Happy First Birthday Addison!

Happy Birthday my sweet little bird!  It is so hard to believe how fast this year has passed me by!  You are such a sweet and spunky girl who just completes our family!  Mommy and Daddy love you so much, and your brothers absolutely adore you.  I love how you just lay in the floor with me at night watching tv or looking at books, I love how you knock on the kitchen window calling “brother” (your 2nd word!) when Jackson and Benjamin are outside playing – just wanting to be part of the action, I love the way you light up when daddy walks in the door at night, but most of all….I love that God blessed our family with such a sweet little soul.  We hope that you have a wonderful birthday!

A Great Life

Today, I am enjoying just watching my kids.  I love spring…the weather is great and it is fun to sit out on the porch and watch the kids play until dark.  We are making the most of this gorgeous Carolina weather, and the boys are having a ball riding up and down the street on their bikes, scooters and rip riders.  Addison loves it too – we just plop her down in the grass and she gets a kick out of watching her brothers.  Between boy scouts, tae kwon do, soccer, baseball and kindermusik – this mom is loving just sitting here doing absolutely nothing.  (although i have two shoots to edit and some custom baby shower invites to finish – i think they will just have to wait one more day!)

God has truly blessed Ben and I with wonderful children!  When I look at them, I see how much love He has for me.  Sometimes life gets too busy, and I don’t take the time I should to talk to God – but He is always there, waiting for me.  Watching them today, I am reminded how truly thankful I am – and how much God desires to have a conversation with me.  I am always so excited to see my kids when they get in the car after school or after ball practice- I can’t wait to hear about their day, how it went  and what they did.  God wants that too!  He delights with us in our good days and comforts us in our bad ones.

One of my favorite passages from the Bible reminds me that He is listening to and looking for me:

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Happy 35th Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

What sweet grandparents!!!!

Today my parents celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary!  I wish you both a wonderful day and 35 more years of happiness.  My parents have shown me that through thick and thin, you keep going and you keep loving those that are most dear to you.  I have seen them tackle the daily grind of 3 kids, a job transfer that took my dad to PA (twice), the death of my Nana and Pops, 3 daughter’s weddings, the births of 4 grandchildren and so much more…yet they kept strong.  Mom and Dad – thanks for always being on my side and loving me!  I love you both dearly!!!  Look forward to celebrating with you tonight!

Sweet New Baby Boy

I just love a brand new baby, and this sweet little man is no exception.  His wonderful mommy asked me to create Baby N’s custom birth announcement and thank you notes, as well as take his newborn photos.  He wasn’t all that sleepy but he sure was super sweet and cuddly with his big sis!  Big sister goes to school with my Jackson, and his mom and I have become wonderful friends.   I just love how sweet his expression is in this first picture!

thank you note

birth announcement front

back of birth announcement

Helping Haiti

My sister Whitney is going to Haiti in a few weeks to share her amazing photography talents and to volunteer in the relief efforts that are underway after the massive earthquake struck Haiti last month.  She has a special page on her website about her trip (click here).  Whitney, we will be praying for a safe trip and for God to use you in whatever way is needed to touch the lives of many.  I am so proud of you…what an amazing opportunity!

Whitney with my silly boys!

Sweet Peaches…where does the time go?

My sister asked me to take Molly’s 6 month pictures last month, and of course I said yes!  Molly is such a beautiful, sweet and content little girl.  I cannot believe that six months have come and gone.  She loves her mommy and daddy, and thinks Aunt Bev is a little on the crazy side.  Everytime I put the camera in front of her, she gives me that look, like “really, we have to do this again?”.

Well, yes Molly, we do!  I love this shot of you and your Mommy.  It is still hard for me to believe that my sister is a mom.  I love watching her in this new role! 

A few of my favorites of Ms. Molly!

Thanks Heidi for asking me to capture Sweet Peaches at such a fun age!  Molly, I love you….thanks for playing with Aunt Bev again!

For the West Coasters…

Daddy and Aunt Whitney,

This is for you!

Daddy, we all hope you got to San Fran safely and wish you a good night   Benjamin says *don’t let the bed bugs bite*! 

And this daddy’s girl had something to say too…

Aunt Whitney asked for some video of Addison’s kisses, so I of course had to try and get some of those sweet kisses on the camera for her.  Everytime I turned the camera off, she would start kissing up a storm, and as soon as the recording light went on again, she would look at me with such concern!

My fingers are in my mouth….

…because I have 2 new teeth!  My first one popped through last Thursday, and then mom saw another one yesterday! 

Addison has not even acted like she got 2 new teeth in the last week, other than gnawing on her hands day and night.  She has been so sweet and happy, and is so proud to show her teeth off when you ask for a smile!  Her newest thing (other than the teeth) is to *kiss* you.  It is so sweet….if you make kissing noises to her, she will do it back to you by popping her lips together.  She is quite pleased with this new noise she is making …I know it will wear off very soon, so we are enjoying it while we can!!

Happy 4th Birthday Benjamin!

 

 

 

 

My baby boy is turning 4 today!  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant with Benjamin, worrying that there was no way that I could love another child as much as I did his brother.  Everyone assured me that there is enough lovve for every child and that you love them all in their own little way.  Well, of course, everyone was right, because I love this boy to the moon and back.  Benjamin lights up our days (and our nights) with his smile, deep belly laugh and his enthusiasm for life.  He is intense in all that he does, he loves deeply, plays hard and cares about things that are important to him with such passion.  Benjamin is curious, nothing short of persistent and will not take no for an answer.  He challenges me everyday to be a better listener, more patient and to be the best mom that I can be….and I know that God designed it just that way between us.  Benjamin reminds me to live in the moment and not t0 sweat the small stuff.   He loves his brother and looks up to him in such a sweet way, and adores his baby sister.  God has blessed me Benjamin with your infinite sweetness.  I love you so much!  Your daddy and I wish you the happiest day!

 

Happy 4th Birthday Benjamin!

 We had a family get-together for Benjamin to celebrate last weekend.  Here are a few of the party details!

party invitation

 

yum...brownies! one of Benjamin's favorite food groups!

 

Jackson and Lucas looking on in anticipation

 

Molly and Addison enjoying the party around them!

 

 

 

Trying to be organized…

One thing I want to accomplish this year is to be better organized.  I mean really, with three kids and my always forgetful self, I needed to get my act together.  Everyday when the boys get in from school, they drop their bookbags in the floor and leave their shoes in the kitchen, so I knew just where we needed to start organizing….the laundry room. 

When we moved into this house almost 2 years ago, we got quotes for custom mudroom cabinetry, granite countertops and the whole nine yards.  I loved the look of these:

www.bhg.com

www.bhg.com

After getting prices and thinking on it for a few days…I just couldn’t stand the thought of spending that much money on something that would probably still end up in a mess anyway (I do have two boys after all!).  In the end, I nixed the project (secretly wanting an outdoor fireplace instead…but that is a post for another day! ) and moved on.  Well, I never forgot about wanting to *spruce up* the laundry room. 

I FINALLY did it!  After much shopping with my mom and sister at IKEA, World Market and Overstock, I found what worked for me (and my budget).  It has taken me over a month to shop, paint and assemble shelving, but it is done and I couldn’t be happier.  I had lots of help from my superintendent, Benjamin.

 

Here are a few pictures of my updated laundry/mudroom.  (and yes – the boys are doing a fantastic job of hanging their coats and bookbags, as well as storing their shoes in the baskets.)

another cute helper!