4 years ago...

today!  The first time I laid eyes on John.  Thank you Jami and Marc for making sure I followed through on my promise to show up for that blind date!  And to my hubby...I love you so much more than the first time you said those three little words first.  Happy 1st Date Day!

Spring break fun!

Isn't it funny how just when you have some down time coming and a fun trip planned to see your brother and his family....that your child would get sick?  And pass it on to you?  Never fear....we seemed to have gotten through our colds pretty quickly and just in time to head into Chicago and get our hands all over one cute little niece (and cousin)...and wrestle and play with our nephew.  Graham is turning into quite the little man.  He is all boy and loves to wrestle...but has a soft side and isn't stingy when it comes to giving out kisses and hugs.  Greyson and he had a ball playing...even if this mommy was made fun of for not enjoying the rough-housing.

And Claire...she just melts your heart.  Really.  She only cries when she's hungry.....or maybe when she's not being paid attention to...not a problem when Aunt Ju Ju is around. She is starting to coo and 'talk' to you and it was so nice to snuggle up with her.  She even made her first trip to the mall...just the girls!  We only wish we could've had more time to do just that as our trip just seemed to fly by.  We miss you guys already!

If only you could hear her noises amidst the smile.

Grey loved Graham's trains...

Who's the favorite Uncle now, Scott?

First Steps...

YEAH!!!!!  We are on the move and this is just a snippit of how much he is really walking (and his momma is really sobbing)!  Don't get me wrong...it is a fun stage and I love it...but it seems like everyday overnight he grows and changes.

So between figuring out this new walkin' gig....he's been introduced to Alcatraz and he's become quite vocal about his displeasure when serving time for biting and hitting his two favorite people bad behavior.  And somewhere (daddy watching ESPN) he's picked up the habit of holding the remote and trying to change the channel.

Having a child makes you realize even more that you do have little ears listening and little eyes watching everything you do.  So why is it that some of the choices you made in younger days don't seem so appealing anymore?  Funny how that changes...and now we have a little walking reminder to be not only the best parent...but person we can possibly be.  It's amazing how much love can change your perspective.  And speaking of love...Happy Lent!  Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of love for all of us.  Who better do we have to model what love is all about?

Look what I have....

I love the remote!

I don't like being in here...

but mommy and daddy say I can't hit or bite!