Florida Vacay - Day 1. This Post May Be A Little Deep But I'm Feeling Sappy.

We just got back from 6 amazing days in Florida.  Amazing not just because of the beautiful sunny weather every day, or the pool 10 feet from the house (well, that was pretty amazing), or the cocktails that kept appearing in my hands, or the theme parks that are totally worth the gazillion dollars in entrance fees.

Amazing because I learned a lot from our family about how to enjoy life.  It may have been the buzz from the daquiris, but there was a lot of love and laughter in that house.

The older 2 boys had to share an air mattress and it was getting a little territorial.  Luckily I found a gigantic stuffed animal tucked away in Lissy's closet that broke up the turf war for the remainder of the trip.

I feel like this quote sums up what I have kicking around in my head:


What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things.

When we develop a love for things in our lives instead of for life itself we truly miss the point of life. Remember that material things may be able to satisfy your appetite for a short while, but love will satisfy appetites for lifetimes. Learn how to love people for who they are and use things around you as water to a plant, only to create growth and beauty, not to create and maintain life.

The Low Down

I was clearing out the pictures on my phone when I realized - there are a ton of pics I haven't posted for the 1 or 2 loyal people who read this blog. So here's a treat just for you!

We were in Target the other day and Cole got himself all jazzed up. I actually like most of the things he picked out...he's like my little accessories apprentice

Whenever I had an ultrasound of Dean he always had his hand over his face, exactly like this. So weird to see those ultrasound pics translated into real life

Bathtime mohawks

Whenever I see a face like this and a body moving at full speed, I know that either (a) Someone will soon be crying (b) Something spilled (c) Something broke, or (d) All of the above


Cole loves his swim lessons. Thumbs up for the pool at the Y...thumbs down for the haircut

Showing off his "beautiful hair" (clearly better than the pic above)

Snug as a bug in a rug

Dean had surgery a few weeks ago (he's doing really well - thanks for all your thoughts). I'm such a sucker for a baby in a hospital gown

Sammie has a new-found love for Ryan

Best part of the night...snuggle time with Grammy

Ry discovered the Star Wars section at the library (i.e. Heaven)

Do not be fooled by this angelic face. He is schooled in the art of deception

Ry had a dentist appointment the other day and came home BEGGING to floss his teeth. I figured I would document the moment so I could show it to him during his hygeine rebellion in the teenage years

So there you have it, a glimpse into the last few months as seen through the lens of my iPhone. I realize now that I've conditioned the kids to getting their picture taken - the other day I took out my phone to check an email and Charlie said, "CHEESE!"