The Damans

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Olivia's 5th Birthday

For Olivia's 5th Birthday we hosted an afternoon affair at ArtAlive, a local craft shop. Eight of her girlfriends joined us to make three crafts and eat cake and snacks. We had a blast!

8/52

And of course the big news of the last week is that Olivia is FIVE! On Monday we got share cupcakes with her class at school. Her classmates had also made her cards.

Riding in the new kid cart at Stop and Shop- not sure I like that the new kid cart at Stop and Shop counts as excitement in my life these days, but it does. hmmm....

Brothers who could be twins zoning out to "Frozen"- what else?!

Isaac crafting at the Family center- did I mention he fell and hit the corner of the heater last week? He is ok- but we did take him to the doctor to make sure. I think its the first real scare I have had actually as a Mom so I am glad he is ok!

Playing at the Family Center with sunflower seeds and one of our favorite students- Luca. Sad for us that she is graduating this year and excited for her future!

Sam tried to help make coffee with tomatoes this week- maybe that explains why Nate and I are so tired.

No his lips aren't blue because its -17 outside, but because he decided to see what the blue marker tasted like...

Thursday, February 19, 2015

7/52

Nate and I at the end of the NEWC

UMASS group at the NEWC- we still are pretty separate guys/gals- BUT we had much bigger turnout than last year- 1 to 6!!! 3 guys, 3 girls!

As an early birthday present for Olivia and Isaac my Mom took us to see Frozen Disney on Ice- so fun! GREAT seats.

Yes we were that excited! and it was that good!

So much to take in! I couldn't decide whether I should watch the kids watching the show or the show itself.

All the characters with different kind of love stories.

We weren't sure how Isaac would do- we had no need to worry! He was enraptured and engaged the whole time. He asked where the parents were (they left them out) and with all the characters, he asked where lightening mcqueen and tow mater were- his favorites.

Olivia watching

This week is school vacation week and on tuesday morning they all helped clean! How can i get this to last?!

I can't tell you how many comments I got going grocery shopping with all three- overall they did great:)

My 33rd Birthday

was on Friday the 13th- almost a week ago and it was WONDERFUL. Nate brought me coffee in bed and made me breakfast. The kids wished me happy birthday. My friends at my Mom group wished me happy birthday and we had a great time. I talked to a great friend from college who I don't talk to often enough. I picked up Nate and Olivia and got to see her Olivia's Valentines from school. We drove to my parents house and LEFT THE KIDS! Nate and I went to Starbucks for their date afternoon. Then we went to Olive Garden for dinner and used a gift card we have had since I was pregnant with Isaac! Then we leisurely made our way to our NorthEast Winter Conference with the Navigators at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. Check out the website for the conference here: http://www.northeastnavigators.com/winter-conference.html

A friend met us with a few special birthday/valentines days present and Nate and I got to chill before the conference began. We connected with old friends and got to praise God along with 300 other students! It has been 5 years since I have had the chance to be in a sitting like that, worshiping God without a child in or on me and it was WONDERFUL.

Along the way many friends sent text messages, voicemails, cards and Facebook messages- I felt extremely loved and cared for. Thank you to all of you!

As I reflect on this year thus far I feel like I am in such a wonderful space. In my marriage, as a parent, in ministry, in friendships! I am excited for what this year will hold and hope I can hold onto this hope the whole year.

A special message from a long ago friend stood out:

Nicole and I spent many hours together serving ice cream and fried dough at Hampton Beach Summer project back 2001. A summer that changed my life in so many ways!