Oh the Bliss!

Addison was introduced to some fun family members this week : Aunt Pam (yes, her skin is really that beautiful in person. She's gorgeous.) Uncle Darren (who she sort of looks like she belongs too) Auntie Karrie (a cousin on Mark's side really, but Auntie works for us.) and fun-loving cousins Will and Kate!! What a week! It's been so beautiful everyday so we've spent hours and hours outside. Ben had a BLAST with his cousins, especially William who is just a few months older than him. They played so well together. Mark made the comment, as he, Karrie and myself sat on a blanket watching the kids, that it seems like just yesterday it was their parents sitting on a blanket watching them play. Time surely speeds up as we get older, it blows me away how fast it goes by. It was a special treat having Darren and Pam here for a conference conveniently just a few miles from our house. We got to see them, sadly no kids and no Settlers, but they are always so f

I may have mentioned this before, but I need to jot it down again for myself.... One of my favorite times of the day is just after the kids are down for the night and I go around and collect all the toys Ben missed during his clean-up/play with all the toys you've brought out during the day time. I love these few moments for three reasons: 1.)It's so quiet. Not a lonely quiet, a peaceful quiet. 2.) It reminds me of how much fun Ben's life is and how much fun my life is because of him. 3.) It's evidence that I have kids. Little bits of proof that Mark and I have been blessed in a way that many people long for. I might complain about vacuuming (nothing has changed, mom) and mopping, but picking up toys - I think - will always be done with a little smile on my face. That's all. Just want to remember this.

I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for and I don't want to forget it all, so here it is, a throw back to the "thankful list" ~Pinky Harper and her husband who graciously watch Ben for me 2 Tuesday nights a month so I can help lead a bible study at a shelter for women with unplanned pregnancies (Casa Teresa). I have been praying for this opportunity for over a year but couldn't find a sitter for Ben and now Addison. I can't afford to pay someone that frequently, and an every other week and FREE commitment is seemingly a lot to ask of anyone... but the Lord provided. The really neat thing is this: I went the the study one time last year and although I really wanted to be there I found myself feeling awkward, uncomfortable, inadequate and I had nothing to say. This time around I've felt completely at ease. I've been able to connect with the girls where I didn't think possible and our conversations felt led instead of forced. Just goes to show that Go

Ben smiled for a picture!! And what a cute smile it is... Love my kids!

The dress that Addison is wearing was made by my mom for me when I was a baby. This is one reason I'm thankful for having a little girl... for moments like this. P.S. Doesn't my mom look beautiful!

We had a very nice Mother's Day up in Simi with Mark's mom. Ben made me a very special card, he actually gave it too me on Saturday because I walked in on him making it and he was too excited to hide it for a day. I feel so blessed to be a mom. My favorite moments are when the four of us are together and I breathe a little easier knowing -for now- we're all under the same roof. Nothing is for certain and having my kids forever isn't guaranteed (or even the plan). But man, when the four of us roll around and wrestle and laugh and play and snuggle and just be together - that fills my heart like nothing this world can ever offer me. I'm so thankful that this is where God wants me in life, in this moment, with these two kids and this husband. As selfish as this is, I pray that God keeps me in this for many years to come. I don't think it can get much better than this.

Sitting pretty in her perch. I love the curly bath hair, wish it stayed like that after it dries. This picture is so funny to me, it doesn't even look like her. I think Ben is looking at her like "who is this crazy girl making the funny face?" Love the dimples though.

There was a triple fatal car accident on the freeway just miles from my house. A woman was driving with her three kids and their grandmother. All three kids died. It wasn't her fault, she was rear-ended by a semi. She was driving a van just like mine. My mom left me a message saying how scared and sad she was because she instantly thought of me. She knew it wasn't me and the kids, but it just hit close to home for her, and probably for every mother of a mother out there. Someone forwarded one of those "thankful for moms" emails which I usually don't read, but this paragraph caught my eye; "What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from

So little in that big bed! My sweet friend Amanda made the adorable blanket and pillow for me, and she's in the middle of making the bumper for me too. I love my crafty friends! PS. The garden is officially planted. Wow, this is going to be interesting to say the least.

I gon'dun planted me a garden! That's right folks, Fitzpatrick Farms will soon be up and running. I'd like to note that the truck and rake in this photo were used by Farmer Ben to help Mark with the diggin'. Also notice the luscious pumpkin plants we already have blooming. The plot might not look like much now, but by the end of this weekend we'll have planted all of the following (and I'm not making this up. This is what happens when Mark goes to the nursery for me. I love it!!): Watermelon, strawberries, eggplant, corn, spinach, lettuce, two different types of onion, carrots, three different types of tomato, cucumbers, squash, pepperoncinnis, jalapenos, basil, bananamelon (yes, I said bananamelon), some other kind of melon I can't think of the name of, soybeans, peas, and a pepper Ben picked out called chocolate something or other. I think that's everything. Laugh if you will, but come harvest time you'll be lining up for a salad fresh from our ga