My Boys - How much have you Loved in your life?

Pretty much I love these boys. I'm so lucky to have three darling boys. I'm just cruising through some pictures and I realize with Alayna in school she misses out on several photo moments...I need to change that! Because lately, she has just blossomed to the most darling obedient little girl. Jared and I both are just loving her. When she's full of sleep and food, she is the BEST 7 year old ever. Honestly, I feel so blessed from day to day to be surrounded by the best kids and hubby. The other thing I've thought about is how our hearts as parents just grow bigger for each child. It's amazing how our love doesn't change or diminish or love your other children less, it just GROWS bigger and bigger. I've loved growing and maturing and watching myself be so filled with love for the people around me. I've been reading a book over the weekend (on the flight to Seattle) Toss the Guilt and Find the Joy, from Merrilee Boyack. She mentioned in the book this question...
"How much have you LOVED in your life?" I realized how sometimes I get distracted on the less important things...(to-do lists, my personal high-expectations, clothing, status, being cool, friends, cool cars, hobbies, etc...ugh...it sounds like highs school...the list could go on and on...forever) And while I get stuck in this place I realize (yet again another wonderful moment shared with me from my darling visiting teacher...)"Put down the mirrior and pick up the magnifying glass" That way we stop worrying about ourselves and look for how we can love, serve or bless others around you.
I've loved these two thoughts this week, because honestly, I needed to be reminded that these are those moments in life where I need to focus on how much I have and how much am I actually LOVING (people and all my blessings) in my life. I realized real quickly that loving comes from looking upon others, giving of myself to lift and care for them. It also starts by enjoying those super simple moments in life....and this is easy to see when you spend time with your kids...enjoying them!

Mr. Slowman

I guess I'm starting to realize that boys like toys...I mean, my boys turn everyday toys into BIG BOY toys...pretty much it's adorable. Caleb rides his hot wheel like he's a wild man. It's honestly one of my favorite things to see him be crazy and ride bikes. He plows in to his orange cones and loves to see how far they fly.

Then there is Jake. He's on his way to being another crazy kid too. He recently has started calling his bike is Motorcycle. He insists on always wearing his sunglasses and finger gloves while riding his motorcycle.

Cool Man.

Here is a serious biker in the making.

Caleb's famous hot wheel pose. Just for the record Caleb calls his motorcycle...a MiterSickle. We laugh in hysterics, because it sounds so darling!

Let me introduce you to our newest member of the family....Mr. Slowman. Yeah, the kids are CRAZY outside and so I've become a little more nervous over time of the street we live on. So to help out those fast drivers, we put this Mr. Slowman out and help remind those drives to SLOW DOWN and look out for all the crazy kids on this street!

My favorite Jacob. Seriously, he's adorable.

Oh, Benny...11 months old

What's this...I think I'm hungry...

Oh, let's give it a try...

Oh, YUM. It's dirt...

I love this look on his face...You know he's thinking...gross what is this?

But then he goes back for more...THIS is the reason our office has a gate on it. THIS is the reason babies are not allowed to follow me in the office. Why can't Caleb understand this...shut the gate so Ben doesn't follow us in here! AHHH...We all know that I had to take a picture so I could ALWAYS remember and never forget that yes, my babies did make messes and get into trouble. Oh, but it's a good thing he's so darling and I want to kiss and squeeze him all the time. His newest trick is that we have been reading him those cardboard "First Things" book before he goes to bed. He's been fascinated with the Kitty Kat and the Doggy picture. I of coarse make the sounds of the animals and yup...I've tested him...when I say, Meow...you got it he points and touches the cat....and when I say, Ruff Ruff...Yup, he touches the puppy. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever! I love watching these little minds learn! Adorable.

Touring Seattle Washington

After the wedding festivities were done, we went and toured a few sights of Seattle before we caught our plane home. The Great Wheel in Seattle...

Us again.

The Pier

The Great Wheel

Beautiful Heather, Jared's youngest sister. It was so great to spend more time with her. I just love this girl!

We met up with the newlyweds for a few hours before we left them for several months! 

A very gross GUM WALL...Unreal. Disgusting.

Seriously, sick. 

Pike Place Market, Seattle Washington...It's a must visit. From the bakeries, fish markets, floral shops, fruit stands, it's beautiful. 

Amazing food.

 

 

 

The ladies

Jared always looking out for our bro-in-law Todd who loves Hot Dogs...

The football and baseball stadiums...

Goodbye Lisa and Sean, we had such a wonderful time being with you for your very special day! 

A Wedding in Seattle

This weekend we had the pleasure to go to Seattle Washington to celebrate in a family wedding for Jareds sister Lisa. She married a wonderful man, Sean. The wedding was held on the beach front in Seattle...somewhere, not sure the exact city location. Either way it was all beautiful. Here are a few pictures for those that were unable to join in on the fun. 

Everyone prepping to get ready for the big ceremony.

Bride and groom taking pictures before everything got started.

A darling idea...an empty picture frame went over the top of a  plain tray...it looked DARLING. I loved the idea, I'm so using it for my next shower!

 

Ahhh...another cute couple. 

Brothers. Brian and Jared

Siblings...Heather, Brian and Jared. Heather is showing off the super uncomfortable heels...but oh so darling!

Us.

More Brothers...

All three brothers. Jason, Jared, Brian.

Randy and Mary

Oh, yet again another picture of us...silly I know but we didn't have our kids there so who else would we take pictures of??? The colors were yellow and grey if you were wondering. 

 

The ceremony.

At sunset...BEAUTIFUL.

Roasting and speeches...

Wedding cake.

Lisa and Brian

Lisa and me...So happy for the two of you. It was such a great weekend! Congrats.

The Very Happy Couple...They had such a darling photographer, that honestly I just watched her do her magic and didn't even steal these two away for a day time picture. I can't wait to see the professional photos. So excited. Congrats!