Getting ready for another trip....

This just tickles me every time. She just loves getting in the suitcase. I would get her out and she would crawl right back in. Even after it was filled, she wanted to be right on top.

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4th of July 2009

Yes, it's September and I'm blogging about July. I am on a roll now...catching up quickly. This particular weekend was filled with such great people and memories that I could not skip over it.

We went over to Lakeland with mom, Jonathon, kids and dad came up later. Julie and Nate had plans with some friends so we watched the girls Saturday night. We went to THE COOLEST park (it was even free) and dinner at Firehouse Subs. Once we were back at the house and the fireworks started , I took the kids who weren't scared of the noise outside to watch the 360 degree firework show. (Side note...I don't really like fireworks...never have...they're too loud.) Anyway, I am so glad I seized the moment! It was a "you had to be there" moment, but one I will NEVER forget. As you will see in the video below, the three big kids, Brie, Ethan, and Jaden, sat on the car in awe and excitement over the variety of fireworks. At one point, I was holding little, but so big, Ja. I marveled at his enthusiasm over the overpriced and way too loud bursts of fire. He couldn't turn his head fast enough to see the surrounding entertainment. "Look...look...woah...that was huge...I like that one...did you see that one...wow...that one is my favorite...no that one is...AWESOME...so cool...what happens if they hit the moon?" I spent the next 15 minutes watching fireworks through the eyes of a 4 year old and I will never watch them again in the same way.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the experience because I may never have that opportunity again. His life has been disrupted at times over the past year and there is great uncertainty where this coming year will take him. I will probably never be able to comfortably hold him in my arms and experience July 4th in the same way...priceless to me.

We went to church the next day and then celebrated Ethan's 8th birthday!!!

At the Park on July 4th

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Family Photo

Family photo taken while in Lakeland....went to church with Nate, Julie, & girls.

They have such a great church! Rea did SOOO well in her little class!

Reagan's 1st Birthday Party

Well....here it is! The pictures from the big day. It was a very windy day since we were down by the water. This interfered with our cutesy decorations and some other logistical things. On the other hand, it definitely made the June heat bearable. The day was filled with water fun, pinata, adorable cookies on a stick, fabulous little girl gifts, and memories. Overall, it was a fantastic day because it was filled with so many people that we love dearly. Jonathan and I couldn't choose any other group of family and friends to love and support our baby girl. They are authentic, quality, priceless. Words cannot express how grateful we are for them.

Fun Fantastic Fotography

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Clueless + Frustrated = Lack of Posting

I made a video of the pictures from Rea's 1st birthday in Picasa and I was going to post it, but it won't let me or I don't know what I'm doing! I'm frustrated that I spent that much time on it and now I can't get it to work.

Therefore, I have been avoiding the beloved blog.....