It's about the journey- not the destination.

We're off on a springtime hike...Daddy packed a lunch...I took a zillion pictures of wildflowers- and it was a family day that we all enjoyed.

...watch out for that poison ivy! (really, it was everywhere!)

Our little flower lost her first tooth this week! The tooth fairy fluttered in and left $2 and even some glitter sprinkles (doesn't get much better than that in L-land)

Birthday weekend fun-

What? Two weekends of spoiling? Yep. Every year! Although the weekend I turn a year older is a bit more harsh. Closer to 40 than 30 you say? Well- like I've said- hand over the anti-aging cream, therapeutic shoes, reading glasses...

I woke up to pretty roses from the incredible man of my life- but Lauren woke up with a fever and headache. I told her to sleep in a little and I would bring her to school later. Yea, that didn't happen. We spent the day together and enjoyed some sweet small joys. She was feeling better (poor sweetie...an on-going pattern for her with this chronic sinusitus lately) and we headed to Olive Garden. We have always made this a birthday tradition. Even both the girls had their 1st birthday's here. It's always good food and we love to keep traditions...


Josh scooted me outta the house early...my Mom picked me up...because he had something for me that was too big and didn't want me to see. I had an idea that he had something up his sleeve all day. I just sensed it. We got done with dinner and headed home to open the door to "SURPRISE!" There were streamers, food, drinks, cards and sweet friends/families! I stood there shocked like a deer in the headlights really. It ended up to be such a great night- filled with love, laughter and chocolate! Did I mention that I was spoiled two weekends in a row? Back to reality now I suppose.

Thank you for all the lovely written cards (I think that words are the best gift you can give someone!) and sweet gifts everyone. I love you all!

Lauren had given me some "okay- I am gonna keep this forever and I am gonna not burst into tears" handwritten/drawn cards for Mother's Day and b'day. Josh told me that she was wanting to also give me a present of something extra special. So, she so carefully put 52cents (which is ALOT for a princess) in a special pink canister, wrapped it in her absolutely most favorite baby blankie (that she still sleeps w/every night) and with the most sincere, serious eyes...wanted to give it to me.
Josh said she was so tender and precious- that he had to hold it together.
Too sweet not to share.

Mommy's Day weekend

Our Annual "girlfriend get-away from it all" in Dallas on Friday night with some of my favorite girls! Relaxing time filled with belly laughs, sillyness, stories and chit-chatting, eating/'ritas...and a little shopping. What else does a lady need, right?

Pancakes and sweet gifts~ (yeah, I know...brave of me to put a picture of me on here first thing in the a.m.!)

Went to a garden place with my favorite blossoming girls~

Picking some green stuff for our garden that Daddy constructed for us~ (with blood, sweat and...*!@#!* mind you)

Great meal with my Momma~ (the best Mom ever, if I might say)


I can't begin to tell you how much of a blessing and a gift it is to be called "Mommy". I am so thankful for all of the Mom's in the generations before me and those Mom's right now in my life that have helped pave the way. I know that this journey of motherhood (with all it's twists&turns...ups&downs) would not be the same without you all. I love each of you that I call Mom, Grandma and friend.

I couldn't begin to imagine life without my two princesses named Hannah and Lauren. I am so in love with you both and am proud and honored to be your Mommy.

Let's play!

Soccer girl excited at the beginning of the game...

Soccer diva having fun...You go girl!

Soccer girl at the end of the game.

Hip-Hop Hannah

Just a crazy picture of the hip-hop class. Girls just wanna have fun...!

Mommy loving her super star-

Hippin' and hoppin' with two sweet friends this year-

So proud of you, Hannah! You did a fab job----peace. out.

Easter

Here are some of our creative Easter endeavors-
Little marshmallow bunnies for the table...

Egg dying/decoration tradition....

Our little bunnies...

We woke up Easter morning to pouring rain/thunder and our power out. Ice cold showers with no hair dryer....yeah, we opted to not show up in ball caps and nasty hair...so church unfortunately didn't happen. The girls love, love, love to look for eggs. Something we did all week actually. So, they were happy to get their little baskets (filled with a cross that we give them every year & of course some goodies) and did that again. We ate a big ham, Josh made German potatoe salad from an old Foster recipe, and most importantly gave thanks for Jesus being Risen, yes- indeed!

Springtime this and that

Ask Josh- I have always loved delicate, teeny-tiny wildflowers that sprout up. And no, they aren't weeds! God's goodness and miracles are revealed everywhere. How could it be any other?

We have watched this little bird nest over our front window- the babies are getting ready to fly- and momma bird keeps their bellies full. It reminds me that I/we are the same really- trying to "feed" our babies to get them ready to "fly"!

We have had many cows (and a little calf) in our backyard lately. It's great that we have land/prairie in our backyard with farm animals that we don't have to take care of. We don't own that land, we just enjoy the view (but not the stink at times)!

I cherish everything about spring. Always have. I love more sun (I'm solar-powered ya know), sweet smelling winds (no allergies here), breaking out the flowery short sleeves, growth so fresh and new everywhere, playing outside... the list can go on.
I wanted to thank you all for the love and prayers these past weeks for me. It has been a tough few weeks and I am ready to be feeling like Stacey again. I want to choose to look for the rainbows (just like you say, Mom) in everything. Yesterday was one of those days when you say "it just doesn't get much better than this". Family, girls giggling (not like that is rare!), playing (not really rare either), a sunburn (yes, rare-on this pathetically white body of mine), a pizza picnic, sitting and gazing at the stars (and my hubby too!), relaxing by a fire... you get the picture. We plan on taking alot of time out to enjoy. Before we know it we are gonna be in the dog-dayz of summertime!

Hannah & Lauren Land

Lauren writes notes everywhere around the house- about everything. They are precious and crack us up so much. I actually found these lists of "My Wishes" on the girls bathroom sink and thought they were just adorable. I love how the girls flutter around the house and think up the craziest playtimes with each other. I am so happy that they have eachother and their amazing little world together. My hope is that they will always be best friends and so in love with one another. I will always remember the moments. These are all of the small moments that make up the love and sweetness of this life (that I must say- is going too fast).

"My Wishes"
1. talk to animals
2. reid minds
3. be invisibl
4. To fly
5. have a camera in my dreams, so in the moning I could wach it
6. to float on water. like jump in and I would float
7. I could meet the tooth fairy
8. I could get light from the sun like Iridessa (a fairy from Tinkerbell land)
9. I could go presto and my farot comershol is on the t.v.

Spring Break week-

The girls camped out in our backyard- and did get a small amount of shut-eye with a full moon and all the critters chirping! Mommy opted to enjoy a warm comfy bed all by herself after a little while...aaaahh. Then the rain came the next day. It rained here ALL week. Kind of a bummer.



Hannah was such a trooper getting FOUR teeth pulled at the dentist this week. Oh, it was much harder on Mommy! Here she is with the glasses she got at our dentist. You are such a SUPER STAR!
The next day we spent with girlfriends seeing the movie "Velveteen Rabbit" (precious!) at the theatre and then lunch & shopping. The tooth fairy left $10 for all those teeth... and she got to spend it along with some from distant fairy $ (aka Grandma's).

Josh was on a mission to build a bluebird house for our furry friends in the backyard-- and he had such lovely assistants.

What a BLAST it was bowling with special friends. We had the whole place to ourselves and started off with bowling and ended with ping-pong and fooze-ball while it poured all day outside.
Then to end the week off we went to Jumpin' Jacks bounce house with the Germanys as well...and um, enough said about that- just ask me what happened. uh.

Where did our baby go?

NINE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT HANNAH...
1. We love how funny you are and your very sweet and tender heart.

2. You still have the cutest giggle that makes everyone around you giggle!

3. We can't get enough of your tight, warm hugs that brighten even the cloudiest days.

4. We love the way you give to others.

5. We love your shining confidence.

6. We love the way you can make friends so easy and how you lovingly take care of lil' sis.

7. We love the way you can take the smallest thing and create an entire day of play out of it. So much imagination!

8. We are proud of you working so hard at everything you do.

9. Love that every teacher you have every year wants to take you home with them! (but you're all ours!!)

Happiest Birthday, sweetheart. May God continue to bless you on His amazing journey for you. We are always so very proud of you and love you more and more every year that passes. (is that possible?)