Family

Its been a while since I have blogged!  Summer is over!  We spent a whole month in Indiana with my family.  I'm beyond blessed to have my family!  But, I've come to realize that I'm blessed to have my family here in Oregon.  As the kids get older, I've come to realize that I want them to be raised the way I was...Family is everything to me...regardless whether they are blood or just people who have become family by being friends!  My kids have so many cousins, Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents!!  I try everyday to remind Brogan of all his family in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Connecticut...and also England and Scotland!!  We have pictures all over the house of our family!  We always look at pictures on the computer!  (seriously, what did we do before Facebook or email???)  We Skype with as many as we can! I want my children to know who they are related to! 

This past week, there was a family in a local town that had a horrific tradegy happen.  A father killed his two daughters and then took his own life!  For some reason it hit me hard, in the heart and with my mind!  I don't think I could even imagine what that father was going thru, to take 2 innocence children lives?  I just hope that that Mother has family and friends who love and support her thru this time!

I've been thru a horrific accident myself and I'm not sure what I would have done if I didn't have my family!  When I was going thru all of that, I was receiving cards, phone calls and visits from people that were not family, but today....are people that I consider my family and I would do anything for.

How does this happen...

Little Man you are growing up way to fast for your Momma! I love you with everything I have and can't wait to see you grow up!

Summer is here!!

So summer is finally here!  We had great weekend with the kids!  Finally a really nice weekend to spend the day in the pool! We also got to check off one of our Summer Bucket list things...Slumber Party!  The girls had LOTS of fun!  The day at the pool, dinner at a fave Mexican place, some ice cream and getting to stay up late :)

Graci, Kendall and Brooklyn

Pool Time

Swimming all by himself (OMG, lord help me)

Graci, Kendall, Grayson and Brooklyn

My little swimmer

Some of my fave people!

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker

Happy 4th of July

We had a full fun weekend with friends!  Lots of food, drinks, sun, some cowboys, lots of fireworks and laughs!

As I get older, this holiday means a lot more to me!  Not only is it my birthday, it's a day where we celebrate our Freedom! We spent Friday and Saturday night at the Eugene Rodeo. Friday night it was just us girls and Saturday it was all of us and the kids. Right before the activities would start, the announcer would give this little speech about freedom and if you ever see a Soldier to thank them...then they play the National Anthem!  This year both nights, I cried like a baby! Very emotional for me.  As I stood there with some of my best friends and our children, it hit me hard...We are VERY lucky to live in this country! 

Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July!

Summer Bucket List 2010

I got this idea from Meg!  I really enjoy reading her blog! 

We are going to try and get most of these done by the time school starts!

The kids had a blast making the list with me!  We have only ONE checked off so far! Guess we need to get going!

Unconditional Love

When I look at this pictures, I realize how blessed I am to have these two in my life! I realize how full my life is.  How full my heart is.

 Kendall was just 2 when Allan and I started to date.  She is 6 1/2 right now! She is a sweet, smart, caring and extra sassy!! She has made me appreciate my Mom a little more, cause she has some attitude right now.  Sorry Mom for having attitude, rolling my eyes, telling you no and storming off in a fit of rage cause Ian did something to irritate me!

When I got pregnant with Brogan it was a surprise!  I had been on the pill for years, never thought I would ever get pregnant. Ha, I'm that 1% statistic!  He has changed me completely! My life is not about me anymore, it's about him and Kendall...making a life for them.  Decisions I make now are around them.  As much as I always say I need a day for myself, I end up either shopping for them or wishing I was back home with them.  Brogan is my heart and soul.  He is so smart!  Being at this age, he is sponge for everything.  He absorbs everything he comes into contact with.  He knows words to movies, books we read and even words to songs. (Mostly Taylor Swift) I'm sad that is he growing up so fast!  I want to keep this age right now.  Cause, I know it's soon going to change. He loves me no matter what. He doesn't care that I have made mistakes in life...He just wants me to still rock him!

Children make you want to start life over - Muhammad Ali

I love, love, love this quote.  For me it couldn't hit any harder to my heart. Life is different once you have children, but for the better.

Brogan is 3!!!

We just celebrated Brogan's 3rd birthday last weekend!  I can't believe my little guy is 3!  He had a Transformer party and it turned out perfect! 

Happy Birthday Brog :)

3 years old

2 years old

1 year old