I love you more than...

...the moon and the stars in the sky.

That is what I tell Hazel, every night before she goes to bed. She usually replies, "no, I love yoooouuuuu more than the moon and the stars in the sky!" Yup, there is no doubt, Hazel Rei rocks our world. She is the most amazing little girl to ever be born on April 29th 2006. She is fabulous! She is funny, creative, CRAZY, sweet, loving, a dancing machine, a goof-ball, hilarious, and so many other really amazing qualities all rolled up into one blue-eyed, curly haired, beautiful little girl. She is a gift from the Lord...she is our Hazel Rei Montgomery.

(Hazel enjoying her princess breakfast of banana and chocolate chip pancakes)

Hazel loves to hear about how Joe & I were married (BTW Happy Anniversary JOE my love!!). She loves our LOVE story...loves to hear about the flowers, the dresses, etc. She also loves to hear about her birth. I often cuddle up with her, and tell her about how excited we were that she was going to be born. How I could feel her wiggling in my tummy. How we couldn't stop thinking, and talking about her...how we just couldn't wait to meet her and see her beautiful face! She claims she would say (while in my tummy) "LET ME OUT, LET ME OUT, I WANNA SEE MY DADDY!" She cracks up every time we tell her how she peed on her daddy when he was holding her for the first time, or how we were amazed at how long her tongue was. These stories never get old to her...and they never will for Joe or I.

There are few moments that I can remember so vividly in my mind and recollect with 100% clarity the emotions I felt. One was when I married Joe and how happy and excited I was to be his wife and spend my life with him. The second was the moment I saw Hazel Rei, the moment I held her....let's just say spontaneous tears flowed from my eyes, and I could not stop repeating, "oh my God, oh my God!!"....and it was pretty much the same for Joe.

I was overwhelmed with love when I met you Hazel. I was in love with you from the moment I saw you. I adore you my love. I am so excited to see what amazing things God has in store for you. Love the Lord with all of your heart, trust Him, know that he created you special. You are so special in so many ways. You never cease to put a smile on my face, and you are and always will be my best friend and daughter. I love you more than the moon and the stars in the sky!

The pics were taking just moments ago, as Hazel started her extra special day with pancakes (her fav), and opening her presents from Abuelita which included an American Girl birthday outfit for her and Karen (her American girl doll), and a new princess bed set. Her reply to these gifts was, "Ohhhh gosh! Ohhh gosh!"

More pics to come!

Happy Birthday ALLY!!!!!!!!

She is my baby sister but she has always been stronger than me. Two instances jump out of my memory. First is, when we would need to get shots at the Dr, I would cry and run, while she just sat down and plopped out her arm. Second, when we would need to get spankings, I would run around the house screaming, while she would just bend over and get it over with. I really respect her, she is strong, smart, level-headed, responsible, talented, sweet, thoughtful, just so many qualities that I, as her big sister, aspire to have.

Ally, today as you celebrate your 29Th birthday, know that you are loved and we wish so much to be a part of your day!!!! Eat lots, and lots of cake for us!! We love you so much sweet sister. Oh MY what amazing things God has in store for you this year. How you trust HIM, and know that his plan for you is beautiful and wonderful in the proper time, is amazing to me. I WOULD GIVE YOU THE WORLD if I COULD!!!! Now you must settle for my less than perfect homemade goods ;(

You have my heart.



Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



LOVE

Monica (and JOE, HAZEL, and JADE!)

Blue Rocks!!

Hi everyone! Its been a bit since I've added to this journalistic endeavor. Yesterday, I got off work and it was a super nice spring day, I think it was like 70 or so. We've been meaning to get to a baserball(thats what Hazel calls it) game, but Phillies games are hard to get into and a little pricey. I had heard from a few locs about this minor league team down in Wilmington, DE. So we decided to run down and check it out. We had so much fun. It only took us like a half hour to get there. The tickets were only 6 bucks and you sit super close to the field. We got hotdogs and popcorn and cotton candy. They gave us free caps when we came in and the girls got pinwheels. It was a fun time, and the Blue Rocks won! Its kinda funny cuz the Rocks are the farm team for the KC Royals. Keeping it real!!! Holla.... We wanted the girls to meet Rocky,

but they were all freaked out, it was hilarious!! Well, we love you all, maybe skype us up sometime....

love,

J+M+H+J

Easter in Philly.

Easter is without a doubt my favorite holiday. No, not because of Easter bunnies (although they are cute), and the over abundance of delicious candy (although peeps share a very special place in my heart), but because it reminds me of how awesome of a God we serve. It reminds me of love, real sacrificial love and how Jesus died for our sins, and rose again!

Our day was spent with family, Ney Ney, Grandpa Bill, Ross, and Peter. We went to Easter Service at our church, Calvary Chapel of Media and had a great (however very chilly) morning. Joe of course made a especially delicious meal of Lamb, roasted potatoes, and this amazing brussels sprout dish that was to die for. More than just amazing food (which quite honestly is how we roll) we spent time as a family and that was more than any of us could of asked for!

Fabulous Friends

While in Cali, my super fabulous friend Joanne Cox (http://awakeningdream.blogspot.com/) was so gracious to lend her awesome photographic skills to taking some pics of the girls. Here are a few (hopefully more to come, uuhhhh huuummmm Jo send me some more!)....

Thank you so much Joanne, you are such a special and important person in our lives. We love you so much...

mon

Princess Hazel Rei

The things that fill Hazel's head and come out of her mouth would astound you. The latest and greatest has got to be, "MOM, how am I going to find a husband?" and she was serious. Joe and I tell her to pray and that God will bring her a Godly husband someday...much later...much much later when she is way older (preferably after college, travel, and when she is 30). Or, perhaps how she speaks of her & Joe getting married, in two weeks she says...she is a crack up. Hazel Rei is in love with anything princess. She has yet to actually watch a "princess" movie so I'm a bit surprised that she seems to be so knowledgeable, irregardless she is a girl and thus very much infatuated with the idea of being a princess.

Joe & I had the opportunity to bring two of her dreams to fruition during out California vacation. We were able to visit Disneyland where Hazel was able to meet a few princesses, after we waited in line for about an hour (fun, fun, fun). I will tell you one thing, Disneyland takes on a new meaning with children. I had an agenda of what I wanted to see & ride, and yeah pretty much didn't get to do nearly all of it but it was ok. Abuelita and Auntie Ginger were able to watch Hazel & Jade for a bit while Joe & I snuck in a couple of rides.

Much love,

MON