Week 35/52

We are still trying to figure out our after school schedule...today we tried to do it outside...not sure it was the best plan, but I sure enjoyed it!

Week 34/52

Kelli is my "mini me". We are hard wired the same. We get each other. Because of that we have a deep bond and we also can drive each other crazy! I am SO proud of this girl. She has come SO far in the last few years. She was so shy, almost cripplingly so. Now she is just this beautiful, independent, confident little lady. She has the sweetest spirit, and I am blessed to call her mine.






She also is following in my footsteps with photography...the only problem is that when I give her my camera, she finds great joy in taking pictures like these...

Week 33/52

I love spontaneous family fun! We were outside tonight after dinner, when a small rainstorm blew thru. Instead of hustling inside...we stayed...and played...

Week 32/52

Something happened to me between Kelli and Emily's births...I went from a "we will have our kids immunized by the books, right on schedule, and I wholeheartedly believe this is the right way" mom to a scared to death to immunize "we are going to wait until 8-12 months to give their first vaccination" mom... I am not sure what exactly triggered the switch, but I am confident it had to do with all of the contradictory information available at our fingertips...I am still unsure of what exactly is the perfect approach, but I/we landed on the delayed vaccine schedule...with Nathan it has been a VERY delayed schedule...so today he had his 2nd series of vaccines...It breaks my heart every time...never gets easier...

before immunizations....









After immunizations....wasn't too bad...paci and blanket came to the rescue!

week 31/52

All Snuggled up in my bed with my Kell Bell watching a very sweet (and a bit slow) movie called The Fox and The Child. She is by far my most snuggly child. She just nestles right in. I love it. I love her. She is a great kid. A joy to be around.

Weeks 29 & 30/52...I think?...I've lost track!

I cannot believe that this year is more than half over, and getting close to three quarters over! And is it possible that school starts in less than three weeks????? Where has summer gone?? PLEASE, SLOW DOWN! When I turned the calendar to August, which seems like just yesterday, and now we are already more than a week in...I felt a pang in my heart. regret. I wasted alot of time this summer. Wasted opportunities to spend precious time with these two sweet kids who have been home all summer. And now it is nearly time to go back. I pouted for a little bit. Then decided it was silly to waste time being regretful, and made a commitment to be intentional with investing in these next 2 1/2 weeks and make the most of what we have left. Along with that came some soul searching about what I have been doing with my time, and one of my biggest time wasters is this crazy box that connects me to so many wonderful, interesting, thought provoking, inspirational things....yet takes me away from the wonderful, interesting, thought provoking, inspirational things that are right here under my nose....my babies. Time is too short to be stupid. So I have decided to shut off the computer until school starts, and make these 2 weeks, weeks that will be remembered...I told Andrew and Kelli tonight what I was going to do...."I don't believe it..." was Andrew's response...which made it even more clear to me that the amount of time I am on the computer is sinful, and a stronghold...if my 8 year old can see the pull it has on me, the importance I place on it...it's a no brainer! So I am posting these two sets of photos tonight and then signing off...I will be checking business emails once a week, after kids are tucked in, and that's it...no facebook, no blog posts, no checking other blogs, no photography forums, nada. So again, I will be behind next time I post, but I hope to have great stories of great moments shared with this amazing family of mine!

We had a delicious dinner and great fellowship at Brian's parents house Friday night. Right before we left I asked Nancy to snap a family photo...
Week 29/52

Andrew and Kelli attended an awesome Vacation Bible School the latter part of the week...each of the 100+ kids was given one of these safari hats!


Silly daddy...


blurry...but I love it!


I've still be running most every morning before Brian leaves for work...but it has been a struggle! It's like my body is revolting since the triathlon. I realized that I haven't done anything but run or walk since and I think cutting the bike has really made the difference in my lack of endurance. So I have added the bike back in a couple times a week. Saturday I asked Kelli if she wanted to come with me, and I pulled the little ones. We had a great time, with a few short stops to rest tired little legs and grab a drink of water, but she did amazing! We went 4 miles and she didn't complain one bit! She's a trooper!

Week 30/52


Can't wait to see what the next couple weeks hold with these crazy kids!

Redeeming myself...

As I was catching up on uploading photos, I realized that I did in fact take some project52 pics the week before Emily got hurt and totally forgot about them! I am including them in this weeks post to make myself feel better about taking credit for 3 weeks last week!

I LOVE THIS KID! He is developing such a personality and is constantly trying to keep up with his big brother and sisters. Yesterday he figured out how to climb up onto the furniture, and hopefully soon he will figure out how to get back down without doing a face plant into the floor! He is too big for his own britches (literally and figuratively!) We are working on teaching him some sign language...more, thank you, please, all done...because he has developed a "lovely" method of communication when he is wanting something...he over and over, and with increasing volume says "eh..eh..eh..Eh..Eh..EH..EH..EH..EHHH..EHHH..EHHH", until the need is met. It drives us all crazy, but it also cracks me up that as soon as you give him what he wanted, he mumbles what I think is his "Thank You" and then turns and toddles away. He is cutting 6, yes I said, 6 new teeth. All 4 one year molars and two on the top as well, and he just finished adding two on the bottom! He eats like he may never see another meal and another big milestone...no more bottles! YEAH to not having to buy another can of formula!! He isn't much for snuggling these days...he is pretty much always on a mission. So when I get a chance to hold him, and he isn't squirming to get down, I get in as many squeezes and kisses as I can!

Week 26, 27, 28/52

I am behind...I think I have started a few other posts with this line...but I guess that's life. We set out with a plan, and there are interruptions...some good, some bad, some necessary, some a waste of time, but with a full life, they are unavoidable. Our summer has been interrupted. Interrupted by baseball, 8 year old boys who are testing their independence (I may be blogging about this), and this last week interrupted by a scary fall that resulted in an ambulance ride, a concussion, and 10 stitches for little Emily. You can read the whole story here (there are some graphic photos, so just be forewarned). I said in that post, that the first 30 seconds after the accident "rocked my world". That may seem dramatic. I suppose especially dramatic to a parent who has experienced much worse trauma, or perhaps even loss. But in those initial moments when time seemed to be in slow motion, and I looked at that injured girl through mommy's eyes, fear penetrated to the core of my soul. Fear that she, that we, that life as we knew it would be different. Sitting here now, it seems silly to even type that...now that she is back to being Emily, and is all put back together, stitches ready to come out tomorrow, no evidence of concussion remaining. All I know is that I am overwhelmingly thankful for the outcome and was reminded of how deeply I love my children. So for this weeks photos...Little Miss Emily and a very grateful mommy.

Right after getting home from the ER

early morning the next day...much improved

Sink bath

I have wanted to just hold her in my arms all week. I am in hypersensitive protective mode...she seems to be oblivious to the fact that she has a huge gash in her forehead and charges through her day head first...I have been in a constant state of nausea! =)

Lots of extra kisses and loving...any chance I get

More pictures from our family's fun night of summer lovin' can be seen here

Week 25/52

Okay, so something a little different this week! =) I got an awesome webcam for Christmas from my father in law (totally recommend it!) so that I could chat via Skype with my sisters and my bestest friend in Africa, Elise. There was software that came with it and I just never installed it cause I didn't think I would need it. Well I finally did install it and found it had all kinds of fun little features. The kids and I were doing some experimenting with it and just happed to be recording it...made me laugh, hopefully it will make you laugh too! =)

Week24/52

We celebrated Nathan's 1st birthday this week...I can't believe my baby is One already! This boy melts my heart to a puddle of mush on a daily basis. There is this special connection we share, it's not better or deeper than with any of the other kids, it's just different. It's not even something I can put into words, it just feelings in a mommy's heart...Love you to pieces bubba!

This is my favorite photo (that has me in it) from his big birthday bash

Week 23/52

My own private cheering section for my triathlon this weekend...it just wouldn't have been the same without them!

(before the race)

(after the race)

Week 22/52

A sweet moment with my girlies

Week 21/52

I don't like this picture at all, well I shouldn't say that...I don't like ME in this picture, but it was the only picture from the week that had me in it! =) No makeup, swollen glands and a big ol' fever blister on the lip! =) But hey, I think now we are up to two weeks this year that I have posted a picture where my hair is down and not up in a pony tail! =) This was a fun little trip to Cabela's with the family...it is an amazing store! There will be more photos soon on the family blog!

Week 20/52

You are my sunshine, sweet girl.

Week 19/52

UPDATE: Okay, I am a dork! Uh, would have been nice if I would have included what the gift was! =) It is a fire pit for the back yard! Below is a new photo of his reaction when he opened it!


We celebrated Brian and Kelli's birthdays this past Monday with my parents and Brian's parents. The kids were so excited because we have been talking about Brian's gift for his birthday for a long time! Here is everyone very anxious for the unveiling!

week 18/52

There is no other job on earth that brings me more joy than being the mom to these four...I love you all more than words could express. (Even when 2 of you were throwing up on Mother's Day <3)

Week 17/52

We celebrated our 10th anniversary this week! I can't believe it has been 10 years already!??! Alot has happened in 10 years, good, bad and even a little bit of ugly. I am happier than I have ever been. I love this man and I am SO blessed to spend every day with him!

1-2-1-2-3-4

Give me more loving than I’ve ever had

Make me feel better when I’m feeling sad

Tell me I’m special even though I know I’m not

Make me feel good when I hurt so bad

Barely getting mad

I’m so glad I found you

I love being around you

You make it easy

Its as easy as 1-2-1-2-3-4

There’s only one thing

To Do

Three words

For you

I love you

There’s only one way to say

Those three words

That’s what I’ll do

I love you

Give me more loving from the very start

Piece me back together when I fall apart

Tell me things you never even tell your closest friends

Make me feel good when I hurt so bad

You’re the best that I’ve had

And I’m so glad I found you

I love being around you

You make it easy

It’s easy as 1-2-1-2-3-4

There’s only one thing

To Do

Three words

For you

I love you

There’s only one way to say

Those three words

That’s what I’ll do

I love you

I love you

You make it easy

It’s easy as 1 2 1 2 3 4

There’s only one thing

To Do

Three words

For you

(I love you) I love you

There’s only one way to say

Those three words

That’s what I’ll do

I love you

I love you

1-2-3-4

I love you

I love you

Week 16/52

Kelli continues to knock my socks off as she comes out of her shell! Earlier this school year she participated in the Young Authors program at school and she won one of the spots in the kindergarten level for her school. The Young Author's were featured at our recent book fair and were asked to read their stories to an audience! She did SUCH a great job and those of you who know her well know that this is a HUGE step for her! I was one proud mama!! You can see more about the evening on the family blog!
We took a celebratory trip to McDonalds for celebration ice cream sundaes!

Week 15/52

I am going to cheat a little bit this week and post early...I am anticipating a busy weekend and probably not a lot of time for blogging, so while I have a quiet moment to myself (because I am up WAY too late!) and I have a picture I am in love with, I am going to be ahead of the game!

I took Nathan's 10 month photos today (link to family blog on the right hand side of this page has those photos posted) and I asked Kelli to take a couple of Nathan and I before we headed in for the night. I am going to have to watch out or she may start stealing clients from me!

Happy 10 month birthday, baby boy, I love you!!

Week 14/52

Loving the warmer temps and the ability to get outside and burn off some of that cabin fever!

trying out backwards somersaults...





Snuggling on the swing...

Week 13/52

Me and my grandpa

Week 12/52

I'm the apple of their eyes...