AHA!

I've been having quite a few 'Aha!' moments the past couple weeks. Some good, some I haven't been so fond of. Such is life, right?

One thought I had the other day...I'm bored with life as is, I'm ready to move again. As soon as I had the thought, I scolded myself. Why on Earth would I think that?! Mike and I are going on 7 years of marriage and we have lived in as many houses, in 5 different states. Why, oh why, would I say I'm ready to move again?! Apparently all the moving we have done, has caused me to not be able to sit still and just enjoy life as is. So, in an attempt to spice things up without creating chaos, I'm trying to get more involved with some hobbies and activities.

I have been contemplating getting more involved with Photography for quite a while now. I lack self confidence when it comes to my artistic abilities. I don't feel that I was really blessed with talent in this area...I'm okay with that, I just realize my main talents lie elsewhere. That being said, it doesn't mean I can't learn and become good at something artsy. I have had many many people tell me I take good candid pictures and I do enjoy documenting life this way. So, here I go. Until the past few weeks, I only practiced with my kids and personal things. But, I have recently asked a few friends if I could practice using their little models. Although I still have a huge learning curve ahead of me, I feel like I'm progressing nicely and am actually proud of what I've done thus far.

Okay, just threw this one in because she just cracks me up. Love this girl to pieces.

Olivia is one of Dylan's friends from Primary at church. She is so super cute and has lots of personality, so I figured she'd be plenty of fun to shoot. This was my first shoot in the evening and I must say, while it is different to shoot with evening sun...I loved it! The color and contrast in the pictures was so vibrant! I must practice more at this hour.

Little Ava is another friend of Dylan's and her Mommy is one of my friends. They were my first practice session and they were so cooperative! We ended up with a perfect, cloudy day. Lighting was awesome and I really didn't have to do much editing. For the first time, I was able to actually say I was proud of something I'd created!

I've got a few other projects I'm working up the motivation to work on in the next little bit. Hopefully they turn out...that will help me keep up motivation to keep trying new things so I can find stuff to keep me entertained. I don't like when I have those 'bored' thoughts...usually something huge happens to us shortly after such thoughts.

I may have just jinxed myself.

One Boy, One Girl

And I'm pretty good with what I've got. Perhaps one day (a few years from now), I will eat my word and say I'm ready for one more, but I don't think I will. These two keep me on my toes and are intent and making sure I stay slightly insane.

Lena is now 14 months old. She is still a happy girl, but is developing quite the sassy and mischievous personality. I can already tell that the teenage years will be loads of fun with this one. One look at her and you just know she is Trouble in the making.

She took her first unassisted steps a couple weeks ago. She's up to about 5 steps in a row before she plops on her bottom. She's pretty steady and I really think she could be walking all the time, but she also seems to be a little lazy and wants to take the quickest route. Can't say I blame her, I'm all about shortcuts. At any rate, I'm sure she'll be fully walking, or rather running, before July is over with. I'm in no hurry to force the issue.

Miss Sassy Pants is also mastering 'No'. She can say it a few different ways, as well as shake her head while doing something she knows she shouldn't be. She can also Moo when asked what a cow says. She says baby, miiii (milk), caca (yucky), Dada, Mama, Dede (Dylan), Gaa (dog), Dadadadada (dance) and Mmmmm (yum). She loves to do whatever big brother is doing, including wrestling. She loves to dance, play with cars while making a vrooom sound, kiss and snuggle her baby doll and Elmo, and absolutely loves to read books (yay!!!).

She is still itty bitty. I am considering this a good thing since I still have to carry her everywhere. Plus, it just makes her even cuter. Even with the attitude and crappy sleep habits, Lena is still such a fun little girl. We love her so much and are so glad she is part of our family.

This kid...well, he is a boy. Loud, rough, energetic, talkative, questioning everything, defiant, funny, sweet...it all describes Dylan.

He will be starting Kindergarten this August. Yes, he will still be 4. He makes the cut-off by one day in our school district. I think he may have a week or so where the adjustment will be hard, but ultimately think he is more than ready for this step. And he will excel.

Dylan has been playing soccer for the first time and has made vast improvement. He wouldn't step foot on the field during the first two games and now that he only has one game left, he runs all over the field, plays goalie and even kicks the ball every once in a blue moon. I'm proud of him for sticking it out and trying. He says he wants to keep playing, so guess we'll be back at this in the Fall.

Spring was not very kind in Michigan...we pretty much had monsoon weather for two months. But, now that June is half over, things are looking good. Dylan loves to be outside and seems to be much more pleasant when he's allowed to be out in the sun. He has made a little friend who lives across the street. It's so fun watching him become a little kid. It always makes me giggle to hear him conversing with other kids his age because they have real conversations!

Anyway, that's the scoop. The kids are just busy being kids, which keeps me busy being a Mom.

School's Out!

Well, not really because I signed Dylan up for summer school. But, the official year of preschool ended the last week of May. Dylan had a great time learning at Divine Grace this year. He made several new friends and learned how to make some cool things.

The last day was held in the school's gym because it was pouring rain outside. There was face painting, a bounce house, hula hoops and other fun things to do. All the Mom's attended the last hour for a picnic lunch.

This is Dylan's friend Gavin. They became pretty good buddies this year and even took swim lessons together.

I think Dylan has a crush on Lily. He always tells me how cute she is. I'm glad he likes her because we will (hopefully) be having playdates this summer.

Getting ready for the picnic!

This is Dylan's other good buddy, Caiden. I became friends with his Mom throughout the year, so I'm pretty certain these two will be seeing each other every so often. Because Dylan was in the 3 year old class, no one else from his class will be going to Kindergarten this year. But, that leaves lots of opportunity to make even more friends.

Dylan just loves Mrs Baker...and she loves him.

Finally!

Spring finally decided to grace us with her presence and I'm pretty sure every single person in the state of Michigan is rejoicing with me. We have been spending lots of time outside soaking up the perfect temps and sunshine...when the rain stops for a day.

Back in March, I was called into the Young Women's program at church. I teach the Mia Maids class. Since Dylan was born, I have always taught in the Junior Primary. I loved it for a couple years, but now that I have two small children at home whom I spend vast amounts of time with by myself, I was just irritated being around children for those two hours at church. I am loving working with the teenagers. The leaders in YW are so much fun and the girls are hilarious and have some good discussions. A couple weeks ago, they wanted to do a Photography night for their mid-week activity. Since I just finished taking a photography class, they asked me to teach them some things and then we went outside to practice. We all had a lot of fun.

Most of the girls in my class were able to make it and they all had a great time posing for pictures.

My kids are so so so happy to be able to finally play outside. Especially Dylan. He is loving riding his bike, running around, and practicing skateboarding. He begs to go outside for hours on end...until he finally gets what he wants.

Lena is so easy to please. Sit her on a blanket with some toys and she is happy as can be.

Belated Birthday Post

We celebrated Lena's 1st Birthday while in S Carolina. The months leading up to her turning one were really hard on me. With Dylan, I was so so excited for every new milestone. I am excited with Lena, but it's also bittersweet. I have just loved her as a baby and feel like her first year went by so much quicker than Dylan's did. I'm sure it has to do with how busy the year was, especially since I had a preschooler to take care of. The past year just went by in fast forward. I was certain that I would cry on her actual Birthday, but lucky me, I was able to just sit back and enjoy.

Gram and Pa always take care of their kin on holidays. Birthdays are no exception. Only one and Lena is already a spoiled little Princess.

Her tinkerbell cake

I wanted a special outfit for Lena to wear, but didn't want to sell a body part to be able to afford one. At first I was thinking a pettiskirt, but quickly realized that is the hot trend right now and I refuse to be sucked into hot trends. (other trends I refuse to cave into are skinny jeans, leggings on grown women, boots over pants, and jumpsuits of the one-piece variety) Anyway, my friend Nicole volunteered to make some rufflebuns for Lena. When the package arrived in the mail, I was pleasantly surprised to find not only the bloomers but a way cute tank top to match. Lena looked ADORABLE and I'm so thankful to have such talented friends.

I've been pretty careful to not let Lena have much sugar. I feel like I am partly to blame for Dylan's poor diet and I am hoping to correct some bad habits by altering some things with Lena. Therefore, her smash cake was probably the second time she had a bakery item. I'm not sure she even got a bite of the actual cake, but she was all about the frosting.

The card I made for my sweet little miniature me.

Ogling the presents. Took her a few minutes to figure things out, but she thoroughly enjoyed her loot.

Like I've said before, this girl LOVES Elmo. So, most of her gifts involved her favorite character...books, dolls, toys. She makes sure to give Elmo open-mouthed kisses every chance she gets.

I think it's safe to say that Lena had a great Birthday.

Half the Family

The kids and I spent the first half of April in the Carolinas visiting friends and family. We see my parents every few months, but haven't seen my siblings or our NC friends since last summer. While in Charleston, my mom asked one of her friends to do a photo shoot with her grandkids. These are some of the awesome pictures she captured.

We were lucky in that the boys actually cooperated (mostly) this time around. Last time we attempted this, Dylan only let us get a couple shots and Noah wouldn't even get in front of the camera.

Lena still loves the camera. She smiles everytime she's in front of one. It's adorable.

Kathleen and I weren't very close growing up because of the age gap. She was still in Elementary school when I moved away to college. But, these past couple years we've grown pretty close and I love spending time with her and my cute nephew Noah. I love her...even though she's taller and skinnier than me...hahaha.

Dylan is one of those kids whom everyone loves. He just has one of those infectious personalities and he loves to chat with anyone. He has a really special relationship with my Mom. He just adores her, as she does him.

My little mini-me. One year later and I'm still as smitten with her as the day she was born. She's developing quite the fun and sassy personality.

See how I'm holding onto Dylan to make sure he doesn't run away? Yeah, that's how it goes with a 4 1/2 year old boy. Love him.

Dylan and Noah don't get to see each other very often, but man, they make up for lost time quickly. They love each other and it is so so so so fun to watch them interact. Noah is really able to carry on a conversation now and it was so cute watching him and Dylan have secret talks.

One Year Old

I cannot believe that a year has passed. That was probably the fast 365 days of my life, yet the most fulfilling. No one could ever have prepared me for just how much I would love my little princess. So, in honor of Lena's Birthday I thought I'd write her a letter. My sweet Lena Kathleen, One year ago I was given the most precious gift. The day you entered my life, I felt a sense of completion. You are such a beautiful little girl and your smile lights up the world...especially your Mommy's world. I cannot remember what life was like before you arrived. At one year old, you are a busy little thing. You never sit still for more than a few seconds, but that's okay. You love to explore. Everything you touch, you try to put in your mouth. You have a mouthful of teeth, yet you keep teething. Maybe you'll end up having more teeth than every other person on the planet. You crawl everywhere. I think your little body has been a hinderance when you try to stand on your own. Those little legs just can't support your head. But, you love to hold on to anything and walk around. I just know it's a matter of weeks before you are off and running on your own. You absolutely adore your big brother. He will do whatever it takes to try and make you laugh and you certainly oblige him. Whenever he is away from home, you crawl around the house looking for him. When we pick him up, your face breaks into a huge grin and you try to lunge out of my arms so you can grab him. I think you even taught him how to share! Even your Daddy has been seduced by your charm. He thinks it's funny to call you vampire baby since you are always trying to bite him when he isn't paying attention. I will admit, it's super funny. You love to watch cartoons. I have to keep an eye on you because I'm sure you would sit and stare at the tv all day, if allowed. You adore Elmo. Thank goodness, because I couldn't take another kid who only wanted to watch Little Einsteins. Everytime you see Elmo (whether in a book, on tv, or a toy), you smile really big and start blabbering away. You also love music. Heaven forbid I turn off the radio while we're driving around, that would start a sob-fest. Aside from the fact that you haven't been the greatest sleeper (I forgive you), you are the most awesome baby. You are a good eater and will try anything. So far, the only foods you haven't liked are fruits. You smile and laugh all the time. You can say Dada, Mama, Dede (Dylan), and tickle tickle. Only a few words, but you blabber all the time so I'm pretty certain you'll be talking as much as your brother in no time at all. Lena Bear, we all love you so very much and are so greatful you came to our family. We all look forward to watching you grow and learn new things. Thanks for being so precious. Happy Birthday Princess. Love, Mommy