A Look at '30'

Today is my birthday.  Who am I after 30 years?  I am a daughter.  I am a sister.  I am a wife.  I am a mother.  The people that connect me to those titles have help to mold me into who I am in so many ways.  My parents gave me life's lessons nurtured with lots of love.  In my more recent years, I have taken what they have given me and used it as a wife and mother.  I am far from wise, after all, 30 is nothing compared to 60, or even 90.  I can only hope that I can continue to grow - to make my parents proud of their daughter; to continue to build ever-lasting memories as a sister; grow old with love as a wife; and raise my children to be the best people they can be as a mother.

Here are a series of self portraits, taken on the day I turn 30.

This is the title I am most proud of - Mommy.

I tend to be shy to those that do not know me - but also an open book to those who do.

This might be my Mommy face, actually.  Ask my 3 year old.

I have my Mom's hands...just longer fingers.

I'm a goof.  I am sure this is the quality that attracted my husband to me the most.

So many pieces...

My New Assistant

Jack has become pretty interested in Mommy's camera.  Today I set up the tri-pod and gave him my shutter remote and just let him have at it.  There were over 100 shots.  Probably could have made a cool stop motion movie out of some.  Here are a couple that he took...

What happens when you give an almost 3 year old your shutter remote.

Snuggling with Mommy.

He was like the mad scientist.  There were a LOT like this.

Rainy Saturday

Today is one of those days to just sit around, and enjoy each other's company.  Talk to the Grandparents on the webcam, play with toys, watch football - well, at least for Todd.  Jack was excited that it was raining outside because the rain will wash away the bird poop on Mommy's car.  What he doesn't quite understand, is that won't happen because Mommy's car is parked in the garage.  Oh well.  :)

Here are a couple of pics from today.

We are trying to learn the alphabet in our house.  Our windows always have SOMETHING on them.  I never really thought about what it looked like from outside till we were taking a walk one day and I looked up.  I guess it just looks like a family lives here.

Always time to play with cars.

This is what happens when you are tired, and your little brother takes your car away.  A nap took place for poor Jack right after this.

I never get tired of this face.

Cooking.  Ryan was digging through the cabinets in the kitchen, making a racket and Todd asked if I just let him do what he wants.  The answer - if he is not harming himself and is happy, then yes.

Flying with Daddy.