Finally Five-year-old pictures of Our Girl

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and more fragrant than ever again."  
Elizabeth Lawrence

Emma and I danced in such a place one day in July... we took off with music, scarves, my camera and her tutu, to find the perfect place for a little girl time.  She knew that the purpose was for me to capture some pictures of her to mark turning five... but she also knew that when we were done I would make good on my promise to dance with her, just she and I, scarves in hand, twirling and whirling around to the music of her choice (princess songs of course).

Emma is not always thrilled to have a camera pointed at her.  This day she was in rare form.  She was striking poses and giving expressions I've never seen from her before!  She thoroughly enjoyed herself and was so excited to finally wear the tutu we'd picked out weeks before!

 

One of her favorite things to do outside is to fill her hands with tiny flower petals.... she holds them as if they are precious gems... and then gently blows them into the wind...

Flower girl

I hardly asked her to pose at all.  I let her take the lead and I just watched her soak up every bit of the world around her.

Little did I know that the field we would pick for our photo shoot would be near a rather busy road.  I did pause for a moment and wonder what people would think as they drove by... but then I took a step out of my self and lived in the moment with my daughter... I swung her around and around, we danced and curtsied and made a wonderful memory that will last a lifetime.

A Sunday trip

Yesterday after church we went to Indianapolis for an afternoon at the Children's Museum.  It was a day full of fun and family time!  Besides the usual exhibits, there was a really cool frog display that we all loved!   It was a great way to spend a rainy day!

Transformers!

 Lucas got to play in his own area! This was his first experience at the Children's Museum that involved more than riding in a stroller or being carried!

 Biggest brother Nathan and Lucas really enjoyed playing together!

 FROGS!

 Lucas having a real carousel ride!

 

Flag

This semester Nathan is one of the students who raises the flag at school every morning.  What a neat responsibility!

Standing

Lucas is pulling up on everything these days!

Family Learning Day

This morning we attended one of our favorite community events at our library- Family Learning Day- at our library.  The kids got to play some games, do crafts, get free books, and much more.  Here we are on a horse drawn wagon ride and Samuel with his red clown nose:

5 years

Today marks five years since my Daddy went to heaven.  I think of him often, especially on this anniversary, but maybe more so this year with our little Lucas Clay (named after Marvin Clayton).  It seems fitting to post a picture our little guy wearing a bib that is over 70 years old...
one that belonged to my dad.

 You didn't get to know him here Lucas, but we believe that he knows all about you and is very proud of you!

 In his memory, here is one of my favorite photos of him with Nathan & Brian (Father's Day 2005):

Treasured TWO's

A few weeks ago Brian and I had a discussion about the age of TWO... There is so much talk about the Terrible Two's but so far our experience does not support that theory!  We are going through our 3rd Two's and this is one of our most treasured times in each of our children's development. Our two-year-olds have been such extraordinary little people and we just marvel at all that is going on within them!
A two-year-old is like a little sponge, soaking up every bit of life and love and experience he can!  He gets excited about the smallest and simplest things and has such a unique perspective.  We love to hear their language develop ("DEE-dirt"= dessert, "Yut-ya= Lucas", "ty-word= tired), the constant chatter during playtime and the way they run with arms flailing around...
Yes, two is a fun and adorable age!  It is one of our favorites!

A two year old is so many things.

A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings.

A hugger of teddies, a sweet sleepy head.

And someone to dream for in bright years ahead.

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Sure, there are some challenges at this age.  Two can be quite frustrating for the child... wanting to do everything but not quite able.... wanting to express all that is going on in that little head but lacking the vocabulary to do so effectively... wanting to be fully in charge of oneself yet having trouble deciding to give in to basic things like eating, sleeping, letting someone change his diaper...

There can be meltdowns...

But they don't last long...
Two-year-olds are masters at making quick changes from happy to sad, from irritable to elated, from crying to giggling in 5 seconds or less...
They are full of life and love and hugs and kisses... Two's are "big", not-so-much babies anymore but they are the perfect size for holding and cuddles, and they fit on your hip just perfectly to catch a ride.  TWO is full of TREASURES that we cherish now and that will continue to warm our hearts when we recall them fondly in the future.

When this one enters his 3rd year, we'll let you know if our experience with THREEs holds true!

Beloved

8 years ago today

Brian and I met face to face for the first time...
it was THE beginning...
I can't really say, "little did we know" because from the very moment we met, it was clear to us that something special was evolving.  I will never forget grabbing his hand as we sat across the table from one another, finishing our coffee, and saying,
"So, how do you think it's going?"
"I think it's going GREAT!", he replied.

The rest is history!

These photos were taken less than two weeks later and are the first of us together:

The last 8 years have been a whirlwind of changes, children and challenges but we both agree that they have been the  
best years of our lives!

Bouncin Barn

A new Bouncy place just opened in our city.  We went to the open house last night.  It was a really cool place full of bouncy house, bouncy slides, etc, and a play area for children 5 and under. We were greeted by a cow as soon as we walked in the doors.  Samuel LOVED him and didn't want to leave him!

*photo courtesy of bouncin barn

Nathan jumped in right away as he's an old pro and Samuel followed with a little coaxing.  This was Samuel's first time really participating in something like this.

 

Emma was another story.  She has a history thinking she wants to bounce but changing her mind once it's in front of her.  This time was no exception UNTIL she got an "almost time to go" warning from Daddy-- then she raced to the bouncy house in the 5 and under area and cautiously went in.  Within a couple of minutes she was bouncing her heart out and after a while she joined Nathan & Samuel in the bigger bouncy house. 
She said, "I found out that bouncing was funner than FUN!" 

Viola Boy

Nathan has decided to participate in the strings program at his school.  He chose the Viola.  We got his instrument this week and today was the first day for him to take it to school.  He was so proud and so were we!

Curls

Our precious Curly-Q

Enchantment

This is one of the miracles of love:  It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted. 

-c.s. lewis 

Babies themselves are such amazing creatures.  They love completely and whole-heartily -- no conditions, no fears, no complications!   

  
Sweet one, you may be egocentric when it comes to your needs and wants, but there are moments when I know that every bit of your being is completely absorbed with me.  You look at me as if I alone raise the sun each morning and can work magic with the mere blink of an eye. Your absolute fascination encompasses me.  I see the light and wonder radiating from your eyes and that little grin that could melt the hardest heart, and I am absolutely enchanted with your innocence and the simplicity with which you experience yourself and my self.  I thank God for the precious gift of you He has entrusted to me.

Better

It's been a long 8 days since Emma's surgery.  She's had some good moments and some not-so-good moments, but overall, she has dealt with this challenge very well.

In the last couple of days she clearly began to feel better.

During breakfast this morning she said, "These waffles taste the same from when I was my normal person... from when I HAD tonsils!"  It seems she's feeling more like her normal person overall...

She was eager to go to school, so I took her this morning and I stayed so she could leave if she got to tired or had any trouble.  I do think it wore her out, but she did really well.  She was thrilled to receive cards from her classmates!  She still has some activity and dietary restrictions from the doctor but it looks like she'll be back to her normal school routine next week!

Emma & "Emma Lee"

It's not uncommon for a child's voice to be a little different after a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy and Emma is no exception.  We think the change is sweet...

Animal & Elmo

Vacation Part VII- The view

I've finally made it through all of our vacation photos!  

As my final post I thought I'd share a little more of the beauty that surrounded us in the Gulf Shores.