146/365...Preschool and Kindergarten Graduates joy

Seems like just yesterday that I took this picture of my babies.

Her first day of preschool and his first day of kindergarten.


And today was her last day of preschool and his last day of kindergarten.

It happened in a blink.

Makes me a little teary eyed.


It was a full day of "Last Day" Celebrations. We ended the day with closing Preschool program and Kindergarten Graduation.

Baby Girl has perfected looking adorable. Even if she didn't sing a word and swished her dress while on stage.


And my sweet little man graduated Kindergarten. He sang and performed his role in the class play perfectly.

And I got a little teary eyed.

OK. I was a blubbering mess.


If only I could freeze time.


So very proud of you, Carter and Regan!

Preschool and Kindergarten Graduates joy.

145/365... Happy 6th Birthday, Carter John joy

Six years ago, God blessed our lives with a healthy, sweet baby boy. The years have flown by in a blink.


Carter, you have such a kind heart and a sweet soul. You are such a blessing in our lives. We thank God every single day for blessing us and trusting us to raise you, our son. We are so very grateful.


Happy 6th Birthday, Carter John!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Carter John joy.

144/365... Giggling on a swing joy

I can still hear her giggling.

Giggling on a swing joy.

143/365... Nap joy

I was inspired by a fellow photographer friend, Lynne, to sneak into my boys' room while they were napping to capture my babies sleeping.

I'm so very glad that I did.


They grow far too quickly.


Nap joy.

142/365... Lazy day joy

Some days are lazy. Just plain lazy.

Lazy day joy.



In other news... my thoughts and prayers go out to so many people who were affected by the tornado devastation in Missouri. Makes me extra thankful that our time in the crawlspace was for nothing more serious than some wind, thunder, and lightening.

141/365... Day of goodness joy

It was a day full of goodness.

My son scored 3 goals during his soccer game.

A little nap.

We celebrated the 10 year anniversary of my cousin and her husband with family and friends.

Lots of hugging. Lots of celebrating. Lots of smiling.

I love days like this.

Day full of goodness day.

140/365... Beautiful spring day joy

It was a beautiful spring day.

Finally.

Beautiful spring day joy.

139/365... My best friend and her miracle son joy

My best friend and her precious, miracle son who was born 14 weeks early.

There are no words.

Only prayers of thanks and gratitude.

My best friend and her miracle son joy.

138/365... Riveting joy

This was the only picture I took today. My son playing Angry Birds.

Riveting.

Riveting joy.

137/365...Little mommy joy

She is going to be an amazing mommy someday.

Someday.

Far, far away someday.

Little mommy joy.

136/365... Crazy day joy

It was a crazy day.

I have been having computer problems for quite a while now. HP finally sent me a replacement computer. Turns out the brand new computer is a dud. After almost 2 hours on the phone with HP, I listed the new computer on Ebay and ordered an iMac!!

When I took this picture, the new computer was on my mind so I said "Say MAC".

She just looked at me like I was crazy. After the day that I had, I kind of felt crazy.

Crazy day joy.

135/365... Blue bruise, blue toes joy

I spent most of the day at the spa with my dear friends. We lounged around the pool, read, chatted, relaxed, and were pampered. With every passing moment, I felt more and more relaxed.

I came home with freshly manicured blue toenails to remind myself of our time at the spa. (Not to mention that my poor feet desperately needed some attention.).

After showing off my cute blue toes to my family who were not all that impressed, my oldest wanted to play baseball with me. We took turns pitching and hitting. He is getting better and stronger with his skills.

In fact, he is becoming so good that I now have a blue bruise above my eye to match my blue toes.

Just another day in paradise.

Blue toes, blue bruise joy.

134/365... They are up joy

Nap time is over.

They are up joy.

133/365... Non-pictured picture joy

I'm always envisioning the perfect capture. I have a picture in my head before I take the picture.

Often times, the picture captured never is what I pictured.

It is better.

Non-pictured picture joy.

132/365... Well deserved nap joy

I love living so close to my mom. She is an amazing help with my babies. She often keeps me sane when I feel as though I would go insane.

She deserved this nap.

Well deserved nap joy.

131/365... Twin speak joy

I love having twins. But there are times that I LOVE having twins.

There is something so amazing about just sitting back and listening to them speak their own language to each other. I often have no idea what they are saying.

But they do.

Twin speak joy.

130/365... Squeaky clean windows joy

What a beautiful spring day! Finally!!

A perfect day for cleaning the windows and putting on the screens.

She made sure they were squeaky clean.

Squeaky clean windows joy.

129/365... Driving tractor joy

"Mommy, I'm going to drive Grandpa's tractor when I get big."

I whole-heartedly believe her.

Driving tractor joy.

128/365... Happy Mother's Day joy

Happy Mother's Day!

Because of these four precious children, I am a mother.


Because of my mom, I hope and pray to be half the mom she has been to me.


Our family had a wonderful time at Milwaukee Zoo! Trips like these get easier and more enjoyable as the kids get a little older. Spending the day with my family and my mom was the best Mother's Day gift I could have received.

Happy Mother's Day joy.

127/365... True winner joy

Determination.  Dedication.  Hard work.  Self-discipline. Supported.  Loved.  Inspired.  Remembered.

True winners don't need a shiny trophy to know that they have won.

Congratulation to my sister-in-law, Diane!  I'm so very proud of you!

True winner joy.

Enjoy this video of highlights from the competition...Kevin Noble Fitness Competition 2011.

126/365... Smile for the camera joy

Maybe it was because he had his favorite breakfast this morning. Maybe it was because he had a good nap. Maybe it was because he played outside most of the day.

Whatever it was, he actually looked at the camera and smiled. On command.

And I was smiling right back at him.

Smile for the camera joy.

125/365... Savoring every second joy

My baby will be SIX soon. SIX! Seriously, SIX? How and when did that happen??

He is growing before my eyes and changing by the second. Time is certainly not standing still.

And I don't want it to. I want time to carry on as God has intended it to. I look forward to continuing to watch him grow and change into the man he is to become.

And I will savor every second.

But. I do wish time would go a little slower so I could savor every second a little longer.

Savoring every second joy.