No Salad for Me!

Preparing dinner when I'm home alone with the kids is always a juggle...and then there's times like this when I leave the fridge door open too long. I love these moments. No, I really do! It makes me realize that there is so much more to life then stressing about spilled spinach, a new stain on the couch (those are so far gone anyway!), or whatever.

It was one of my favorite moments of the day. I laughed out loud - mostly because she was so proud of her mess. Now, Lilly, let's just not bust a dozen eggs on the floor...those are nasty to clean up.

A Deeper Dimension

If you're a parent, you know scoring a night out with your hubby/wife is major accomplishment sometimes. Thanks to my mom and dad, who were in town for Lilly's birthday, Tim and I got to escape for a date to his cousin Robyn's wedding. It was truly a moving ceremony and I was so happy to be a part of their day. An amazing couple! (I wish you could see how cute they were...I forgot to get a picture of them...duh!!!)

So, more about the part that comes after the wedding: marriage. I think I often take for granted the gift of marriage. A gift straight from our Creator, not an institution created by man. Most people find someone who they fall in love with, do the engagement thing, wedding thing, kid thing, blah, blah, blah. But, do we really take the time to be grateful for our marriages, honor our commitment to one another, and really live our vows? Oh, AND keep God at the center of it, too?

As married couples, we have such a challenge to do those things. Thanks to being at Robyn and Daniel's wedding, I was reminded of the beauty in God's design for marriage: to create a place where we can grow more deeply in love, live beside someone who cares for us, and have the gift of children. Even more than that though, is the deeper dimension that I long for and what I think God wants us to discover: the way that marriage helps us lead other people to the Lord.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. Words to live by....

Lilly Turns 1!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Lilly who turned one on the 15th! No more infants in this house. Boo!! I officially have two toddlers and our life is so full of joy because of it. There is no such thing as a dull moment around here!

Lilly has blossomed into such a sweetheart giving us kisses (fully open mouth, but she's working on it!), saying a few words here and there, signing a couple things, just about running across rooms, figuring out how to steal her brother's toys away, and living life with lots of zeal and curiosity.

Her birthday party was low-key with our immediate families celebrating with her. The butterfly/ladybug pull apart cake was DELICIOUS (thank you Super Target!!) and like most one year olds, Lilly had a great time smearing, smashing, and tasting all the sugary goodness with all eyes on her.

God has truly blessed us with her beautiful life! Happy Birthday Lillybean!

OBX Picture Extravaganza

I have to prioritize, even when I'd rather sit here playing around on my blog all night picking out my favorite shots from the beach. Being a working mom stinks some days!! No time this week to sort, crop, rotate, brighten, etc. I have a feeling you'll enjoy them just the same!

So, here for your viewing pleasure is a link to pictures from the amazing Kegley Adventure to OBX 2010!

Run Grant, Run

Little disclaimer...they're going to be several posts from the OBX. Too many memories to cram into one!!

As I was going through the beach pictures there seemed to be a common theme with Grant. Ummm, yeah...we're so in trouble with this boy! A toddler with little to no fear and loads of curiosity. Ha, ha - maybe that's why Tim and I never sit still.

Tim has clearly perfected this new sport: chasing...look at those calves!

Aloha from OBX

Our dessert for the Luau night at the beach. So fun! They were a hit. And they made the 800 mile trip with no cracks or melting...phew!

It'll be a while before I do cookies again - I'm running out of steam...well, time really. Realizing what my priorities need to be. There's just something about being on the floor with my kids when I'm not on the clock. These days are passing too quickly.

OBXers for Life!

A little teaser until I get my butt in gear with the rest of our pics from our WONDERFUL vacation to OBX last week!

I absolutely adore these children. Life is GOOD!

More Summertime Fun

So, we've been outside pretty much all the time lately. It takes Grant about 2 minutes after coming down stairs in the morning before he's heading for the door. I can't blame him...what's better than running around barefoot on the cool summer grass, getting all kinds of dirty, dragging and the hose all over the yard, picking flowers for mommy (well, weeds really!), and scattering the driveway with every toy you can possibly drag out of the garage?! We love summer!

Hanging out poolside...who needs swimsuits!?

Early morning art class on the garage floor - don't worry, it's washable!

After a long visit to the park

Life Without "Dee"

So Indy, or "Dee" as Grant refers to her, has been vacationing with my parents for the past couple weeks while we get ready to go leave for the beach soon. Let me tell you...we MISS her! Although she leaves bright yellow spots in our yard where she's killed the grass and slobbers profusely while the kids are eating we want her back home! Lilly and Grant are so fond of her and she seems to feel the same way. What we've realized is how much she helps us with a chore that I'm not enjoying since she's been gone...the floors!!!! She is an amazing cleaner upper for all of the randomness that falls from the kitchen table three times a day. The vaccuum cleaner is certainly getting a work out!

Oh Indy...the calories you must be missing without us!

Helping mommy cope without our canine vaccum

Grant and Indy at 7 months - finally starting to notice her!

My Cool Uncle

Greg came to visit this weekend to go the 500 with Tim again this year. It was SO great to have him here and really nice to get some one on one time with him. The best part of the visit though was how Grant immediately took to Greg and had a blast with him! They chased each other all over the house and yard and giggled on and on. It was so sweet to see them play together. Lilly was pretty interested too and they made poor Greg a human jungle gym a few times. I have so many great memories of growing up and being playful with my uncles and I feel fortunate that Grant and Lilly will have the same experience. Thanks Uncle Greg :)

Lilly has radar for Blackberrys and wanted Greg's! Chase me, chase me! If you could see the smile on both of their faces!!!

Summertime Treats

What would the start of summer be without popsicles melting down your chin in the heat of the sun? I don't know about you, but it's one of my favorite summertime memories. Grant could live on popsicles if we let him...I just hope he doesn't grow up thinking it's normal to have them for breakfast. Hey, the mornings are crazy sometimes and they work to keep him still for a good 5-10 minutes in his chair. Lilly LOVED sharing her brother's popsicle this weekend. You probably can't tell from the pictures, ha ha! Happy popsicle season!

She's Walking!!

Little Miss Independent has really earned her name in the last three weeks. I'm not so sure I was ready to post this at her age, but she's not stopping for anything! We can call it official now that she's walking. Already. Wow! She's a few months ahead of her big brother with reaching the walking milestone: Lilly at 10 1/2 months, Grant took his time until about 14 months. Watching her wobble as she walks and just grin ear to ear has put lots of smiles on our faces lately! How is that I have two children that are now completely mobile??!!

She loves it! So proud of herself!