kites

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Thanks to some really amazing friends, Tina and E $, we decided to head to Kiwanis park and do some kite flying. We also met up with some new friends, Nellie and two of her adorable kids - Dahlia and Rex. Check out Nellie's blog - she's an amazing and creative mommy that inspires me!

Anyway, we had some fun and Cecilia had her first kite flying experience. It was so cute, and I can't wait for more of these days in the future.

 Erin and Lia dipping some feet in the lake.

This is an example of Tina's fabulous kite-flying skills. You go girl!

"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love..." ~Anais Nin

summer time

 

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Lia has a swing in the backyard, and she loves to just chill in it. However, this particular day, she wanted to look like a diva in her swing with her awesome shades.

"I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays." ~Dashboard Confessional

at the park with friends

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The above photo was shot by our wonderful friend Tina, Christina Lafferty Photography

ike

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Every day Lia wanders about, eats some food, travels outside and plays with water. She has quite a fabulous array of activities to do, yet there is only one thing that entices her the most about her day - and that is one word: "Ike."

Ever since she learned how to say Ike's name, she literally cannot get the name out of her mouth enough times a day. I went to get her out of bed this morning... and right when I walked into the door, she looks up at me and says, "Ike Ike Ike Ike Ike Ike Ike!" 

Like, literally, the girl loves his name more than life itself.

She says his name... reaches for either of our phones or the iPad and watches videos AAALLLL DAY. She watches the band play "Wade in the Water" more times than I can count, she claps to their worship sets and dances to their songs like a crazy kid.

This picture is Lia doing exactly what I'm describing - watching the band's videos on YouTube while she sits on the potty. I'm telling you, all day long.

The joys of simplicity.

these summer days...

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I had the longest post ever on here, and it totally got deleted. I'm feeling frustrated :(

Sorry for the lack of love now. Ah! I'm so annoyed! 

Okay, I really need some yoga or something.

splish splash

 

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Life is grand when it's beautiful out in AZ. Trying to soak up the nice weather - Lia and I decided to go to the splash area in Gilbert while we were waiting for Dad. The wind was crazy, so when the water would splash up it soaked her!! It was so funny. We had a blast :)

easter... belated

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living the questions

 

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Our little angel has been in her big girl bed for almost THREE weeks now! Isn't that crazy? Wow, I can't believe that much time has passed. She is so big and sweet in her twin bed. She really loves it a lot, and I'm so glad that we did it when we did as opposed to stressing about it closer to when Siena comes into the world.

Lia is so sweet and has grown so much before our eyes in the past couple of weeks. We actually look at her and see a little girl instead of our baby. It's crazy to think that we have the ability to create and enjoy and experience more of this world because of her.

It's so strange that we're nearly six weeks away from meeting Siena. I can't wait to see her and to compare the differences between Lia and her - in temperament, in looks, in all that! Right now I'm just trying to be patient and live in these precious moments with Lia. She is our priority right now - and making her feel special and loved is all I want to focus on. Soon she will be Big Sister and sharing her time, so being patient and present is all I can think about :)

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is live everything. Live the questions."

happy birthday to you

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It was my mom's birthday last weekend - and of course we had to get together to celebrate her beautiful life. She is such an amazing and incredibly inspirational woman to me. She has worked her ass off her entire life - all with the blessings and gifts that the Lord has blessed her with. She has literally let nothing fall to the wayside... she has put together her talents she's been given and used them to their fullest potential, which only honors and gives more and more glory to God.

She is a true example of never wasting the time you've been given, the talents that you've received, and the blessings that are constantly flowing. 

On top of that - look at her! She's gorgeous! I can only hope that one day I am half the woman that she is. I stand up tall, pronouncing that she is my mother - she is a woman that I will always and most proudly say, "She's my mom."

I know that I have been given many things in my life because of her hard work and dedication, and I pray and desire for the ability to give Lia the same things... and the most important of all, to show Lia the love and dedication to life that my mom has shown me.

This is Dad teaching Lia how to flex... she just grunts and goes "Rrrrr!" while she flexes her muscles. Cutest ever.

 

She also just loves and loves to give kisses :)

 

My mom getting the girls involved - blow out the candles, ladies!!

 

My most sweet and precious niece... She makes my heart swell when I see her and she smiles and laughs at me. She is true joy.

 

Getting our basketball skills on with dad. Gotta start 'em early, right?!

I am really looking forward to Mother's Day this weekend. Although I am sad that I am working that day, I know that the day will be beautiful because I have two beautiful baby girls and am one of the luckiest in the world to have such wonderful blessings in my life. I am so thankful for the gift of motherhood that the Lord has bestowed upon me. I know the responsibility is huge and grand and more than I could have possibly thought I could handle, but He knows me better than I know myself. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

"Mother's love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved. ~Erich Fromm 

clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere

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Lia's learning the tricks of the trade :)