Night, Night

Embracing my camera with Emily from The Anderson Crew.  I only have a lame picture from my phone this week. But I do love it.  

Every night before bed Ethan gets a sippy cup of milk and his blankie and sits on my (or Tim's) lap and drinks the whole thing just as content as can be.

It is one of the only times in the entire day that he sits still for more than thirty seconds.

I look forward to it everyday.

He is just so sweet and innocent in those moments.

He will let us kiss his head and whisper "I love yous" in his ear.

When he is done he will say, "Nigh, Nigh" and kiss us all before walking to his room to go to bed.

He truly enjoys his bedtime routine.

And so do we.

Embracing . . . Again

Embracing my camera this week with Emily from The Anderson Crew.  She challenges moms to get behind the camera to make memories for their kids. I actually had to ask someone besides my husband to take the picture this week, so that felt like a step in the right direction. We were at a bowling birthday party on Saturday. George had a blast, and I loved watching him.  

He is getting so big.

I cannot believe he will be five years old next month.

Today he told me that he wants to be a dinosaur bone hunter and a dolphin trainer when he grows up.

I answered with, "George, it seems like you want to be everything these days."

He said, "Mom, I don't want to be a police man because they have to move where the bad guys are, and then I couldn't live with you.  I always want to live with you.  Can I live with you and be a dinosaur hunter and a dolphin trainer?"

He thought for a second and then said, "Well, I know I would have to go different places to look for dinosaur bones, but maybe dad and I could go while you stay with Ethan.  Then we could come home and all be together."

Why, yes, George, that sounds perfect to this mommy.

 

Embracing with the husband

Embracing my camera today with Emily from The Anderson Crew.  This is Emily's challenge for mom's to embrace (or get in front of) the camera instead of always being behind it. It doesn't matter how you think you look, your kids will want pictures of you as they grow up. This week is dedicated to my husband of 6.5 years. Then . . .  

And Now . . .

A few more grey hairs and two kids later.

Here we stand.

So glad I get to share my life with this incredible man.

Embracing with my Mama

Embracing my camera today with Emily from The Anderson Crew.  She put together a little link-up to help mom's get in front of the camera, so their kids will have evidence of them as they get older. I think it is a great idea. Last week I posted a picture of my dad and me. It is only fair that I pay my mom the same respect.  

This picture was taken on our annual family vacation to North Carolina.

It is funny because as I looked through pictures to find one with my mother, there weren't very many to choose from.

She is a mom that doesn't embrace the camera too much, so now I am on a mission to change that.

She was (and still is) a wonderful mother to her children.

I am so blessed to have someone I can call at any moment to ask about a recipe or a parenting problem.

I put her way up there in the mother department, but she is an even better grandmother.

My kids absolutely adore their Nouna, and why shouldn't they?

She showers them with more love than any human being could possibly get.

We love you so much Mom/Nouna!

What a blessing God has given us with you.

Now get in front of that camera, woman.

We want evidence of you in the years to come.

Embrace it, Mommies

Embracing my camera this week with Emily from The Anderson Crew.


 She started a link-up to challenge moms to get in the pictures instead of hiding behind the camera. As we grow older we (and especially our children) are going to want to look back at pictures. It is important to embrace that concept. Don't worry about what is wrong with our hair, make-up (or lack there of), clothes, and so on. Just get in the picrture. You will be glad you did. This week is another picture from my birthday party.I just can't give it up. A picture of my daddy and I.  

He is so special to me, and I love the love I can see in this picture.

He has been a wonderful father to me for all my 30 years, and I know that is not the norm for most families.

I don't take it for granted.

I am so glad I have this picture with him forever.

I love you, Daddy!

The one with my bro

Participating in Embrace the Camera this week. Emily over at The Anderson Crew does a weekly link-up that challenges moms to get in front of the camera.  My picture this week is of myself, my brother, and my oldest, George. It was taken on my birthday last week, and I love the way our faces are smooshed together. My brother lives in Tallahassee, so we don't get to see him often enough. It was so fun to have him and his wife here for my special day.  

Everyone says my brother and I look alike.

You be the judge.

My Big Boy

Linking up and Embracing my camera today.

  A picture of my oldest and I  

He is such a doll.

He is the type of child every parent dreams about.

I know I am his mother, so you think I am biased. 

Ask anyone who knows him.

His teachers have told me.

His Sunday school teachers have told me.

Friends of ours always comment.

He truly is a joy to raise.

But that isn't why I love him.

He is the one who made me a mom.

No one can ever take that place in my heart except him.

He started my journey on the road that is altogether lovely and difficult all the time.

He showed me what it meant to love unconditionally and for all time.

He is my first born, and I can't imagine a better one.

I love you, sweet George.

Keep up the awesomeness that is you.

Embracing . . .

Last Thursday I started "embracing my camera."

 Emily at The Anderson Crew started a weekly party for moms who embrace their camera. We are always the ones behind the camera, and our kids will want pictures with us as they grow.   Last week I used an older picture, but this week I actually had my husband take one of me and Ethan. He just started (this week) saying, "Cheeeeeeeese" for the camera. It is so adorable. Here is his cheese face (and mine for that matter). 

 Go ahead and bask in the cuteness of my baby. I do.

Embrace the camera

Emily, over at The Anderson Crew, does a link-up on Thursdays called "Embrace the Camera."  It is a cute idea that revolves around moms being in the pictures instead of just behind the camera. She wants her children to have pictures with her as they get older. I totally agree. I decided to link-up this week and embrace my camera.  

It's an oldie but a goodie.

This picture is from the pumpkin festival we went to in October. I jumped a fence to get in a quick pic before the train started to move. I am so glad I got in it because it is an annual event our family will hopefully enjoy for years to come. I hope to have more recent pictures in the furture posts. Go out and embrace the camera fellow mommies!