Lyla Rose

Let me tell you, out of the many things we've been blessed with, easy, compliant children is certainly not one of them.  *Insert all the quotes about strong wills leading to success here.*  I fully believe every bit of that, but it doesn't make the whole parenting gig any easier when you're in the trenches of defiance and attitude and ungodly amounts of energy.  Sometimes it's hard to keep a long term perspective, and on those tough days mostly it just feels like I'm getting everything wrong!

Lyla, our cute little Tasmanian Devil, has always given us a run for our money.  Two was hard, Two and a half was harder, 3 was worse, and 3 1/2 didn't get any better.  When she turned 4 we finally started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I saw someone describe 4 as equal parts frazzled and dazzled, and man was that ever accurate.

Well, now my girl is 4 1/2, and I swear that must be a magic number or something.  We have so turned a corner with her, and all of a sudden I get to spend most of my days just plain dazzled.  There really isn't a better word, she is dazzling to me.  She's bright and cheery and always excited.  She's kind and loving and genuinely cares about everyone around her.  She notices when someone is feeling down, and always stops to see what's wrong.  She buzzes around trying to fix whatever problem her little sister is crying about.  All of that has always been true, but the biggest difference now is that she really tries to be good.  It matters to her all of a sudden.  I get obedience and apologies and a good attitude in her responses (most days.  Believe me, we still have our moments.  Lots of them!) and I know that our hard work is paying off.  For the time being anyways.  :)

Her heart is truly gold, and she makes me so proud.  She's my ice cream sundae with a cherry on top.  It's such a treat being her mama.

The real reason for this post is talk about my new tattoo!  Last year I found the perfect Joy tattoo that I couldn't resist, and immediately felt like a bit of a jerk for having a tattoo for my second daughter, but not my first.  I'd always liked the idea of a Rose, since it's both of our middle names, and finally settled on a wild rose.  Seemed kind of fitting.  :) 

Here are some photos of me and my wild rose, and my wild rose tattoo.  ;)

- K

Labor Day with Auntie Kate

We had quite the Labor Day Weekend in this neck of the woods.  Auntie Kate came in town on Friday and we were on the go until she left on Monday.  Here are some pics from the weekend!

 

Ryan and I had previously planned a night out for dinner and tattoos, so Kate came along.  We both touched up our little birds we got a couple years ago and Ryan added two more for the girls.

I got Joy for my little Evie Sis.  I've always loved the word "joy" and have always associated it with my faith.  When we were talking names for baby #2 I started going through family names and stopped with my grandma, Joyce.  My grandma and I were never close growing up, but have become very close recently and I've started to enjoy her so much.  I'm lucky to have a lot of strong, faithful women in my family but this lady is one of the tops.  If you've ever met her you can rest assured she showers you in prayer. 

When I decorated Evie's nursery I hung this pretty picture of a deer above her changing table and the letters J-O-Y.  Afterwards my mom told me a story of when she was little and watching her mom put on makeup and how her big eyes always reminded her of a deer.  It struck me how funny it was that I'd chosen a deer for Evie's room.  As soon as she was born she was mesmerized by that picture and would just stare at it whenever I'd change her.  Since then she's become more obsessed with the letters and will pop up and point at each one.  I spell it out for her and then say "joy" and ask her who my joy is.  She smiles and points at herself.  :)  Love that girl.

Anyways, back to the weekend.  We followed up the tattoos with dinner at Chino Latino, one of our favorite restaurants out here, and ate more than we ever should have. 

Saturday morning was really rainy so we stayed in and made breakfast.  The girls loved having their auntie there to play with.

The rain cleared up so we got to go to a block party.  Lyla loved the bounce house and Evie had mixed feelings.  As always.

After Evie went to bed Lyla was still running around with her friends and Ryan and I were wrapped up in yard games.  I looked up and my little princess was stripping down in front of everyone.  She'd decided it was time to get back in the pool and could not be bothered to go put on a swim suit.  We ended up streaking across the yard into our house, where she yelled "I've gotta scooter to the stairs!" and jumped on her scooter (naked) and rode it to the stairs. 

A couple days later I was talking to a neighbor and he said "oh, did you find Lyla's underwear?  I think they were on the deck next door."  I mean, it's not a block party until someone loses their underwear, right??

On Sunday we went to church, took naps, and headed to the State Fair.  The people watching and food eating were tops.

We finally tried those infamous chocolate chip cookies and they were everything we dreamed they could be.  If you can't tell by the chocolate smears and milk running down her face, Lyla was a big fan.

Dad won a puppy for Lyla!

 



 Those THIGHS!

 

We were sad to see Kate leave, but so glad she came!  Love you, lady!

- K

8 Years

"if you're a bird, i'm a bird"

Eight years ago tonight I went on a first date with a big, cute, hilarious guy.  I stressed out about what to wear.  He showed up right on time.  We went to dinner in Old Town, Fort Collins, and he opened my doors all night. 

We hit it off.

Looking back to that date, and where we are now is pretty incredible.  I can say without hesitation that every year has been better than the last.  Hope you're ready for some amazing times, Ryan Chapman, because we've got a lot of great years ahead of us.  Love you a million!

- K