World Cup & a good book

Can't get enough...

of him and his backwards helmet.

Accidental Coordination

This past Sunday as we were heading out the door to church I realized that our outfits coordinated in 2 totally different ways.  Completely unplanned, I am not that 'with it'.

Orange and blue stripes, someone not very happy about Sunday morning photos.

Lace and denim.  And no, this is not a maternity dress though it totally looks like it from this photo!  Ugh.

Learning to shoot

Finally!

This guy is about 2 years behind his big sisters in the tooth-loosing category.  His first one finally came out!!

Hidden

The other day I could not find these 2.  They were hiding behind the couch with a book.  I guess you can't be mad about that.

Dark

I tried to capture this sweet moment of my dad reading to Greta and Josiah.  I love how Jojo is laying his head on my dad.  But my settings were way off and by time I fixed them, the moment was gone. So...a dark, sweet moment.

Beautiful Miracle

This is one of those posts that just makes me happy.  I'm having a hard time evening knowing how to start...

I have a dear sweet friend named Jolynn who has been a close friend of mine since high school.  We were the maid of honor in each other's weddings.  She has been there over the years and listened to my many cries.  She knows me and understands me in ways that I don't have to try to explain.  She has been a loyal and faithful friend.

We got married just a few years apart and I started having kids before she did.  She was always the girl who dreamed of being a mom.  It was painful and heart-wrenching to watch her and her husband walk through years and years of unexplained infertility.  It was a beautiful and joy-filled day when I heard that they were adopting a little boy.  A couple years later they welcomed another little boy into their family.  This past winter she again told me they were chosen by a birth mom to receive a baby girl.  One week before they got their daughter, Jolynn found out she was pregnant.  They went through with the adoption.  Come August, they will have a 6 month old and a newborn!!

When Jolynn called me and told me she was pregnant, I think the whole neighborhood heard me scream with excitement.  All these years and prayers later...unbelievable.

Jolynn and her family live in Florida so we see each other just a couple times a year when she comes to visit her parents here in Lancaster.  I asked her if I could take a few pictures to capture this crazy beautiful time.

This girl.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I was excited to meet her and knew I would enjoy her.  But I wasn't expecting just how much I would just want to eat her up!!!  She is so laid back and sweet and precious.  Jolynn calls her a little Tootsie Roll, I love it.

Field Day '14

We had another fun day at track and field day as a family.  It's fun to see my kids in this setting, some are much more competitive than others, some are runners and some are jumpers.  Thankfully everyone enjoys this event...maybe as much as I do!

Claudia's face says it all.  'Mom, do we really have to take a picture in front of everyone??!?'

Greta, far left, ready to run the 400.  She busted out of the gate and trucked it the whole way around the track.  This was always my favorite event and I think she is following suit.  

Finishing strong

Aaron in the middle

Oh man, this dude needs a haircut!!

Always Drawing

Field Trip: Risser Grain

A friend of mine from church is a "country neighbor" to my aunt and uncle.  She (my friend) organized a field trip to their farm and invited me along.  It was so fun to be at my aunt and uncle's house, giving my kids a tour of what goes on there.  I have lots of memories playing at their farm with all my cousins as we were growing up.  My aunt and uncle and cousin are involved in a grain business.  They are a talented, impressive bunch!!

My cousin Brent led the field trip and he did such a great job with all the active, talkative kids!

My aunt Ann, my dad's sister.  Such a happy, kind woman she is!