Jokes on him...in a good way

So,  this morning my darling Nicholas surprised me with a trip out to breakfast, AFTER her let me sleep in!  He told me it was because he wanted to show me how much he appreciates me. But the jokes on him because it was during our breakfast that I truly realized how blessed I am to have him in my life.  Besides being my total BFF and uber hotty hubby, he is a FANTASTIC father.  His children love him SO very much, and really, there is nothing in this world I could ask for that is more important to me than that.  Frankie, even posed for some adorable photo opps at Hobees, which these days, is a miracle because whenever he sees a camera he acts as if I am the paparazzi that he is trying to escape.  I know this is all a little sappy, and although I find it incredibly important to be real about the hard stuff, I find it is equally important to be real about the good. 

A low key Easter

We enjoyed a low key Easter this year.  However, it didn't go by without some adorable pics I must say...

We got all fancy and went to church. They have a great play structure where Franklin spent a significant amount of his time. 

 See? Very excited about the whole thing

All hyped up on Easter morning candy

Gosh I love this girl

Daddy and his baby girl looking sharp! 

Those cheeks! 

With my sweetie ♥

When we got home there was a basket at the front  door to begin the egg hunt!

Starting to fill up his basket 

Oh and this little gem!  She is such a ham, you never would  never be able to guess that this picture was taken mid fit.  But as soon as I pulled the camera out she stopped and smiled for the photo opp and then quickly returned to her fit.  I should have gotten a picture of the fit as well so you could  believe me.

We ended the day with a failed attempt by me of a chicken pot pie and a very successful attempt by Nick of some delicious Easter bread.  Next year, I think we will go to our parents house.  This grown up stuff and doing all the work our selves is tough!  :-) 

I'll tell you about my procrastination issues later...(huh, huh, huh)

So, I suppose I have been a bit of a blog neglecter lately.  Well, the picture a week thing is definitely out the window.  It was a nice idea and all; however, it required something of me that well, just is not me: avoiding procrastination.  

We spent the last couple of weeks in Oregon, which was Franklin's birthday wish.  Since, this wish included visiting with friends and family, and my wonderful mother-in-law taking the kids each morning so I could sleep in, it was a birthday wish we were more than willing to grant. 

The first few days were snow filled, followed by copious amounts of rain, but we would not have had it any other way.  As wonderful as our time was, we sure missed our friends around the courtyard, and are glad to be basking in the sunshine once again.

Here are a few pics from Frank's birthday and our Oregon trip.  Enjoy! 

 Franklin's birthday cupcakes for his party in CA

 The birthday boy.  I can not believe he is 3!

 Spending some much needed time with my gals.  We are so hard core. 

 Elena asleep with uncle Tyler.  He was such a wonderful baby-sitter

 Franklin riding bikes at Abuela's house.  At least he is wearing a helmet right? 

 Big girl standing!

 Frankie's snow man.  We were sad to see him go. 

 She loved watching the snow

 Frank and his best bud/cousin Joshy

Playing together in the snow

Joy

Isn’t it amazing how sometimes you hear exactly what you needed to hear without knowing you needed to hear it?  That is exactly what happened after listening to my friend A.J.'s pod cast tonight.  One thing he said in particular rang loud to me today.  He said, “Joy is not accidental, but joy is possible anywhere.”  How amazing is that?!  How appropriate is that?!  How much do we all need to hear this, and understand this, and believe this, and live this?!   It is so easy for me to fall into dwelling on what is hard.  I talk about how tired I am, or the frustrating day I had with a toddler who seems at times like his life’s mission is to do the complete opposite of what I say, all too easily.  I feel these things, dwell on these things, and talk about these things, because I feel I am entitled to it.  But ultimately, and more importantly I am entitled to joy.  And as A.J. pointed out, this joy is not accidental.  Dwelling on my joy, on the goodness of my life, making room to comfort others in their hardship and help bring them joy, is possible in any situation, on the hardest of days, there is always joy to be had.  Joy to be shared.   

Listen to A.J.'s podcast "Complete Joy" here:   http://theophiluschurch.com/listen/ 

Photo of the week #3: Something You adore

Something I adore?  Well that's easy! How about this girl?!

And this guy?! (And yes, he is "reading" Eclipse :)

Man oh man do I adore these kiddos!  Sure they make me want to pull my hair out at times and deprive me of precious sleep, but the amount of love that just pours out of them inspires me.  Sure, when 8:00pm comes around Nick and I run around like chickens with our heads cut off attempting to get these little crazies to bed so that we perhaps have a chance to relax and gather our bearings.  However, more often than not, when 10:00pm rolls around and we inevitably just spend our time talking about the kids we find ourselves saying, "Let’s go wake them up, and give them hugs and smooches!"  We do not.  I mean we are not totally insane.  But we consider it, for at least a second. 

Photo of the Week: Letterbox

I could not pass up the opportunity to share a photo of this darling Valentines box Frankie made so I am swapping the photo for week 4 with week 2.  So, here is my entry for a "Letterbox".  And I could not think of anything more appropriate and more darling than this.  Age 2 has been a blast concerning Holidays.  Franklin has finally been old enough this year to get excited about holidays a head of time, but still young enough to find the most joy in the simplest of things.  This last week, Frankie and his papa painted this box to hold Valentine’s Day cards that we make for each other, and for others.  The idea is to open it up on Valentine’s Day and hand them out.  I must mention however, that during this painting process Frankie found it equally as fun to take off his shirt and paint his arms and hands.  I cannot believe I did not capture that on film!

Here is wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Oh how the time flies, as they say

Happy half-birthday to the sweetest, strongest, smartest, silliest, most beautiful baby 

girl in the whole world! I might be biased, but it doesn't make it any less true :)

Wow! Six months! Already?!?!  It is amazing how much our family has changed in this short amount of time.  Franklin, has began calling his baby sis his "bestest friend in the whole world.”  And let me tell ya, that is the greatest thing on the planet a mama can hear.  I, seem to have grown less patient, yet quicker to forgive.  Although my aggravation comes twice as fast with two babes screaming at the same time, my heart melts twice as fast when I find them making each other belly laugh.  And my partner in crime?  His amazing daddy-ness only continues to grow.  He is the patient one, the one who can always seem to keep it cool.  And for that I am thankful for the balance he brings.  Besides, look at that smile, how could anyone be filled with anything other than love and blessing when being around her?  Happy six-month birthday baby Elena!