got married if front of about 25 people. both of our families where there. it was nice. a friend of mine did the service. we didn't go anywhere for a honeymoon. we had a 4 month old and couldn't get away. hubby's work wouldn't let him off and i was breastfeeding. this year st. paddy's day falls on a Monday. hubby can't get off work that night so we are going to go out to dinner on Sunday. he won't tell me what he has planned but knowing him i won't be disappointed.

intro

I just started so I might be slow. I'm a mother of two and the step mom of three. Being a mom is the best thing that happened to me. When I was younger I never thought I would have kids but life happens. I became a mom in 1994 for the first time and was a single mom at that. For many years it was my daughter and me. Then almost 3 years ago, I meet this nice guy. He had 3 kids and my daughter had always wanted a brother or sister. Now she has a sister and 2 brothers. Right after my boyfriend proposed we found out that we where going to have a baby. So we waited until after the baby was born to get married. We had a daughter. So for all those keeping track. That is 2 boys and 3 girls. Our house is mostly girls and to make things even crazier most of the kids are in there teens. We have 2 girls that are 14 and a boy 13. They spoil the baby. She is now 16 months old. Which is a fun age. I am a stay at home mom with a toddler. My husband is a hard worker who is working 2 jobs. We hardly see him but you do what you have to. So that is my life in a nut shell.