What's in a picture?

Last week my sister-in-law had us meet her in Parker to do a photo shoot with all of our kiddos. I have to warn you that she has mad photography skills and can capture some pretty wicked photos. :) Take these for instance, I'm sure I'm biased but I think my boys are so beautiful, it takes my breath away.....











I can't wait to have these somewhere in my house. Want some of your own?

( Your family silly, not mine!)

Contact her here.
Smiles,
Meredith

Meet Tough, Muff and Max... our 3 Butterflies

A few weeks ago, I won a blog contest from this little guy, who had a stroke just like Finley! We won a butterfly garden and were so excited to send off for our caterpillars the day our habitat arrived. We checked the mail every day anxiously awaiting their arrival. Finally, they came and I can't even describe how amazing it was to watch their transformation! I am obviously not the best with words, but I do take a lot of pictures....













During this process, which takes about 3 weeks, we also read the book Hermie... this is a book written by Max Lucado and is a "just like Jesus story." I am not sure how much the boys understood, but it is a start. I have recently gone part-time at work AND took the boys out of daycare.... and we are having such a great time! This was definitely a great way to start our new routine of spending more time together.


....and Ellen, you will be glad to know we DID NOT let the caterpillars drink and drive!!!

What exciting things have you been up to?

Sailing

This past Saturday, the boys and I went to the Aurora Reservoir to go for a sail with some great friends. The day was gorgeous and the kids had a blast playing in the sand and water... just what we needed before our fast-approaching winter!











We also released our butterflies!

What did you do this weekend?

Smiles,
Meredith

Dear Walmart,

I don't even know where to begin. I have loved you for so many years that I can't remember when it all started. I do, however, know that our relationship ended abruptly this past week and will never be repaired. I have, for at least 5 years now, walked through your doors once, if not twice or three times, each week and spent our family's hard-earned money. I have bought groceries, baby clothes, diapers and wipes, toys, plants, tires and oil-changes, fabric, stamps, rented the rug-doctor, and browsed through your clearance (your very messy clearance aisles I might add) and for what? For your customer service manager to be a raging and, in my opinion, very hormonal b*&$#! I don't think so. You have pissed off the wrong woman. Not only am I going to upper management, but I will tell EVERY SINGLE PERSON I encounter for the rest of my life how much I despise Walmart. Before this past week, I would daydream about my next trip to Walmart... what I would buy, which greeter I would have the pleasure of talking to upon entering, taking the boys down the fish aisle... Now, I loathe the thought of you. You have squished my hopes and dreams like a big, fat jellybean and I will never be the same.
The End,
Meredith

Sacred Marriage

"What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?"

About a year ago, I was introduced to this book by a sweet friend of mine. I started it, then stopped, then started again.... and so on and so forth. Have you ever read a book that was so deep, so seriously important, that sometimes you just had to walk away and re-evaluate your life? Then, you re-read a chapter to make sure you fully understood what it was saying? Captivating anyone? (that is one of those books for women if you can get through it... definitely worth it) This is soooo one of those books. It has taken me almost a year to finish it! I think part of it is that I have been so busy with, well, life. But if I am honest with you all and myself, a big part of the problem was me. I will spare you all of the details, but John and I have decided to read through this book together over the next few weeks. I love my husband, more than words can say, and I feel that we have a good marriage, possibly even great most days. However, I have felt the Lord tugging at my heart over the past few weeks to seek Him wholeheartedly and I feel that this is an amazing opportunity for the two of us to experience together.

Have any of you read this book? What did you think? Any advice for us????

Smiles,
Meredith

Root Canal Schmoot Canal

Just for those who care to know....

I showed up for my root canal, all Xanaxed up and everything, and only stayed for 10 minutes.

Why you ask?

I'll tell you. When placing the dam (sp?), the endodontist broke my tooth under the gumline and fractured my jaw. This sent me to the oral surgeon because it is considered a "surgical emergency", where my mouth and tooth and gums refused to go numb. OH YES, I WOULD NOT GET NUMB! Do you think that stopped him from drilling my tooth into a few pieces and ripping it out? Of course not. Fast-forward to today and many, many bowls of soup and yogurt later, and I now need an implant. (NOT the kind of implant I was wanting) Ahem. Google it.. go ahead.. I dare you. It is terrifying!

Know what else is terrifying?

SNAKES!

Like this one that was on our street last week. Heart. Attack. Gulp. I may never sleep again.



How have you been?

Root Canal...

Tomorrow I am going to the dentist for my very first root canal. My sweet friend Laura is driving me and I couldn't be more grateful, as I will be premedicating myself with Xanax.

In other news, J.T. had his 5th birthday party. I was a little upset because Finn started having seizures around the time I should have started planning it and his invites for his friends at preschool didn't get placed in their cubbies until the Tuesday before his party on Sunday. However, we had quite the turnout... 17 kids! I am so thankful to our friends and family who were able to attend on such short notice. It really made his day. See?