Small Talk

This week, we met up with Mason for a playdate. Like the gentleman he is, he met us in the parking lot by our car and began chatting with Kinsley. They began with pleasantries. Mason pointed out he has the same carseat as Kinsley, she showed him her stroller and her baby sister. Clearly, the next obvious thing to share is their underwear. Mason proudly showed Kinsley his and she followed.

I wish I knew what they were talking about as they walked hand in hand through the park. The conversations and the antics of these two keep me in stitches!

Jake got hitched!

A little over a year ago we were in Minnesota the day Jake proposed to Alisha. We just returned from their wedding! It was such a great week with family and it was hard to say goodbye. I am thrilled to have Alisha as my new sister-in-law! A recap:
After a long day of traveling, the girls were spent.

Look closer....

We had such fun catching up with Ben's extended family who rival the population of Delaware. Hallie is the 30th great-grandchild on just one side to give some indication of the largish family I married into. However, it was times with his immediate fam that we had the most fun. Ben LOVED being with his brothers!


And his parents went wild over all 4 of their grandbabies.


Mostly, we just loved being together. This was at the rehearsal dinner on the Mississippi river. If you look ever so closely at this picture, it is possible to see the band of mosquitoes in the upper right corner who are plotting an air attack on the out-of-towner. Still itching.

And the wedding. It was beautiful. And my little flower girl? Precious. Was it possible not to cry when she walked down the isle? Hardly.





Finally, there is sweet Hallie. Someone is now rolling over and sleeping through the night!

Happy 4th!

Our day started with my hometown parade. Kinsley loved it--not many parades have elephants, camels, and things like candy, beachballs, and toothbrushes being thrown to the crowd by the handful.




We then went to a picnic where Kinsley played games with all her little friends. After helping Kinsley super jump in the sack race, Ben was also able to play games with all his little friends!

And then I fell in love

It has happened more than once. A friend will have a second child that seems to grow from a newborn into a one year old in ten minutes. For months, the new bundle is often snuggled in the carseat or quiet in mom’s arms while the older sibling is commanding the attention and smiles from everyone. People are drawn to the older child with a sparkling personality. It is easy to interact, laugh and play with someone who can count in Spanish in a teeny tiny voice.

The newborn quietly reaches milestone after milestone until people look puzzled that she is walking and drinking out of a sippy cup.

I feel I am in a special place right now where I have Hallie all to myself. I see what a gift she is and the immense blessing she has become to our family. She is something special and I know God has big things in store for her. There is only a short season I have before she is running around engaging people and they will realize what I already know. But for now, I can look down into her sweet, sweet eyes and tell her that mommy knew from the beginning what a treasure she is.

My Father, the Hero

This is in honor of the two dads in my life:

Our girls are so in love with their daddy.


Hallie lights up when she sees him and Kinsley claims him to be her best friend forever and ever. I think it would be rather easy to be a super dad when you know eyes are watching. It is the moments that Ben does not know I am listening or looking that capture what an amazing father he is. It is when I hear the sound of guitar, dancing feet and laughter from another room. It is when Kinsley shows off her hot pink nails that her daddy painted with precision. It is the gentleness he uses with Hallie when giving her a bath. It is the application, reapplication, and yet another application of sunscreen he lathers on Kinsley when outside. It is the way he prays with her. It is the pride I hear in his voice when he says that Kinsley is the funniest and smartest person he has ever known. I am certain that Kinsley and Hallie will someday be saying that exact thing about him.


Where do I start? This guy happens to be the most brilliant person I know.

Words cannot express how much I look up to him. I still seek his approval even in the small things. He may not know that my sister and I have an ongoing game in which we score a point whenever we make him laugh. He also doesn’t know how much I adore “the wave”. This is something that began in high school, continued through college and still today. As I pull away from home, he stands alone in the driveway waving until I have left from sight. Makes me cry every time.

And his work ethic? If one were to see his resume, intimidation would be an understatement. Ben still remembers feeling rather nervous meeting the head of Behavioral Sciences at the Air Force Academy---it was a Meet the Parents moment. However, my dad happens to be the most humble person I know. I have literally had to read about his accomplishments in books. I am thankful he was always able to leave work at work and could focus on being a great dad at home. And now, seeing him with his grandkids. Precious.

Happy Father’s Day!

While they were sleeping

My little beauties gifted me with some deep sleep which gave me a chance to finish making "Hawees big H" as Kinsley says. And yes, the position they are sleeping in must be genetic.

Family time

Ben and I were both treated this weekend with some lovin from out of town visitors. Ben had a boys weekend with his brother tommy and 2 great buddies. After 2 Twins games and golfing i hope he is ready to return to his reality of diapers and potty training. Sarah flew in for the weekend and got to spend some deeply needed time with me and the girls. We did more shopping than necessary (is that possible) and always fit in an afternoon tea party.