she gives love

She gives love. She gives love blindly, in an eyes smashed shut, arms wide open kind of way. She gives love like she is handing out candy and everyone she meets is a trick-or-treater dressed in the most impressive costume she has ever seen. She throws it at anyone who will take it. There is a small window in each person’s life that opens when we recognize our ability to share affection and closes when we become selective with whom we share our love. In a perfect world, she would always love everyone she met, always assume the positive, and never be hurt. I need a bottle, a jar, a time machine, so I can return to these days when I need a reminder that everyone needs love. It’s free, it’s easy, and it can change someone’s day, someone’s attitude, someone’s outlook, someone’s life. Can’t say that about much in this world. Thank you baby girl for constantly bringing me back to what is real.

phases

Tonight marks the last night Spencer will go to bed a preschooler. Tomorrow he will attend his final day at Bethel Highlands Preschool. For me, life is about phases, and learning to be okay with the passing of time. I am working on it, focusing on what is to come and how we are growing as a family. But for right now. I want to freeze this. I don't want anything to change. Maybe tomorrow I will be ready, but not tonight.

happy heart day

our girl

I'd love to claim her as my girl, but that wouldn't be fair. In all honesty, she is ours. She is loved more than any baby has ever been in this house. Not because she is happier or cuter, simply because there are more of us to love her. And love her we do. Nothing can make a mama's heart sing like watching her older children interact with their baby sister. They live to make her laugh and smile. And she adores the attention.

Today Sloane had her 2 month check up, a little late I know, but if I postpone the appointments she won't grow up...right? This little girl is keeping pace with her brothers measuring above the 95th percentile for height and weight. Weighing in at 14 lbs and measuring 25" solid. She has found her hands and they are her new best friends, in her mouth every chance she gets. Sloane has mastered the art of rolling from her back to her stomach, and her brothers love to flip her back.

I am returning to work on Monday and my heart is aching with the thought of leaving this little girl. She is my first daughter, my last baby, and she completes me in away that I didn't know I needed. Thanks sister girl for letting us love you like we do, it has made us whole.

too bad

Don't you just love her.


Wouldn't you like to have her.


It's just too bad for you.


We decided we're keeping her.


Call us in 13 years.


We may have changed our minds.

the blizzard of 2010

A few weeks ago we received an early Christmas present in the form of several inches of snow. And when I say several, I mean around 18 to 20. The second gift came when the plow came through and added and additional foot of snow to the end of the driveway. Scott may not have appreciated the gift as much as Spencer.

it's like christmas

Admittedly I have been a bad blogger and photographer this year. I haven't been motivated to pick up my camera, and most of the photos I have taken are on my computer unedited. But I am starting to get the bug again and have begun looking through old photos to make them print ready. As I do so I will post them here so we can relive the moments that went untold, starting with this one.

It has become a tradition for my boys to jump in the lake the moment we arrive to Holiday Acres in Rhinelander, WI. It keeps them occupied while we unload cars and organize the cabin. This year was no exception!