When you are good friends, it doesn't matter how much time goes by that you haven't seen or talked to each other, it seems as though no time has passed at all.
I just don't want that much time to pass before the three of us are together again.
Love you girls!!!
Catching up with old friends joy.
In other news... my dear, sweet Grandma celebrated her 84th birthday today! I love you, Grandma!!!!!
There is something about reading a book in the summer.
If the Twilight series continues to be as good as the first book, I may be adding a few more books to my stack.
Summer reading joy.
In other news... Happy Birthday to my uncle Mark! Hope you had a great day!!! Love you!
Whoever invented sidewalk chalk was a pure genius.
Sidewalk chalk joy.
At the end of a hot summer day, there is nothing better than a little ice cream (for the kids) and root beer floats (for the adults).
They savored every spoonful from their bowl... and their shorts.
Ice cream joy.
Our family went to see Fireworks in 3-D tonight at the park. It was such a relaxing time. Our kiddos were so good.
They absolutely loved the fireworks show. I did, too... once I decided to put the camera down so I could capture every precious moment with my heart.
Family night at the 3-D Fireworks Show joy.
For my photographer friends... this was shot at ISO 6400 (WHOA). There was VERY little light. I actually like the texture the grain adds to this image. :)
As my niece put it...
It was the perfect summer day...
...for a little...
... sprinkler fun!
This little bystander was perfectly content staying dry. She's smart... that water was COLD!
Of course, nothing tops off sprinkler fun more than a popsicle!
Sprinkler fun joy.
It was a hot, stormy kind of day. By the end of the day, the rain stopped and the sun was peeping through the clouds.
I'm hopeful that tomorrow we will see more of that sun.
Hot, stormy kind of day joy.
I would like to take this time to thank you for your prayers and well wishes for my brothers. It sounds like they really like their new job. They lucked out and are working for the same company. They had to make this move quickly so they haven't found a place to live yet. They have been camping. We camped a lot when we were younger and loved it. I think they are finding out, however, that camping as a way of life is not as enjoyable. They are hoping to find a place to live very soon.
Also, my brother that had the poison ivy is starting to heal but it has been a slow process. I would imagine that stress and lack of sleep have something to do with the slow healing.
Thank you for continuing to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
For a few hours today, my house was completely quiet. All 4 of my babies were napping at the very same time.
So, I did the dishes without someone hanging on my leg, swept the floor without someone stepping in the dirt pile, folded a load of laundry without someone unfolding the clothes.
I even laid on my bed and finished a book.
A busy mommy needs a quiet time every once in a while.
Quiet time joy.
Her: Mommy, push me higher.
Me: OK... you ready?
Her: Uh huh. I want to touch the sky.
Touching the sky joy.
In other news... Happy Anniversary, Sarah and Joel!
I suppose this is what I get for waiting until the last minute to get a shot of our 4 kiddos and their daddy on Father's Day. They were DONE... including Daddy.
It was a nice, relaxing Father's Day. We hung out at home during the day then went to the in-laws for a yummy dinner.
Happy Father's Day to all of those special daddies out there!
To my hubby... you are an amazing man. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and daddy to our babies.
Happy Father's Day joy.
In other news... my brothers made it to Colorado early this evening. They had a minor mishap this morning. The truck hauling the U-haul ran out of diesel fuel. While refueling, my poor brother spilled diesel fuel on his arms... the arms that are covered with blisters from the poison ivy. Continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
I do hope that some day we will all be able to laugh about this adventure. Right now, we are just relieved that they made it to their destination.
Saying goodbye is never easy.
We said goodbye to my brothers today. They fell in love with Colorado a year ago and have decided to make a new life there. I am so very happy for them and do wish them the absolute best.
I'm just going to miss them terribly. I've been a crying mess since I have heard that they were even considering moving. The last two weeks have been rough. This is going to be a big adjustment. It already feels different that they are not here.
Missing my brothers joy.
It was nice to see him smile. To say he had a rough day is an understatement.
While doing some tree work, he had an encounter with poison ivy. The symptoms kept getting worse. Blisters, fever, swelling, itching... So, after MUCH persuasion, I took him to urgent care TODAY (yes... the day of the move). Two hours after I brought him back home, they were on the road.
As a mother and their big sister... I'm very worried about this long trip they have ahead. I hope and pray that God will keep them safe and sound.
I also pray that my brothers don't end up killing each other in the process. LOL!
The weather has been pretty severe today. Hail, high winds, scary clouds, tornado watches, flooding rain, power outages, thunder, and lightening.
Our oldest is not a fan of this type of weather.
He has learned how to track a storm on Daddy's Blackberry today. He has learned that red patches are bad.
Tracking storms joy.
In other news... we are saying goodbye to my brothers tomorrow. It is moving day for them. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel.
Shower.
Feed kids and self.
Hunt for missing shoe.
Father's Day shop.
Monkey Joes to celebrate niece's birthday.
Lunch with mom, grandma, sister, niece, nephew, and brother.
Pick up same toy for the bajillionth time.
Mow lawn.
Sweat. A lot.
Change 33rd diaper of the day.
Order pizza.
Mini photo shoot with daughter for 3 year old pictures. Camera in one arm. Fussy kid in the other.
Get attacked by mosquitoes.
Birthday cake and ice cream.
Catch fireflies.
Read dinosaur pop-up book in tent with flashlights.
Bed time prayers and kisses.
Post picture of the day.
Go to bed at midnight.
All in my day's work.
I'm glad all days are not like this.
All in my day's work joy.
Happy 6th Birthday to my sweet little niece, Hailie! I love you so much! I loved spending your special day with you.
Since becoming a mom of 4, I have felt limited as to where I could go without needing some help.
I decided today was the day to take my babies shopping... just the 5 of us. I was so proud of how well they behaved. I even treated them to lunch.
We just may do this again.
Shopping with my babies joy.
They thought it was funny to try on different sunglasses. I thought it was funny to have the bras hanging in the background. Of course, I didn't plan that :).
I am so very proud of her. She is about to graduate Potty Training Boot Camp.
What is she requesting for a reward?
A camera.
Potty Training Boot Camp joy.
In this dress...
I watched my best friend become a wife.
I cried tears of joy.
I prayed before dinner.
I danced with my hubby.
I laughed with friends.
I hugged people I haven't seen in years.
I wished the newly married couple a lifetime of happiness.
I felt beautiful.
I love this dress.
In this dress joy.
My best friend became a wife today.
In our 23 years of friendship, we have shared countless smiles, laughs, and dreams. Never have I seen her smile as big or laugh as hard as she did today. The day when she married the man of her dreams.
Congratulations, Angie and Roger! So much love to the both of you!
My best friend's wedding joy.
It was only the dress rehearsal. This moment put tears in my eyes.
The emotion will only intensify tomorrow... their wedding day.
Dress rehearsal tears joy.
I'm not the world's biggest Chicago Blackhawks fan. I think I know two of the players' names.
But... it sure was an exciting game to watch. And it had the perfect ending.
Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup joy.
In other news... I got my hair done tonight and had a chance to catch up with a good friend. I feel like one hot momma. Of course, hubby didn't even notice.
Learning how to feed yourself is hard work. It is a guarantee that it will also be messy.
Especially when there is a camera in your face.
Learning how use a spoon joy.
Oh how I love my sweet, sleepy baby girl...
In other news... Go Blackhawks!!!!
