Swimming with Boys.

Today was a day w/ the boys.

A hot day called for friends and a swimming pool!

We went with our buddies Luke and Jack, who are fraternal twins, but more importantly, Layton's buddies. Laurie and I had a fun day watching them swim, jump, splash and squeal! It will be fun to see them grow up together!

This was taken on the way to the pool....he loves waving this flag as the wind comes in from the window. It makes him laugh!! I couldn't help but "snap" a "quick" picture of him!!

Hanging out w/ our boys!

Luke, Layton, and Jackson

(you would never know that we had to bribe them with candy to get this pic, would you!?)

Playing in the fountain

Does this face say, "I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME!" or what?

Thinking about splashing Mommy with the camera.......

Layton refuses to wear swimmies because he can do it by himself! I hate to inform him that he would SINK if it weren't for me! Just another example of Mr. Independent!

Is my belly button still there?

Checking out the ladies..........ah........no........not really, but he was hanging on the side of the pool like a teenager! It cracked me up!

Fun, Hot Summer Day! We are trying to soak up every minute before its all over!!

Reminiscing.

One week from today, I will have a two year old.

Gasp.

Tear.

Smile.

Stop and say a prayer for my little blessing.

It is hard to explain, and I am sure that many of you know exactly how I am feeling. I remember hearing people talking about time passing too fast, I thought they were crazy. In my world, time was passing too slowly...I wanted to be older, I couldn't wait for the next grade, or be old enough to drive, old enough to be dating, old enough to be an upperclassmen, old enough to go to college, old enough to be engaged, old enough to be married....and old enough to have a baby. Back then it seemed the years passed so slowly, each day seemed to have too many hours with too many minutes. Then I entered motherhood and now time is slipping through my fingers and I am desperately trying to hold on to every second. Funny thing is, the more I try to hold on, the faster it seems to go.

So here I am. Reflecting and reminiscing on two years that has changed my life....I am so glad that I will never be the same again.

But first, let's revisit what was going on THIS WEEK, two years ago, as we waited (not so patiently) for our bundle of joy.

Here I am - 39 weeks pregnant. One week before my water would break, on my due date, and Layton would arrive into our arms.

Can we say....ready to pop?

Here I am with my mom and dad.....smiling ear to ear waiting for their first grandchild!

Beware, lots of sappy posts about his upcoming birthday will soon follow, I'm sure.

Couldn't help myself...

"butt" this was adorable!

Layton has decided that diapers are no longer fun to wear, so he voluntarily removes them frequently! *Knock on wood* This hasn't happen in public..........yet.

Mr. Independent

With Layton's second birthday approaching, I have noticed that he is becoming very, very independent. How did this happen so quickly? Don't ask me, I am still in awe that he is a toddler and I have another baby on the way. Isn't he suppose to be my baby? However, I suppose he will always be my first baby. But truly Mr. Independent has arrived....

Looking back to see if I am following.....because he is "so big now", he doesn't need to be carried or have his hand held.

However, as soon as Mr. Independent appears, he disappears..........when this cute little face snuggles in my lap with the sweetest voice and says, "Kiss Momma, Hug Momma!". Oh, I guess he will continue to be more and more independent with each passing month but he will always be Mommy's first blue eye baby boy.......that will never change.

The Package

An unexpected package landed on my doorstep from a dear friend of mine in a plain manila envelope this week. My thoughts quickly began racing! "What could this be?" It had no other descriptions on the package, and I hurriedly opened it up with much curiosity. As I looked inside, I saw dozens of cards, notes, letters and a beautiful necklace. As I began to read each one, I started to cry because I realized the purpose of the package.....it was a package full of prayers.

You see, after my miscarriage in February, a friend of mine (who has traveled a similar road of suffering and loss) decided to buy a prayer box necklace. She then passed it around to my friends and family. Each person kept the necklace for a while and prayed for me specifically during this difficult time. Little did they know, that their prayers were already being heard because only a few months later - we were pregnant and everything was going beautifully! No one knew this, because we were being cautious and keeping the news to ourselves. However, the power of prayer was being felt daily as I had a "peace" about this pregnancy. My fears were subsiding and my hopes of holding our second child were being realized...little by little. As I opened the package, I became overwhelmed by the Godly women that care so much for their friend, especially in a time of need and now, in a time of celebration. I couldn't believe that they had been praying for me all spring and summer! What a testimony to the power of prayer, the amazing God we serve and the relationship that I share with my dear friends.

My heart thanks you....

I will be wearing the prayer box on a bracelet everyday until our little one is born. It will be a constant reminder of my faith, my friends, and a reassurance that God's miracles come in all different kinds of packages.....even plain manila ones.

Now you know...

Now you know....

why I have been a bad blogger lately. Let's just say I have been MISERABLY HAPPY! Does that make any sense? I feel so blessed to have Layton's baby brother or sister growing in my belly...what a miracle and a surprise!

Bare with me as I get back into the swing of things. The computer has been one of the last places I have been spending my time. But I have so much to share.....coming soon!

I'll give you a taste of what our summer has looked like so far....filled w/ family and friends! :)

Our family of 3 & 1/2, Summer 2009

Chasing the waves...

Enjoying Breathtaking Beautiful Blue Skies

Lazy, LAZY summer days

Father's Day

Bryson (Blake's much younger brother) TURNED 16!!!!

and last but not least, good girlfriends to laugh the days away...

Summer is passing as quickly as it came......

More to come soon :)

Layton has an announcement...