Celebrating the Small Stuff

Finally! A warm sunny day, not a hint of a breeze, just the warmth of the sun that penetrates deep down to your bones. Today I worked up a sweat, isn't that crazy!? It feels like it's been forever since I worked up a sweat from playing in the sun. I have been teaching Timmy how to ride a bike. Wes was 4 years old when we taught him. It took us almost 2 day to where we could get him to ride off on his own for about 5 seconds without crashing. Wes would get frustrated, but he was determined to learn. Timmy I thought would be easier. Not to say Wes was tough, but Timmy catches on pretty quick to new things, trying to keep up with his brother. But for some reason he really gets impatient with himself when it comes to riding a 2 wheel bike. I even start off with a little pep talk to Timmy saying " Baby, it's not easy learning to ride a bike, and there will be times you will fall, but you are my smart strong boy and I know you can do it" ...10 minutes later he's ready to through in the towel. That's when my super duper mother skills really come into play. This is when you really hype-up the small stuff. My couching skills turn into " Timmy Shea! Did you see what you just did! You kept the bike up, riding on your own for three whole seconds! (As Wes cheers him on, "See Timmy, I knew you could do it"! ) Timmy was very proud of himself. After about 20 min. we took a break so it would be more of a fun event instead of him feeling like I was pushing him too hard. Tomorrow is a new day with new things to learn, I hope it's a nice one too. We will update you with pictures of Timmy's success in the future.

Enjoying Spring

There is something extra special about spring when you have children

My Precious Moments Boy

I love cuddle time with all my children, but there is something special when Timmy Shea cruels up in my arms. I take these moments everyday, especially before James and I tuck the children in at night. The picture above captures one of these moments. The sad look on Timmy's face is due to the picture taker (Daddy) telling Timmy it's time for bed. My little cuddle bug and I milk the clock for every moment of sweet luv'n.

I through a last years summer picture in of my little guy to wet your appetite for summer. Living in the Tri-Cities we have some of the sweetest juiciest produce in the nation. Stay tune for captured moments of watermelon grins and slip-n-slid action.

Hail Storm, Tri-Cities Style

Weston, my adventurous boy, as soon as he saw the miniature hard snow balls fall he bolted out the door say'n "I wanna know what it feels like"! He didn't stop there. He also got a real good taste, as he ran against the pelting force of the hail. It was an awesome sight.

20 Months Old

Our baby girl is growing so quick. It's hard to believe her 2 year B-day is just 4 months away. Her personality is really coming alive. Everyday she expresses something new...explores something new. Like for instance in the picture above. Momma left out her make-up and Alli saw an opportunity to practice what she sees Momma do everyday, and then add her own twist to it. I mean why stop at just painting your lips with the lipstick? Why not the cheeks, shirt, pants, and toes? And FORBID that the make-up be taken away from her. We are seeing the the "terrible two's" for the last month now. The fit throwing has become quite dramatic :-). But, her sweet side is definitely developing more and more too. Alli can blow kisses and bring you a blanket for cuddle time on the couch. I'm definitely loving everyday being a momma.

Divine Intervention

In essences, I got three for the price of one. James didn't come alone in our marriage. Some women might run at the sight of a divorced man with children. But for some reason the Maker of my heart thought that this was just what I needed. Sometimes our path in life is not an easy slope. And for those who have been following the story of our journey, since the beginning, know this to be true. I have good news though. Yesterday something Divine happened. Something long waited for. Peace has swept over my family like the calm fresh breeze after a storm. Thank you all for your faithfulness in praying over our family. Thank you Jesus for another one of your divine interventions. Now I know what it feels like to breath normal again.

In a Blink of an Eye

I've been nursing an old injury these last couple days. Most of you can remember my capture-the-flag knee injury that ended with a trip to the ER and 6 bolts and a plate in my left knee. During these colder months it starts giving me arthritic pain. This last Friday I was limping around work and when I got home I could barely straighten or bend my knee, as if rigamortis set in. It was terribly swollen. I stretched a knee brace over it which did help.
The next day I did attend church with my family. I was still somewhat limping but it was not as painful as the day before. After church service I filled my arms with the kids sabbath activity bag, coats, purse and Alli and headed for the car to drop some of the items off. By the time I got to the car my knee began to scream at me at the same time Alli was kicking and squirming to get down. I set her down and opened the car door to throw the items in the car. One second later Alli made a beeline across the parking lot heading straight for a car that was backing up. I started to scream for her and then noticed that the driver of the car wasn't even looking backwards to see where he was going! Shear terror hit my chest as I saw Alli two feet away from the bumper of the moving vehicle. I scream Stop! Stop! While waving my arms and limping as fast as I could towards Alli. I think I made such a seen that the driver stopped the car abruptly just in time for Alli's chest to hit the back bumper. If he would have kept going his back passenger side tire would have ran right over her. I swooped her up in my arms and just began to cry.
Alli was, of coarse, completely oblivious to what just happened. She just looked at me confused and then hugged me back. That day the thought of those little kid leash things didn't seem like such a bad idea.