cuteness

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by Mia's cuteness.  She turns 22 months tomorrow.  That has got to be the cutest age ever.  A challenging age, of course but aren't they all?

Still unbelievably cute, nonetheless.

five for friday

1. It was only fitting that a mother goose and her three babies were also hanging out the park during our mother's day photo shoot.  

2. One day I had two Hello Kitties and a Superman.  Fun.

3. I bought Mia a bikini.  I found it in perfect condition at Once Upon a Child and could not resist.  After all, it is much easier to change diapers at the water park with a two-piece.  Not to mention, when else is it this cute to show off a big belly?  She also happens to love it.

4. The kids made some new artwork with their dot paints the other day.  I hung them up in the loft and they make me smile.  They are such happy pictures, perfect for summertime.  I love them.

And this one is my favorite.  Avery said it is supposed to be Tyson as a superhero.  Seriously cute.

5. Speaking of Super Tyson, this is how he gets down the driveway on his scooter.  Boys are awesome.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

mother's day

Mother's Day is my favorite.  It's better than a birthday because I get spoiled and don't have to turn a year older.  I love it.  Being a mother is an amazing thing.  Jason and I are both so blessed to have wonderful mothers to look up to and learn from.  

This year, Jason had each of the kids get me a little something.  And together they all gave me these happy flowers on Saturday.  The kids were so excited.  Avery picked them out.  They look like Avery.  The blue ones are dyed and the water automatically turns blue when you put them in a vase.  Fun and beautiful.

We saw that the forecast for Sunday was nothing but rain so I opted for dinner out on Saturday instead. We ate at Chili's, had horrible service, delicious food, and an all around wonderful time as a family.  I was feeling so peaceful which was quite a change from how I had felt all week.  It was a rough one.  These kids made me work hard for my Mother's Day celebration.

After dinner, I told Jason that I really just wanted some pics of me and the kids.  We stopped at a park on the way home and the kids cooperated a little.

I love these three four so much it hurts.

I am so thankful to be their Momma.  Can't believe God trusted me with them.  I fail at being a mother a million times a day but they still love me.  Grace is a beautiful thing.

a visit with friends

My friend, Brittney from college lives about 45 minutes away.  I wish we lived closer to each other.  I have tried to make that 45 minutes seem like less lately.  The kids love to go to her house and play.  She lives in an amazing old house that she has decorated so beautifully.  The kids play so great when we visit which gives us plenty of time to sit and talk.  I love it.

Mia likes the little rocking chair at her house and this picture made me laugh because it totally looks like a posed portrait from JCPenney or something.  Love that cheesy smile and the bare feet.

Brittney has three kids too and her new little guy has stolen my heart.  He is precious and I can't stop making him bibs especially now that I know I am having a girl.  

He has stolen Mia's heart too.  She can't get enough of him.  She gives him his pacifier, covers him up, and touches him all over.  She is crazy about babies and it is so sweet to watch.

Brittney doesn't care how crazy my kids are and we talk openly and honestly about our struggles as Moms and as women.  Friends like this are hard to come by and I am so thankful for our time together.

his dream car

So the week of our ultrasound was the very same week that Jason's car went downhill fast.  It was 14 years old, ours for 10 and we had no payments the last 7.  It was a trusty little car that was our first big purchase as a married couple.  Jason's plans were to run it into the ground.  That is how we roll around here.  Pay our cars off quick and drive them 'till they can't drive anymore.  

One day the driver's side window just fell right into the door.  Jason got it up and duct taped it.  Classy.  The next day on his way home from work, he discovered that he only had 3rd & 4th gear.  We don't live super close to his job so this made for an interesting commute.  Another day, the air conditioning went out.  It was a hot mess.  

The last thing we wanted to do was buy a new car but after taking the Jetta into a repair shop and finding out what it would cost to be up and running, there was really only one option.  The mechanic then called Jason and asked if he could buy the Jetta for his daughter.  Wow.  That was easy.  I am sure he could fix it for a whole lot cheaper than we could.  So there was never any towing involved in the process or anything.  It was sold quick & easy and the search for a new car began.

This is where the Mini Cooper comes in to play.

Jason loves cars.  He always has.  He really loves fast cars and he only wants to drive a stick shift.  Tyson is his Daddy's boy, no doubt.

So he began searching Auto Trader.  He was in practical mode at first looking at super cheap cars that would get him to work & back.  Then he began looking at Mini Coopers.  He fell in love with them the first time he saw the movie, The Italian Job.  A few people made comments about it not being practical with four kids but the only options with four kids is to buy another minivan or a giant suv.  The price of those was definitely not going to work for us and now he would at least get great gas mileage. 

We did a little searching for cars on Friday, a whole lot on Saturday and came up empty handed.  We weren't sure what to do.

He ended up taking the day off on Monday and we headed to Dayton where he had seen a Mini that he thought was a great deal and exactly what he wanted.  It was a 2005 with low mileage and the price was right.

The salesman was awesome and after a test drive, there was no looking back.  Jason is a true haggler and he had his price in mind.  It was a fair offer and would fit our budget.  The guy accepted it and our car search was over.  It was a fun experience and now he had a car again.  We had a few hours to spare while the paperwork was drawn up.  We ate at Five Guys, browsed Target, and just enjoyed some alone time.

Jason still thinks it is all too good to be true and can't believe he owns his dream car.  Boys are funny like that.  It sure will be a fun car for dates though.  And it is so neat the way it all worked out.

five for friday

1. When Avery watches a show, she prefers to have several stuffed animals join her.

2. These are the two baby dolls that Mia sleeps with every single nap & night.

3. I was trying to catch Mia doing one of her favorite things...riding the vacuum cleaner.

4. Jason mowed with Mia in tow so I could shower in peace last weekend.  She loved it.  His back did not.

5. I love that each of our kids has different color eyes.  I caught the blues & browns as they watched a show at Kings Island.  Those expressions are so great.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

kings island

Last weekend was beautiful and we got to partake in the Kings Island fun for the first time this season.  

Mia was in awe of everything around her.  It was awesome.

The big kids know the drill.  We stop by the fountains on the way to the kids area for Mommy to take lots of pictures.

Notice the pink ribbon wrapped around Avery's wrist.  Apparently that does the trick if your hand hurts at all.

Love the scrunched up noses.

The bumper cars were up first.  They all rode but Tyson was too far away to be in the pic.  Mia got a little impatient waiting for it to get started.

She literally went around in circles the entire time.  Each time she got bumped, she laughed.  She loved it.  It was so fun to watch.

Mia was not about to be put back in her stroller after every ride.  She was free as a bird and couldn't have been happier.  She got to hold Daddy's hand and walk around just like Avery.

She would sit down and just hang out waiting for the rides.  She was awesome the whole time.

The lines didn't bother her one bit.  She just took in the sights and hung out waiting patiently for her turn.

This is my favorite ride to watch our kids on.  And the kids love it.  The girls rode together this time and they were so cute.

And when you keep your camera on continuous shooting for this ride, you come away with some really funny photos like this one.

Mia was wearing Avery's old shorts and tennis shoes.  Love it.

The last ride were these cars.  Tyson was hot and tired.  Mia was still loving life as this picture so accurately displays.

 We went again on Sunday without the camera.  It never gets old for me watching their faces light up with huge smiles.

Thank you, Grandma & PaPa once again for the passes!  Such a precious gift.