Sunshine through the Rain

With a house to clean, babies to feed and love on, laundry, piles and piles of laundry to fold. The last thing I should be doing is sitting here in front of the computer but this is where I find myself. I need a break. The classical music is blaring and I hear faint squeals and giggles from Charlie and Kate from somewhere in the house. Its been a nice, peaceful day. The weather could be better but the kids still have the ability to see the sunshine through the rain, popsicles while wrapped in blankets and jackets it is.

and let's not forget the little one... she's rockin' the legwarmers today.

I love my Ella. She makes me feel like everything is good in this world.

She's so beautiful.

Here's hoping that a little ray of sunshine finds its way into your homes on this otherwise dreary day.

Our Church Holiday - Le 17 avril

These 3 days are such a happy time for all of us.

Everyone is together.

 Celebrating.

 Loving eachother.

Forgiving flaws and faults.

I wish we could all be like this all the time!

Here is a glimpse into our holiday...

At Grandma & Grandpa's house...

Spring days...

As an important day in our lives approaches, lots of soul searching and questioning has been going on around here. Resolutions are being made and life as I know it will change. I haven't been living to the fullest of my capability and it stops here. There. I said it. So, now I have a whole 10 followers to keep me accountable...ha ha. No but really. Things do need to change. I know I'm a good mom. I'm a good "mother." How can I not be? It's what I was born to do. It comes so naturally to me and I have the 3 most beautiful little souls that make it easy to be a good mother -- yeah, I know I'm biased. But I want to do more things with them this year now that they're getting older and are able to enjoy activities more. A few of my resolutions...

Things I want to do with my kids:
*Start a Sunday brunch tradition after church (BTW, I know this means I have to wake up early and actually MAKE it to church on time. Another resolution...)

*Take them to morning reading time at the library


*Make special trips to the book store to buy classic books to add to their collection. They love to read. One of my favorite times is going through their bedtime routine with them ... bath, brushing teeth and then story time with their Daddy. It makes me so happy to see Eric laying there in Charlie's tiny little bed with Charlie and Kate heaped on top of him with all their favorite stuffed animals in tow and Eric reading to them in his broken English with his Canadian accent. They really love that special time with him. And I love him for it.


*Spend more afternoons at the park and the beach.

I'm sure there are a ton more I can think of of if I really let my mind go there but this is a start.
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Now, on to sweeter and cuter things...
Today was a lazy, snuggly, stay-at-home kind of day. After the week I've had it was well-deserved, in my opinion. We filled our day with coloring, swinging, napping, lots of Hide & Seek.

I was hiding at the other end of the table snapping photos as they were interacting and coloring...Charlie caught me.

This is what Ella likes to do most lately. She will climb up on just about anything that will hold her weight and hang on for dear life. She's so proud of herself when she does it.

Little E loves to swing in the sunshine. I love her flirty, delicious smile.

It melts my heart every time.

Can I just say that I love Spring? My wall is covered in green ivy & wisteria and it makes my backyard so pretty. I love to look at it from my kitchen window.

And finally, a Kate funny. This afternoon I found myself standing in a puddle of pee in the kitchen. I saw Kate's little wet butt in the living room watching Olivia so I called her over. She saw that I was standing in the puddle and innocently asked me if I had peed in my pants. Really, how could I be mad at that? My girl no longer has a bottle. She is fully potty trained and no bottle... She's not a toddler anymore, but a real little girl. It makes me so anxious to know that she's growing up so fast... but I do have to say, I am very proud of her and also kind of thrilled that I only have one set of diapers to change now. Can a 9 month old be potty trained? Kidding!

I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful Spring we're having.

A Photographer's Prayer

I read this the other day and I thought it was very interesting...

"Oh God, as I bring my subject into focus and prepare to make each portrait, never let me forget that I’m creating treasures for some family, a keepsake for loved ones. Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others, that I may draw out into the light the beautiful, radiant belongings of their hearts.


Help me to be an artist, collecting the beauty of every soul, the glow of youth, the gentleness, the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in Thy sight. Deeper than a means of livelihood, give me the perspective to see my photographer’s art as a service to others, making life richer and more memorable.

And, dear Lord, between the lights and shadows, the ups and downs and the rolling years, keep me from getting out of focus or off center, so that my life and work may be framed with dignity and colored with contentment …"

AMEN

Author Unknown

And just because every post should have a picture, here is some cuteness for today.

Does anything smell better than a freshly washed baby?

Lovin' Stitches Breakfast - Charlie's birthday

I'll preface this post by stating that  Jaclyne  has an unwavering love for Disneyland. Like, really. She has had an annual pass for the past 7 years. Because of her, I've also had the pass because we're always together and what would I do without one? Before I had kids of my own, we used to bring my nieces.

Since I had C, she's been in heaven. Not having to borrow other people's kids or ask permission to take them. She's brought Charlie to Disneyland on a regular basis since he was very little. I believe our first time there with Charlie was when he was 5 months old...

Here they are with the first Mickey outfit she bought Charlie (4 months old) at our beloved Babystyle (Sadly, it's since gone out of business...)

and behold, the very first time C (5 months old) went to Disneyland. He's sportin' his stylish Mickey romper.

5 years later, here they are together again, the buddies at

Disneyland and Stitches Breakfast for his 5th birthday.

{_________________________}

A few other shots of that day, the Stitch breakfast and a day spent hunting for characters. They got new autograph books from J and they loved getting all kinds of characters to sign their books for them.

Kate has adopted J's unconditional love of Disneyland and so far, Ella has too. With Charlie it all depends on the day and what he feels like doing. As he's getting older and can do more rides and cooler things, he is finding his way back to wanting to come with us when we go... I'm happy about that.

My 5 year old boy!

My beautiful, sweet Charlie,

I sit here nearly speechless. I can't believe you are 5 years old.
I remember sitting in your beautiful, striped nursery and holding my pregnant belly and singing Baby Mine to you. I wanted you to be mine so badly. I wanted to hold you and love you with everything I had in my soul. I was scared that I wouldn't have that chance.

But alas, you came. You gave us quite the scare and came WAY too early but you were there. Kicking and screaming. This tiny 4 pound little boy with a DIMPLE... that's when I fell 10 times more in love with you. When I held you for the first time and through all the medical equipment to help you breathe and under the surgical tape on your cheeks holding the tubes in place...I saw you had a dimple, just like mine. I knew you would make it.

And here you are, I have a BIG 5 year old boy. You hate when I call you little because you are 5 now. You have been wanting to be this magical age for what seems like years now...ha ha! No, but really, since you turned 4 all I have been hearing about is how much you are looking forward to turning 5. It's here now and you smile whenever anyone mentions it. This year has been so much fun with you. I have loved LOVED loved watching you become more and more of yourself. You have friends. Lots of friends. It fills my heart to see so many people like you and enjoy your company. You love to play around and tease them.

You are the most thoughtful, loving little person I know. Certainly the only 5 year old who cherishes birthday cards as much as the gifts. You've found your love for sports. You make me beam with pride when I watch you play t-ball or any sport for that matter because of your eagerness to learn how to play it. Not only that, you love to practice until you become great at it.

This year you learned lots of new things. I was ecstatic when you learned how to write your own name recently. You excelled in preschool. You found a new love for the Nintendo with Jackie... You continue to love your daddy so much. I love the bond you two have. You learned to really enjoy playing with Kate and you LOVE your baby Ella. You want to hold her whenever you get the chance. They both love you to the ends of the earth too.

I wanted to tell you this, Charlie. No baby was ever as wanted and NEEDED and LOVED as much as you were. My sweet, precious, little Charlie. I love you so much. You fill me up with all that's good in this world and I am SO looking forward to seeing you grow into whatever you will become. Don't ever let anyone hold you down, baby. You are amazing and you will do amazing things in your lifetime. Hold God close to you always, carry my love for you in your heart and you will be ok.
Love always,
Mama
xxxooo

 Here is Charlie at all of his birthday parties so far...

3 days old.

Charlie at his 1st birthday party...

it was a circus.

Charlie at Chuck E. Cheese

He chose Buzz Lightyear for

his 2nd birthday party

Arrgh! We celebrated his 3rd birthday

as pirates because he was all about

Jack Sparrow.

For 4 he had to have his Spiderman.

and now, my big boy is 5... and the Super Heroes theme

suited him well. He will always be my little superman.