Wordless Wednesday - Black Belts and Beaches

****I am grateful for
1) Chase rocked his testings and is the first ever Tiny Tiger to earn his black belt at his school
2) a visit with family
3) beach time
4) first experiences
5) pictures to capture memories

The Blink of an Eye

I'm a bad blogger, I know and I'm not afraid to admit it. Maybe not so much a bad blogger as I am a slacker blogger? It seems like so much has been going on and yet at the same time, absolutely nothing has been. Summer is flying by. I have to go back to work on the 12th and I feel like that will be here in the blink of an eye. I dread it. I LOVE being home with my babies and getting a paycheck at the same time (I know, I know, it's just not fair, but remember I CHOOSE to have my pay spread out over 12 months even though I truly only get paid for 10 contract months). Too bad I have to work the other 10 months of the year in order to get that paycheck in the summer.

The kids are doing great, Chase does not want to go back to school and has decided first grade will be too hard. I'm sure that attitude will change and he'll be fine, but new things are always scary. Last year I saw him a lot during the day because I had to go by his class to get into the building. This year that won't happen because I am being moved to a different spot in the building. Makes me a little sad. He tests for his black stripe in karate on Saturday. He is very excited about that. I was looking at him the other day and he is starting to get so big. I can't believe he'll be 7 next year. Ugh, it's bittersweet. He's really independent and awesome and fun, but I miss that little boy sometimes too. I keep reminding myself to savor every moment because it's going fast!

Emery is growing by leaps and bounds. Her vocabulary astounds me and more than once I've had people question her age because surely a 21 month old can't talk like she does. I kid you not, she goes nonstop and you can understand at least 85% of it. She has also started to sing. She has a fake microphone and will walk around singing into it. She dances anytime she hears music. A-Dorable! She loves purses, baby dolls, and anything princess. She thinks she is as big as Chase and tries to do everything he does. She gives huge hugs and lots of kisses. She is a very happy little girl and I love it!

On the 13th I had a birthday. Sadly I am now closer to 40 than I am 30. How the heck did that happen????? I mean seriously, how did that happen??!??!! I actually forgot my birthday was coming until my aunt reminded me. I guess that happens as you get older. They just aren't the same as they used to be. Your whole childhood you can't wait to grow up and then when you're finally grown-up you wish you were younger again. *sigh* So tis life I suppose.

By the way, please keep sending those prayers for Jeff's cousin Wade. If your a facebooker you can search for Prayers for Wade and follow what's going on. Mostly good days right now, but still need all the prayers possible! TIA!

Until next time....

***I am grateful for
1) I know that Chase will do great with his testing
2) the summertime I have left
3) all the rain we've been getting, pray for more
4) vacuum cleaners
5) washing machines

A very wise man once said...

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~ Dr. Seuss

My friend, Amanda, posted this on FB and immediately I knew it was one to be remembered.

****I am grateful for
1) quotable quotes
2) things that sit and make you think
3) the rain we've gotten
4) those quiet moments by yourself
5) continued prayers

Prayers needed

I've mentioned Jeff's cousin that is battling cancer on here before to ask for prayers and now I'm going to do it again. Wade is 6 days older than I am, that is so young. He is a son, a brother, a father, a husband, a cousin, a friend. He is one of the nicest guys I know and I adore both him and his wife. They are some of my favorite in-laws. They have a little boy and a little girl. He has been battling cancer for many years now. It's been a lot of up and a lot of down. Recently the news was that all of the spots had grown and they ended up starting a trial pill form of chemo this last weekend. Then he started coughing up blood. For fear of getting the details wrong (my head just swirls as I listen because I have a hard time comprehending that something so bad can happen to someone so nice) I will just say that the news has not gotten better. I can't imagine what Wade and Katie are feeling, I can't imagine what his parents are feeling. You have a child that you would do anything to protect and yet something is attacking them that you can't control. Just can't comprehend it at all. If you have minute, it doesn't take long, please lift them up in your prayers. For strength, for healing, for understanding, for a miracle. I would be forever grateful.

****I am grateful for
1) family that prays
2) friends that pray
3) knowing God hears our prayers
4) having faith
5) knowledge that we are never alone, no matter how alone we might feel

Our Little Princess (literally)

Last Saturday Emery was in her first pageant and it was adorable. Now I'm not talking Toddlers and Tiaras, but a natural pageant. No make-up, Sunday best, down home, cute kiddos kind. Yes, there was a glitz part, but we didn't do that one. I really just did it for fun, but now I'm thinking we are going to do more. I know for sure we are doing one in November. Above she is wearing her Princess crown and she loves it. In the beauty portion she got most photogenic, best personality and princess (1st runner up). In the swimsuit portion she got queen. She was a little unsure at times, but for her first pageant, she did great! Here are the pictures that I took at a local park. The first two are the ones that gave her the most photogenic title.





Here she is in the "summer" portion of the pageant.

Here she is being crown queen in the swimsuit pageant. This little girls just melts my heart. I still can't believe she is 21 months old (as of the 12th). Time is just flying!


****I am grateful for
1) 21 awesome, wonderful, oh-my-gawd how did I get so lucky months!
2) one month of summer vacation still left (well, almost one whole month)
3) Humpday
4) the smell of fresh cut grass
5) problems being solved

Finishing up Disney (for now)

I'm thinking I'd better go ahead and finish up Disney so I can move on to other things! So, here we go (for now)....

I swear Emery was just amazed the entire time

Emery and Minnie became fast friends

Emery did NOT want to let her go

Isn't it amazing that even the clouds at Disney World look like Mickey (can you see him looking to the left?)

Emery LOVED every single princess, and they loved her

Chase was quite smitten as well (I love the look on his face)

This is how they looked as we left Disney, I think they were already dreaming of our next trip (which believe it or not, is already in the makings!)

****I am grateful for
1) a wonderful family vacation
2) birthdays
3) exciting things on the horizon
4) Disney and getting to experience it through the eyes of my children
5) my family, oh I how love them

Back to Disney World

Emery was up bright and early (not really) the next day to hit Hollywood Studios.

Chase's spaghetti cupcake at lunch... creative!

Riding Star Tours, one of Chase's favorites! The new ride is really neat and Chase got to ride it like 7 times while we were there!

We ate LOTS of popcorn.
Uncle Will and Emery kicked bootie on Toy Story Mania!

Fantasmic was just as awesome as last time!


When we got back to the hotel Emery was a little sad because she didn't want to nap and miss all the fun. One of the Mousekeepers had found this balloon left behind in another room and thought it would cheer her up... it did!

Finally Mommy gave in and let Emery get in on the swimming fun.

That evening we were off to Magic Kingdom again to dine at Crystal Palace... Jeff's favorite! The kids liked it too!


Another great day!

****I am grateful for
1) the rain, it's been awesome!
2) my Tahoe is fixed and I have power steering again
3) vacuumed floors
4) still got over a month of summer
5) Hump Day

Happy Fourth of July

Trying to get these two to sit still at the same time is pretty much impossible, so this is as good as it gets! Happy Independence Day America and thank you to all of those that have served are serving to bring us our freedom!




And just because he is awesome enough to let the lizard do it:


****I am grateful for
1) a great weekend
2) freedom
3) those that sacrifice for others
4) rain is coming
5) much needed breaks