Happy Halloween

Oh how I LOVE Halloween.  Such a fun time for the kiddos to dress up and play make believe in public.  We did a short trick or treat trip in our neighborhood. (6 houses) The kids get tons of candy as they are the only trick or treaters in the neighborhood, so the neighbors typically give them the whole bag of candy.  Works out well for me because I don't have to endure 3 hours of trick or treating in a large neighborhood to end up with the same amount of candy.  We have kind neighbors and are very lucky to be spoiled by them.  Noah was not feeling well as he has been running a fever for the last 4 days  and Jenna was exhausted as she missed her nap due to celebrating with Noah's kindergarten class.  After trick or treating, my parents, mother-in-law and neighborhood friends joined us for pizza, cider and doughnuts. So fun!

The children listening to a story at Noah's school party 

Noah is such an amazing big brother.  He held Colton's hand during the costume parade and snuggled his May during story time.  Such a wonderful little boy.

My little lady bug.

Perfect!

I find it so fitting that both boys selected costumes that represent what they want to be when they grow up.

Crazy kids.

Love the butt on her costume 

Sleepy girl enjoying her bottle while trick or treating 

Daddy and the kids and of course, Clyde has to be in the picture. 

Another Day, Another trick

Look what Miss May can do today!

I helped her to stand, but once she was secure, she stood there on her own for a full 10 minutes.  She was so proud of herself. 

First Tooth

May May is getting a tooth.  I will miss her gummy smile. 

Slow down baby girl, not ready for you to grow up yet!

A Night Out

Saturday night John and I got to have our first night "away" sense Jenna has been born.  We shipped the boys off to cabin with my folks, and my very brave mother in law took Jenna for the night.  We attended a wedding reception of a friend a couple of hours away.  We had so much fun!  Traveling in the vehicle we talked and laughed and enjoyed each others company completely uninterrupted.  We danced and enjoyed spending time with friends.  I am so thankful for times like that.  I really have the most wonderful husband on the planet.  It is so awesome to know that someday when all the peanuts are grown and have moved away, I will have the love of my life all to myself.

Good Friends

Are you thankful for your good friends?   Tonight we had friends over that we had not spent time with for awhile.  It makes me think about how truly important relationships really are.  Life gets in the way.  Business, work, commitments ect.  As I stop to think about what "really" matters,  I am humbled how I have let really important people in my life take a back seat to what really should matter.  I am so thankful for good friends who get us, understand, and willingly "ride along" in the back seat until we can figure it out.  

I forgot to mention

Kyle was reading my post from yesterday and he proclaims "Mom, you forgot to mention the most important thing about me."  I study him closely to see what major detail of his dramatic adolescent life I left out.  He puffs his chest, rolls his shoulders back and proudly proclaims, "I am taller then you now!" sigh... This is true, I forgot to mention that he has accomplished his goal of standing taller than his Mother.  Oh how I wish I could have just one day with him still in diapers, calling me Mommy, gazing (up) at me with those big brown eyes,  twirling his hair while he drank from his sippy cup,  Bob the builder blaring in the background, dinosaurs scattered all around the house, snuggling with me and knowing that I was the center of his universe.  Today, I will enjoy folding his boxers, answer when he yells Mom, gaze up at him, while he drinks his Mountain dew, itunes blaring in the background, algebra and dirty laundry scattered all around his room, quick hugs and knowing that I will ALWAYS be his Mother.  I love you Kyle Bear even if you are taller then me.  

I searched high and low for a picture to prove that he is indeed taller than me.  But, because this is a new accomplishment, this was the best I could do.  He IS taller (he is barefoot, and I have shoes on)
p.s. I blogged 2 days in row!! WOW

Okay, seriously!

Oh how time flys!  My last post was something like 2 years ago.....SERIOUSLY?  Where did the time go?  Every night I lay in bed and just think about how life seems to be getting away from me.  The last time I posted, we were a family of 5 and now....6!  I really am disappointed with myself for not documenting things better then I have.  So SERIOUSLY, I start today! So, here goes speed blogging at its best.
  I have recently been inspired by a complete stranger that has really put some serious perspective into my life.  Such a beautiful young mother 1000's of miles away.  She recently lost her 7 month old daughter to a rare liver disease.  I came across her blog via a mutual friend back in June and I have been following her daily ever sense.  Words can not express the impact her story and testament have made for me.  A true living example of Gods grace is expressed through her writings.  I want so badly to reach out and hold her because I just can not even begin to fathom what she is going through. (you can read her blog here http://aniandmatttaylor.blogspot.com/  Through her example, I realized what I really was missing in my life.  Such a blessing, yet so heart breaking at the same time.  Check out her blog, and say a prayer for their family if you would.
On a lighter note, things around our home have DEFINITELY changed.  I am so proud to say we are perfectly complete.  Jenna has been an amazing addition to our family.  I never really knew how much I wanted (and needed) a daughter until she was born.  From the moment she arrived in this world and pronounced "It's a girl," it was so incredibly different.  It changed me as mother.  People ask me how it feels to be a mother of a girl and I can honestly say that is VERY different then the boys.  Her cry is a little softer, her temperament a little stronger, she demands attention from everyone in the room (not sure where she gets that lol) cloths are a little fancier (see photo below for what she wore to Meijers today, a little over the top I admit, but come on I have 3 boys) and I feel my responsibility as a mother is different with her.  I never really thought about it before she was born, but the boys have and need their dad to teach them how to be men.  With her, the future women hood responsibility is all mine, and I lavish in that.  Sure she will need her dad for credit cards, driving lessons and gun cleaning when her dates arrive to pick her up (poor girl) but teaching her how to be a "lady" is all mine.  What an awesome responsibility!  You see, I have the best of both worlds the 3 most amazing sons on the planet to cuddle with, spoil, and turn in to future lady killers, as well as a princess to cherish and protect.  Having her tenderness in the home has changed all of us.  The boys absolutely adore their sister.  They love to hold her and play with her.  I see a gentleness in them when they are near her that steals my heart.  My boys really are the best and I love them more then words could ever express.  Oh and daddy, he is wrapped around every finger and toe.  He calls her "Sweetness," so cute.  So Miss Jenna, welcome to the crazy Sheely family.  Where their is never a dull moment, a full nights sleep is not an option (unless your name is Daddy cuz he can sleep through anything), tug of war over a blanket is a daily occurrence (because we only have like 50 blankets in this house), seat check only applies for 30 seconds,  dinner time ends in someone crying because their ice melted, toilet seats are always up and rarely flushed, cloths are "almost" in the hamper, and most importantly, never and I mean NEVER a shortage of love, cuddles or kisses.  It is a crazy place, but I would not want it any other way.  We are so blessed!

see a little to fancy for the store, but who cares?

Kyle is now in 7th grade.  Middle school has really changed him.  He is so grown up.  It is really strange as a mother to have a newbie and a (almost) teenager.  It really makes you think back and realize how quickly life passes by.  They say you blink and your kids are grown, I say they are right.  I miss the days when he needed me for a hug or snuggle time.  Yet, I relish how he confides in me and needs me at this stage of his life.  He really is a great kid and I love him so very much.  It does not happen very often, but I love to have Kyle all by myself when we can "really" talk and enjoy each others company.  He is very smart and kind, hates chores but does them :) and wants to be a detective when he grows up.  I am sure proud he is my son!

Noah is now 6 and in Kindergarten.  He has always been a very bright child with the most tender spirit. I watched a video today of him when he was 3 and my heart just melted.  From birth, Noah was patient and giving.  He is always the 1st one to offer to help someone in need.  I learn a lot from Noah.  He teaches me a kindness that I never knew.  He loves to spend time with his Daddy, working in the barn, yard or where ever he can help and wants to be Special Forces when he grows up.  He loves to play with his best friend Colton and is protective over him when needed.  Such a little blessing from God.  I love my little Noodle!

Colton just turned 4.  Next year he will be off to young 5's, what I am going to do with out him?  My heart aches to think about it.  Colton has a pure spirit, he is a Momma's boy (which I love).  He is such a loving child and is my little cuddle bug.  He loves Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Lego's and Playing the Wii and wants to be a Knight in Shining Armour when he grows up.  Colton rarely misbehaves, but can throw the biggest (most destructive) fit you have ever seen. (kinda funny really) He is very sensitive and I could cuddle him all day, he thinks I am a princess.(love that, I think he is right)  My Colty Bean is the best and he makes my life complete!

John and Me, were blessed.  John has been super busy with his business.  It is going very well, but he is working A LOT of hours.  I am excited for him to (hopefully) have a little time off soon to do his fall favorites, hunting and trapping.  He needs and deserves some "him" time.  I no longer have the studio and I am only doing "on location" photography.  I am really happy I made the decision to let the studio go, it was just to much for me, and I was a little stretched.  I am helping John with his books and the kids keep me very occupied.  I am perfectly blessed and right where I want to be! So there you have it, 2 years summed up in a nut shell.  I WIll be better at this I swear!

Hugs, KIM