Shutter Love Tuesdays at Trendy Treehouse :: Faces ::

 This week's theme is FACES.  

That's our little Aedan - always with a unique expression to share!!!

As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

 

My Open Journal :: HOPE ::

:: Aedan, one of my five proofs of hope :: 

.: Writing prompt credit: "A Bit of Me(Me)" at There's A Book :.

:: Hope ::

This would have to be my favorite word. 

Let me say it again ... HOPE. 

I absolutely love this word, because without it, life would have no purpose.  What do we always have, no matter the circumstances? Hope.  Even if the day is at its darkest ... or a situation leaves us broken ... we still have the gift of hope.  We are still graced with its power.

Has my life been perfect? Absolutely not.  Yes, I have been blessed abundantly, but I have certainly experienced my share of tragedies ... yet, this has been when hope has shone the brightest in my life.  I cannot say that during my worst moments I have seen or felt hope very strongly, but I always knew it was there.  It always will be.

Without going into the details, 2009 was one of the most difficult years of my life.  I am still feeling its residue and smarting from its lessons, but I am still here.  I am stronger.  While I sometimes still yearn for the chance to erase certain events of last year, I know that my spirit has grown better, stronger, and kinder.

And that gives me hope.

As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

You Capture ::FUN::

Finger Painting FUN!!!

This is my first time to link up with "You Capture" @ I Should Be Folding Laundry (dot) com...btw - LOVE the name of this site!!! LOL!!!

Anyway...this week's theme is FUN!!

ENJOY!!!

Elijah, my 6-year-old...

...and his masterpiece!! Can you guess what it is?? :)

Aedan, my two-year-old...having a blast!!

Callan, my four-year-old...so intent on her work!

Here are all of their final products!!!

Photo Fridays and Linking Up at FTF!

Here are a few of my favorite things from this week, inspired by FTF (link above)...

Check out my children's face art...

Elijah

Callan

  

Aedan

Other faves from this week:

• Hosting my first giveaway here!
• Elijah's last day of kindergarten!
• Completing TWO scrapbooks in ONE week!
• Only ONE week left until vacay!!! 

Have a great weekend!

Introducing...Photo Fridays (Inspired by "SouleMama")

Inspired by SouleMama, I would like to begin having "Photo Fridays" on my blog.  The goal is to have the pictures (mostly!) speak for themselves...
Enjoy!!!

Our Wednesday Nature Walk

Aedan & Callan with their treasures from our walk.

 

Aedan's sticks - he was very proud of them and carried them around for the rest of the day!

Beautiful Callan with her nature finds!

My tree-huggers!!!

"The nicest thing about the promise of spring is that sooner or later she'll have to keep it."

- Mark Beltaire

"I never knew how soothing trees are - many trees and patches of open sunlight, and tree presences; it is almost like having another being."

- D. H. Lawrence

Happy Mother's Day!!!

My Muddy Buddy

I sure had fun in the mud today!

Had to share this absolutely adorable pic of Aedan!
After several days of rain which left our backyard "puddly" and muddy, this two-year-old played hard in it! I had to try for this photo a few times, as our little Aedan is quite camera-shy...unlike his older brother, Elijah.

Oh, the joys of childhood...playing the mud without a care in the world!

Binky Tales

Last Saturday we began restricting Aedan's binky to naptime and bedtime...and he has been a little champ about the whole thing! In fact, when I go in his room to get him up from naptime or bedtime, he hands me his binky!
What a big boy!

Aedan, Easter 2009

Look what I found!!!

Look at Me!!!

I'm 18 months old today!!! My Mommy and Daddy can't believe it!!

What Has Aedan Been Doing?

I've updated everyone on Elijah and Callan, but I have noticed that Aedan hasn't been included lately!!
He will be 1 & 1/2 years old this Thursday, and we can't believe it!! He has been very, very busy exploring his world. We have noticed how carefully he pays attention to everything happening around him. He soaks in all details and then looks inquisitively at Mom, Dad, brother, or sister for an explanation.
He loves to get his shoes and play outside with Elijah and Callan. He especially loves balls and balloons. In fact, when we were shopping at Target yesterday, he saw a display of balls and went crazy until we handed him one. Of course, one second later, the ball was back on the ground!
And another detail about our little man...he LOVES to eat!! I mean, he eats like every meal is his last one!! The little guy can pack in the food!!
And that's the latest on Aedan...

*P/S...Thank you to Aunt Tunnie for this adorable picture of Aedan!!!!*

Gimme Five!!

Aedan just learned last week how to "gimme five!" It is so cute, because he gets so happy and excited when his hand touches your hand. He makes a macho grunting sound when he does this - I guess he's preparing for football watching with the guys!!!