Life...

So, it's been quite a while since my last post, but a lifetime of things have happened. Jack now has 3 teeth, those were fun times.. NOT! Sam now thinks he's a professional swimmer and is just about ready to try out for the Olympics. Tayler is an experienced videographer and would love nothing more than a really great video camera. (the one he has will have to do for now).
Sam,Jack and I had to make a heartbreaking trip to Ohio last week for my Grandpa's funeral. Having never been to a funeral before it was really tough. I feel blessed and lucky that I've never had to endure the pain of losing a loved one before now. I don't think you can fully grasp the concept of death until you've been to a funeral of someone you love. I've always known death was among us and happens every single way in every different way but you truly don't get it until you have to attend a funeral. That was one of the toughest thing's I've ever had to do in my life. Something I'm still having a hard time dealing with and can't really understand is how can you be married to someone for 63, almost 64 years and fully go on once the good Lord takes them? How do you do that? I guess it has to be by the grace of God right? I did alot of thinking about life and death for that matter. I came to a conclusion that when it is my time (whenever that may be) I want my family and friends to know without a shadow of a doubt where I'm going. I want them to know I mean really KNOW in their hearts that I have gone to be with Jesus. What a gift to give your loved ones, I can't think of anything better to leave behind. I know I have a long way to go in my relationship with God and I have alot to learn still, but I really want to work on that and grow spiritually so I leave behind no doubt!
God Bless you Grandpa, you will be greatly missed, I'm sorry I didn't' get to say goodbye, but I know you know how we all feel about you and I know you are happy and proud of the way we bid you farewell!

Again I will ask... When did time grow wings?

It seems as though time has wings these days! Jack is already 8 months old and crawling everywhere. He's pulling himself up on everything now too.

I never thought I would feel like I wanted time to stand still for a little while. It seems as though he's growing up way to fast. Faster than the other two ever did. Jack waves bye bye and says it too! He gives big wet sloppy open mouth kisses that are really precious! He has discovered the dogs water is alot of fun! (well for him anyway). I'm not quite ready to let him do all this stuff just yet. I know I should be happy he's healthy and learning new things, but gosh could it go just a tad slower? I'm having alot of fun with this little guy and want to take in every moment!

Speaking of where did the time go... Sam lost a tooth! He came upstairs and showed me his tooth was out. "I just pushed it and it came right out" he said.

I decided to put him in swim lessons this summer, he loves the water! If he really knew how to swim there would be no stopping him. He gets upset when we have to leave or he has to wait his turn with the teacher!

He can't wait till his birthday! He tells everyone "I'm going to be 6 soon". Sam also can't wait until school starts this fall! He really loves Jack, almost to much sometimes! he won't leave him alone sometimes and Jack gets upset because he wants to GO!

Tayler is a handsome 13 year old!

He's really gotten into making his own videos these days. He does stop motion with his legos and is even doing an instructional video on how to do that. He really seems to enjoy that alot. Perhaps that's going to be his fortay! He's a funny kid and seems to like Jack alot too. Sam... well.. not so much! I'm sure once Jack gets older and can talk he won't like him as much either!

Family & Fun!

Jamie's family came to visit this past week! We had a really great time with them. Jamie got to do a few household projects with his dad. We now have a new screen front door, and a new tv in the living room. The old tv decided to wait until family was around to bite the big one! We went to the Zoo,Port Orchard waterfront, and Seattle while they were here. We also got all of the boys together and had their pictures taken (those I will post later when we get them). Jack was kind of grumpy this week due to him trying to get another tooth. He did however start crawling all over the place. He is a boy on the move, he goes everywhere now and likes to follow the dog. Here are a few pictures from the past week!

Aidan,Tayler,Sam and Jacob


Pop & Jack

Pop & Jack at the park

Jamie being the kid he is

Tayler touching the space needle

Tayler and Jacob and their Braces

Lots of Lasts!

I know it's been a while since I've written, but we've had ALOT going on the past few weeks! Sam is done with Preschool, as you know. Now he's on to "real" school, it's really kind of hard to believe! He's really getting into reading these days. He's really proud of himself when he reads an entire book, it's really cute to watch and kind of funny when he sounds out some words, overall he does really well and i'm really proud of him. Tayler has a half day left of 7th grade then he's out for the summer. That's right he's on to 8th grade. Like when the heck did that happen? He is now officially taller than Nana and Aunt Joni now. He's very proud of that and he can't wait to be taller than me! He did rather well this year, I believe he's going to finish up the year with honor roll! I'm pretty proud of him and all he has accomplished. We had a few bumps during the school year this year but I'm pretty sure he got the message that we will NOT put up with bad grades and he did really well! Jack started crawling yesterday finally. After rocking for the past few months he actually had the forward motion going on! It's really cute to watch, but sad at the same time. I really wish some days were longer, he's growing way to fast. Before we know it he's going to be in school too!
I have my last MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting this week and i'm kind of sad I must say. I really have a lot of fun with all of the women there and have really made some really fantastic friends there. I'm really hoping to get together with lots of them this summer!
So lots of lasts these past few weeks, we're moving on to bigger and better (I hope) things! Wish me luck on this journey of motherhood and pray I (and the boys) make it through without to many tears!

Sharing Pictures!

This is Jack at my wonderful friend Hannah's house




Jack's new Highchair I got him ... it was a Steal!




He's All ready for Summer!




Sam and Jamie making a Cake together, this was his "I'm finished with PreSchool" Cake



And My Handsome Teenage Son!!! (that's still really weird to say)

And now the Real school begins...

After 2 years of preschool, Sam is officially done! And now the Real school begins. I have no doubt he's going to do well and have fun doing it! He had a preschool graduation, which I personally think is a bit funny and sort of silly, but the kids seem to enjoy it! Sam was really proud of himself up there on that stage singing songs and doing signing his alphabet! We are proud, for the most part, of him and how much he's grown over the past year. He is now reading just about everything, even when he doesn't recognize words he gives it a try anyway. Don't grow up too fast little man, enjoy every minute of just being a kid, You can do anything you want to do, and always know We Love You!

The day after his graduation we went to his end of the year picnic!

He had a blast!

This is what Jack thought of it!

Flowers Around My Yard!

Here are Pictures of some of the flowers in my yard! I think they're beautiful, but gosh they all need ALOT of work. We're getting there, but it's going to take some time to get it all into shape. Anywho, I'll try to name them all, but can't be sure about all of them!

These are Azaleas



White Lilac


Snowball tree

Rhododendron

Purple Lilac

Rhododendron

Not sure what this is? but it's pretty and it came back after last year!

Azalea

No clue

Don't know what this is either, but it's growing like crazy and it's really cute!

Sam's Build

So I was Facebooking this morning and someone told me there was a kid "Build and Grow" workshop at Lowe's and I thought "what a great idea for Sam". So off we went. I have to say I didn't know really what to expect, but I was really impressed! He got an apron with a nametag, goggles, the kit to build his "box" and a snack afterward. And it was all FREE! Can you believe that? He had an absolute blast and loved every minute of it! I let him paint it when he got home. I have to say we will Definately be doing this again!

Jack has a tooth!

I am kind of Sad to report that Jack has his first lil tooth! I can't even believe it! He doesn't quite seem old enough to have a lil tooth just yet. I'm trying really hard with him to enjoy every single moment of every single day with him being a baby. I almost cried when I put my finger in his mouth and felt a lil tooth in there. I know he HAS to grow but gosh why so fast huh? I knew his gums were swollen, but I wouldn't have thought his tooth was in already. He really didn't have any signs of it at all. He had no fever or snotty nose (his nose was actually better than normal), no yucky diapers, he was a little fussy on Sunday but other than that nothing! And he now has a vocabulary of BA BA BA BA.....lol With his tongue sticking out of course!

Mr. Blue Eyes!

Please don't think i've totally neglected my other two children, but Jack is much more fun to photograph these days. Sam is still fun too, but he gets a bit cooky sometimes and Tayler really doesn't like having his picture taken. And Jack won't be this small for very long, so bear with me I have to brag a bit on my baby. I think he's so stinkin cute! And well somedays he knows it! So I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I have!