3/17 or 4/22

Whether you choose the 17th of March or the 22nd of April, it still means one thing---FIVE YEARS.

And so for our 5 year anniversary I asked Justin for a photo shoot--just him and I. I had all these grand ideas and had even sent Ms. Katy a number of ideas so that she had an idea of what I was going for--yes, I am that client! 

But when it came down to it, it felt weird for it to be just Justin and I. After all, our family grew by 4 feet over the past five years and not to include them just seemed wrong. So the week before our shoot we scratched a number of my ideas and just decided to focus on ALL of us & sneak a few of Justin and I in. 

About a month ago, Justin left part of the KC Star behind and on the front of the section was the Red Bridge Road and the LOCK of LOVE. I knew we had to have our photo shoot here and that we would place our own lock onto the bridge and have the boys toss the keys into the creek below & that is exactly what we did. We met Ms. Katy right before sunset and the rest well, she captured it perfectly. 

Thank you Katy--you have an amazing ability to capture our boys and our family. I hope one day that my images capture the emotion and love that you are able to!

*pictures are courtesy of Katy Gitto Photography.

Three Hundred Sixty Five Days Later...

Its really amazing what a difference a year can make. This weekend marked our first anniversary in our new home and when I actually sit down and think about, it seems like we have been here a lot longer than that. I can hardly remember everything that went on that day but I do know that it started out looking a little like this…

and then after the first few days of unpacking we fell right into the swing of things and invited over our friends and family for some BBQ. Like I said, its amazing what a difference a year can make, get a load of Kaden & Madi...

and Logan, well he doesn't even look like the same kid either. When we moved into the house last year I was planning his first birthday and here I am planning his second birthday---guess thats how it goes. Its just kind of nuts to think that he has spent more time in this home than he did in the one that we brought him home to from the hospital. 

Some of my favorite memories from our first year here were our family walks around the lake, covering the driveway with chalk, hearing the boys laughing and giggling as they chase the dogs around the backyard. Our first Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween--heck every holiday for that matter. And although we might not have any more FIRST holidays or First BBQs, we will be making many MORE memories here in our home. And if the next 20 years are anywhere close to what this first year has been for us, we are in for one pretty good adventure.

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I should also probably mention that I do think about the 8806 house. After all it was Justin's first home purchase, where we started our lives as husband and wife,  where we brought both boys home to & had one pretty amazing roomie-Jamie. I drive by about once a month to see how it looks and to see if there are any changes that they have made and to hopefully catch a few old neighbors outside playing to give a friendly wave. When I drove by this past weekend I just had to smile, it looked as though it did 5 years ago with 5 cars parked outside the house early on a Sunday morning. Before marriage, before kids you could about bet your money on it that we would have at least a few people sleeping on the couch after a fun night out. Its good to see that the new owner is enjoying it as much as we did!

thirty-two

Today my husband turned thirty-two. As in 3-2.

And although today didn't go as either of us would have liked--I can still sit here and say that I am more in love with him today than the day we got married. Not just because he is an amazing father to our two boys. Not just because he does the grocery shopping, the cooking, the dog poop picking upping. Or that he takes out the trash, fills my car up with gas, helps with the laundry & takes care of EVERYTHING that is yard work. Not because he always makes sure that I have my Sonic Iced Tea each day. But because he does these things to make my life easier. He does all these things to show just how much he loves me & I think its important to let him know just how much he is appreciated and loved too.

This life that we have, that we share-wouldn't be possible without him, he contributes far more than his share and although these words might be a good start to showing how much I appreciate him, they will never quite show the magnitude and depth of my love & appreciation.

Thank you honey, for everything. Happy 32nd Birthday. The boys & I love you thissssssssssss much.

Easter 2013

Easter 2013 was pretty perfect-the only thing that would have made it better would have been seeing my sister & her family. & my Grandpa Hartley. & Grandma Earl. So there were a lot of things that would have made the day better but it was still very special day filled with family and love.

This year we decided to host Easter Brunch at our house. Justin's aunt & uncle were coming in from Columbia & they were brining their granddaughter. My mom and dad decided to come up. My brother & his family came up a day early and spent the night with us. And to round out our party we had Justin's brother and his family & Justin's mom.

We woke up and started the morning out with baths. After baths were over we headed down to see what the Easter Bunny had brought the boys. They were excited when they found Woody and Buzz waiting beside a basket full of eggs.

Maddie was pretty excited too.

Not too mention she was oh so adorable in her Easter dress.

Side note…if I had a girl, I would totally go broke. I mean it would be a dress for every occasion.

As soon as I brought out the kids table, Logan plopped down and didn't move until he food was served to him. He literally sat there for 30 minutes with a fork in hand before we gave in and gave the little guy some food. He just wanted to eat...

After brunch, it was hunting time.

Once all the eggs were found it was time to break them open and see what kind of goodies were inside. A big thank you to the Easter Bunny, he got my message and LIMITED the chocolate. These eggs were filled with money, Squinkies & Zig Em's--perfect for three little boys.

After the first round of hunting the boys wanted to hunt again so Grandma Sara hid all the eggs. We sat the boys back down at the starting line & when we gave them the green light they were off. They reached the eggs. Picked up the eggs. Shook the eggs. & when it didn't make noise they tossed it aside on the grass. They proceeded to the next closest egg & hoped for a different outcome but no such luck. After realizing the eggs were all empty, they quickly lost interest and just went to playing.

Although Easter was full of family, fun, & lots of food the true meaning of Easter was there with us too. Because of Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice for us, we have the promise of eternal life. And before spending eternity with Him, I get to spend this life on Earth with the two most amazing little boys-the most amazing gift I will ever receive & its all because of Him. God is Good.