Almost ready.....

12 hours or so to go.....and still packing! As much as the last couple weeks have gone fast, I do feel like I've been pregnant for 12 months. Maybe it's because I look 5 months pregnant at 9 weeks? Or maybe because I look and feel like I'm as large as someone with twins?! Either way....I've made it. As big as I get I am blessed to have healthy pregnancies and don't mean to complain, but this body is done and we are ready to meet this little girl! I have so many emotions but mainly I'm tired right now. I did not sleep well last night which is a bummer because tonight I'm sure won't be much different. I'm excited, worried, nervous, scared and overall just SO curious to see what she looks like and who she is. The boys are beyond excited and can't wait to meet her and I know both of them well be such great big brothers. Grant is going to think she can play right away just like Gaven did with Grant and Gaven is going to be the more silent protective one that wants to hold her all the time. This is a whole new world for both of them. I am excited for them and for our family. I feel beyond blessed by family and friends for the support, care, giving, and love for all of us and this new addition. I thank you all again who read this for all of your kindness and support. I am blessed! We are blessed! I love you all! Here are some pics of the boys and some extra's before we start a whole new world of photos including our baby girl. Next post I will be back with baby birth story. Until then.....Happy Summer! Hugs and blessings.....:)

New start.....

Here's to a new start with this blog (again)......to keep it going on a regular basis! I have not posted since November and so much has happened since. I am now 31 weeks pregnant waiting patiently for our little girl and feeling as large as I did with the boys. We are hoping she is more petite but healthy is all we can ask for. The boys are getting so big themselves and are beyond excited for their baby sister. Grant talks about her all day long, kisses my belly and says he is going to share his bed with her. Gaven is very excited as well and I know he is going to be a HUGE help. He is very excited to be home next year with me and baby. Between both of them and Gar I may have to fight to hold her! :) We are getting ready to create some projects/gifts for baby so I will be back with a whole post on that, but until then here are just some recent photos. Happy Spring everyone! :) We miss her SO much but she is coming home for the summer very soon! (insert happy dance and ecstatic children!) Baby girl 28 weeks.....

Amazing Soul.....(Anna)

I've been meaning to blog for sometime now about Ms. Anna after she went to college but I could not stop crying enough each time I tried......to see my keyboard. There are times in life when certain people leave that you realize just how amazing they really are. Not that I didn't know how amazing she already was, but part of our family left when she moved and it really hit me. I knew it was coming but nothing can compare you for the reality of certain things sometimes. Anna has been a HUGE part of our lives and an amazing mentor and babysitter for years. She has come into our house, made herself comfy, and been an amazing example for our kids. She brought smiles and laughter, and teaching's, peace, and simple things. Walks, the woods, the beach, baking, and so much more. In all the years she has been here I'm not sure she has had the TV on for 1 second. It's all about the kids. It's all about them, and being an amazing mentor and individual. She has an amazing soul and we miss her tons!! We did visit her a few weeks back and we all cried after we drove away and continued our journey back home. She will be home in a couple weeks, and she will for the first time walk back through our door since she has been gone, and again do amazing things! I'm sure of it. Certain people come in your life for a reason but I know Ms. Anna was placed for MANY reasons and I am forever grateful for that. Someone asked me recently if I have replaced her or found a new babysitter and I stopped and thought......No. I haven't, and I'm pretty sure I can't and won't. Not that their are not many great babysitter's out there, but I will never be able to "replace" Anna. There's only one Anna and I will hold on to her for as long as I can, and as long as she will have us.....and all of our crazyness! This post is to an amazing, beautiful, wonderful spirit and soul who we dearly adore and love much! :)

Miss them.....

My kids that is....



I love my job but I do miss my kids :( I miss last summer. Sleeping in, taking our time, hitting the beach, and just more time with them without rushing.

Each week, and each month I realize how fast they are growing up and how much I want to freeze them and keep them small. They are not going for that but in the meantime I'm holding on, squeezing in as much as I can when I'm home, and watching them become amazing individuals!! :)

Grant's my clown.......he is very social, always needs someone to play with, and gets along with everyone. I thought he would always be shy but he has really opened up and has such an amazing spirit! His love of animals and homeless people melt my heart.

Gaven is my thinker! He is smart, content with many things including hanging with mom but also gets along with anyone. He is a helper! He loves to help and has an amazing heart. I tell him he is going to make an amazing husband someday and he turns red and walks away. (Don't talk about girls yet!) Gaven also has a big heart for the homeless.

This quality they both have of helping,caring, and wanting to give spare change to those who have nothing I highly encourage. I hope they will always take it with them. They are not scared or do they judge those who have nothing or look different. I appreciate them so much for that. I have not always done things perfect or right as a mother, but a huge part of my heart I have shared with them, and they have taken it and ran. I hope they continue to run, help, care, and be more amazing each day!

Here's a little of what we have been up to....

Catching up.........

I have a lot of that to do. In many area's of life. I promised myself to blog more often and for some reason it got less ?! :(

It's almost July and that makes me sad and happy at the same time. Sad we spent the month cold and wet and happy that July is GOING to be wonderful weather! (like I have any control....but I'm crossing my fingers!)

We have all been busy! Farm school, family camp, kids camp, baseball, etc. I am looking forward to a continued busy but with better weather so I can get to the following:
*Take Camera out more
*Bike Rides
*Swimming
*Get out for a run
*Hike
*Dig for worms
*Lay beneath the stars :)
*Watch my kids explore
*Learn from my kids
*Soak up more time with friends

So here is a summary of what has been happening and a hope to myself to blog more often.

VERY cold Memorial Day.........we were dressed for Winter but the kids had a blast!



















:( Can't remember what happened but LOVE this pic...
















Taking care of his "bugs"
































more bug love...
















Chasing hummingbirds....
































These pics make me happy :) This is my Grandpa's farm where I spent SO much time as a child doing the same thing my kids did that day. It was a GREAT day for me to see this. I just sat back and watched. I miss my Grandpa SO much and know he was watching and smiling :)












It is a big goal of mine to visit more often and let the kids do what I did. Run, play, explore, and be happy at such a beautiful place. I am SO thankful to my father and uncle who have kept this piece of paradise. It will forever make memories for my kids and bring back great memories for me. Sometimes we have to grow up a bit and realize what we really had, and how lucky we really were. I'm teaching my kids to learn that now and soak in the simple. I hope it sticks :)


















the many faces of Grant.....
















And just as Sam (old dog growing up) ran and was free........so was Sarge. He was happy as well.















Growing up so fast :(















More to come later.........

content........

It's my new theme. I'm following Gaven's lead. He has always been one to not ask for much or need much and to be happy with life as it is. He is a very giving and unselfish child and I thank him for that daily!

Here are some pictures of a recent trip to the beach and just a HUGE reminder to me of how much my kids LOVE simple, easy, non material things and that makes me happy!

ufda.......

That about sums it up! The last 2 or 3 or 4 weeks = busy, busy and more busy!

I got off a little early from work tonight and thought "whew"....... I don't have to go back till Friday :) AND we have no place to be in the morning. So I begged my kids to pleeeeease sleep in and NO fighting tomorrow on our day off of nothing (except the 12 loads of laundry so we can start wearing socks again). Yes I know....who am I kidding? A mom can hope right!?

On another note, where did February go? Did I miss it? I believe I will forever remember it as a BLUR!

And then on to the busy month of March because I believe 1/2 of the people in this world were born this month. Gaven, Gar, my dad, my brother, neices, cousins, friends, etc. etc.
I am holding on to the first 11 days and not letting go because it is NOT possible that I will have a 9 year old!! It can't be! And of course he won't stop growing so I'll look even more midgit like as I start shrinking in my aging years, and he continues to grow like a weed. His feet are currently bigger than mine. He steals my sweatshirts and I can no longer carry him for fear of a broken back. I did recently try by the way. I really wanted to carry him one more time inside because he actually fell asleep in the car. I gave up quickly and had to pry his eyeballs open. I miss the days of carrying/lugging and holding him like I used to.

So tonight I realize as busy as life is, and crazy as my schedule is, I need to somehow find time to slow down before each month is a blur and life passes me by. How am I going to do that? NO CLUE! Yep no plan, no idea, but somehow I'm going to make it happen.

I'm going to sign off and turn my attention to Sarge who keeps looking at me wondering where he fits in this crazy life. He's SO easy and SO good. He just wants me to scratch his ears and throw his ball. He truly is the best dog for this family. The best dog with my kids, and truly my best 4 legged friend :) And no matter how much he may wait and watch us fly through life so quickly he always stays the same. Loyal, forgiving, and happy. You can learn a lot from a dog.........