Christmas 2013

I wrote a post a few week back over at Des Moines Moms Blog about letting go of the perfect Christmas. Turns out I was writing this post to myself because little did I know at the time that I wrote that post that I would really need to take every single bit of my own advice from that post. You see, I came down with an awful case of stomach flu on Saturday night that hung on hard and mighty all day Sunday most of the day Monday and only started to lessen it's grip a little on Christmas Eve afternoon.

I had grand plans of my family going to church, my boys standing in front of the Christmas tree for pictures in their brand new outfits, coming home to a yummy meal of appetizers and sipping on wine while we opened presents. Instead we watched church online ate sandwiches and all hung out in out pajamas and it was really, really wonderful. I had already promised myself, even before I came down with the flu, that this Christmas  I was going to roll with the punches and just enjoy no matter what happened and I'm SO happy to say that I did just that. Truly the only thing I missed on Christmas Eve was being able to attend Christmas Eve service at our church.   We had the best night opening presents and hanging out together as a family just soaking up the evening.

I hope you all enjoyed a peaceful and memorable Christmas with the ones you love.

Here are a few of the highlights of our Christmas Season-

A Date With My Son at Disney on Ice

Drawing the Line

I knew this day would come. I could feel myself holding more and more back from all of you. I think long and hard before I post a story about my children on the blog anymore. I have done a lot of reviews and giveaways and have written some posts that are about me or motherhood but I have kept the most important part of my heart - my children - to myself.

Before the last month or so I have never seen Drake get embarrassed. Sure he had done embarrassing things, but he did not know that he should or could feel embarrassed about it. But in the last few weeks I have seen him utterly and truly embarrassed and it broke my heart and put me on high alert. I know I will do things in the future to embarrass my kids. I'm guessing sometimes it will all be in fun and I will do it on purpose and other times they will be embarrassed of me or things I do whether it is justified or not.

Here is the thing - I don't want this blog to be a source of embarrassment for them.  In the world we live a quick Google search is all it takes for stories, pictures and all the information you need to know about a person is at your fingertips.  I know I can't protect my boys forever, but I can limit what I contribute to their "internet biography." I want them to make their own tracks in life- their own stories- if they want to write a  blog someday, great, but that is up to them.

So I guess what I'm saying is that the line has been drawn. This blog will continue but with a lot less of my sweet boys in it.  I will still share pictures of my boys from time to time and I'm sure every now and then I will pop in with a story or 2 about them, but for the most part I will do what a mother should do and hold the most precious and sensitive stories close to my heart just for me.

Growing up is hard to do...

What's On My Mind

On this cold and dreary Monday morning this is what I'm thinking about-

•  Drake had a lock down drill at his school on Friday. I can't even begin to tell you the heartbreak I felt as he told me "we had to pretend there was a bad shooter in the building and turn off all the lights and hide."  So, so sad that a lock down drill will now be the new normal for kids at school.

• I'm feeling really grateful for my husband lately. I have been gone a lot in the evenings the past month and my husband is wonderful about it. He never makes me feel guilty for being away and I love that I can leave and not have to give him directions on what to do with the kids because he already knows since he is such a big part of their care everyday anyway. I'm just so happy I get to do life with him

• I went to the Pink concert with my mom and sisters on Friday night. What.A.Show! Seriously, if you ever get the chance to see her concert, please do. Hand down the best show I've ever seen!

 

• Our church puts on a Turkey Mission Dinner every fall and gives 100% of the money away.  All the food is donated and the tickets are free (a free will donation is taken at the door). Two year ago the dinner raised $25,000. Last year $60,000 was raised and this year over $87,000 will be given away to Habit for Humanity and Imagine No Malaria. I get goosebumps just thinking of what God is doing in our church and how many lives will be changed as a result of this turkey dinner.

• This is my new favorite picture. I love how it captures everyday life at our house.  And Charlie's expression? Priceless! I wonder what he is plotting...

 

• I continue to be amazed at the distinct personality differences between our 2 boys. Drake is sensitive and emotional. He is a cuddler and over thinker. Charlie is wild and tough. He is busy and carefree.  They both bring so many great qualities  to our little family that I love.

And Here are a few links I'm loving right now-

• I did the Fresh 20 Meal planning a lot last winter and I'm ready to get back on the wagon again. Makes meal time SO much easier.


• Do you use Instagram? It is my favorite social media site. I would love to follow you! You can follow me here.


• I am loving these Design Dilemma posts on Young House Love. I think it would be so much fun to submit a room in our house and get some fresh ideas.


• Watch this. The message speaks to everyone.


• If you plan on buying any Fisher Price toys for the holidays here are some great coupons for you!


• I just got done reading this book. Wow, just, wow. Read it.


• I bought this cardigan for Drake last week. There is just something about little boys wearing grow-up clothes that melts my heart.

Have a wonderful week!

Disney on Ice Ticket Giveaway

Disney on Ice Coming to Wells Fargo Arena

We have had the opportunity to take Drake to Disney on Ice the last several years and it is quickly becoming a favorite Thanksgiving tradition of ours! We were so excited to hear that they will be back in Des Moines this Thanksgiving with a brand new show!

I am a Good Mom

Last night I was talking with a friend about motherhood. We were talking about how we felt like we were struggling in some areas- about how hard it can be and the guilt we carry around. I was telling her how I struggle to get a meal on the table for my family and how lately I feel like I am hardly keeping it together. I feel guilty about not getting down on the floor enough to play with my boys or for snapping at them in a harsh voice when all they want to do is ask me a question.  I wish that I had craft projects prepared that we could do together and that I could control them better in public. I just wish I was a better mom.

Today, that same friend sent me a link to a  video that has been floating around Facebook. Please take four minutes to watch it.  If you can't watch the video here is a quick overview-The video starts by showing moms being interviewed about what kind of mom they think they are. They are all very hard on themselves and list many of the same things that I listed above. The video then goes on to show their kids being interviewed about their moms. The kids rave about how wonderful their moms are and all the really great qualities that they have.

I cried through the whole entire video. It just hit so close to home for me.  I don't concentrate on the qualities that make me a good mom, but instead I focus on all the bad.

But you know what? I am a good mom. I love letting my boys crawl in bed with me in the morning and I cuddle and kiss and love on them. I take them on donut dates just because. I am teaching them to be kind and generous and forgiving. I love exposing them to new things and we go on lots of adventures together. I date my kids carving out special one-on-one time with them. I take pride in how they look and dress them well. I make cookies with them. I throw great birthday parties. I fill up their little pool hundreds of time in the summer just so they can swim for five minutes. I go all out for every single holiday. I have taught them about Jesus. I have pizza party picnics on the living room floor. I take time to pick out the perfect gift for them, one that I know they will love. I organize playdates. I started our special "Friday Festival" tradition. I love reading books with them. I try really, really hard to play superheros, I have dance parties with the music turned up way to loud. I love them so much my heart hurts. I am a good mom.

What an awesome thing it would be if we could all just see ourselves through our children's eyes, huh? I know that I'm going to try.

Making Memories at the Circus

I think one of the best parts of being a parent is seeing things through your child's eyes. Tonight Ben and I were lucky enough to get to experience seeing the circus through Drake's and Charlie's eyes.

Drake was so excited to go back to the circus again this year. He still talks about last years circus and he was hoping to see some of the same things again this year.

What I'm Loving Right Now-Fall Edition

I love the crisp fall air and the taste of pumpkin spice lattes. I love sweatshirts and yoga pants and covering up with big heavy blankets. I love everything about fall!

Here are some of the other fall things that are topping my list right now:

The TV Show The Blacklist

Has anybody else started watching this show? We watched the first 2 episodes on Hulu Saturday night and I was left wishing I had a whole entire season to binge watch. I can best describe the show as having the suspense of Scandal and the twists and turns of Revenge. I am so excited that a new episode is on tonight!

Ponte Pants from Target

These pants are genius! They are fitted like leggings but made of a thicker material. I wore mine yesterday with a sweater that did not quite cover my whole bottom. I could not have pulled that look off with regular thin leggings but these pants are thick enough that they are more pants than legging. I want a pair of these in every color! The best part is that they are very affordable. I bought mine for $25.00. You can order online here.

My Grandma's Apple Cake

I don't usually like fruit cakes, pies, etc but this cake is so yummy! I think the thing that makes this cake outstanding is the fact that it is not dry whatsoever. You can eat this cake plain or serve with a little ice cream or dollop of whipped cream. You must make this cake soon!

1/2 Cup margarine(can sub- 1/2 c. applesauce & 1 TBS. oil for a healthier option)
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup milk
21/2 Cups flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda&salt&vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 Cups chopped and peeled apples

Cream margarine and sugars, add beaten eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients. Add to creamed mixture alternately dry ingredients and milk. Add apple last.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 min in 9x13 greased pan. Bake for 22 min for muffins.

Painted Furniture

I always get so excited when I decided to do a project that I forget to take a before picture every.single.time and this project was no different. Our desk used to be a dark wood and although it looked nice, it was getting pretty scratched up and the dark color made it seem so heavy in our small room. The coat of white paint is just what it need to make it brighter and give it new life. The desk chair was a medium oak and although it was beautiful I wanted a color that would really pop with the white desk. I think I accomplished my goal with the sunny bright yellow color!

Drake's School Papers

I sometimes wonder how Drake really feels about Charlie. At home he seems pretty annoyed with him and really does not pay very much attention to him so you can imagine my surprise when he brought this home last week...



Incase you can't read it clearly it says "Drake was so happy when he spent time with Charlie."  Yep, I think it is safe to say that he loves his little brother just as much as we do. I love watching the relationship between my boys bloom and it has become one of my absolute favorite things.

What are you loving right now?

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Giveaway!

Remember how I told you last week that I would have a giveaway for you this week? Well I'm back giving away a four pack of tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged, Gold Edition show of your choice!

The Circus is Coming to Town!

The Circus is coming Des Moines!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged, Gold Edition will have 5 performances in Des Moines

Friday, October 18 – 7:00 PM (Opening Night Seats Are $17 Excluding VIP Floor and VIP)

Saturday, October 19 – 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Sunday, October 20 – 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

What I Don't Want to Forget

I have to start by saying I am so, so happy I have this blog. I love looking back at all my posts over the last five years and being taken back to a time when Drake was just a baby and reading about the struggles we had with reflux or flipping to the post about how the doctor could not find Charlie's heartbeat at the first appointment and the relief I felt after I finally heard it. I love being able to revisit moments again and again just through the words I have written. I don't write this blog for you or my family or even for my boys. I write it selfishly for me because I never, ever want to forget these days.

What I don't want to forget right now....



The look on Drake's face as he lined up at preschool for the first time. How his face was a mix of excitement and nervousness as he stood waiting to walk to his class. How after the teacher's helper asked what his name was and started to look for his name tag and it took just a little too long for Drake's liking he looked her right in the eye and said "It starts with a D. D-R-A-K-E." How I had to fight the warm tears from spilling down my cheeks as I smiled at him with pride.

I also don't want to forget how Charlie makes me feel so crazy and happy all at the same time. How he runs into my room and grabs 2 necklaces out of my jewelry chest and runs around the house twirling them around like a mad man. How he will run as fast as he can to the toilet when you are not looking just to splash around. How he has a temper but a charm that could soften the hardest of hearts.

I don't want to forget how Drake has been saying the sweetest and most thoughtful things. "Thanks for making me cookies, mom." or "Thanks for the special date night, mom and dad." He seems to really appreciate when people do something nice for him and it could not make my momma heart happier.

I don't want to forget how Charlie loves to read this interactive book about castles and how he can't get enough of the "evil laugh" button. He pushes it over and over and over and every time the evil laugh recording stops playing he does his own evil laugh. He then does that same evil laugh about 100 times a day as he does all of the crazy things he does.

I don't want to forget the nights that I let Drake sneak into our bed and cuddle and talk long after he is supposed to be in bed. How he told me would maybe like to be a doctor like Papa when he grows up but he thinks he better be a baker instead. How his little body still fits perfectly all curled up next to me.

I don't want to forget how Charlie loves to eat. How he could spend his whole day bringing you snack and says "please" over and over again until you open it. How he gets the biggest smile on his face when you give him what he wants and how it is next to impossible to resist his sweet little voice.

I don't want to forget how Drake and Charlie are as brothers. How they love and adore each other. How Charlie can pretty much take down his big brother at any time but his big brother does sneaky naughty things like push Charlie when he thinks I'm not looking. I don't want to forget how Drake thinks that he is Charlie's boss and tells me "Charlie is naughty but we still love him." or "Charlie will never learn" as he shakes his head over something Charlie has done.

I don't want to forget the sounds that come from downstairs as my husband plays with our boys as I fold laundry. How our boys adore him and how he loves those boys with his whole heart. How he kisses their cheeks a million times a day and lets the words "I love you" flow freely. How he comes up with impromptu breakfast dates out for donuts and how he would spend his whole entire day on the floor playing trains and cars and superheros.

These days...I just don't ever want to forget.

Be...

Dear Drake-

In 6 days you will start preschool. I will walk you into the building, give you a hug and kiss and watch over my shoulder as you start out on this brand new adventure. I know you will do wonderfully as you are already so excited to start this journey. I also know this will be way harder on me than you. As I think about you starting preschool, I can’t help but think of the things I hope and wish for you as I send you out a few hours a day into the world of school. A world that is exciting and scary and happy and sad. A world that will teach you so much and try and break you down. As I send you off these are the things I want you to know and carry with you, not just while you are in preschool, but through your whole life.

Be Curious

Never be afraid to ask questions. Dig for the answer if you have to. Have a desire to learn. Read books on all different subjects. Be curious about the world around you, there is so much more out there than this little town that we live in. Try new foods.  Explore new places. Ask why things work the way that do.  Always be willing to learn something new and you will be amazed at the things you will find out.

Be Brave

There will be times when you are afraid. There will be times when you don’t want to do something. Be brave. Try new things. Make new friends.  Do scary things once and awhile. Sometimes life is easier when you don’t take risks and when you play it safe-don’t always do that. Some of the greatest gifts and memories in life come from doing things that make us uncomfortable.

Be Kind

Be kind to the kid on the playground that nobody else is nice to. Be kind to your teachers and treat them with respect. Be kind to your brother and love him no matter what. Be kind to animals, especially Skinner, as he has loved you without condition your whole life. Be kind to property and take care of your items. Be kind to us (your mom and dad) as we always have your best interest in mind and love you more than you know. Kindness is a quality that people like and recognize. Being kind will make you a better person and has the ability to change other peoples lives.  Please, always be kind.

Be Yourself

This is the most important thing I can teach you. You are wonderful Drake, absolutely wonderful. You are made the way that God intended you to be and there is not one single other person in this world who is like you. Don’t change for other people, if they don’t like you the way that you are, they are not worth your time. Always let your morals and values be your compass. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t let other people tell you that you are wrong just because you think differently than they do.  I promise you that there will always be so many people who love you just because you are you.

Those are my wishes for you…my prayers for your life.  As you start out as a preschooler those wishes are going to mean very different things to you than they will as you walk into your first day of high school, but being curious and brave and kind and mostly importantly being YOU will carry you far in every aspect of your life.  You already carry every single one of those qualities with you and make me so very proud. I can’t wait to watch you grow. Now go and soar!

Our Charlie at Almost 18 Months

Our sweet Charlie Bear is fast approaching the 18 month mark and I wanted to take a little time to talk about what he has been up to these days.

Charlie has a huge personality with a mischievous smile to match.

He has a little evil laugh that he unleashes as he does something he is not suppose to.

He makes Drake cry almost everyday by beating up on him or just bugging the heck out of him.

Charlie very rarely cries  as it takes a lot to get under his skin.

He takes a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon and sleeps from 7 pm to 7 or 8 am.

He loves his blankie and his paci and can often be found sneaking both out of his crib.

He is talking more and more everyday. His favorite words are  dog, momma,  side (outside) and uh-oh.  He probably knows at least 40-50 words and sometimes puts 2 words together.

He still likes to eat and would probably live off of cheese, bananas, and go-go squeezes if I let him.

He really likes to drink out of a straw.

He likes to play cars and superheros with his brother. Skinner is his best friend and the first thing he asks for when he wakes up. Charlie could spend all day outside if we let him.

Our Char-Char is sneaky and loves to throw things in the toilet or the trash requiring us to never take our eyes off of him.

He loves to be held and points to things he wants us to take him to see.

Charlie could spend all day outside if we let him. He loves to swim and swing and has learned how to climb the ladder of the swingset and go down the slide.

Charlie loves to go shopping with me. He sits in the cart and flirts with every person we pass by.

This boy is full of spunk and charm. We just love him to pieces and have had so much fun watching him and grow.

Love you Charlie Bear!

Letting Him Fly

Drake will be starting preschool 2 weeks from today. He will go 4 afternoons a week. To say it has been on my mind a lot would be an understatement. As I write this we are waiting for his teacher to come and do a home visit. I think I'm far more nervous and excited for this than Drake is! I wrote a little bit about how I am feeling as we hit this huge milestone over at Des Moines Moms Blog-

 

“Make sure you follow directions and listen to your teachers,” I say as I walk my almost 4-year-old son, Drake, into his first night of Vacation Bible School. He holds my hand tightly and quietly tells me that he will. We find his group and I lean down to tell him good-bye, and just like that any apprehension that he has fades away. He quickly tells me good-bye and finds a seat next to one of his friends. I walk away while looking over my shoulder just knowing that he will be looking back at me and wanting one last kiss, but instead he is laughing with his new friends and is completely oblivious that I am leaving. I smile while I hold back tears. As I climb into my car I let the big, warm tears roll down my cheeks as I think about how fast my baby is growing up. Read the rest over at Des Moines Moms Blog...

 

I also wanted to share this idea incase anybody else is looking to do something special for their kids on the first day of school. I found the book Curious George's First Day of School at Kohl's lat week. I plan on both Ben and I writing a little note to Drake in the book before the first day of school every year. I think this will be a really special and unique keepsake for him.

Drake's Superhero Birthday Parties

2 weeks ago we celebrated Drake turning 4 by throwing 2 different birthday parties.

On the same day.

I'm crazy and will never do anything like that ever again!

We held Drake's first party (friends party)  at a park near our house.

We kept it super simple and ordered 2 dozen donuts (funny story- the store called me the day before the party to confirm my 24 dozen donut order...YIKES! Called they called!)  from the bakery and had drink boxes.

The kids played on the playground, ate donuts, watched Drake open presents and basically just ran around like crazy. We had the parents drop off the kids  so we were in charge of about 15 three and four year-olds. We really had a wonderful time!

Here are some more details of Drake's friends party-

Throwing donuts on a silver platter dressed them up a little ; )

We gathered up all of Drake's superhero masks for the kids to wear.

We stuck with the superhero theme by having Batman and Superman colored donuts! Also the party hats were a huge hit.

The Birthday Boy!

Drake and most of his birthday guests.

That afternoon we held another superhero birthday party. This time it was for our families and we held it at our house. We had the most beautiful day for the party and we all enjoyed  spending time outside eating cake and drinking lemonade.

I actually made Drake's birthday cake this year. I had planned to order superhero cupcakes but the plans feel through and I was left scrambling to come up with a cake.  I will admit, it was hard for me not to have a big fancy cake as I love having that as my party centerpieces, but Drake really loved the cake I made and that is all that mattered.

Here are the details of Drake's 2nd party

No party is complete without balloons!

I ran to Target and found some new superhero figures Drake did not have to top his cake with. He loved the surprise of his "new guys" on the cake.

I love using things we have around the house for decorations.

The party table.

Ready to party!

The birthday boy opening up his presents.

Our little firefighter blowing out his candles.

I have to admit that both of these birthday parties were a lot more low-key than the parties that I usually throw. It was kind of nice to tone things down a little and I don't even think anybody noticed.

We had a fun day celebrating Drake!

Four

Tomorrow he turns four....

 I often think about the day we met him. How he came fast and furious almost 2 weeks early and how we were so shocked by his head full of  long black hair. He stole my heart the second they put him in my arms and his grip on me keeps getting stronger and stronger.

Our first year together was wonderful and so very hard at the same time.  He had severe reflux that caused him such discomfort and pain and caused my heart to break into a million pieces. It was then I knew the power of a Momma's love. I would sit and rock him and wonder what he would be like when he grew up and I can honestly say that I could not have even imagined he would be half as great as he is.

 You see Drake is the kind of kid who might come off as silly or sometimes even shy if you were to meet him on the street but the people that really know him, know that he is so much more.

He is witty, so very witty that it sometimes scares me. He can think on his feet and come up with a response to anything  in a second. He is funny and loves to make people laugh. He is sensitive and tends to get his feeling hurt easily. He has a heart for God.  He is a planner and always likes to know what we are going to do next. He has a smile that melts my heart and a spirit that shines.

I am so proud of the little boy that he has become and the man that he someday will be.

Sometimes I still can't wrap my head around that face that he is mine, that I was lucky enough to be chosen to be his.  He is so very blessed to be loved by countless people....but I love him the very most.

Happy 4th Birthday Drakie!

Eight

Eight years ago today we had no way of knowing what we would be like as we stand here today.

We could not have ever imagined we would be the parents to 2 sweet, handsome and smart little boys.

We did not know about all the work that goes into buying a house and being a homeowner or the stress of unemployment.

We were young and in love and ready to face whatever came our way. I was only 21 and you 23.

We had no way of knowing that today, eight years after we were married, that we would be more blessed and more in love than the day we said "I do."

I can't wait to see what is around the corner with you by my side!

Life Lately

I'm finding it harder and harder to find time to sit down and pound out a blog post. We spend every free moment outside playing. Our schedule is super laid back and relaxed in the summer. We eat supper when we feel like it  and come inside for baths way past bedtime. But I love it and I'm already dreading summer ending and the days getting shorter.  So for now the bullet point update will have to do. I have lots of good blog posts flying around my head but those will just have to wait for now.

Here is what we have been up to lately-

• Ben and I got went to Kansas City with our good friends for a long kid-free weekend of fun and relaxation. We had the best time touring Boulevard Brewery, eating BBQ, shopping, eating late dinners, swimming, going to a movie and going out on the town. Sometimes it is nice to be something other than "Momma" and fun to see that there are still parts of your college self that are alive and well!


• Speaking on Kansas City-Our hotel was totally overrun by teenage girls going to the One Direction concert on Friday night. Basically we learned that teenage girls in big groups of scary and little annoying. It also seems as though their outfit of choice consists of high-waisted jean short with shirts tucked in and converse sneakers unlaced. They might also be spotted in a belly bearing shirt with a belly ring showing. I'm pretty sure I never wore any weird outfits or was ever annoying as a teenager! ;)


• Ben and I will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Eight years! After our crazy weekend I have a feeling that our celebrating will consist of throwing some sort of meat on the grill, playing with the kids and maybe if we get really wild staying up late to watch an episode of Revenge. The good news is that I can't think of anybody who I would rather do those things with than my husband!


• I'm turning 30 on Wednesday. My twenties were really good to me and gave me my husband and two sons and countless memories. I always thought I would be feeling a little sad as I turned thirty but instead I'm happy and excited to see what this next decade holds for me. I'm going to spend the day with my mom getting pedicures and going out for lunch and Drake wants to throw me a princess party when I get home.Sounds like a good way to start my thirties!


• My sister got engaged over the weekend and I could not be more excited for them.  They have been dating for quite a few years so my boys don't even know what life is like without "Uncle Chic" and we can't wait to officially welcome him into the family. And  don't even get me started on wedding planning! Nothing gets me more excited than talks of dresses and cakes and venues. SO.MUCH.FUN!


• Drake will be turning 4 on August 1st and I want to do a whole post just about him and the things he loves and has been saying lately. He makes me laugh everyday with the stuff he comes up with. He just told me the other day "I'm your boyfriend." and then started singing Justin Biebers "Boyfriend" to my.  He is basically one of the funniest people I know and he is only three.


• Charlie has been keeping us on out toes. He is wild. He likes to climb the stairs approximately 100,023 times a day and loves it the most when we chase after him. He plays with cars by sitting ON TOP of the car table or if the mood strikes him he might just start jumping up and down on the table, He climbs everything and puts everything in his mouth.  But he has the sweetest smile and when you ask him what a sheep says he says "BAAAAAAA" in the best little sheep voice. He loves to curl up on your lap with a book and like you to hold him while he suck on his paci and cuddles with his blankie. He is so very cute and too charming for his own good.

Soaking Them Up

I can't help but feel like I am a little short on words this summer. I have been busy just soaking up these sweet boys of mine. We have been having such a fantastic summer making memories together. I have been grabbing my DSLR camera a lot more lately and taking advantage of the beautiful natural light outside to catch some pretty good photos of my boys. I can't help but smile as I take the photos knowing that I will be able to relive that moment again and again just by looking at a picture.

It is becoming very evident as Charlie gets older that I am raising two very different boys.

Drake is my cautious and wild boy. The one who is witty and has the best imagination. He will be turning 4 in a couple of weeks and I am just so proud of him.

Charlie is brave and such a little toughie. He has a magnetic personality and already has charm so thick that he can get out of most any situation using it. He  is almost 16 months and bring us so much joy.

Those 2 little boys seem to make summer so much fun and I'm going to spend ever second I can soaking it up.