A Sign of Summer

Yep! It's pretty much here!

Ashlin's Day Out

Ashlin was having a hard time with Kenzi being gone for the last few days. The poor little thing just didn't know what to do with herself! So Trevor had the idea just to take Ash to feed some ducks that live near our house and have a little picnic in the back of our car. It turned out to be just the thing Ashlin needed!

We pulled up to the spot, and these big, fat ducks immediately came waddling out (obviously knowing what was in store for them.)

Ash wasn't quite so sure about them at first. And was really hesitant to get near them, let alone feed them!

She decided she'd much rather climb up in the car and have a few slices of her own.........far out of reach from the ducks who were nearly her size!

But Trevor (as always) was able to talk her down from the car and coax her into throwing the ducks a few pieces of bread.

By the end of our "duck-feeding adventure" Ash was very proud of herself! I think sometimes she needs to do things without Kenz around so she can see that she really can do things on her own.

It sure was fun!

Our free-spirited Kenzi girl!

I have to admit, I've had a really rough time with my little Kenzi Makae lately. She's just so much like me! I feel like I'm constantly butting heads with her, and find myself having to work hard to calm myself down on a daily basis. She's doing the lovely "test my mom just to see how far I can get" bit that is so common for 3 years olds. She's also been telling me that she can do whatever she wants and it doesn't matter what I say. She thinks she has complete control of me, and I'm starting to fear that that might actually be the case. I swear I'm not a lazy mom who doesn't follow through with threats for punishment, and I really do know how to discipline. It's like she honestly doesn't care what happens, she'll do it anyway.

Last week, my friend and neighbor Kira caught Kenz leaving our house out the front door with her little sister in tow. When Kira asked what she was doing, she said she was leaving while I took a nap and it was just fine. I was horrified. She has repeatedly been told not to open any doors without my permission. She could've run off and never been seen again!

When I cried and yelled at her and sent her to her room, she lied and said she never did any such thing. Once she was in her room, she screamed, spit, kicked the door, threw toys, and pounded on the door so hard I thought the whole house would come crashing down! She lies constantly and I just don't know what to do!

It's hard to hear myself say it, but I truly didn't want her around my house anymore. She's always pushing everyone's buttons, even when she's on our good side and we're giving her positive attention. I just wanted a break from her and be able to regain perspective on how things really should be.

So I sent her away. She's spending a few days at her biological father's house so I can have a break.

The result.....?

I have never missed her so much in my life.

I can't believe I wanted her gone, even for one day.

Ashlin walks around the house calling for her big sister who she can't find anywhere.

The house is quiet, and is actually rather boring.

There are no games of Pretend being played.

No singing of Hannah Montanna songs at the top of her lungs.

No jumping on the bed or couch or my scolding voice in return.

No constant gigglings of glee from teasing her younger sister.

No talking to no one in particular coming from her bedroom at the end of the hall.

No one to say "Mom, we forgot to say family prayer!" or "MOM!!!!!! I love you."

Yes, this child knows how to push my buttons hard enough to make me want to rip my hair out.

Sure, she annoys, complains, whines, demands, and antagonizes............................................

But above all, she LOVES.

So much more than any of that.

I need to keep that in my mind when she comes back home.

And I need to tell her just how much I missed her.

And how we love her so very, very much.

When Family Attacks....

Trevor tickles the girls a lot, but it usually doesn't end this way....

Oh, I'm so excited!

{{click the image to enlarge}}

Any mommy who wants to come is invited.

Just make sure I know that you're coming with an RSVP.

You're welcome to bring your kids(s) and a mommy friend!

See you there!

(P.S. the drinks are always non-alcoholic. Just wanted to make that clear!)

My Decision

It's been on my mind for a long time,

I think about it every day.

I lay in bed trying to sleep at night,

It creeps into my head and keeps me up as a think about it.

I've been waiting for just the right time,

For all the stars to align just right,

So that we can move forward with our life.

I've wanted it to be perfect.

It's such a wonderful thing,

And I've wanted everything to happen just the way I want it.

Realization.

The Adversary is intervening.

The longer I wait, the happier he is.

He is slowly gaining control,

Something I fear.

It will never be the "perfect time."

What I am waiting for can't happen

If we're not moving forward with it.

Decision.

We will wait no longer.

We will plan it now.

We will pray.

Our family will fast.

It may not happen the way I want it to.

It might even be downright sad for me.

But it has to happen.

Soon.

It's so important,

And I can't let the waiting control our life.

Peace.

That's what I feel now.

Not anxiety about what might or might not happen.

Happiness

That we will be together forever.

Excitement

That it's so near now.

This has been a life lesson.

One I will remember

And teach my children.

And now,

We begin the fasting and praying,

As move ever closer to the most important event in our lives.

More amazing photos by Leslie!

This past week, Leslie and I got together so she could take Jamison's blessing portraits. They turned out so beautiful! I love them!

She also got some cute pics of all three kids together....

And some gorgeous shots of the girls. Ashlin was the best poser she's ever been!

It was a bit harder to get Kenz to smile this time, but Les was still able to get some great photos.

Leslie had to rush and get them edited really fast so I could have them printed by Saturday and make some Mother's Day gifts for the grandmas with them. Thanks Les, you're amazing! I would recommend her as a photographer to anyone! From newborn photos, to family portraits, to graduation pictures - she's just so good. At a price you can't beat anywhere. Go to lesliemccleeryphotography.blogspot.com for more details.

Poor Little Ashlin

Normally, Ashlin is a constant ball of energy running around from one thing to the next all day long. It takes a lot to hold her down, but that was the case the other day. I walked out into the living room to find this, and knew something wasn't quite right.


Then, a litte bit later:

After answering the door and talking to Kira for a few minutes on the front step, I turned to see this:

Okay, now I KNOW she's sick! I took her temperature.....102.3 F

Uh oh. Swine flu?

Okay, calm down. Let's not freak out here.

After Trevor got home late that night:

I got her in to the doctor that next day. Poor little girl has an ear infection. The crazy thing is, she was still happy as could be. The only way you could tell she was sick was by how lathargic she was. But, we got her on some antibiotics and she's doing great now!

Jamison Loves his Daddy!

I've been telling everyone how much Baby J lights up when his daddy gets home at night, but now I have proof! He really loves him SO much. Honestly, I've never seen this young of a baby smile as much as he does. This video was actually taken a couple weeks ago.

Of course, at the end when I start talking to him....he cries.

Sorry for all the videos - I finally have a camera that takes video and I've just started using it all the time!

Two Birthdays and a Baby Blessing

This past weekend was super busy....but the good kind of busy! We got to see so much family and have so much fun! I love getting to hang out with the people I'm related to =)

On Saturday, we had two grandma birthdays to celebrate!

First, we went up to Trev's great aunt Sonja's house to see Grandma Whittle. She is Trevor's great grandmother, making her our children's great-great-grandmother. Pretty amazing, huh? And how old is this wonderful Grandmother? 103 years old. Yep! Kenzi just loves her!

Kenzi and her favorite little playmate, Cousin Brinley!

Brett and Kira's fam...+ Kenzi. Sorry guys!~



After we finished up there, we headed to Mom and Dad's to celebrated Grandmother's 85th birthday! As a surprise for Grandmother, her youngest son Jamison flew in from El Paso for her birthday. This is Uncle Jamison holding Baby Jamison. Pretty cool!

We had a little talent show as part of the party. Lloyd and Megan danced ballroom, Great Aunt Kay and Uncle David sang, Lloyd break danced, and Dad did his "Chinese Elvis." I wish I had gotten more video of all of this!

Grandmother's so cute! I just love her!

Sunday was Baby Jamison's special day. He was blessed in our church that day. Trevor gave a beautiful blessing that everyone could tell was truly inspired. Afterward, we had a luncheon party at Mom and Dad's house.

This is Grandmother with her 106th great-grandchild. Coincidence that she and Uncle Jamison happened to be there for this blessing day? I think not. Four Generations. So neat.

My mom and dad with Baby J.

So sweet.

Uncle Kyle holding Jamison.

It was a wonderful day filled with so many friends and family. I loved it! Thanks to everyone who came.

We love you~