26

Time speeds up the older I get. I am about to celebrate my birthday in about a week and a half. Ever since I can remember, I've always anticipated my birthday, waiting to see that older number. I wanted to be older, always. But a few months ago I decided I was good with where I am. 25 years old sounded great. Old enough to get (some) respect, but young enough to be wrinkle and grey hair free. Young enough to have loads of energy, no health problems, and easily bounce back from pregnancy and injury and what not. People always talk about young beautiful women, but they seem to stop by age 25. If you are older than 25, you are still young, but not young enough to be used as an example of a young woman.  So here I am, about to cross that line. You can't get time back.

So I wanted to stay 25 forever. But now I know that is not what I really want. I want to live life and see what is ahead for me. I want to learn and grow. I want to become more respected. I want to someday be considered wise. I want to help others through this journey. And most of all, I want to meet future children and other family members (nieces, nephews, in laws, ect)

My dad mentions often that he doesn't like growing older. On his 49th birthday two years ago, he said that the older you get, the bigger your family gets. The more posterity you have to share your life with. That's a great way to look at it.

I've still got many years to come. I want to embrace life's experiences with my family. I want to teach my kids, and enjoy watching them experience life. I want to grow old with my husband, but I don't want to think about that now. So who cares what number I will see on my birthday cake October 1st.

Two days later I will see a beautiful number 1 on my daughter's birthday cake. That's what life's all about :)

Bring on 26, I hope its as beautiful as 25 was.

Mom? What You Doing?

Sawyer asks me 5 million times a day, "Mom, What you doing?" Several times in a row even. It never gets old.... for him! I feel like I have to answer every time, it just doesn't feel right to ignore him and not give him an answer. So it makes me realize how I spend my time, and sometimes the answers make me laugh. One time I was sleeping, so he gave me the courtesy of whispering "mom, what you doing?" 

Tonight I am looking at old and new pictures. I found some of the kids that remind me of each other. Like this one of Mealea,

And Sawyer

Sawyer

Mealea

Sawyer at birth

And Mealea

This one reminds me of Weekend At Bernie's

This one is just the funniest picture I've ever seen

This picture....ummmm... I don't know

This one reminds me of E.T.

This one makes my heart melt

This one makes me laugh

This one makes me proud

But this one, makes me grateful of all that I am blessed with.

Family Pictures

My Cousin's wife, Katelyn Wray took our family pictures last month. She also took Mealea's newborn pictures, she did a great job. If you want to check her out her website is....

katelynwrayphotography.com

We hadn't taken family pictures in a while.... This was our last one

Sawyer was 9 months old in this picture, and he is now 2 1/2.

I thought it was hard taking these family pictures in 2010, but oh...how naive I was as to how bad it could get.

The family picture above was taken at Sears. Indoors. With one kid. And my mom there to help him smile standing behind the camera. One little corner of the studio, that was it. It was easy.

But last month we had an interesting experience trying to take pictures. The kids refused to smile, really we only got one family picture with all of us smiling. They didn't want to sit in one stop, they wanted to explore. Every time they moved their clothes got dirty, then they would wipe their feet on our clothes. Mealea cried and whined a LOT.

It was fun! But I'm sure every parent understands.

The best part about these pictures is that we are done and don't have to take new ones for a while!

Home Sweet Home

Saturday September 1st marked one year in our house. Time goes by so fast, I can't believe its been one year. We were so lucky to get this house. It was a HUD home, a foreclosure, so we got a great deal. There were a lot of people interested, and many many bids. The house was open for people to place bids for only 10 days. After which they would open and review them all and select one. We came in only $1,000 over listing price, and I think several others came in at about the same price. But we were chosen!

Before our inspection we found water pouring from the ceiling in one of the bathrooms. Because of strict rules, we weren't allowed to touch anything until after we officially closed so we weren't able to go in and see the extent of the damage. We had to go with the deal hoping that it wasn't too bad because HUD homes are sold as is, they do not offer any money for repairs. We felt that it would be worth it for us to proceed, we had faith that it wouldn't be too expensive. After we closed on the house we had plumbers come in and the repairs were only about $500.

This house has been such a blessing for our family. We have plenty of room, a great neighborhood with amazing, kind and helpful neighbors. We are in a cul de sac so there isn't much traffic (which is a must with my adventurous kids).

 When we moved in, I was 35 weeks pregnant with Mealea, and it was still really hot outside. It was hard, I was miserable. My feet were so swollen I couldn't wear any shoes. Little Sawyer was confused at first, he cried and whined a lot, always asking to go home. He had to stay by my side for the first week, he was scared of being in a room alone. But after that first week, he's been just fine and grown to love all the space and the yard.

It was a long hard road that led us to this house. But I have found that the long hard roads always bring us to the most beautiful places. That includes having children. Its no secret that it can be hard, stressful, and sometimes may drive you to the brink of insanity. But nothing compares to the love, joy and beauty children bring into life. (funny...as I type this, my little monkeys are fighting, and so it begins......)