Jem - Yellow (cover with piano)

Ingrid Michaelson - Ghost (Official Lyric Video)

Life really is just so good. These photos (and from the last post) are from our family celebration of Olivia's 11th birthday. I love that sweet little girl. She is really smart, and fun, and sweet, and just good company.
Plus, she makes me laugh! I love that.

Jack was such a ham, leaning in for every picture. He as the squishiest, most kissable little cheeks. I could kiss them all day and not get tired of it.

Just a quick post about a happy memory. Happy Birthday to my Livie!

The Barlow Bunch

We are missing Kayla in this photo, but here the rest of us are-- we even got Brady to pose! Amazing.

I absolutely love evry single one of these beautiful kids, and especially the sweet man standing next to me, he takes such good care of me, and is so patient and loving. I'm so proud to call him mine!

 It doesn't get any better than this.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -Helen Keller

Have I ever told you how I love having a daughter? Or 2? Or 4?

When London came along, she completed my life in so many ways. What can be better than having a sweet little girl to love, and hug , and kiss, and dress, and braid her hair, and play with? 

London's favorite toy right now is her easel. She plays school in her room nearly every day, practicing for the day she gets to be a real teacher, her main goal in life at this point.  I will find her with rows of students (dolls and stuffed animals) hard at work, while she patiently teaches them how to spell or about the weather. And, while allowing the expo marker to be left in her room is a substantial risk with Jack on the loose in our home, I think it's proved to be worth the gamble so far.  

Sunday Snapshots

My little Jack-Jack. Just so darn cute all the time! I love kissing those sweet cheeks.

 

 

 

Shane is practically our household celebrity, the younger kids love and look up to him so much. We all really enjoy his easy going manner and good company when he comes over.

Brady, our poster child of rebellion, is actually a fantastic worker, and I love it when he comes to help. He tries so hard to hide it, but he's a total sweetheart underneath the rough exterior.

Dane works so hard on our yard- he is so amazing!

These two will play together for hours on end. Darling sisters.

Enjoying the family on a cool spring evening. Brady and Shane came and helped Dane with the yard work, and all the kids sat on the back of the truck and ate orange creamsicles while their feet swung in the air.

A perfect family memory.

Duh-na-na-na-na-na-na-na....

Batman!!!

Self-portrait

I sure love that man in the picture frame!

Random photos of people I love...and the cat

SerenDIPity

Serendipity: 

 noun

1.

an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident

2.

good fortune; luck

Wishing you a day filled with serendipity!

(This read sign is near my father's work in American Fork, Utah. It makes me smile every time I drive by....even though I have to slow down for the dip) 

Love it

Happy March!

I'm just spending my time the best way I know how-

 loving this little guy

 and waiting for the Love of my Life to come home from work.

Whatever you have going on today, 

I hope you love it!

Where the Wild Things Are

I can see the irritation in Jewel's expression as Jack, once again, reaches for her tail.

I suppose if he has to be causing someone grief, I should just be thankful that this time it's not me.  (This week's escapades included Elmer's glue all over London's furniture and carpet, and 2 broken toys {not his}. I guess that's a pretty good week for him).

Even though he can be a speedy whirlwind of destruction, this boy has me wrapped around his little finger. One morning during breakfast, he kept saying, 

"Mom, it swishes! It swishes Mommy!"

 It took me awhile, but when I figured out that he was calling my cooking "delicious" in his little 2-year-old way, it melted my heart. 

Busted!Jack gets caught getting into the DVD's, with a cheese stick in his hand.

 

A wand is to Harry Potter as a cheese stick is to Jack.

 

He sure keeps me hopping, but I'll take some chaos and destruction if it comes with love like his, 

anytime! 

Even If They Are Watching TV

I absolutely love walking in our family room, and finding my kids cuddling together. 

It makes me feel that

maybe

 I have done something right, after all...

or perhaps, in the end,

 things will come come together,

 and if I just leave it all 

in God's hands,

 He will see to the things I can't.

What's Truly Hot

If there is one thing this man does that melts my heart, it's this:

At our hotel room in Miami, Florida. He had no idea I was watching.

 Seeing him on his knees brings me to mine; 

I thank God for him every day.

True Love

At one point he actually thought he was going to get a Sunday afternoon nap...

Sunday Snapshots-Catching up

Dane and I had our first Christmas together, without our children.  We enjoyed Christmas eve dinner with my brother, Logan and his wife and son, Nadia and Joseph.  Nadia is Brazilian, and the cuisine was delectable. Joseph kept us entertained in his sweet energetic way while we dined. It was so neat to try dishes we had never experienced before, and with a table overflowing with food, it felt like a feast fit for royalty!

I absolutely love this sweet little family. 

 Here are a few snapshots from that night:

Logan, Nadia, and Joseph

I love my little nephew! He is so cute and energetic!

I'm always happy with the Love of my Life in my arms. This man blesses my world over and over and over again!

Gorgeous Christmas Song