Some Photos of "Why we love our pond"...

A few years ago,Kevin mentioned that someday when we build our home, he would love to have a pond on our property. I have to admit, at first I had some reservations...How do we take care of it, will we put fish in it, ....Silly me, once again, years later, I can say"Kevin was right", Shhh, don't share that with him. Our pond has brought so much joy in just the going on three years that we have lived here. Tess loves going out to feed the fish, and going to catch the fish (we throw them back of course)! She calls them "her fishes". Last Saturday morning, I woke up and Kevin was not around the house. I happen to look out, and there he was....Looking handsome as ever, in a flannel shirt, and in his outdoor element. We are enjoying the pond and I am so glad that we went with Kevin's idea! Here are some recent photos of some fun out by the pond!

Peaceful Sky

I fully, whole-heartedly, and faithfully believe that God has a plan that we are to trust in with no hesitations! Sometimes, the plan might be hard to understand and hard to comprehend at the time. Below is proof that he is with us ALL the time, even in the struggles.... This was the view from our driveway this morning. I needed to feel God's presence this morning, for a variety of reasons and recent challenges. He must have known, he showed himself in a Big and Beautiful Way!

Tessa told me that "the sky is so colorful Mommy!" she must have felt God with us as well! He always is!

Our Random Tessa!

Recently Tessa had a "dance show" for us, she loves to dress up in whatever she can find and dance around! She told us "My outfit is just fine guysm come and watch me dance" This particular "get-up" was quite humorous. Her dancing show is what I call....Dance, then freeze??? Dance again! Note: the band-aid was "needed" for her mosquito bite? Never a dull moment at our house, that is for sure! Enjoy, we did! ...

Happy 70th Papa...

Last week was my father-in-laws 70th Birthday! Septmeber 20th! God blessed us with a beautiful fall-like Sunday to celebbrate his day! All of us got together and went to brunch. Larry is such a low-maintainence Birthday Boy! All he wanted was all of us together, this is what it is all about! The kiddos surrounded him and we truly felt nothing but love for him on his Birthday and everyday! He is a tough man, his battle with "the c word" proves his will and his will to not let it keep him down! Nothing keeps him down, he is couragous, strong, and most of all loved! Happy 70th Larry, we love you!

Just some simple fun!

This weekend we went to the "Apple Festival" in town. It was just some good ol' fashion small town fun! The kiddos were able to ride a couple rides, (then get sanitized of course ...he, he,he) and enjoy some ice cream! It was a beautiful "pre-fall" day and it was simple fun for everyone! There is always fun to be had when you are with family and friends!

Sharing ...A bathroom

We can't help but wonder, will they enjoy sharing a bathroom this much in, say, 13 years from now??? "Get prepared Daddy!"

Happy 39th Kevin!

Here's to our Man! It is my hubby's birthday today, the last one of the "30 something" years! His day had to start off with the household Tradition of the Beatles "You Say its Your Birthday" song being played in the early morning...Yes, he started this tradition! He is handsome, loving, and so much fun to be around! He is the husband of my dreams and an amazing Daddy to our girls!

I still get excited when I hear the door open when he is home from work! I look forward to K&K time in the evenings! Each year brings new experiences, adventures and surprises! I am so thankful for his 39 years, the nine we have shared, and the journey ahead of us! Happy Birthday "Kevy"! I love growing old with you! Here's to MANY more years of joy!

9 Months...

Our little Ella Bear is nine months, Oh My How can this be already! She is a true "Happy Baby"! She is snuggly, yet independent and loves to explore! Her current favorite things are: Food (anything we can give her, I wish those teeth would come in, this girl wants to "EAT!" ) Tessa, Tessa, Tessa...Anything Tess says or does brings a huge smile and giggle to Ella! Snorting....She gets so tickled at something and the snorts and crinkled nose get going, love it! Waving...Her little hand just opens and closes when we say bye-bye Trying to walk...This girl is on a mission...catch Tess and Zion...she is getting there, cruising more each day! Making expressions, so many of them look like Kevin's expressions...raised eye brows, corner of the eyes stare, and oh that smile....I can't get enough Holding her sister's hand Kisses, of course the big open mouth, I want to eat you kisses, Tess is not so sure of this yet, "She's trying to eat me Mommy" Bath time, Tess and Ella in there together, that is festive splashing fun.... The list is endless, and so it the love we have for this little peanut and her sister!

"Can I get some help here? I am trying to walk!"

" Hello World, what is going on out there??, My future is so BRIGHT!"

"Please, don't take my toy Tessa!" "I am liking this thing they call...food!"

Fun in the Flowers!

I passed a huge field of sunflowers on a country road, I was amazed at the beauty. So, I went back today with Tess and we had some fun in the flowers! Here are a few of the photos of our fun!

Pops & Ella

I found this photo on my dad's computer. He does an amazing job of keeping our family genealogy up to date. The photo is of my Dad, probably taken about 64 years ago. I could not believe the resemblance to our girls, especially Ella, (in the eyes particularly). I thought it was interesting. Tess could not believe that it was a photo of Pops! "That is really Pops!" As.. Time marches on...

Baby Center....

Okay, fellow Moms, if you have not visited the site below, check it out. I was reading my recent email from the site and I thought to myself, I have not shared this with enough people! I love the site and the best part is you can put in your kiddos birthdays and you receive an email every couple of weeks about development, learning games, toy recalls, it is great stuff! I highly recommend checking it out. I feel like it keeps me in the loop!, not that living it doesn't keep you there! Here is the website.... www.babycenter.com

One of the many joys of life in the country!

We went on a long walk tonight as a family, down a country road as the sun was setting! The girls had their baths and it was a nice evening for a walk. We loaded each of the girls up in our two strollers and headed out. It was a "perfect walk" as a family. We each had one of our precious little angels. As we pushed them down the road we were all smiles. The girls kept reaching for one another and at one point they were holding hands as we pushed their strollers side by side. The adorable sounds of the their laughter was heaven on Earth. Ella was giggling at Tess so hard that she was snorting and her tiny arms were just flaying around. Tessa's hair was a mass of curls from the humidity and they both had on their jammies. It was a wonderful family moment, and it was a bonus that Kevin & I got in a long walk! It was a great time had by all! Although we did not have a camera, I hold moments like this in my mind forever!

Our "Gourmet" Meal Out!

Our Friday night meal out could not have been better.!!! We had a wonderful time dining at the local picnic table. We enjoyed carefully prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips and juice boxes. We topped the evening off with a family walk and ice cream. We were together and we were could not have happier....Ahhh! the simple joys of the basic things in life....A great way to start the weekend!

Sister bonding...

I love watching our girls and their natural sister bond. It is common to see them holding hands in the car, giving each other a squeeze, and watching one another. It is so cute how Ella just crawls around the house after Tess wherever she goes.

The other day Tess said..."I am Ella's plushy lovee and she is mine", I just love her Mommy"....this made my day. It is so wonderful to see them together and have the love that they share. I can't help but wonder if this love will continue when they are teenagers and sharing a bathroom....Sure it will!?!?!? While they will certainly have their share of disagreements and struggles....The sister bond shall carry them through...Or carry us through.

Moments of thankfulness...

Each day I take time to just take a step back and "Take it all in". I heard in a song the other day (I don't remember the title, I wish I did) that "each day is a gift and not a given right"...So true, each moment is a gift.

Being parents carries with it many joys, one of the most joyful, is looking at our girls and just watching them be themselves. I make it a point to often take a step back and have a quiet moment of thought as I am watching them (by them I mean Kevin and Our Girls) In those moments I am,...thanking God for the joy of our family, praying for their health and happiness, and being thankful for the moment (I truly believe each moment is a gift)...

Some Pictures of what makes me smile with thankfulness...