bullet train

I wish there was a bullet train to get us from Naples to the east coast because I'd be on it every weekend. I love the time for cousins and seeing others love on my babes makes my heart skip a beat. Then it gives me a time to peek into the future of what our kids will be doing in just a few short years. Everyone I meet says "enjoy it, it goes so fast" and I couldn't agree more because we were there to celebrate Douglas' 7th birthday! SEVEN??! He's still in the 4 range to me because I have a hard time letting kids grow up in my mind. It's pretty cool the way my sisters and I have our kids so evenly spaced out popping out a kid every couple of years so all of the stages are represented from 4 months to 15 years old! 3 boys and 3 girls and lots of love between all of them. Here's Douglas blowing out his candles in his Karate shirt in which is quite the pro lately!
I can't believe how nice "Gracie Pie" is to everyone. Lily follows her around like a little puppy dog and you hear "Gracie Pie, where are you? Come here" over and over and Grace is so patient and SUCH a great role model for Lillers too. And stunningly beautiful too. She was talking to me and I just thought "omg, you're stunning" so I snapped a picture. Beautiful heart too. My favorite part of Gracie Pie.

and the backyard swing is always a favorite - especially spinning round and round so fast making lily stumble all over the yard afterwards like she's had too many drinks.

and feeding the ducks is a tradition everyone loves... i have a picture of me fishing with my gpa out by our lake in our backyard when I was Lily's age...it's a precious picture to me and I can't help but to think of that when I see this picture.

and going for walks. Lily prefers to do the walking and pushing of the stroller instead of being the passenger.

oh and this little wonder...I can't say how hard we have all fallen for him...it's indescribable! Never did I think there was that much love internally ...he makes my heart feel soft and gushy. Truly. especially when he flashes that smile...
and Lillers is growing up right before our eyes trying to do everything that big girls do...she's obsessed with calling people on the phone, says "Bless You" to anyone she hears sneeze within a 2 mile radius, loves to kneel at church to pray, asks "where we going?" as soon as she wakes up in the morning and after naptime, asks to drive her barbie car about 126 times per day, asks to ride her tricycle about 87 times per day, recites rules back to you like she's reading them from a book, has a tantrum then will say "Why me do that mommy?" 5 minutes later, desperately tries to count to 10 in spanish like Dora and it comes out hilariously different everytime, loves to dance which looks more like a bounce, talks all of the time in multiple sentences with wrong grammar which we love, and she's LOVING for these sticker charts for being a good listener....and so are we! (thanks Tina) They're themed by characters and she's blown through a dora, mario and hello kitty one and displays them proudly in our house.

enjoying picnics at the park with the big kids...

i heart this picture...and these kids so much!


taken a few weeks ago...

Lately I've been having overwhelming feelings of thanks that these babies were placed in our arms, in our hearts and the responsibility that goes along with it leaves me in awe and inspired. I just want to do right by them and I learn more from them everyday. In the grand scheme of things, it's really all that matters.

Life is good.

My Heart

I love love! Sounds cheesy, but I do. When I taught first grade, my kids always knew that was my favorite word in the dictionary and would write it all over their drawings of rainbows because I would never pick a favorite color when they asked. Feeling the love, the love cup and love is in the air were themes plastered in those 4 walls. I especially love the song by Brad Paisley All Because Two People Fell in Love because that's all I can think about on Valentine's Day. There are so many people out there that fell in love and created their children from that love and marinate in their family love everyday. It's hard work day in and day out to not let the daily grind take over and work to appreciate each other every day, focusing on the positive. On Valentine's Day, it's time to celebrate that love and I can't believe we are 2 of those millions parents out there that get to celebrate their children today too....

Jen took these pictures and I've looked at them a million and 2 times. Not because they are beautiful with perfect lighting and adorable clothes, but because she captured our heart and put it into photographs. I sometimes sit back and can't believe they're here, they're healthy and they're ours to laugh and cry with everyday. I saw these pictures after a particularly hard morning with the Lillers and was a puddle of tears...this is the true Lily I see and love every day and just what the doctor ordered even if she wasn't herself that morning. Thank you for these gifts Jen; i know you know what they mean to me.



This little guy shows us his heart everyday with his infectious smiles, chill demeanor and giggles over anything under the sun. I'll see him scan the room looking for eye contact from anyone and then kicks wildly with his wide open-mouth smiles when he makes contact. It's like he plays laser tag with his smiles and tries to hit as many innocent bystanders as possible in one day. He melts them. And me. He's sitting in my lap right now and I think he has narcolepsy like Lily because he was just cooing and kicking away minutes ago and suddenly I just started to hear him snoring and now he's slumped over laying in my lap. Maybe I'm boring him. Whoever said boys are hard to dress cute has never put them in a sweater vest. Are you kidding me with this? (gnawing on monitor) Vests are a must have for every Sunday at church..I have one in every color and pattern..



peekaboo...



I had to do a double take on this picture because I almost didn't recognize my own daughter! She looks about 7 years old here! And a lot like me!! First time I can see it.

if you take an x-ray of my heart and this is what you'd see...



Jen snapped this when Grady was crying to eat...Lily had her hands up in the air saying "why grady crying mommy?"



Our almost 3 year old is growing up right before our eyes...such an amazing transformation. I dont know who's having more fun...her or us?



And Grady's soul mate Ella. Andrea and I tried desperately to get pregnant and prayed like crazy for each other. Turns out God wanted them to be born together; as in one day apart. As were our showers and their baptism without even planning it She is as sweet as she looks. This is Grady's first friend and I can see the prom pictures now.

You might remember this picture from the hospital when we snuck over to Ella's room ducking past security who don't like babies to float around the hallways for some reason.


and now they're awake to finally see each other face to face...



Life is good.

Cribbin' It...

This Grady is too much. I can't get enough of his sweetness. Look at him as he's going to sleep every night...we just moved him to his big boy crib last week and he's all smiles. He's actually sleeping better there than in the bassinet because I think we were waking him up when we woke up in the morning and his room is A LOT darker...kinda like a cave! The only problem it feels like he's 7 miles away being upstairs and looks like a tiny ant in this big crib. Especially looks like an ant when he's in his miracle blanket which is truly a miracle. We thank Allison every night for buying this for us! Have I mentioned how much I love this blanket? And especially the little boy in it. He goes to bed and wakes up like this! All smiles. All he wants is to be loved and it's such a powerful lesson. He doesn't care if the laundry is caught up or the house is tidy, he just wants to be loved. How simple, basic, and beautiful is that?

life is good.

playing and what babies do...

Some more video fun...i can't get enough of these two together...

same video of them playing just different upload steps...

can't see video? Click here

We are always telling Lily what big girls do so she thinks that babies do the exact opposite. Like big girls use nice words, then that must mean babies are mean and yell. If big girls use nice hands, then babies hit their mommy and daddy. If big girls clean up their toys, then babies must throw them across the room. Poor babies get a bad rap in her mind. She likes to act out both versions. For example...

can't see video? see here

Around the House

I think I have the record for most posts titled "around the house" or "random pictures". I can never think of a clever'er (yes, that's a word I just made up) title because my pictures are always so random

I had to take a breather from pictures and videos because I thought I'd drown and still feel that way, but here's just a little taste of life. Probably more like 10%.


I can't say i "looooooved" lily's newborn weeks/months because I was SOOO overwhelmed with caring for our first newborn, trying to breastfeed and feeling like I was failing her because she was losing weight, post tramautic stress from her delivery and a few health scares we had with her (that turned out ok) so I don't remember that time with a lot of carefree adoration. I remember saying "next week will be easier" which was the mantra Colleen told me tell myself and it was SOOOOO true! It did get easier every week. But with Grady, I havent felt that way at all and I feel like I'm enjoying newborn phase for the first time with true appreciation for how sweet and fleeting it is. I feel like a broken record, but I truly can't believe how sweet this boy is. I tell him all the time, but I wish he could understand. I dont think kids ever truly understand or grasp it until they have their own. I think Lily is a big fan too! She is so gentle and sweet with him which makes me love her even more which I didnt think possible. And Grady flashes these big open mouth smiles to anyone which makes me think he's hung the moon. And then the 2 of them together? It's like heart combustion explosion time. And when I talk to other parents, it's crazy because they feel the exact. same. way. about their kids which is so uber cool I can't stand it. Whether they're kids are young or old, the feelings are universal.


I've taken his monthly pictures on time, but haven't posted them on time. Here he is in MY FAVORITE jammies ever known to mankind on him!! Thank you Janet. I'll keep these forever and he's in them as soon as they come out of the dryer. The little feetsy have faux baseball shoes on them!

Lily got really sick right before I did over break and spent some serious cuddles in bed with us. It was heavenly even though I felt so badly for her.

Grady was busy being an elf making presents for family at our local pottery joint....look at those little feetsy! oh my goodness! Did I say "feetsy" 2x in one post?

My Godmother Jan sent us this in the mail as a surprise and it made me cry when I opened it. Never did I think this would happen to us that we'd be able to have an ornament like this. When I read back in my diary while TTC and I can't tell you how I BEGGED the universe for this.


Thanks Lindsey for telling us about this awesome neighborhood park I didn't know about that's right around the corner from us! Lily was all smiles, but I can't say she's really a park snob since they're all the same to her and she could go to the same park 3x a day and she'd be a happy camper. I never knew kids loved parks so much, but holy moly this girl is a true addict! Grady just chills on the sidelines taking it all in.


Not sure if i posted this picture bc it was in photobucket, but look how cute he looks on the scale with his little hat. It's worth reposting if I already did.

My dad was waiting for Lily at the bottom of the slide and kept saying over and over "Ready, set, go! I'll be here for you to catch you if you fall." I was so taken aback by that because it is so symbolic of how our parents raised us feeling they'd be there for us no matter what and now we, along with all the other parents out there who think their kids hung the moon too, are paying it forward to their own kids.

Truly amazing!


life is good.

videos

Lily usually asks for our help on the potty, but lately wants to do it all herself even though she can barely manage it all. Usually she realizes this mid-pee and calls for our help. But, there's always an announcement or declaration of some sort to let us know it's about to commence. Well, this time, she came bounding into the den and said she had just already gone poopoo in the potty. I barely believed her, but she kept insisting and then grabbed my hand and proudly escorted me to the potty. She didnt want me to flush it because she wanted to show daddy. When he got home, she wanted to save it to show Santa. lol

(if u listen closely, when i ask her what she did, she reenacts the deed and even throws a grunt in there)

can't see video? click here

Here's Grady ala Bob Marley. He's so chill and happy all of the time I swear he sings "Don't Worry. Be Happy" in his sleep!



can't see video? click here

This is before Christmas when all she could think about was that stinkin' Barbie car.

can't see video? click here



And here she is for the first time in it. I love how her head jets back after she hops in the first time.

can't see video? click here

life is good.

holiday break

I love when everyone is off work together at the same time; it's like a giant game of Senior Skip Day except no one gets in trouble. And I think this would be an example of "parallel play". Holy good posture Lillers.

she's obsessed with computers and can't put down her new LeapTop. We finally just took the time to personalize it tonight, added her favorite songs and can't wait to see how surprised she is tomorrow when she logs on and it says "Hi Lily" then gets emails from Grandma, Papa and Daddy. She'll freak out!
She was talking to Grady showing him how to play her computer. This pic is pre-leaptop and look how focused she is. I want to wake her up just to show her all the new tricks we added.
I was sick as a dog few weeks ago. Like really sick. Like couldn't get out of bed and be vertical for longer than 30 seconds without almost fainting or crawling to the bathroom. Seriously, can't remember a time I felt worse, but thankfully it was short lived! Since I was worried DCF was going to my house and take my kids due to neglect, Dad took Lily to the park and Grady slept while I moaned. Finally, I had to call David to come home from work. It was that bad. I told Dad to take Lily for an hour or so while i santized the house, but he missed that detail and was waiting for me to text him that it was okay to come home. He was at the park for over 3 hours! OMG! They both had a blast...not sure who had more fun! THANK YOU DAD/PAPA!!! Isn't he so cute?



Brian and the little cuddlebug G-Money...

Lily the multi-tasker. She was playing Candyland with Grace and Katie while playing on the computer. Then Daddy called so she kept doing both and discussed the events of her day.

Somehow Molly talked me into a last minute trip to the east coast by myself! As in with 2 kids, but without David. David and I have a nice rhythm when we travel together and to do that with 2 kids alone seemed impossible, but with all the helping hands over there, it was a cinch. Packing, on the other hand, was not. Midway through packing, I texted Molly I was going to borrow everything of hers because I ran out of brain power to pack for myself. So glad I did it and will be doing it again soon for sure! We took the herd bowling and I can't believe I have a kid old enough to bowl. Well, kinda...



Tonight, Lily randomly asked "where's bob"? and I said "do u mean Grandma's Bob?" and she said "No, not Grandma's Bob. Where is MYyyyy Bob?" awww.
I have no understanding for how Bob was able to pull this bowling move off. Seriously, this picture could be put next to Gumby and he'd have some competition.

one of the cutest bowlers I've ever seen...

The Wii was under our tree this year and oh what a fun family game this is....Lily sat with Brian forever watching intently and pretending to play along. She especially liked the "Just Dance" game. OMG! I just realized David is in the background cleaning up spit up on his brand new t-shirt. David and spit up don't go together. David always looks at it like he's scared of it when it happens to him.

and the budding artists...

My mom bought the book "Guess How Much I Miss You" where she recorded her voice reading the story to Lily and Grady. It's super cool and Lily has listened to it about 100 times! It seemed a little ghost-like at first, but it's kinda nice having Grandma around all the time. haha I love the way Grace is looking her Grandma.

love this picture...Tara, you have a keeper...just sayin.


Look! We all survived Senior Skip Day and no one was suspended. Life is good.

Merry Christmas

If I could put all my pictures I've taken and received in the last few weeks and put them in a pile, I'd be buried alive in them. I'd be buried with the ones I love at least. I'm swimming in pictures I've taken; actually drowning because there are so many good ones, but here's just a taste in this post. I feel like I've been running and going for weeks now and although it's overwhelming at times, I absolutely love and thrive on it. It's what life is all about and I keep thinking of this song "You're Going to Miss This" by Trace Adkins every time it gets to feel like it's too much. I seriously sung this song in my head last week when Lily was having a full fledged tantrum in the middle of Target because I wouldnt let her play with the computer customers use to register for weddings and babies. Of course I was in the middle of checking out so there was no quick exit, but had to mentally sing this song to try to keep my cool. And I wish I could leave this wall up all year long because I feel so loved every time I walk by it.


and feeling the love when I see my kids with their cousins (missing Allison and Anna) acting like they are siblings without the rivalry...Jen took this picture and I just love how almost every age is represented and they all learn from each other in so many different ways.


and my little guys on Christmas morning was enough to make my heart skip a beat. Lily opened her favorite gift first (Leapfrog computer) and wanted nothing to do with the 30 gabillion other presents under the tree and it was like pulling teeth to have her tear into the next present when all she wanted was scissors and batteries (pronounced "batter-berries") to play with her new computer. My fault for handing her the first gift I saw, not thinking what was inside of it, instead of strategizing better. I think she's actually holding the computer in this picture because it was the first one taken of the day.


David-Mr.-Never-Takes-a-Picture-And-We'd-Have-No-Pictures-If-Kelly-Didn't-Take-Them-All wanted this posed picture of the kids so I happily obliged. Kinda cute how they are camoflauged in the picture. Kinda sick how many presents they got this year. My house looks like Toys_R_Us threw up in our great room.

Oh and the Barbie Car! We had her go on a scavenger hunt to look for the big present. We did this as kids so of course have to repeat the tradition in our house. She was losing steam after the 4th clue so I reminded her of what she wanted for Christmas and she said "Barbie Car" to keep her enthusiasm up, but she thought presents were over and she got sad saying "Me No Get Barbie Car fwum Santa". One more clue later and she was zooming away.


Seriously, this is one of the cutest dam things I've ever laid eyes on and to see her zipping around not able to steer going through the grass makes my stomach hurt from laughing.

I told her I wanted a picture of her looking at me in her new car to show Santa and she INSISTED on posing like this. As I was about to take it she gets out and says, "No, no mommy. Wait. (holding up her hand) Me do it like dis' mommy".

Where does she get these ideas? HILARIOUS!!

Is there anything better than seeing your kids happy? Seriously! It's like a high and I don't even like drugs.

And Little Grady just took it all in just asking for cuddles which he gots TONS of. I swear everyone should have a newborn to snuggle with on Christmas - they're extra snuggly for sure! It's the weather, the sentimentality of Christmas, the smells, the families gathering, the newness of a baby all combine for extra yumminess. And yummy he is. I saw some people gnawing on his cheeks for good luck, but they're not edible.


Bob's son Brian joined us this year and he's not like part of the family; he is family. Hands down no questions asked; he fits in with this nutty bunch like a glove. And what a natural he is with kids...all of them at any age!


and what can I say about Katie Bug? She's perfect in every way and hope my kids turn out just like her when they're her age. She can do it all. She'll play a game of CandyLand with the little ones then join us on the patio and talk to all the grown ups about the latest tween fads.


I. LOVE. THIS. PICTURE!! Jen must've taken it because I didnt and it was on my camera when I was loading them all on. This shows his sweetness times gabillion. Those eyes and cheeks melt me like an ice cube. (gnawing on computer screen)


I think Grace and Lily are sisters separated by birth. They go off and play for hours and have so much fun. Grace is such a great role model for Lily and shows her how to play nicely, take turns, and have lots of fun all the while being so patient and loving towards her. I could spy on them forever! & maybe I do. :)





My house still kinda looks like this right now; minus the people. This is the same shot taken the last couple of years, but we have a few more wrinkles and that much more love for each other.




and the famous pool picture that just seems to fit everyone just right. The setting is kinda like our family; this crazy puzzle of different personalities that all mesh together and are there for each other no matter what curve balls are sent our way. That's a super cool feeling.


more to come...

life is good :)