Winks, Blinks & Lots of *Sonshine

Meet Owen Isaac Ruley, age 4

 on the day of his Pre-School's *Spring Sing*

 He was primed & ready to perform...especially when he saw his adoring fans in the audience.

 ~Born to Make Music

 ~Each of Us is a Flower

" I love my Mommy...she sings me to sleep"

 ~I Have a "Hello"

 I have a "hello" in my eye - *wink

 I have a "hello" in my lips - *kiss

 mwaaaa

 *Kiss!

 I have a "hello" in my face - *smile

 This boy belongs in Hollywood!

Ahhh, now for the classic that I have now heard all 4 of my babies sing to me at their Spring Sing..."SKINNAMARINK"

 "I love you in the morning and in the afternoon...I love you in the evening, and underneath the moon..."

 "Skinnamarink-a-dinky-dink, Skinnamarink-a-doo, I LOVE YOU!"

Time for just Owen & Mommy to head to his class for our special *Mother's Day Tea*

I look forward to this day ALL year long!

 As soon as we arrived, Owen quickly let me know that the big cookie was for him and the little one for me...ha! :-)

 Words cannot describe the love I feel towards this boy of mine...

I literally cherish every single day that I get to spend with him...

And luckily, due to his October birthday, I get one more year with him before he starts school...yay me!

Who wouldn't want to wake up to that face?! 

A boy who drew himself and then wrote "CAKE" below it...now that is a boy after my own heart!!

And here is a portrait of me :-)

"The great man is he that does not lose his child's heart." ~ Menicus

Owen - may you never lose the vibrant *JOY that God has given you!

 You are my *SONSHINE!

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your heart." Ecclesiastes 9:10

A Tie Never Felt So Good

A common sight...Abby Lou mothering her lil bro as she heads to her last game of the season.

And yes, Owen always begs to wear "soccer clothes" to the games and then spurs on a makeshift soccer game with new friends 

All smiles as she embarks on her last game of the season

Team huddle

Action

Throw in

Held the Top Ranked Team 0-0

We were thrilled with the Tie!

I just love this picture...takes me back

One pumped up Soccer Girl ~ earned a team trip to Braums!

Abby with her soccer & 4th grade pal, Zoe

Following their yummy treats, they switched gears and had a fun afternoon of crafts & fashion makeovers

I'm savoring their innocence...no make-up, no phone calls from boys, and still enjoy swinging on the playset in the backyard. I still can't believe they will be starting Jenks Intermediate in August...say it ain't so!!

Twooth-4-1

Couldn't have planned it if we tried...

A Twooth-4-1

Mother's Day Minus One

Now this is one view I could get used to while cuddled in bed on a beautiful Mother's Day morning!

(you will realized in a bit why Owen doesn't quite look himself)

 L'Eggo, Eggo & Strawberrio's = YUMMO!

 Here's where the Minus 1 occurs ~ Owen came down with a tummy bug  :-(

    Abby hand made her card with fabric - she even sewed the pieces on! 

 Even though Owen didn't feel well, he wanted in the group pic...prayin' he didn't give any of us his cooties!! 

   LOVED my homemade banner...

it totally MADE MY DAY :-)

  All my homemade sentiments

(I started taking pictures of cards & artwork this year so I can always have them to remember...never know what will happen to them tucked away in the attic!)

   Will's hand painted card he made in Chinese class

 Good for one free breakfast/lunch or dinner - he pays; and one free Christian song played for me on his guitar...SWEEET!

 from "Ella bella your Love"  :-)

 Abby's gonna be lovin' on me for a loooong time!

  Beautiful homemade pottery...Ella's on left, Abby's on right ~ I now have an entire collection of these as each of the kids make me one in art class each Spring :-)

Mimi over for some a fancy tuna sandwiches

(couldn't go out due to little man being sick) 

 One Lucky Gal ~ Minus One 

Spending the morning with only three of my four truly reinforced how I was absolutely meant to have all four of my babies. There's just somethin' about all of them together (well, other than the bickering...ha!). Seriously, though...it felt so strange without my little man by my side. 

Other than that...I had one of the MOST GLORIOUS Mother's Day ever!! Between Greg making my coffee for the 1st time & planting flowers in my front garden, all the homemade treats from my kiddo's, church with my Mom & Grandma, the sweetest card & gift from my M-In-Law...I seriously feel like the most BLESSED Momma in the whole wide world! 

As I say each year..."my cup runneth over." 

Psalm 23:5

Carve Out Time

This is one of my dearest friends, Karis (in the Greek it means Grace). And, grace is one of the words I would use to describe her. To me, however, she is "Karista" ~ rhymes with "Barista" ~ think a little about that, and you'll realize why I nicknamed her that! :-)

I felt the need to express how important it is to carve out the time to be with the ones you love. With the busyness of kids' activities, exercise, church events, etc. there is very little time leftover for moments like these. And with two busy Momma's, it's not easy to make these times happen.

 After finding out one of my dearest friends is moving away, it really sparked something in me to make a more diligent effort to spend time with the people I love...meaningful time. So, whatever the sacrifice, I try to make it happen.

Life is Short & God is Good. But...Time is Fleeting. Take the Time to Be with the Ones You Love.

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."  ---Oprah Winfrey

A 12 Year Old Dream Come True

12 years ago today...my lifelong dream came true. 

I became a mother to a beautiful baby boy. 

*Happy Birthday Will!* 

I love u so.