6!!

I remember it like it was yesterday. That moment we first found out he existed, the moment I heard he was a boy and I cried so hard because I never knew I wanted a boy so badly, the way he was so sweet to me while I was pregnant, to the moment he first looked at me and I was in love, the sweet little legs sticking out of a bubble, the precious knee socks and Jon jons, and so much more. It is so hard to put in words the love you have for your children. I wish so much they actually knew how much I love them. This little boy is our world. He makes me a better person. He is full of spunk, super shy to people he is unsure of, the life of the party with his friends, a serious school nerd, loves informational videos and learning how everything in the world works, loves anything the forms a pattern (yes, seriously), loves sharks and learning about them all the time, a Lego master, a baseball and soccer fanatic, loves anything about cars, spends countless hours just playing in his room imagining who knows what, loves his best friend drew with his whole heart, takes care of that big sis of his and depends on her a lot when he doesn't quite like a situation, is an animal lover, hunter of frogs, and the list goes on and on! And oh how he loves his mommy and daddy. I sure hope that lasts forever. He has always looked at me with this spark in his eyes that is just special for me. 

You are a dream come true Whitfield Daniel. I didn't even have time to pray for you to exist, you just showed up! I love each moment and season of your sweet childhood. This year your birthday was filled with everything you wanted to do! You woke up to a soccer field in the yard. You wanted donuts for breakfast and McDonald's for lunch! We enjoyed an afternoon at the raptor center seeing all the animals and topped it all off with el som, cake, and the Prosser Olliff soccer game! I am so thankful we have you in our lives. You are so incredibly stubborn (you get that from me) and give us a run for our money a lot of times, but it is all worth it. You are a light in our family and I can't imagine life without you. My prayer for you is that you grow to be a God fearing man, who loves his family like you do now, who looks for the best in people, and knows that each day you are loved by me. I am beyond honored to be your mommy whit. It is a gift I don't take lightly and a gift that can never be topped. I hope you always know how much daddy and I adore you. Happy 6th birthday little boy!

Porch sittin

I used to sit in these chairs on my front porch and pray really hard. I spent endless hours with Sarah out here contemplating life. I have taken up porch sitting again. It is nice to just stop and think for a little while... Although in front of me my yard is full of hustle and bustle of kids and puppies now. I am blessed beyond words 

Bored?? Never ;)

For a brief moment today I thought I might be bored. Like actually out of things to do bored. How awesome is that?? Then I found 1.2 million things to do again and the moment was over. 

I love a summer day like today. We went to vacation bible school, home for lunch, decided to just hang out for the day, and then it started to rain. That good summer rain, oh how I love it. The kids (and dogs) and I sat on the porch and watched it rain. I can't remember the last time I took the time to do that. 

I hope when all the hustle and bustle of life hits again I take time to stop and enjoy the small things again. That is my goal this summer, I want to soak in those lost moments. Just like today that could be forgotten, but I will hold on to it instead. Whit's laughter as he chases cash through the yard, Kennedy's giggling as she videos the whole thing with commentary of course. These are the days.... The glorious days of summer, where rest is found, family is appreciated, and life is simple for just a moment. 

Soak it in. Remember it. Video it. Or don't and just stick it in your long term memory. Just don't forget it.

Dear kids...

My goal for you this summer is to learn to enjoy the little things. I want your days to be full of fresh air, slip n slides, pools, bible school, days at the beach, card games, baseball, and whatever else your little minds can come up with to do. Our iPads, and iPhones need to be on the back burner, and so far we have done a really good job of that! (Although as I type this you are both on them ;) I love every minute of watching you grow. I thought I would miss your baby days, but life only gets sweeter as you both grow up. I love out conversations these days. You both make my life complete. You bring such joy and happiness to our lives. When you are all grown, I hope I look back on the days of endless summer, and know I tried my best to soak in each moment with you. I am so lucky to be your mom. You make my world complete. Here is to this summer and enjoying each moment that comes our way! I love you K and Whitty!!

Out hearts are full

We went through a tough experience adopting a new puppy this year. After some heartache and a tough choice we finally welcomed home our precious Cash. I have always wondered how people have a home without a dog in it. I have always had the pitter patter of paws running through my home. Greg and I got Riley a month after we got married. I needed a dog to make my family complete! Riley turns 12 this week. She has stood by me through so much. You might laugh at me, but that dog brought me through some of my darkest days. She was an answer to prayer for sure. My heart already aches for the day we have to say goodbye to her. I hope her little dog mind knows how much she has meant to me. Watching my kids love my dog babies is one of my favorite things. Whit has begged to have a dog that will sleep with him, and big old cash will snuggle in that bed with my baby for as long as I will let him. He is a crazy mess of a puppy, but our hearts are so full. Go ahead and laugh if you don't understand dog love, but for us, this family of 6 is in dog heaven and we are so very thankful. 

Summer!

Well here I am! Finally time to sit and relax and do the things I love. I am sad to say that Facebook seems to have replaced my need to blog. I am bound and determined to change that this summer! So many times I have things on my mind that I want to remember forever. This is the place I record all of that!! My life has gotten so busy that I don't take time to sit and write down what is going on! Then summer arrives, blessed summer, and I have a moment of clarity. Time.... I have time. 

My babies are growing up way too fast. I can't stop thinking it when I look at them. I have loved each age so much, and each year I want time to stand still, yet it still moves on. Then I get to a new stage with them and love it too! Don't get me wrong we have our moments, lots of them, but all in all, my life, being a mom and a wife is absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change one crazy bit of it. 

We welcomed Cash into out family this year. Currently he is a big old 31 lb baby that thinks he is a daschund. We are all so in love. All except Riley of course, but she has adjusted. I like to think she really loves having him around. It is keeping her young. As I type this I have a lap for all dogs and it makes me happy. 

Life is good. God is good. So many times I let my mind and wants take over my thoughts. I want a bigger house. I want to be able to travel around the world without a care in the world. I want my house to be clean for at least an hour before anyone messes things up. I want to have empty laundry baskets with all the clothes put away. I want to have just one moment to sit down during the day and be alone. Then something always happens that makes me realize none of that matters. My sleepy 5 year old wakes up and all he wants to do is snuggle me on the couch while I drink my coffee. He leans in and sweetly says " I love you mommy." Or my 7 year old bounds in so excited about a sleepover she is packing at 7 am. Or the moment we are walking. Around the water park and she gently takes my hand, proud to be my daughter. I lean over and ask her to please remember this when she is a teenager and she promises . ;) yeah right, but at least I tried. The moment when my sweet Riley, my first baby jumps in my lap just to be loved and looks at me with those old eyes and I melt a little. She has always been at my side no matter what. Or our sweet Cash, so full of spunk and energy will take a break from wreaking havoc on my house and put his huge self in the tiniest chair with me to snuggle. Or the moments where I watch Greg play win the kids in the yard and realize how truly blessed I am.... Time doesn't stand still. It flies faster than we want. Yet, these precious moments can be cherished and enjoyed and that is my plan for my life. Focus on the GOOD. It is a great way to live if you aren't trying it. It isn't easy app the time, but when you look for those precious moments and sink them in, you realize that those moments are worth living for. They are what drives us through the hard times. I am so thankful for all God has blessed my family with. I look forward to what the future will bring, but in the meantime I am going to soak up what I am being given now. Happy summer!!!

Brother -Sister Love

Their first ever picture together!