balance.

so yet again, i'm way behind, which means a crazy long post. the past few weeks i've been searching for some sort of balance. everything and everyone is every which way. how are am i suppose to fit 'everything' into each and every day...

i'm suppose to work out.

i'd like to shower.

i'm suppose to sleep.

i'd like to read more.

i need to spend more time in prayer, more time with God.

i'm suppose to cook, clean, fold.

i need to be a mom, sister, daughter, friend, wife.

and yet at the end of everyday, the day seems to slip away. how do people do it? or do they? but one thing is for sure, since the time this guy was in my belly, he's been speaking to my soul...every morning he asks, "mama, you ok?" and i'm reminded "that yes, i'm more then ok, i've never been happier, i have you."




and this little guy, his eyes dig deeper in me everyday, overwhelming me with love.





yes, there are lots of pictures of them eating, its the only time they are sitting. here, i asked lane if he could give gage a few more snacks. he filled his tray:)
lane's favorite breakfast, oranges. no surprise, i ate nearly 5 everyday when i was pregnant with him.

and a little too tart for him.
we love the park. and even more, we love the park when we get to go in the winter. we've gone every month the past year. this is way back in february.

still loving the kitchen chairs and still making me loose my ever lovin mind with climbing on the kitchen table. ugh.
seriously boys, this is the best picture i can get of you both together? we'll try again, sometime.
love his toes.

gage is by far the pickiest eater i know. he likes fruit and mac.n.cheese and thats it. any suggestions of food? meal times are exhausting.
brothers.

(playing with editing...)

(and again...)
and yet again with bath time.


a few weeks ago we snuck down to colorado springs to see jenni and her girls. it was a great day at their house. jenni and i were so impressed with ourselves, at one point in time ALL four of our kids were sleeping (everyone but gage were in the same room!) which meant jenni and i could play hair and chat. she is such a great friend to talk with, i always cherish our time together!
little maya is getting so grown up (which means lane is too). what happened to our little babies?!
and it was so special to meet sweet norah!

also, one weekend not too far back we got in the car to just go for a drive. we knew vance was having surgery soon so we just wanted to get out and about. we drove until we stopped and that happened to be in breckenridge. it was eventful to say the least. we were quite the scene walking around- vance in a knee brace being careful not to fall on any ice/snow, lane wanting to be carried (why, we dont know!?), gage wanting to be done on the ground running, and me trying to smile between the kids cries :) vance and i laughed because it maybe wasn't the funnest times but we know in years to come we'll look back and say, "oh remember when we went to breckenridge with the boys in winter? that was fun."...and it was fun, we were just thankful to get back in the car and drive home. ha:)

if anyone ever goes there, you'll find this little store. no idea what the name is but it had ME written all over it. i could have spent hours in there, it was like a etsy store in person.

soon after this picture a lady came up to me and asked where my kids gloves were. not sure really how i responded but inside i wanted to scream, give me a break lady! lane seemed unfazed playing in the snow, sans gloves:)



gage had his first ice cream cone there, he loved it.
look at his little tongue...

vance and i shared this yummy treat. more please!

my boys!

i've been told if you're ever having a long day with your kids, put them down and then go watch them sleep. its true, helps every time. a sense of peace like none other washes over you seeing them...

we were SOO thankful, grandma kay came to help out while vance had his surgery. we honestly couldn't have done it without her!! despite it being sorta a bummer of a reason she had to come, we loved her being at our home. such special times for the boys (and me!).
oh lane.

gage snatched lane's beloved "bunny". this is his personality to a t, see that spunk in there...


they spent close to two hours like this one morning, reading books.
gage, on a step stool, stealing snacks on the counter, signing more.
we did venture out on a walk one afternoon. aren't my kids such fashion statements?

grandma made edible play dough. of course, lane thought it was for monster trucks to drive in.
gage workin out with me. he really does a half way decent job with jillian yelling at him, up down, up down.

my dear friend amy brought super over to us one evening this past week. so thankful!! we ate it tv dinner style. lane thought it was extra special!

this is probably the closest we'll ever get to hair bows in our home. lego men head lamps.

gage making little messes.
rise and shine lane.

rise and shine gage.
"mom, get the camera out of my face. i want my milk!"
and gage doing what he does best...climbing!
note to self, never keep foot stool near taller objects.
and lane doing one of his favorite things...helping me make cookies. he's a great taste tester!
see what i mean about dinner being a bit exhausting? he refuses to be fed but yet can't feed himself. ...but he looks cute doing it!

right now there may not be tons of balance in our home. we're trying to get in the swing of things but man, these boys have my heart...

i love them...
...plain and simple.