Hope

I love Easter! It's a time of reflection, and a time of new beginnings. I find myself burdened many days with the weight of the world. I can literally make myself sick thinking about the people here on Earth who are suffering. I was reminded on Sunday that I don't need to carry those burdens....they have already been carried for me.

I need to reminded of this often. I was raised to be a strong woman. To be self-reliant, if need be, and I am proud of the person I am today. But, it comes with fault. I think I can do it all on my own, all the time. I think I can deal with every detail, worry about every circumstance, solve every problem. And I can't. I can't do it all and I don't need to. I need to give it to God. The more I rely on only myself, just shows my lack of faith really. That I'm not trusting...to know that all things work together for good for those who love Him.

So today I choose HOPE! Hope for those suffering from cancer, hope for the nation, hope for our leaders, hope for families in turmoil, hope for a future full of blessings.

Once you choose hope, anything's possible. ~Christopher Reeve

52 of 2011

I *think* the last picture in my weekly photography challenge was week 10 so I'll catch up now! :)

Week 11



Week 12



Week 13



Week 14



Week 15



Week 16

Five on Friday

I've really been slacking on this blogging thing. So the easiest way to catch up is a Five on Friday!

1. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how I can put into words what this family means to me (Aaron, Leighton, and Ainsley). The friendship we have with the Hawthorne family has become such a blessing to us. We love being with them, their honesty, their openness...honestly, just everything about them. Our families are so similar (maybe that's why we get along so well). Cory is pretty laid back like Aaron. Colleen and I are type-A, talkers! :) We come by it naturally, I guess....we are both SLP's. And to top it off, Delaney and Leighton have similar personalities as do Cami and Ainsley. The Hawthorne crew made the trip from St. Louis last weekend and we all had so much fun! We love you Hawthorne family!!

The girls all jumping...



Cory and Cami on the boat.



Ainsley and Aaron



Love this reflection of the guys and a sea lion in the water too!



Ainsley loved this little monkey



Too cute!



This is the best one of the 4 girls!!! Ha!



Unless you count the back of their heads! ;)



My sweet Leighty



Delaney, Leighton and Cami



This picture cracks me up...check out how thrilled Ainsley was for this bird to fly down and meet her!



2. As Ainsley and I drove to get Leighton at school this week, she couldn't stop asking "Sissy, where are you?" (said in a sing song voice as if she were playing hide and seek and Leighton was with us). It is a privilege to be able to witness this sweet friendship. It is the most precious thing I've ever been a part of!



3. Aaron's 5k was a huge success! Way to go Aaron! It was freezing (yep, 50 seems like freezing to me) that day and windy...but we managed to have some fun despite the cold! :)





4. Aaron claims he can dance. I beg to differ. I'll let you decide (and yes, I'll have lots to un-do when the girls get older and I tell them they shouldn't dance like daddy)!




5. It's Good Friday and Earth Day. So, we took the day as a family and went on a nature hike. Here are some things we spotted on our hike.

Diva's

I could look at these twenty little toes over and over. My biggest diva taught her little sister the importance of pretty toes in the summer. They both sat completely still to get them painted perfectly. They are so sweetly painted....but that's just the icing on the top. I am so thankful there are 10 little toes for each of my girls. I am so thankful my girls are able to walk. It's the simple things in life.



I am trying to remember that my perfectionism is only a product of society and that all of "that" doesn't matter...it's about these two. It's about their smiles. It's about them! It's about the simple things in life...and everything else is just icing on the cake!



The girls found these dresses with mermaids on them. They squealed and twirled from the moment they put them on. To see the world in the eyes of a child...it's the simple things that make them happy...and us in return.



I am thankful for two little girls who love to play with one another...pat-a-cake is fun for a toddler to play over and over. And would you know, it's just as fun for a momma to watch her two children play it together...because it's the simple things in life!

Five on Friday

1. It's been a long stressful week for me at work. I've just been "getting by" lately. I'm hoping the 70 and 80 degree weather this weekend will get me out of the funk I'm in. Hopefully I can spend my weekend playing, loving on my family, and getting lots more fun pictures like this! :)



2. Leighton starts her new gymnastics class on Tuesday! I am so proud of her for moving up to the next level. She is super psyched about the new class too. This is her sweet class and her coach of 3 years. Leighton wouldn't let go of Ms. Alana when we left on Tuesday. We all had tears in our eyes. Ms. Alana, we sure are going to miss you!!

From Left to Right: (Back Row) - Alana, Helene, Lauryn, Natalie, Leighton, McKenzie
(Front Row) - Olivia, Madison, McKenna



This is Leighton and her best friend Lauryn when they started gymnastics. Look how tiny they were!!!



3. A few posts back I documented our Disney trip. I tried writing Ainsley-ese but it doesn't do her sweet voice justice.



4. The YV 5K is coming up this month! I am wishing I had trained for it. Come run, come walk...just come out and support a great cause!



5. Ainsley got her hair cut this week. I just love my girls with short hair. Leighton will not allow such an idea anymore so Ainsley will have to endure short hair until she tells me differently. Come on, isn't she precious?! :)

5 years

5 years ago today at 4:41pm I became a mom for the first time. I felt feelings of love I've never experienced before. It was love at first sight. I suddenly realized I would lay down my life for this little being. This little baby was a part of me and I would love and protect her to a fault. I've loved her from the second she was born because she was mine. But as she's grown, my love for her has grown. I no longer only love her because she's mine but because of who she is.

Leighton is an amazing little girl. She is independent. She wants to do things on her own and doesn't struggle at much. However, she is so gracious when she does accept help from others. I love that about her.

Leighton wants to please. She wants to do the right thing. She is a rule-follower. And finds it horrible when I tell her about children who purposefully choose to do the wrong thing. I love that she can't fathom how anyone would choose to do something they know is not appropriate.

Leighton is clumsy. She always has been. But, she is a great gymnast.

Leighton loves to sleep. She loves to cuddle even more.

She loves being a big sister and she is an amazing one.

She loves anything princesses at this point in her life. She adores Ariel.

Leighton counts her days according to where she'll be. Monday/Wednesday/Friday are "Rita Days" because she goes to the sitter, Tuesday/Thursday are "school days", Saturday is a "stay home day" with "Mem, Mommy, and Ainsley", and Sunday is "church day." It just makes sense to her. And each week she can't wait for "stay home days."

She loves to play jokes on people. She loves to hide and scare you.

Leighton loves to be outside. She loves flowers but doesn't want to get dirty to plant them. She is a city girl who loves to shop! :)

Leighton Caroline,

You are a blessing. You bring joy to my life each and every day. I am honored to call you daughter. I can't wait to see you grow and see what you will do with your life but I know you have big things in store. You make me want to be a better person, wife, and mother. Thank you for being you.

I love you!
Momma

Leighton 6 days old



Leighton 5 years old

Truly Magical!

Our Disney trip was one of the most magical things I've witnessed. As a mom, I couldn't be happier. Both of my sweet girls were awed by the happiest place on Earth.

I know Ainsley won't remember this trip, but while we were there, her eyes have never been brighter. She couldn't wait for the bus to come get us. As we waited at each stop she would yell over and over, "Ainsley's ready," which came out as "Ai-dey rea-ye." She blew kisses to characters as long as they stood at a distance. And she said "hi everybody" (hi e-ye-bo-ye) walking through every park. She wasn't a fan if the characters came too close but then she wanted them back as soon as they were gone.

For Leighton, this was her second trip but first one that she understood, that she could ride all of the rides, and boy did her face light up at every new opportunity. Every character she met she was ecstatic. Every princess she talked to she loved. Every ride she rode became real. She loved talking to the princesses. Ariel is her all-time favorite and did the best job playing the part. Their conversation went a little like this:

Ariel: "I see it's your birthday (Leighton had on a birthday shirt)."
Leighton: I'm going to be 5.
Ariel: "You are a perfect starfish!" (Leighton smiling the biggest smile)
Leighton: I love your hair. It is so pretty."
Ariel: Thank you! I comb it every day with my dingle hopper. (Leighton giggling)
Leighton; "Where is prince Eric?"
Ariel: "He is taking Max the dog for a walk but I will tell him you said hello. (Leighton is awe-struck)

Leighton loved the roller coasters...thunder mountain and splash mountain were her favorites. Soarin' was also a big hit. We rode it twice and she remembered every detail the second time. This trip was my parents first trip and they are already asking when we will go again. We love Disney! Until next time (warning....there is total picture overload coming!)...

On the plane....



Our first day...at Animal Kingdom



The Safari Ride



Lion King show



My sweeties

Being silly with Goofy

Chef Mickey

My little Leighton who still loves to wear her ears

Leighton loved all of the characters!

Posing with Goofy

The castle

Watching Mickey in 3-D

Ainsley got to dance with this cast member during the "Move It" "Shake It" "Celebrate It" parade!



I love this shot of Ainsley...she loved throwing kisses to the characters...from afar!!!! :)

On the boat to Magic Kingdom



My sweet Ainsley

With Mem and Pop Pop before the Ariel show

Yum...this girl loves to eat!

Waiting for Fantasmic

Epcot

50's Prime Time with Mem

A little green beer for my Irish hubby on St. Patty's Day

50's Prime Time...

Bippidy Boppidy Boutique!



Should we leave it like this?!



Make-up time



The final product...my perfect birthday princess

Both of the girls LOVED swimming with Pop Pop at the hotel

Yay! That was fun...let's jump again!

The slide was Leighton's favorite thing

Pop showing Ainsley where Leighton was going to come down the slide.

Such fun!

Always time for a snack!

Bubble fun while everyone else road Soarin'

Playing around...

Ariel!!!!

Snow White

Sleeping Beauty

Ainsley LOVED the princesses (up close) and couldn't get enough of Belle. She ran up to her over and over again to give her hugs. She was so sweet and let her every time.

Our picture before enjoying breakfast with the princesses.

The birthday girl with Belle

Walking with Pop



Looking at the castle and waiting to meet Pooh and the gang

Pooh!

Eeyore



Piglet

Piglet was awesome and gradually snuck close to Ainsley for a photo op!

Tigger

Walking to Thunder Mountain for another ride!

Anastasia...Leighton was petrified to meet the step-sisters...but they were awesome! This is Pop Pop dancing away!



Drizella and Ainsley

Leighton just mesmerized by the princesses...love this shot!

Anastasia

Drizella who was so concerned Leighton didn't have a birthday cupcake she hunted down our waitress in the kitchen and got her one!!!! :)

Leighton and Cinderella!!!



Ainsley giving some love

Prince Charming...

Leighton's cupcake from Drizella

But look who ate it...big surprise there! Ha!



And how she looked afterward!