Wordless Wednesday: Have you seen my sunglasses?

Is it possible

to get any cuter than this?

Wordless Wednesday: The madness has hit our house

When this is happening

In your backyard....

It's considered a spectator sport

that requires

climbing in your fort and watching the action while you snack on M&M's!

How we celebrated

Yesterday was Father's Day. How did you celebrate the dads in your life?

Sometimes I think that we get so involved in celebrating our own dads that our husbands get left by the wayside. So, this year we decided to spend a majority of our day celebrating Father's Day by doing something that Shawn wanted to do. He has been dying to take the kids on a bike ride in the new carrier he bought. So we packed them up and headed to the Kokosing Gap Trail.

Our first stop along the trail was the old train. The kids had a blast climbing on it and ringing the bell.

Another 5 miles or so down path we stopped so they could play on the playground. We also grabbed some ice cream before our ride back.

Along the way, there are some great bridges overlooking the Kokosing River.

When it was all said and done....we had biked a total of 18 miles round trip. We were all exhausted! Not sure why the kids were so sleepy since all they did was ride. lol

I think that Shawn would say that it was a perfect Father's Day spent with our little family!

To the love of my life

{17} years ago, I fell in love with you.

{12} years ago, we were engaged.

{almost 10} years ago we were married and became one.

{5} years ago we became parents for the first time.

{3} years ago we added to our family again.

{TODAY} I wish you a Happy Father's Day and MANY MANY MORE to come.

You are the best husband, and father and we love you so much!!!

Happy Father's Day

To my Dad.  Growing up my dad seemed to always be on 2nd shift at work. I'm sure that it was extremely tiring and trying for him but he always made sure to show us that he loved us. He wasn't afraid to give us hugs and kisses and tell us how much he loved us. He attended every sporting event. Made the most amazing Valentine Boxes. Enjoyed Christmas shopping in the toy department with the enthusiasm of a 6 year old. As I grew older.....those rolls changed.

When I went away to college an hour from home. He would drive to the University after work to take me to the grocery store ( I didn't have a car on campus). Or bring me some yummy goodies from home. He and Mom always made sure that I had money or the things that I needed.

As I entered into married life, he embraced my husband as his own son. He would help us around our new apartments or homes with repairs and projects. Never complaining and always offering a helping hand.

Then the day came when he became a Grandpa! The way that he interacts with and loves my children is AMAZING! It gives me a glimpse into what it must have been like between he and I when I was a child. He never misses a ball practice, game or school musical. He plays with them, spoils them, and loves them unconditionally!

I love you Dad, and hope that you have a wonderful Father's Day!

I am having

so much fun

watching

my little girl

learn the sport

I loved

as a kid.

Gauge on the other hand.....LOVES the concession stand!

This is

{Our}

{Little Corner}

{Of Paradise}

Wordless Wednesday: Boys and their Toys

Today is the first day

I have composed this post in my head more than a half dozen times. How do I reveal my heart without coming across as whiny and complainy? How to share how I feel at risk of sounding ungrateful for the tremendous blessings in my life?

My heart tells me that my children are growing up way too fast and that I need to try with all of my might to slow things down, breathe it all in and soak up these fleeting moments. My heart tells me that I would love to be able to spend hot summers days taking them on trips to the zoo, playing in the backyard baby pool or taking an adventure to our nearby park. My heart tells me that I want them to look back on their childhoods and remember them very fondly.....the way that I remember mine.

My mind tells me that I am extremely blessed with a job that helps pay the bills and helps us afford the beautiful home we have. My mind tells me that I can not ask for a more perfect situation where my children are literally a hop, skip and a jump away from me all day. Where I can peek in on them at a moments notice to grab a quick hug or kiss a boo boo.

My heart and my mind seem to constantly be in a tug of war with one another. Many times, this results in a yucky case of Mommy guilt. But should I feel guilty? According to my heart, yes...but according to my mind, no.

My dilemma is how do I go about balancing out what my heart feels and what my mind knows? How do I get past that yucky Mommy guilt that comes in like an uninvited guest and wreaks havoc on my attitude and spirit?


 ”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Sandbox Fun

Wordless Wednesday: Summertime Requirement

Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone sweetie? It seems like only yesterday that you began your journey here at the preschool! I remember that day very vividly. It was November 2005 and Mommy had just got her job working in the church office. I would be working 5 days a week and you would be cared for in the infant room just down the hall. This was a big transition for both of us. You would be taken care of by non-relatives (up until his point it was just Grandma's and Aunts) and people that I didn't even know.

On the first day, I nervously showed up in the infant room carrying you and all your gear....looking at the faces of women I was entrusting my precious, sweet, baby to. They assured me that you were going to do great and would be well cared for. I knew you would be, but it didn't make it any easier to walk out of that room.

I remember that I started to cry the instant the door shut behind me. I felt sick to my stomach and couldn't control the tears that rolled down my hot cheeks. I couldn't walk down to my new office when I felt and looked like a mess. My heart was breaking. I remember sitting in the stairwell around the corner trying to compose myself. After what seemed like an eternity, I walked down the hall to my new job. It was a busy day of learning new tasks, new people, and new responsibilities....but I made time to sneak down and visit you and check in on you at
two or three a dozen times. You seemed to be doing great.

Over time, I began to form relationships with the awesome women that took care of you in that infant room. I could see the love that they felt for you as they cared for you as one of their own. Time moved on as it so quickly does and you transitioned to the toddler room...and from there the Preschool and eventually Pre-Kindergarten.

Within these walls, you have grown from a little baby just learning to walk to climbing monkey bars and swinging on swings. From only knowing the words Mama and Dada to knowing how to write you first and last name. From being a very timid preschooler to a very confident Pre-K graduate. I am so thankful for all the wonderful Godly women who have loved you and taught you these past 4 years! They are a true blessing.

Grace, you are such a sweet, kind hearted, smart, beautiful little girl! There isn't a day that goes by that I am not awed by you and who you've become. I am blessed and so so grateful to be your Mommy! I love you baby girl ❤

In the mornings

In the mornings on our way to school/work we are generally jamming to KLOVE . Last week as we were driving, David Crowder's song How He Loves Us came on. I can't begin to tell you how much I am IN LOVE with this song. I was in my own little world as I was driving...that is until I glanced in my rear view mirror and witnessed this:

Grace and Gauge were in the back seat praising the Lord with Mama and David Crowder.

I can't tell you how much this blessed me.....well yeah I can. It blessed me so much that being the "Mommy Blogger" that I am, I had them recreate the moment so I could capture it with my camera (since I was driving when it actually happened). lol