Mother's Day

I try really hard to be creative sometimes.  And sometimes it's ridiculous how hard it is to be creative... even just sometimes.  Guh.  Mother's Day just came and went and with it- a new card for all the lovely moms in our lives.  

This year I was determined to have a decent background for my pictures and nearly died in the process.  Unfortunately for me- the place I was determined to take pictures this year is a Frisbee golf course.  Frisbee golfers are kind of ill mannered when you get right down to it.  But the course also in a public park- so while we had Frisbees winging and whirring around our heads- I told my kids to look and the camera and say "cheese".  

I think they turned out alright!  

One Year

I love any reason to celebrate... but this is an extra special one.  Ty just had his 1- year checkup with his gastroenterologist... Tyler's numbers are back to normal.  He has completely healed the inside of his gut- we are one year gluten free and Shaun and I couldn't be prouder.  This diagnosis couldn't have been a bigger blessing in our lives- true it's a hard row to hoe- but Ty has mastered the art of asking questions (I confess- sometimes I think he asks too many questions- but I'm trying to look on the upside here) and reading labels.  He trusts no one with his food and won't eat anything unless he is sure that it is on the approved list.  

His dr is really proud of him too- and as long as he continues with a gluten free diet, his symptoms won't return and he can continue to grow like a maniac.  I had to have her read me his stats two times because I was in shock.  Ty has gained almost 20 pounds and grown 6 inches in ONE YEAR.  Holy Guacamole.  You can see it too I think.  

This is a picture taken just before Mother's Day 2013...

And this was taken just before Mother's Day 2012...

He looks different, he acts different... probably because he feels different!  And different in this case- is VERY GOOD!

Getcha' Some... Babies!

I'm a little behind on posting these pictures... but I couldn't leave them out!  Babies are home!!!  If you remember, my brother and his wife recently had quadruplets- and all the babies are home now!  I only snapped pictures of the boys- my Grandma Newren and I went out to help with feeding the other night... it's wild.  I remember doing it with my own kids- but times it by three and repeat every three hours.  Exhausting. My sister in law must be wonder woman in disguise!     

Spring Sing 2013

I picked Ryan up from preschool on Monday and was totally SHOCKED to find out that it is his last week of school.  Seriously?  Where did the year go?  I swear I was just dropping him off and having to  peel him off my leg in order to get him to go into the school!!!  Unbelievable.  I guess I'm just oblivious... I go throughout my day to day activities without ever really thinking about the big picture.  Well I have just been made aware.  Sheesh.  I guess I need to get them signed up for swimming lessons!!

Obliviousness aside (is that even a word?)... Ryan was able to participate in his school's Spring Sing this last week.  I snapped a few pictures before we took off...

(on a side note- I recently took a photography class and my instructor mentioned that it makes for interesting pictures when you let your subjects "pose" themselves... the picture below is exactly that)

I love watching Ryan at any kind of performance- be it school or church- because he literally does NOTHING.  I know that he knows the songs because I've heard him sing them to himself when he thinks no one is listening- but you would never know it when he gets up there in front of any kind of audience.  It's hilarious.  He sat up there for the entire performance with a completely dead-pan look on his face and barely moved his arms/ legs/ body at all.  Complete this image with a huge 4 year old sigh and you can see why I absolutely die laughing.  It's almost like he thinks he's above such whimsical nonsense.  

The grand finale involved caveman costumes!  And each of the kids were asked to take off their shoes and socks and roll up their pants.  Look carefully at this picture and I bet you can tell which feet belong to my little goose.

I actually took this picture and blew it up into a card for his teacher... he'll be a hard one to forget!  Thank goodness Miss Tammy is the world's most amazing woman- or I am pretty sure she wouldn't put up with him next year!!

Happy Anniversary

Shaun and I turned 11 today.  Crazy.  Shaun made a comment on Facebook about it.  He said:  "Happy Anniversary Pookie!! It has been "always eventful" the last 11 years!! I love you and hopefully you can continue your patience with me."

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Kind of sweet right?  He's not big on words, so I'll take what I can get from him.  We went to dinner last night at Rodizio Grill- they have a 95% gluten free menu and gluten free desserts- so it's a total win for me!  Afterwards, we spent the night at the Armstrong Mansion downtown.  It's always so nice to get away- not that our kids are bad or anything- but sometimes it's just nice to get away together and take a second to remember why we are STILL together after all these years.  

I know that we aren't goofy anymore and I probably don't try as hard to look sexy... but the reality is- our relationship is stable.  And I trust Shaun beyond anyone else in this world.  And that's sexy enough for me.  :)

I remember reading a book by Nicholas Sparks (A Walk To Remember) where he paraphrased a verse from the Bible- but I always liked it.  He said "Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes."  I'm not saying that Shaun and I fit this description exactly- because we have our moments for sure- but in the end- isn't this exactly what we married people are all striving for?  

Shaun and I struggle with finances and the challenges that come with being parents- but I am so grateful for him and I am still so grateful that i said "Yes" all those years ago.  Love you Shaun... and here's to MANY more years!