Thursday Randoms...

A friend of mine has an amazing blog and occasionally posts random thoughts.  The random posts are some of my favorites.  She motivates and inspires people through her photography, but she also has a huge heart and is a fantastic Mom and nurse.  

 So here are some random thoughts and pictures from life lately:

My kids have been given very adventurous spirits and I am so thankful for them each day.

Yesterday, Owen asked me to snuggle with him in my bed and tell him a story, "about when I was two".  It made me melt. 

Our basement is now move-in ready for the boys.  Yeah!

I love watching Ella and Owen take care of our animals without being asked.  It is very sweet.

Watching Sam chase his brother around the house for 30 minutes this morning was both exhausting and endearing.

I love kissing Sam's cheek's and when he snuggles in to my shoulder.

Ella and I have been reading Little House in the Big Woods and will finish it tonight.  I really look forward to our nightly snuggle/read time. 

The other night, my Dad took us out for Applebee's.  Yum.  We sat at a table in the bar section and the kids watched the bartender make really fancy dessert drinks.  At the end of the meal, Owen said he needed to talk to the bartender.  With Ella in hand, they walked up to the bar.  Owen said, "May we please have some whipped cream in a cup?".  How could anyone refuse that sweet face?   

I am really excited to spend time in Minnesota this next week.

I am really looking forward to spending some time with my hubby, as he has been hiding out in the shed/basement. 

We are going to have pizza for dinner and I am excited about that.

I should be packing.  


I love this photo of Sam.  I took it at his first parade.  He woke up from his nap and I whisked him out of bed because we were running late.  The parade had already started and so we ran to the street to watch.   I told him to wave and he didn't stop waving for the next 20 minutes.  It was 100 degrees out and there he was, wearing his long sleeve p.j.'s and "ooo"-ing at the huge tractors that were driving by.

My kids are so brave.  They challenge each other to do things out of their comfort zone.  They challenge me as well.  I love that they go crazy for rides like this one -

They never stop smiling and scream, "AGAIN!  AGAIN!" when it is done.  That is why we have to set a one-ride-only rule, or we would be broke.....I want to throw up just watching. 

Samuel sits back and watches, just waiting for the day when he can join in the insanity!  And yes, he always has food on his face.  He is the third child. 

They couldn't resist crossing this rope after watching older boys doing it.

Owen was afraid at first, but couldn't let Ella do it and only watch!

They make me want to be brave.