232

that's the number of pictures i took with my new camera in one day. my hubby said i should really go through and delete some before i download them on our computer and use up all of our memory. would i do that???

Guess what my big girls want...

uh huh...a budgie. Did you know that's the actual name of a Parakeet? I didn't. It all started a couple of weeks ago. It was a warm Sunday afternoon and we decide to go to lunch after church. We had a great lunch just lovin' up the warm weather, went for ice cream at Cold Stone and the pet store was in the same plaza. The girls love pet stores. Of course, this wasn't one of those pet stores with all the cute little puppies. Nope, this was a pet store mostly catering to pet supplies. Anyhow, they do have fish, a couple of cats (for adoption) and some lizards. Oh and lots and lots of birds. The babies love birds. Every morning we hear them giggling and we know they are peaking out their window watching the birds in the backyard. So seeing the birds we decided to show the babies up close. No surprises when they just giggled and giggled. The big surprise (kinda) was how the big girls begged and begged to buy a bird with some of their birthday money they had been saving. I tried to teach them a lesson (insert: lecture) about how to be a good pet owner you should really think about what is involved in taking care of what ever animal you are considering purchasing or adopting. Josh and I told them how important it was to really think about your decision and not to just jump into owning a new pet. We said that they had never mentioned wanting a pet bird before and they have no idea how to even take care of a bird. Hmmm, you think they were listening? Anyway, it sounded good. We said maybe if they do research and still thought they wanted one we would "consider" rethinking our decision. For now no birds. Well, can I tell you as I sit here by my computer there is a STACK of print offs from the internet about "training birds to accept petting" and "first aid for sick and injured birds". Chloe had library at school yesterday guess what book she chose. Yup, a book about taking care of birds, more importantly the kind of birds she wants. She had me read it to her last night. So now what? I know for a fact they will take care of the birds maybe. maybe. the first week. Then guess who will be taking care of the birds. ME. I said birds because apparently they get really lonely so you should have at least 2. Oh, but don't worry cuz they most likely won't mate in a small cage if you accidentally get a boy and a girl (this is what the book says). I wonder if the book about dwarf hamsters says the same thing. Oh wait...she was pregnant when we bought her and had absolutely no idea. Long story ;0). Anyhow, so I went to look at a house tonight and the potential seller had "2" budgies. How perfect. So I asked him what he thought. He said really they are the best pet and so easy to take care of. I don't know what we'll do but I don't think we'll be buying any birds before vacation. Do they kennal birds?...kidding. On the upside I think Tinkerbell would love having birds in the house. :0) The idea is growing on me but I am not rushing into anything. The book was really informative...did you know you should "shower" your birds once a week? Seriously. Kenna was amazed that birds only had to shower once a week but people have to shower at least every other. That's my girl.

I know I can do it

For quite sometime now I have been contemplating running a marathon. It is something that has always lingered in the back of my mind. Well, I have decided to do it. I just recently started running and building up my endurance. Just. Started. So I won't be running a marathon next week but hopefully sometime in October. I have always tried to stay in shape. Not always been successful but I try *most of the time*. I enjoy eating too much to diet. It's one of those things if your not suppose to have it I want it more. I have also always enjoyed the feeling of being physically in shape. A little fact about me *ever since I was a little kid I have done sit-ups/crunches. My younger brother and I use to try to out do each other. Seriously I have been able to do 100+ crunches for a long time. Even still now I can...don't always want to but I can. Maybe it's age getting to me knowing that it's even more important to exercises the older you get. I don't know but I'm motivated. I'm sure some of that has to do with the fact that we will be going to Myrtle Beach this summer for a week and then to Florida for another 10 days that's got me wanting to get more into shape. I want this to be a lifestyle for me not a uh-oh it's time to wear a swimsuit thing. So I will post my progress not to brag but to somewhat be accountable. It's always good to have accountability. Right?!? So, so far I have ran 1/2 a mile without stopping not too good considering a marathon consists of 26 miles but hey it's a start. I usually walk a couple of laps and then try to run a couple (I've been going to a track to run...easier to keep track of distance). Wish me luck I'm pretty sure I'll need it.

got a new camera

guess what that means??? lots of pictures...as soon as i figure it out. thanks honey! luv ya lots!!!!

Birds and Squirrels

The babies love birds and squirrels. Just about every morning we can find Riley looking out the window by her crib saying bird and Rae fussing cuz she wants in Riley's crib so she can see too. Well, the other morning I was trying to load the dishwasher real quick and when I came back into our living room this is what I found. I had no idea. They move furniture very quietly. I tell ya we can't leave them alone for 2 seconds. As soon as they saw me they quick got down. They know the rules it's the following them that's the challenge.

cute picture though!

family walk

See the girls on their bikes waaaaay ahead of us ...don't worry they stop at all of the crossings.

It's important when taking a walk to be prepared. We have diapers, wipes, bibs, and the dog ...you know for protection... ;0)

I know I know I cut Josh's head off but it's because 1. he was walking too fast when I was trying to take the picture and 2. i was really trying to get a picture of our little bell enjoying her walk.
*(see bottom of stroller fuzzy little head sticking out enjoying the breeze)

Another picture of our beloved family pet on her "walk"

Riley & Reagan's first ice cream cone

Riley loved the swing.

Rae not so much.

a couple of weekends ago the weather was beautiful. so we decided to take a family walk. we all had such a great time. the babies loved it and the big girls rode their bikes. even tinkerbell came a long for the ride (look very closely at the picture). we walked down to Dairy Queen and then stopped by the park on our way home. Riley loved the swings but Rae not so much. i think it had to do a little with the fact that her daddy didn't sit her back far enough in her swing before he pushed her so she immediately fell forward. that ended it for her. both of the girls loved the slide. it was a great day and it makes me loooong for summer!

Heartbreaking and Amazing

I read a lot of blogs. Just ask my hubby. I have recently been following the journey of a family who is going through something I cannot even imagine. Angie and Todd have four daughters. Their youngest Audrey Caroline was born and only lived a short time. They knew that Audrey would not survive but never gave up their faith or hope that if it was God's will he could heal their baby girl. I am so touch by this family. Please if you get the chance visit their blog http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ make sure you bring tissue you'll need it. Pray for this family they are finding strength in the prayers that surround them.

Where'd the time go???

My babies are 19 months old today...I cannot believe it. I don't know if it's because there is two of them or what but they are growing up way too fast. I don't remember thinking that with Makenna and Chloe although now I do. It seems like once the big girls started school they have also decided to grow up on me. Stop. It. Already. I love my girls...I want them to stay little. Why does it have to go so fast?! Life is busy and sometimes it's hard to remember to stop and savor but I am definitely going to be working on that. I want to remember this time with them. Their laughs and giggles, their smiles, their baby faces, their little voices. Ahhh, I love my family. Thank you Lord for our blessings!

18 month pictures

Last night my awesome mil watched the babies so Josh and I could have a "date" night. Well, we ended up taking Makenna so we could spend special one on one time with her. Chloe was at a birthday sleepover at a friends house. It was nice. I think Kenna really needed that... it's been a long time. We had a good night. The babies stayed the night over at grandma's house so we went to pick them up today. Anyhow, because my mil lives so close to the mall we decided since we were that way that we'd take the babies to get their 18mo. pics taken. It seemed as though we weren't gonna get not even one good picture. It was not going well...lots of walking out of frame, even some tears. They are not into the picture taking thing yet at all. So I just kept thinking if we get just one good one I'll be happy (we had a coupon for a free 10x13...I wanted my freebie). One, ha! Try all of them. It was soooo hard to chose. I spent way more money than I had intended BUT I love them. Absolutely and truly. The best pictures they have taken. So I left holding a huge portrait for our living room (and a few more) and even though we didn't get home until 10:30pm it's already hanging in the perfect place. My scanner is not the greatest but I did take a picture of one of my favorites. The smaller ones we scanned in.

Riley (lower) Reagan (upper)

"Riley Addison"

"Reagan Brooke"

**The photographer asked if we'd be willing to sign a photo release so they could use the pictures as advertisement. After all she went through to get them I had to say yes.**