October 18

Hannah just came to hug me goodnight. She said "I love you from the tips of my toes to the top of my head."

Yep - that about sums it up for me too, baby girl! 

July 27

Today Hannah and I went on a walk, just the two of us. We took my camera and she wore it around her neck the entire time. I taught her about how to frame a shot within the camera. I taught her about perspective. I taught her how photographs are art and as long as she thinks her photos are beautiful then that is all that matters. Today, I taught my baby girl about something that is special to me.  We shared something and the light in her eyes was so bright as she showed me her photos. It was a beautiful day. I am so grateful to have her as my daughter. 

July 19

The kids are in Virginia this week while Mike and I meet with builders and try to get a few things done for the house. Hannah called me crying tonight because she missed me. It broke my heart. When we got off the phone, she seemed ok. I think she just needed to hear my voice. 

Then I had the realization a while later that there will come a day soon where she won't miss me at all. But that's my job. To make it where she is comfortable in this world all on her own. She will be just fine. She is a strong girl. But I do secretly hope she continues to miss me just a little bit. 

June 25

I love summer. I love summer with my kids. Days at the pool, staying up late, sleepovers. The ease of it all. I love it. I am so incredibly blessed to be able to stay at home with my babies. 

June 16

Father's Day at the pool with our Jedi warriors. 

June 16

Guess they got hot?? 

June 15

The Siersma clan came over tonight! Love our time with them!!

June 14

Fun play date with coach Carrie and Cameron and Trey! 

June 13

Been taking the kids to the library a lot lately. They LOVE it. Austin is obsessed with bugs. It's all he talks about. He wants to learn everything he can about them! 

June 8

Celebrated Owen's 11th birthday tonight! 

June 7

Poor Austin - woke up very sick today. Nothing as sweet as him finally 

sleeping peacefully. 

June 7

My baby girls last day of 2nd grade!

June 4

Sometimes she takes my breath away

June 3

Hannah and her friend, Gabby and Lindsay. 

May 26

Just some good old weekend fun!!

May 23

Today is my baby boy's last day of preschool! He is sooooooo ready for kindergarten! We celebrated with a class party and the Thomas family joined us at his graduation. 

June 14

I am laying in bed because I don't feel well and my sweet Hannah comes in and lays her head on my chest. She tells me she is sorry I don't feel well and then asks me if I have called Mimi yet to tell her I don't feel well. 

I love how her first thought is automatically to tell your mom when something is wrong. I hope with all my heart that it stays that way forever. 

May 18

This house will always remain in our hearts.

May 19

Almost every night, Hannah and I have been reading more difficult chapter books. We started with Nim's Island and we loved it. I mostly read to her, but she often will take a turn too. I love how my h she enjoys the stories. And I love how much she cherishes the alone time with me and how this is our thing. Little does she know how much I truly cherish it too!

May 17

Today is our TEN year wedding anniversary - and the day we officially closed on 5902 Chinquapin Court. It was a bittersweet day. It has been almost ten years to the day that we first bought that house. We started our family there and our lives together. I will never forget all of the amazing memories we shared there as a family.

Mike surprised me with an evening uptown... Drinks, dinner, dessert and a wonderful kid-free evening at the Hilton. It was nice to reconnect with him - especially after all the stress we have had lately. I am grateful to have him in my life. I look forward to ten more amazing years.

May 12

Happy Mother's Day to me! I was brought breakfast in bed and got this amazing book by Hannah.

May 10

Today we moved into the rental house. Thank God for good friends. We moved our entire house in under six hours!!! Whew!!

May 9

Muffins with mom at Austin's school today. Loved spending special time with my buddy!!

May 8

Hannah was recognized as a terrific kid at school today. Austin picked her a flower then we celebrated with frozen yogurt and the library afterwards.

May 1

Spring festival at highland creek elementary!! A good time was held by all!!

April 29

Tonight as I was washing the dishes, Austin asked me why I was the one who ALWAYS cooks dinner. I told him that I am the one who is usually home around dinner time, so that gives me more time to cook. He said that I should ask God to do the cooking for me. I told him that I don't think God would necessarily want to cook for us and that isn't exactly what we should be asking God for. He simply replied "Ah, it's okay mom... Just pray for it and ask him."

April 18

Austin and I had a great day today. We played games and simply spent time together. Life is getting crazy with activities and errands. It always seems like I could be doing something else more productive. So happy that today I had enough sense to realize that there is nothing more productive (and rewarding) than just spending time with this sweet boy.

April 17

Enjoyed a rare lunch with my girl at school!

April 9

Austin started Tball!! He LOVES it and counts the days until his next game!

April 13

Today we signed a contract to sell our house. It was a beautiful day and we had no plans for the afternoon. It was bittersweet... We ended up having an impromptu cul de sac party with all the neighbors. Really going to miss these sweet neighbors and this house where we started our family.