Readan's 5!!!

Happy birthday Readan! You're 5 now, another year to learn all new things. I miss you being 4, and 3, and 2, and 1. It's exciting and sad at the same time to see your sweet little face turn from baby, to toddler, to child, to little girl.

At 4 you:

Went from saying "fank-you" to "thank you." Wondered how long Dallas was going
to live at our house. Wrote your name all by yourself. Told an old man that
Jesus walked on water, "for real!!" Started to empathize with others. Told a
llama off saying, "You can't eat it all!!"

Readan's Birthday Party:

My favorite memory of you at 4:

You might want to turn the music player off (at the bottom of the page). I couldn't figure out how to rotate the video...

Happy Anniversary

Happy anniversary to my sweet, sweet husband. Wow, only 2 years? Seems like much longer, but I suppose that happens when there are two babies in 24 months.



I love how you get into your "goofy mode" and how nobody else knows it exists. I love the way you look at me when we're in a crowded room. True love will always endure. We'll make it through these challenging few years and grow closer doing it.



Your face is handsome, but your heart is beautiful.



Love,

Shana

Summer Days

Going to the park almost everynight has become tradition at our house. The kids get to socialize with other children which sparks some of the most creative, imaginative play I have ever witnessed. The sand becomes a vast sea where Dallas has to save Readan by man-eating sharks. I've even seen the fire pole turn into a tree located in the middle of a jungle.

My new independence

Making sand angels

Loves to hang out on daddy's shoulder

Goodbye to the Dr.

Goodbye to you, Oh sweet Diet Dr. Pepper. You have controlled my life for 5 years now, and the time has come that we must part. You will no longer have a stronghold over me.

"You shall have no other gods before Me."
Exodus 20:3

So bring on the headaches, the caffeine withdrawals, and the irritability. I'm ready.

And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." "Behold, I give you authority to trample
on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power
of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Luke 10:18-19

-Shana

Readan's Gymnastics

When we were first looking for an outlet of Readan's energy, we tried soccer. That did not go well. She didn't like the wet grass, she didn't like getting kicked in the shin, she didn't like the ball (?), she didn't like anything about it! It was a struggle to just get her to the field. I actually have a picture of her picking a flower while the kids are chasing the ball one way. Then in the next picture she is running the dandelion to me and the kids are chasing the ball the other way. Kevin and I call tiny tot soccer, "herd ball." After 8 weeks of that (she did kick the ball a couple of times) we called it quits.

Then, we tried gymnastics. What a difference! It's so obvious when a child finds what they enjoy and know they're good at. Now, she's been in gymnastics for 3 years and is doing awesome.

I'm posting a video of Readan doing her routine that she's been practicing for her Daddy Aaron and Grandma Robin. SO cute!

Routine

High Bar

Most Level 1 children are ages 6-8, Readan turns 5 in 9 days. Go Readan!

-Shana

Portraits

We had professional pictures taken this past weekend and they turned out so good! Makenna turned 4 weeks old and that makes for some really cute newborn photos. Readan got in on some also, she had a blast!

I use Denise Tally who has a private studio next to her house, she is so great with children! Her website is http://www.denisetalley.com/ for those who might be interested!

My favorite is the one of Makenna hanging from the tree branch, so natural. Almost looks like a cocoon. Portraits are an investment worth while!

Readan, 5

Such a pretty girl!

Makenna, 1 month

-Shana

Momma said there'd be days like this.

Baby Dallas is having a tough time adjusting to sharing mommy and daddy. It's hard, especially for me, watching him grow into the big brother role at only 14 months. Anytime I hold Makenna, Dallas cries for me to hold him....too sad! I definitely feel guilty at times.

As a family, we walk the dog to the park about 1/2 mile away every evening. The dog frolics in the grass, Kevin sits on the bench and watches, and I have the best excuse ever to play in the sand box with my kids!

Momma said there'd be days like this. Baby Dallas, mommy loves you even though I can't always play like I should. We will definitely have a tight knit family in the long run.

Remember when...

Then I blinked...

-Shana

Nursing School

Wow, it's hard to believe that I just applied for nursing school! I remember 13 months ago starting my schooling again and thinking that August of 09 seemed so far away. The director said that out of 200 or so applications they will accept about 35. Very competitive indeed.

No worries though, I'm going to stay positive! Everything has gone smoothly thus far and I've got 5 years of experience in the Operating Room. Which, by the way, I miss dearly!

I should know by the end of September if I am accepted and if everything goes as planned I'll start in January. What an exciting time in my life! I'll be sure to keep the blog updated on my status!

-Shana

Sidewalk chalk.

What makes a home, a home? Sidewalk chalk art by your children. Readan's new favorite thing to draw is suns and I can't be happier! I dreamed of the day that I would come home to my driveway and sidewalks cluttered with beautiful scribbles. It makes me smile even in the worst of moods.

New posts coming soon: Squeaker shoes, Nursing school, How'd that happen?

And one more makes three!

Here is our newest addition to the family! Makenna was born on July 10th, weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces. It was shocking after having two bald blondies and then here's Makenna with a full head of black hair. Kevin stared at me and said, "Where did that come from?" Too funny. She really is a darling baby even though she cries about 3 hours per day.

This was my easiest pregnancy, but the worst delivery. The pain was hard to control after my c-section but I got a nice tummy tuck from my doctor! That definitely lifted my mood and was much needed after having three babies in 4 1/2 years.

A really good friend of ours gave us some advice on our wedding day, "Never let the kids out number you." Yes, now I understand this statement. Sorry about taking so long to update my blog with Makenna's birth, but here are the much requested photos!

Makenna Caroline

Meeting Daddy

Loving motherhood

Our little critters

I snapped this photo doing my laps around the nurses station.

I've never seen anything cuter!