struggling with the world...

So I have tried not to post about upsetting things very often. I am not sure why I don't post about them, I guess I like to try and remember the good things that happen. That is not to say that I won't start posting about things that upset me.

But today I can't seem to shake the gloom and disappointment I am feeling about this world. I know I am generalizing when I lump the entire "world" into my categorization, but it just seems easier today to generalize.

Last night they found the body of a darling little 7 year old girl that went missing 2 days ago. I think I have probably cried about 3 or 4 times over this news. I didn't know her or her family. But the thought that anyone could harm a child in any way devastates me.

I think it is because now I am a mother and I have a child. I pray everyday that God will keep her safe and out of danger. I don't know what I would do if she was ever harmed.

So today I am struggling with the world. Why do people in this world do the things they do? Why would anyone harm this beautiful girl, or any child for that matter?

I know that there are good people in the world...and I feel blessed that I know so many good people. But today the "bad people" of the world are all I can think about.

So to all the mom's in the world...go home and hug your babies a couple of extra times tonight, keep them safe, and most of tell them how much you love them.

Sorry about the "ranting"

belly to belly

So what is better then getting to see your own belly grow every week...? Getting to see your sisters belly do the same thing!

It has been so much fun being pregnant with Shalice. And to make things even better, my younger sister Sharielle just let us know she is going to have a baby as well!!

So all three sisters are pregnant at the same time. This is something we know won't happen ever again. We wish Shar lived here so she could be in the picture with us!

Shar, we are so happy for you. You are going to make a fantastic mom. Send us a picture of your belly so we can photo shop you in! Oh wait, you don't even have a belly yet. You can't play with the "big belly" sisters yet.

So here is to the "triplets" that are coming our way. What a wild a crazy summer this is going to be.

31 weeks

So I completely had mothers guilt about a baby I haven't even had yet?

While pregnant with Lyza I remember documenting the entire pregnancy. Taking pictures all of the time and noting big milestones during my 4o weeks.

Poor, Poor baby #2. I have already given him less attention. So at 31 weeks pregnant I am documenting my first picture of this pregnancy. Hopefully I can recommit myself to being a better mom to this unborn baby boy! We are so excited for this little boy to come into our lives. Lyza is probably the most excited. In her prayers at night she usually asks that "baby brother can come out of mommies tummy soon." Oh what a life change Lyza is about to experience!!!

So here is to being a better mom, to getting ready for another baby to come into our lives, and to enjoying the next 9 weeks of an ever growing baby belly.

we have a "snow white" down!

So I must share a hilarious moment! The other day Lyza asked me if she could have an apple to eat for a snack. Being very happy that she had chosen to ask me for a "healthy" treat I eagerly agreed. Lyza of course was in a princess outfit...for the moment she was "playing" Snow White.

I gave her the apple and went back to do whatever I was doing. Moments later I heard a soft voice talking. I went to the door of the room she was in and listened. This is what I heard...

"Snow White took the apple from the little old lady.

Pressed the apples to her lips (pause) and took a bite.

Snow White suddenly dropped to the floor."

I then walked around the corner to find Lyza...I mean Snow White...like this. (Luckily my camera was close by.)

After Lyza literally laid on the ground for probably a minute without moving, I asked her if she was ok. She said,

"Yes, I am just waiting for the Prince."

Oh to be two years old again and to have an imagination that doesn't ever stop.

Love you Lyz!!!

three decades

Three decades...30 years old. It didn't feel like I thought it would? I didn't feel any different then I did when I was 22? But what a milestone...what a turning point in life! I can remember when I was little and my mom was in her 30's...I thought she was sooo old. Oh, and don't worry I got to turn 30 and be 7 months pregnant at the same time...LOVE IT!

However, my sweet husband made the moment so fun and special. He planned a surprise party for me and did such a great job. I think that even more then the party itself, I loved that for weeks he was planning and organizing something special just for me. I love when he spends time on me or with me...it just makes me feel so special.

Thank you to everyone who came and made the occasion so special. I had such a great time.

Here are so pic's from the festivities...

Me, Amber, Natalie, Shawna



Seriously, we had so much food! Great job babe!

Shalice, Jessica, and Justin Taylor

Eating and more eating...

My sister Shalice and Steven

Robby Wilson, Brian Adair, The Menke's and Brad Broska

Mindy and Monica

Thanks for the gift basket of fun things you need once you are 30!

Don't worry that we totally had a DJ system complete with lights and a fog machine.

(Thanks Brian)

The two "bellies" Natalie is having a baby a few weeks after me!

Thanks again babe for such a fun night! Thanks for the surprise and for making my 30th special.

fairytale ballet

So Lyza has found a new love...it comes arounds once a week and she loves every minute of it. Her new love is called "Fairytale Ballet." It is a little ballet class that she goes to where they learn about and dress up like a different "Fairytale" character each week. Lyza basically has died and gone to heaven. Here is a picture of her new little dance studio. She loves her teacher Ms. Bethany and is so excited to talk to her each week.

Here is their first week in class where they read about and dressed up like Mulan! Lyza had no clue who Mulan was at this time...but she didn't care! And you know we had to go home and watch the Mulan movie as soon as class was over.

The next week they added a few accessories to the Mulan costume.

Here they all are dressed up like the 7 Dwarf. I asked Lyza which Dwarf she was and she said "I don't know, but I know I wasn't Dopey." They all looked so darn cute!

This week had to be a highlight for Lyza. She was so excited to dress up like Snow White.

Lyza with one of her friends Maddy from class.

This week they dressed up like the Wicked Queen from Snow White, but Lyza wouldn't keep her costume on for pictures.

Here is the final week of this session of the class. They got to dress up like Snow White one more time. All of the little girls in the class are so darling and get so excited to see each other.

I have been very impressed with the things Lyza has learned from this ballet class. She learned some ballet terminology and has mastered her pose'. Lyza's favorite move is making "bunny ears" with her feet.

She is excited for the next session to start...we will have to see who they get to dress up like this time?

oh trouble

As a parent, you know that feeling you get when it is too quiet? We experienced this uneasy feeling a couple of Sunday's ago at my parents house. We were all sitting around eating dinner when we realized that Lyza and Braden (Lyza's 2 year old cousin) were being way to quiet. They had gone downstairs to play in the play room. I went down the stairs to check on them. As I got downstairs I heard both of the giggling and playing so well together. I was so excited that they were having so much fun. I peaked around the corner to find this...

And this...

What??? They were each taking turns coloring each other's faces with markers. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the looks on their faces when I came in. It was a total "deer in the headlights moment." I tried so hard to keep a straight face and tell them how "naughty" they had been. But inside I was laughing hysterically.

Two year old's are so much trouble...but good thing they are so dang cute as well.