Happy Belated Birthday Titus!

Guys,Our oldest is 3!! Ahhhh...it happened so fast! Time waits for no one that is for sure. For Titus 3rd birthday his Aunt Carolyn, Grandma Ann, and his cousins came to visit. They actually brought one of his birthday gifts. A puppy! Yes, you read right. Titus got a puppy. Her name is Whisper and she is a lab/retriever mix. Whisper has 2 different colored eyes and is really very sweet. Titus and the dog do ALOT of running together! It's very sweet to watch. Titus, is a very sweet, kind and considerate little boy. He is always making sure that everyone is ok. He is very sensitive to emotions. Whether your happy or sad..he will come over and hug you or kiss you. He LOVES his sister and is really looking forward to being a big brother again. He is always asking me how my baby belly is doing. We are blessed beyond words with Titus. He is getting to be so very smart and loves to learn. He knows 1-10, his ABC's, and most of his shapes including pentagon and hexagon.Oh, and his colors,too.

Here are some pictures of his birthday weekend.

Sandwiched between 2 boys...

This past week we had our 2nd trimester ultrasound. It revealed that we are having another boy! (Which, I kind of knew..I'm carrying just like I did for Titus) We are excited! Either way we would have been. We just pray for a happy healthy baby! Which baby is proving to be! The ultrasound tech asked Amelia if she likes the idea of being sandwiched between 2 boys and right on cue she says, " EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW". It was hysterical! Amelia is so independent I don't think she will care. Both boys will be at her beck and call. She displays alot of first born tendencies! Hey! If she ends up being my only girl; then I am extremely grateful! (remind me of this when she is being terribly stubborn!) Below are the pictures of baby #3!! He seems to be content swimming around inside. Typical Gilmore...hahaha...So my due date is June 9th. However, with keeping with tradition he has to come either June 12 or the 26th..(please, the 12th!) in keeping with tradition. Titus and Amelia where both born on Mondays and even days. We shall see...

Merry Chirstmas, Happy New Year, and a whole lotta life in 2 short months....

Well Guys, I do have to say I haven't had any internet for quite awhile. Life for the Gilmore's have been crazy busy and this week (tomorrow) will be the 1st week in months that will be "normal" for us.Let me share our crazy time line with you..... Novemeber 29th-Charlie lost his job... In the meantime, we prepared for Christmas and our 2.5 week trip west. I also had grand jury duty 2 days a week leading up to our trip. December 3 & 4th- Our last time serving at Church...(we didn't know that at the time) Dec 10- We went to our last Syracuse Orangemen basketball game at the Dome.... Dec 11- My Mom's family had a Christmas party To sum up the above weekend it was a travel weekend for us. The next week had us hustling and bustling to get everything we needed to for a very long vacation. Charlie also had a couple phone interviews with a company in Tennessee. Dec 15th we closed up the house,packed up the car and headed for our first destination. Charlie and I spent the weekend in NYC for our 4th Anniversary. It was kid free and relaxing; despite the weather doing literally everything!!! We got back on the 18th to spend a night with my parents. In the meantime, Charlie got a phone call and the company in Tennessee wanted to do a face to face interview on 20th. Soooooo, after slightly catching his breath he headed out very early Monday morning. Meantime, I stayed another night with my parents. Tuesday, I flew to Missouri by myself with the children. They were so very good!! While we flew, Charlie had an interview....and then he climbed in the car and met us in Missouri! Where we spent a wonderful week with his mom Ann. Our trip was cut short by another phone call saying he got the job in Tennessee and that they wanted him to start on Jan 9Th! Dec 27th- found our way to our friends house in Kentucky where we left the kids, so they didn't have to spend alot of time in the car. Dec 28th- Charlie and I made our way to Tennessee (4hrs from Lindseys) to look for a house. We had 1 house on our list and that was it. After, looking over the one house we had picked out and not liking it at all we called a few agents. There happened to be another house we could look at and HOPEFULLY like. On our way we saw 2 more houses for rent that were big fat NO'S! When we got to this house we are now in we loved it. Dec 29th-Charlie signed all contracts so we could get approved for the house. We left for Pennsylvania to see my Grandma real quick and break up the ride for the poor kids. Dec 29-31 We ended up getting stuck at my Grandma's house for an extra day due to weather. Which was good for us and the kids. We chilled and just spent some really good quality time with Grandma Judy. Dec 31 we found our way home. My sister came to celebrate New Years with us and we were in bed by 10:30...lol Jan 1st we puttered in the house. Did all the laundry....no we didn't unpack. made no sense to Jan 2-5th My parents came up and helped us pack, clean, and load the truck! We had a few set backs from this but had some wonderful friends come to our rescue. My poor dad got really sick and he was our truck driver, and Charlie's right hand man in lifting all things heavy! Our good friend Jerry MacNeil came to our rescue and helped Charlie while Dad's job became taking care of Miss Amelia. Jan 5th We headed to my parents house to say good bye to all who was able to come to see us. By the end, it got really hard, but we know that we are greatly loved and will be seeing everyone this Summer! Jan 6th Dad the truck driver, Charlie the driver of the cats, and Mom and I with the kids headed to Tennessee! It was a grooling 18hr day, but at 11pm we pulled into our new home! Unpacked the beds as fast as we could and headed to bed. Jan 7th Brought our wonderful friends down from Kentucky to help unload the truck, clean the house, and help us set up the house as best they could. They also blessed us with lunch and dinner for the day! It was a huge blessing to have people help us all along they way! We would have managed if we did it by ourselves, but so very grateful we didnt! Jan 8th Charlie started his first day of work. Yes, guys he went from chaos getting family packed up and moved; right to WORK! Bless his heart!! It also brought fevers, coughs, and sinus infections for Amelia, Titus, and I. It was not a good time all 3 of us being down and out. But again; God made sure we had help. My dad and mom stayed with us. Mom flew home the 11th, and my dad stayed till Tuesday the next week. Mean time, my wonderful sister came down for the following weekend. It was so nice to have everyone come down and help out right when we needed it! ************************************************************************************************************** Today, has been 1 month since we have moved to Tennessee! I can't believe it has been a month already. We are starting to get settled and find things we really like. It is hard being away from family, but we know we are right where we are supposed to be! The kids about once a week say they want to go visit Papa and Grandma......sigh! But we already have a mini vacation and will see them the end of March. Unless, they surprise us with a visit down! I have so much more to blog, but if I don't hit that publish button this won't get published and everything will seem like old news...haha

Merry Christmas..and wait...WHATTTTT!!

Merry Christmas Everyone, I hope you all are doing well. I haven't checked in for a bit. Life here got very interesting...Almost 2 weeks ago Charlie came home early from work and had something to tell me...this is what he said, " Honey, I have good news and bads new. The good news is you'll be seeing more of me; the bad news......New York Air Brake laid me off." (silence) Wait, what?? Mmmmmhum....you read right...NYAB let 12 engineers go and Charlie didn't make the cut. We have been dodging this bullet for awhile, and honestly we didn't even see this coming. Because, they have cut back so many people in his department we thought we were safe. Guess not?! So, after a good cry, and refocusing on the next steps we have decided to relocate are family altogether. Charlie has had a couple of Skype interviews so far. One is in Tennessee and the other in Kentucky. Yes, our families are here, but they have been talking about moving south to Kentucky as well. We thought we would be following them in the fall sometime, but it looks like we are the first ones going to be taking that step. There are so many steps; which all seem like baby steps right now. Since, we don't have a job offer yet we are looking to possibly rent our house...or maybe put it on the markets...or maybe wait it out and get the job 1st...ahhhhh!!! Yes, you can see we just don't know. We haven't heard back from anyone yet and the head hunters keep saying wait till the turn of the year. I know that is close, but when you need a paycheck to come in...yeah! I don't need to explain it. :) We really are doing well through this. It is stressful but our support has been incredible! So what if Christmas will be smaller. Our kids won't know. They are to little, and for us...we are just thankful everyone is healthy and happy. So that is where we are at right this moment. If you think of us send a little prayer for wisdom and guidence. :D Talk to you sooN!

Traditions...

This year as we gather a few members around our table I reflect on how disassociated we have become with our own families. It can be for any reason, but when I sit and really thing about it; it makes me really sad. Why can't people forgive and move on? Why can't we make the drive? Why can't we stop what we are doing and build a bridge between the gap we have created in our families? Part of is we are tired of being rejected. We are tired of the hurt, the games we have to play, having to say the right things as to offend anyone, and the back stabbing that can come with family functions. These things should never be! But, I do know all to well they are.There are favorites and outcasts...even those who tolerate just because they know once they give up and not show up that will be the end. I get life is busy...but it will never slow down! I get that it hurts to much to be ignored in a family function when you showed up, and you weren't even invited. I know what it feels like to watch someone you love sit in silence and be rejected. Why do we choose to hurt? Hurting other people is something we DO..it is an action...you know what so is LOVE! Loving your family where there at, accepting them where they are at,you don't have to believe,think,act, or love the same way...just love like you know how. Love doesn't hurt, isn't cruel...a hug, smile, a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday is all that it takes. Love is easy; we choose to make it harsh. So I challenge you this holiday season. Go out of your way to love on someone. Say something kind, send a card, text, phone call,or deliver a treat it will make you happier and it could possibly be the start to rebuilding relationships. Everyone, has to start somewhere...and if they aren't going to start; then you should be the bigger person. :) As I sit at my dinner this Thursday with my in laws I am going to be thankful I have this time with them. I am going to be hospitable and kind. That is what I am called to do and that is what I will always do. Happy Thanksgiving.... and remember love isn't hard it just takes action.

A Time of Thanksgiving

Hey Everyone, Yeah for the elections being over with. I am in shock and awe of the hatred flying...I don't know why. I accepted whatever may come either way, but I guess I am in the minority with that thinking. Either way, if I want to see certain changes then I need to step up and be that change...the president is one person who is doing what they think best. SO, be the change if you don't agree with the outcome. Enough of that....THANKSGIVING is almost here! I love Thanksgiving. It is a time of reflection and a reminder of what we are blessed with. I know the Gilmore's are blessed beyond words. We are stewards of many things and I am so grateful for each one. I think this year we became more aware of how blessed we truly are when Charlie took a missions trip. We become so blinded by our greed for more that we don't recognize it. Guilty as charged....I turn a blind eye and get on my "I need/want" more...however, this year we became aware that we have more than enough, and we should share; be giving of what we have. I want my children to recognize a need and be able to help or fill someone's true need. I want them to see the example of this. One way we do this is Operation Christmas Child. We fill a shoe box of all kinds of goodies. They get shipped all over the world, and yes,some stay right here in the USA. I love that my kids can go to the dollar store and pick out things for other children. Now, I know they don't quite understand yet. BUT they will...and so it will become 2nd nature to them.Instilling, good qualities like these are what I desire for my children. I know they aren't perfect, and they have "those tendencies"..you know what one's i'm talking about. :) Another way we like to give is through Angel Tree or at our church we adopted the foster kids in Jefferson and St. Lawerence counties. We have been able to get gifts for every child the last 2 years, and I am thrilled to be apart of that. Again, we get to go shopping for kids who won't have much of a Christmas. It is so rewarding and you feel good.To answer the age old saying "we should do this all through the year"...yes we try to. If we see a need we try and fill it the best we can. We try to keep our eyes and ears open to needs in our community. This year, we are staying home for Thanksgiving. We are so excited to be able to cook for Charlie's parents, and have the kids just chill for one holiday this year. They are used to the hustle and bustle, but since we are flying to Missouri for Christmas we needed a small break from the travel. My parents are hoping to come up the next day and spend some time with us. It depends on my dads work schedule. Either way we love to have one and all. We love company and ALWAYS have room for anyone who wants to come visit. So, that is somethings we do around this time of the year. Since, we plan on traveling for Christmas we are doing what we can now. It will be lots of fun! Charlie can't remember the last Christmas he spent with his sister and mom. It makes it all the more special! I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone out there. Charlie's nephew Michael will be home from his 2 year mission trip to Germany, and we haven't meet Gabriel our new great nephew. Exciting for sure!!!!!! Love to you all and remember be kind because its the right thing.

Election...

Oh my the election....every presidential election I have gone through I have not enjoyed! We all get sick of the back stabbing, whinny, he said she said commercials, posts, and signs!! Really, I have to stop looking at things on facebook, I DO NOT watch the news, and I mute the commercials because I don't want to form an opinion about what the liberal media has to show me. We all know they are biased. What party you are doesn't matter to me...who you vote for doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is if we discuss politics (which 99% of the time I avoid) I want to walk away still friends. It seems to me this presidential election has torn more people apart because we don't practice what we preach. RIGHT??!! Doesn't everyone want and scream tolerance?? Then why on earth when it comes to politics this season are we tearing each other apart? I am AWARE that our options aren't what we want, and what this election has come to. But who's fault is that anyways?? We sit and allow our lives to be bullied by the government because we don't want to get involved. I am guilty of this very thing! I am not condemning anyone...I am aware that my silence has allowed the government to take control of areas in my life that should not be! But guys...we can't let our "feelings" control how we think or act. We don't let our children do it, so why are we doing it to each other? There is bickering,shaming, and finally when we can't get the other person to change his/her mind we call them mean names. It doesn't leave us feeling better, or at least it shouldn't. It's shameful how adults are being allowed to act. Our children are watching us!! So, as you can see I am finding this whole thing very frustrating.Because, even in our "conservative" circles, the "christian" circles, the "why should I vote Circles" the hypocrisy runs strong. We don't like to see hatred; like racism and I know I don't support it. BUT somehow in this country our now president has stirred it up, and it is evil. We can't change the past...because it is that..the past! We shouldn't rewrite it to make it politically correct, because we are to learn from it. Keep it like it is...its supposed to be ugly because those are mistakes we have made! If we make it light and "tolerable" our children won't learn from our mistakes. They will keep making the same ugly choices that we see now. People haven't evolved just technology has. We still have the same ugly hate in our souls...whether we feed it hatred or decide to snuff it out with love and compassion is up to you. I choose to show my children how to love, how to resolve conflict, teach them when enough is enough and to close their mouth and walk away. We can't change someone's view or opinions, and that's ok. GUYS ITS OK!! Different views are ok....its when we are forced into that same box and made to think like everyone else for their agenda; that's when it is not OK! I encourage you to be the change. Stop the name calling. You want change be the change, be the solution. I am not saying run for office; not everyone is cut out for that. Raise your children on truth and justice. Teach them to serve and love. Show them how to love and be compassionate. Let them see how to resolve conflict and bring order by being the example. Be compassionate without anger! Ok, so that is the end of rant. Whether, you are Republican, Democrat,Green party...its ok; just agree to disagree with someone who may be voting against you. You don't have to understand their choice. Only your choice. Walk away friends...because in the end whoever wins has to live with the choices of that president for the next 4 years, so choose your friends/family over politics. :D