Swinging...

There's not too much that needs to be said about these photos--Just the kids enjoying their swing set on a pretty day!

Photography, By Mason...

Over the past year, Mason has become very interested in taking pictures with our camera. His favorite subjects: his "buddies". (These are the plethora of stuffed animals that he sleeps with at night.) Apparently it was a special occasion today. According to Mason, it was Bear's 5th birthday, and he was having his picture taken with all of his buddy friends at the party. In attendance were Lion, Puppy, Dog, Tenguin-the Penguin, and Wecko-the Gecko. (As you can see, Mason likes to stick to the basics when naming his animals.) Anyway, we've discovered that Mason actually has a knack for posing his subjects, and getting them centered in the shot. Here are several pictures he took (all by himself) of Bear and his friends at the "party", and one other shot he took of his other little buddy, Ellie.


(He even used the camera timer to pose this one of himself.)

So if your childrens' stuffed animals have an upcoming memorable event, such as a birthday party, a stuffed animal wedding, a dolly prom, or perhaps even a teddy bear graduation, remember Mason for all of your picture-taking needs. You won't find a better 4 year old photographer!

Happy Mother's Day!...

On this Mother's Day, there are so many things that I'm thankful for:

Thank you, Mom and Elaine, for being such wonderful mothers and grandmothers in the examples that you are, the sacrifices you make, and the love that you show to your families.

Thank you to my girlfriends--my fellow mothers in this journey--who edify me and exemplify what it means to be Christlike wives and mothers, and who constantly challenge me to be a better wife and mother as well.

Thank you, Matthew, for being such a great father and husband. Thank you for being such a hard worker and sacrificing many things to allow me to stay home with our children--a job I am most thankful for.

Thank you, Mason and Ellie, for providing me with more love, joy, pride, laughs, hugs, and kisses than anyone could ever be blessed to have. I'm so thankful to be your Momma. You two are my heart!

And above all, thank you Father God for giving me this amazing charge of motherhood, and blessing our family in ways that we do not deserve. Thank you for so graciously allowing me to have a part in bringing your children into this world, and entrusting them to my care. Give me wisdom in teaching them, and let me always be an example of You to them.

Happy Mother's Day!

Dedicating Ellie...

Today was a special day for Ellie, as we dedicated her at church. And it was a special day for me as well because, not only did I get to celebrate Mother's Day with my family, but I got to experience the beauty of our entire church praying over my child, and her precious little life.

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."

Proverbs 4:11-13

Happy Birthday, Matthew!...

Today my wonderful husband turned 31! We had a fantastic day, as his whole family got to come up for a visit, and we got to spend the day together catching up, and enjoying some birthday cake!!

Matthew blowing out his candle, and Mason licking off the icing!


Aunt Natalie, Mimi & Pop with Mason, Ellie, and cousin Raleigh

Farewell, Bed Rail...

Yesterday I heard strange thumping noises coming from Mason's room. When I walked in to check on him, he was trying to pull the bed rail out from his bed. He looked up at me and said, "Do you think it would be okay if I didn't use this anymore?" (If you're wondering at this point--yes, Mason is 4 1/2, and yes, he still has his toddler bed rail on his bed.) But the reason is not out of necessity, but purely out of habit. Sure he doesn't need the bed rail, but I've gotten so accustomed to seeing it on his bed for the past two years, that it has become a normal bedding accessory to me now--no different than seeing his pillow or blanket there. So of course I told him we could remove it. But then I started thinking about all the other things from his younger days that I continue to do for him, simply out of habit--like brushing his teeth, and yes, sometimes even dressing him--things that he is perfectly capable of doing on his own. But you see, for 3 years, 10 months, and one week, he was my only child. And since I didn't have another, all of my "mothering" was directed toward him. And even now that little Ellie is here, I still have a hard time letting go of "doing" for him, and taking care of him, and realizing that he is growing up into a responsible, helpful little boy. So sadly, saying goodbye to the bed rail is as much a turning point for me as it is for him--letting go little by little as I watch him become more and more independent.

So farewell, bed rail! There are many new and exciting ways for Mason to get in and out of bed without you now! Changing the sheets and making the bed will be much easier without you now! And no more pinching our fingers in your hinges trying to unfold you now! But not to worry, bed rail! We will certainly be seeing you again...because there is a little girl who will be needing you in a couple of short years.

Just In Time...

Since Ellie was a newborn, I have left the rail of her baby bed down--because 1) it's so much easier to get her in and out of bed without having to constantly lower and raise it, and 2) she's not going anywhere anyway. Well in the past week, she's had a "mobility spurt", so I decided that before she starts pulling up on things, I'd better go ahead and raise the bed rail and lower the mattress--just to avoid any potential falls. I did this yesterday, and this morning I walked in to find her like this:

Whew--That was close!