Cherish Each Moment

Well, Hello There!

2011-02-14T12:45:00.002-05:00

Where have you been? ;)

I've missed you!

I know, I know, it's been forever since I've posted. LOTS has happened since my last post. A huge handful of good moments I will never forget and a smidgen of moments I wish I could. There's so much I wish I could tell you all about, and when the time is right, I will. But the important thing is we're here, we're ~~barely~~ breathing, we're alive and I'm grateful for everything we have in this crazy, chaotic life, unforgiving and unfair as it may seem at times.

I'm especially grateful for this beautiful smile on this Valentine's Day morning:

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T11:37:00.026-05:00

Hope your year was filled with many wonderful memories. We celebrated the coming of 2011 at Disney World surrounded by a sea of THOUSANDS of people. It was packed, but it was also magical. And my girl totally rocked out in front of the Magic Kingdom at the pre-NYE dance party. The fireworks in front of Cinderella's Castle? Breathtaking.

2010-12-15T15:08:00.014-05:00

We have a BIG surprise for Kenziebear this Christmas, and we're pretty psyched about it. Here's a ~~give away~~ hint about where our family will spend our Christmas and New Year holidays:

We're pretty psyched.

.the rest of the family.

2010-11-09T07:30:00.085-05:00

She's goofy, clumsy and curious. She gets confused easily, but loves unconditionally. She snores loudly, but it's okay because her head is usually resting heavily in your lap.

She's more than a decade old, but the only sign is the gray that's begun to form around her eyes and on her snout, because she's still a puppy at heart. She's sweet, and loves to give kisses. She craves constant attention, but she's content to lie in the sun all day, as long as you come over to rub her tummy every once in awhile.

He's quiet, reserved, and serious. He has an "old soul". He is kindly referred to as Little Man, but he has a big attitude. He is opinionated, and you always know what he's feeling by his demeanor.

He can't be bothered with playing. He sleeps 20+ hours a day on a huge bed in front of the fireplace, rarely leaving his cozy cocoon of blankets. When awake, he is glued to either his Mommy or Daddy, snuggling in our necks, or following us everywhere in the house to get some attention.

edit: On Sunday, 11/21/2010, our sweet little man passed away. Leroy will always be remembered for his unconditional love and devotion, and we will always consider him a part of this family.
We miss you dearly, sweet boy.

.circus.

2010-11-08T13:17:00.002-05:00

Every year we look forward to our annual trip to the circus. The music, the lights, the endless array of snacks: cotton candy, peanuts, popcorn..the over-priced souvenirs and leaving with a sugar high that makes your head spin...somehow, it's all so magical.

This picture makes me laugh. The sun was blaring in her eyes, but she didn’t care. She was too excited to get her picture taken with Popcorn the clown.

Nothing brings me back to childhood like a snow cone. I hope when she's older, she remembers this day. How we laughed when my hand bumped the top of her straw and sent it flying two rows behind us, narrowly missing someone's sweet old granny. How we apologized through our tears of laughter, and granny laughed, too. It's amazing how something so little makes her so happy. This one was so sweet, she said it made her cheeks hurt. Funny thing is, that happens to be the affect she has on her Mama.

.the season of giving.

2010-11-08T11:08:00.003-05:00

For the past few years, the second week of November has become our “week of giving”. For our family, this means Operation Christmas Child a non-profit Christian organization that brings gifts all over the world to children in need. This organization is very close to our hearts, and if you’re hoping to create some great holiday memories this year, I highly recommend becoming a part of this wonderful opportunity to help a child less fortunate. It's easy, inexpensive, and you can even track your donation if you'd like.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, click here.

National drop-off week is November 15-22, 2010. For drop-off points near you, click here.

.leaves.

2010-11-07T17:45:00.002-05:00

.beautiful dreamer.

2010-11-07T17:05:00.009-05:00

She’s a deep thinker. An over-analyzer. She likes to take things apart and put them back together again..just to find out how they work. She's a bookworm. Sometimes I'll wake in the middle of the night to find her cozily cuddled up in her bed, tangled in a mess of comforters and quilts, reading..and hoping she won't get caught. But I don't say anything. I just tip-toe quietly back into my bedroom. Because this girl, she's brilliant..and mommy is so proud.

She's imaginative. She remembers everything. She can recall stories I've long forgotten from when she was as young as two years old, and then I remember and we laugh together. She has big dreams, and inspires me to have big dreams, too. She's beautiful inside and out..and when she smiles, her eyes light up, and my whole world stops. Because sometimes, I just can't believe I'm lucky enough to call her mine.

.my husband.

2010-11-06T15:47:00.006-04:00

He is handsome. He is my best friend. My rock. He loves me unconditionally. He lets me melt down and lose my temper. He holds me when I cry. He makes me laugh like no one else can. He is patient and kind. And I am so glad he is my husband.

.halloween.

2010-10-31T03:48:00.005-04:00

This is my eighties chick.

She loves makeup, especially red lip gloss.

She is obsessed with clothes and painting her nails really funky colors.

..and she really is one cool chick.

pumpkins.

2010-10-20T16:02:00.008-04:00

She will always be her mommy's pumpkin.

.fall.

2010-09-29T22:36:00.008-04:00

I love fall. The smell of the crisp, chilled air. The leaves crunching beneath my feet. The piping hot apple cider that warms you from the inside out at the end of a long day. The sweet memories of the season that I so preciously hold on to: my husband and I going on our first date, my daughter making her appearance to the world. All of them so long ago, and yet when I think back, it feels like yesterday. It's finally here, and I couldn't be more ready.

.eight years ago.

2010-09-22T16:10:00.006-04:00

The first time I saw this picture, I didn't like it. Her eyes were closed, her lips pursed, cheeks puffy. Why didn't the photographers choose one where she was looking at the camera? Didn't they know this was the much anticipated hospital picture? This baby hardly resembled the miracle they laid in my arms on that unseasonably warm evening in September. "Someday, you will cherish this picture", my mom explained. Oh, if I'd only known how right she was. That is my perfect, sweet angel. My ray of sunshine. Today, eight years later, I see this picture and all I see is the most beautiful child that ever existed. A child that has morphed seemingly overnight into a gorgeous, intelligent young lady who no longer needs her mommy for everything. A child who reminds me every day to stop and remember to cherish each moment.

Birthday Girl.

2010-09-22T14:02:00.003-04:00