Unfiltered beauty

Going back through my Google photos I came across this one from this day on 2021..and I'm still blown away by the beauty of this sunset from our side deck! 

I remember taking this photo just a few weeks before we were moving into the house and being overcome with such a sense of satisfaction, peace and joy that the house was going to be ours and I could look at this view forever. It's not a panoramic ocean view by any means, but I still love it two years later and still look out there and feel grateful for the home we've built and the life we've worked hard for.

Memory Monday - just about two years apart!

March 12, 2019 vs February 19, 2021

WOWZERS! I knew her hair had grown a lot and she had changed a lot but this picture sure shows it well. Still such a cute little girl and her hair is just gorgeous! I get teary eyed thinking of the day coming where she wants to cut it (just like most little girls want to at some point!) When the time comes I will probably have her Daddy or her Nana take her to that hair appointment with Auntie Ra :)

Then and Now - The James and Mom edition

I love FB memories for these kinds of photos. He was so little and didn't even have his glasses yet. This was taken just a few months before he got them actually. He wasn't quite 4 yet and I can't believe how fast the years have gone.

He's not in nearly as many photos these days because he's just so much more independent and he also moves so darn much that he's often blurry in them when I do snap them! Hahahaha

Had to go back to Ugly Sweater day at the school in mid-December to find our most recent selfie.

I'm so lucky to have an almost 10 year old boy that still loves me and will hug me in public at his school and doesn't give a damn who sees it. 

And one more throwback just cause it's so adorable...here he is at 18 months old. 

Memory Monday - Honoring Grandma Tracy

6 years ago yesterday the kids Grandma Tracy died suddenly, just two short months before Jordie was born. Today the boys mentioned her because they always know the day she died because it's also the same day that our beloved little bestie Maddie was born.

I'm sad that she never got the chance to meet our two littests, but I'm still touched by the adorable relationship she had with James. She absolutely adored him and he says he remembers her. We talk about her often and Jordie knows all about her too. He's said many times before that he's sad that he didn't get to meet her too. We look at her pictures and James regular asks to watch the one video that we have of them together.

Gotta share it again cause we love it so much!

I wrote two great blog posts shortly after her death and we've gone back to them many many times over the last 6 years and we will continue to so that our kids always know who she was. Those two posts are called No Chance to Say Goodbye and More Memories of Grandma Tracy. Both are great posts, with lots of great photos of her from all different years of her life!

Monday Memories - Mother's Day 2018

I had probably my best Mother's Day/Weekend yet this year! It started off with flowers from the kids on Saturday after they went shopping with their Dad! Then I got to sleep in until around 8:30 on Sunday and got up to gifts from the kids schools and cards from everyone. I love the little handmade gifts that Busy Bee's and Westview have the kids make. They are some of my favorites to keep!

As we were waiting for Jim to finish getting ready for breakfast we had a little impromptu photo session on the front deck. I've learned that it's best to snap the pic when you think of it, rather than putting it off and waiting for later in the day because inevitably the kids are crankier, the hair is all messed up and usually they are grumpy! I'm so glad they cooperated because I do really love these photos of me and my babies!

These ones of the 3 of them just make me giggle!

Next up was brunch at Magpie's with the Tassell's which is always a fun place to eat and we always have a good time together. 

Here are some pictures from the meal!

Jaxon and his yummy Mickey Mouse pancakes

James finally remembered to order himself his own eggs benny! He ate the whole benny, plus maybe a quarter of the hashbrowns!

And for the first time ever we snapped a picture of just me and Ash and all the kids. I know we've gotten some good photos over the years but I can't think of any with us and all the kids together. Needless to say I LOVE IT and it's going on the wall for sure (if I ever get around to printing new pics for the walls?) 

After brunch we hit up a local park we had never been to and took a little drive around town. Then I got some quiet alone time while Kennedy slept and the boys went out and played some hockey. It's amazing how much I now cherish any time I get alone, even if it is only an hour or two. I so appreciate the quiet like I never knew I would. 

Finally we finished off the day with Sunday dinner at Nana and Papa's house and the kids played in the pool in the backyard too. 

Yeah I'd say she was loving the pool!

hhhmmmm....strawberries and angel food cake for dessert!

Here's the pictures of me opening my presents. They aren't my favorite photos so I didn't want them at the beginning of the post...but also don't want to not include them either :) 

Overall a really wonderful Mother's Day! Thanks so Jimmy and the kids for making me feel special!