Mother's Day 2014

This Mother's Day was pretty much absolutely perfect. Other then pretty much the typical 2 1/2 year old and 20 month old attitudes, the kids were amazing and Jared spoiled me rotten!

This one was taken a couple days before  mothers day, but I still thought it was sweet. Breeann's feeding me french fries.

We started off the morning with presents

we're mickey mouse fans around here ;)

mickey mouse pj bottom

white comfy pants... yes, I asked for comfy pants

black comfy pants

Jared made so extremely yummy waffles. They made with a different batter and a different sugar. You'll have to ask him. But they were so good!!  

Yeah, then I slacked off on having Jared to take pics, taking them myself. But after church, we had a low key lunch, kids took a nap while I bathed and Jared cooked. When they got up, I took Ayden to see his bio. grandma's while Jared finished up cooking. My friend and her kiddos joined us for dinner. After we ate, we just talked and then it was bed time. After we got kids in to bed, we cleaned up, got Bree hooked up to her IV, and then I took another nice bath.

Like I said, pretty much the most perfect day. Jared spoiled me and it was so nice to relax.

I am so grateful to be the mom to these two babies. Is it hard? Without a doubt. Most days I just want to cry, scream, or pass out tired. But I couldn't imagine life without these two. They really are my everything. I am so blessed to be able to be their momma. I am so grateful to their two strong bio. moms that made it possible for me to be a mom. I wish we could have celebrated with them, but unfortunately circumstances didn't allow that. I thought about them, as well as my mom, non-stop Sat. (which is birth mom day) and yesterday.

Which brings me to wanting to say a little bit about my mom.

She is my hero! All she does, her faith, and her strength... I know I wouldn't be here or half the woman I am without her. I am so blessed to have such a great mom and best friend! She has definitely been there for me and has lifted me up when I felt so burdened with my two. I just love her.

Next, I want to say a little bit about my incredible mother-in-law

She is amazing. Her patience, her knowledge, and love. She's got 10 kids, 7 of them married, and 20 something grandkids... but she can tell you what's going on with all of them, makes each grand-baby a quilt when they come into the family, and she is now working as a nurse. She's just so admirable.

Last one, promise.

my three sisters. I wont lie, they drive me absolutely up the wall sometimes. They are relentless too. But they are always there and I know I can count on them no matter what. They are incredible women and I couldn't ask for better sisters.

I wish I could talk about my amazing sister-in-laws... all 9 of them... but I think I'd loose all of you. But trust me, they are all top notch too.

I hope this mothers day found all you women spoiled and you all felt appreciated for all you do, like I did. Love to all!

Late Christmas

Due to come events that just happen with life, my kiddos didn't get their Christmas from Grandma Shell (my mom) until last week.

Ayden waiting for Grandma Shell and Shan

opening the goodies!

As you can see, the presents were a hit!!! He wears that shirt about every other day (since that's about as fast as I can wash it) and he loves his new mickey doll :o) Thanks Grandma Shell and Poppa Alan!!!

CRUISE!!!!!!

I have to start out by saying I have the most amazing husband EVER!!!! For a while, he tried to convince me to go on a cruise. Since we felt like we couldn't both leave Bree, he suggested I take my best friend!! Like I said, most incredible man ever. I admit, I fought it at first, but we finally did it! On Sun., we flew to Fort Lauderdale and Monday morning got on the ship. We went to the Bahamas!! 

Here's looking at our room and view out of our balcony. 

 

Our first stop was Great Stirrup Cay 

We then stopped in Nassau. This is actually where Jared and I went with his company Nov. 2008. To be honest, Heather and I didn't get out of the ship long. It was cold and not so fun to be out in it. 

this was the resort Jared and I stayed at

Our last stop was Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

 

 

 

 

Here's some other random pics

we went to like 3 or 4 shows/game events

random raccoons begging for food

gorgeous sunset on our last night on the ship

we were sad to be leaving

It was an amazing trip and just what I needed. I would love to go on another cruise, taking Jared with me this time. I guess we'll have to see what the future holds for that one.

As far as how Jared did with the kids... well, we'll let him post about that one, if he will. ;o) He did great, but he did a lot and sacrificed lots for me to be able to go. I love that man!!

Hair cut

There's no denying that Jared is the fun parent. Both the kids just adore him. Which I love. Jared is always willing to do fun things like this

Yes, Jared let Ayden cut his hair. Ayden did not know how to properly the clippers, but it was a great attempt :o)

Dinosaur Museum

The other night we went to the a dinosaur museum. Honestly, we don't get to do things like this often. I'm hoping we can start since the kiddos are getting older now. Anyway~ here's a few pictures from our outing.

Ayden was a lot of fun and starting to get interested in things like this. If anyone comes to see us, we'll have to take you!! Love to all!!!

Tayla

So, many of you know I am a huge dog lover. Jared, not so much. But he was awesome and let me get Buddy. I think that was because I warned him even before we were engaged, that when I get married I will have at least a dog. Anyway~ so when I was in my last semester of nursing school, I was having a really hard time sticking with it. I just felt like I couldn't do it anymore. Jared told me that if I could stick it out and graduate he'd let me get another dog. Well, that didn't happen because... well, we got Bree about a week after I graduated. So... fast forward to a week ago. Jared dropped Buddy off at the local PetSmart to be groomed. I pulled in a few hours later to get Buddy, they were doing an adoption drive!!! Of course I couldn't help but look!!! Well, I then found this cutie.

She had been a stray. After talking to Jared, she came home with me!!

Jared named her Tayla after the Stargate character. I think it's a cute name too. Tayla is such a sweet heart. And the kids just love her!!

She definitely needs some working with (ie, staying off my furniture, out of the trash, and a bit of potty training). But overall she's been so fun to have!!!!

Buddy's still getting use to her. lol overall he likes her, but I know he wishes she'd play more. maybe once she settles in more. Buddy is actually very submissive to Tayla. The dog pillow in the pic. below... yeah, frequently Tayla's on it and Buddys on the carpet... even though the pillow is Buddy's.

Anyway~ there's a bit of an intro. to our newest family member :o) Hope this finds everyone well. Love to all!!