Answers...

Here's an update on our Lucy.

Lucy started the school year struggling to keep up... 

we talked with her teacher and started testing for just about everything we could think of.

She was even tested by the local school district for learning disabilities. 

She passed everything... come to find out, she's even smarter than we thought she was, I've never had an IQ test, but I'm pretty sure she's smarter than me. 

Lucy has a hard time with reading and gross motor skills.

We found out earlier this week, what the problem is...

Lucy has a vision problem and needs vision therapy.

We have an appointment in the next few weeks to get started.

I'm so thankful and relieved... this is a fairly "easy fix" to get her caught up (she's about a year behind in her reading).  

I am looking forward to seeing her confidence rise. 

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our girl!

She has a bright future ahead of her!

Sweet 16

Sweet 16

Today is Olivia's 16th birthday!

Last Friday night we had a party here at the house with Olivia's besties.

I bought them matching "16" t-shirts, we had Chipotle for dinner and lots of sweet treats!

 I love these girls! They are all beautiful, smart and talented. I couldn't have hand picked better friends for Olivia.  They loved doing a mini photoshoot in the backyard for me. 

Here's a peek at the party decor....these are all iphone photos...

 Of course, we decorated the chalkboard and made some poms. 

 The beautiful cake, I ordered it from a local bakery. It tasted as good as it looks. :)

Olivia and her beautiful smile!

Happy Birthday baby girl!

We love you!

Magical...

We have only been in our new home for just under two weeks.

We are all unpacked, pictures hanging on the walls and we've already dove into some projects.

It's been a whirlwind of activity.

My favorite part of this house is the yard. 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love it.

Jeff and I have always had homes in newer subdivisions with what I call, fishbowl backyards.  Our last neighborhood even had plastic fences.  Yuck!

Our new yard is private, wooded and oh, so peaceful.

The photographer in me has been checking the lighting everyday to see where and when it falls/peaks through.

I took Lucy out last Sunday night for this 1st pic.  The sunlight was gorgeous!

Last night I realized there was a perfect spotlight of sun in this little clearing... I can see it from my kitchen window.

Lucy said she wanted to read outside, I told her to grab a blanket and a book and head to the clearing.

I, of course ran to get my big camera....

I just stood mesmerized, by this sight.. I find it truly magical!

This is SO worth all the remodeling projects that need to be done on the inside.

If I'm dreaming, don't wake me.  :)

Teenager!

Last weekend we celebrated Jack's birthday!

He turned 13 last Monday, now we have another teenager in the house. 

Here he is in front of our chalkboard... Lucy wrote this.  :)

 He was excited to get an Xbox 360!

Happy Birthday Jack!