4 Year photo shoot

Each year I take pictures of lily for her birthday. This time I did it twice, one in Gilbert at discovery park and the other in Tucson this week visiting family. Its almost impossible to get her to look at the camera, but oh well. We had fun. Or, maybe I'm the one that had fun?

I took hundreds of photos, but these are the ones I like most, still need to edit.

 

Lily Bean is 4

My first born, my heart, my lily is now 4. She is looking more and more like a little kid every day! Mark said one night, 'lily is not looking like a baby anymore...I dont like it.' I agree! Though I do love her, and how much fun she is. She is the funniest kid. I find myself laughing not just at the things she does, but laughing with her like I would with a friend. We have actual conversations now, and she understands what I say... its pretty cool. She is such a good sister to her little brother, he goes looking for her in the morning cause he knows lily will play with him. She has absolutely no bubble when it comes to hugging others, which can get her in trouble. And she is not shy at all, which can cause me to blush. I'm trying to teach her the concept of stranger danger, but she refuses to believe people can be bad. Last night she told me that she wants to be a fire fighter, cause she is strong and wants to save people. how awesome is that! my daughter will be a hero someday. She is kind, caring and has a heart of gold. I love my lily so so much, she is my heart.

We had a fun birthday weekend last week. Grammy, Amma and grandpa came to Gilbert to celebrate. We went to the Phoenix Children's museum on her birthday, it was a pretty cool place. Then we had dinner at the rainforest cafe, which lily enjoyed. Then Saturday we played at the pool and had a little BBQ with family. Lily got her first bicycle for her birthday from us. I'm excited for her to learn how to ride a bike! It was a fun birthday for her.

the museum had an amazing tree house for the kids to play in. We loved it!

 

paw patrol birthday is what she wanted.

only because no one else was going to eat it

rainforest cafe is cool

scooter from Amma

glad the kids a smiling... not!

 

Free at Last!

Two weeks ago I had a full time job, working from home while taking care of two young children...it was hell. I had said many prayers to know whether or not we could survive financially if I quit. No matter the answer I felt I'd received, it is not in my nature to quit. Call it pride or stupidity, I enjoy making money. It's security and independence for me. I was not handling the two very well, and the stress was causing me some major anxiety. Two Thursday's ago, I drove down to tucson with the kids as I always do for work each week. The night before I had prayed yet again for the lord to keep us safe while I drove and that I'd have a good week of work. I got the most peaceful feeling that I would have a good week. The words 'it'll all be ok' repeated in my mind. So, Yada yada yada, I was laid off. Yup. I was RIF'd as we call it in employment. And I could not be happier that the decision was made for me. It was not due to performance (which helps my pride), the company could not keep an HR staff anymore due to lack of work. They were an amazing company and I'm eternally grateful for the opportunities they gave me. Yes, I will miss the money, it makes a big dent in our household income, but I feel there is a big weight off my shoulders. We will be fine financially, mark makes a good income, just our future plans get to change a little. I now have more time to focus on Jacob and Lily, my energy can be devoted to them and bettering myself in the process. I am however sad for my friends and co workers who also lost their jobs. But I'm confident they will be ok, they are intelligent and hard working, any business would be lucky to have them on their team. It's been weird these two weeks not working, I feel like I need to be doing more, answering calls, responding to emails, it's nice to know its not in my day. Now I get to trust the lord we will be taken care of...It'll all be ok, right?