My Beautiful Days

Sometimes I find that the biggest joys come from the simple things, like when Ethan and I spent time being couch potatoes together (I've been having issues with the camera on my phone, which is what I took these with, so just make sure to check out the cuteness of my baby and not the poor quality of the photo!!) ... My little flirty boy ... Completely distracted ... I can't get enough of his gorgeous smile! Should I pose, mom? Just like this, mom?  Cute like this?  Cheese!! Distracted by the world outside our windows.  Searching for his "button"!  :) *SiGh!*  It's official - I'm in love!!!

I've been thinking a lot lately about my role as a step-mom.  From the start, my role consisted of getting to know the kids as individuals and as a whole.  It involved lots of time learning about their personalities and their individual idiosyncrasies, what made them happy and what triggered meltdowns.  It involved playing and reading and snuggling, and oftentimes learning to accept the fact that they wanted their distance.  It involved loving completely while that love was returned at arms length.  It involved learning to be a parent, while not overstepping the boundaries of respecting their mama's memory.  It involved many hours of intense prayer - times of crying out to God to show me how He wanted me to be a parent, and times of learning His love for me and my family and, in turn, showing that love to my kids. But how could anyone NOT love these kids?! Photo taken in 2009, courtesy of Moments In Time Photography The reason this has been on my...

This past weekend we were all supposed to be heading up north to visit my mom and step-dad for the weekend.  We were looking forward to time spent fishing on the lake (well, the boys were, anyway), time spent relaxing and chatting with my parents and time seeing Kaylin, a dear friend from high school, on her wedding day.  It was going to be such a wonderful weekend. However, it all came crashing down when my mom called early on Friday morning to say that my step-dad was really sick.  She said that it would be just fine if we were still to come and stay, but she wanted to forewarn us in case he was contagious. Now, if you've followed my blog for awhile or if you know me, you are aware that Ethan has this awesome ability to get sick and to hang on to that sickness for a LONG time.  Colds attack him, sink into his chest and stay there for a month.  So, this decision was a really hard one for us, as we all REALLY wanted to go, but yet we knew that it wouldn't be...

I know you probably see it a lot.  Some parent entered their kid in a magazine's cutest kid contest and now they want you to go and cast your vote for their kid. Well open your eyes and look at it again - cause you're not seeing things, that's exactly what I've done!  I entered Ethan in a contest and would love it if you would vote for him! Vote by clicking here .

Dear Ethan, I know you don't like it when mommy washes your hair ... ... but don't you think this was taking it a little bit far in getting your point across?!

Ethan loves Greek Yogurt ... I mean LLLOOOVVVEEESSSS it.  Whenever I am enjoying a bowl, he is right next to me asking for a "Bie?" (bite).  So, I have learned that it is just so much easier to get him a bowl of his own and let him enjoy it, too. And he really does!

My house is baby-proofed to an extent.  The electrical outlets that are within a child's reach have all been covered, we have gates blocking the entrance to our staircases (though they truly aren't necessary, as Ethan is the one who closes them when they've been left open!), etc., etc.  It has happened far more than once, though, that I have had the thought that the coffee table (which is in the room where Ethan most frequently plays) has the potential of being somewhat dangerous. I was right. The first time we discovered this was when the kids had been left with their (incredibly amazing) babysitter.  We came home to learn that Ethan had fallen and hit his mouth on the table, causing a fat lip.  While there was room for concern (because no mother wants to hear that her child had hurt themselves), we weren't too worried about it, as we knew that our babysitter really is amazing, she comforted him and made him feel better, and we knew without a doubt that she was ...

Do you ever struggle with what to do with the mounds of important paperwork that you need to keep?  What about the bills and other random miscellany that arrives in your mailbox each day?  Managing a household of seven people keeps me on my toes at all times, which sometimes leaves me behind on managing our paperwork.  After being married for three-and-a-half years, I can say that my husband and I have found a system of organization that truly works for us; but not only does it work, it flows . When it comes to the really important paperwork (like our written wills, birth certificates, mortgage documents, etc.), those are safely filed away in our fireproof/waterproof safe in our storage room.  The key to this safe is safely tucked away, too - somewhere very safe, I promise!  I'm sure that you've all figured out your systems for paperwork, too - but what about the daily stuff that comes up, but can't be forgotten (can anybody say that dreaded word: BILLS! )?...

If you've ever seen "Bear in the Big Blue House" then this song is a familiar one to you.  It's one that we sing quite frequently in our home, though we change the words to sing "Oh where, oh where, oh where is Ethan?" when he is waking up.  It's a wonderful tradition that I just love because when I sing "Where can Ethan be?" he responds with a very loud "BE!" and a big smile! I digress ... I feel very much like you could all be asking "Where oh where oh where is Kami?!" because I have been gone for so long.  Blogging hasn't been on the top of my priority list as of late.  We've been crazy busy the past couple of weeks and I'm just doing what I can to keep my head above the water.   A couple of weeks ago, Monte and I spent five days visiting Las Vegas with his parents.  This was my first trip to Vegas, and it definitely is a city to remember!  We stopped for a visit at Hoover Dam ... Tak...

I've been gone from blogging because the wind has blown me away.  Monte and I have the privilege of taking some time away on vacation with his parents in Las Vegas!  It has been so wonderful to see them and to see this crazy city, but today I think I am a little confused.  You see, it is so windy outside (with gusts blowing at 60+ MPH) that I am thinking I may have been blown away to Chicago instead of Vegas!  ;) So, later tonight I am going to let this crazy wind blow me away to see a show with Monte (which I am incredibly excited about!) And we'll see where it blows us from there. I wish I had more to say, but I'm posting this from my phone and it's not nearly as convenient as using the computer!!  More updates to come!  :) Kami