The one with my boys.

It has to be said that I absolutely adore my boys. For the most part they are best buds. Sam absolutely idolizes Ethan, wherever Ethan is Sam is sure to follow. Ethan is so patient with him and I have to credit Sam's mad soccer skills(he's averaging 6 goals a game) to Ethan being willing to take the time to teach him. Sam can be a pill but nothing warms my heart like hearing Ethan say,"where is Sam?" and vice versa. I know these days are numbered with junior high approaching in another year but I hope that they can always be friends. Just now I heard Sam and Eliza asking Ethan to go and jump on the tramp and Sam said,"hey, we can be ninja's!!" and Ethans reply,"Let's go, I love you guys." ouch.my heart.

ps. i know that in 20 minutes they will be beating the crap out of each other but let me have my moment.
pss. please don't let this post distract from the recipe below, you must make these apples!

The one with all the yummies on sunday.

This here above is what you call a little bit of HEAVEN. I found the recipe for these little darlin's online, and let me tell you ouchie mama, you will be in a happy place when you partake of these little wonders. You can link here and find the recipe.....trust me, you're gonna wanna do this....now!!! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/02/apple_dumplings/ happy happy eating!!!!

The one with Tanners Happy Birthday!

From this......
To this....in 4 short years.
Me and my "two babies!"

Yesterday was Tanners 4th birthday. My sister Sarah and I had babies 4 months apart and we called them "the babies". Even now, Eliza is our baby but Sarah had another baby after these two and yet they are still "the Babies!!" Tanner had a cowboy cookout for his party and it was darling....here are a few shots from our fun night!

The one where i'm out of here!

I'm headed to Phoenix with Josh this morning on business...for him. I on the other hand will be laying by the pool....alone, reading a book....alone, swimming and sunning.....alone! Anyone jealous of me yet? Ta Ta, catch ya on thursday!

ps. if you happen to see my kids or dog roaming, please return them to their gramie!thanks.

The one with todays simple abundance.

I'll spare you the picture, because it wasn't pretty. But today I was driving in the car with my good friend and our 4 collective children, two dressed as princesses and two dressed in frowns. Both mothers and aformentioned children had not eaten for nearly seven hours...now add rush hour, low blood sugar, and the mention of "bad Dumb and Dumber quotes" and you may ask yourself "why were you grateful for this?"....because I was simply there, alive, and happy to be a part of it. Sometimes chaos is bliss....especially when its over.

The one with a new day.

Yesterday was Josh's mom's funeral. Funerals are never fun but this was such a nice day for our family. We were able to say goodbye to someone we loved so dearly. Josh spoke and gave the best tribute to his mom, he is such a good speaker and it was absolutely perfect. Ethan was a pallbearer for his grandma and if you ever want to have your heart feel like its being torn in two witness that moment. It was painful and yet so nice for him to be involved. It brings closure to a really hard time for our family and we are glad its behind us, and we now look to a new day without our grandma. I couldn't ask for a better guardian angel for my kids.
I can't thank you enough for the love and support we have all felt and the tender mercies that have been given to our family. thank you. thank you. thank you. You know who you all are.

Sad day.

Josh's mom passed away this morning. Words can't express how sad we all are. Thanks for all of your kind words.