And baby makes 3...Onyango L♥ve

Besides my own kiddos, this photo session was one of THE most special times behind my camera. I have dreamed and prayed and longed to see my sister pregnant. It was not an easy road, but we are all ecstatic for these two!! Spending 5 days in Houston with Dree and Duncan (and Mom!) was memorable to say the least. We laughed a lot. A LOT! Seeing the tenderness and love between these two is so beautiful. I simply could not be happier for them. No doubt they will rock this new parenting gig. Love you to the moon and back ♥♥♥ Can't wait to meet you, baby boy Onyango!! xoxo

Sticky Chinese Chicken

I have been wanting to try this recipe for months. Nope. Make that YEARS. I made this for dinner this week and scored with all four of my hungry munchkins!! They are already asking when I will make it again :) It's a fun twist on chicken that I hope you'll love too! (the green onions are crucial in my opinion!)  We served with Jasmine rice and roasted brussel sprouts and carrots tossed in coconut oil. It's not as pretty as the magazine photo, but oh so yummy!! Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

 

my  helper

 

 

 

 

Update on School and summer fun

Hey friends and followers :) I've had a number of people curious about what next year is bringing for my kiddos and schooling. It was a hard choice that I battled with A LOT, but I have decided not to homeschool again. The kids' emotional response to the decision at first was sure hard on me. They wanted me to continue. Clara quickly told me her plan was to lock herself in her room and STAY homeschooled :) The decision was hard because I truly cherish the time, memories, the learning, and the HUGE challenges that taught me so much. But, I told myself I would try it for one year and if I didn't feel at peace about continuing, or that it wasn't best for the kids, then I wouldn't. I care a lot (often too much---a work in progress) about what people think...so the decision was also hard because I felt like a failure. I wanted to WANT to love the heck out of this and continue on. I felt that other passionate homeschoolers would look down on my decision. The truth is, I know that in order to be the BEST me, the best mom to these four loves, this is what I needed to do.  A very dear girlfriend, who is also a teacher, said these words: "Even if they learn not one thing, which I know isn't the case, you will have had the time with them and the memories together. Emotional IQ is so important." I'm so thankful for those words. September is going to be hard HARD to not be with them every day...my mama heart is SO not prepared yet. They HAVE come around and are now excited about the schools they will be attending....which took A LOT of searching. They all have familiar faces and/or great friends that will be at their schools.
Addie will also be doing preschool three days a week. I will have time by myself!! That will be weird, but I'm also very excited about some of the new adventures I am pursuing.
So, here it is, mid August with school just a few weeks away. I hope my kids know that I am honored that I got the opportunity to try homeschooling, and hope that they will look back on this year with fond memories. I can't even put into words how deeply I love them.

I also cannot thank you enough for the love, support and encouragement that so many of you have shown me. I'm so grateful.

So, cheers... to summer, to new chapters, to kids being resilient and oh so full of grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love♥


A card Kyla gave to me. If I taught them anything, I guess I can be proud I taught them to "give it a try"....her heart amazes me so much.

Farmers Market...one of my favorite summer things!

lotsa time spent with amazing (retired) grandparents

♥♥♥

Elm Creek beach...free ice cream & we even go to be on TV! :)

playing detectives

My most frequent running buddy...rain or shine :)

VBS!

HOURS of chalking (and making chalk paint...for our feet? :)

Kyla's first time away at camp

Many hours spent at the pool this summer!!

Ty's first summer of baseball. SO fun to watch!!

we made some time for a few science experiments and schoolwork....between all the swimming :)

COUSIN TIME!!

7 lil swimmers!

Swimming lessons...Kyla is almost on the swim team! They LOVE it!

yummy tomato salad

This recipe caught my eye at the grocery store. (Family Circle magazine.) We are so blessed to get to share in the bounty of my dad's amazing garden, so when I saw this I knew I had to try it. It is one of my new favorite things to do with all these wonderful summer tomatoes!!

Recipe:
Whisk 3 T fresh lemon juice,
2 tsp, snipped chives,
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
While whisking, add 1/4 cup olive oil in a thin stream until well blended.
slice 5 or 6 heirloom tomatoes and fan slices onto a board or large platter. Season with additional chives, sea salt and cracked pepper. Serve with dressing. Enjoy, and Happy summer!!

 

sisters

 

"A sister is a gift to the heart. A friend to the spirit. A golden thread to the meaning of life."

 

 

I wanted to capture some of my favorite little moments these girls share. They make the hard days sweet, the long days precious. I remind all my kiddos that their friends will come and go, but they have built-in best friends right here.

 

 

 

Sweet lil Addi ♥

What an honor it was to get behind my camera again to photograph this little honey pie! Andrea and Jeremy adopted Addison Noelle into their family one month ago. It was so sweet to spend the morning with this dear family! Welcome to the neighborhood, Addi!! You are so loved!

 

 

sweet lil "cup cookies"

I stopped into the sweetest little kitchen store last weekend on a date with my older girls. I think these cookie cutters are just too cute not to share! The store is called Eat at Home. It is connected to a restaurant called Eat, which is in White Bear Lake. SO yummy, but also these people are simply so wonderful!! We had a nice little chat with the owner. Kindness oozed from her soul. If you're in the area, check it out... and perhaps pick up these sweet little cookie cutters (and a jar of pickles!)
                                                           Happy Sunday, ya'll!! :)

 

 

 

 
 

 my lil helper ♥

 

 

There is a recipe on the back, which I didn't realize until after I made a chocolate cookie recipe. I will definitely try these out next time!

 

Can serving your guests get any cuter? :)