5 Years Ago

I woke up in my hotel room, and looked out the window.

Cloudy, drizzling, gloomy.

Didn't matter.

It was my WEDDING DAY!

My cousin picked me up and took me to where we were getting our hair done.

Coffee in hand, I sat while my hair got curled and pinned, veil placed.

Then while everyone else was finishing up, I threw my veil over my shoulder and walked

out the door into GORGEOUS SUNSHINE, and headed across the street to Panera.

I stood in line, catching the glances of people smiling at me.  The Bride!

Bagels for all my ladies, and another cup of coffee for me!

The church was beautiful, I was surrounded by my family and friends, and everyone was smiling!

I was unexpectedly nervous, but happier than I had ever been!

I walked down the isle to my future that day, 

and it seems impossible that it's already been 5 years!

Ryan, I love you.

You challenge me and push me, and yes... sometimes make me angry,

but every day, I'm given some reminder of why I married you.

We've had an Amazing 5 years, and I can't wait to see what the next 5 have in store for us!

Happy Anniversary babe.

I. Love. You.

*Thank you Krissy for taking some great photos of Ry and I, we love you!*
check out her website www.krisholmesphotography.com

Thirty

It came and went.

I feel no different.

No major meltdowns about being out of my 20's.

No feeling sorry for myself that I'm getting older.

I really believe that in each phase of life, there is something fun and new to experience.

Adios 20's... bring on the next round!

I was greeted in the afternoon by Lila shouting down the hall

"MOMMY.... IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY!!  We have to hurry and get your party started!"

She really wanted me to open my present, sing to me, and make me wear a party hat.

She got 2 of the 3, no party hats currently reside in our home.  I'd better get on top of that.

A very elegant dinner of a tuna and spinach pita, bowl of ice cream with a candle,  hugs for my family and off I went.

I spent most of my birthday at work,

helping to bring new little people into the world.

I shared my day with one special family, whose baby girl arrived quite "abruptly".

She will need lots of TLC and time, but I'm sure she will be strong and healthy in due time.

Hello 30's, what have you got in store for me?

* I also want to say Happy Birthday to my brother Jeff, his daughter Bella Grace, and my neice Kaiya.  I hope their birthday(s) were wonderful!*

** And speaking of... the other special Kaiya is home again, but scheduled for a heart cath on Monday.  Hopefully, that will take care of the most current issue and she won't need another surgery.  As always, I ask for your prayers!  Thank you!***

Happy Birthday Ana

Even though she's a little older today, she still does a great job keeping the three of us in line.

(I'm the toughest, which I'm sure she'll agree)

Makes me Happy

I love them!

Kaiya update

September 13th, after spending the first 50 days of her life in a hospital,

Miss Kaiya went home with her family!

Sadly, 9 days later, she has to return.

Her incision is once again infected and she needs antibiotics to clear it up.

Her mommy has been really busy, and I haven't had the chance to talk with her,

but I'm sure this is just heartbreaking for her.

Just one more bump in an already rocky road. :(

Send up some prayers please.

I know the whole family just wants to be home all together!

~Jilanne, I miss you babe.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Sexy hubby!

Today my husband will spend his birthday flying into Japan, then China, 

then going to bed after an 18 hour commute.

Since I don't think he'll do a lot of celebrating,

the girls and I will do it for him!

Ry, we love you and miss you SO much!

Happy Birthday sweetie!

Dress Up, Baking, and Apple Picking

Today, Ryan left for China.

Boo :(

I hate it when he's gone.

Then, after I had my mini pity-party, 

I talked to my mom and asked if she wanted some company today.

Fortunatley, she said yes!

The girls and I headed on over and had a wonderful day!

My mom had a large quantity of old costumes still around and much to Lila's delight,

she drug them out so the girls could play a little dress up!

Lila thought the purple with chiffon and lace was especially fancy and spent a fair amount

of time twirling, and humming, and prancing around in it!

Seriously, she would have stayed in it all day if we would have let her!

Then, after Elle went down for a nap, she got to whip up a batch of Pumpkin muffins!

And the best part of all...

after nap, it was out to Great Grandma and Grandpa's house to pick some apples!!

Only bad part... my grandparents weren't home, so I didn't get to visit with them.

 Oh did the girls have fun though!

Ellie dug right in and demanded to pick her own apples (then proceeded to eat about 3 of them!)

Now the babes are snuggled in bed, I'm going to watch a little boob tube

(and try to not be irritated that we just spent $xxx on a new one after the old tube crapped out.)

Then I'll go to bed and miss my hubby.

What a day! 

Good night.

Quint Family!

Last Saturday I got together with some good friends of mine and their whole family

for a little photo shoot.

I'll tell you what, getting 4 small children to all cooperate at the same time....

not so easy! Ha!

It was a lot of fun, and I'm pretty happy with how they turned out!

Ryleigh

Landree

Reese

 

 

 

 

 

Zoee

Greg and Christina ~ Engaged

I took these almost a month ago already, 

what does that say about how crazy busy life has been?

We were lucky to have a lovely (although HOT) day

and I'm thankful for the opportunity to capture some special moments for these two!

Random cuteness

Nothing too big in our house to report on,

 but had a couple of cute pictures I wanted to share!

Have a great sunny September day!

Open those windows people!!!

**Update!!  Miss Kaiya is doing much better~ so much so, 

that the plan is to take her HOME TODAY!!!

Continued prayers are asked, as they still have a long road ahead,

but this is a Giant step!  Yeah Kaiya!**

What a great weekend!!

Seriously...

wasn't that just a wonderful weekend?!

Other than me secretly wishing it was about 10 degrees cooler, I didn't have one complaint!

Friday evening was relaxing and I got some great sleep (always a great way to start out!)

Saturday, I had a lovely photo shoot with a great family, then Ryan and I dropped the girls off at Grandma and Grandpa's for the night and headed out for a date!

We did some errands (boring, yes... but oh so much easier without toddlers!)

Then we were off to the races!!!

Canterbury Downs extended their racing by one weekend this year, and this weekend was free admission.

Can't beat that!

I haven't been in ages, and Ryan had never been, so it was pretty new for both of us!

It was so much fun!  I would definitely do that again!

Then we had an awesome meal at Bonfire in savage. (can you say Delicious?!)

Movie night at home and a solid 8 hours of sleep!

You have no idea how exciting it is, to wake up on your own and have the clock ready anything later than 6am!  So, 7:50... Wow!

Yesterday was spent lounging around the house, then going to get the girls and dinner with Ry's family.

His sister Kris took just him and I out for some photos to celebrate our upcoming anniversary!

We had a blast! Thank you so much Krissy!

Again, what a great weekend!

Let's hope this week follows in it's footsteps!

10 Years Ago

Sophmore year of college at Makato.

I was standing in my apartment, straightening my hair, getting ready for class

watching Matt and Katie on my 19" TV.

I watched that tragic morning unfold and had no idea what a HUGE

impact this event would have on history.

How it would change the world as we know it.

I watch the replays, I look at the images, I listen to the stories....

all horror.

And then, 

I pray.

Pray for the lost

and for their loved ones.

September 11, 2001

Never Forget.