The Royal Wedding

Today is my sister Carly's 17th birthday and we are all going out to eat at Applebee's tonight. Turning 17 and being a mother of an almost 5 month old is hard to imagine for me! She is such a wonderful little mother though and I have enjoyed raising our boys up together.
Today is also the day that Prince William and Catherine Middleton became husband and wife. I did not get up at 4 am to watch the wedding, but I did get up at 6 for work and caught bits and pieces of the ceremony. From that point on and even all morning at work, I haven't been able to take my eyes of the wedding coverage! I loved her dress, I loved the simple kiss, the whole thing was just lovely in my eyes! Last night Brandon and I were watching a behind the scenes special on what it takes to get this wedding going. It was really intriguing.
I can't help but be interested in the history behind Royalty since we do not have that in the U.S. I really think there is something special and historical about it that I almost envy. There is class, and respect, and loyalty there that seems to be missing in America. As I ate my cereal this morning and caught some of the ceremony, I got to thinking.... This is wonderful that this many people are celebrating a man and woman coming together in a Church to celebrate their love with Marriage. Sadly Americans now days look down upon marriage as a joke and not important. And a marriage in a church?? Not as common now in America. A good handful of celebrities now days refuse marriage until all gays and lesbians have the right to get married wherever!!! What has happened to America's class, and respect, and loyalty..... it has been replaced by rude, raunchy, and liberal thoughts/ actions.
I want some tact back in this world...
I want some old school royalty in my life....
Thoughts?

Spring Photo Shoot (A few of my Favs)

Loves his baby brother already!

The true Oliver.

Oliver and cousin Brayden

Playing with Uncle Zach

My Fav

Little Lake Boy

Fall Snapshots

His new hat

Love the smile

Half of the surprise face

Full Blown surprise face!

Happy Fall

Some Favorite Expressions of Oliver's

Cheesy smile :)

So Cute

The Oh So Great - Surprise Face!!! Love it!

Trip to The Zoo

Oliver's Favorite- The horsie!!!! He could ride all day.

Second Favorite at the Zoo- who would of thought... I mean all kinds of animals?? Nope-
rather pump well water into a tub!!!! What a boy!

Well we thought it would be fun to feed the goats (have Oliver feed them) but the zoo wasn't too busy since we got there early and the goats acted like they were starving... even though they are so fat. Well Brandon barely got the goat food in his hands and they attacked him and Oliver jetted!! haha

He did like this goat until it jumped up on a stump and started eating a little girls hair.

Well ... I mean what can i say about this...?? Luckily Oliver can't ask questions yet. I told Brandon that I wasn't quite sure how this was physically possible and I wasn't about to stick around and find out!

I love this picture because Brandon and I each have a picture of us in this same Kangaroo when we were young and went to the Ft. Wayne zoo.

Grateful

Lately I have been feeling an overwhelming gratefulness feeling. I am not sure if it is from hearing a lot of bad news lately or just God opening my eyes to how lucky I am. I wanted to share some of them: I am grateful for....

1. My awesome husband. He is gorgeous, talented, hard-working, loving, and so much more. He gets what life is about and he loves me so much. That is an irreplaceable feeling.

2. My beautiful son Oliver. He is truly his Father's son with looks and his Mother's son with attitude. I am still trying to figure out if this is good or bad, but his attitude is STRONG. He is so independent and sassy (naturally).

3. My family- The older I get the more I realize how blessed I am to belong to such an amazing family. The would truly do anything for me and they love me a lot as well. They are giving an unselfish and I don't know what I would do without them. Having brother's and sister's is so much fun (99% of the time) and I am grateful for each one of them.

4. My extended family of in-laws and so on.. Oliver is so lucky to have so many people love him. I couldn't ask for a better family to marry in to.

5. The opportunity to wake up each day and see soothing water and sounds of nature all around.

5. The ability to even have kids.

6. Indiana - I know right?? Indiana?!?! This Hoosier state is what made my husband and I the way we are and I love it. Corn, rednecks, camo, carhart, deer, small town USA yes please!!

7. On that note-- I feel that it is necessary for me to be thankful for Brandon and I's desire to travel and see the world outside of IN. This is home, but we both want to discover other things.

8. For Brandon opening my eyes to design, appreciation, nature, ... the list goes on.

9. For my mother-in-law for raising Brandon up in church and teaching him about God. He would NOT be the man he is today without that most important thing.

10. For my parents raising me in church, even when I didn't want to go.

11. For Brandon and I's relationship. I find that it is closer or deeper on many levels than a typical relationship. You name it we talk about it.

12. Being able to stay home with Oliver a couple days a week.

13. For a healthy baby boy.

14. For the two big trees in our front yard- what would we do without them.

15. For my best friend, Kati, she is truly a one of a kind and I love her. Two gangly, freckle-faced, flat-chested brunettes from small towns and went to Prairie Heights. (say that last sentence with a southern accent- I promise it will bring a smile to your face)

16. My two part time jobs- I have never liked let alone loved a job since college and I really like both of them and the people I work with!

17. Seasons- each one brings a different mood, emotion, attitude and we truly wouldn't appreciate one without the others.

18. Time- God giving me each day with my husband and son, and hopefully many more days.

19. Coffee and Iced Tea- equally enjoyable to me.

20. Even though this one is last- it should be first but I did it on purpose so that it is most remembered. I am most grateful for God- without him none of these things would be important or mean anything to me.

Oliver's 1st Bday Pics. (little late)

Some of Oliver's cousins and friends.
Oliver doing his "Superman" arms. Grandpa Pete taught him that one.
My mom made Oliver a big and little cake and Gpa Pete made him a Fish cake!
Mom going in for the cake kiss!