Seven years. Seven.
Cole and I have had the best seven years thanks to this little guy.

I miss his little voice. so much.

These moments over the years compiled together like this are enough to make my mother heart explode with pure happiness. I want to say so much more. But I'm not. Because it will take me 45 minutes to come up with a good paragraph... and right now I want to be there. and not here.

I'm a proud Mom.
Everyday I'm thankful for him in my life.



(Thanks to my dear El who kept putting her hand in front of the camera, I didn't get all of his goals... but you get the idea.)

5 months

Where does the time go?

She loves to hold her feet, suck on her bottom lip, smile her sweet smile with the most adorable dimple in her left cheek, laugh at her big brother & sister, roll all over the place, prop herself up on her forearms, hold her toys, put everything in her mouth, grab at anything, sleep on her stomach with her face buried into her mattress, sleep until 4:30 am, and be content.

I LOVE this baby. She makes me want at least a few more... whaaaaat!? (that was for you cole)

She loves to sit on her changing table and try to reach for those things hanging on the wall.

One has a favorite saying of mine on it:

"So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

Words couldn't be truer as I'm watching my children grow all too quickly right before my open eyes.

Love you Andie Janey girl

Our lives are the sum of each moment and interaction.

Each day we work, eat, laugh, teach, play, read, remember... and work at it all again the next day. Whithin seemingly small moments we find opportunity to build relationships, develop character, find joy, for the price of our time.

Life's most essential possibilities are realized at home.

Where we share, teach, grow, learn, serve, give our best without praise or fanfare.

Because every effort, every moment matters in the development of a person.

- seeing the everyday

First day of a new school year.

My little second grader, and preschooler:

These simple moments that fill up my day sure make me happy.

aj laughing.
it's pretty cute.

Special delivery:

Meet Pippa.

The newest member to our family.

I know, we just had a new arrival... let's just say we are in baby mode right now.

She is the softest little fluffy fur ball you ever did meet, and she is even cuter in person I swear.

We love her already for our night went like this:

11:00pm Pip to bed.

11:15pm Pip stops crying.

1:00 Pip wakes up. Dad takes her out for a bathroom break.

1:20 Pip is back in her crate and back to sleep.

4:00am Big sister wakes up. Pip wakes up. Baby wakes up.

Mom feeds baby. Takes puppy out. Everyone, back to sleep.

5:00am Dad wakes up for work.

Pip doesn't make a squeak.

7:45 baby's up. Puppy's up. Kids are up.

Successful Bathroom break.

Breakfast.

Another successful bathroom break.

Play time.

Nap time.

Blog time. ;)

A few of my favorites from our week long get away to the cabin.

There is no better place to get a family picture, and we have been in need of one seeing as how our family has grown. They went as expected. Ella had a rash and it kept interfering. I'm lucky I got a few without her hands between her legs. Using a tripod with a timer isn't the easiest way to get a good photo, but they will do for now. We also got a darling shot of the three together.

We hiked around the in the Uintah's.

The boys fished at the lake. Someone caught 14 fish and someone got 9. I won't mention names.

We went on lot's of walks. Played a little Vegas Showdown. 

And enjoyed some beautiful sunsets.

I'm already...

Most days I prefer my mom put me down with my blanket to snuggle into and fall fast asleep. I nap like a champ during the day and I'm up every hour during the night - although lately when I cry nobody comes. What's up with that!? I love to laugh for my big brother and sister, and give mom & dad the sweetest smiles. I am mellow. I have already rolled over twice from my back to my stomach! I have discovered this thing in my mouth they call a tongue. I like to stick it out and blow bubbles. My hands are in my mouth most of the time. I hear my mom telling people constantly not to touch my hands, or to sanitize their own! I have my second cold in four months. The first lasted for two of those four months. Thank you big sister for always holding my hand and talking right into my face. I can hear you from further away... but I have to admit I like you in my face all the same. Keep on ignoring mom. She needs to relax a little anyway.

Mom says I have been pure joy in her life since day one.

I'm 100% positive my Dad agrees.

Love,

Your little a.j.

stats.

12 lb. 12 oz.  |  29%

25 in. long  |  76%

head 41 1/2  |  62%