I don't want to forget....

The Lord brought Nina into my life when we just had EK and I was pregnant with AC. Our love for the Lord was our first common bond. Over the years, the Lord has blessed both our families with children and we're both in a season of home educating some of our school-aged kids. Life is crazy and busy but good! You'd think we'd find time to hang out all the time, but with the youngest kids still needing 2 naps a day, our visits were usually every other month. Our friends are moving out of state (thankfully not too far), but I'm so sad to know that we can't just drop by to play in their cul-de-sac anymore. These two sweet girls are precious friends. They get along so well and come up with silly games, play with their American Girl dolls and sometimes talk about saving money. Ha! Can't wait for them to come back to visit so we can take these cuties to the American Girl doll store and I can visit with my sweet friend.  AK always has a blast playing with R. He thin...

We've been on this autism journey for over 7 years now. Each year World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd) has been a little different for me. Some years I was excited to share with others about autism, other years I didn't really want to talk about it, some years I wished it wasn't part of our lives. You name it, I've probably felt it. As EK gets older there are some parts of autism that get easier. Our family "normal" is pretty different from other families. Not necessarily a bad thing, it's just harder for our family to partake in some things that are easy for other family...lots of preparation (food, extra clothing, diapers), worrying about EK's safety or how she'll react, etc. Sometimes it's just easier to stay at home where everything is safe and routine. (I am trying to try new things though and having Kendall helping last summer was GREAT! I didn't feel so overwhelmed!) Some things are getting harder since she's getting bigger and...

I am trying to get my camera out more. I went about a month without taking any pictures and the ones I have taken are mostly of EJ. I need to try and do better.   These two have been outside playing more since the weather is beautiful. It's nice that they are old enough to play outside without constant supervision. EK and EJ are hard to take outside for long.  Just to show this girl has personality and isn't a sweet angel all the time. She's actually quite dramatic at times. :) Love her anyway! Peek a boo  Chubby legs and feet...  My avid reader

We had a great Easter weekend! Friday night we went to a Good Friday service at church. It was a good time to reflect on Christ's sacrifice. On Saturday we decorated eggs and made resurrection rolls. Sunday morning we got up and going so we could get a few pictures before heading to church.   EK sat by the other two almost the entire time and watched. If she didn't like to throw things, I would've let her help some. She seemed happy to watch.  Picture of my blue-eyed girls Got this one of EK after church in the parlor. She was giggling about something. :)  Sweet cousins!  My handsome little man...you can't call him a "cool dude" b/c Daddy's a dude, he's just a boy.  Aubrey and Eliza  All the cousins on one couch. Ha!! I know you don't envy us in trying to get a good picture. Maybe it'll get a little easier as the babies get older. :)  The boy cousins!  My beautiful AC is growing into a lovely young lady. ...

It's true that the days are long, but the years are short. As hard as days are, I pray I remember to savor the simple things...to play with my kids instead of doing something I want to do, to talk with my kids to really learn about them, to take the time to answer questions  (especially related to spiritual things), to get extra snuggles, to find ways to laugh and be silly. 

A few weeks ago we had a family party for my "bookend" kids. EK turned 10 and EJ turned 1. We went with a western them since EK loves horses. It was a fun time!  EJ didn't like the cowboy hat. Notice if falling on the floor.   The cousins minus EK, EJ and baby C  M wanted to help EJ open her presents....actually most of the kids wanted to help. :)  Awesome cake made by my friend and neighbor, Leslie Eaton of Eaton Cakes. EJ's cupcakes were gluten, dairy and egg free so EK and EJ could enjoy some cake too.  Baby girl was very dainty at first but ate a good share of her cupcake.  I think she likes it! EK thinks it is so funny when I pretend to have EJ ride her like a horse.     Sweet birthday girls!