Day Six

I had fun playing with the kids after my photo shoot today. Ansley was a "Mommy Princess" because she had on mommy's glasses... and Eli didn't want to get off the potty. He kept pretending he was asleep on the potty. What silly children I have!

Day Five

I had to set up my equipment for my senior photo shoot and Ansley decided to help me. First she modeled for me, and then she took some pictures of mommy and baby Seth with my wireless remote! We may have a future photographer to help mommy out soon!




Eli was kept happy with cookies!

Day Four

Today I'm sharing a picture of the kids chore charts I made up. They are pretty excited to help mommy and get credit for their efforts that in turn earn them prizes...

Day three

You know, as broken as my heart still is over Wyatt, it amazes me how my heart can overflow with so much joy and appreciation for the members of my family I do have here. It still pains my heart that Wyatt isn't physically a part of our family unit here, but he is still a part of our families soul. He is still in everything we do because he is always held very closely to our hearts. My life is richer because of Wyatt. He's taught me an entirely new level of love. I love my family more fiercely because of that amazing little boy. I am so thankful for him. I have no new photo to post of him... I know I never will... but I just needed to acknowledge how much of a blessing he is in my life daily. Death had no power over the love that bonds our entire family together. We're merely separated for a while... but only a while. Life is short compared to eternity. I'll focus on that when I miss Wyatt more than I can bare.

With that being said, here are some pictures that made my heart smile today...

Sorry about having to sensor out some boy parts. What can I say?... Eli is more comfortable in his own skin than clothes! But I had to share this picture... I love that he's wearing his daddy's shoes. Such a little boy now, but one day I hope he fills his daddy's shoes just as well as his father does. I will be a very proud mother if he is half the man my husband is. I'd say he's already off to a good start, wouldn't you?!


Also, Pepsi is his fathers addiction... Eli could drink the stuff like chocolate milk if I'd let him! Doesn't he look like a happy camper...


This was probably one of my most heartwarming moments today. Eli was taking a nap when Joseph decided he would take Ansley for a walk to the mailbox. As he's walking with Ansley, he was telling her how getting mail was one of his most favorite things to do. He explained how precious mail became to him when he was gone with the Marines away from his family and that he was happy she was getting to do something he loved so much with him. I am so blessed to have created four precious children with a man so full of love. I love the following picture. A true picture of what a daddy/daughter relationship should be like. This picture is one of those that speaks more for itself than words ever could.



I have a beautiful and blessed life. Thank you lord for filling my heart with joy today.

Day 2

A cute Picture taken of Eli about a month ago... I just wanted to share this because it made me smile today!


And here's my two munchkins enjoying some Spaghetti. Eli gave up on using his fork and raked it all into his mouth with his hands. So messy, but too cute to do anything about! Ansley shoveled hers in as well, but she was a very neat and clean big girl in the end.

Well, today will officially be the first day of my project. I may have to change the title to "A picture {or more} a day"! I just can't seem to pick one picture of each of my children.

So today, I start off with a picture of my sweet little Eli. He was less than thrilled when his big sister dressed him up in one of her "princess" dresses. I asked him to smile for me so I could take his picture and this is the face I got!


And here's the proud fashion guru! She solidly stuck to her mantra that this was a great look for her little brother.


Dinner tonight was a hit with the kiddos. Joseph is gone with the Marine Corps. so I made homemade Mac and Cheese with counrty style ribs. Food didn't last long on any of our plates...

Long Overdue

Apparently, it has been quite a while since I have taken the time to update our family blog. It just doesn't really feel right updating you about our family, and not being able to tell you something new about what Wyatt has been doing. However, I will do my best, so bear with me please...

My last post, I was telling you about our little princess getting ready to start school. Her first day was June 7th and Ansley is doing wonderful! Whew...Thank you Lord. We really expected to be the parents who would have to have meetings with her teacher everyday on account of behavior problems. So far, we have been pleasantly surprised! She gets along with all of her classmates. Her teacher was extremely impressed with Ansley's ability to remember everyone's name. Apparently it only took her the first day to remember the names of every child in her class. I wish I could do that... I am terrible about remembering names. Faces, yes. Names, not so much.

Oh, and much to our dismay, Ansley already has a certain little boyfriend she has attached herself too. She says she LOVES D. That didn't take very long. Are we really already dealing with boys? Come on, she's THREE... my head hurts thinking about this one. Let's move on, shall we?

Ansley is learning new songs, prayers, memory verses, how to color in the lines, letter and sound recognition, and even learning to write her letters. She brings home her paperwork each day and Joseph and I just love seeing her improve all of her basic skills from week to week. We are so proud of her. Please pray that she continues to excel in her school work. Ansley is doing so well... Joseph and I feel very affirmed in our decision to put her in preschool (even with the whole boyfriend drama).

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Eli is LOVING that his big bully sister is gone for a good portion of the day. Joseph and I have really enjoyed the one on one time we are able to spend with him. We've even noticed over the last couple of weeks that Eli has really come out of his "shell". He is talking more and also has more of an independent streak. (Big Sigh) Why does he have to grow up so quickly? I'll bake you cupcakes if you figure out a way to keep him little!

Moving on...

Last week after I dropped Miss Ansley off at school, Eli and I went for a fun morning at the park. We had a exhausting grand ol' time. I discovered Eli is terrified of the swing all of a sudden. He used to love them... Not anymore. The first push in the swing and all you hear is "AAAHHHHHHH", as he practically tries to lunge out of the seat into my arms. Does the fact that I thought this was hilarious make me a bad mother?

We never made it to the slide. Eli was happy running around the playground (away from me) as fast as his little legs could take him. He ran away from me laughing because he thought it was comical to make me chase him to get his pictures. Yes, I was trailing him with my camera in hand! What else would I be doing? Eli would hide from me (don't worry, I could see him the entire time) and laugh hysterically when he "scared" mommy by R-O-A-R-ing at me or screaming "BOOO", as he leapt from behind his hiding place.

After a little over an hour of playing in the 95 degree sun we called it quits and headed home...

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As far as Joseph and I are concerned... We are doing alright. There is not a second that goes by that we don't miss Wyatt or think about him. This last month, we really have just been trying to figure out where to go from here. We are trying to find some sort of normalcy in the whirlwind our lives have become in these last couple of months...

We both are trying to lose about 30 pounds and have been hitting the gym pretty hard for the last two weeks. We've found that we really enjoy getting in the pool and swimming together. I'm a bit relieved we have finally found something we both enjoy. I think it's important for us to hang on to one another right now instead of going off in our own separate directions. Not that having our own activities isn't a good thing...

Joseph has actually started taking a karate class up at the gym. I tried it with him, but I am only able to stay in class for the first 15 minutes before I have to pick the kids up... And to be honest, I really didn't care for it. Joseph on the other hand is doing wonderful in the class. I'm sure he'll be a black belt in no time!

I have been taking it pretty slow. It still has only been 4 weeks since I had my c-section, and Dr. M had to make a pretty large incision to get Wyatt out. My incision is completely closed up, but it still bothers me if I stretch out too far. I have a dance class I have been wanting to take at the gym, and think I might give it a try next week. We'll see.

Well, I think your about caught up! I will try to do better with keeping this blog updated. I spend so much of my time writing on Wyatt's blog that I guess I tend to neglect this one. I promise I'll do better in the future.