Missing You...

It's already hard enough to miss the love of your life, but it's even harder to watch your little one miss his daddy just as much. We were playing today at the mall's play area with our friends Kristen and Mason when Austin decides he's going to take to a complete stranger. I didn't think anything of it at first until Austin kept going over there several times. The last time I took Austin away from him, I took a long hard look at him and thought, Austin must miss his daddy. The man who was sitting and watching his daughter play, had similar features like Joel. He was tall with dark hair and facial hair. It broke my heart after I realized what he was doing. I finally had to tell the man, that his daddy was overseas and apparently he thought you looked similar to him. I know it's just as hard for Joel to be aways from us, but today I realized how much I/we miss him and how hard the next couple of months are going to be. We love and miss you daddy to the sky!

We are so proud of you!

First Birthday Extravaganza...

Well, the birthday celebration is officially over and yes we are all tuckered out! Austin had a wonderful weekend celebrating his first birthday with his friends and family. Friday, we kicked off the celebration with my parents, sisters, and grandparents. We opened presents, had a wonderful dinner, and finished with cake and ice cream.

I love the idea of a personal cake. Austin had his own 4" cake to dive into and boy did he ever!


He loved us singing Happy Birthday to him so much that we sang it twice...silly boy!






He really didn't know what to think of the cake at first. After a couple pokes to the frosting and a demonstration from mommy, he caught on real quick:)


What a mess he made...We went straight to bath time after he was done digging into his cake. What a sight!


So let me tell you about the lesson I learned with cake + baby + bedtime = NO SLEEP! Austin was up all night (until 4 a.m.) with a sugar high from eating cake before bedtime...I should have known better...needless to say Austin will never be having cake or high sugar contents before bedtime...lol!

The Next Day...

On Saturday November 1st we celebrated Austin's birthday at Charlie Safari with thirteen of Austin's little buddies and close family friends. For those of you who don't know, Charlie Safari is a fun recreational place that allows children to play till their hearts desire. We had a great time playing, eating pizza, and interacting with Stormy the clown who painted faces and made fun balloons for the kids.

Austin met his first clown Stormy at his birthday party. I was so surprised to see that he allowed her to paint his face...he sat so good for her as well.




Austin had a blast playing with his friends at his birthday party. They even had a designated playing area for the little guys so that they wouldn't get run over by the older children...such a great idea!






We ended Austin party with cupcakes and presents. This time around, Austin was a pro at eating his cake and opening presents.






It's so funny to watch children open up their gifts. They are more interested in tearing the paper and playing in the bags then they are with the toys. That's not to say that we haven't had a blast playing with all his new toys, but you catch my drift!




At the end of the day, Austin and I were spent! We were both so tired that we went home and took a nap together! After our nap, it didn't take long for Austin to dive in and play with all of his new toys.


Thank you so much to everyone who came and celebrated with us this weekend for Austin's birthday. For those of you who were not able to come, you celebrated in spirit and we wished you could have been there. Also, a big thank you to everyone for his wonderful gifts. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Thank you!!

I can't end this post without the mention of our loved and very much missed daddy. We missed you very much this weekend and wished more then anything for you to have been here. We know though that the hard work and sacrifices you are making will forever be held close to our hearts. We love you daddy and hope that you have enjoyed the pictures. MUAH!

It's been a year...

I will have to admit, I have been working on this post for about a week now, only because I knew I would be a wreck and not be able to write the words I truly wanted to say, but there is no words to express the feelings I had this morning when I woke up for my sons first birthday. It is truly amazing...my baby is one and no longer a baby!
I can’t believe it was one year today that I was pacing the floor wishing for the moment to finally come where I could look into the eyes god had created for us. It took us four year to conceive this beautiful child and I was ready to meet him. I remember looking at my husband Joel and asking him, “so you ready sweetie?” He looked at me with a huge smile on his face as if he had just left the candy store and said “YES.” I remembered him pacing the floor and looking at the monitor every time a contraction would come on. Even though he didn’t want to admit it, he was a nervous wreck. It was a total of twenty-two hours in labor and finally he had arrived at 5:15p.m. on October 31, 2007. At that moment, our life had changed forever. Austin Thomas had entered our world and he was finally ours to hold, kiss, and love on.
This year has been nothing less of a miracle. I look back at this last year and wonder how did we get here? We’ve made so many memories, overcome so many challenges, and grew enormously as first time parents. It has been a great year watching our little one make footprints in this world and knowing we had a part in it, makes me a proud mommy. Even though we have another seventeen years to mold this individual into a man, I only stop to think is it possible to freeze time and stay here forever. I love seeing him change every day, but if this year has gone by as fast as I think it has, I could only imagine how fast the next seventeen years will go.



Thank you to all our family and friends who have supported, loved, and prayed for us this last year. Your love and support has meant the world to my husband and I. We look forward to sharing many more memories with you in the coming years. Love Always!

I will keep you all posted on todays events. We have a lot of fun things planned!

One Year Photos...

After searching long and hard for a photographer to shoot Austin's one year photos, I finally chose Seattle photographer Heather Quintans. She was absolutely amazing with Austin and her talent showed beautifully in her work. Even with Austin being a hand full and not wishing to be photographed, she still managed to get some really great shots. I am so happy and excited to share with you Austin's one year photos. I hope you enjoy them!

If you are interested in checking out more of Heather Quintans photography, you may visit her website at www.heatherquintans.com

Thank you to Heather Quintans for her amazing talent and work...

He's almost ONE...

I can't believe this year has gone by so quickly. I remember like it was yesterday that my little man was born and laying in my arms. Now, he's a burst of energy that smiles and reaches up for you. Austin has truly been a blessing to my husband and I. We love him more then words could ever explain. I never thought I would love someone like I do for my son and family.

It's really here...he's almost one! I have put together a slide show of the last year. When I looked back at these picture I couldn't help but tear up...ok..ok I admit I balled, but I couldn't help it he's growing too fast. Enjoy!

October Fun...

I have been reminded what it is like to be a kid again. Living life carefree and enjoying all the small things life has to offer. It's amazing the feeling you get when you just let go and play. I know we all have our moments of getting caught up in everyday life where we rush and lose track of time, but it's simply delightful when you just stop and take in the moment for what it is no matter how big or small.

This month has now become my new favorite! With Austin's birthday, the beautiful colors, and all the festivities, this month has been bustling. Austin and I have had so much fun going on walks, playing with our friends at the pumpkin patch, and most importantly looking forward to the birthday fun this week.

I love this picture...It capture my son so perfectly...all smiles!

This year Austin is dressing up as Lion for his birthday. When I saw this costume on him for the first time, I just lite up. He looked so cute and cuddly. We'll see how long the head piece stays on him....I can already tell it's going to be a challenge!

So CUTE!!

Last night Austin, my family, and I carved pumpkins for the first time in I don't know how long. It was so much fun to watch Austin look inside the pumpkin and touch the yucky mess inside. After he found the top to the pumpkin he had no desire to play with the inside anymore. He did a pretty good job though figuring out how the top fit on top.

These are my sisters Christy on the left and Mallory in the middle. When we were little I remember having pumpkin seeds fights where we would throw all the insides at each other...good times!

Our finished product and of course I had to make my pumpkin with a one for my little guy:)

I have fallen in love...

...with my passion for taking pictures. My love for photography has always been something I have enjoyed to do, but I have found that it has become closer to my heart more then ever. With Joel being gone, I feel the need to capture every moment so that he doesn't miss a beat. To help me capture all the fun and loving moments, I have purchased my newest love the Nikon D90. It's a great camera that I am sure to grow into. This is only the beginning...I hope you all enjoy the pictures as much as I love to take them.

A day at the pumpkin patch...

Austin and I went to the pumpkin patch today with my family and had a blast. I can't believe that it was this time last year that I was talking about taking him to the pumpkin patch for the first time. Austin had a great time watching all the children and playing with the pumpkins. Simply put, it was a great day!!

The pumpkin patch had so much to do. Here is Austin pretending that his new profession is being a tracker driver and cowboy...boy did he have a blast!



Austin and I at the beginning of the corn maze...we didn't go through it in fear of getting lost!

These pictures were taken out in the field where tons of pumpkins laid for you to choose. This pumpkin Austin was drawn to right from the beginning. It was the one we took home and will carve here shortly.

My mom, sisters, and I with our pick from the pumpkin patch...

Austin making his way to the other side of the pumpkin patch. It was so cute to watch him walk there on his own...SO BIG!

I love these pictures in the Radio Flyer...Classic country boy living:)) Just for daddy!

The one person I wish more then anyone to be there for this moment was Joel. I hope these pictures make you smile sweetie. We love you and miss you a ton!

And he's off...

Austin took his first steps last Wednesday October 8, 2008. It was so exciting to see him let go and take off on his own. I think out of all the milestones thus far, this one is my favorite. He's growing sooooooo fast and changing daily!!

Austin's first REAL haircut...

A couple of months ago, I learned a very valuable lesson on giving Austin a haircut (myself). After starting on his hair, I quickly realized oops...babies have a hair line? I couldn't turn back, I had cut his hair about a half an inch too short and knew at that moment I had done a number. So, after looking at this awful haircut for months, I took him today to get his first REAL haircut. As he sat in the little red airplane I thought to myself, why didn't I do this the first time around. It was so nice to watch someone else stress out about getting the cut right....lol! Just a tip for those parents who are thinking of giving their child a haircut....DON'T!

It's that time of the year again...

The cold weather has arrived and with that come runny noses, itchy eyes, and earaches...We have thankfully gotten through the first year without any major illness. Lets just hope this runny nose doesn't get any worse!