Realization

This morning before church I had to run to the grocery store. Since I had to be at church rather early this morning, Matt and the girls stayed home to rest up from a busy weekend.

As I was walking in the door, I seen a man and his son. The father seemed to be rather irritated and was talking to the boy in a way that really bothered me.
We seemed to have been going to the store for the same reason because through my whole trip to the store, all I could hear was this father literally nagging and griping about everything the quiet boy did.
From my perspective, the boy was just looking for a chance and for someone to talk to.

When I got back in my car, all I could think about was how I treat my children and how embarassed I would be if I looked so frazzled and irritated towards my children that I didn't even give them a chance to speak their minds. There have been many, MANY times that I've been running late, in a hurry, or just so tired and worn out that I know I have been this parent so many times.

I was finally able to brush it off and went to church.

And at church, this poem was shared:

Children Learn What They Live


By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

And once again, my eyes were opened and my attitude changed.

Even though I have been blessed with a husband that amazes me beyond belief and two beautiful little girls, life is still hard. But add a loving God and a new attitude to the mix and life and my perspective will be forever changed.

Because....

I have an amazing family to share life with, to walk with, and to grow with. Who wouldn't want to be given the opportunity to raise something created by God himself? Who wouldn't want to share the joys of everyday life with them? And I was lucky enough to be chosen to do so. I am so lucky...and blessed.

Who wouldn't want to spend the whole day with these two beautiful girls? And to have the freedom to do most anything we please every single day, together, is a treaure that I will truly miss when they grow up.

My newly discovered attitude that covers a new perspective is something that I've been needing for awhile now and I can't wait to begin looking at life in a whole different way.

Xoxo,

Tanna

My better half....

Matt here!!  I bet your wondering where I have been... I wish I could answer that question.  I have been so busy with school, work, the house, ect.. that I feel like sometimes I am just a machine moving from one place to another.  But here I am, taking 10 minutes out of my busy evening to talk about one of the things that keeps me sane, Tanna.  For anyone that knows her, you know what I mean.  She teaches me everyday what is really important in life and to appreciate life to its fullest.  But what really amazes me about her is all of her amazing talents.  She can do sooo many things.  If she had a title, she would be the embroidering photograher mother who cleans the house, cooks the meals, and STILL has time to do homework, yardwork, and any other work that is thrown her way.  Seriously, she does just about everything ( except rub my feet, but that is another story... and don't get me started on that story   lol).  But honestly, it amazes me how much she does for this family and how well she does it.  I feel so lucky to have her as my wife. ( I think she married me for my money.. haha )  If Jaelyn and Finlee grow up to be like her, I know that their husbands will feel just as blessed as I do.  So next time you see us, just know that she is the better half, and that without her, I would probably be lost! 

Hook Em!!

Matthew

Spring

The smell of rain. Children laughing and playing outside. Snowcones. Evening walks. Cute sun dresses. Beautiful weather. Barbeques. Picnics. Park time. Sunshine.
These are just a few reasons of why I love Spring. I can take the girls outside, where we can play for hours with chalk, on the swing set, or at the playground.

 I love the relaxation and beauty of flowers, rain, and so much more that Spring brings with it.

And to capture it so that I can admire it for awhile longer than it lasts? It's like love at first sight over and over again.

And I definitely love the nice weather. I can dress my darlings up in matching sundresses full of bright colors or capris and frilly shirts that make me (and them) smile to the end of the earth.

The best part about this journey through my life is that I get to do it with my bestfriend and precious girls that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Life has been very, VERY busy lately that I almost can't keep up.

The girls still seem to be growing at a rapid pace and I have yet to figure out how to slow it down. If anyone can help me with that, please do.

Jaelyn has been learning so much lately. She talks all of the time and I see a lot of myself in her. My brothers and family use to pay me to not talk for so long and lately the idea seems to be sounding like a good one. I can't deny that I love how cute her words or attempt at words sound. Her favorite phrase lately is, "Mommy...I love you." And it melts me heart every stinkin' time. She too is loving the beautiful weather. She's definitely my outdoorsy girl and a bit of a tomboy but I love watching her discover the world.

Finlee is becoming a brave girl. She took her first steps a few days after Easter and lately she's been walking from place to place. She loves her big sister although she's also learning to fight back when she needs to. Her smile and giggles are so precious and I can never resist them. Any cuddle time that I can get, I cherish because she's such a busy girl, always on the go and playing her heart out. I can't wait for her to be able to interact with her sister on a higher level. She's definitely my sweetheart and is growing up too fast.

As for Matt and I, we're still settling into our new home. We love it; the freedom, the challenges, the decisions, and the fact that we have a home. We're both still busy with school and both definitely ready for a break this summer. But most of all, we love being parents to the most beautiful girls in the world. We're biased, we know! We are also loving all of the time we're getting with our friends since the weather has been beautiful.

I love the fact that Spring can bring us so much joy. It's like we've been given a new chapter in our book of life. The open windows air out the house and a new perspective has opened up as soon as the front door opens. It's beautiful, I tell you. Our book of life is beautiful around here. I challenge you to find the beauty in your book of life, because it's all around you.

Xoxo,

Tanna

Ava

Since this blog is about our family, why not share something that is a big hobby of someone in this family...me & photography, of course!

Tonight I got the privledge of taking photo's of a very favorite little girl of mine named...

She is so sweet...and quite a busy little girl.

She just celebrated her 1st birthday this past week and she's already walking!

Don't you just love her?

She also has a very handsome big brother named Nicholas. He's a little onery too but quite a little ham too!

They're an adorable family and great friends of ours too! Our kids are similar in age and it makes for some great get-together's! I hope I can capture their family for many more years to come!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Beautiful Life

Lately, I've been thinking back on the story of my life.
I love reminiscing over the life challenges, memories, and special moments that I've faced that make me who I am today. And I must say, I've had great and loving life thus far.
I've grown, learned, and have come a long way in the short 20-some years that I've been alive and I'm proud to say that I have.

After all, I did score this handsome man almost seven years ago...

...He's the best husband and father in the world.

And together we have two beautiful little girls...

And a mighty fine dog, McCoy...

And love. We have lots of love in our family. And it's because of love that we have our family to start with, thanks to God.

I can't wait to watch the rest of our lives unfold. To continue to look back on how far we've come, how far we have yet to go and grow, and I look foward to the memories and the challenges.
But for now, I'm loving living life with my beautiful girls, handsome husband, mighty-fine dog, and all of our other family and friends. I love enjoying them all day, everyday and I wish everyday was a day for fun and play.

Enjoy the photos!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Random Post of Life

This little bunny started walking just a few days after Easter. She still needs a lot of practice but she's making progress which is what counts. I absolutely love watching her learn. There's something special about watching her take her first steps. I love it and I love watching her as she slowly blossoms into the beautiful little girl that she is.

This little cutie just turned 3 less than a week ago and I still can't believe it. My baby is 3. T-h-r-e-e-. Three-years-old. And if she is anything like I was when I was little, I'd like to take the time to apologize to my parents because she is a handful! But...we love her and will most definitely keep her!

Her birthday was very bittersweet. Many family members and friends gathered with us at the zoo to celebrate. It was quite the party and Jaelyn loved that the day was about her, especially because she was at the zoo and her cutie-patootie friends came along too.

It was such a special day..I still can't believe it. :)

Our house is coming a long great. This is Matt's favorite part of our house. It was pretty chilly last night so we used it as a good excuse to gather with our bestfriends and to use our fireplace.

 (Yes, in April..weird, I know.)

We even roasted marshmallows and made smores.

    

Delicious!

Our time is slowly running out. Allison and Logan will soon be moving ahead on the road of life and even though we're happy for them, it will be very, VERY hard if they leave. We spend practically every evening together. It seems I can never stop laughing when they're around and our whole family is going to miss them..especially our girls. But I am very grateful that we have them as friends and we still have a few short months together!

When we're not spending time in our perfect (for us), new house..we're spending time together.

We picnic atleast once a week. It's one of our very favorite things to do as a family.

I better get back to work before my "boss" gets home! Will update with photo's of our new home soon but until then, enjoy these!

Xoxo,

Tanna

If you're happy and you know it...

I am clapping my heart out. I am praising, thanking, and giving glory to the "big man in the sky" for everything that I've been given this past week.

We are finally moved into our new HOME.

We still have lots of work to do but the point is that I feel at home, finally. I love it. I keep sitting here at my make-shift desk, taking it all in, trying to convince myself that God really did just bless me with a beautiful house to raise my children in.

For quite some time, I just felt like I was here in Topeka, just going through the motions, just in "blah" mode. And ever since we moved in, I have felt like I finally belong. I feel different at church, at the store, and in my kitchen. I am ever so thankful that my attitude, mood, views, and love for a town have been changed.
And I'm so sure that this is where I belong for now.

And to be able to take this step with Matt, as a family, has changed us as well. Everytime we walk in the door, we're excited about what projects we can tackle...together. I love the thought of raising my children here. I just love it. LOVE it.

(Thank you to everyone who has helped us move, adjust, and helped us get ready to begin living in our house. And also to everyone who helped make this possible for us!)

Today was not a good day but I kept my head up and pushed forward. Why didn't I have a good day? Matt had to go back to work today after a week long vacation. I am SO thankful that he has the job he does. He loves his job and I love that he has one but I hated to see him go today. I love spending all of my time with him. He makes me laugh all the time and I really enjoyed having him home, even if we were working most of the time.

We had a great, busy Easter. Most of Matt's family came to town and we had a delicious lunch with them after church and then headed home to spend the rest of the day with our girls. The Easter bunny even visited us in the morning!

Look foward to some photos. We've been changing things here and there to make it our home and I can't wait to share!

Xoxo,
Tanna