This Blog Will be my Journal

I can't even believe I remember the log in and website for this sweet blog! I also can't believe I started it 10 years ago. A decade. Wow. I was just sitting here thinking I wish I had a journal, family album, scrap book to have for the girls to read when they're older. Memories of our family! I have Facebook which I'm sure will be around forever. They can look at my profile and see what our family was up to as they grew up. But to read my words, to see how proud I am of them, to see how much I love them. When they are teenagers maybe they'll read this blog and take a trip down memory lane or maybe they'll avoid it at all cost! Who knows! Maybe this will just simply be for me! For me to look back on and remember this crazy season of my life! Raising kids is no joke! Every possible emotion goes into it. Every ounce of patience and energy. But I wouldn't trade a second if it! Maybe I'll feel rested again one day! Ha! I'm not good at sitting down and journaling. And I LOVE pictures. I take so many! So here I am to bring back to life my blog! Two years of a gap. So much change in the kiddos. I wish now I had journaled my homeschool time with ayda! What a blast those 2 years were. What a joy to be her teacher. Harper is almost 3! The last pictures I posted she was a baby. And Hadley! How she has changed and come into her own the last 2 years. She is passionate, witty, a sweet heart. I'm not even going to try to bridge the 2 years. I think I'll fill in as I go. I have had a lot of healing emotionally and physically the last 2 years. A lot of growth from the Lin 5! So here we go! I do hope this becomes something special for our family to read and enjoy in the years to come!

North Carolina Trip!

The girls and I loaded up and headed out for a crazy road trip! We traveled to Asheville, Birmingham, and Atlanta. It was so much fun and precious time with the kids! I will admit I was happy to get home after 11 days on the road. We missed Kevin a lot and I missed having back up! :)

 We really enjoyed the SC peaches! They were HUGE and super sweet!

 We went for a short hike with the Nilos and Toombs. I miss the beautiful trails and mountains! It was so fun being with friends again too. And to see how much all the kids have grown! Next time we're all together we'll add two more munchkins to the mix (a Nilo baby and Toombs baby)!

 When we met in a play group I had two kids, Rebecca had 2, and Tina had 1...now I have 3, Rebecca is about to have three, and Tina is about to have 3!! So much fun!

Harper was pooped after our hike!!

We are so thankful for our NC friends! We didn't live in Asheville long but it was enough time to make lasting friendships. I can't wait to get up there first of the year and meet the newest little ones!

Trolley Ride

Hadley has been begging to ride the Trolley around town! So we finally decided to go. It was actually really fun and very educational. The girls LOVED when it went fast...even Harper. It was a hot summer day so thankfully it kept moving so the breeze cooled us off some. 

 Hadley was so excited to get started!!!

 Harper insisted on sitting with Grand-Pam!

 Weeeeee!!!!!

Fourth of July

We enjoyed our second annual July Fourth with the Heymanns! Ron goes crazy with fireworks so there is no need to fight the crowds at the resorts! We always have so much fun letting the kids run around and play, while the adults hang out. Ayda was off with Kate and other friends the whole evening so I didn't get a picture of her! Hadley had fun with the sparklers this year...she learned from last year not to touch the end! ouch!!

 Hotty Hubby grilling up some burgers!!

Harper once we got home...she was tuckered out from the big party!

REI Adventures

Kevin and I love going to REI and act like we are outdoorsy people! In reality...we are not! I have zero interest in camping with bugs and dirt! But we all had fun one day roaming around looking at stuff. And then Harper ended up in a fancy backpack...new babywearing gear?? haha! She was not too sure about the idea! I think she will stick with her Ergo.

Summer Waves!

We took a day trip to Jekyll Island to check out Summer Waves with Reagan and the kids. We were all really impressed and the kids had an absolute blast!!! Ok the adults did too! They loved the slides, lazy river, kids splash zone, and the HUGE bucket that dumped gallons of water on your head! It was a perfect day!

 One thing Harper is really good at...napping when she gets tired, regardless of where that might have to be! I guess as the third kiddo she has no other choice! I am thankful too!

 Playing with Reagan!

 Jack!

 Ayda and Kate under the waterfall! Love their friendship!

Hadley was not intimidated at all by the slides. She was a little bummed she couldn't go on the "big" slides yet too. Soon, sweet girl...probably next summer!

A Visit With Papa Joe!

My dad was driving through Jax on his way back to NY so we met for a quick lunch. The girls loved getting play with Papa Joe and Cody! I think kids just know grand parents are special...Harper had no issues being held by my dad. Though we don't get to see him often Ayda and Hadley always pick up where they left off...never a shy minute with him! I love that! So glad we got to see him and can't wait for the next visit. The girls were promised M&Ms when they see my dad next...and they will hold him to that promise!!! :)

Father's Day

We went to Jax to spend Father's Day with Jim. I am so glad we did. He really seemed to enjoy our company and the food was very good as usual. I wish we could celebrate with my dad as well but we called and chatted!! It was really a nice day and I hope that my dad, Jim, and Kevin felt how much they are loved and appreciated!

 Kevin and his 3 girls. They adore him so much! He makes them laugh, guides them, loves on them, and protects them. I hope as they grow they truly know how much they mean to him. He is proud to be daddy to 3 daughters! I absolutely love watching him with them!

So thankful for Jim and all he has done for me over the years. He is a special man! My girls love their Papaw so much too!!!

The Girls' Baptism

What a special day June 14 was. All three of our girls were baptized at St. Peter's Episcopal church. It was a beautiful day and the girls did so good. Ayda said she would be shy but she did exactly what Father Stephen asked her to. Hadley of course made us all laugh. After she was baptized she came to me and said "Now can we have the cake?!?" so the entire church could hear her! 

 The girls with Father Stephen

 Sweet family picture

 Lauren is Ayda's God Mother

 Ron and Raegan are Hadley's God Parents

 Bobby and Leah are Harper's God Parents

We appreciate so much what each girl's God Parent does for them. We hope and pray they always have a hand in the growth of the girls. 

Hadley was not disappointed by the cake either! We enjoyed the cake after having a wonderful lunch at Cafe Karibo!

Downtown Disney

In June we went to Kevin's parents to visit his dad. On the way home we surprised the girls with a stop at Downtown Disney! They were so excited and could not wait to eat lunch at T-Rex Restaurant. Harper was NOT impressed with the crazy dinos and loud noises! It was a fun family day though!!

We found a hat shop as we were walking around. The girls looked so cute in the big floppy hats they picked out! We just played around and then put them back...though they begged for a hat!

                                              Daddy and Hadley dressing up in Star Wars hats!

 Ayda and Harper with the Pooh friends! I cannot wait for Disney trip in October!!

 Of course we HAD to enjoy some mickey ice cream! YUM!!!!

Tennis Camp!

I signed the girls up for Tennis Camp down the street from us for June. Two days a week for an hour. It was such a great deal and they learned alot. They both are really good too! I hope to continue lessons with the Tennis Pro into the fall! Our sweet friend Amelia was there as well. It was a fun month and I met some awesome moms. Even got a GNO with them! 

Harper 8 Months!

Ok I will readily admit I have been AWFUL with Harper's monthly pictures!!! Every month on the 17th I think, oh my! my baby is another month older. But for some reason I cannot seem to get her "posed" for a picture every month. But alas I did for her 8 month pic! She is such a delight and happy baby! People ask all the time "Does she ever cry?"...My response is "yes...watch when I put her in the car seat. Or try to take her from me! You'll see tears." Otherwise she is a happy little baby!

She fights the car seat the first 5 seconds and then that is all. She's fine after that. I think she just wants to let me know she isn't happy about the idea but she doesn't fuss for long. 

She is a mommy's girl, daddy's girl, and Grand-Pam's girl! That is the list of who is allowed to hold her. Kevin loves that she gets so excited when he gets home and that she is perfectly happy with him. Ayda and Hadley were more momma's girls. He definitely has a different bond this early with her. 

Harper is still our little peanut! She weighs 15lbs 10oz. Definitely our littlest Lin.

Meet Orangey (OJ)

Hadley has a heart for all critters! She is my frog and lizard catcher at home. Kevin and I decided to get her a Bearded Dragon and to say she was excited is an understatement! She went with Kevin to pick him out, bought all the stuff for his new home, and could not wait for Ayda and I to meet him when they got home! She loves her Beardie and I think it's safe to say Kevin is quite fond as well!! And I'll admit...he is pretty cute! Welcome to the family OJ!

Butterflies!

I was so excited to order caterpillars for the girls to watch grow and become butterflies. I am not sure who was more excited...me or them! It was a really neat project that I think will be an annual activity for us. It was so cool to see tiny caterpillars become huge (Hadley kept saying they were the VERY hungry caterpillars), then build their cocoons and emerge as butterflies. 

The Watsons' Visit

Jennifer drove down the last week of May with the boys for a week long visit. The kids had so much fun playing, swimming, and playing on the beach!! The last night they were here we made sure to have an ice cream outing! Boardwalk bash was perfect...the kids had their treat and then burned off the sugar with all the dancing they did to the live music! Such a fun night to kick off our summer! 

Last Day of School

I cannot believe we finished another year at AIMS!! It's even crazier that Ayda will start first grade in the fall! The school has a Transition Ceremony every year for all the kids moving up to a new class. Hadley was excited to see Ayda cross the bridge! It was a special morning but also a little sad. Two of our closest friends will be moving at the end of summer and other friends will be attending different schools in the fall! I know we'll keep in touch but things will be different for sure!

 

Ayda with her VERY best friend Addison. These two were inseparable the last two years. They worked so hard together! We will miss them so so much!

Silly Kindergarden graduates!! 

There are good teachers and then there are GREAT, AMAZING teachers! Ms Susan has had Ayda since we moved to FB and she is truly irreplaceable. She helped Ayda adjust to a new school and home, she listens to all my mommy worries, and she just knows my kids! I am so excited Hadley will have her and Ms. Krystal the next two years!! I would not have been ready to say good bye!!