Brayden turns one....{cake~smash}

"As soon as I saw you,

I knew an adventure 

was going to happen."

Winnie the Pooh

{homework}

I usually keep my blog posts pretty simple...it's more about what the photos have to say than me, but today...it's a bit more.

A little while ago I was sitting with my daughter while she did her homework. It's not that she always needs the actual help as much as the motivation to keep going.

Homework is the thorn in our side. I get the actual principal behind having homework, but in the grand scheme of things...it really just stinks.

We were huddled in front of the fire on this freezing night and I had my camera on the floor in front of me, studying it.

As I watched her work I slowly lifted my finger and snapped these few pictures.

It breaks my heart.

She's in school all day long and when she gets home

she's exhausted.

Some days we argue and I push her to get it done right away, other days I cave and we put it off...which usually backfires. 

From the time she gets home until the time she goes to bed I have just four short hours with her. It's my preference that she play and bathe and be with her family. Eat some dinner, read a book...be a kid.

My goal for her is to be a great person, not a great robot. I'd rather watch her be fascinated with the ladybug she found and why it's spotted than watch her do dittos that make her spin her wheels trying to "show her work" on math problems that prior to the Common Core where just fine done in her head.

Don't get me wrong, we have been blessed with some pretty fabulous teachers and an incredible school district.  But I want her to be a kid and a functioning part of our family. I want her to have a chore or two, maybe play a sport?

I don't have the perfect solution, but I sure wish I did because truly...

homework stinks.

Engaged! {Sammi & John}

"He is more myself than I am.

Whatever our souls are made of,

his and mine are the

same."

Emily Bronte

{love.will}

{love.will}

"If there's a Will....there's a way"

And there was a Will, so his Mommy found a way.

I thought it would be perfectly perfect to start off this New Year by sharing this story.

It wasn't long ago that my sweet friends found out they were expecting...and not long after, that there was a problem.

Mom had a Placenta Accreta and it was strongly suggested that they terminate the pregnancy.

{you can read about this condition here: http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/placentaaccreta.html}

Both Mommy and Daddy decided that they would fight for this little one and decided to carry on with the pregnancy.

With determination and bravery like I've never witnessed, my friend worked her way to the end. They both have endured so much. 

After a very long and complicated surgery, little Will made his way into this world just before Christmas. He and Mommy still have a bit of a way to go, but it shouldn't be long now before they are both able to be home with the rest of the family.

I am so proud to know these two and so excited to see how Will takes on the world.

God Bless you little man.