Here’s my Molly!  She’s a whopping 16lbs at 11 weeks old and she is just full of joy.  Her daddy, her big sis, and myself just can’t get enough of her sweet face.  Had a free morning today so I decided to snap a few photos of her modeling a few things her Grandma Rose made for her.

P.s. I’m thinking about selling Molly snuggles…  five bucks a squeeze! ;)

First, lets start with a comparison…  9lbs vs. 16lbs

She reminds me of little bo peep in this bonnet.  I love it.

Day dreamin’…

She’s such a ham, she was giggling at me saying “you love MAMA!”

Not a fan of this headband.  Not to worry, Grandma Rose, *I* like it!

Sweet love.

Baby Jeggings.  The only thing sweeter than this is kittens in a bucket of syrup.

Claire Alyse, 4

Molly Rose

Born 7.7.11 at 7:50am | 7lbs 7oz 19.5 in

“Always be ready to have the time of your life.”

I don’t share a ton of family photos on here, but I couldn’t pass these up.  These make my heart happy.  This is them being them. <3

They were racing and I said “If you’re the fastest swimmer, smile for the camera….!”

Obviously Claire is the fastest swimmer.

Five times in a row she kept saying “One more time??? PLEASEEEEEEEEE?????”

And of course there was always “one more time”.

This week my daughter, Claire Alyse turned four years old.  She is beautiful, funny, honest, kind, sweet and honestly I could not have asked for a better child.  I don’t know what I did to deserve her… but I’m glad I got her.  :)

Here’s a few photos we snapped before heading out to her birthday dinner.   Nothing official, just for fun.  Keep in mind she is THE most difficult child I’ve ever photographed, hahaa….    ;)

this week i turned thirty.  i wasnt quite sure how i felt about it, to be honest with you.  i sort of expected to wake up to confetti and fireworks and a large man standing up on my dresser with a bullhorn announcing to the world that the universe is now plus one “real” adult.  alas, there was no bedroom circus, no light parade, no fire-eaters.  october 5th was nothing more than the 10,957th day since i popped out of someone.

i did consider this “big”  birthday an opportunity to reflect on life, et al.  what i’ve got, what i want, what i did, what i havent… and most important; who i am, who i ought to be.   i’d like to think that as i’ve gotten older, the “me” that i am getting closer to, the me that i would like to be, is hopeful, kind, and generous.  and i hope that this thirty year old “me” shows who i am not in my shoes, accessories, or car… but in my actions, words and heart.  that’s my goal.

i read a quote the other day that i really liked: “there are years that ask questions and years that answer.” -zora neale hurtson

i think my thirtieth year answered a lot of questions for me.  i was able to answer one particular question that i’ve been plaguing myself with for years now…

“am i happy yet?”

yes.

i’m not perfect, and i don’t promise to be, but i am learning from and just basically basking in the glory of my imperfections.  i think this year i can finally accept that.  i’ve finally learned it’s ok to be me. it’s funny how easy it is to be happy once you find that you really believe that simple fact.

it’s ok to be me.

thank you so much to my dear friends and family, and my loves. for not only helping me celebrate my thirtieth birthday, but for helping me get here safe and happy.

jeremy, claire and i after dinner on my birthday.

“normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.  let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

let me not pass you by in the quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.”

-mary jean irion

i’m one of the lucky ones.

when i think about my dad, and how great he is, i get teary eyed.  he’s just that great.  always putting himself before others, but never as a martyr, or even on purpose, that’s just who he IS.  he’s genuinely deep down inside his heart, a good person.  i can honestly say, in the 29.5 years i’ve known him, i’ve never, not once, seen him act without integrity, kindness and generosity.  everything he does, and everything he is, is good.  and as if that weren’t enough, he’s funny, and smart, and kinda of looks like tom selleck.  :)

i’ve been through a lot of tough situations in the last few years, big life changing choices and when i look back on those decisions i’ve made, i really don’t think i would have made it through without him.  he never told me what to do, or judged my choices he was simply there to listen, support, give guidance when needed… and then love me no matter what.

some people have their dad’s eye color, or wavy hair… i just hope i got a little bit of my dad’s heart.  he sure has mine.