She Made Me Leap

Here are some pictures from Miss Lou's "one year photo shoot".
I really can't believe she is one year old.

That was the toughest year of my life so far.

Looking back I can see how much I needed this challenge. I needed the extra push to prioritize because I wasn't going to do it on my own. I have simplified my life, my relationships and my obligations. I have three kids. My hands are full. My time is precious. My free time is precious. I have to be more selective on what I commit to and whom I spend my time with. She pushed me to give up that last bit of selfishness I was holding on to. Any complaining I used to do is gone (ok, let's pretend). Any "need" of a break is gone (sometimes). I have come full circle into being a mother. Obviously I still have a lot of growth and changing to do, and a lot of improving to do, but having this third child has definitely pushed me leaps and bounds towards where I want to be. And needed to be. I didn't know before what I could become until she came.

One

Happy birthday to my sweet Indie. I love you.

No Years Old

I can't look at these pictures of Miss Lou and not be happy. This is one sweet, happy, and friendly little girl.

Did you know ~ SHE TURNS ONE TOMORROW?

So today I am going to enjoy my little baby Indie. Because tomorrow she is officially not a baby, she is a big girl, who will be one. But today, for one more day, she is no years old yet.


















Did you know ~ she shares a birthday with my brother, Kris?
I bet you do know how cool this is to me, that my child shares this day with my bestest big brother whom I adore. Because if you know me much you know how close we are.

Did you know ~ I am making them matching birthday cakes?

WOWZA

WHAT?????

NO WAY!!!!!

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY?




SHE'S A WALKING GIRL!



But the fact that she is old enough and big enough to walk makes me want to do this....


Oh Lou. I love you.

I Don't Know A Lot Of Things But....

~What I Do Know~

*My best friend is moving to Seattle.
*I am devastated.
*Chocolate with Diet Coke is the best breakfast. I could just stop right here.
*Music can fix any day.
*Indie's crying makes me want to dive head first out of whatever window or door is closest.
*I'm not a lot of things, but I am a good friend.
*It's better to do a few things well than a million thing half well, or unfinished.
*You can accomplish a lot in ten minutes.
*Making your spouse happy is more important than making yourself happy (cause really, if you wanna be selfish, if they are happy they are gonna make you happy... unless they suck, than I don't know anything about that because my spouse doesn't suck. Like not even a little).
*Order yields order yields order...etc.
*Having REAL friends is more important than having blogger friends. I mean, in my humble opinion, but obviously some people don't agree.
*Pedicures with friends are really fun.
*Jake and I have nicer parents than we deserve.

Hats and St. Bored

We went to St. George this weekend, or St. Bored as Piper thinks it's called, for one of Jake's bike races. I forgot my camera, and a bunch of other important stuff like clean underwear and diapers for Beck to wear at night, but when I am packing for 4 people and making sure they are entertained the whole time, I am just impressed that is all I forgot. I just wish I could have swapped forgetting underwear for a toothbrush, at least that I could borrow from the front desk.
Jake did well, he is racing expert now in the 30's category so it's super hard and competitive. I think it's a little hard for him to not be smoking everyone else, but he'll "find his legs" and be on the podium in no time.
Other friends of ours went and all Jake's family went. My little nine year old niece did a triathlon and it was awesome. She did so good I almost bawled my eyes out with pride (don't tell anyone). It was really great. The kids had so much fun swimming in the hotel swimming pool with their dad and papa. Indie did not like the pool, nor does she like anything physical or strange. Me and my MIL hit a few quilt shops. And miraculously our kids did soo good on the car drive. I was anticipating Indie being... well, Indie.. and crying the whole time, but she was so pleasant. YAY! Which makes me much more confident in summer road trips.

Here are some random pictures of Piper I took a little while ago. She has this hat she loves. She wears it all the time. What a silly goose.