Bella Blog GIVEAWAY!

Just wanted to let you know I am having a giveaway on my Shabby Creations site. Check it out and tell all your friends and family. It's going to be fun.

President Gordon B. Hinckley (June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008)

I awoke this morning to hear about the passing of our beloved prophet. I am a bit saddened as I think about his departure from this mortal existence, but I cannot help but rejoice as I visualize the great reunion with Our Heavenly Father and his sweet, sweet wife, Marjorie Hinckley.
I am so gratetful that Heavenly Father sent such a great, but humble man to earth to help teach and inspire me. He has accomplished a lot in our church history. There is a brief biography in wikipedia titled Gordon B. Hinckley that gives a few facts about his life as a prophet. According to origin.sltrib., during his nearly 13 years as president it’s said that Gordon gave more than 2,000 speeches, visited more than 150 countries, and greeted hundreds of diplomats and ambassadors. He was interviewed by journalists from nearly every major American newspaper, charming many with his folksy wisdom and self-deprecating humor.
I will miss this great man, but know he has been called home, and is needed to carry on the work with our Heavenly Father. He has touched my life, made me laugh, and inspired me to be better.

If you have any questions about the LDS church or any of President Hinckley's teachings, please visit: www.lds.org

Getting Back to Normal!

We have had a crazy week and a half. For a while there I was feeling a little overwhelmed. But, things seem to be getting back to normal. Matt and I went to Orlando, Florida for one of his business trips. Mimi came to stay with the kids...bless her heart, while we went kidless. We were able to go to Universal Studios and Universal Adventure, and I was able to go to Epcot alone while Matt was in meetings. It was so much fun riding roller coasters, eating out, and spending time with my favorite guy. We have no pictures of our trip. As I was frantically trying to get out the door to catch the plane, I could not find our camera. So I guess our trips memories will live on in my mind only.
Of course I called home daily to check on the kiddos. Poor Mimi! Jack and Cole were sick (yes, throw up and the "other") the entire time we were gone. She said she must have done 20+ loads of laundry while we were gone for 4 days. Of course it snowed the entire time we were gone too, so Mimi and the kids were cooped up in the house (not that the sickos were going anywhere) the entire time. Poor kids are just getting over this doozy of a flu. 8+ days! I was starting to think they had eaten some parasite or something.Here are a few photos of Jack and Lily in the big snow storm we had. Cole is not in any of them because he didn't really go in the snow. He's like me, doesn't like to be cold.So, the kids are feeling better, I am caught up with all my Shabby Creation orders (I was way behind after the trip) , the snow is melting, and life is calm....for now!

Just Saying Hi

For some reason I feel like I need to write a post. I don't have much to write about, but I start to feel guilty for not posting when more than a week goes by. Our lives are pretty simple right now. That is a good thing. Lily started a new preschool, and even Jack and Cole will be going to a school on Wednesdays for the entire day. DREAMY!!! They start tomorrow. From now on I have every Wednesday to do what ever I want. I'm pretty excited about it. Lily also starts swim lessons on Thursday. Other than that, we are adjusting to life in the big...I mean small city.
On Saturday I am going to Florida with Matt, for a business trip while Mimi so graciously comes to stay with the kids. Should be fun. Bye for now!

ERIE-Home Sweet Home

We made it. Our move is complete. We are official residents of Erie, PA. Everything went really smooth. We are being spoiled by having movers come in and do EVERYTHING. I hope I never have to move on our own. I didn't pack even 1 box. They packed, moved, unpacked, and even took away the empty boxes. They were ahead of schedule, so we only had to stay in a hotel for 2 nights. We moved in on New Year's eve day, and by the evening time, Matt and I were exhausted, but we managed to stay up and watch a movie and bring in the New Year in our new home with a little Martinelli's. The kids are adapting well. It is as if they have lived here forever. Tomorrow we will go to our new ward and check things out there. And then Matt is starting his next assignment on Monday. Here are a few pictures of our last night in our Chicago house. The kids had fun wrestling with their dad and climbing on him.

































The movers let the kids get in the truck and honk the horn. I can imagine the neighbors we not too happy as Jack pulled on the horn and didn't let go.




























HOME SWEET HOME.....for5 1/2 months!

Christmas Day 2007

The day started at 7:30 am (not bad) when Lily came into our room eager to see if Santa had come. We woke the boys up and headed down stairs. Looks like Santa thought they were pretty good, because the Christmas tree had tons of gifts under and around it. It was a total frenzy. Earlier in the week they had all picked out their own wrapping paper, which I gave to Santa, so they new which gifts were for them without asking. Of course after each gift is unwrapped, they want to open it. You know how it is, every toy is packaged so it is adult proof and our kids get their patients from me. So Matt and I are frantically twisting and pulling those wire things to get the toys out and putting together parts and pieces as fast as we can, while the kids are on top of us, telling us to hurry. I think they were all pretty excited and happy with the loot. As you can see by the pictures, the kids didn't even have time to change out of their pajamas all day. That would have taken away time from playing. It was just a relaxing day at home, watching the kids play, snacking and enjoying the family. Pretty good Christmas in my book. Through all the chaos, commercial, hustle and bustle of the season, I try hard to take moments and think about what it is all about. My heart is full as I think about Christ's life and what he did for me. I love the way President Gordon B. Hinckley expresses some thoughts of the Savior:

It is proper during this season when we commemorate His birth that we remember the Lord Jesus Christ in reverence and with love. He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life. He was and is the Son of God, who was “made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

God be thanked for the gift of His Son, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the Prince of Life and Peace, the Holy One.

I hope you all had a fun Christmas day with your families and loved ones. Only 365 days until next Christmas!

Magic Kingdom and Sea World

We just returned from Orlando, Florida where we met my mom and Ken for a quick trip to Magic Kingdom and Sea world. The kids were a little under the weather, but all in all, we had a good time. Lily's favorite part was meeting Jasmine, and the boys seemed to like everything about Sea World and the animals. Can't beat the Florida weather in the winter. One last hurrah before the big move to Erie.....in 8 days.

The Bairds Crash Erie

We just returned from our house hunting trip in Erie. We actually found a great brand new house to live in. They were just finishing up the building and laying the carpet. It has beautiful woodwork, a gas fireplace, upstairs and downstairs, a huge master bathroom, and my favorite part...stainless steel appliances with granite counter tops. Who would have known in Erie? Funny how your home makes everything much more tolerable. Now that we have a nice place to live, I am O.K. to move there....but only for 6 months. I wish I had some pictures to share, but we didn't take any. I was actually pleasantly surprised about some of the homes there. A lot of building and new neighborhoods. The movers will come to our house 2 weeks from today. Looks like we'll be spending New Years in a hotel somewhere in the mid west until our stuff arrives. Erie here we come!

Christmas In Chicago

If you ever have a chance to visit Chicago during the holidays, it is a MUST. On Saturday Matt and I left the kids with the babysitters and took the train into the city. Not only was it awesome just having a date day with my husband, but being in the city with the decorations, snow, and culture was so fun. This city knows how to do Christmas. We started out going to the Chicago Institute of Art to see the works of Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and so many other well known artists' work. Then we went to lunch. Next we visited the Christkindlmarket which is a charming German American market with German food including pastries, chocolate, and wiener schnitzels, German Christmas decorations like original handmade glass ornaments, that I am in love with, (I've included a few pix of my favorites that are now on my tree), advent calendars, etc. Just so fun and festive. Next we walked in the wet, slushy storm (but I loved every moment of it) to the famous Michigan Avenue. I like to call it Oprah town. AMAZING shopping. Of course, we didn't buy much, but to see the lights, window decorations, and people was so fun. Definitely a day to remember in Chicago.
We also got to take the kids on the "Polar Express" where we got to see Santa. The Metra train turns into the fun train on December weekends.I love this time of year. I love to see my kids get excited. I love the decorations. I love the feeling I get during this time of the year. I try so hard to remember the true meaning and always keep Christ in my mind.