Saturday, March 31, 2012

A Dream Come True...

Or at least, a child's dream come true (and some adults). Our homeschooling group had a fun and even educational time on their most recent field trip to Powell's Sweet Shop. Powell's specializes in Gelato and old fashioned candy that you really can't find anymore. In some ways, it's like walking down memory lane from when I was a child and finding some of my old favorites.




I'm so thankful that BJ was able to come to help watch Dayson. Normally he's quite the handful but this time, he behaved really well.

The children were wonderfully behaved and even earned an extra treat because of it. They learned about different candies, counted the different flavors of Jelly Belly's and even got to see what it was like to work at the cash register.

This little guy is ready for his nap.





















So glad we got to go on this field trip. We had such a great time and definitely enjoyed all the sights and smells of the candy shop.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Day 4 - What They Wear

Today is about what they wear. It can either be something your loved one is wearing or something in the closet, something as simple as a photograph of their jewelery, watch, tattoos...the possibilities can be endless. I decided to choose shoes. We're not normally a household who takes our shoes off by the front door in order to keep the carpets clean but for some reason, the shoes tend to gather there. Or at least, when I see them lying around the house, I throw them in that direction. It definitely makes it easier to find them on those days when we're rushing out the door ☺.


This picture isn't related to this post but brings a smile to my face. You know that Spring is coming when the birds are out and you see new buds on the trees. It's definitely been an odd winter this time around and I do miss the fact that we really didn't get much snow, but I'm ready for some warmer temps.





Friday, March 9, 2012

Day 3 - Then and Now

With all the excitement of an awesome young lady turning 10 and a busy little boy turning 18 months, my "Joy of Love" posts were put on the back burner. Now that things have once again settled down and we're working on getting back into our routine, here's day 3.

This is all about 'then' and 'now'. A couple of questions that go along with this post are: how long have you been together, what has changed since you first met, etc... For BJ and I, we met in person on Christmas Eve of 1999. For those of you who don't know, we met over the internet a few months before that. I can't find the picture that was taken of us when we first met, so here's one from a couple months later when BJ came to WA to visit me.

This was taken after we had gotten back from seeing "The Phantom of the Opera" in Seattle. Don't we look like kids!?! We've known each other for twelve years and a handful of months (been married for just over eleven). As for what has changed in the past twelve years, physically I would have to say hairstyles and weight for both of us. Of course, you can add a couple of kids in there along with a few gray hair and wrinkles.


In other ways, we've both grown a lot in our walk with Christ and in how we've allowed Him to lead us. It's exciting to look back and see how far God has brought us in our lives together. I'm excited to see what His plan is for us in the next few years.


Monday, March 5, 2012

10 Years

Before BJ and I were married (or even knew each other), we were both told that having children was probably not something in our future due some medical problems. Even right after we were married and I got off of the medication I was taking, I was told that it would take six months to a year before we could even consider getting pregnant because the medicine that was in my system would prevent it from happening. Well, doctor's may know a lot and I'm thankful that we have them, BUT, God is the one who knows all. And He decided that BJ and I needed a child. Needless to say, we got the surprise of our lives when six months into our marriage, we found out that Iyana was on her way.

We have been so blessed by our little miracle that God has given us to raise. I can't believe that she's 10 now, that just blows my mind! So much has happened over the last ten years, it would take a whole book to write about it. I thought instead that I would put together a picture collage to show her through the years. Enjoy!

The Baby Year

 1 Year Old

 2 Years Old

 3 Years Old

 4 Years Old

 5 Years Old

 6 Years Old

 7 Years Old

 8 Years Old

 9 Years Old

And now.... 10 YEARS OLD!!













Sunday, March 4, 2012

♪♫♪♫ Happy Birthday Iyana ♫♪♫♪

Wanted to give a shout out to my precious little girl who turns 10 today! Iyana, we love you SO much and have been so blessed by having you as our daughter. You are so precious!


♫♪♫♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪♫♪♫


Friday, March 2, 2012

18 Months

A year and a half...doesn't sound like much, but when you compare it to how old Dayson is, it sounds like a lot. I say it every month, but time is just going by too quickly. My little man is growing and changing every day. Here are some of the latest things that he's been up to.


Dayson now weighs 27.5 pounds. I'm not sure how long he is yet, haven't had a chance to grab him and hold him still long enough to measure him. I'll find out exacts here in a couple weeks when he goes in for his well child check up. Clothing size is anything from 24 months to 2T. Still in a size 5 shoe, but I have a feeling that we will be moving up in size here in the next month or so.

Though still not talking much, we are starting to hear a few things that sound like words. I know he can say some of the easier words, it's just getting him to do it. Last Sunday while we were waiting in the car, Dayson was babbling away in the back seat. As soon as Iyana came within sight, he said "Nana". It's the first time we've heard him say anything near her name. Such a sweet moment. 

Not the best picture to show his curls, but this little guy sure is getting more of them, especially since his hair is getting longer and thicker. I talked to BJ recently about cutting Dayson's hair pretty short and he said no. Now you have to understand, from the first sign that Dayson was going to have curls, BJ said that he didn't like curls on boys. Knowing that, I brought up the whole haircut thing. To my surprise, BJ said that he now likes Dayson's curls and wants to keep them. So, at least until summer time when it gets really hot, we'll be keeping this curly look ☺.

Dayson adores Iyana. All through out the day, he's always trailing her around. Last Sunday at church, he actually starting crying when she walked by with some of her friends. After putting him down, he immediately ran up to her, gave her a big hug and then walked with her and her friends. Love seeing the bond between these two. 


I definitely see this guy riding a scooter in the near future. When ever Iyana brings hers out, he's right there wanting to "ride" it. We finally lowered the handle bars so that he could get a feel for it. Very cute to see him walking around thinking he's "riding" it.

This is becoming an all too familiar sight when he is in the kitchen. If he's not in the pantry, then it's the fridge. This child will do almost anything to get a snack. If we stop playing with him and he gets bored, he immediately aims for the pantry or fridge. I'm highly considering a lock for both of these things.


My sweet little boy. Dayson, you are such a joy to all of us. I love seeing your personality come out and how you are starting to choose things for yourself and becoming your own little person. It's looking like lime green is your favorite color right now. You love blocks and a new favorite toy is anything with wheels. I love your sweet and tender gestures, the way you will push away my bangs if they're in my eyes or how you'll come up to me and lay your cheek on mine. I'm treasuring all these moments as I know that as you grow older, they will become fewer and far between. Happy half birthday Little D. Love you!


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Day 2 - How They Look

Today is all about capturing your loved one at their best/worst or both. The idea is to capture the true essence/expression/attitude/posture that screams your loved one. The past couple of days have been very full with hardly any picture taking. I was hoping to come up with some really cute ones of the kids together, but between school, nap time, church, bible study...you name it, it just didn't happen. Tonight as I was sitting with Dayson, he grabbed my small mirror and just had a blast making faces at himself, giving kisses to the mirror and winking. It was so cute. Wish I had had the camera out when he first started playing, some of the expressions were priceless.

Can you see me?

Why does it seem like the boys always get the great, long eye lashes?

He loves playing with his tongue, especially when he can see what he's doing.