It's Official...

...We're going to Hawaii!

I just booked Landon's and my ticket to Hawaii! I am so excited! Andrew will be working during the daytime so Landon and I can tour the island and play at the beach! We'll be there for two weeks and we'll leave soon after school is out...just in time! I can't wait. We'll be staying on the island of Oahu in Waikiki. We probably won't make it off that island since Andrew will be working, so by the end of the two weeks we should know Oahu pretty well. I'm not complaining though...it's not too often a pretty much free trip to Hawaii comes your way! Please let us know of some "must do's" while we are there. I already have been searching and a good friend of mine has also given me a few but all suggestions are welcome!

Bird Nest

Today it was raining, so when I got home today I decided to put out our two potted plants to get some water. We have one on a stand and one hanging. As I was taking the hanging one down, I felt and heard something fly past my face...it was a bird. I never looked into the hanging pot as I was taking it down but once I felt my face get brushed, I looked in. Sure enough there was a nest! I was afraid to look further so I left it alone until Andrew came home and he saw that there were eggs in the nest. I couldn't believe it! There are 4 eggs with red speckles...I pray that the mother comes back to her eggs.

The nest

Sorry this is blurry, but you can kind of make out the eggs

Does anyone have any idea of what kind of birds they may be?

Pool Time

Today was a gorgeous day so we thought we would introduce Landon to the pool. He absolutely loves taking a bath so we thought he would love this. It was nice and warm outside and the sun was shining...the water, on the other hand, was pretty cool. He didn't share in the excitement that mommy and daddy had for playing in the pool. He and Jax tolerated the time in the pool. We'll have to try again.
Looks like Landon actually liked the pool...at least for a few minutes!

Jaxson was not happy at all having to stand and pose for a picture. He wouldn't even acknowledge me when I called his name for a picture.

Teether Blanket

When we arrived in Jacksonville, my brother had a gift for Landon. It was a teething blanket, but it wasn't from Sean but his friend KC, who has twins Chance and Kinley. The blanket is one that I was thinking of buying Landon since he is teething, he has one tooth breaking through! She even had it personalized with his name! It looks just like the one below. Thank you so much...it was very thoughtful of you.
PS...Let Sean know and I will customize your blog!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 2nd Anniversary! It was actually nice to experience a marriage right before our anniversary. I have spent alot of time reflecting on the vows we took two years ago and what they meant then and what they mean today and will mean in the future. Though the words we spoke then are the same now, we have had more experiences, good and bad, to build upon. So much has happened in two short years of marriage and it has been a whirlwind experience. We were married April '06, moved to Virginia July '06, bought a home April '07, and brought Landon into the world this past September! These two years haven't been easy or perfect, especially for me being so far from my family and friends, but we are getting through this together. I know we will look back on this time and laugh and "miss these days" (thanks Anna). We are trying to enjoy each day as it comes as a couple and as a family. Thanks Andrew for being my partner (and putting up with me)...I love you!

Thank you to all are friends and family who love and support us! We love you all!

Thanks...Aunt Linda

I recently received some emails from my aunt that included pictures of Landon from our Easter trip. Aunt Linda is great with a camera and these pictures are adorable! I thought they were blog worthy and that I should share them with all of you. Thanks Aunt Linda!

Grandparents

While Andrew and I were at the wedding on Saturday, Landon spent the day with Grandma and Papa Frosty. The school where my mom teaches, Sacred Heart, was having a carnival, so Landon was able to go and have a great time. Everyone was so excited to meet Landon.

Landon with Sister Josephine, the Principal of Sacred Heart, and Grandma, Papa Frosty

Landon didn't get to ride the carousel, but posed for a picture with Papa Frosty in front of it.

Having a good time in his stroller.

Playing at the Grandparents house.

We had a great time...Landon can't wait to see you again in two weeks and two weeks after that!

Jacksonville

We traveled to Jacksonville this weekend to celebrate the wedding of Katie and Jay. Katie is a good friend of mine from college and she met Jay, who is in the Air Force, while living in England. We had a great time! Congrats!

The Bride and Groom

Cher, another great friend from college, and I were two of the four bridesmaids in the wedding.

All the Alpha Chi girls...It was great to visit with old friends.

Cher, Becky, and I had a great time dancing the night away.

A Message of Hope

As many of you know, Pope Benedict XVI, is here in Washington D.C. Today, the Pope is saying Mass at Nationals Park (Baseball team's brand new stadium). The stadium was turned into a church for 46,000 attendees. Even though I was not able to attend, I have been able to watch parts on t.v. during my planning period. What an amazing and awesome experience for those in attendance.
When I began watching, I tuned into the mass during the Communion Procession and ending of the Mass. I missed the homily which was a "Message of Hope." I was able to find the message online and read it. It is a beautiful message that I hope inspires all people. I have included an excerpt below. To read the entire message click here.

...I pray, then, that this significant anniversary in the life of the Church in the United States, and the presence of the Successor of Peter in your midst, will be an occasion for all Catholics to reaffirm their unity in the apostolic faith, to offer their contemporaries a convincing account of the hope which inspires them (cf. 1 Pet 3:15), and to be renewed in missionary zeal for the extension of God's Kingdom.
The world needs this witness! Who can deny that the present moment is a crossroads, not only for the Church in America but also for society as a whole? It is a time of great promise, as we see the human family in many ways drawing closer together and becoming ever more interdependent. Yet at the same time we see clear signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society: signs of alienation, anger and polarization on the part of many of our contemporaries; increased violence; a weakening of the moral sense; a coarsening of social relations; and a growing forgetfulness of God. The Church, too, sees signs of immense promise in her many strong parishes and vital movements, in the enthusiasm for the faith shown by so many young people, in the number of those who each year embrace the Catholic faith, and in a greater interest in prayer and catechesis. At the same time she senses, often painfully, the presence of division and polarization in her midst, as well as the troubling realization that many of the baptized, rather than acting as a spiritual leaven in the world, are inclined to embrace attitudes contrary to the truth of the Gospel...

...Dear friends, my visit to the United States is meant to be a witness to "Christ our Hope". Americans have always been a people of hope: your ancestors came to this country with the expectation of finding new freedom and opportunity, while the vastness of the unexplored wilderness inspired in them the hope of being able to start completely anew, building a new nation on new foundations. To be sure, this promise was not experienced by all the inhabitants of this land; one thinks of the injustices endured by the native American peoples and by those brought here forcibly from Africa as slaves. Yet hope, hope for the future, is very much a part of the American character. And the Christian virtue of hope - the hope poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, the hope which supernaturally purifies and corrects our aspirations by focusing them on the Lord and his saving plan - that hope has also marked, and continues to mark, the life of the Catholic community in this country...

..."In hope we were saved!" (Rom 8:24)." As the Church in the United States gives thanks for the blessings of the past two hundred years, I invite you, your families, and every parish and religious community, to trust in the power of grace to create a future of promise for God's people in this country. I ask you, in the Lord Jesus, to set aside all division and to work with joy to prepare a way for him, in fidelity to his word and in constant conversion to his will. Above all, I urge you to continue to be a leaven of evangelical hope in American society, striving to bring the light and truth of the Gospel to the task of building an ever more just and free world for generations yet to come.
Those who have hope must live different lives! (cf. Spe Salvi, 2). By your prayers, by the witness of your faith, by the fruitfulness of your charity, may you point the way towards that vast horizon of hope which God is even now opening up to his Church, and indeed to all humanity: the vision of a world reconciled and renewed in Christ Jesus, our Savior. To him be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Aloha!

Well... my dreams of going to Hawaii are closer than I thought. Andrew was told that he may need to go to Hawaii to help out a department over there. How great is that? Who wouldn't want to be sent to Hawaii for work?!

His boss originally was going to send him during the month of May, but now it looks like he may not go until the end of June or beginning of July! This is good for me since I am in school until mid June. I was going to be pretty bummed if Andrew was able to go and I had to stay here.

Since Andrew would be working during the day, we would have to the "bigger things" in the evening or on the weekend. We probably wouldn't be able to get to other islands, so any suggestions for the island of Oahu would be great! Now we are just waiting to hear what dates Andrew would be sent. I am so excited! Hopefully everything works out...I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Whatcha Think?

As all of you readers know, I have been working on learning how to customize my blog. Well...I finally am getting the hang of it. With a little help from my friend, Anna, I have been able to get the finishing touches on the blog (the header and the signature). I hope you all like it.





Don't you just love the signature...

I do!

While Daddy's Away...

...Mommy and Landon will play!

Andrew is out of town this weekend for a bachelor party, so Landon and I decided to have some fun of our own. We went to visit my friend Kim and her boyfriend Ben in Baltimore today. I taught with Kim last year, then she decided to leave teaching to pursue a law degree. Luckily she didn't go too far away! Kim owns two cats, Val and Charlie, and Landon has seen them before but this time he was more aware of them. When we got to the apartment Landon found one of their toys and started swinging it around, which they loved, though they weren't quite sure what to make of Landon.

{Charlie getting ready to pounce on the toy}

After we played for a while and Landon had some lunch, Kim took us on a tour of the Law School. It is about a block away from Kim's apartment, which is great for her...so convenient. It was pretty cool to see where she spends many hours of her days. It was pretty intimidating seeing everything and hearing what she has to do. I don't know if I would be able to handle the switch but she seems to be enjoying it. We wish her all the best in the next few years!

{University of Maryland Law School}

After we toured the school, we headed to Fells Point for some food and shopping. It was a great area to walk around and shop. I'm definitely going to have to go back. There were a few more shops that I would have liked to go in, but having a stroller makes it a little harder to maneuver in little shops. Then we went to the part of Baltimore known as "Little Italy" for some dessert. It was very yummy! Finally Landon and I had to head home. Thanks, Kim and Ben, for a great day! We had alot of fun! Good luck with finals!

{Landon with Kim and Ben}

Kim gave Landon the onesie he is wearing at my baby shower. I have been waiting for him to wear it, since I opened it. It is so cute...it's an organic cotton onesie that says "Welcome to Earth." I absolutely love it and was so glad he was able to wear it for her!

Way To Go, Coach!

As many of you know, Andrew has started coaching high school soccer at West Potomac, the high school where I teach. Andrew came into the team, after a coach who had been there for 2 previous seasons. Andrew has spent alot of time changing old habits and getting the team to "gel" together. Not only are these boys teenagers(which can cause enough difficulties in coaching), but the team is a very heterogeneous mixture, which can also add to the difficulties of getting a team to come together.

West Potomac is a very diverse school of many different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. There are members on the team not only from the US, but also from Africa, Mexico, and South America. There are many times where I think, Andrew feels as though his efforts are going nowhere, but I know he is much appreciated for what he is providing to these students. Not only is he instilling in these boys a love for a sport and pride for themselves and their school, but also the necessities that they will need when they leave high school. I truly believe that a coach is more than just a coach, they are mentors and role models. I believe Andrew is making his mark as a mentor and role model to these boys.

Already, I have been told by administrators and other faculty members what a great job he has been doing with the team. A few area coaches have also mentioned to him what a change they have seen in the West Potomac soccer team. I am so proud of Andrew and what he is accomplishing with theses young men, but I am also proud of the players themselves. It has not only been difficult for Andrew, but for them, too. A new coach means new standards and routine, and they are getting it together.

Just recently, Andrew received an email from a coach of our rival high school, Mount Vernon, that only confers what everyone else is saying about Andrew. I wanted to share a bit of the email sent from the coach:

Coach Peck:
...I must say our game last week was one of the most intense, pressure filled games I have seen in a long time notwithstanding the rival between our respected schools.

...At the end of our game - both squads were just beat - you can see the fatigue on the faces of the players but I am happy with the way the game ended. I must say, it has been a few years since I have the seen the boys at West Potomac play the way they did and have such a joy for the game. What you have done so far this season bringing that joy back to the game for the boys at West Potomac...speaks volumes and I wish you the very best this season...

Congrats to Andrew and the West Potomac Boys Soccer Team! Go Wolverines!

To check on how the team is doing click here.

6 Month Pictures

I mentioned in a few posts back that last week we took Landon for his 6 month pictures. Well, they're up online for all to see. I'm not sure how long they will have them up but you are more than welcome to take a look. I'm not as crazy about these as his 3 month pictures but there are a few good ones. Hopefully the 9 month will be better and we're hoping to make it down to florida to get his 1 yr/family pictures taken by the woman who did our wedding! Those should be great.

Here is how to check them out:
go to http://www.smilesbywire.com/ and enter the following:

Customer Name: kelley peck

Access Code: LTP28202053001JCP

I've ordered a few poses, which ones, I can't quite remember...they should be in by the end of the week!

New Highchair

This weekend, Landon got his new highchair. As many of you know, our house isn't very big, so we try to save as much space as we can. We knew we weren't going to be able to get a traditional highchair, so we have been looking at the ones that attach to your kitchen chairs.

Well...on friday, friends of ours, Nancy and Roberto, decided they wanted to give Landon a gift. Nancy is a colleague of mine and I team teach with her. She has been waiting to get a gift for Landon since his birth, and she wanted to get him something he needed. Well opportunity arose, and we all (me, Andrew, Landon, Nancy, & Roberto) went to Target to pick up the highchair.

Thanks, Nancy & Robi

Welcome to our "Yarden"

Today was a day of planting. I have never been one to be a green thumb but I thought I would take a stab at it. We went to our local Home Depot with Landon and our neighbor's daughter in tow! When we got to the garden center, we looked around, and decided on what we wanted from there. My idea was to get plants and flowers that need little care. We decided on some spruce evergreens, gardenias, boxwoods and various flowers (type, I'm not sure) for some color.
While Andrew an I planted, Landon hung out with Emma. Emma also helped with some of the planting in the "yarden," as she called it. She picked the purple flowers that should grow outward like a ground cover.




I'm sorry that I didn't take any "before" pictures, only after. The good thing is that when you see the "after" pictures, it will be easy to imagine the "before." Try really hard but imagine there being absolutely nothing, just dirt and pavers, and you have a good idea of what the "before" looked like. (I should let you know that we did plant some flowers last year when we moved in, but they were very sad looking after the winter.)

Angels vs. Twins

You may be seeing a few more posts concerning Darren O'Day, but my entire family is just so excited for him. Darren made the opening day roster for the game against the Minnesota Twins and got in the game! I can only imagine what it felt like for him to actually get out on the mound with players that he has watched on TV! There have been a few articles released about him and his opening day game. Below is a teaser. To check out the full article, click here.

{ picture from the game of Darren and his side-arm pitch}

Angels rookie O'Day 'in a daze'
--------------------
The reliever, a longshot to be on the roster when spring-training began, makes debut against Minnesota.

By Mike DiGiovanna
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 1 2008

MINNEAPOLIS -- It was confirmed when he was introduced with Angels reserves and jogged from the dugout to the first base line before the season opener: Darren O'Day's feet did actually touch the ground Monday.