Life's a Blur...

I haven't had a chance to post any pictures lately.  

I feel like we have been running nonstop for too long.  

Which got me thinking...

Where has the summer gone?

Where has time gone?

Liam is almost three...THREE!

How did that happen?!

Ruby is already 4 months old...

Life's a blur.

Somedays I think to myself, "we are too busy we need just need more days at home."

My kids are growing and I am missing it...

How can I be missing it when I am with them all day, everyday?

How does this happen?

Is it even possible?

I think it is possible,

and I think it's because I am easily distracted...

There is always something to be done, something to clean, somewhere to be...

I'm realizing lately that I need to slow down a little.

My kids are growing, and I feel like I'm missing it.

This may be the year to learn to say no to a few things, 

and you know something?

It's okay...

It's okay to say no...

Dare I say, I think it's even okay to say no to things that are good...good things...

There...I said it...out loud...

I'm on the tail end of my twenties, and I finally get it.

During my devotions the other day the Lord revealed this to me.

(I think He has tried to before, but I chose to miss it)

This was kind of a new, little epiphany for me.

This whole saying no thing...

I'm not good at it.

I want to be a yes-gal, a people pleaser, and helper...

But that's not who I need to be...at least not all the time.

I need to be a wife and a mother with time...

That's where God has put me, and I need to live there contently.

Someone once told me...

"Alissa, when you say yes to something, you are ALWAYS saying no to something else."

And you know what?

I finally get it.

Or...at least I think I do.

Here are a few blurry cell phone pictures to go with our blurry summer...

I'm challenging myself to a less blurry fall!

I LOVE that liam always crosses his legs when he falls asleep in the car.

Spit bubbles...one of my favorite baby-isms :)

Roobs!

One of my favorite pictures of all-time!

I'm no Audrey Hepburn, but shoot! 

My baby sure is cute!

We are still in diapers...

I know this is blurry, but LOOK at the love Liam has for his sister!

My heart sings every time I look at this photo!

This is how we roll when we are at home :)

Liam checking on Ruby to make sure she is okay up there.

"Look, it's a bug!"

We all miss Shannalee...

SOOOOO much!

But we are glad she is doing well with her new teaching adventure.

I love this little guy so much!

Out on the boat, and loving life.

  

Daddy's shoulders....Liam's favorite spot!

Throwing rocks...still his favorite thing to do.

Awww...melt me right here right now!

This little miss loves her Daddy so much, and I LOVE that!

Here's to saying no to a few things other than to my boudary-testing toddler!

More Fam-Bam

By the time we returned from Glendive, Clint's family had arrived to the lake.

We had a really fun time with them while they were here.

We made survival bracelets.

Liam thought it was pretty cool that his and Daddy's were matching!

Roobs asleep with Shannalee.

"Sup?

Drooling is kinda my thing."

Clint, Gma Kit, Gpa Jim, and Liam out floating on the lake.

Liam didn't move the entire time!

It was like he was in a trance.

Soooo.... normally jumping on the furniture is a BIG no-no.

However, when the cushion is already on the floor 

with a beanbag right next to it it's kind of a no brainer...

Woooooo!

Is it me, or does something look dead on the dock?!

Maybe it was just Oscar.

Liam watching everyone jump in.

Ready to go snorkeling!

"Hi, Mom."

"ooooo that was a nice story."

"Grandma, you are just so funny!"

Ready for a boat ride.

"I'll take it from here, Daddy!"

Clint on the Seabiscut.

Just another sunset...

What a blessing it is to live where this is our "norm!"

Next Stop, Glendive...

Here are some more un-edited photos for the blog... :/

(Remember the days when I used to have time to edit all photos before they hit this thing?

THOSE DAY ARE OVER BABY!)

ANYWAY...

Two days after Brock and Heather left, I braved the trip to Glendive with the kidlets...

 ...all by myself...

(While Clint was off galavanting working in Singapore.)

It used to take Clint and I about 9.5 hours to get from Polson to Glendive...

...stopping only for gas.

It took the kids and me...wait for it... two days!

HA!

The kids actually did really well, but we stopped...A LOT.

It was totally worth the trip.  

We all had a great time!

Liam spent much time on his bike at Papa and Grandma's.

Morning PJ kisses.

"Oh, Papa, I missed you!"

Vampire Blood!  Oops...I meant cherrie juice!

Ruby with Great Grandma Mona :)

Liam's Favorite thing was going for "motorcycle rides" with Papa.

He asks me when we can do that again Every time he sees a motorcycle now.

*Rip my heart out kiddo*

"Here we go!"

Papa has a black and pink helmet for the grandkids...

Pink was picked EVERY TIME! :)

Grandma trying to get Liam to smile for the camera...

(P.S. Check out my sweet new shirt!  

Can you believe this was purchased by Papa!?)

Brother and Sister.

Yes, I know I'm biased,

but shoot, they're cute!

Liam playing Uno Moo!  

Best game ever!

Ruby was a fan of the outdoor swing...

...So was I!

Grandma and Roobs.

Ruby 10 Weeks!

My grade school BFF, Erin, was able to make the trip to Glendive to come see us with her son, Patrick!

YAY!

 Patrick LOVED driving the Barbie Jeep!

And he knew EXACTLY what to do!

Liam, on the other hand, had NO concept of driving...

Give it 14 years, and look out insurance companies!!!

*Yipes!*

P: "I'll take it from here, Liam!"

These two were so cute together!

They cried when they had to part ways :/

You know what boys, I cried when I left Erin too :*(

Someday it would be SOOOOO fun if we could be neighbors!

Grandma had an AWESOME spiderman ball!

Timeout...

"I need a hug!"

LOOOOOOK!!!  It's Uncle Anddrew...

...And he's holding a BABY!

Auntie Cassie and Rooberrie!

Liam has been talking about Aunt Cassie's Elephant noises since Christmas...

He tried to learn...

NO one can top Cassie!

Being Mom to 2 awesome kids...

Pretty stressful and frustrating at times, but 

SUCH a blessing!

Best Job E.V.E.R.

Bye-Bye...

See you at Thanksgiving!

(only 15 more weeks)