to the prom

So yesterday my amazingly handsome nephew, Marcus, escorted his gorgeous girlfriend, Hayley, to the prom. They look so cute together and I had a blast taking pictures of them in their spiffy outfits.

Aren't they just adorable?

 That picture melts me. I love the adoring look on her face!

But this sums up their relationship much better.^^ Just kidding.

So pretty...


 Nothing weirder then to see your brothers and nephews look at girls like that.^^ Whoa.

 I just love those two!


Which pictures are your favorite?

babies, flowers and stuff

Quick Note** So, I kinda have an addiction to those Back To Nature striped fudge shortbread's. Don't try them, people. They are pure sin. I'm serious. I ate like twenty -seven of the today. Okay, not really...but yeah.

In other news, I went to the botanical gardens with my favorite babies, their mama and some of her friends. 

 We had a picnic and explored the beautiful landscape for a couple of hours. Jay was content snuggled in the corner of my arm, soaking in the cooing comments from elderly woman and chewing on his fist. He wasn't very impressed with the flowers though, and began to complain loudly when I decided to have him pose near a bush of blossoming roses. Doriella went along happily with my request to model to my relief, and that resulted in a bunch of absolutely adorable pictures.

 Lil' Jasmine didn't hate getting her picture taken either, but she preferred manning the camera and ya'll all know I can't resist cute kids...

That kind of adorableness should be illegal.
Anyways, it was a good day and I've decided its on of my favorite places to take pictures.

Wheres your favorite place to take pictures?

the chocolate chip in the cookie of life

I love my little siblings. Their little, their crazy, their cute and their super annoying. Just a little bit of each to make the perfect balance.

Being an older sibling brings responsibilities...its crazy how much you realize they are watching you when you least expect, and what an influence you are on their lives. When my older brothers moved out one by one, I missed them like crazy....even though (hate to admit this) I couldn't wait for them to leave when  I was younger. Now I wish those days had never ended and all I have left is the memories. 

When my little brothers and sisters get older, I want them to remember what a fun person I was, like I remember my brothers. Even if it means risking a cold and sleeping outside, or squatting around a campfire roasting marshmallows, bike rides in the evenings, picnics at lunchtime, or dressing up in feathers an painting your face while running around a creek bed, screaming like am Indian.

 The admiration that comes from your little brother or sister for you is overwhelming. Angel-Leah was watching me quietly across the dinner table today and blurted out "Your probably the best sister in the world, you know." I hope she wasn't joking. Luke looked up at me with his squinty, brown eyes the other day and said, "When I get big I am going to come pick you up in my car and take you out to dinner, just me and you, and we can talk." That melted my heart. Brother/sister dates are the best.

 I just love 'em.

 "In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips."  ~Author Unknown

lately

 Currently Loving:

 sipping hot tea

listening to upbeat songs repeatedly

joyful smiles

hand-written letters
those peaceful, quiet kind of moments

gardening

dusty pink roses

giggles

marshmallow roast over open fires

evening bike rides

squishy, cuddly babies

running barefoot

splashing in the creek

my bestie,  Sary

walks in the park

random shopping trips

jump roping

strawberry-kiwi juice

my family

soft pillows

sleeping in

vanilla custard pie

stalking my lovely followers blogs

bright colored outfits
wildflower boquets
hawk neslon
the fresh smell after a light rain
snuggling down with a book
being with family
watching the sun set



oh, and this song^^ absolutely beautiful. amen.
♥

What are your current loves?

Jesus Loves Me

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. And while I love being together with family and friends, playing games and nibbling jelly beans and marshmallow peeps...what I really love is how it helps boost me spiritually. There is nothing more refreshing then pouring over the book of Matthew, soaking in the beauty of Christ life, death and resurrection. I can't ever help but feel that overwhelming amount of love the Lord has for me. I always feel so undeserving and blessed...there is no better feeling in the world then to be a child of God.  

Our family likes to attends the Resurrection pageant on Easter weekend at a nearby university put on by some very quite talented people. I enjoyed seeing it again yesterday, it is beautiful and never ceases to bring me to tears, reminding me of all that Christ went through for us, that we may have eternal life with God. The young man who played "Jesus" was very sweet and kind-hearted, he clearly portrayed a Christ-like spirit. It really made me long for the day I will be looking into the real, true face of my Lord Jesus. Sometimes it seems that it shall never come, and this world gets so hard to bear....but in the end it will be worth it all and the day the Lord calls us home will indeed be a day of rejoicing.

  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
                                                                                                                                    -I Peter 1:3 

He Is Risen!

 

it's springtime...

 ...and we're soaking it in.

 Whats your favorite thing about spring?

playing mommy

What have I been up to lately, you might ask? Well, aside from a skiing trip in New Mexico, being sick for a whole week straight, going to a couple of concerts, homeschool co-op + field trips, having tea parties with our etiquette instructor and hanging out with friends...not much. 

Oh, and one other thing- I took up a job I've wanted to do for, like, ever:: babysitting. Gosh, I love it. Every Tuesday evening and some other days of week I take care of eight week old baby, Jay, and almost two year old, Dori. So much fun to play part time mommy to two of the cutest little kids I've ever seen.

 Is she not just the prettiest little doll ever??^^

 I told my mom this evening that I feel for all the young mommies now while I was trying to eat dinner, wipe a little todler's messy face and juggle a fussy infant on my knee all at once. Then of course Crouton had to give me a full mental picture of what it would be when I have a gazillion kids and am trying to do all the housework and make dinner for a husband in the future. Ehh...

But honestly, I love my new job...its amazing and I hope in about ten years its full time, despite what Crouton may say. *smiles*

Any other babysitters out there?