Buddy Turns Six with a Captain America Party

Jonathan,

You're killin me buddy, how in the world are you six years old? My heart is overwhelmed thinking of how fast time has gone. It feels like just yesterday I was staring at your cute little infant face asleep in my arms. But instead of focusing on how big you're getting, because I would easily turn into a blubbering mess, I'm going to focus on what a blessing you are to me and our family in this season of life. You are the sweetest boy I know. You have a heart of a servant and you always aim to please and love everyone around you. You have a smile that lights up the room and your "big eyes" captivate anyone who is listening to your current story. You are a very hard-worker. When I ask you to do something, your response is always, "I'm on it!" You love praise and in return love to give compliments. A day doesn't go by without you telling me how beautiful I am and how much you love me. You melt my heart daily. Your sense of humor keeps us all laughing and your comedic timing is ridiculous. You are passionate about movies and have told us that you want to grow up to be an actor, but not just any actor, a superhero actor of course. We can always count on you for the perfect movie line. Last night you were wiping down the kitchen table after dinner and I heard you in the kitchen saying, "Wax on, wax off." I'm so thankful for the joy you bring to our home everyday, keep making us laugh little man! 

I love that you are all-boy and at the same time you are a tender heart, you remind me a lot of your Daddy. The wife that God has for you is one lucky lady! For now I feel like the lucky lady that has the privilege of being your mama... I love that you call me mama. I see glimpses of what kind of man you are becoming and it makes my heart swell. God has given you so many wonderful gifts and talents and I know He has big plans for you. 

Jon my prayer for you is that you continue to let God direct your life, every-step-of-the-way. I pray that loving Him and loving others will be your life's mission and that you let Him use that huge heart of yours to do big things. I pray you would be a man of integrity and always put others before yourself. I pray you would continue to be a man of action and use that amazing work ethic to do great things. As your mom I want to pray that God would protect you and keep you from heartache, but I know that no matter what life holds for you that you are in His hands. 

All my love, 

Mama

Happy Birthday Sweet Mama : Soaking Wet Piggies and Their Trough

My mom is one of those ladies you can't help but love. Her heart couldn't be bigger, her love for life is infectious and her laugh is contagious. You really want to just eat her up because she's so cute. She has taught me so much about how to give of yourself even when you don't feel like it... when I think of her I think of the word servant. The good and faithful servant. She will be the first to tell you about all her shortcomings and for that you love her all the more because she's real. I don't even have to explain how freaking fun she is, the photos will explain that! 

It is such a treasure to be able to walk through life together, laughing, crying and being there for each other. I find out more each day ways that I'm turning into my mother and couldn't be more proud to say so. Happy Birthday sweet Mama, love you to pieces!

She's the cutest!

A day at the park, a little KFC and a huge apple pie... doesn't get much better that, or does it? I'll answer that, of course it does... read on!

Who needs plates? Doesn't everyone eat there apple pie and vanilla ice cream like pigs in a trough? Oh no. Well then I don't think you are enjoying life to it's fullest, you should re-evaluate!

I love this boy!

And the race is on! My kids have one fun Nana!! 

And we finish off the day with a little water fountain fun! Erik was here, not sure why he didn't make it into one photo.

These photos crack me up, we were all laughing so hard. Matty running around the park in his underwear making these middle schoolers play his game he made up. I don't know what it is with this kid but he has this ability to tell people what to do and they do it. Age and seniority means nothing to him. These kids totally played his game of throw the comb, fetch it for me, and then let me chase you around the park, hahaha!! 

Life is fun!

Freezing a Moment In Time

You know those moments that arise as a mom where everything falls together perfectly? Those moments when all the hard work, tantrums, and spilled-milk don't exist? It seems that all the stars are aligning perfectly and you realize, it's all worth it...I had one of those this week.

The tears fell on my cheeks as I clicked away. They were all being so sweet and I was just taking in how precious they are... I was thankful that I was their Mom. I got a glimpse of their futures. I saw them as teenagers and my heart stopped, but when it started beating again I realized how much I'm enjoying them at every stage... at this stage. I wanted to freeze time, to capture this moment so I would never forget it. 

I was scrubbing toilets and Jonathan came in the bathroom and asked me to look at him. I looked up from the bowl and saw him dressed in his old black suit jacket he wore when he was a toddler. He says, "Look Mom, I'm in my handsome clothes."

I came out from the bathroom to find Ella in her princess dress and fancy shoes. Abby had dressed them both. It was time for, "Dance Lessons by Abby." Jon and Ella were the students.

Spotify played in the background and these two cut a rug. It was a whole bunch of precious moments that strung together creating a perfect memory!

I really needed this this week, it's been a tough one. Lots of fighting, screaming, and messes that could win records. 

I love these precious little people and I am so proud to be their mom.

A Rainy Day Photo Shoot: So Thankful for the Moisture

One thing I'm enjoying immensely about doing a "project 52" is how it is stretching me in my creativity. There is something so rewarding about receiving the theme, letting it play through your imagination, picturing something in your mind and then shooting the finished product just how you imagined it. Typically I'm a "shoot from the hip" kind-of-girl; I like to be in the moment and just go with it. I still shoot that way majority of the time, but this project is stretching me to shoot with a plan.  It's not too late to join in the fun. Here is the link to the flickr group My Four Hens P/52.

Normally I enjoy nothing more than getting outside with my camera, for some fun with the sun. But, around here lately nothing brings me more joy than an afternoon rainstorm. We need moisture so badly here in Colorado, and what is more lovely than an afternoon nap to the sound of rain. The day I chose to work on my picture of the week, the clouds opened up and we were blessed with some wonderful moisture. I love the way rain makes me feel. It has a way of cleaning away the grim, and making things feel fresh and new. It cools everything off and brings refreshment. And there is nothing quite like the smell of the rain. 

The girls and I stayed inside while the lovely rain continued to fall on our deck. Here are a few shots from our little "rainy day" shoot. 

It really is all about the little things! 

Linking up with Hello Hue!

Summertime In All It's Glory and A Little Background Music

What do you think about when you remember your childhood summers? 

For me it's camping, water fights, lake days, fireworks, flip-flops, living in my bathing suit, riding bikes, playing outside until I was forced to come in, park days, dinner outside, and laying on my back making shapes out of the clouds. 

I love that we are giving our kids the same memories. Summer has such a special place in my heart!

And a fun song, just because...


B.o.B - So Good

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My Special Day: Mom and Dad All to Myself

There are moments when life catches you off guard. Typically we just go about our day. We wake up, we busy ourselves with our to-do lists and then it's time for bed. There are days when we take a step back, we understand the reality of how fast time is passing. When I look at my oldest daughter, she reminds me of how fast time is slipping by. I find myself in those moments becoming very sad, but then I realize how much of a blessing the moment I'm experiencing is. I don't allow myself to dwell on the sadness of time passing but rather enjoy my little girl for who she is. 

Abby is a caring, loving, passionate girl. She is an amazing big sister and a great example to her siblings. Giving her a date-day was exciting because of how much she blesses others. We look to her for so much. Taking a day to show her how thankful we are was something we couldn't wait to do.

As the oldest of four, these date-days are a pretty big deal. From the moment we told her it was her turn she was counting down the days. 

She chose to go see "Brave" on opening day, have lunch at Red Robin, and do a little shopping. We had such a good time just enjoying our oldest girl. We were able to focus completely on her and what she likes for the afternoon. I can't tell you how important dates-days are, especially for larger families. 

A recap of our day Instagram style.

Love you Abby girl!