I think I may be finished blogging. I am not entirely sure, but for anyone who ever checks, we are alive. I thought I would change my picture from the Bells Palsy days...really a gift to all. Things are well in our life. Zach is working/growing his company Lavawire and I couldn't be more proud. He is doing what he loves and making a difference. Elle (5) is getting ready to start Kindergarten. She is such a clever little girl. I am so grateful for her. Gavin (2) is definitely my little man. He loves all sports and wants to play basketball at college (he decided last night). Eddie (8months) is such a happy baby. He loves his siblings and really is so easy. I am learning how to function in life without feeling like a chicken with my head cut off. I have started playing tennis again and am really enjoying that! We are happy and grateful for the good life we lead..

this feels like a Christmas card. Happy Christmas in July!

because i have no shame.....

zach made a video of my "tricks", but i can't get it to load. so these pictures will have to do. enjoy....:)

the frown

smile

scrunchy face

wink attempt

oh....and kaylene i am not really sure what happens with my eye at night. i sleep just fine :)

bell's palsy...woot woot!

we found out on tuesday that i have bell's palsy....for those of you that have no idea what that it (that would include myself just a few days ago) it is " form of facial paralysis...that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side" (thank you Wikipedia.) i can't shut my right eye, my smile is droopy, i don't taste things very well and i do a killer frowny face.


we went into the doctor and everything should turn out fine. i can do some amazing faces. i am still debating about whether or not to put them online. i keep googling bell's palsy and i see the same guy come up on the searches and to honest, i don't want to be that guy. the image just kind of sticks with you:) my case is pretty minor and my doctor seems to think that i should recover and be back to "normal" in a few weeks. 


anyways...during this whole ordeal....all i can think about is how much i love my husband. he is so sweet and sensitive to let me know that he thinks i am beautiful even when my face looks a little freaky. i am so grateful for him. i am grateful that we can laugh through this together. i am the luckiest girl....ever!

Mental Posts...

sometimes i "publish" mental posts. at the end of the day, when the kiddies are quieting down for the night, i find myself thinking of a blog post about the day. the cute things elle said or the fun new trick gavin discovered are among the things that i post. most often then not i have the good intention of actually putting these online. but then life starts again. someone wakes, the dishes call my name or sleep comes quicker than planned.

today i was mentally posting as i listened to elle drift off to sleep. it was a beautiful post. one that i want hold in my heart.

i am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord that remind us what is most important. gavy was sick last night and i got little sleep. and although the day started to drag in the later afternoon hours, i am grateful for the chance i got to slow my pace. to cherish the things that are important. to hold my babies. to listen to their voice. and to hear. sometimes i find myself running in frantic circles feeling like i am not really going anywhere. today i felt slow. i felt sure. i felt steady. today i listened and today i learned.

amazing how this journey called motherhood refines us. refines me. amazing that the Lord trusts me with such treasured and marvelous children. because of them i am better. because of them i am blessed. forever.

sleepover

elle slumbered with her grandparents last night.

it was quiet in our parts..... i miss that girl. gavy misses her too.


good thing we have this awesome picture on our computer to keep us company until we see her tonight.
P.S. this is not a picture of elle's sleepover...just her super cool aunt louie!!

so......

....my s.i.l. kiki (as i like to call her) knows me so well. i promised a post and days past before i thought of it again....but today is a special day in the house hold. today is birthday day!!!

i have been so gitty for this birthday. i woke up to feed the gavinator at 5am and stayed awake so i could go get a special breakfast for the birthday boy...i didn't want to sleep in a miss his waking up.

i love birthdays. i love my birthday....but i love others too. i love that it is a day to celebrate someone. to think of all the wonderful things about them. to say "i'm glad you were born" and to be grateful for their life.

today is the husband's birthday. the big 2.7. and as we were eating said special breakfast...i looked across the table and couldn't help but think to myself that i am the luckiest girl in the whole world. really i am. to have someone to love so much. someone that works so hard for our family. to always be there as a source of great strength. someone to make you laugh when you are feeling a little like a crabby patty. someone to tease. someone to hold your hand. someone that loves you with all of his heart. who treasures his children...who changes messy diapers....even on his birthday. someone to be one with.

so on this special day hubby....i want you to know that i am so super glad that you were born...
and even more glad that you are mine and i am yours!

have a great day babe!!

hiatus

......so i've been taking a blogging hiatus for the past....well...lots of months. but i think i am ready to come back.

ready to post more pics of our sweet little gavinator.

ready to document elle's fantastic karate/dance/high kick moves.


and ready to show pictures of our new house........well almost.
we are LOVING being home owners. almost 3 weeks and no major catastrophes.....as elle would say "we are professional" :) I know....the "best" is yet to come.

so stay tuned.....