{five minutes}

Next Five Minutes from David Platt on Vimeo.

Sister will you....

...always be my best friend? Yes, they have their not so great moments but for the most part these two are the best of friends. It fills my heart to watch them play and giggle together. They adore each other and the older Jo gets the more and more they really "play." The other day they were giggling and giggling and playing so contently that I wasn't paying too much attention to what they were doing until Amelia said "mom, find Jo..." and there she was completely covered in stuffed animals like E.T. One of the best parts of my day is in the morning when these two see each other for the first time...Jo runs for Amelia and they hug and kiss  and love on each other before they move onto anything else. Ahhh...melt this mama's heart. I know there will be days {there already are} but I pray they will always find peace and comfort in the company of each other and truly be best friends forever.

Throwing in the Towel

Back in January I had the super ambitious goal of posting a picture a day for a year. I had seen other bloggers do this and thought what a great way to motivate myself to keep the camera out and keep up on my blog. Like all new projects I started out so good.....well, here we are mid May and I'm throwing in the towel! I'll give it a try again next year but for now I'll do my best to keep up on the pictures and the blogging....just might not be on a daily basis. Ahhhh, already feel better taking the pressure off! Anyways, here's a few pictures I took at the Science Center back in April. The butterfly exhibit is so beautiful and the colors are so brilliant. This is definitely one of our favorite spots at the Science Center.

Sam and Maggie Lu listening to a volunteer share about the sea life. I can't get over how much these two look alike the older they get....I sure see a lot of their daddy! 

So don't call me a quitter...just a procrastinator:) 365 days in pictures coming next year!

We just can't get enough

Sam and I stopped by the farm supply store on Saturday to pick up a bag of chicken feed and somehow came home with two more chicks. Can you blame me? Look how cute and fluffy these little guys are! I made the mistake of only getting two though and within minutes the three big kids were arguing over who got to snuggle the chicks. I can't imagine what they'd do with a puppy.  I also can't believe I used the words "farm supply" and "chicken feed" in my blog....I sound like a true farm girl! 

We're still working on the soft touch with Jo.

Meet the resident "Chick Whisperer" Maggie. She certainly has the gift........

after Maggie has worked her magic!

Good Day Sunshine

Lovin' every last moment of this weather!

Computer Terminology

I was having a little trouble with our computer today and at one point I let out a big sigh. Millie asked me what was wrong and I told her I was just frustrated with our computer, it doesn't seem to be working right. To which Millie replied " oh I know mom, the other day I was trying to get some work done and I kept  moving the mice but they wouldn't move." Ha, ha! Oh how I needed that good laugh! So the next time you're having computer woes....make sure it's not your mice causing the problem.

My Mama's Day Rocked!

To say I had a great Mother's Day would be such an understatement. It really did rock! The whole weekend actually. Saturday was a beautiful day that we spent playing around the house and getting some outside chores done. In the afternoon Maggie had a fastpitch game at Browns Point just up from the beach. It was a great field with a park nice and close for the little girls and we enjoyed soaking up the sun that we've been missing so much. After the game fish and chips were in order so we set off on a little adventure following my mom and dad into an old neighborhood in Tacoma where they lived when I was just a baby. We had fish and chips at a great restuarant on the water and after we were stuffed we hit the beach for some crab hunting and rock throwing. I don't think our kiddos could ever tire of the beach....me either. 

Sunday morning after breakfast was through and we were all scrambling to get ready for church we took a time-out to all snuggle on our bed and Rock and the kids gave me a gift certificate for a back massage and foot soak. So sweet and much needed! But let me remind you again sweet husband of mine that there are no birthday presents next week....we're saving our money! Our church has a long standing tradition of having three moms speak on mother's day. This year all three mothers were so dear to me, two of them being my cherished friends and the third my own mama! I couldn't have been more proud of my mom and the message she shared. Just another reminder of what an incredibly strong woman she is. I know she finds her strength in the Lord and I am so thankful for her example to me and for the prayer warrior she was during those years when I'm sure she worried I was a lost cause. I  have no doubt those prayers saved this rebellious girl. Thank you mom, I love you!

After church we had a great time at my parents soaking up some more sun, eating, laughing, watching the kids, eating some more and just loving being together. Our family has grown so much since my first mother's day 10 years ago. At that time it was just Sammy at the center of attention....there are now 8 kiddos running around and soon to be one more in October when my sis becomes a mom of four. I love it! It's loud and chaotic but it's fun!

I am so thankful for my job as a mama and I can't think of a better way to spend my days!

Happy Mother's day to both our moms. We are so thankful for you both, for your love and your support now and all the years.

New blog in town

There's a new blog in town....one completely dedicated to our adoption story. Take a peek....

henry of our hearts


And just in case you were hoping for a pic.....

I know of at least one little person who doesn't mind the rain!

Gone Fishin'

The past couple days have been whizzing by and yes, it seems I've been gone fishin', or at least taken a blog vacation. We have been full swing planning, writing letters and praying about the next steps of our adoption journey. One of the first things we've decided to do is start a blog dedicated to just our adoption story. Not because we want to put that in a box but more to make that more accesible for those just wanting to read about where we are in the process. I was hoping to have that up and running tonight but after tossing around some ideas and titles with Rock I really want to pray about it.  So hopefully soon. In the meantime I did want to share that Miss Mils did take a fishing trip this past weekend for her best buddy Jaxson's birthday. I think I've mentioned before that Millie and Jaxson are practically inseperable at school and just all-around dig each other's company. This past Saturday Jaxson celebrated his birthday at this great little U-fish not far from where Rock and I bought our first home. The pond was stocked full of fish so they got bites almost immediately after throwing in their poles. Millie loved every minute of it until it was time to have the hook removed. As soon as she saw the blood her fishing career came to a screeching halt. She still thoroughly enjoyed herself but from a distance away from said hooks and blood.

in deep concentration

Best Buddies