Monday, May 31, 2010

Mother's Day 2010


Hard to believe that in a few short months there will be another set of shoes sitting at the back door....or on a bench by our lake!!

2 handsome guys

My fellas

Charlie with Uncle Jason

First family picture, of the 5, well, 4.5 of us :)

Tommy and Grandma Candace trying to get a big one!!

Daddy and Tom reeling one in.

Brothers

I can't pass up baby pigs, they are so cute!!!


Getting loves from my Charlie.

We love going to the lake and enjoy spending Mother's Day weekend with Great Grams and Trent's family!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Rainy Day Adventure


A few weeks ago we ventured out on a rainy Saturday morning. Looking for an adventure and not really knowing where we were going. We ended up at the Chardon Maple Festival and had a blast, even in the rain!

Charlie rode on the army tank ride, full with army tank sound effects....of course :)

And Tommy went on his first roller coaster....ALL by himself. He LOVED it!

The BEST part was a visit to the fire department. They actually let us just stroll through the garage, looking and touching all the fire trucks, ambulances, fireman gear etc. The boys really enjoyed it and so did Daddy and Mommy!!



Check out those tires!! They are bigger then us!!

We never know what adventures are awaiting us out there!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Easter 2010

We had a nice Easter, celebrating the resurrection of our Savior at our new home church, tearing through Easter baskets after Daddy's traditional Sunday brunch, and meeting up with family for a swim and quick dinner. And of course, celebrating, again, our Thomas' birthday. It happened to fall on Easter this year.

The boys discovering that the Easter bunny had brought them a slew of Diego stuff and a chocolate bunny of course.

Charlie and Daddy swimming. Brandon...when did he get SO big?!?!?


Grandpa and Tom, Peyton and Charlie, Nie Nie and Lauren at dinner.




And look at these two adorable boys!!
I am so glad we get to spend eternity together!!!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother, Mom, Mommy, Mama


Being a mother has been the greatest gift that I have ever been given. I am only beginning to know the job that lays ahead of me as the Mama to these precious babies.
My journey as a Mommy began only 6 short years ago when we found out we were expecting our first baby. There was mixed feelings, I doubted my ability and yet cherished the life that was growing inside of me.

When Charlie was placed in my arms it was like nothing I have ever felt. I was immediately in love. Sure that love has matured over the years, but there is nothing like holding your child for the first time. From God's hands to ours!

As the remnants of sleep deprivation left our eyes, and the postpartum depression began to wane, life settled into a lovey routine. Life was better then good, it was great! There was nothing that I loved more in those early years then sneak into Charlie's room late at night, steal him from his warm crib and rock him in my arms. Warm and asleep
.
Then we were blessed with Thomas and with his birth came more transition. HOW in the world would I love another baby as MUCH as I loved Charlie. I thought it was nearly impossible, and yet God has a way of letting your heart grow so that there is more then enough to go
around.

I remember seeing Thomas for the first time. My heart was filled, immediately, with the love that only a mother has for her child. He was mine and I was his. He had always been in my heart.
Each child teaches me something different. Charlie teaches me how to be silly, Thomas teaches me how to be more creative. They both teach me daily about how to love unconditionally. They do it so well and I have much to learn from them!

As I walked the journey of Mommy-hood, now with 2 little souls to raise, I found this parenting stuff doesn't get easier, in fact it gets harder with time. Thank you Jesus for a husband who is SO loving, SO hands on and who works as a TEAM with me to try and bring these boys up!! As a Dada I am sure he has had a different, yet similar journey as I have had. The greatest thing we have in common is that we have LOVED our children with full hearts, only wanting the best for them in ALL that they do. Without Trent, my journey through Motherhood in these mere 5+ years would be so different. He has enabled me to live out my dreams of staying at home with our sons, to homeschool them, and to teach them that Jesus loves them. He shows them daily how a man should love, respect and cherish their wife. And in doing so he is teaching them how to be Godly husbands and fathers someday.
I know our boys will look back at their childhood and remember times when I was too strict with them, when I raised my voice, when I was not consistent etc. I pray though that they will have far MORE memories of me being loving, fun, gracious and merciful
.

Motherhood is the greatest potential influence for either good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. ~David O. McKay~

I love you boys, you are the best gift I have ever been given!
Thank you Lord Jesus for these sweet babies.
Thank you Trent for being the best Daddy in the world and for sharing in this amazing journey!! I love you!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Mothers, Moms, Mommies and Mamas out there!!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

And then there was 5


About 3 and a half months ago Trent came home from a business trip to find this. His reaction was classic. A smirk and a question, "Does that mean you are pregnant?". It was a great moment.

In early November, God willing, we will be welcoming another baby to our bunch. This is something that we have prayed for and wanted for sometime, this child is a true blessing.

We are truly blessed to be given this gift, another child. I cherish each day that I am able to carry this little one, knowing how precious each moment is.