Friday, February 28, 2014

Enough is Enough










I am lucky enough to have 2 beautiful sisters, and 2 brothers who are too handsome for their own good. We didn't always get along perfectly, but we have always been fiercely protective of one another. There was always someone to play with, or stay up late talking to, and as we've grown up, we continue to be both siblings and friends (at least most of the time!) I love being part of a big family, and though it wasn't always easy, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I am also lucky enough to have 2 wonderful children of my own, one boy and one girl, the "ideal" american family. Only I'm not really ready to brush off my hands and say enough is enough. Kids are a colossal amount of work (huge buckets of praise and accolades to my parents for raising 5 of us!) But I loved being part of a big family, and I adore being a Momma. I've always thought I'd have lots of my own little ones running around and making a mess. But I want them to have the best opportunities, and the best of me. More kids naturally means less time and money to spread around. How do you find the balance? When is my family going to be complete? There was never any hesitation for me in having my first and my second child. But a third? I want a third (and more!) but pregnancy is not easy for me, and Elara is a handful and a half. So it doesn't feel like an absolute. I can't imagine being done, but it isn't without hesitation that I contemplate growing our family again. (NO, this is NOT an announcement of any sort. lol.) Part of me thinks that I could definitely find contentment with these two little ones, but the bigger part knows that I'm not going to be happy until we add another (little) one. How do you know what the right number of children is for your family?

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Money Shot







Sometimes the kids are cooperative, and no one is blinking, and you get some great shots. Most of the time, you get dirty faces, blinks and blurry, and the backs of people's heads. Love it when you capture the good ones!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Snapping Away










As I'm sure you can tell, I'm having a lot of fun playing with my new camera. Lots of time is wasted messing with the settings, and poking around on all the menus. Definitely loving my new toy!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

I have my minion, you have yours.
























More pictures of the excitement and chaos of christmas morning in Iowa. Also included is evidence of Elara's hat obsession, and habit of laying on the floor with her babies, Zachary's joy in all presents, especially superheroes, and photo bombing habit. 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

In With the New

















The kids (myself included!) all waited impatiently to be released to the first floor to open stockings and presents. We lined up, and Poppa slowly played our Christmas version of Mother May I until we were all trickling into the living room to see what Santa had left under the tree...and all over the couch! The stocking pile is getting really big. And if you saw the purple rhino Elara got, the stuffed animals are getting awfully big too! That one was so big, we haven't quite figured out how we are going to get it home. Short of buying him his own plane ticket? So many presents, so much fun and chaos and excitement. I know we talk about cutting back, making things simpler and less over the top, but personally, I love it!

Enjoy these last few pictures from my OLD camera, because the next posts will be with my favorite christmas present--my NEW camera! Merry (very belated) Christmas!!