Life

Life is out of control these days.
Day after day zooms right by.
It's got me wondering how I can simplify a bit ~ truly enjoy every minute.
Because, at this rate, I'll be blinking my eyes and Sierra will be grown :/

So. I figure I'd better keep track of what we've been doing.
My memory . . . not so good.

Right before we left for Kansas, we took a little trip to the ocean.
 

 

Nana and Grandpa had had it planned for awhile.
 

Honestly . . . I wasn't in the mood.
I was so torn up over our friends' accident.
Trying to plan how on earth we were going to get to Kansas without taking out a loan.
 

 

But in the end I figured I could either sit at home and be miserable
{and probably make my girls miserable as well},
or we could all go to the beach for a couple of days, and regroup.

 

So we did.

 

And guess what . . .
It was supposed to pour rain the entire time . . .

 

. . . but it didn't.
The sun shone, and we got to enjoy it!

 

And the girls, as always, brought a smile to my heart.

 

 

We ran, we explored, we cuddled.
 

 

Sissy found a hermit crab!!!
She begged and begged to keep it.
I gave her the long lecture about how they live longer in the wild, blah, blah, blah.
"Go return him to his home, Sierra".
So she does, and not 5 seconds later, a sea gull swoops down and eats him!
Sigh.
 

 

We got home from the beach, and immediately packed for Kansas.
And then, in the blink of an eye, we were home again.

The weather is starting to turn, ever so slightly.
We get sun breaks.
It's hit 60*!

So, we've been outside a bit . . .



Discovering all sorts of treasures.






Enjoying the little things.











What have you been up to?
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kansas

Well.
I don't even know where to begin.
First of all, the longer I'm away from my blog, the less comfortable it feels to share my life here.
I'm not good with words anyway.
I think that's why I enjoy photography so much.
It's my way to tell a story without having to get wordy.

Where to begin?
Maybe at the end.

We just got back from Kansas.

Tay, Jeremy and I.
{Tay because she is impossible to leave ;)}
It wasn't planned.
Truth be told, I never thought I'd make it to Kansas.
I've wanted to go ever since my dear friend, Amanda, and her family
packed up to move over there last spring.
Gah, that was excruciating ~ saying goodbye.
I remember the day I found out they were going to move.
Jeremy was at work.
I called him and asked if we could move to Kansas :)

Our families.

We shopped for homeschool supplies together.
We went on field trips together.
We berry picked together in the summer.

We lived life together.
And then they were gone. 

 

So.
Super long story short, last Friday I got a message from Amanda's sister-in-law
letting me know that Amanda's husband, and one of her sons was in a bad car accident.
That was all she knew, and she'd be in touch.

Time pretty much stood still, and we waited, and prayed.
Prayed, and waited.
Willing with all of our might for God to restore this precious family.

Amanda's husband was improving, but
on Saturday, her son went to be with Jesus.
Typing that out, I still can't grasp it.
It sends a pain right to my heart just thinking about it.
Gah.

I spent the next couple of days at a total loss over what to do.
I wanted to be there for the service, but I wanted to be there afterward too.

In the end, we decided to make a quick trip there.
We really felt called to attend the service.
We flew out on Thursday.
 

 

The service was Friday.
I knew I wouldn't have much {if any time} with Amanda while I was there.
So long as she could catch my eye and know that we were there.
We were supporting.
We loved them.
That's all that mattered.
 

I was so thankful to have some time with her before the service on Friday.
Time to listen.
Time to hold tight.
My mind cannot comprehend what this mama is going through.
What she will continue to go through in the coming months . . . and years.

What a celebration of a beautiful life.
Ryan James touched so many in his short, seven years.
 

 

Saturday morning we headed back out.
To be home.
To love on our own babies.
But we will go back.
Soon.

 

 

 

Please lift this family in prayer.
They are precious, indeed.


Some fun memories:

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/field-trip.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/wordful-wednesday-slumber-partyin.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/test-day.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2011/03/time-with-friends.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-pumpkin-patch.html




 

 

 

 

 

Happy 9th Birthday, Makenna!

Happy 9th birthday, my sweet Makenna.

 

Goodness, nine years old. Why does that seem so much older than 8?
Miss Makenna, you are such a light in our lives.

 

You pretty much love life.
Every day is a new adventure, and you're ready to face it.

 

 

 

Your giggle . . .
it's still infectious.
I dare anyone to listen to that giggle, and not burst into a fit of giggles themselves.
Impossible.
 

 

You are continually grateful for the littlest things.

 

And you find the joy in the every day.

 

 

I cannot believe my baby girl is nine years old today!
 

 

Happy Birthday, Makenna!
May God bless this next year.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Happy Hearts Day!!!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Snow!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kam's Party

 I still can't quite the grasp the fact that my little Kam is 5 years old!

We had such a nice gathering for her big day.

Kam requested her own special "tiny" cake,
complete with pink frosting.

The rest of us peasants made do with cupcakes in a jar.

 

It was so sweet to watch her open her presents.
She was gracious enough to let baby sis get right in there.
And Tay was great too!
She got right in on the action, but didn't once touch a present.

 

Kam's photo book didn't arrive in time for her party, so we hung photos of
Little Miss everywhere.  From the ceiling, windows, and penant.
 

 

 Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows.
Sugar.Overload.

 

Makin' Wishes!

 

And to top it all off, a visit from a sweet cousin-friend.
 

 

 

 

 

 Loves, laughs, and memories.
It doesn't really get much better than that!

To another wonderful year with my sweet girl!

 

 

 

 

 Hugs!
Liz

 

 

♥ 5 Years ♥

Ahhhh, I don't even know where to begin.
5 years seems like such an enormous milestone.
Five. Whew.
I find myself regularly wanting to stop time so that I can cherish every single second.
I miss the teeny tiny baby days so much.
{And I apologize in advance for the fourmillionty photos to follow.
I just couldn't choose}.


So. Miss Kameryn.
Five years ago today, we got to meet you on the outside.
After two weeks of bedrest in the hospital, I was sooooo ready to see your beautiful face.
 

 We had a rough start, but you grew like a little weed.
 

Oh dear heavens . . . 

 . . . that little face . . .

 Before we knew it, you were 1!
This photo CRACKS me up.
You were very excited about your cake :)
 

And then, practically overnight . . .
 

 . . . you weren't a baby anymore :(

When you were 21 months old, we found out that you were going to be a big sister!!!

 
And you came with me to every.single.appointment.
Such a big helper.
 

 And then, you got to meet your little sister for the first time.
You've always been so patient with Miss Taylor.

In another blink, you were three.

And you wanted to do everything your big sissies were doing.
Dance lessons were at the top of your list.



 You've always been my girly girly GIRLY girl :)
If it's pink, if it's princessy, it's all you!
 

And I could listen to you talk, and watch your facial expressions all.day.
You don't censor one little bit ;)
Biggest Sissy, Sierra, has always been in love with your little wrinkly bunny nose.

Speaking of bunnies . . . the bunny hole at Enchanted Forest, hehehehe.

I've always loved this photo of you.  Precious.

You are greatly blessed with friends.
Miss Mona is a cousin and a friend.
Special indeed!

 At the dentist! :)
 

You're as cute as a button . . .

 

Sweet as sugar . . .

And the most precious "half-twin" this mama could ever have asked for.

I love you so so so much, Sweet Girl.
You bring me the greatest joy each and every day.
Happy Birthday, Miss Kameryn!

Braces on!

Sierra got her braces this week.

This just seems like such a grown up thing.
Another milestone among the many we've had lately.
 

She was so excited to be able to choose her colors.
She and Daddy had discussed the options, in depth, the night before.

The last "before" photo :(
She will never look like this again.
 

The brackets . . . on!
 

 

Big Cow & Little Cow . . . these two stuffies have come along to EVERY

dental appointment Sierra has ever had :)
 

And finally . . . new beginnings.

Now ~ deep breath . . . I have a baby turning 5 in less than a week.
{Sob!}

Milestones

This little Miss . . .

is fixin' to turn 5!!

I cannot wrap my mind around this.
Five.
It's such a milestone, isn't it?
 CRAZY.  Oh, sometimes I wish life had a pause button.

So much going on here!
Sissy gets braces on Monday.
*Another* milestone. Eeek!
And I had every intention of snapping some photos at her dentist appointment last week.
I wanted to capture each moment, every step of the way of our new adventure.
So. I packed my camera in my bag, and hauled it to the appointment.
And proceeded to NOT take a single picture :(
I don't know where my brain is.
Honestly.
I have no memory anymore.
But I do have good intentions.

We have a full week coming up.
Visits with friends, my sister is coming for a visit, braces for Sierra, and party prep for
Miss Kam's 5th birthday party!!!

Ahhhhh, I'm tired already! ;)


 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Rainy Day Photo Shoots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Lego-Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the Living

Oh.my.goodness.
We have been sicker than sick around here.
A week or so before Christmas all of us started feeling a little under the weather.

But we made it through a crazy, busy Christmas Day.
I love Christmas, and I love Family.
But our Christmas Day is crazy.
It starts bright and early at home where we open our presents to each other.
Then we quickly pack up gifts to head to Jeremy's parent's house.
We spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon there, enjoying our time with them,
and eating a delicious brunch! :)
After that we head home to drop off gifts received, and pick up more gifts that are destined for my parent's house.
We then get to spend time with my parents and siblings and their families.
By evening it's time to stop by the house again to drop off and pick up more gifts.
Then on to Jeremy's grandparents house for our final stop.
And finally we return home, often not before 9 or 10pm.

It makes for an awfully long day.
Especially for little ones.
Especially when  no one is feeling their best.

So it was no wonder that after trying to fight off a virus,
it finally took hold right after Christmas Day.
And goodness, did it take hold!
Tay and I were the firsts, followed by Kam, then Sierra, and Kenners.
And it has been MISERABLE.
But we have been a fever-free house for two days! 
Woohooo!

So, finally . . .
Christmas re-cap:

Christmas morning at our house.
Sierra got a new Remington hat she's been wanting for awhile :) 

 

 

Kenners got a new hat too!
 

Then up to Grandma and Grandpa's!

 

Tay was getting the hang of it by this time ;)
 

Kam loves her nightgowns :)
 

And then . . . we had a surprise visitor!!
Santa stopped by because he forgot to deliver a gift.
Ten gifts, actually.
Each box with a letter that the girls were to unscramble.
 

Hmmm . . . what are we trying to spell?
 

Looks like Disneyland!
 

Grandma and Grandpa are taking the six of us
{and Uncle Josh too!}
to Disneyland in May!

Do the girls look excited?
Just a little ;)
 

Special presents for our trip:
Minnie tees, autograph books, luggage tags, and coin purses.
 

And then it was on to my mom and dad's where Taylor and Monique
had a very intense conversation ;)
 

 

We play BINGO with my parents every New Year's Eve,
but we were so sick this year, we had to postpone.
Finally, a couple nights ago we were well enough to venture out of the house for a mini version.

We even made some super yummy drinks to take with us:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 And here we are.
On the mend.
Getting back in the swing of things.
We started back to school today, with a new and improved attitude!

What have y'all been up to??

Stay healthy ♥