and some photos....

The slide at hogle zoo. really the only thing she loved, until she had a major collision with Jared, and then she was done!!! (thanks suzie for the trip....3 months ago.. we LOVED it)

our little family at the beach. for some reason i did not plan ahead enough, go figure, so zoia and i were left without suits. hence her drowned rat look!

she LOVED the ocean. it was in fact freakin freezing water, but that didn't stop her. i think she needed a little break though, to contemplate the waves...

gratitude....

yes, i know it has been awhile since i have written and if i have any readers left at all it will be a miracle. truthfully i have been extra mega-busy since the move.... and there really has not been a lot to say. not to mention, that as most of you know, i tend to be a rather pessimistic individual as of late (yes, feel sorry for my husband). so all i could think to say were complaints. than today, as i was running through some quick emails and such, i took a look at a blog that i stalk and realized just how grateful i should be for my life. the blog is a beautiful photography blog, and a smattering of wonderful thoughts. i really just enjoy her viewpoint, her children, her photos... anyhow it seems that her last few post have in some way, been in honor of the remarkable women in her life. some have experienced tragic loss of a spouse, some have battled with horrific illness, or terrible accidents. and still others have left behind grieving families. i broke down into tears at my own selfishness. how could i possibly be pessimistic when i have so much. my daughter is the most amazing, wonderful, priceless gift and i can't imagine why i was so lucky to have been blest with her. she is perfect. she is funny and beautiful and crazy and simply the happiest little spot in my life. my husband.... i know he loves me. i know he tries so hard. i know i make him crazy and yet most days he puts up with it. he is wonderful. my family is such an amazing support system. we all are struggling right now with this and that, but at the end of the day there is nothing that we wouldn't do for each other. and i really mean nothing. i am healthy. i don't have cancer or diabetes or trouble conceiving or even heartburn. i have friends, that despite our lengthy separations and busy lives, truly love and care about me. what more could you ask for? i am so terribly sorry for these women who have struggled to simply be alive. i am so sorry for their children who have had to watch them in such pain. i am sorry mostly for the fact that i don't show enough gratitude to my heavenly father for my blessings. but i am, i truly am so unspeakably grateful.