Today I was in the car with Carys and Kellen driving home from the grocery store when a very sweet song came on the radio called Count on Me. Me and Kellen sung it together with smiles on our face and at the end we talked about our favorite lines in the song and how this is how we love each other. And in that moment my whole heart was full. I love these little children in a way I never knew you could love a person...the way you can only love someone that is very literally a piece of you. And right now, though there are many things that are hard and overwhelming about them being small and needy and messy and loud and little...there is something incredible about them too. They need me. They want me. They turn to me and rely on me and depend on me. They trust me and they share their worries and their fears and their joys and accomplishments. Though I know that my very first responsibility is to be their parent, I also hope and pray they can always trust me like a friend. That they can always know that I will be there for them in every way I can.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Double the Fun!
The older these kids get the more their mom looks for ways to simplify birthday parties. And luckily the kids have been happy about this idea as well and have worked with me well! This year we decided to have Makenna and Conner have their parties together. Because they combined their party we went to the boardwalk which they loved! They each got to invite a handful of friends. We ate pizza, played games and went on rides and had a blast!
Con wanted all things Ninja Turtle. Him and a few of his cute friends.
This picture right here was my very favorite moment of the entire day. They were so sweet while we were singing happy birthday too them! Made a mama's heart full!
Makenna was super cute and let Conner go first and blow out his candles all by himself.
That gave her a few extra seconds to think up a really good wish!
Makenna, Gwyn and Kara! Such beautiful ladies!
Just Watching the girls spin around in this thing made me want to throw up! Oh, to be young and be able to handle anything! Love these crazy, brave girls!
Presents!
I realize everyone looks borderline bored in this picture, but I swear they love this ride. It induces a lot of high pitched squealing! Note Conner and his awesome socks with sandals look! Silly boy that I love so very much!
I blinked and then she was 8....
One of the most entertaining gifts of the year! You can't wear this mask or look at someone wearing this mask without smiling!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Idaho Pics
Sarah had the great idea for us to do family pictures while we were in Idaho. I really wish Todd had been with us because the photographer was great. But it was nice to get pics of the kids and the cousins and Grammy with her babes. Here are my favs....which is almost all of them!
Conner can't hardly take a serious group picture if his life depended on it! But in a way it captures who he REALLY is, so I try and go with it. And when did Makenna and Kellen get so big?!
I LOVE this picture!
When I look at these pictures of me with these women my heart just swells! I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to have the love of these ladies in my life. We have been there for each other forever. We know each other in ways that only someone that has known you your entire life can know you. I am so grateful to have the example of each of them in my life. I am beyond blessed to cal my sister and my mother some of my best friends!
This beautiful girl is just growing up right before my eyes! I can't believe how big she seems all of the sudden. She has gone from a sticky, messy, funny little toddler to a little lady overnight! I love this age that she is at! I can remember being her age. I can remember what it feels to be excited about the things she is experiencing and the maturity she is developing. She is such a happy, fun loving girl through and through! I love this look when their body is stretching out and their adult teeth are coming in and still look a bit too big for their face. It is so cute!
My sweet baby Carys! With a smile that can melt you in seconds. Such a little girl! She found this little pearl necklace while we were getting ready to leave to go take the pics and refused to take it off. And I think it was the perfect touch! This girl may be a lot of girly drama, but I love how sweet and dainty she can be. But she can also hang with her rough and tumble brothers. She is going to be a very well rounded little girl. And with a face like that she will have no problems getting herself out of trouble! Love our babe!
Kellen has gone from "Little Boy" to being a big kid in the blink of an eye. The toddler that used to hide behind my legs and not leave my side at the park unless he had his sister holding his hand is long gone. And now I have this mischievous, funny, outgoing, silly kid standing in his place. He has become such a BOY! I guess there is a part of me that is still surprised when i see what and adventurous kid he has become. He still has those big brown eyes that melt your heart, that smile that I can't resist, and the most sensitive, thoughtful heart ever! But he is growing up and just becomes more and more handsome every day.
This Kid. I can't even begin to tell you what a special element this boy brings to our family. He knows how to make anyone smile and laugh just about any time. He is such a ham! Born to be the class comedian for sure! Though I have my moments where it drives me insane, there is something special about a boy like him who knows how to take life with smile on his face at all times! This boy gives the greatest hugs ever. I just feel him melting into me and I love it every time. He is such a little gentleman and is well on his way to being a ladies man. You can just see his soul in those crystal blue eyes! We love The Con!
It's an incredible feeling to have your dreams come true. I have been lucky enough to have my dreams come true 4 times!
COUSINS!!
I LOVE this sweet family and those little kiddos....they will always have such a special place in my heart. Next to my own children, these little ones are Right there!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
There's nothing like getting to take the kids on dates in order to have some special time with them. Especially with the ones that are in school full time. It seems so hard in the crazy business of life to find time to really get to Be with them and talk and enjoy ourselves in a special way, without as many distractions. These two big kids thought it would be fun to do a big kid date together. So first we went to our favorite restaurant of choice, Red Robin!
After that it was off to ice skate! Makenna had been once before and was DYING to back again. And Kellen was very eager to try it out himself! Since Makenna did so well her first time and I knew she wouldn't need help from me again I knew I would have the time to spend helping Kellen. They were so excited it was so cute!
As soon as Makenna's skates hit the ice she was off! She was so proud of herself. It always feels good to see your kids confident about what they can accomplish. And Kellen really surprised me with how brave and willing he was to just go for it! He really didn't hesitate. He got right out there and got going immediately. He stayed positive the whole time and was really good about listening to my instructions. He started out clinging to the wall and inching along and by the end of the session he was comfortable just holding my hand and skating along!
I think this might be one of my favorite pictures of me and Kellen together! We both look so happy!
These are the moments as mom where I sometimes stop and pinch myself because they seem too good to be true. I can remember being you and not having kids yet and imagining what it would be like being a mom and how fun it would be. And in these fun moments it just feels so surreal to watch your dreams coming true right before your eyes!
A thumbs up for Dad at the end of the day to prove to him that there were no injuries! A perfect day!
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