Taking Pictures in the Park...

Are you tired of this pose yet?

Let me show you what comes after...

It's sweet and sour all at the same time, isn't it, Allie?


This was one of my favorites of the morning...

Someone should tell a wanna be photographer that the place to start is not with five young children! If you could only see all 70 some pictures I took out at the park after church, you too would laugh. I did manage to capture a bit of personality...

Was almost perfect, till I noticed the stroller in the back round!!

Then I made the mistake of saying that out loud. Everyone took notes. Finn thought he'd go move it. Mike got to make a cameo...

Then the boys staged a revolt. Or should I say Dax did and took Finn along for the ride. If you don't have boys, you are really missing out...

So, we may not have managed 5 sparkling smiles all facing the camera, but we have lots of shots of those moments in time that will make us giggle for years to come!

There is a lotta love going on here!

My sister in law and nieces braved the long journey to our house to spend a fun filled weekend of bonding. So far Finn's little cousin, Allie, who is just 2 1/2 months younger, has tolerated his hugs and loving brutness fairly well. She does occasionally cry when he looks at her but I'm sure I would too if I saw him coming brimming over with his overzealous form of affection. They have shared toys, shared sippy cups, and shared puffs. She has taught him to say "bite" instead of shriek for more food and he has taught her that being mobile is cool, well, and how to duck when boys come at you looking all lovey...she'll use that lesson in life! And Sophie... she's loving the love too!

Working at the "Car Wash"

Today if you drove past my house, you probably thought we were having a yard sale... Nope, just a car wash! Or should I say a "stuff wash"

Which became a "kid wash"!

They needed baths, but I think I would have chosen something other than Dawn to bath them in!

Of course there were a few water fights and a few spider freak outs. You know, when you kick the spiders out of their summer home they tend to protest. But over all it ended with a sleeping baby, a worn out toddler, a pretty content tween, and a wet mama!



It was one of those rare almost perfect summer moments you want to tuck away in your memory for safe keeping filled with warm sun, baby giggles, and love.

Good Intentions

Today during the morning "quiet" time I decided today would be a day about intentions. At the end of this day, I'm tired! We spent close to two hours throughout the day in Dax's room for time out. Lily had about 3 grade A meltdowns and we never once set foot out of the house even though leaving home was part of plan A, B, and C. I didn't raise my voice once and everything I asked my kids to do today is done. I wanna leave the house tomorrow! Can I do this and go out?

Plan D, although crazy, involved some sweet moments. Dax, while picking up his bedroom floor which must have taken 3 hours by the time it was all said and done (should have taken about 3 minutes) pulled his Bible out from under the crib and shrieked with joy "My Bible!!". He then felt he needed quiet Bible time...
Finn decided this was something he'd enjoy too, so he put down his gobble gobble turkey book he also pulled from under the bed and joined Dax... Dax let him! And talked to him about the stories!
He pointed out Noah's Ark and David and Goliath.
Then Daddy came home and found us in the boys room. Lily joined with her mp3 player and they all shared the headphones and danced a bit. So, it wasn't my plan A, but somehow I think it was God's.
I am grateful for His words, and the flexibility to listen today.

I am grateful for kids that bring me joy and a husband who supports all of us in that everyday.

I am grateful for the moments I found today to intentionally begin to post photos taken in my home town...

Once upon a time I started this blog for me, for my family to share in our days and our praises. I opened it to the world because I felt like I was supposed to and there would be no way I could keep up two blogs. A few weeks ago I started another blog because I felt like I was supposed to. I left it there, suspended in the cyber world with nothing in it because I didn't really know what it was for. Today I began to post. Why today? Because it felt like the right day. For those of you who need a more logical answer, I don't know! =) There you will find pictures that will tell a story when the time is right. It may just be a place I put some of my pictures not related to my babies! Whatever it is, whatever it becomes or doesn't become you are welcome to stop in for a visit at Echoes of Grace.

They were just babies and then I blinked...

Who is this boy? He isn't all that small. He is bigger than last I looked! Where is that little guy I snuggled with as his first snow fell? Could it be that I've been too busy being amused by the inner workings of this guy...
with his thoughts of extreme shopping cart sliding?


or maybe just his extreme cuteness and the simple fact that he seems to be growing at warp speed.Have I forgotten to take note of this one's inner workings? Or have they just scared me a little?
Please little boy, don't ride off too soon. I'm enjoying the show way too much.
Praises...

a beautiful day for playing outside

church, we've missed it with all the traveling!

Communion Sundays, the faces, the music, the spirit

My husband who is willing to spend a little nursery time with the boys so I can soak in the spirit

Children's laughter

Sunday naps

A little girl (or I should say big girl) who spends quality time with her brothers after naps so mom and dad can just soak up the peace a little longer

Calls from mom with updates on those I love

Knowing no matter what anyone may see that God planted us just where we are and trusting in his plans

Why too much to blog is a bad thing...

So, I have an overwhelming amount of pictures and memories to blog from the past weeks of travel and visiting. You would think this would be a wonderful thing, it is! But...it has caused me to have major blogging issues. The organized part of my brain says I should blog behind before blogging ahead. The problem is I'm skipping out on daily blogs cause I'm the queen of procrastination. So I'm going to maybe post one back blog tonight...maybe, if I get that far, no pressure!

I just feel that I've skipped too many praise days and I need to get back on the horse!

Praises...

Safe journeys

time with people I love

coming home and letting my kids run free!

being able to walk around in pajamas all day is we wanna!

catching up on summer show recordings (before husband's threats to delete all dvr recordings comes to pass)

Funny little boys

baby hugs and a 15 month old who hugs with all his might and pats your back, gets me every time!

Great friends

limited Thursday night revival

daughters who try so hard to help (at least sometimes!)

days without high humidity

phone calls from California

a husband who will take two kids to two stores for two hours without nary a complaint

God's grace and ignition of passions
Hearing His voice

God's patience when we drag our feet and his forgiveness when get it wrong

Quiet time to read, write and pray (even if it involves a quiet 3 year old sitting over your shoulder and a quiet 15 month old climbing on your lap.)

Summer days which are all of the sudden flying by too soon!

American Idol Season Finale

No, I don't mean the one on TV, I mean the live concert...I can finally put this season to bed! My mom (who has got to be the coolest Nana) treated my sister in law, Lily, and I to a night on the town while we were in Ohio. The four of us got dolled up and headed for the rockin city of Columbus, Ohio. We had a 5 star meal at Applebees (ok, so maybe 2.5 stars) and then on to Schottenstein Center for a fun filled night of music and girl time at the American Idol concert.

I must confess, this was not the first for us. The four of us plus a 14 month old Dax attended the 2006 version. I know what you're thinking, what kind of crazy people take a 14 month old to a concert? Well that, and then there are my friends shaking their head at the thought of the horrible parenting move that involves keeping a toddler out till all hours of the night like that. So on one hand you're right, the seats we had last time were not appropriate for a baby. I think I experienced some sort of panic attack at the thought of dropping him during the show. As far as him being out that late, here is my theory... kids should, on a regular basis, go to bed at an appropriate time. Here it is 8 pm until napping ceases, then it may be earlier. Sometimes though, you gotta live a little! So next time you see a little person at Target at midnight on a Friday, don't assume that is their usual bedtime, breathe a little and think, "hey maybe they just came from a special trip to Chuck E Cheese and mama needed some Advil!". Ok, getting down from my podium and back to the story at hand.

Ok, so this time 4 girls, 10 singers, great seats (well, the best we were willing to buy), and one really bad camera. Seems that I have this hang up about carrying things to concerts or other places I may be walking a long distance or could easily drop something. I took no purse. I left my big, good camera at moms. I made this same mistake when I went to the Casting Crowns concert, you'd think I would have learned. I take that back, I did learn, at least a little. I knew we should take a camera, just not my big one. My mom's would be fine, but her card was full. I love my mama, but her theory on why empty a camera card when you can just buy a new one cracks me up! So she remembered she had her classroom camera and my memory card would fit in that one. Perfect. I put my card in and we went on our merry way.

Here we are sitting in the seats watching the pop tart guy dance around getting people all worked up. We buy some cotton candy, go to the bathroom again, racing back as not to miss any more of pop tart guy, and snuggle into our seats for the concert. I ask for the camera. I go to take the first picture and realize... there is no zoom. No Zoom. Who makes a camera with no zoom? Ok, Kodak, but that is not the point. Our seats are good, but um, yea, not that good! So I still take a few pictures, but they are really not blog worthy....

I bet you can totally tell that is a picture of David Cook on stage singing "Hello".

Here is a picture of Lily from the back, because I don't have any good ones from the front of this outfit... I think I owned it once, maybe my Freshman year. Long top, footless tights with lace at the ankles and Sam & Libby's (or knock off in her case. Are Sam and Libby still out there somewhere?)

Ok, so I kicked myself about the camera, until I saw that this one had video! yeah!! Then I got home and realized that the video has no audio. These are exciting videos! So then the question...what shall I blog?

I could tell you about the fun cast of characters we encountered while at the concert. I believe the church ladies from Saturday Night Live were sitting behind me. I heard comments all night long that made me giggle "well, she sure hasn't gotten any better, she's still just bad." "what is she wearing? that is horrible." "I wish they'd sing more of the old songs, I wouldn't want to sit and listen to this for very long" "those girls, those screams! They are going to pay for it in the morning! I hope they all wake up with sore throats and no voice, that'll teach them!" My favorite was, "Now, do you mind if I leave here a little early? you know, a lot of people will leave when the finale comes on. I think I'll scoot out right after David Cook sings his first song. That's all I need, just one and then I'll beat the crowd." I can't help it, I was seriously worried about this little lady walking around the parking lot on her own in the dark the whole time my boy was on stage. Who comes to a concert to leave early? This is a pet peeve of mine. But then, we stay in a theater till the credits are about done, we are one of the last ones to leave church each week, we don't like to miss anything. So for me, leaving a concert before the finale is like going to the fireworks and leaving before the finale, why bother going at all.

Wow, I was long winded there. I could tell you about the little girl with the glow stick, or light saber, or whatever the flickering object was that she kept randomly holding over her head and almost impaling my poor sister in law with. She would sort of drift off and the light would fall, but then she'd start waving it like a mad woman again and giggles would ensue from those behind her. There was the high five couple in front of me that were probably about my age but were just so stinking excited they just kept exchanging high fives. Or the 16 year old shuttle bus driver that just about turned the standing room only bus into a bowling lane on the drive back to the parking lot after the show. I'm still not sure he had a licence, maybe he stole the bus...who knows, there was more giggling and bonding at the prospect of mortal injuries by shuttle bus.

During the show I actually, consciously thought "what am I going to blog about this?" I had a whole plan. Wow, sad. Does this mean blogging is an addiction when you think about situations in in terms of how you might blog them? So, I thought I'd do a top ten list of my own. Let me tell you, it was a great idea. That was like weeks ago and with all the blogs floating in my mind I've forgotten the whole concept.

I can tell you I did not like the way this concert was set up as much as the 2006 version. I love when they sing together and this had very very little of that. Basically it was 10 mini concerts. Each finalist sang 3 songs, the last two had a few more. It was kind of a preview of what going to each of their concerts might be like. I can tell you, never ever go to a concert by Chikezie or Ramiele. He is still ok but boring, and she still is basically just bad. Michael Johns was voted out way too soon, he put on a great show. Believe it or not, Kristi Lee probably has a future in country music. Her singing is ok, but she had a great stage presence. Carly's would be a concert I'd go to. I love listening to her talk too! Brooke totally wins the award for the concert that made me smile the most. I think hers is the album I'd probably be most likely to buy. She just makes me happy. Jason was, well, Jason. He'd be the perfect guy to bring you a fruity frozen cocktail with an umbrella in it while you rested in a hammock beside the ocean in some remote place. He'd then plop down with his ukulele in the sand and give you a little concert...ahhh. Oh, sorry, I floated away there for a moment. Syesha and David Archuleta were both really, really good onstage, better than I thought. David A. totally wins the award for triggering the most obnoxious preteen screaming I've ever heard (well besides Finn of course). David Cook, what can I say. He apologized for being "awkward",, it was cute. He is amazing, but he still seems to not feel totally secure on stage. I loved hearing them, getting the chance to do songs that were much more individual to who they are.

And then...she has a grand idea! YouTube! I bet some others who where in the thousands at the concert with me had audio and video on their cameras!!!!

This is Michale Johns, taken from somewhere very close to where we were sitting...


Brooke, making me happy...


A little Jason...


A lot of Carly...


A Little of Syesha's Umbrella...


If you need to scream...


Brooke making me happy again...


Did you think I forgot him??


And the finale, for my girls...



Thank you for joining me for my rambling long winded blog entry. I am now officially putting American Idol to bed for the season! If you made it this far and you are really bored, while doing the research for this entry (haha) I was trying to find a link to an old church lady clip and I found this rather interesting article.

Praises and Prayers with flair

Having a good, busy time in Ohio!

Listening to His voice.

Taking lots of pictures. (I'll post one day)

Walking through the past.

VBS #2 down, half successful.

Zoo trips. To a real zoo!

Pedicures, Movies, lunch, and shopping with Mom alone! Yay!

Going out for an evening with Mike alone!!

Mom and Mike for taking turns babysitting! I'm one lucky girl!

Amazing bargain finds this week...loving that!

At home movie nights with mom, Mike and my little brother, Ryan.

Comedy Central after hours and laughing till I cry.

Amazing sister in laws.

Mike & the kids getting to spend time with his brother and the cousins.

Outlet malls.

Seeing old friends that make you a little like a giddy school girl.

Sitting and talking for hours tonight with Mike's brother and sister in law with no kids! Lets just say this is some sort of minor miracle, cause I'm not sure I remember the last time ti happened!

My husband taking the time to walk all over town to take pictures with me on my whims..

My mom, who every day both blesses and amazes me!

Prayers going out...

To my family a state away...

Those insane American Girl shoppers in Wisconsin.

My poor sister in law who I haven't seen enough of because she'd been working so hard.

My good friend at home who is keeping our Sophie dog, at her house while we're away.

Those teenage girls who we miss!

This town, with the dark cloud. (I'll post more later...)

My little three year old guy with the best blue eyes, whom I love very much but has turned into a defiant little man lately! And for his family who love him!

Recommendation...

If you don't mind cheesy musical movies my mom and I saw Mamma Mia today and it was a fun, feel good, giggle, and sing movie! We loved it! If you're not into chick flicks, Abba, or musical movies, skip it!

A Real Zoo!

***Warning*** this post is back blogged, contains an obsessive amount of photographs and is slightly snarky in nature...you've been warned! =)


Where we live now we have a couple of nice park like zoos within a half hour of our house. Although these make for a nice couple of hours out with the kids I by no means consider these "real zoos". The first time I visited I was shocked and terribly disappointed. I'm not sure how many times I asked my husband where the elephants were...or the penguins...or the aquarium. He laughed. I honestly thought all zoos were like the Cincinnati and Columbus zoos that I grew up around. I guess I was spoiled as a child and these zoos are some of the best, not the norm. So while spending time with Mom in Ohio, she, my sister in law, the kids, and I spent the day at "real zoo'! Here are some of the notable differences...


Real zoos have grand entrances...

Real zoos have petting zoos where you can actually touch and comb the animals...
Real zoos have really cute otters and other very cute squeezable animals I'm not including photos of because I had to edit a little.
Real zoos let you get up close and personal to above mentioned otters...
Real zoos have road maps with arrows pointing to different continents which is the one things it seems I did not photograph, but here is a picture of a beautiful waterfall in Asia...(and you thought I just went to Ohio!)
Amazing, Lily has the same annoyed look in Asia as she does in the US!Real zoos have lots of large metal statue type animals just laying around for photo ops. They all did carry nice warning labels to let you know that they could scorch you on hot days.




Real zoos let you feel like you could jump right in...
Real zoos have food courts! Food courts I say! Air conditioned buildings where you can buy junk food for your family...it's simply amazing!
I'm not sure if the carousel adds to the "real zooness" but it was quite cool and it was free while we were there do to a broken ticket taker machine...whoo hooo
Real zoos take you right into the natural world of the furry critters...
Real zoos have elephants, but the pictures of the elephants I took were very bad, so here are some water elephants...
Or manatees, whatever you prefer. See my kids even learned things! I knew this info already as my grandma lived in Manatee Co. Florida and we used to watch these amazing creatures swim past her dock.



Real zoos feed their animals so we can watch...
Real zoos have aquariums with little sharks and lots of brightly colored fish and coral reefs to amuse young and old alike!
Real zoos encourage vocabulary building with the constant use of our new favorite word,"FISH"!
Real zoos have cool touch pools where a three year old can manhandle poor unsuspecting starfish...
Real zoos have people who will use kind voices to repeatedly remind said three year old where he should touch this poor star fish.
Real zoos have penguins and the feeling of freedom that allows a 10 year old to mimic them in public view...Real zoos have no magic allowing a mother of three to get all of her children in one picture looking the same direction...Could be that said mother has the camera in her hands so often these three have become immune to her sing songy picture taking voice and the blinding flash...So she must settle for cute pictures of each of them with the metal manatees individually... Ok, so I'll take what I can get...In a real zoo it is totally cool to give your Nana a kiss in public!

Real zoos leave you exhausted! You can't even get through a real zoo in one day! If only we had more time! It was kind of like church, they were locking the doors behind us!

The Columbus Zoo is a grand place! We only did the zoo and aquarium. There are also water park and amusement park areas. Word is they are building a huge polar bear exhibit/habitat, a safari trek, and a hotel overlooking the safari trek. With all that so close it would make for a great long weekend away. Who needs Disney? Ok, so it's not exactly the same, but I bet it's cheaper and the lines are shorter!

If you've made it this far, wow, God bless you! Thanks for sharing our ride! If you have more time to read and you want to feel much more inspired than a trip to Columbus Zoo, go visit Angie, she's got another great post up!