Good Enough?

Over the recent years I have come to question whether or not I am good enough. I always said that I would not allow other people to determine my worth for me. Yet, over the years, I have allowed this to happen.

I have let people make me feel like what I do isn't good enough...that I am not good enough. I often don't see myself as adequate or important. I have found myself questioning those very things that I always said I would not question...like what is my purpose?...have I fulfilled my purpose?...have I set goals for myself and reached them?...etc.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." ~ by Eleanor Roosevelt. I am constantly reminding my mom of this quote. And yet, I allowed this to happen to me.

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I have let people make me feel like being a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom is not good enough. I have let people make me feel like I am not reaching my potential. I have let people make me feel like I don't have worth. I have let people make me feel like I have not contributed to this household by not working a job that pays me money. Believe me, I work plenty hard. I call myself a CEO of this family. I just don't get paid money for it.

I will not allow this any more.

It has gotten in the way of who I truly always wanted to be.

Since I was a young girl, all I ever wanted to be was a wife and mom. I knew from the time that I was a teenager that I never wanted a career. I wanted to get married, have children, and stay at home with my children and take care of them and raise them. At that time I did not know I wanted to homeschool, but that desire came later.

It has been the greatest thing to be a stay-at-home mom. It has been so rewarding and fulfilling. It has been incredible to homeschool the boys from the time they were 3 years old. I have seen them grow in this process, and I have loved every step of the way.

Women have made it clear that if you are not working a job, then you are not contributing to society. I don't believe that and never have. But, I have let that affect me so much in the past few years. I am upset at myself for this. I truly believe that the greatest contribution that you can give to society is raising great kids and creating a place of haven that they can call HOME.

That has been my focus over the past 17 1/2 years. I never thought about working a job that would take me away from my kids. However in the past few years, I have let thoughts of trying to make more money get in the way of what my goals have always been. Sure, everyone wants more money, but I really started to let it consume my thoughts. I felt like maybe if I was working, then we would have more money...to buy a bigger house, or have nicer cars, or go on exotic vacations.

I am disappointed in myself. I am disappointed that I allowed others to make me try to change who I was when all along this is where God has always wanted me. God has forever proven Himself to us. He has always taken care of us. We have never gone hungry. We have always had all that we needed, and beyond that, we have way more than we need. I am so thankful to God for this. I am sorry that I started thinking about having more and more money. It began to change who I am...I was beginning to not like myself.

God opened my eyes to all of this. He created me for what I am doing. He created me to be a wife...to be a mother...to be a homeschool mom. I don't need any more than that. I am happy with this for my life. I don't have to be a career woman. I don't have to contribute financially to be making a difference in our family. I really feel that I am living out my strengths in the best way possible by being here for my boys, by using every possible teaching moment that I can, and by creating a HOME for my family. This is what I am designed to be...what I was always designed to be. I want to be done comparing myself to others. I am unique, and I want to be the best unique ME that I can be.

Glimpses of my Weekend

It was a crazy weekend.

Friday night was a relaxing night for us. We watched our shows and had turkey burgers and salad.

Saturday the boys had to move the green car out, the camper out, then the blue car out. The boys then had to put the blue car on a trailer and take to storage. They then had to move the green car back into the back yard, move the camper back into place, and then clean up. It was raining most of the day, so they got soaked. We had to do this because we got notice that the green car had to be removed from the driveway. The boys still need to take parts off of the green car, so we could not just junk it. Now, the boys just have to get the parts off of the green car by July.

We treated the boys to Divergent for their hard work in the above. We all loved it. We liked it just as well as The Hunger Games. We can't wait til the next one.

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Church was wonderful on Sunday. The worship group that we really like led the worship music this week. That was nice. We had a relaxing afternoon on Sunday. I fixed our third Blue Apron dinner on Sunday night. We had fennel spiced roasted pork tenderloin, red rice, tarragon grapefruit salad, and mustard greens. It was yummy.

Quote of the Day

Blue Apron Dinner

We had our second Blue Apron dinner on Friday night. It was turkey burgers with arugula salad. It was so yummy! The boys really loved it. Jar is already asking me to make it again. I ate my burgers without the buns. It was still very yummy. The salad was fantastic.

100 Things About Me

100 Things about me:

1. I love blogging. For 3 years or so I read lots of blogs. I dreamed of one day having my own blog, where I could share thoughts with those close to me. I finally bit the bullet and started it 2 years ago, and allowed those close to me to start reading it just this past September.
2. I love journaling...hence why I started blogging. I have written in journals for years now...since I was in high school.
3. I have dreamed of owning a vacation house for many years now. Michael and I would love to own a small cottage on the coast. They are just so ridiculously expensive.
4. I love to read. I have loved it since I was a young girl. I cannot even tell you how many books that I have read...in the many many thousands.
5. I have trouble with anxiety. I have struggled with it for 12-13 years now. It is really awful. I have kept it in check for about 5 years, but it is still a daily struggle.
6. I can't have caffeine...basically because of number 5. Caffeine brings on anxiety for me. 
7. I love puppies so much...I especially love their puppy smell. They are the sweetest ever.
8. I used to paint my nails, but once I became a mom I stopped. It was just too difficult to keep them from chipping. I do paint my toenails though.
9. I love babies...they are the sweetest ever. I wanted to have loads of them. I am thankful for the two beautiful boy babies that I had. I loved their smell. It was the best.
10. I love small beach towns. I could live in a small beach town. I think that they are just so cozy.
11. I like a simple life. I love to stay home...I don't have to be going somewhere at all times.
12. I would love to own some property with our house...maybe like 1-3 acres. I wouldn't like to live in the middle of nowhere with 500 acres. I would like to live in a nice neighborhood with some land.
13. I hate soda...always have. I cannot stand the taste, but more than that I cannot stand the aftertaste. Also, it makes you really thirsty. And, it makes you really bloated.
14. I am claustrophobic and I don't like large crowds. This only began once I struggled with anxiety. They both are a problem for me now though.
15. I love getting mail...letters and packages. When I get surprise mail or packages, it really means a lot to me. Unfortunately, no one does this anymore.
16. I love getting packages in the mail...of any kind. I love getting packages of things I had ordered. I love getting subscription boxes in the mail. And, of course, I love getting packages from other people.
17. I like to eat with baby spoons and baby forks. They are just the right size for me...and I can enjoy what I am eating for a longer period of time.
18. I grew up in the country. We lived on 3 acres, and we always had plenty of room to run around. It was so nice.
19. I love camping...as long as it involves a camper. I love getting away from the stress of school and work and just enjoying nature. It is really nice to be able to get away for a fraction of the cost.
20. I love Trader Joe's a lot. I really wish we had one right close to us. I would do our grocery shopping every other day. I really love it there. (that is saying a lot, because I hate grocery shopping)
21. I love the vegetable sandwich at Panera Bread. It is really delicious. Whenever we see a Panera Bread, which until 6 months ago was only when we went to Seattle, we stop to get one.
22. I don't like to cook at all. But, I have to because I want us to eat good homemade food.
23. I hate to grocery shop. When I say hate, I really don't know if this is strong enough of a word. However, if we had a Trader Joe's right here close, I wouldn't mind it as much.
24. I am an introvert. I was not an introvert when I was growing up. I was shy at times, but I was mostly super outgoing. I think a combination of things have made me more of an introvert...Michael (because he is so outgoing) and being a stay-at-home mom. I also think that my weight issues have contributed.
25. I love organization. I organize every inch of my house twice a year. I just love it so much. I like everything to be in it's place. I think this is something that I could do with a career. I just don't know if I have the patience when someone doesn't want to get rid of things.
26. I have an Associates Degree in secretarial. I think that was a great fit for me since I am so organized. I have only really used this degree to make money for 3 years of my life. I have used this degree in many areas of my life since then, but not to officially make money.
27. I want to go to Europe someday. I would love to go to Italy especially. I could even see myself living there...but only with the boys too.
28. My love language is quality time. I really thrive with this. That is what I love about camping.
29. I collect unique bowls. I love small bowls to use for dipping sauces or a small bowl of ice cream.
30. I have been homeschooling my boys for 15 years now. I started when Cam was 3 years old, and I never looked back. I love it so much. It has been great for us.
31. I love to go hiking. I love to see what lies beyond on those trails. Some of the most beautiful sights are on hiking trails out in the middle of nowhere.
32. I love taking photos. I have loved photography since I was in high school. It wasn't until I got a camera when Michael and I were first married that I really took off and learned more about it. I learned how to use the manual mode on my camera, and that is when I really fell in love.
33. I love House Hunters and House Hunters International. You would think that I would be bored of the show because it really is the same thing every time, just a different place and different people. But, somehow, I still love to watch it.
34. I love the ocean...you see I did not say the beach. I love to stay in a house by the ocean, I love to walk by the ocean, I love to take photos by the ocean, I love to eat by the ocean. I don't like to be at the beach, where everyone is laying out in next to nothing.
35. I love to make lists for everything...lists for schedule, for packing, for vacation, for blogging, for shopping, etc. I love how it feels to cross things off of those lists.
36. I put things away before people are done using them...this drives my family crazy. I grew up with a mom who liked everything kept clean while you were doing something. When I was cooking or baking, she always wanted it kept clean as I went along. So, I just learned that, and now I do it to everyone.
37. I cannot sleep with socks on. I have tried, because they say it is good to put lotion on your feet when you go to bed at night. You put socks on to lock the moisture in. I just can't do it. It feels so uncomfortable to me...not to mention hot.
38. I've read every health and fitness book out there. I should either be a nutritionist or a personal trainer. It is crazy, but I love this topic so much.
39. I grew up on the east coast. I really do miss it there. I think that people in general are much friendlier there. They are also much more polite. There are things about here that I do like. I love the coast here, and I love the scenery here. It is a beautiful place.
40. I love purses. I have loved them since I was a young girl. I remember how excited I was when I would get a new purse. I still love purses. I used to get a new purse every year. Now, I just get one about every 2-3 years. I've really come to love cross-body bags. They are small and lightweight.
41. I love gardening a lot. I did a lot of gardening at our house in PA. I had a lot of flower beds that I started from scratch. People would stop by all the time and say how pretty our flower beds looked. I have created some here, but I keep it a little more simple now. In PA, I used to buy tons of annuals every year and plant them in planters all over the yard. I don't do much of that now...just a hanging basket and 2-3 planters.
42. I have had a C-section and also a natural delivery (V-back) after that.I recovered very quickly with both deliveries. I was up walking around several hours after my C-section, and I was up taking a shower within 45 minutes of my natural delivery. I did not use any pain medication with either of them.
43. I love music; I especially love 90's pop music. I believe that truly was the best decade for music. I can sing most pop songs from that time period. When a song from the 90's comes on the radio or on a TV show or a movie, I immediately start singing.
44. I always have a book and notebook with me everywhere I go. I feel like you never know when you will just be sitting somewhere and waiting. This has come in handy so many times.
45. I have always cut my own hair. I remember cutting my hair in high school. Back then I would go to the salon for a perm or to get a new style. I haven't had a perm since Jar was first born. Now, I just do everything for my hair. I cut it, texture it, and color it myself.
46. I have always cut the boys hair. I gave them their first haircuts. Jar had such long curly hair. I cut his when he was just a toddler. That was so hard to do. He had such beautiful curly hair. I still cut their hair. They have only been to a barber once when we were in FL. It was a treat from Grandma.
47. I cut Lily's hair as well. This one is very hard. It is really hard when her hair gets really long and ratted. It takes me about 4 hours to do.
48. I am a homebody. I really just love to be home. This truly comes from the anxiety, but it also comes from being a stay-at-home mom. I just feel the most comfortable here.
49. I don't like to go out at night...at all. This also comes from the anxiety. For 13 years, if I had anxiety, it seemed to happen mostly at night. Well, no one wants to have an anxiety attack when they are out in public. It is the worst. I've had this many times. So, I just prefer to stay at home.
50. I don't like to shop. I used to like to when I was in high school. But after having kids, I lost my love of it. I just don't enjoy it anymore. When I go somewhere new, sometimes I like to shop in a cute small town. But, it only takes me about a 1/2 hour to shop. I am done after that. I have not shopped in stores for clothes in years. I just buy them online.
51. I love to swim. People used to call me a mermaid because I loved the water so much. I grew up with a swimming pool, so I was in the pool all summer long. I still love to swim. I just don't get a chance to do it much any more.
52. I have always been very athletic. I love all sports. I loved gymnastics when I was growing up, as well as baseball, basketball, kickball, football, soccer, and riding bike.
53. I love tigers and dolphins. I have loved tigers since I was a young girl. My love of dolphins came later on as a teenager. When I go to the zoo, these are the two animals that I want to see. Of course, dolphins aren't in most zoos, but they are at some.
54. I grew up singing specials in church. I sang a lot with my sister and her best friend. My sister and I also sang duets a lot. I got nervous when I got up in front of people then, but now I can't get up in front of people. I have stage fright for sure.
55. I love small dogs. I always made fun of people that had lap dogs. Michael and I always called them "drop-kick" dogs. When Jar wanted a small dog, I was not so sure. We got one for him, and I found it to be the greatest thing ever. Lily follows me around everywhere and sits beside me on the couch.
56. I love Reality TV. I love Survivor, Amazing Race, The Voice, The Apprentice, Duck Dynasty, Ultimate Survival Alaska, Alaska Frontier, Dude, You're screwed, etc.
57. I love snacky food. The boys and I call it a smorgasbord of food. I love little bits of a lot of food. An example would be a plate of raw veggies, with hummus, some grapes, some strawberries, a bit of Greek yogurt, some nuts, some crackers, and more.
58. I love ice cream. I cannot eat it anymore, but I still love it. When I was growing up, we had ice cream a lot. My mom loved it. We got ice cream at ice cream shops a lot. I still love it...it just does not agree with me at all. It gives me phlegm in my throat and give me an upset stomach.
59. I love yoga pants or workout pants. They are so comfortable. I would wear them everywhere, if it was appropriate.
60. I love flip flops. I have always worn them. I wore them when I was growing up too. I wear them a lot when we are camping.
61. I hate going to the dentist. I mean I really really hate to go to the dentist. I actually have anxiety about going to the dentist. I don't like feeling like I cannot swallow and breathe.
62. I love my new electric toothbrush. I wish that I had bought one a long time ago. They clean so nicely, and they clean without much effort on my part.
63. I love a big vehicle. I had a small car when I was single, dating, and then first married. We then got a mini-van, and then eventually we got a smaller SUV and then a large SUV. We have an Excursion now, and I love it. The only time I do not like it is when I am in a cramped parking lot--it is really hard to park in a small space.
64. I love the sun...a lot. I feel so much better when the sun is shining outside. It just lifts my mood, and somehow it makes my day seem better.
65. I love cute bookstores. One of my favorite movies is You've got mail. One of the things I like about the movie is the cute little bookstore. I always dreamed of opening my own cute bookstore, with a reading nook, an area to journal and scrapbook, and a cute cafe'/coffee shop.
66. I love cute coffee shops...a lot. I like to visit them in every town we go when camping or on vacation. This kind of goes along with my dream of the cute bookstore.
67. I love cute cafe's. As well as the coffee shops, I like to eat in cute cafe's everywhere I go. I look for them.
68. I love the Mediterranean wrap at Pita Pit. It is so good. All of the flavors melt together in the perfect bite.
69. I love pajamas...really cute soft ones. I could have a pair for every day of the week.
70. I love unique paper stores. I like paper stores that sell unique tablets and journals and pens and pencils. I like cute calendars and stationary and washi tape and office supplies. I like to find these as well in small coastal towns that we visit.
71. I love World Market. I love all of their unique things. The boys and I like all of their unique food as well.
72. I love Marshall's. I love their prices. I love how clean their store is. I love what they sell.
73. My hormones are all screwed up...it sure seems like it anyway. I think that is why I have trouble with anxiety.
74. I have nerve damage on the right side of my body. I got it when I delivered Jar. During delivery, his head lie on a nerve too long and caused nerve damage. They did a study on my nerve damage at Geisinger Medical Center in PA. They had never seen it before. I still am not back to 100%, but I am probably at about 95%.
75. Repetitive sounds drive me crazy. I don't like repetitive tapping sounds, typing sounds, and clicking sounds.
76. Mouth noises drive me insane. I can't stand chewing noises, smacking noises, licking noises, or anything related to mouth noises. They drive me so crazy. I can't stand it at all.
77. I don't like my hair in my face at all. If I am outside working in the yard, I have to have it pulled back from my face. I like to wear my hair in a ponytail to keep it from my face. Sometimes I have to pin my bangs back because they drive me crazy
78. I love being a mom to two boys. It has been and is so much fun. I have been on so many adventures with them. They are the best.
79. I have an allergy to cotton trees. It is terrible. Every spring, I have to take Zertec because I have trouble with allergies.
80. I drink peppermint tea or green tea every afternoon. Sometimes I drink it hot, but sometimes I drink it cold. I love it.
81. I've kept a journal for both of the boys since they were little. I have written about things they have done, their firsts, and funny things that they have said. I love reading these.
82. I love makeup, but I really don't wear it much. It is not good for your skin, so I just don't wear it much at all.
83. I love journals and day planners. I always look for these when I go to a bookstore. I like to find really unique ones.
84. I love stationary and washi tape. I don't buy stationary much anymore, because people don't send mail to each other. I do have washi tape, and I use it in my journals.
85. I have never had a real cell phone. I have just had a trac-phone for the past 10 years or so. One of these days I will get a real cell phone.
86. I hate snakes; I am actually scared of them. I just cannot stand them. I don't even like to see them on TV. They creep me out.
87. I love being a stay-at-home mom. It gives me so much joy. I love that I have been able to be with the boys from the time they were born. I could not have sent them to daycare or preschool. I don't know how moms do this. I have loved all of my time with the boys.
88. I would do my wedding differently if I were to do it now. I would have a more casual wedding, probably at the beach, and just with family and best friends (very small attendance). I would have spent more time just hanging out with everyone, with a very informal ceremony. I would have had a really pretty simple dress and would have been barefoot. Michael would have been in rolled up pants with a long sleeve shirt-the sleeves rolled up and barefoot.
89. I have somewhat dry skin, hence I love moisturizer a lot. I have lots of samples. I use moisturizer every day. I love unique scents of moisturizer...like balsam fir, lemon, citron basil, etc.
90. I tan really easily. I don't have to be in the sun very long at all, and I start tanning. I used to lay out in the sun and tan. I don't do that anymore because it is so bad for your skin. I do miss the look of being tan.
91. I like to decorate. I am good at it too. I don't do much of it anymore, because I don't change what we have. It costs too much money to change things all of the time. I am ready to redecorate the living room and dining room.
92. I have never lived "in town" or "in the city." I don't know if I would like it or not. I think I would have liked it when Michael and I were first married. After having kids, it was too hard to live in town. I needed space and yard for them.
93. I am a tomboy. I always have been. I liked to climb trees and ride bike when I was growing up. I love to hike and be outside now. I don't have to have makeup and high heels on. In fact, give me my sneakers or flip flops any day. I am a tomboy, but I clean up nice too.
94. I love the movie You've Got Mail. It is one of my favorite movies. I love Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the movie. I love the bookstore in the movie. I love Meg's apartment in the movie. I just love the whole thing.
95. I really don't like talking on the phone. I really only talk to my mom and my sister for any length of time. Other than that, I just don't really enjoy it. A lot of people are very quiet on the phone, so it is like pulling out teeth to get them to talk.
96. I would rather watch movies at home than at the theater. I like to be able to stop a movie if I want, and I like to be able to be in my pajamas. And, I like to bring my own snacks.
97. I played soccer in college. I had never really played it much growing up. I really fell in love with it in college. It was a lot of fun and great exercise.
98. I used to bite my fingernails when I was in middle school and high school. Someone told me that I looked really ugly when I bit my nails. I stopped biting them from that moment on. I have not bit them since.
99. I don't like horror movies at all. I love suspense movies a lot. I don't like gross horror movies.
100. I love romantic comedies...the more comedy the better. These are my favorite kind of movies. There have been some great ones written...You've Got Mail, Wedding Planner, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Say Anything, Princess Bride, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, Bringing up Baby, Better off Dead, While You Were Sleeping, Only You, My Best Friend's Wedding, and The Proposal.

Friday's Letters

Dear Jesus:  Thank you for helping us get through this week of school. It was a tough one.

Dear Michael:  I am praying for you. I know that you do not feel appreciated, but the boys and I appreciate you so much. We need you...always.

Dear Cam:  You have done a great job getting up in the morning and getting at your work. Great job!

Dear Jar: I love your smile so much. You have that smirky kind of look on your face that I love so much.

Dear Lily:  You look so cute when you clean your face. You are so methodical about it.

Dear Rain:  We just knew that you would return, unfortunately. I hope that you do not stay very long.

Dear Friday Night:  We love our Friday night shows. We also have the "Behind the Scenes" from Psych.

Dear Mom:  I am proud of you for getting everything done. You have really done a great job.

Dear Weekend: We have a rough day tomorrow. The boys are not very happy. I think we may treat them to something special afterwards.

Dear Blue Apron:  I really wish that we could order you every week. I really like not having to do grocery shopping.

Dear Dr. Oz:  I have really been enjoying watching you lately. There has been a lot of good information on your show.

Dear Kale:  I have really been enjoying you a lot lately. I have been eating you every single day.

Dear city:  I am not happy about the predicament you put us in...it is our property.

Dear Church:  I really enjoy you a lot. I love your worship music.

Dear Easter:  I cannot believe that you are in just a few weeks. I remember when the boys were little, and we bought them new shirts and ties, and we made Easter baskets for them, and we also took them to Easter egg hunts.

Dear Psych:  We are so disappointed that you are over for good. We really came to enjoy your show. It was just so funny...all of the time. Sometimes there were a few words, but all in all it was a great show.

Preparing for Next School Year

I always order my homeschool materials in April for the next year.  I do this because I get free shipping in April. Last night I went through all of my homeschool catalogs to write a list of what I need to order.

Blue Apron Dinner

Last night we had one of our Blue Apron dinners. This was our favorite one yet. It was rice flour breaded cod with fancy tarter sauce, roasted potatoes, and frisee salad. It was really good. It looked really good on the plate as well.

Michael's Favorite TV Shows

Michael has his TV shows that he likes to watch. We watch a lot together as a family, Michael and I watch some things together, and then sometimes Michael will head upstairs to his "cave" and watch HIS shows. Here is a list of them.

1. Powerblock TV
2. Velocity TV
3. Overhaulin'
4. Counting Cars
5. Fast and Loud
6. Graveyard Cars
7. Wheeler Dealers
8. American Restoration
9. Legendary Motorcars
10. Chasing Classic Cars

There is, of course, a common theme here...they are all about cars.

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Frozen Movie

I loved the movie Frozen. I loved the music a lot. I have been singing all the songs since I saw the movie on Sunday. Let it go is the song that is especially stuck in my head. I found this on YouTube. I love it.

Thoughts about my dad

Cam and I had a discussion this morning about Michael being one of those people that knows a lot about everything. I've always said that he could be on Who wants to be a Millionaire and probably win a lot of money. He just retains everything and is good at so many things.

Cam then asked me if my dad was smart. I said that yes he was. He was a lot like Michael in that he knew a lot about a lot of things. We also talked about that fact that most people would probably not know that my dad was smart...he really never acted like he was. (and just to clarify--Michael does not act like a know-it-all, but we have played many games like Millionaire, so I see it more in him) We never knew that my dad had close to 20, if not more than 20, patents with GTE Sylvania, where he worked. We only found this out when he died. He was a skilled electrician and carpenter. At his funeral, we named him Macgyver, because he could fix anything and everything.

I enjoyed talking about this with Cam and thinking about my dad once again; although not a day goes by that I do not think about him in some way.

Since it is Throwback Thursday today, I thought that I would also include some of my favorite photos of my dad here.

Throwback Thursday

Today's Throwback Thursday is of the boys when we went for a visit to Florida in 2004...I believe when Grandpa had his surgery.

I love these photos of the boys. It brings back so many memories. These boys and I have had so many adventures together. I am a tomboy, so I fit right in with two little boys. I never minded getting dirty, and I never minded them getting dirty. In fact, I encouraged it most of the time. I have been to every park within two hours of our house...here and in PA. They are my two little buddies. I love them so much.

In the first photo:
The boys and I are sensitive to bright light, so I love how Jar has his hand up to block the sun from his eyes, and Cam is barely opening his eyes. I love how they have their arms around each other. They have been best buds from the very beginning. I love that.

In this second photo:

I love this fun photo. We took this at the duck pond near Grandma's house. The boys loved to go there and feed the ducks some bread. While there, we came up with some fun photo ideas. This was one that I really loved. I love that the boys have their jet shoes on...they wore these all of the time.

In this third photo:

The boys have worn sunglasses since they were just little...because of their sensitivity to bright light. I love how the backdrop almost looks fake, but it is not. It is just beautiful. I love how they have their jean shorts on and their jet shoes. It is so precious. Everywhere I went, people would always ask me if they were twins--in this photo, they do somewhat look like they could be twins.

In this last photo:

These boys are just too cute. I love how they are both squinting...because they don't have their sunglasses on them. I love seeing their little hands on their knees. And, I think I see a band aid on Jar's leg...this was a common occurrence for him. He was always just so busy that he would hurt himself.

Thankful Thursdays

Here is what I am thankful for this week:

1. Jar and I are not sick any more
2. that I got some good sleep last night
3. for the sun
4. for my three boys
5. Michael's hard work
6. hearing the boy's laugh
7. getting the house thoroughly cleaned
8. getting back to blogging
9. seeing spring flowers emerge
10. the cherry blossoms blooming

We have come a long way

I cannot believe how far cell phones have come. I remember Michael's dad having a cell phone that was ginormous. I remember watching Saved by the Bell back in the 1990's and seeing Zach with his cell phone. I thought that was the greatest thing...and how cool it would be to have one like it.

It is crazy how far technology has come since then. I still don't have a cell phone per say, but one of these days soon I will. I am glad that they are not as big as this one anymore.

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Worst Cooks in America

One of our favorite shows to watch as a family is Worst Cooks in America. I remember when Cam and I first watched this a few years ago...we have never laughed so hard.

Well, it is on again. It is such a funny show. But, I love that in the end that those worst cooks become pretty good.

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Things that make me Smile