our summer in pictures...

because right now, there's no time for words!

school is out & mobiles!

 Yesterday was Lizzy's first day of summer break!

She decided to attend a new school at the beginning of fourth grade, and she made a very wise decision!

It has been a year of exploration, wonder, fun, art, and learning. She adapted quickly to her new environment, and made friends easily. Academically and socially she excelled. 

I would say fourth grade was a success!

 signing autographs while the paparazzi shoots away

 field day/water slide

And as usual, summer break means much crafting for my girl.

(the word "bored" is a naughty word in our home)

So, our first project was adapted from this mobile tutorial. We finished baby brother's, and almost completed hers. I especially love how it looks from his prospective lying in his crib!

Already today, she made a handkerchief that she designed, cut, sewed, and monogrammed herself! I love her creativity. I love that she finds ways to entertain her mind and hands, and that this very moment she is outside playing and rarely finds herself being entertained by electronics. 

I am so excited for summer time with my girl!

This picture was taken 4 years ago, the summer Mr. W started pharmacy school. I love looking at this picture. My little girl was 6 years old, and her life was about to change as we began a new adventure.

 She was about to learn a lot about sacrifice, hard work, and how much we really love being together as a family. Some days there was not as much time for play as there used to be. Some days daddy was exhausted and overwhelmed. Many days his day began at 5:00 am and ended at 12-1:00 am. 

Still he played, and read bedtime stories faithfully.

 And that is why I love this picture.

(him wearing the gown, her wearing the cap and carrying his hood)

It makes me cry. 

My sweetheart has made so many sacrifices the past 4 years. And so has my little girl. This picture perfectly represents our determination, hard work, and sacrifice as a family. 

 My little girl has changed a lot 

the past 4 years. She looks more like a teenager. (sometimes she even acts like one)

My Mr. has changed a lot too. What he has accomplished is no small feat. Now I know why only 3% of the American population has a doctorate degree. It was not easy! 

There were plenty of tears, much loneliness, sleep deprivation, (mostly him) 

and frustration.

But now it feels oh so good! 

I guess the saying is true, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

We are definitely stronger as a family.

This process has been excruciating at times, but happy too.

To you my Mr., I am so proud!

Not only did you do it, 

you did it beautifully!

xoxo

Baby had his 6 month immunizations yesterday.

By evening he had a fever and was vomiting. Babies are amazing how they throw-up, then 

the next minute are giving you the scrunchy nose smile. 

I hate seeing him so weak and tired.

But, it was sweet to have him sleep between us and hear him breathing next to me all night.

Thankfully, he is still nursing well...

Sis is off to school. It's early release Wednesday, so she was excited about that. 

She has big plans with the neighborhood children this afternoon. Last night they invented a new game 

just before she came in for the evening, so they will meet up after school! 

Mr. W has had much on his mind. He was offered a full-time Pharmacist position! He has 3 other opportunities in his field that he's considering. I've watched him carefully consider every aspect of our future, trying to make the best decision for our family.  I know he will do what is best for all of us.

I'm thankful he seeks spiritual guidance when he's planning for our future. 

Together we agree, quality of family life (time) is our ultimate goal.

We look forward to this new phase. 

some thoughts...

Today is a beautiful day. 

Sunny, warm, and happy.

After the 5:45am nursing, I changed into my workout attire. (as usual) But this morning the birds sounded like the most beautiful symphony, and it called to me. I decided to skip the treadmill and hit the pavement. (love the nike running app!) When I got home I told my sleepy Mr. that it was exhilarating! As I ran I listened to the birds sing, watched the sunrise, smelled the blossoms on the trees, and saw baby lambs frolicking! I think I'm converted.

Sister begins end of year testing today. I can't wait for summer days with my girl! 

She also has dance today...I feel there will be grumbles. She hates going anywhere after school when it's warm outside. All she wants to do is play in the yard. Can't say that I blame her.

She spent the entire Saturday, from sun up until sun down, in the outdoors.

Oh yes, that was the day of the fishing trip. Fishing is a bit of a different experience for Lizzy. 

You see, she doesn't catch fish to eat. Nope, not my girl...she brings home a new "pet". 

She caught a catfish and brought it home to show me. Then it ended up in her swimming pool. Then it gets named "kitty"...get it? (Cat)fish...

This is when I know we're going to have problems. She becomes attached, even though

 Mr. W explained to her that they would need to take it back to it's home. She wanted to move the pool into the garage so he wouldn't get cold Saturday night. We convinced her that he was used to the outdoors and that he would be fine. She ran out first thing Sunday morning to check on him. Then again after church. That's when she discovered he had passed away. Many tears were shed. She and Mr. W buried Kitty in the garden, then she made a memorial. It's at school with her at this moment.

This whole experience reminds of of Bobby. I love my girl!

Moving on...This morning Mr. W and I took Lizzy to school, then went on our date to the grocery store. We love our morning dates, and our lunch dates to Kneaders! 

I rocked our baby for at least 30 minutes this morning. I eat it up every time. I know how quickly this time passes and I want to savor every moment. 

Tonight we will grill turkey burgers, dig a hole to repair the sprinklers, and my Mr. and sister are going to a Buddhist temple. He has to attend a minority meeting of some sort for one of his classes, and heaven knows Lizzy is not going to pass up this opportunity!

saturday morning.

 It's a beautiful Saturday morning at our house.

Mr. W and Lizzy have gone on a fishing/canoe adventure. She was so excited that 

she woke us at 6:30, ready to go!

The sun is shining beautifully and the day feels full of possibility.

But for the moment, I'll enjoy my baby! I'm loving the scrunchy nose smile he started this week.

And the roly-poly maneuver...he a little steam roller!

Last night the Mr. and I went for a walk, and visited friends along the way.

We talked about how blessed we feel to live where we do, have wonderful friends, and to be where we are in life's journey. And how blessed we are to have two sweet children.

I am one lucky woman!

happenings.

(Easter 2012)

I wish someone could follow us around to take pictures and record all of our happenings.

I'm not keeping up with it as well as I'd like to be.

must.make.time.

There has been much happening around here lately. Mostly the usual, wife, mother, and family stuff, and it's wonderful! Although, we did go to the U last week for Mr. W's graduation meeting! Two weeks from today, he will be a free man!!! 

            


Lately, our little girl makes us laugh a lot. She full of funny comments and jokes, she's rather quick witted. She is growing, maturing, and entering this new phase of life. She and I have had fun shopping together lately. She realized last week that she can wear women's shoes. She had quite a party in the shoe isle of T J Maxx. All of which were (very) high heels, and covered in bling. Heaven help me! She LOVES 80's music! (we may have had a little to do with that) That's all she wants to listen to in the car, and when she's doing her chores. It's kind of weird really...hearing her play 80's music in her room, in her own little space. I guess it's strange because we've kept her fairly sheltered from most media and popular music trends, which I'm very proud of.  

baby brother's Easter attire

This baby boy has many bloomers in his wardrobe. I can't help myself! 

My gardeners planting the first peas. 

Grasshoppers please stay away this year!

Need I say how he feels about peas?!

more bloomers!

move over cake pop!

Hello rice crispy treat pop!

 I wanted to make a treat for the children I teach on Sundays, but it was a little tricky since one little guy has a lot of allergies. He can have rice crispy treats, but I thought that was a bit boring for a 7 year old. So, the rice crispy treat pop was born! His treat was delivered without the chocolate and sprinkles of course, but he didn't mind. 

And this little girl had fun helping make, dip, and sprinkling these fun little treats. I taught her how yummy the marshmallows are when they melting and covered with melted butter, which may have been her favorite part of the entire process!  I think we'll be making these for years to come!

five months ago.

This is what we were doing five months ago today. It was the third most beautiful day of my adult life. (first being my wedding day, and second was Lauren's birth) It's hard to imagine life without our little chubbers. What a miracle! I'm still in shock how this little person came into our lives. He has brought with him a little piece of heaven. 

I am amazed how much room there is in my heart. It felt so full when I found Mr. W. Then even more so when we were blessed with Lauren. I felt happy and content with our first little miracle.

 Little did I know there was space waiting to be filled by our second little miracle.

I'll never forget the emotion of that day. Mr. W and I, waiting to see this beautiful baby we had created. Lauren's excitement for this brother she had waited nine years for. 

Mr. W whispering the sweetest words to me while I labored. His voice is so soft and tender. 

He held my hand and told me he had never loved me more. 

I still get butterflies.

Then when he finally arrived, we all cried. He screamed, then he peed on the doctor. 

(way to make an entrance into the world my little boy!)

Then he started to calm, and he stared at his sister as she held him. She said she didn't expect to cry.

I tried to take it all in, trying to file away every moment into my memory. 

As the two of them put on his first diaper, I laid there and watched my Mr. become the father of a newborn again, and my little girl become a big sister. 

I sobbed.

This is the sweet baby that has taken his place in all three of our hearts. The past five months have been beautiful. (even the typical moments of newborn struggles) 

We're glad you chose us. You were worth the wait!

Love,

Mommy 

oh baby!

-spring break kite flying-

-dad teaching sis archery- 

-dying coffee filters for her projects-

I can't believe how quickly time is slipping away.

Next month my girl will be 10 years old. 

Is that possible?

In 3 days my baby will be 5 months old!

He has brought so much joy to our family.

I love watching the two of them. They love one another so much.

He has given sister so much confidence and a sense of belonging. 

This morning I when I was changing his diaper he was crying.

Until she talked to him. 

She said, "he cries when he looks as you, but he's happy when he looks at me. I must have the magic touch!" 

And that she does!

I love family. 

I love the family I was so blessed to come from, and the family my sweetheart and I have created.

Typically I go to bed at night exhausted, but it's  a good exhausted. I know this phase will pass so quickly. While mom was here visiting last week she said this is the sweetest time in life. 

I believe so too.

...and oh yea, Mr. W is starting his LAST rotation in 1 week! Graduation here we come! He went back to school in 2003. For some reason it doesn't seem like that time slipped away so quickly...