life is beautiful

7 . 9 . 2015

kids

our lord called papaw home.   it was very unexpected and seemed way too sudden.   it has been a whirlwind few weeks.   we take so much comfort in remembering our times we spent with him, the memories that were made.   the love that was poured out in the last two weeks has been unlike anything we have ever known.   it has been so very beautiful and has taught us so much!   call and hug your loved ones every chance you get.   take pride in the family that you have.  make it a point to visit them.   be grateful for the gifts god sends you each and every day.  His love and mercy are endless.

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we love you and miss you so much papaw.   we will keep your stories going and we look forward to the day our lord reunites us all again!

Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

eternal rest grant unto him, O lord,
and let your perpetual light shine upon him.
may he and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of god, rest in peace.

amen

xxoo

{independence day + family reunion}

celebrations, cousins, summer

fredericksburg style….

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we enjoyed a wonderful weekend with family in our favorite small town.  fourth of july parade, back yard bbq, fireworks and all.

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irish eyes were sure smiling down on us that day.   i know they  had to be so proud to see us gather together with all these new little faces that have made the family grow even more beautiful!

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lots of love and laughter from everyone!  we missed seeing those who couldn’t be there with us  but looking forward to the next time we can all gather together again!   thank you to our wonderful host!   😉   who is up for hosting the next one?!?  a hotel might work best for this clan 🙂

xxoo

crazy busy, crazy fun

celebrations, cousins, dada, pregnancy

a quick trip back to bc was made last weekend.  we had so much to do there!  we got to go and wish nana a happy birthday…

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more cousins were in town so it was so great to spend some time with them!

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thank you so much to the winland crew and granny and gramps  so this mama could also complete another training session for catechesis of the good shepherd.    they also let me take daddy out on a date to see ol’ garth brooks!

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more blurry phone pics to prove we can still have fun 🙂 at even 35 weeks pregnant.

we had a fun and exhausting weekend.   we are going to rest up as much as we can before another fun fourth of july weekend!   so much to do before little anna kate makes her debut at the end of this month.   let’s see if we get to do it all before she comes!

xxoo

happy fathers day {2015}

dada

to our favorite…

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you are the perfect daddy for these two boys and i am quite certain for this little girl on the way too!

all the changes in this past year prove the provider you are for this family.  from home repairs to great cooking, to coaching t-ball and playing football in the backyard.  you are the boys real super  h e r o  and i need to be honest and say mine as well  🙂   we love you more than words can say.   so thankful to have you as the head of our home!

happy fathers day!

xxoo

a day at the dentist…

firsts

oh jack jack…  we ran a little behind with getting you to the dentist.     and as i suspected the dentist needed you to come back after your first cleaning to take care of some cavities.    two to be exact,  in the way back.   all you knew was he wanted you to come in your favorite pajamas and afterwards you would get a popsicle.

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daddy was out of town for work so granny came to the rescue.   she helped us pick out new pajamas and because of little sister in my tummy,  granny was the one to sit by your side during the appointment.   she said she never prayed so hard!  it was so hard to watch you  t r y  to be so brave.

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that was one rough day i couldn’t wait to be over.   i am so very thankful granny came to help us… in support and comic relief.  what would we do without her?!?

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we now are brushing teeth and flossing like crazy!

xxoo

summer night movie

firsts

it finally happened!   you know one of our favorite things out here is our library.   well they sure know how to kick off summer!   when the rains finally cleared out one weekend they had a movie in the park!

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the boys enjoyed a craft before watching “big hero 6”

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samuel i couldn’t get over your person you drew on the left.   i was busy helping jack assemble his big hero 6 when i looked over and saw your creation… you are something else!

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the next day we enrolled jack into the summer reading program…

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you loved every bit of our evening there!  here’s to more happy reading together!

xxoo

{32 weeks}

celebrations, firsts, pregnancy

an odd time for an update i know… but it’s baby  #3 so be grateful for what you get sweet girl 🙂

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also, i know a bathroom selfie {so not what i would love to document}  but it’s what i sent to your aunts who wanted to see how big you are.   maybe this weekend i can get daddy to take some more document-able pictures … (maybe).

32 weeks and you still move like crazy!   braxton hicks are happening all the time and i can’t get comfortable at night to save my life.   but i wouldn’t trade it for the world honestly and we are in the home stretch i feel like.   the appointments are getting closer and june is already flying by.   next week we go in for the 3d ultrasound and i am so excited to see your little face!

this past week has been a busy one.   big brother jack had his first gig as ring bearer in daddy’s best friends wedding.  we made the most out of a weekend downtown  in our new city.

{grainy phone pics to follow…}

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after a much needed nights rest you guys were ready to start a new week…

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seriously never a dull moment…   enjoying these lazy summer days with just you two!

xxoo

mama turns…

celebrations, summer

30 something…

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actually i’ll  be honest, 32 to be exact and i’m totally excited because i thought i was turning 33 already!  so this new year is already off to a great start! 🙂

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the weekend before my birthday we went out to bc to be with family.   we had one more stormy evening blow through but it was a beautiful weekend overall!

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{the weather men}

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these guys were so happy to be together again!   it makes my heart happy to get them together!

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we headed back for the week and celebrated back home as well!   we ate lunch with daddy at his office and then did a little shopping and some park playing.   happy kids makes a happy mama.   so it was a happy birthday indeed!   so beyond excited for this next year ahead.

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thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special!   especially daddy!

i don’t know what i’d do without you!

xxoo

happy summer!!!

firsts, summer

after a horribly rainy end of spring… and memorial day weekend

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this happened!

happy summer!  the sun is here to stay!

{or at least it has for a good while}

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this summer is going to be an exciting one!  little sister will be on her way soon, so for now we are getting a lot done around the house… enjoying lots of playtime and trying to start good habits like going to bed like big boys!

for almost the last 3 years jack, you have had someone lay with you till you fell asleep.   when we moved to the new house the same started happening for you, samuel.   you two were a mess if we were to leave your room while you were awake.   with two parents and two kids it seems like not a big deal, but knowing another little one will need our attention in the evening soon,  as well as us needing the extra sleep… we thought we needed to try a new routine.   we practiced reading two stories and saying prayers in your room and then lights out and hugs and kisses.   if you went to bed on your own you got a happy face for that night. 🙂  if you did it all week, we came up with a simple reward to celebrate!   we have been so proud of you two for trying so hard its almost normal now!   the first week your reward was picking your breakfast for saturday morning.

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jack, you chose chocolate chip pancakes….

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samuel you chose a donut…

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it has been three weeks of success so far and we couldn’t be a more happier family at bedtime!    sometimes i realize we create our own problems and it can easily be fixed if we stay consistent.  daddy and i are so excited that the rewards have been so simple…  choosing breakfast, movie nights, and playing  at the park!

cheers to less drama in the evening!!

xxoo

{closing out our spring season}

kids

“love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.” ~ greg, age 8

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oh jack anthony, we are so proud of you for all the success you had in your first season of baseball.   you really grew to love the game.   you grew to love the challenge and the best part was seeing your admiration for the coaches.   we were very blessed to be apart of such a great team!

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it was definitely a season to remember.  we are already looking forward to next year!

we love you buddy!

xxoo