annual mother's day pics

All holidays, especially Mother's Day, can be bittersweet for some.

Before I had kids...and when I really wanted kids...it was kind of a sad little reminder of what I wanted but didn't quite have yet. So if that is how you are feeling, I totally get you. And for those who have suffered losses of babies or mamas...my heart is full of compassion for you.

I do not take one second of this day for granted. Regardless of how many tushies I have to wipe.

The following picture is what I most wanted this year. Sometimes my sisters run for the hills when I get out my camera. But I wasn't gonna let them get away with it. Thanks sisters for putting up with this annoying paparazzi.

Love these three so much I cannot even explain. I realized today while cleaning the floor, that God placed me in this family for a reason. They are SO grounded in the Lord and have all the common sense I lack. They are so down-to-earth and genuine...everyone who knows them simply adores them. My family kinda gives me "a look" if I'm acting too ridiculous or lame. They keep me in line.

My amazing incredible mama and her "twerps"! She is one of the highlights of our life.

We all love swinging on the porch swing together.

With sister Jessica's "little women".


Mom takes over with Lindsay's twinsies. Yup, these are mom's babies. You should hear her talk to them.

In fact, we all smother these delicious scrumptious babies to death. They are just too yummy. We can't get enough of them.

Every year my one request is to have pictures with my boys. It's our annual thing. It doesn't matter where we are or what we look like. Just want to document. This time we took them out back, way behind my parent's house.

Sometimes we spontaneously just drop our drawers. nbd(no big deal).


I love these wild boys.


Each one is so special to me.


Twain and Ollie were interviewed by our church nursery. It's always enlightening to see what they really think.

Twain claims I like to "sew every stuff" and thinks "the best thing I cook is mushrooms". Thanks Tweeds, thanks(I just give him uncooked mushrooms). I guess that's as good as it gets 'round here.








Ollie thinks I'm 20(bless his heart) and that I like to put make -up on. What does he think I do? Sit around applying make-up all day??!!!

Ollie certainly appreciates my "red toe stuff". He always did have a thing for my fancy girlfriends.




My sweet-heart Calvin randomly comes up to me every day and gives me a hug when I least expect it.


My little knucklehead, Finny.


We like to hang.


Sunshine Twain.



Not sure how I would mange my unruly crew without this guy. I think I would be locked up in my bathroom, applying make-up all day;)


Lately, John has been tutoring students at night. So my sanity has been stretched to the max and there have been times(ahem last week) I have summoned him via cell with "GET HOME NOW!!". Click.

He got home and sent me to McD's for ice cream. I watched the Voice instead. And it was heavenly.

Thank you honey, for being such a good sport. 

If I could summarize this year of mothering with one word it would be: LOUD

Thank you Jesus for this noisy home that I prayed for, BEFORE I had kids.

What is your one word?