a day in the life

Ten on Tuesday

1. I can't remember the last time I blogged...can you?
2. I honestly didn't think I would get to this point, but I am to the point of summer that kids need to be back in school. Not that I won't miss them, but they need something new. Now.
3. I am the worst in Scramble. Just sayin'.
4. Jack has been diagnosed with a speech delay and I am hoping to set him up with some speech therapy while Charlie is in school. Although he has kind of said it, I can't wait for him to look at me and really truely say Mama.  (that is a bit of jelly on his face ;)
5. I know I always talk about Lillian's awesome artistic ability, but check out Charlie's drawing...wow.  They did not get this from me.
6. What I do hope to instill in them is a love of reading 
Just love how much she loves to read. 
7. For the record, I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in the freedom of beliefs. That said, I don't believe in preventing or even forcing people to change who they are. I believe in gay marriage. That can be on the record.
8. Yesterday I hosted over at Write. Click. Scrapbook. Did you check it out? 
9. My fall schedule is beginning to look a bit scary. Wait did I just say I was looking forward to the kids being back in school? Perhaps I need to rethink that.
10. Have you liked Marie Taylor Photography over on Facebook? Have you checked out my new photography site? Would you? Would you tell your friends? Thank you thank you thank you :)

WCS BLOGHOP!

***Winner is Karen Moore! Thank you all so much for playing along on the hop and of course, being awesome WCS readers!!

Welcome, welcome! I hope you are having a fabulous time with us on this bloghop birthday celebration! I know that each and every day I have a fabulous time collaborating with these lovely ladies, reading all of the daily posts, and of course browsing through the monthly gallery. Did you know I could peek every month at all of the layouts, but I always wait. I grab a cup of coffee and savor each and every layout. All of that inspiration. Inspiration that has shaped how I scrapbook, how I journal, even how I take photos. I feel so very lucky and blessed to be part of these lovely ladies! This month our assignment was a partner inspiration. My partner in crime was Teka-one of our brand new designers. The biggest problem I had was finding so much inspiration from her blog, I spent most of my scrapping time looking through her archives and not scrapping :) 
As you can see, she is going to add some beautiful work to WCS!

Here is a little sneak of my layout based on her awesome layout.
Yup, that's all you get...here. BUT it is GALLERY TIME! Not to worry. Go over to the gallery to see the whole page, and everyone else's perfect pairings!

Now go on to Marnie's blog-and don't forget to write down the special letter before you go! If you get them all there will be a chance to win a fabulous prize at the end of the hop! And if you comment HERE on why YOU love WCS, you could win a **edited $10 $25 gift certificate (THANK YOU CRYSTAL!!!) to one of my all time favorite digi designers, Crystal Wilkerson! Good luck!!

And just like that, he was one.

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday when Bean looked like this?
It certainly does to me. Or perhaps you remember him like this.
However you look at it, he has grown up and changed a lot this year.
He still has his gorgeous blue eyes that crinkle when he smiles and his Daddy's long forever long lashes.

And a super sweet smile.

And personality?


Yes. He has a lot of personality.

No seriously, a LOT of personality.

He loves pretty much any food I put in front of him sans avocado (which I haven't tried again because wow they have been expensive) and twice now has been very tentative about cake (video soon.) Still goes to bed at 7:00pm and still nursing although I can see that he will be done with that soon. I will be very sad when that is over as I have nursed him longer than the other two and that is just my favorite time to play with him. He is super ticklious under his arm pit, and I love hearing him giggle. He is nearly impossible to change thus we give him non-baby, and well, let's face it, semi dangerous objects to keep him occupied during diaper changes. I am talking thermometers, big kid toys, and Vick's containers. He now can say Mama, Daddy, ball, and yesterday said Yakson in a whisper. He loves to wrestle with Charlie, loves to pull Lillian's hair, and LOVES to be chased. He can totally get past our toy barricade and although still has the oddest crawl I have ever seen, still is not trying to climb steps or walk. We enjoyed his first Christmas a pull here or there on the tree, but he is a very good listener when we say "No touch."
I can't believe it was a year ago that I came home from the hospital with him. Still sore from the SPD and the worst decision I have EVER made in my entire life, getting a stinking tetnus shot. I forgot how much those hurt.
I still kick myself for not getting a single photo of Jess
who answered my call at 2:30AM!! and drove all the way from DE to help me through the delivery, or DADDY who of course is his DADDY until much later.
But don't worry Bean, Daddy held you all the time. So there you have it. Bean, Jack, Jackson is one. ONE. Or, as we said at his party, Uno.
Love you so much Bean

love, Mama

Friday Five

Did I say I was back to blogging? Well. I will get there, but still unpacking, editing, cleaning, POTTY TRAINING, hanging, and running around. But here are a few things I must share.

1. For my birthday this year, I made these
Petite Lasagna. OH MY they were so so good. Made with Won Ton noodles. You can find the recipe here. They are even great leftovers. Thanks Erin for the heads up :)
2. Charlie got another cold last week, thus, we ALL got colds. I cannot seem to keep this kid's fingers out of his mouth. Suggestions? I also have never been able to get him to blow his nose. It is a horrible, fighting, crying mess. And that is just me. So I came up with an idea. I now have him STOMP. As hard as he can. It is AMAZING. What a skill to have, but that kid can blow his nose like no one's business. Now if I could only figure out the trick for potty training. (Although MUCH progress has been made.)
3. Jack is crawing everywhere-still Army style, but he is starting to rock back and forth on his hands and knees a bit too. He is sitting up for longer periods of time, and stood next to the activity table yesterday. Oh and he is TERRIFIED of any toy that moves quickly on his own. Like tailspin of fear and screaming. I will have to get video of it because although a little sad, it is also veeeeeery funny.
4. Lily is definitely ready for school to start. I can't believe how grown up she is. I mean, she has gotten hurt a few times in the past few days and just said OUCH. I believe Adela and Jess know EXACTLY what I am talking about. She is also going to be six in just a few short weeks. Oh my-present ideas anyone??
5. I blogged over at Write. Click. Scrapbook! Everyone should check it out (except my Mama :)

Ten on Tuesday

1. I have a new niece. How nice :) Welcome Genevieve Laverne. I can't wait to meet you. On Friday :D
2. The kids are in VBS this week. Have to say I was really worried about my non potty training, stubborn, clutzy, ran straight into a side mirror and now has a huge goose egg on his head little boy. But, he seems to be doing great.
3. Can I just say sorry for how long it has been since I blogged? I am slowly but surely getting there in the new house. But, there is still a whole lot more to do.
4. I am still 365ing it. Just ridiculously behind.
5. We are also attempting to enjoy some summer...
6. Still haven't seen Harry Potter.
7. Blogged over at Write.Click.Scrapbook. today! Sneak peek of Jack's room!
8. I am terribly behind on So You Think You Can Dance. Terribly. But, have to say I love Melanie.  Love her.
9. It's my Daddy's birthday today! Happy Birthday Daddy!
10. And with that, most pitiful Ten on Tuesday ever.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I believe this could actually be named Ten Thousand on Tuesday as I have not blogged in so very long. The only reason I am blogging today is because I have a horrible cold and feel awful so I am sitting. I don't sit much these days.
2. The moving plans are coming right along. We found a house, had a good inspection, and now are waiting for the appraisal. Our money guy is working quickly to get us closed on June 23. Not bad since we put in the offer on May 30. Until everything is really set and papers signed, I will hold my breath. But I will tell you everyone will have their own bedroom (well I guess Bj and I have to share ;) I have a wonderfully well lit studio, and there is a sun porch on the back where I will enjoy many hours watching the kids play in the fenced in backyard. I can't wait.
3. Lily has (after today) three more days of school. Then she will be a 1st grader. School has been a bit of a massive stress lately as I have major concerns about the choices and judgement of the teachers and staff. I turned into a full fledged Mama Bear, writing lots of emails, making lots of calls, and meeting with the Assistant Superintendent. Lily may be gone in three days, but I could not let the kids we are leaving behind ever go through this again. I know I am being vague, but honestly this is the kind of stuff that you would see on the Today Show or Anderson Cooper. And if they don't take steps to make this right, it may be still...
4. I miss taking pictures. Oh don't worry, still doing my 365 despite the fact that I haven't posted a photo in FOREVER. I just miss taking client photos. But soon I will have my brand spanking new and gorgeous site up and I will be shooting everywhere.
5. Speaking of taking pictures, OH MY I want one of these.

Not saying that I will actually get it, but I want it.
6. I got that photo from Pinterest. Have you heard of it? It may be the coolest thing that has happened since, oh I don't know, the internet. Follow me if you haven't (Marie Willis Taylor) and see just want inspiration may end up in the new house. OH cannot wait to paint/decorate/play in my new house. I am giddy. And buyer beware, it is time sucking there is so much goodness.
7. Did you hear that Write. Click. Scrapbook. is TWO years old? While I am sad I have been so busy lately that I barely have time to scrap, when I do, this is where I go. There is so much inspiration there. And such wonderful, smart, funny, and dedicated ladies there. I am super lucky to be part of it. Elizabeth, I am proud of you for making the tough to decision to take a break, but come back soon cause it just isn't the same without you.
8. As I prepare to move I am SO excited to make plans with all of my Ohio friends. To sit on my back porch and chat. To scrap. To meet at Hibachi in 20 minutes. To go to my parent's house or Bj's mom's house with just a diaper bag and not a car load of stuff. That being said, I have made so many friends here. Really, really good friends. Friends who were there for me when Jack was born. Friends who came over to chat. To scrap. To eat at Aki. Who love my children. What Marnie said about me over at WCS "Marie - is smart, steady, and loyal. Her photos draw you into her pages but it is her scrapbooking of fierce friendships that makes me wish I were one of her besties." Well, I can't tell you what that means to me. If you remember me for anything, remember that I love my friends. I know they are so very important-especially if family is far away. So do what you have to to find them and keep them-even if it has to start with an interview at a coffee shop over queso. ;)
9. Jack turned five months old! The pictures are still on my camera, but I will tell you I will have another doozy for my 12 attempts album. He is now rolling and turning all over the place, looks a bit like a wild animal when he wants to put a toy in his mouth, has the BEST smile and giggle for his brother and sister, still is a pretty wretched sleeper, has FAT legs, ate Rice cereal for the first time on Sunday, still spits up but not nearly as much as the others, is happy 95% of the time but then WATCH OUT when he gets mad, and loves his Mama.
We all adore Baby Bean :) OOOOOO Do you see that up there on my photo? Why, it's my brand new logo designed by Patrick Jebber of Monsters Unlimited. I LOVE it :) Website coming SOON.
10. Charlie is also super sick. And super stubborn. Won't blow his nose. Potty training is non existent. Ever so slightly makes me want to lose my mind. And yet he is the sweetest, most loving little boy who gives me the best hugs and tells me I look like a princess everytime I dress up.

11. Ok you get a bonus. On Friday I taught a photography class to my MOMS Club. The goal is to help the average user understand their camera a little better so they can capture those every day moments of their kids a little better. Ohio readers I will be teaching it soon in your area too! Anyway, while preparing for the class I found this...
which reminded me of this...
My goodness does time fly.