Great friends and a whole lot of boys!

Some recent shots from a great evening with the Koogers!

Ever realize that you have good friends when you get together after months of not seeing each other and it's as if no time has passed? That's how I felt as we spent time with the Koogers this August :) With our 4 boys all similar ages, they had a great time in the backyard and even fell asleep successfully so that we could all visit some more after their bed time!

Thanks, Koogers, for your ongoing friendship!

For some reason these all got mixed up as you can imagine we didn't put all the boys in the bath and then take them back outside but I"m too lazy to rearrange so here they are anyways :)

I LOVE Cole's face in this one :)

Jacob and Cole are only months apart and they are so similar! Both have no fear and LOVED being thrown up in the air - when Jacob saw Cole doing it he wanted in on the action too :)

Our little Spring babies getting bigger :)

So, we started with this pose......

Which Jacob messed with, resulting in this shot....

Which, funny enough knocked down his older brother.....

And then eventually, Koogers' followed suit :)

Cole has some awesome looks and this is one of them :)

These boys were a bit better behaved on their own than when placed next to their brothers :)

Thanks again, Koogers for a great night. We are so thankful for your ongoing friendship and look forward to having our kids grow up together no matter where we live :)

2012 Year In Review

Have you ever sort of wondered where the year has gone? How countless months could have somehow slipped away in what seems like a moment?

I have. Life moves so fast and, very seldom do I get the opportunity to sit and edit photos of my family but, when I do, I am amazed at how full each of our days has been. Filled with funny moments, most definitely funny stories from our 3 1/2 almost 4 year old, funny smirks from our 1 1/2  year old and funny banter shared between myself and my other half :)

If any of you reading this know me well, you know that, to pick JUST ONE photo out of each of the folders of photos from throughout the year is a near impossible task....but, I decided to take it on...to try to pick one photo that tells a story from each of these days of this past year as it rounds a corner to fall and races toward 2013.

As the months go on, I will keep adding, keep filling in some of the stories that surround these photos and continue to be reminded of what immense blessings surround me daily - in every aspect of life.

I hope you enjoy!

My Boy

 

So, I have been incredibly behind on editing my own personal photos (and there are some good ones to be shared at a later date from our summer and fall adventures) but, I had to share this one from today because it makes me grin from ear to ear.

I am experiencing what, I"m sure many mom's (and dad's) experience when their kids hit that age of 3 and it can only be described as exhausting and, very often, I forget that it should also be remembered as a remarkable time where one can sit next to their son/daughter and have an actual conversation with them. Where I can sit next to my little Benjamin and hear him talk to me like a little man, recounting what we did that day and letting me know what we're going to do next. I can sit next to this little person who is growing up in my house - watching every little thing I do and say and mirroring it right down to the very inflection of my voice.

 I am astounded by the fact that this beautiful little person was once in my belly and is now sitting beside me, asking me 'Mommy, how was your day and what did you do? (a habit that his nana taught him at the dinner table and one that I appreciate very much). I am amazed at his love for life and how, an afternoon together walking across an overpass and playing ''hide and go seek' in the trees along a simple path in the middle of Willoughby can be just enough for him to say 'What a beautiful day' completely unprompted and stemming from a genuine love for life. I am amazed and I am in love.

It is so easy to forget the measure of awesomeness of these little people when they are constantly asking why and uttering phrases such as 'no way,' 'whatever,' or 'fine' with all the attitude of a 15 year old in the smallness of a 3 year olds body but, on those days, when we're snuggled beside each other watching cartoons, playing 'go fish' and talking about our day - those are the moments that make me step back and thank God with my whole heart for the privilege and honor of being Benjamin's (& Jacob's but today these thoughts are for Ben) mom.

 I love this kid and, no matter how many more are added to our family, no matter how hard we are on him possibly because he's our first, no matter how many frustrating moments we have or how much he might tire me out, I will always, always thank Jesus for his life and always, always, try to remember that he is watching my every move.

It is for that reason, that I am trying to practice the art of gratitude in front of him. To ask him what he's thankful for each morning as we head along our way because, I want him to hear, as often as possible, that one of the things I am most thankful for is his life and the fact that I get to be a part of it as long as God allows. Thank you Jesus, for this precious little life and the way he, daily, brings me back to you in prayer and gratitude. I am so thankful.

Summer Adventures - Jer's Wedding

A good friend who found his best friend - enough said! Congrats Jer and Adrienne! So excited to hang out and get to know this girl of yours, Jer.