Florida Fun

Hi! This is Aiden! I'm guest blogging for Mommy today! She asked me to tell you what we did on our trip to Florida.

When we first got there, Mimi and Papa threw a birthday party for Anthony! Mrs. Pam brought some new friends for us to play with! We went swimming, had hot dogs, and cake. Anthony got really neat presents!


Auntie Joyce came! We love playing with her!


Anthony always gets shy when people sing to him!


He needed a little help to blow out the candle.


He didn't need any help to eat though!


We met Mimi and Papa's new puppy Maggie! She's so cute and loves to play! She also like to eat things. She ate my glasses!!! I thought it was funny! Luckily Mommy brought an extra pair.


The next day we had Lots of stuff to do! Mimi and Papa were getting married and we had to help get ready for the party! Here we are, off on our errands.


Anthony and I are gonna carry the pillows with the rings on them at the wedding!


We had to take a little break though! Anthony wanted to eat here! He yelled, "Chicken!" Mommy and Daddy were pleased! It was actually open. Mommy said everytime she comes to Florida the owners have closed it to go on vacation. The last time Mommy got to eat at Maryland Fried Chicken was in 2002.


After our break we went to Uncle Jack Jack and Aunt Sandy's house to work on the wedding. We helped put up the tents.


Then, Mimi asked us to help water the flowers!


We made sure everything got good and wet!!!


We took a little break, after working really hard all day, to test the temperature of the pool. It was just right! I really loved jumping in!


Anthony liked it too!


We both swam all over the place! Mommy didn't even have to hold onto us!


On Friday we had a rehearsal to make sure Anthony and I could walk down the aisle. We did fine. Gabby, one of our new cousins, did a great job as the flower girl. Then, we all went to play while the big people decorated for the wedding.


On Saturday Mimi and Papa got married! Mimi looked BEAUTIFUL!!!! Mommy signed "Amazing Grace" during the ceremony. We walked down the aisle with our ring pillows. Then, I got nervous and ran back up the aisle and Anthony stopped. So, Mommy came and walked us both down the aisle. Daddy married Mimi and Papa, he did a really good job. We don't have our pictures of the wedding yet. Hopefully we'll get those soon! There's a great one of Anthony eating his corn. There were lots of fun things for little people to do at the wedding! Mimi and Papa love little people!!! They made sure we had a good time! There was a sandbox to play in and bubbles, but the best part was the horse! Anthony is riding with our new cousin, Felicia.


We also got to listen to a great bluegrass band and eat yummy food after the wedding! We're all in this picture, look carefully for Anthony!


The next day we headed to the island! But first, we had to stop for something very important! The preacher, Daddy, signed the marriage license first!


Then, Uncle Jack Jack


and finally Aunt Sandy! It's official!!! Mimi and Papa are married! YAY!


We're here!!! The island!!! Mommy says this is her favorite place on earth!


We went on the boat


We went swimming at an island infested with pirates! But Mimi kept us safe!


We saw three porpoise! They are beautiful and Mimi gets really, really excited when she sees them!


Daddy taught us how to pee off the deck of the house. Mommy was so embarassed by this.



But the best part was the beach! We love running down the boardwalk!


And looking for shells


And playing with sand


And making sandcastles with Daddy


until the sun goes down on our favorite place on earth!


We love you Mimi and Papa! Congratulations and we can't wait to see you again!

Anniversary Roses

I know it's been a month, but look what my sweetheart gave me for my anniversary! Aren't they beautiful??? I just love yellow roses! They are my favorite! :)

March for Babies

Hi Friends and Family! As you might be aware, Patrick and I have been touched by the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. That's why we have formed a Family Team, Bailey Inc, to raise money and participate in March for Babies. We walk in memory of our four children in heaven Hannah, Colin, Airen, and Dash. We walk in memory of our nephew Matthew. We also walk to honor our two sons, Aiden and Anthony. Aiden has benefited from the March of Dimes technology during the trials with his genetic disorder TRAPS. Anthony was born early, but is healthy today, due to the March of Dimes technology. Please join us in our fund raising efforts today by sponsoring our event.

We would love for you to walk with us! Join our team! If you are unable to walk with us, we would love financial support. Contributing to our team online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal web page with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my web page.

Our family knows firsthand the challenges associated with prematurity and infant mortality. It is important to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. By raising money, ongoing research to answer these critical questions is funded. When you support our Family Team, you show you care and you give hope for defeating premature birth and other threats to babies.

Please join us and millions of compassionate people across the country who support March for Babies each year. We need your help. Visit my web page and sponsor our event!

With your support, there's hope.

My personal Web page address is...
http://www.marchforbabies.org/abailey

Peace. Love. Pancakes.

Check out my husband Patrick's post here.

Seven Years of Beautiful Music

Seven years ago I married the love of my life! Patrick, you are an amazing husband. From duct tape to bouncy balls, we make a great team. I could think of nothing better as an anniversary present than a mixed tape. Isn't that what crazy teenagers like us do when we're in love? We're living the good life baby!

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Home Sweet Home

Last Wednesday and Thursday we packed all of our belongings on a big Budget truck.



We had wonderful friends help us pack and load! Thank you so much for all of your help! It was a bittersweet goodbye. On the one hand, we were so ready to get to our new home and our new ministry. On the other, we left behind some dear, dear friends.

We arrived in Sugar Grove, Illinois, Thursday night. It is a western suburb of Chicago. We drove through one of the worst thunderstorms I've ever experienced. Then, we got to unload all of our belongings in that same rainstorm! How fun!! God was taking care of us though! When we arrived there were twelve people here from a local church. They unloaded the "big truck" (Aiden and Anthony's name for it) in under an hour! It was amazing! Another local church brought us food. Everything on this counter is from that church! What a blessing!!!



We crashed that night, without even putting our bed together. Patrick slept in the recliner and I slept on the couch. It was a long day! Yet, God provided every step of the way.

The next morning we got up and Aiden had finagled a promise out of his Daddy the day before! So, the boys got to go for a ride in the "big truck."

Installing the carseats



Aiden's turn



Anthony's turn


After the rides we returned the Budget truck to "it's other friends" at the Budget rental place. Then, we went shopping. We decided to not unpack anything. We put the beds together, but that was about all. We had a great day relaxing and getting to know our new town.

The next morning, we hopped a train to Chicago. We went to Navy Pier and played at the Children's Museum there! We had a blast!





















We even got to ride on the Thomas train at Navy Pier! The boys were so excited because they got to sit in the front car and ring the bell.




On the way home Aiden and I took lots of pictures on the train to help pass the time.




Anthony passed the time another way.




But alas, the fun has ended. No more relaxing days. Patrick is back at work at a new Wal-mart. The boys are asleep for nap. And I'm working on this.




Did I mention that it was raining and our new friends unloaded our truck in under an hour? They did an awesome job! Now, if I could just find my clothes! But, oh look! We have reinforcements!!! YAY for Denise!!!