Friday Photo Dump!

Enjoy!

^I feel I should explain this one^

That is an empty steak sauce bottle and empty water bottle!

Thank you, Jesus!

I have so much in my life to be thankful for! In just the last few days I have felt so loved and so appreciated that I'm beaming with joy and thankfulness! Here's just a couple things (on a VERY long list) that I'm thankful for:

I'll start with my job.
Last week was Para Appreciation Week and everyone that I work for got together and went above and beyond to show their love. It was so touching and inspiring and unexpected. As the saying goes: If you do something you love you'll never work a day in your life! I feel that because my husband is a cop I've been made aware of just how lucky I am to have a "happy job." I'm sure you can imagine what I mean..

I have helped put together a new bible study in my community that targets young mothers and young wives. It's really coming along to be something very special. I think it's a fact that women love to talk so when one woman lets loose about a struggles or worries as a mom or wife it doesn't take long for another to chime in with words of encouragement or even just to say "hey, me too!" We get a little silly, we shed tears, but we leave feeling fulfilled. At least I do!

Along with that, I'm thankful for my family and friends. I mean my REAL friends. As I've gotten older I've realized how much less important is to have a lot of friends and more important to have real ones. I have a small handful of real friends that I know I can run to in a panic, in a pinch, or even just in a laughing fit. I've got girls that are there for me at almost anytime. How awesome is that? And words can't describe my family. I definitely don't take them for granted!

Currently, I am in the very best health of my life and I'm VERY excited about that. It may not seem like a big deal but this is something I've always struggled with, as I'm sure all women have at some point. I work out, I eat right, and I get out and enjoy my life. My husband is always telling me that I've got a rockin' body, especially for having two kids!

Speaking of my husband... I am constantly thanking God for bringing him into my life. And it may sound silly but I'm even thankful for that crap that I was drug through in order to appreciate such a good man! He's an amazing dad, always teaching and playing and loving his girls. I don't even want to think about where I'd be without him!

Last but most of all... my babies! They may be getting older everyday but they are still, and always, my babies. My goal in life is to raise them into smart, funny, and (most importantly) kind people. It's rewarding to watch them help or comfort others and each other. I'm thankful for them but also TO them, they've definitely made me into a better person. My heart is bursting with love!

So I'm sure the most over-used word in this blog is "thankful" but I really don't care... I have so much and I'm THANKFUL!

If you want something made right...

...You've got to make it yourself! That was Paislee's thought when deciding what to get her cousin for her birthday. We took full advantage of the amazing weather and walked to our workshop.

We decided that the perfect, most special gift would a pink necklace, handmade by Cousin Paislee. So we picked out the beads, decided on a pattern and began to string them together.

We got it all packaged up and looking fabulous...

...and walked it back home!

Paislee waited patiently for her present to be opened. It was one of the very last but finally, when it was time, she was happy to see that the birthday girl liked it!

6 months later

A lot can happen in 6 months, and a lot did! The four of us have continued life as usual, taking it day by day, and enjoying each any every little blessing tossed our way. In no particular order here is a summary of events, big and small, that the past six months held:

• We've welcomed two new bundles of joy into our family!

The first was Matik, born in December...

...and in March, baby Kinley arrived!

• Will and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary!

• We had just the best Christmas ever!

• Then Valentine's Day...

• And a school snow day!

• Don't forget about life's everyday moments <3

On the town

I feel so sorry for my poor camera. I picture is as a toy from Toy Story. It's probably so happy after I use it all day, day after day. Then I get busy, or just down right lazy, and my camera gets sad and wonders if I still love it.

I'm on a mission to make my camera feel loved again! I took it with me on my outing with the girls today and this is what we came home with:

Since Paislee has started school again Harleigh and I get a lot of time together and we do take a lot of pictures. I feel a little bad that I have so many more pictures of her than Pais. Another reason to give my camera more lovin'.

Here are some Harleigh/Mama moments:

I'll never stop taking pictures of my girls... but my goal is to make my next post about other things. For example:

This is my new front door. Well, its my old door just painted red. It looked a little plain so I painted our name on the bottom. I hope to find a pretty fall wreath to put above it soon.

Happy Fall!



New Beginnings

First days, first days. This past week has been hectic, exciting, and a complete blur. I feel like the guy backstage, unseen, making sure everything goes off without a hitch.

Paislee started her second year of pre-school. Last year she only went two days a week but this year she's a big girl! She was pretty darn excited to get back to it.

Little Miss wasn't the only one starting a new chapter. William officially left his job of 5 years to serve his hometown as City Marshall!

Poor guy's got a lot on his plate and a huuuuge mess to clean up. I'm praying that with time he'll enjoy being chief as much as he enjoyed being a county deputy.

Yep, here's my man. <3

Last but not least, my beauuuuuutiful cousin, Sydney, got MARRIED! Both of the girls walked down the aisle along with Syd's gorgeous daughter, Avery.

 She was quite possibly the most stunning bride I've ever seen. Much happiness and love to Tony, Syndey, and baby Aves!



I'm sleepy. Here's some snapshots from the rest of the week.