Life's like an hourglass glued to the table...

...no one can find the rewind button. My monkeys keep growing...

Ethan 4

Isaac and Livy 14 months.

Anna and Josh's Baby Shower

On Sunday some friends threw a fun baby shower for my sweet friend Anna. Josh and Anna are expecting their first child, a baby girl, after a long and trying battle with infertility. Baby Girl is expected at the end on July and we rejoice with them in this awesome miracle. Anna playing the "What's in the diaper?" game (all foods meant to look like something "different"). I am pleased to announce I watched and photographed... I have changed, examined, and smelled enough diapers for the time being.

Another pregnant mommy playing with her adorable and intelligent daughter. This is sassy diva Kim's 7th pregnancy... that's right folks... #7!!!

Anna and Josh having a diapering race. No eyes and no hands.

I believe infertility is the most ridiculously unfair and difficult trial any woman or man can face on this earth. To long for something that comes so easily to so many unfit mothers, and to ultimately be so out of control- what unmeasured pain.

I have two dear sweet sisters in Christ that have struggled and battled infertility for years. I often watch them and my heart breaks for what they desire... such a pure "simple" desire but so far out of their human reach. Watching them struggle has taught me that pregnancy and parenthood is not given by merit, for surely these women would and do make wonderful mothers. It blessed me so much when they choose to rejoice with John and I when we found out we were pregnant with the twins. I know it could not have been easy for them. But, they came and held babies, brought food, listened to me cry, etc. I am so thankful to have sisters like that.

Watching Anna and Josh through this whole process of being giving a child... this tiny miracle has been a delight for me. And, I have often thought of this verse...

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life".

Proverbs 13:12

My heart still breaks for my sisters who must walk the long and difficult road of infertility. But, I a pray for them everyday that they might conceive a child too... and I believe that He still performs these miracles, even today. All you have to do to remember is look at the joy in Anna and Josh's eyes.

A Little Camping Anyone?

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we set this old tent up at my parents house.

I grew up camping in this very tent.

As soon as it was set up the smell brought me right back to Kerr Lake, knee- boarding all day, and endless hours sitting around a campfire with my childhood friend and kindred spirit, Larity. Good times. But I am happy to report no one slept in it.. it was all for show!

Ethan and the tent. He played in this musty and hot thing all weekend.

Isaac says,

"I'm out of here... who would want to sleep outside with the bugs, dirt and allergens!".

Isaac playing with the sprinkler.

Saturday at the Natural Science Center

Saturday was spent at the Natural Science Center with the entire Hoots Clan. The weather was beautiful and our kids love all the animals. Here are a couple shots... My three monkeys.

Ethan and his cousin Gavin at the Tiger exhibit

(sorry the lighting is so bad, I was trying to get the tigers in the background).

We even saw the tigers charge each other!!!

It was a little scary to us, but the workers have told us before

this is normal tiger behavior, like brothers and sisters arguing.

Ethan milking the "cow"

Ethan with 8 legs.

Grandma and Grandaddy with their 5 grandchildren.

Gavin, age 5.

Ethan, age 4.

Isaac and Olivia, age 1.

And, Liam, age (almost) 4 months.

A Sunday Afternoon in the Backyard

Ethan has been begging us to get out the "water- things" (the pool, sprinklers, slip and slide, etc) now that the weather is nice. We finally gave in today and let him run around with the sprinkler on (don't worry we are aware of the drought - it was just a couple of minutes). The babies watched from a blanket in the yard, they were enthralled with watching him. Enjoy some shots of our cute kiddos!! Thank God it is almost summer.

His Best Friend's Birthday Party

What could be better than your own birthday party??? Your best friend's of course!!!

Ethan was delighted this weekend to party hardy with his best bud-

who also just turned 4!!

They had a grand time at TumbleBees Gymnastics, check it out...

Ethan and his best friend warming up for the party.

Ethan jumping down the runway style trampoline.

Climbing with glee.

Ready for a flip.

A little help on this "sumder salt"

Duck, duck, goose. Ethan will chase or be chased anytime.

Ethan and his best bud in the foam pit.

Ethan had to be rescued from the foam pit- it was sort of like quicksand-

the more you struggled the deeper you went.

Thanks best friend for a great time!

Looking forward to many more years of laughter, cake and birthday party fun!