Let me introduce myself

I used to be a really great blogger. I feel so bad that it has been 2 1/2 months since my last post! We have been so busy and I just haven't made the time.

We are coming off of a week in beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC, for my annual conference. We had so much fun and work went great. Charlie and Lily are total beach bums and loved the ocean. The only bad thing, was Chancellor missed the trip becauce he has once again made the All Star baseball team.(more about that later)

The weekend before the beach we spent in the mountains. We always celebrate the 4th of July and my dad's birthday at Cliff Ridge. WE LOVE IT! The high temperature is around 83, with zero humidity. Lots of swimming, good food, good friends, family and celebrating! We came home, washed clothes and packed it up to leave for HH. I'll admit that I'm glad to slow down a little.

So back to our ALL STAR! Chancellor's team won the sub-district championships and are now playing for the district/regional division. They have 2 games tonight and if they win them both, we go to State in two weeks! If they pull off the state title, then it's on to Mississippi for the Little League World Series! Very exciting! Chancellor is really the team leader and a phenomenal athlete. I hate that I have not made most of his games because of the two smaller kids. Between the heat and the late games we miss them but Travis and I stay in constant contact by phone and text with play-by-play happenings. We made a game this week and are planning on going tonight. Fingers crossed!

Travis and I are doing constant home/yard improvements and everything looks grand. No offense to my dad, but I didn't grow up with a handyman, so seeing Travis evolve into this jack of all trades is pretty amazing. He continues to impress me with his repairs and projects. Speaking of, we at the Laffin home have 2 new additions. Max and Ruby are our ducks. The children love them and they are quite entertaining. I didn't get a vote on this one, but as long as this is as "farm" as my backyard gets, then it's fine with me.

Next Sunday, July 26Th, Charlie will be 2. We are doing a small party at home. I can't believe my baby is so big. Yesterday we went for his well check-up. He weighs 30 pounds and is 35 inches. Perfect. :) He did manage to scream the entire visit, but we were expecting that.

I think that is a fairly condensed version of the last few months. I can't wait to read all of the other blogs. XXX, Charleston

A few new pics

 
 
 
 


A few new pictures of Lily and Charlie. As you can see, Lily got a haircut. She loves it and says that she looks just like her favorite mommy now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Travis! I hope that you know how much you are loved and cherished by this little family of ours. Everyday that I am with you is a affirmation of why I married you. You really are the best thing that every happened to me! I love you!

Friday Stuff

Today I took Lily and Charlie to get haircuts and Lily got hers all cut off! She has said for weeks she wanted hair like mommy's, but I thought it was a phase and would pass. I finally figured, why not? When she got in the chair she told Angie that she wanted a "big girl" haircut just like her mom. Angie started out being very conservative, in case Lily changed her mind but Lily just kept saying, "I want it shorter". It was halfway down her back and now it is a little below her chin! I was reluctant because I was afraid she would get it cut and then want it all back, but she loves it and so do I. She looks adorable! Her hair looks thicker and bouncy. Definitely a good change.

Travis is on his way home right now from Texas. I hope he doesn't pick up swine flu from the airplane. That is one thing we can live without at the Laffin home!

It looks like it will be a busy weekend. Tonight Chancellor has a baseball game. Saturday, Jake, our nephew, has his first communion. If the weather holds, Charlie, Lily and I are going to meet Lauren and Madison and Isabel to pick strawberries. Saturday is also Travis' 41st birthday! Happy early birthday! On Sunday we will celebrate Travis' birthday at his parents house. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

What's New

Every time I sit down to write on the blog, I get sidetracked, sorry! Lately I have been focusing on work as I have an important piece of legislation moving through the House right now. I am really enjoying my new position but can see how so many people burn out after so many years. Travis as always has taken up the extra work load with the kids to help me out and it couldn't be more appreciated.

The Heritage was AMAZING last weekend! Travis and I had the best time and really lived it up. We missed the children immensely but really need the "us" time and made the most of it. In fact, we are going on Saturday for another night away. Two weekends in a row, can you believe it?! I won 2 tickets to Cirque Du Soleil in Charleston and a hotel stay. I hear the show is really cool so I can't wait. This time Lily and Charlie will be staying with Nana and I'm not sure who is more excited.

Last and certainly not least, I am asking for prayers for my sister-in-law, Emily and her family. Her mother is in ICU at Providence in very serious condition. I know that the power of prayer is unmeasurable and they all need unmeasurable support right now.

The Heritage

Travis and I are leaving tomorrow for Hilton Head to go to the Heritage golf tournament. This is our first vacation as a couple since Charlie was born. We are so excited and I know we are going to have an amazing time. We have fabulous accommodations and sky box seats at the tournament. I am even getting a massage! I feel like it's my honeymoon. Lily and Charlie will be with Travis' parents and while I am so looking forward to the trip, the thought of leaving them for 3 nights puts a huge lump in my throat.

I'll post pictures from the trip and ones from Easter next week! Till then....

Relay for Life

I am walking on May 15th in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I am doing it in Pam Mosier's name, a friend and survivor. I got involved through my women's group at church and it has been an amazing experience already. My goal is to personally raise $1000.00 and to date I have raised $685.00! If you are interested in donating or joining my team, please click on the link below.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09SA?px=10283063&pg=personal&fr_id=12791&fl=en_US&et=K4A87JmVsEy9_SZBZj39uA..&s_tafId=244933