{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life...

 

{Pretty}

My beautiful daughter, always willing to smile, but especially because she is Daddy's girl.

 

{Happy}

 

It was so hard to pick just one thing that makes me happy, but right now, knowing these boys and spending time with them makes me so happy! I will miss my William at school, but he is happy and runs to school when I drop him off.

 

{Funny}

 

James was not too keen on the new "pet" Tommy rescued on the road.

 

{Real}

 

My kids would take photos like this all the time, if they could. 

 

 



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"Showering" with Love

 We are so excited that there will be another Reynolds grandchild coming in October!  Paul and Nichole are going to be such amazing parents, and this baby is already so loved. My home was the location for the baby shower, and I am still so happy with how well we can have parties in our home.  My sister-in-law made an amazing family tree for fingerprints for all the family and party guests.

 Pinterest helped made some really cool ideas come to live in my home.  I spent a lot of time looking on there.

 The baby's cousins!  Emma changed so she could be as fancy as Mia. 

 Although I love parties, I was so grateful to have help with the games and food, and other decorations.  Guess the belly size was won by Grandma who was exact!!

 Guess the melted candy bars in the diapers.  I loved how seriously Emma played.  Although Mia's face is priceless.

 Preview of future attractions for Paul. 

 Isn't this absolutely stunning?!?  She did all that by hand!!!! 

 This is the view from above, with the catwalk, and I was trying to show how big the space is when things are moved around. 

 

 Time to feel the baby move. 

This sangria (my first time making it ever!) was a huge hit.  Easy recipe from Pinterest.  I wanted to find a blue sangria for the baby boy that was coming. 

Back to School 2013

 First day of school for my cuties!!

5th Grade!

3rd Grade!

And, presenting, for the first time at this school, my Kindergarten child William!!

 I asked William who he wanted to walk him to his class.  He said nobody.  He knew where to go.  I finally said, well, would you let someone walk you, please?  He said, "Well, Patrick and Emma can follow me.  I know where to go."  Love it!!!

This is our amazing principal who is beginning his 18th year at All Saints.  We are so blessed to have him in our community, and I just love seeing all the smiles from the kids.  One of my good friends took this photo, and I was absolutely tickled pink to get it. 

Let's Get Ready for a New School Year!!!!!!

 

 I have a kindergartener!  My William found his seat, did a hunt around the classroom, and learned about being a "Top Dog" in his class.

 The longer we stayed at school, the more excited we got!  It was back to school day where we meet the teachers, the kids bring in their supplies and we get them comfortable with their new year start.

I am so tickled that he is READY!

 Fifth Grade!  I think he looks so old in this photo. 

 Third grade!

 Photo bomb!

Here they are: the new students for the '13-'14 school year.  (Emma is wearing her shoes with the heels, but yes, she is tall.)

Feeling Very Blessed

We had a very busy week last week with some basketball camp for Emma, birthday for Patrick and getting ready for school.  The week started on an extra busy note as we came home from our errands.  We saw smoke coming from our side of the street, and until we go closer it looked like it was OUR house, but it turned out to be our neighbor's house, 2 houses down.  As we pulled up, we saw a lady already on the phone with 911.

I had all 4 kids, who were panicking by now, and sent them inside (but James to bed for a nap, and let the kids watch TV- Disney Junior is calming).  I went around to the back to see and I had this view of the rear of their house.  No one was home (thank the Lord!) but they had some animals that they needed to get out.  The firemen called it a 2 alarm fire, and we had 6 fire trucks, 3 ambulances, and 3 fire chief trucks.  Our whole street was blocked off, and it was so scary for us.  The positive side is that we got to meet many of our neighbors and get some phone numbers in case of any other emergency. 

The big kids did see the fire, and I let them come out periodically to watch the ladders at work.  I know it was a lot for them to handle, and to see the damage and to know that the family is no longer there because of the fire really hits home with the kids.  It began in the 2nd floor, and up in the attic and we are still waiting to hear what the cause was.  The heat melted the siding on the houses right next to it, and I am grateful that our homes are not close together.

We were driving through town a couple days later, and saw a fire truck go in the direction of our neighborhood, and all the kids in the car stopped talking.  Each one of them asked if it was going to our house.  I admit that my heart sank just seeing that, and each time I have heard sirens while at home.  We are learning to be more thankful of all our "things" and our comforts, and have been sure to make a schedule to change our smoke detector batteries.  

House of Silliness

 Gotta have your accessories!

 Give me a little kung fu action.

 Obi-wan must have his headband and lightsaber.

 Oh he is going to kill me for this one when he gets older.

:)