So proud of this girl!

Georgia continues to amaze us all.  What a neat kid!

Happy Holidays, Mall Santa style

NERD

Seattle

Oh yeah, REALLY shy.

Charlie and I took a long weekend to go to Seattle for Jess' baby shower.  And I think we gave Lucy a crash-course of what it's going to be like with a little sister! 

It was a great trip, met really nice people, and even got to squeeze in a Gonzaga game with Julia, Casey and Josie, and see many a Zag friend from years and years ago!

And I loved snapping pics of this little goofball!

Brynn's Birthday Photo Session

I'm loving this stage

One Year Ago

It is hard to believe it has been a year since the scariest times of my life.  One year ago today I was in surgery to remove a tumor from the back of my head.  A tumor the size of a tennis ball.  How surreal that feels to say.  And to think of how successful the outcome was.  AND to think, one year later, I have never been happier.

We went in to the whole thing quite scared.  Going through my head were thoughts about not being here for my children, my husband, my family.  Not seeing my kids grow up.  I felt so selfish during those times.  I wanted to be here for them, not someone else.  They are MINE.  And thankfully I AM here to be with everyone.  And we even added one more for me to be with.  Amazing is the fact Charlie is here following such tumultuous times.  Things happen for a reason.  I'll never know why I had a brain tumor.  What I do know, however, is from the bad came a whole lot of good.  I am able to positively look at life without allowing the negativity to take over.  Without judgment.  And the world is a happier place for me.  Look at everything I have to be thankful for.  Thanksgiving will forever be a VERY thankful time in my life.

I took a few minutes to read through the blog posts from the days surrounding my diagnosis and surgery.  I can remember the combination of numbness and pain I felt.  My heart hurt.  The weight of everything was unbearable.  Yet the out-of-body feeling left me numb.  I couldn't formulate cohesive, logical thoughts.  I am so thankful to have had the support I did to make it through.  My family and friends (and people I barely knew) were there, and that's what mattered most.  I remember it being so hard for me to talk about the situation with anyone, until it came to the boiling point when I gushed to Mel for what seemed like hours.  And how the process seemed to take an eternity, but in actuality, from start to finish was a few weeks.  To have to wait 10 months post-surgery for a follow-up/non-pregnant MRI was just about as hard.  The fear of the unknown truly is something.

Who knows what the future will hold for me, but for right now I wouldn't trade the things that transpired in the past year for anything.  The relationships created and strengthened, the outlook I can have on life, and the self-knowledge gained.  I am THANKFUL.

Repost: Wake-Up Call

 This post was from one year ago.  Still have to remind myself of these things.

I remember back a week or so ago (and even in the months prior) I was feeling really overwhelmed. I had Georgia in school and activities, Murphy in school and activities, even a soccer class for Millie. I was doing Pilates, running, and doing my grad school at GU two days a week. I felt overwhelmed with articles to read and present on, treatment protocols to create, things to remember. I felt like I couldn't catch up with anything. I developed tactics to tackle laundry, preparing dinners, and organizing toys, which helped matters, but I still felt like the only time I wasn't running around was at night when I was shutting my eyes to go to bed (or watching hours of mindless TV before crashing).

I believe this is my wake-up call. I need to slow down. Yes, the kids enjoy their sports and activities, and will continue to be involved and active. I should've taken a hint from the stress I was feeling, however, that I, myself, needed to slow down.

I can't believe how fast time flies. I can't believe Georgia is in kindergarten and Murphy in preschool. I can't believe Millie is starting to talk. These are the days I need to be focused on them. The little things. I am a stay-at-home mom for a reason. I know what their favorite games are, and I can play it with them. I can let Murphy brush my hair and put three headbands on me. Millie can wear those cowboy boots of Murphy's to Home Depot with me. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity. These are the moments I need to be focusing on. These are the moments I live for.

When I return home Monday (well, I may be a little out of it for a while after Monday, but soon enough) these are the things I will focus on. 100%. These are my kids. My husband. My family.

She makes my day!

In-Home Theater

Murphy and Millie set up their theater in the basement.  Nothing like a little Scooby action on a Saturday morning!

Happy Veteran's Day

Georgia came downstairs this morning and said, "I was laying in my bed and was thinking of what we could do for Veteran's Day.  Remember when we adopted a soldier? Can we do that again?"

And so we did.  This will be our third soldier in the past few years.  The first two returned home safely. I encourage you to do the same.  It's a great thing to do with kids, too.  They understand that, though a small one, they are making a difference.

Back at the workouts!

Let's just say after two days of TRX plus the treadmill and an hour on the EFX, after today's treadmill workout I am going to be one (even more) in pain girl.  It's good pain though.  I love it...and tomorrow is TRX again.  Five day a week for me...five days a week for Charlie (and Millie on her off-school days) in the "play area."  THANK GOD for Miss Jane!  Charlie will take a bottle for her, and she has yet to have to come get me because Charlie is screaming and inconsolable (like when Millie was a newborn).  This makes me happy!

jumper

awesome

Talking about going to Yale with Georgia, she said, "But in college, do you still get recess?" I said "Kind of because you are in classes only a few hours a day."  Georgia said, "So I will have to bring frisbees and golf balls and a club, and tennis balls and a racket..."

Then she asked, "And what kind of classes do they have at Yale?" I said, "Anything you could imagine."  She said, "Phew, I was worried I wouldn't have science anymore."

Halloween Fun!

Sisters

Sweet Charlie Girl

Charlie talking to her friends in the swing.

I see a lot of Georgia's personality when in Charlie.  Way more mellow than Millie was (THANK GOD).  She's a happy little girl.  Happiest when being held.  She likes to be part of the action.  Charlie is such a sweet little moosh ball. 

Scooby Dooby Doo Part 1

Freddy

Scooby

Freddy and Scooby parading with the class through big-kid classrooms

I love that these guys are best buds.

A preview of Velma

Yo Gabba Gabba

l

What do you get when two people, in their 30s, are in Manito Park with cameras...

Senior pictures.  That's what.

The Kellys

....just a preview....

My first photo session

One of my very favorite people.  Amie teaches me so much about photography, how to be a good mom and friend, and how to laugh and have fun.  Like really laugh when we were taking senior pictures of each other in Manito Park.