It Has To Be Today

Ever since Lindsey told us she was pregnant, we have been dying to find out if she's having a boy or a girl! I kept thinking she would go into labor any second, waking up each morning thinking, "Today is the day... I just know it!" It's nice to finally be right! This morning she went to the hospital to be induced. :) I am glued to the phone- just waiting for that call! We are so excited for Linds and Rob and can't wait to meet their little angel! What a special day! We love you and are praying for you, Lindsey Loo! X's & O's!!!

Let's Talk

It amazes me how quickly two small children can turn a clean house... unclean. How do people with large families survive? Holy smokes! Anyway, I just finished picking up the family room and sat down in the study for a little break when I overheard Ryen in the playroom say to Madelyn, "Let's talk just a minute, Little One." First of all, I think it is so tender when Ry calls Maddie "Little One". It's just so sweet and loving... and funny, since she's not much smaller than Ryen is. I then listened as Ry asked Madelyn why she took her toy and proceeded to "discuss" the issue for the next few minutes. (Until Maddie had enough and finally bolted!) I thought it was pretty cool to hear my children trying to talk something out. Ryen was obviously upset, but calmly took a step back to talk about what she was feeling in a loving and positive way. Ryen is so good about listening to what she is feeling and expressing those feelings- something that I am sure will help her throughout her life. She often yells to me after nap time, "I am feeling very frustraaaaated! I'm impatient in heeeeere! I'm just feeling very disappointed!" As funny as it sounds coming from a 3-year-old, I sure am glad we have focused so much of our energy as parents on communication and understanding feelings. We are by NO means perfect, but still, it is so cool to see your children interact in such tender ways and hope that they may have learned a thing or two about that from you. Now if I could just get Ryen to stop saying, "Holy crap!"

Soccer Star

It's true. Ryen is a star! She had her second soccer game and things started off the same as her first... but with less boogers, thankfully. After watching her hide behind the goal and behind the field marker, I finally just scooped Madelyn up in my arms, marched up to the field and followed Ryen, cheering her on and giving her encouragement. I'm sure I looked like a total idiot, but I don't care because I felt like my girl needed me and... it worked! The second half of the game was like watching a totally different child. Ryen stopped hiding and charged right in there to kick that ball. She scored 3 goals! (One was for the other team, but I say- when you're a 3-year-old, a goal is a goal!) It helped that we shamelessly bribed her with a big ice cream cone if she scored, but I think the real switch took place once she realized she could do it. What a priceless thing it was to watch her discover that! The pride and excitement on her face was beyond words. I am so proud of her. Not because she scored three goals, but because she didn't give up. She overcame her fear and gave it her all. What a neat thing to see! (My favorite picture is the one where she is holding up three fingers and running to me to say she gets THREE ice cream cones!)

On The River

Our date night this week was to take the canoe out for a spin with our two little monkeys. They always scare me on the water, but they both did really well this time. I planned on taking lots of pictures, but grabbed the wrong batteries. It was so frustrating to see so many beautiful things, but not be able to capture them. I had just enough "juice" to quickly grab these shots, but you better believe we'll go out again soon for more. It was so relaxing and fun.

Eggstravaganza

I know this post is a bit late, but we had so much fun decorating our Easter eggs this year! Ry and Maddie were in a FRENZY and the whole thing ended up a whirlwind of flying dye and squealing girlies! We had quite a few casualties I'm afraid, but no tears or freak-outs so I would still consider it a total success. (Listen for that great cracking sound in the video clip... I love it!) I'm glad the girls had so much fun. I remember really loving the egg coloring thing when I was a kid... I actually still really love it. What else do I love? OxiClean ...in bulk. How great is that stuff?!?

Pottery Darn

I'm pretty sure that the good people at Pottery Barn have it in for me. Just when I had Ryen's party all planned, reserved, and purchased- I got my PBK catalog. Do they spy on me? Do they tap my phones? Do they have employees hiding out in my bushes with binoculars? They came out with a whole line of ADORABLE items for a pirate birthday party. I could pass on most things, but that bean bag game was downright unavoidable... dang it. Why do they have to make such cute stuff??? And why do they have to make stuff they know that I, myself, personally, will HAVE to have??? Dang you Pottery Barn! I'm going to have to boycott them... after their next sale.

The Bunny Came

Happy Easter

Easter is my favorite holiday. I love it. I love that in celebrating the resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ, we also celebrate HOPE. As I look around at all the flowers and green, leafy trees, I cannot help but feel hopeful for the wonderful things to come. How blessed I have already been! Ryen and Madelyn are the light of my life- and their father, my wonderful husband, is not only the love of my life, but my truest friend and greatest example. Today is also our wedding anniversary. How I have loved these past seven years by his side! Sonny's kindness, strength, and wisdom are the things that keep me grounded and more in love with him every single day. He is my north star and my everything. I gave a talk in church today on being encircled in the arms of our Heavenly Father's love. Sonny has taught me what that feels like- a gift that has meant more to me than any other. I know I say this a lot, but I am so very blessed. Happy Easter! (And happy anniversary, my love!)

Vacation/Easter Portraits

The Outer Banks

Grammy Glam

Okay, first of all, there is something really wrong with the settings on my camera. I don't know what's up with that, but all of the pictures I just took of the girls in their Grammy-glam dresses turned out all blue and weird. I'm going to have to fix that (...which really means I'm going to have to have Sonny fix that). So... I found this great polka dot fabric a while ago and just HAD to find a way to make the girls some little outfits using these great funky dots. I twisted my poor mom's arm and she made these fantastic little dresses for the Ry and Maddie! The girls and I just love them! I don't know if you can see in the photos, but she made a sash for each dress and sewed beads on them by hand. She even made the girls matching bracelets. SO cute! Thanks Grammy!!!

Seems Familiar

This morning, Madelyn spilled milk EVERYWHERE during breakfast. (I've heard milk baths are good for your skin, however, I would not recommend the dumped cereal method.) I gave her a bath and decided to put her hair in pigtails for the first time. Oh my goodness, she looks so precious! I took a good look at her when I was done and it occurred to me that she looks like Ryen with her hair this way! Maddie's hair is the exact same length and color as Ryen's was at this age. She's even starting to get interested in fish, if you can believe it! It's Ryen take II!

In The Meadow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday evening, we took the girls for a drive out in the country. Let's face it- it's not very hard to find out here! The weather was so beautiful and the green everywhere was calling our names. We walked around in the middle of nowhere, just a little family with time to kill and a sunset to watch. It is in moments like these that life means the most to me.

Sisters