May Photo Challenge, Day 7

This was simple, and we all know how much I like simple!

Day 7- A picture of the background thats on your laptop/desktop...

This is a picture of my husband and my son. Two of a kind, that's plain to see, and they sure are handsome! Watching the two of them interact is the sweetest thing, they are so much alike it just makes my heart melt. Seeing Dustin interact with Laila and Kenadi is one thing, but seeing him with his son, his own "Junior", is so very different. This picture captures the very essence of their relationship, and I can only pray it continues to grow and blossom as they each grow older. I never thought I'd be able to love someone like I love Dustin, and having a child changed that. Now, I can spread my love amongst them, and each in a different way. I love my boys to pieces, and it just keeps getting better and better.



Through the Eyes of a Child

This past Christmas, Kenadi received a vtech Kidzoom camera, and it's one of the best investments we've ever made! I considered giving her my old camera, but this one is much more fun! Games, photo editing, and neat sounds to keep her entertained, she takes it all over with her. I dumped over 800 pictures onto my computer tonight, and though I'm sure you'd like to see hundreds of blurry shots of the carpet or our family, I selected a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them!

When I think of the world through a child's eyes, this is what I expected to see. Granted, I did only choose a handful, I think they're pretty great. Maybe I have a future photographer, or maybe I just have some great memories.

May Photo Challenge, Day 6

Finding a photo to fit today wasn't easy, though I have had a general idea of this since I was little. All that's missing here is the white picket fence.

Day 6- A picture of your dream house...

I grew up in a nice house, it was always big enough for everyone no matter who was around. It was clean, and we never wanted for much. We didn't have a housekeeper, the most expensive furniture, or the newest game system, but everyone always wanted to hang out at our place. You could feel the love, the walls were always bursting at the seams with laughter, and that's what I want for my family, my children. This house is just an example of the beautiful home I hope to one day have for my family. I must admit, the appeal of a two story house, flush with windows galore, a wrap around porch and gorgeous front door is all I ever wanted when I was growing up. I always dreamed having the "best" of everything would make us the best, but I now know all these things are just things, and what I had was the best. Even now, I don't have a lush, green yard, I have rocks and dirt-but my kids can still play. I don't have a wrap around porch-but my kids can sit in the driveway or play on the sidewalk. The size of our house doesn't matter, it's the laughter that rings through the air, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, and the toys strewn about the living room. That's what makes a house a home, and that's what makes me happy. My dream house? I think I'm already in it.



Catch Up

So, I'll admit, I've been horrible about keeping up with Dustin's first year, but can you blame me? 3 kids, 1 in school full time and dance, 1 starting preschool in a few weeks, and another that just had surgery, what a mess! Now that little D is home safe and sound, I deicded to take a moment and reflect on how blessed we are, and how much has really been going on in our lives.

During his hospital stay, Dustin Jr. turned 9 months. I took a few photos of him with my phone while he was in there, but nothing I'm wanting to look at right now. It was a rough couple of days, watching him drift in and out of consciousness, praying the incision didn't leak, and wondering if he was in pain. The nights were the hardest, I was with him alone, and the whimpering during his sleep was heartbreaking. At the time, I don't think it fully hit me what was happening, I sort of put on this suit of armor that no one could break through-I needed to be strong for my son. I was able to sit and blog about it, answer dozens of phone calls and messages, and it never seemed to phase me. Now that it's over, I'm a mess. I worry constantly about his back, if he's in pain, if I'm taking care of it properly, and there's never a moment I don't thank God he's doing as well as he is. He's still not walking, or even cruising, but he's pulling up on the furniture, and he's standing much longer than before his surgery. He's eating almost all table food, and heaven forbid anyone tries to feed him! I'm pleased to report he's sleeping 10-12 hours a night, which is nothing new, but always nice. Here are a few photos I took of him today:

Kenadi is simply Boo Boo. That little girl, there's never a dull moment with her. She's going to start a preschool summer program this fall. I've been going back and forth on whether or not to enroll her, she's going to be 3 in September, which is earlier than I put Laila in, but I feel she needs the interaction with the other kids. This will give her something to do twice a week that's just for her, and will also give her a break from us. As much as I love my children, I truly believe they need their own time, their own activities, and they need a break from me as much as I need a break from them. I am meeting with her preschool teacher today, Ms. Jen, who was Laila's teacher too. Laila loves her to death and still talks about her, I know I have nothing to worry about other than my baby growing up too fast.

I don't even know what to say about Laila. She's one amazing little girl these days. Kindergarten is over this month, and I'm not sure I'm cut out for that kind of pressure! She's excelling in her testing, her scores were almost double the state requirements for the end of the year at her third testing, I'm excited to see what her final test scores come out to. Her report card was amazing, she's so smart, she even teaches me things! She's finishing up the year in dance, her recital is coming up on May 21, her class is dancing tap to "A Spoonful of Sugar". Her costume is outrageous, and that's not just the price. It's adorable, I can't wait to have some photos taken of her in it, once the recial is over and I don't have to worry about damaging it, I'm going to take her out on location and have my favorite photographer snap a few of her in it. I know she'll look darling, I can hardly wait to see the show. We have taken a short break from her diabetes blog to work on some things at home and school, she's been really busy and doesn't want to sit and blog, and I refuse to make her. Maybe once things slow down she'll pick it back up again. It's still hard to believe sometimes I'm the mother of a diabetic, and this is just the beginning of a lifetime, but I know we can handle it. Together, that little girl and I are unstoppable.

I think that about brings me up to date on the kiddos. Dustin and I are just a month away from celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary and couldn't be happier. It's been a short and long five years, depending on who you ask! I know the road hasn't been easy, but we've made it this far. I can't imagine living through the things I have without him by my side, my life is complete, and he's been there through it all. I'm sure I tell him more than enough, but I love him. Every fiber of my being is poured into the love I have for him. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him, these 5 years are just a drop in the bucket.

May Photo Challenge, Day 5

Ahh, the sweetness of an easy photo. Makes my morning nice and simple.

Day 5- A picture of your favorite board game...

Clue. Not just any version of this classic game will do, but the old 1972 version is the best. The colors are vibrant, the cards are realistic, and the weapons were heavy duty. No way I'd want someone throwing the candlestick at the back of MY head!



May Photo Challenge, Day 4

Another difficult photo to choose, I have spent hours thinking about this one. More like days, really. How do you pick someone and not hurt anyone else's feelings? Take it as a grain of salt, because this guy outnumbers them all.

Day 4- A picture of a person you would want to be on a deserted island with...

Don't be fooled, my first, gut instint was to choosemy husband, but that's not entirely fair. My next gut instinct was to choose someone of this nature:

Because honestly, who wouldn't want to be stuck with THAT on a deserted island?! But then I came to my senses and realized he may be a giant loser, and I could end up miserable. So, I did a little more thinking, and thought maybe I would choose someone more like this:

Yes, that's a rocket scientist! I figured if he was really that smart, maybe he could find a way to blast me off that island and back to reality. Then I realized that I have a huge problem with getting my hopes up and if it didn't work out, I'd be devastated, and it probably wouldn't be worth my time anyway. After careful consideration, including my need for adult interaction, my love of laughter and having a good time, and companionship, this person fits the bill perfectly:

Never a dull moment when he's around, my brother, Mark, is who I would choose. He's got it all, and then some. He can sing, dance, act, and tell jokes like no one I've ever met. He can draw, sculpt, paint, you name it. He's also smart, experienced, and has a lot of the same interests as me. What a perfect match we make. Love you gigga tons, Bro.

May Photo Challenge, Day 3

After doing the last photo challenge, I've been under the misconception these photo challenges are supposed to be easy, I guess I was wrong! I've been thinking about what to choose for today's photo for a few days now, I hope you like my answer!

Day 3- A picture of something you want really badly...

No, not all those yummy desserts-a bakery! My ultimate dream- more than having kids, writing a book, visiting every state in the US-is to own a bakery. One of my passions is baking, I love to make cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, pies, the list goes on, and pleasing people with my creations is one of my ultimate pleasures. I love the smile that spreads across someone's face when they enjoy that first bite of a warm cookie right out of the oven, or watching a child smear frosting all over their face when they take a huge bite of a cupcake. I can feel the love in their tummies, and it overflows right into my heart. This is something I want really badly. A bakery, and all the love that goes along with it.



AYUSA

The past few months have been nothing short of busy, and I mean that in the most literal way possible. Our family has had many ups and downs lately, it seems as though there's been a pretty equal number of each, but I could just be optimistic.

In the midst of everything swirling around us, I somehow managed to convince my husband to agree to being a "host family" for a foreign exchange student. It still baffles me sometimes, honestly, that he agreed to sign the papers! I'm thrilled! As of this past week, our application has been approved, photos submitted, and soon I will be able to contact my "host daughter" and I couldn't be more thrilled!! I was able to choose a student from a list of applicants, it's like temporary adoption! I read her essay and got chills-we have so much in common, and the real deal maker-she's a type 1 diabetic! I have so many dreams of how things will be when Laila is 16, what life will be like with a diabetic teenager, and I think this will be a preview of what I'm in store for. There is this unspoken code, this silent connection diabetic families have, mothers to mothers, mothers to children, there's something unseen there. You feel it the instant you meet, shake hands, or hold a conversation. I know this is a great choice. Honestly, I struggle daily with life as the mom of a diabetic, and now I'm choosing to accept another one into my home. Am I crazy? Probably. But I never claimed not to be.

The spare room at the front of our house-which I lovingly refer to as the "front room" is in the process of being converted to a bedroom, and if you ask me, it's not too shabby. I purchased a bedframe, headboard, box springs and mattress off of Craigslist, a computer desk and chair from a friend, hung a few photos on the wall and added a lamp, and it's coming along nicely. I don't have a dresser or armoire yet, I'm still looking for one, but that's all that's missing! Next month we will install double doors and it should finally be finished! After the final touches are made, I will post a photo, I'm waiting so it will be a surprise to all who have seen the mess it was before!

I really hope this experience is amazing for each and every one of us, I'm sure we will all learn new things about each other, and ourselves. I hope to create a long, lasting relationship with our new addition to the family, and I hope she feels the same. Wish us luck, though I doubt we're going to need it.

May 30 Day Photo Challenge, Day 2

This is quite possibly the easiest picture out of the entire challenge, it took only seconds to find and has remained the same for years.

Day 2 - A picture of your favorite movie...

Did you even have to think about this one? Anyone that knows me knows this is my favorite movie hands down. Always has been, and I'm sure it always will be. It's timeless, it's vibrant, it's hilarious and breathtaking. You become one with the characters, and that's just the way it was intended. I could watch this movie over and over and still never have the urge to change the channel. The songs make me laugh, and I'm positive I could recite the entire movie by heart. It is, in fact, my favorite movie. 

May 30 Day Photo Challenge Day 1

I found this on facebook-another photo challenge-and I was thrilled for something to continue blogging about! There are a few duplicates, but no big deal, right? I hope you all enjoy this photo challenge as much as the first one I did!

Day 1- A picture of your dream car...

I am far from a car person, I am not particular about all the fancies, I hate woodgrain, I've never owned a car with leather interior, and I'm destined to drive an SUV or minivan until my children are grown. When I started looking for my "dream car", I searched for photos of the newest Toyota Sequoia and Cadillac Escalade, then it hit me. Those are expensive, high class SUV's, but not what I'd drive in my dreams. If I had no budget limitations, no kids to cart around- just me, the open road and an abundant bank account, this is what I'd pick. A Rolls Royce Phantom. Just the grill alone is enough to give me shivers, it's sleek, it's hot, and one day it could be mine-if only in my dreams.