JaNEWary!

I like that each year, we can look forward to having a fresh start on things...January seems to be a new beginning for so many people...those looking to change something in their life...those looking to start a new habit/end an old one...those looking to start a new them. We all have personal and professional resolutions that we may keep for awhile and then slowly-by mid-February or so-they start to taper off. I think my one and only time I made a resolution was two years ago-after the birth of Hannah. I told myself I would get in better physical/mental shape by being better to myself. I would work out as I needed/wanted to and supplement my healthier life by eating better. I would not beat myself up for eating that ice cream or popcorn that one night. I would try and do things for myself (ie: pedicures, massages, professional haircuts, a girls night out) because "a happy momma makes for a happy home". I've tried to stick with this resolution and have done pretty well...it's the only one I've ever made. I read an article this morning about Drew Barrymore and she was talking about how pressured women are (especially in her business) to get thin and be perfect two weeks after having kids. I agreed with her when she said that her body will never be the same and she may never in her life be happy that swimsuit season is back again because her body isn't "bikini ready" but that she wanted her daughter to understand that we all have the potential to be healthy, but most importantly happy in who we are and what we look like. Growing up, I was never told that I was ugly, or too short or wasn't good enough for something. Never. I was always bui

lt up and encouraged. I was always told that I could do whatever I wanted to do in life if I worked hard to achieve it. I want to instill my daughters with the same advice and same support that I got growing up. SO my new resolution to myself is to be an encourager. To let them try new things and let them fall if they need to but to always make sure Mom is RIGHT there when they need me.

Hello summer! - I FORGOT about this blog that had been saved...

Just as we think the year might slow down a bit...it's summer. We had SO much to get done in May and June and looking ahead I see nothing big on the calendars! AT LAST! Relaxation...or at least for a couple of weeks. In May, Natalie graduated from kindergarten-ceremony and all. I loved how she went around and hugged her classmates-telling each one of them how she was "going to miss the SO much" and "good luck this summer". Made me smile. I don't think she quite comprehends how she'll be with the same kids all through her school career. I never had that. To grow up with the same people from 5 years old on. There are people that I have known that long, but not that I was with day in and day out, every year for all that time. I know that there are definite pros to the way I was raised - homeschool most of my life. I hear friends who grew up with Andy tell me how different he was in middle and high school. A person changes so much during those years-emotionally. Physically.Psychologically. Anyway-enough rambling...here are some photos of our summer so far...biggest thing...Natalie turned 6 on us!

Excuses?

So I could tell you that I've just been so busy that I haven't had time to blog since...APRIL?! (Which is KIND of true), or that it's been a whirlwind of a summer/fall, (which is also true) Or I could tell you that I lost my password to this blog...which JUST SO happens to be the right answer! I REALLY did! I couldn't remember it and never seemed to have enough time to push the "I forgot my password" button ;) But here I am...back again! Just a few pictures to cath you up on our summer/fall...

BlockFest

We have always been huge supporters of the local Parents as Teachers program. And so when our good PAT friend Angie announced at PLES's that PAT was bringing "BlockFest" to Perry - I knew we had to go see what this was about. I left the camera in the car during the event - because I didn't know what to expect - but should have brought it in to capture some real fun! There were 4 stations that the kids could play in. They had small blocks and large blocks and building blocks and soft blocks. We built forts and knocked them down. We built houses and destroyed them. We had a great time...and then got to play for awhile at the school park-which both kids loved. Good night - or as Natalie put it later, it was "Blocktastic"!

Family is coming!!

A few weeks ago, my sister, Erika, called to tell me some exciting news. The job that my brother-in-law, Dereck, had applied for in Topeka was his! How Exciting!!!!! I get to have them closer and see my two nieces even more now! Yay!! Oh wait - you say-What about having to sell their house - done! They had a buyer within a week's time (no doubt because they made the house look great! So this past weekend, my sister Erika, the two girls, Jessie and Jasmine, and my parents came up to Perry to look at houses and get a feel for the twon they are moving to. Well, they found one they loved and put an offer on it already. Things are moving VERY quickly! I caught a couple of pictures of the girls with their girl cousins as we had so much fun with them and can not WAIT for them to get here!

Springtime

Well...it's officially springtime! with the rain, the storms, the mud, Easter and summer just around the corner!

Just a few pictures for fun... We have had a busy few week! Natalie started t-ball practice and plays in her first game this Saturday...she's READY!
Easter Morning...


Easter hats that Grandma Denise made...

Favorite little memories

What is your earliest memory? I have some very vivid memories of when I was younger-may 3 or 4? I remember going down our large staricase to our basement in Valley Center, holding my baby sister, Erika Beth very carefully in my arms. I decided to scoot down on my bottom. I'm not sure my Mom knew what I was doing-I had to have been 4 or 5 though-I remember her being very little. I remember going next door to my best friend Micah's house and I dressed to impress him...I wore all purple-even purple socks and hat and chewed grape gum. I remember his Mom coming to the door and yelling for him as she laughed at me, engulfed in his favorite color. I remember we would then go behind my house in the wheat field and play house with the flour and chicken gizzards I had swiped from my mom's cooking preparations. I remember looking up at the massive blue sky and thinking it was the best day ever. Seeing the airplane swipes (as we called them) and talking about where we would go when we were older and married with kids of our own. I remember being very young and my Mom asking me where Sesame Street was-my very favorite show-and I would walk her all over the house looking for the street. I remember walking in on my Dad in his closet as he studied the Bible and made notes and highlighted. He did that every morning. I remember my parents playing some (actually crazy mean) tricks on our neighbors and me helping...as we placed Saran wrap on their toilet seats and put salt in their sugar jars! Ha! I remember having a family bible study every morning with a couple of songs.
My Grandma Ryel use to tell me that she remembered being 3...I can't think clearly to that far...just memories of a lovely past.