Both Hands

We've reached a milestone.

Both hands. Colin needs BOTH hands to show his age.

The big six.

My baby boy is six.

I can hardly believe it.

It seemed like yesterday that I held his fuzzy little head to my cheek and snuggled his little newborn mush.

But, oh how I have loved these 6 years.

That laugh.

That pout.

The varied and vast emotions of my sweet sensitive little soul who feels 100% of the time

I wouldn't change it for the world.

I love the way that you laugh with your whole body.

I love the way that you run at full speed, all the time.

I love that you defend those you love, regardless of the size of the opponent.

I am proud of you when you try to control those powerful emotions and not let them get the best of you.

Oh, Colin, my boy, I can't wait to see you grow!

You challenge me and push me and propel me forward.

I love you for that.

My sweet little Boo, 

Happiest 6th Birthday!

We love you so!

8 things I like about you

Eight years ago this wonderful boy came into the world.

Not only is it America's birthday, but it is also Jack's birthday.

So, in honor of his big day, here are 8 things that I like about Jack.

(I could go on and on, but 8 seemed a fitting number for such a boy on his 8th birthday)

1. I love his smile. Right now, he has a small gap in his front grown teeth, and I like it.

2. The amount of angst that happens when he is restrained to just ONE book at his favorite used book store. How can one choose just ONE book when there are SO many?! 

(Never fear. He has some gift cards coming and will be able to buy to his heart's content.)

3. I like how he can hold entire conversations in movie quotes.

4. I like that he can't decide if he likes to do math or read. "They both are just so fun." And I hope that  always continues.

5. I like that I have to nightly confiscate books out of his bed because otherwise he would stay up reading hours after his bed time.

6. I like that he wants to be the big brother. He doesn't want anyone else to take his job. It is just too important to him.

7. I like that you always make sure to give your ol' mom a kiss goodnight, no matter what.

8. I like your love of learning and desire to research everything around you. I hope that you always pursue truth and justice in all that you do.

There are so many things that I can say about you, my Jack, my first born. You keep us laughing and on on our toes. We love you SO much.

Thank you for giving me my very favorite job. Mom.

May your 8th birthday be filled with love, laughter and your long sought after blue high tops.

We love you!

Happy 8th Birthday, Jack David.

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The Highlight Reel

Well... it's been awhile. Three solid months to be exact. I didn't plan on taking such a long hiatus from the ol' blog, but life just happened. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months...and here we are. The first of June. Summer is just a skip, hop and a jump away.

But in those blank spaces of March, April and May special things happened. Fun and exciting things.

So, instead of a massive recap, let's just go with the best parts.

The highlight reel of sorts.

Happy Easter! 

And a family picture where we are ALL looking at the camera. A small miracle.

Hunting for eggs, but not with out a little ankle poppin' pose for the camera.

The Hubby and I got away for a snowy (and deathly sick) filled spring break weekend in Chicago.

Putting on the Ritz in our fancy clothes for the New Morning School auction.

Macy put on her hat, put a hat on her Daddy and told me it was her "marrying hat".

Nothing cuter than a little girl that wants to marry her Daddy.

In April, I flew back to the city of my birth, Salt Lake City, UT. I joined my parents and my sister and we spent time with our Andrew side cousins and had a burial service for my aunt and grandmother. (My Aunt passed away in 2008 and my Grandmother last fall) 

We brought their urns to be buried with my Grandfather.

While the reason for the trip was sad, it was so good to be with family and to explore Utah and the mountains again. I had not been in Utah in almost 20 years!

(And now I feel super old)

Macy and I took a girls' trip to meet up with my mom, sister and her kids and our good friend from MO.

First stop, Bronners. The largest Christmas store in the world.

Frankenmuth cut out were a big hit with Macy.

Her cousin Elliot was not as impressed.

Mother's Day greeted me with donuts, giant homemade cards and sweet smiles from my favorite girl.

Post-park McD's ice cream cones on Mother's Day. 

Memorial Day weekend road trip. Shades on, ready to roll.

It's bubble time.

I walked in on Colin, just brushing his teeth with his sunglasses on.

No big deal.

Peace out, mom...

And a little Memorial Day festival food under a leafy tree.

So, that is our late spring highlight reel.

Some of the golden moments that were splattered in-between the school lunches, drop offs and pick ups, soccer practises and  potty training conversations.

We are ready for June.

We are ready.

Be Like Her

It's been two years since my Grandma left this world.

It seems like such a long time ago.

It seems like yesterday.

I still miss her.

We all do.

Macy will do something so funny and silly and I wish she was there to watch it.

I wish she was here to know her great granddaughter.

She would want Jack to talk to her about books.

She would ask Colin about soccer.

She would talk with Ryan about his latest project.

She would ask because she cared, because she was engaged, because she was involved.

It is a good reminder for me, on this bittersweet day.

Be like her.

Ask.

Engage.

Be involved.

Be like her.

32 years ago...

... this guy came into the world.

Thank goodness.

Because we could not imagine a world without him

Happiest birthday to the best man I know. Thank you for being loving, caring and providing so well. Your integrity speaks volumes to your character and you make me so proud to be your wife.

I can't wait to celebrate with you this year and than for the next 32 more years.

We all love you so much.

Happy Birthday my love.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Happy 2016!

Whew.

2016. 

We made it.

This year. It is going to be a big year for us, I can feel it.

2015 was good and trying and challenging. All years are. We have had some changes that happened late into the year that are bringing us to new places this January.

Late in December, Ryan closed the door on his job in Ann Arbor. He joined the start up with high expectations 18 months ago. If you know us, you know how much he worked. Hours upon hours, way past what is normal or, in my wifely opinion, acceptable. He gave it 100%. Somewhere along the way, the effort grew one sided. Ryan kept working, but expectations were not met on their side. It was a challenging time.

 But, out of the blue, Ryan was offered a new job. A promotion, with a nice raise. They pursued him, and offered everything that was promised before at the former job, plus some.

God is so good. While in the midst of struggling, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. We had no idea, but He did.

So, in this new year, this fresh start and clean slate, Ryan started his new job. The boys are back in school, ready to tackle the new year. Macy and I are home...cleaning up the remainder of vacation fun.

This is just the start though. (Not the cleaning though, that will always be around)

There is more to come.

Good things. Great things. Challenging things.

There is an underlining excitement for this year that I have not felt in awhile.

We are taking some big steps. Faith filled steps. Scary steps. Exciting steps.

The best is yet to come.

Trimming the Tree

 We got a new {faux} Christmas tree this year and the kids were very excited to get it up and to help decorate it.  Everyone was very eager to look at every.single. ornament and we had lots of helpers this year.

My grandmother always gave my siblings and me an ornament for Christmas every year and I love looking through my large collection. I started the same traditions with my kids. Colin got his giraffe when he was two. 

 Boo Boo by the tree.

Macy has a very intimidating "muscle" pose.

After much discussion and debating, it was decided that Colin would try to put the star on the top of the tree. No one could remember who did it last year and the vote fell to Colin.

He was very excited!

I hope that you are enjoying this Season of celebrations and taking time to enjoy a few laughs, a few snuggles and extra "helpers".