touch a truck.

One of my favorite things about where I live are all the great activities they have going out throughout the summer. Most of them are free or really cheap. Today we went to Touch-A-Truck. And it's exactly what it says it is. Kids to get go around and get inside tons of cool vehicles. Like a firetruck, UPS truck, police car, tow truck, army hummer, school bus, library bus, city truck, back hoe, even a hot air balloon basket. Despite the sprinkling rain, we had a good time. Audrey pretty much thinks diggers are the most amazing thing ever. Next to the balloon she got from the pizza delivery van.

I am babysitting for a friend's little girl on Mondays and Wednesdays. So she went with us. She is a year older than Audrey and a total sweetheart. This picture is of Jonathan (Audrey's cousin), Elise (friend), and Audrey. And complete cuteness of them holding hands.

Despite their faces in this next photo, they all were having a good time inside the ambulance. [I'm learning it is nearly impossible to snap a picture of more than one child smiling or even looking at the camera.]

I'm also learning how awesome and useful babywearing is when you have more than one child. Audrey spent sometime on my back in the Ergo and on the front. P.S. Have I told you how much I love my Ergo? It can hold a child up to 40lbs.

We had a fun morning. And now its naptime and I'm munching on watermelon. Lots and lots of watermelon.

singing in the rain.

It rained for about 10 minutes today. And we enjoyed every minute of it outside.

in five years.

get married
get a cat
graduate from college
buy our first home
teach preschool
andrew switches jobs
my mom passes away
teach kindergarten
get pregnant
andrew switches jobs
give birth to our first child, Audrey Rose
quit teaching
sell our first home
buy our second home (major fixer-upper)
andrew starts his own company
get pregnant again, wait for Naomi Fae
love life

All in five years. Between the trials and happy-times, I did it all with my best friend.

Happy 5 year anniversary to the best husband. Ever. (We celebrated this past Friday by taking a little getaway to one of our favorite places, Madison, Indiana. The picture above was taken at Clifty Falls- on self-timer. And P.S. I'm almost 23 weeks preggo there.)

hello. more randomness.

I have been computerless again this week (surprise). But it's been good.

I mowed the grass while wearing Audrey on my back in my Ergo. She LOVES it. [It's quite the sight to see. 22 week preggo woman mowing the grass with a 1.5 year old on her back. Don't worry, I wouldn't over-push myself. I consider it exercise and think about women in other countries who wear babies all the time while pregnant and walking miles for water each day].

I started to paint our front porch white. It's looking great, but I ran out of paint. I'm really into painting everything white nowadays.

Most of all, I've been enjoying this girl. (And she has been enjoying a lot of time on Gramp's boat. And bug bites- see the one in the middle of her forehead.)

As I type this, Naomi is kicking me. And it just makes me so excited to be adding another love.

.

baby shower.

I'm oh so lucky blessed for my lovely {girl}friends.

I mentioned in an earlier post that my friend, April, threw me a diaper shower last weekend. It was small and intimate and my close girlfriends and immediate family members came. We sipped strawberry lemonade, ate cupcakes with edible balls on top, and had great conversation. And now I have a room full of cloth and disposable diapers that I need to organize. Not to mention, some new bottles, a beautiful necklace, and a handmade memory tote.

From left to right: My older sister, Lisa, the hostess, April and her daughter, my best friend, Kacie, Karlee, Me, Katie, my sister-in-law, Allie, and Kylie. (Unfortunately, I remembered to snap a picture of everyone at the end of the shower, in which, some guests already left.)

One of my super close friends, Steph. (Who is obsessed with Audrey, and I just love it.) She had a softball game, but she still made an appearance. How sweet.

I give you permission to be jealous of the cupcakes. Because they were that good.

Drink up.

Naomi.{Fae}.  I think it is the perfect name.

It was a beautiful day. And by the way, doesn't April have the cutest house?

a very {favorite} moment.

I don't have any pictures for one of my favorite moments. But it is forever imprinted on my heart.

This past weekend, we spent some lovely family time out on the lake on my dad's boat. To get to the lake, we drive past the cemetery where my mom is buried. Anytime we pass that area I usually just glance over with silence. Nothing is said, but I definitely think about her. And life continues on.

But this last time, we didn't drive by in silence. As we were nearing the cemetery, out of the mouth of the sweetest little girl in the back seat comes Mimi's gave.

Instant tear. How did she remember? How did she notice where we were? Yes, Audrey, Mimi's grave.

Audrey: Touch.

Me: Do you want to touch Mimi's grave?

Audrey: Yes.

Me: It is fun to touch Mimi's grave and the shell. [Side note: My mom loved the ocean and now a shell sits on top of her grave as a memory.] We will visit Mimi's grave soon. Right now we are going on Gramp's boat.

Audrey: Boat. woder.

And the conversation goes on. Just as life does. But I will never forget that moment by Mimi's grave. Now, I know, Audrey doesn't get it. She doesn't understand graves and cemeteriess and Mimi. But that doesn't matter to me. One day she will and I will be able to share this story with her.

corn on the cob.

It is one of my favorite summer foods {with butter and salt, no less}.

Apparently, it is also one of Audrey's favorite summer foods.

Audrey and her cousin, Jonathan, started with a half one each. That wasn't sufficient. They each needed their own whole one.

Another small moment shucked and gobbled up.