Happy 1st Birthday Jackson Xavier!!!

More to come.........

Well spent

I just had to post my latest and greatest find at the Dollar General in Allendale (besides the $4 faux baby crocs I found for Jackson). I've seen Crocs version of the MaryJane and found these knockoffs for a mere $6 last week! I will be alternating these with the infamous flip-flops this summer. The best part - I can stick them into the washing machine when dirty!

Small talk with Reece

So today was a busy day living the life of a family of 6. I picked up McKenna for a playdate at our house (to give Stephanie some time with the new baby). The boys loved having a little girl around (Reece, especially b/c they're only a few months apart). I took ONLY Reece with me while I brought McKenna back to GR. Tim and I try to make a conscious effort of giving him individual attention when possible. It seems he's much more jealous of Jackson now that Jackson is walking and a possible threat to his territory. On the way home from GR Reece and I had a bit of small talk. I think he liked not having to compete with Lucas (or Jackson) for my attention. A bit of silence lingered and then he said to me, "Mom, you're a pretty girl" (so matter-of-factly). I asked him what he said as I wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming :) Clear as day, I heard what I thought I heard. You have a special place in my heart Reece Allen Meyers :) Mommy loves you!!!

Cooperating for the camera

He obviously hasn't figured out I will be (trying to) taking a zillion pictures of him during his childhood years!

Giving it a shot

So, I'm trying to decide how to "present" photos to parents..........I'm giving smugmug a try. So far so good....to check out my recent gig, follow this link and click on the gallery thumbnail to view the entire gallery http://whitneyjillphotography.smugmug.com/
I've also added this link in my "sites to see" section.

Talsma Trio

TYLER

ANNIKA

RILEIGH

Here's a sneak peak from your kids' photo shoot today Heather!

Refreshing!

I had the opportunity to attend the Challenge of Children Conference in Holland today. I've heard wonderful things about this conference, but have never attended. I left the house a little after 8am this am to enjoy (almost) the whole morning/afternoon to myself! Tim and I were able to have a lunch date at 8th Street Grille in Holland http://www.8thstreetgrille.com/index.htm (highly recommended!). After enjoying a RELAXING lunch (with adult conversation and no disciplining of children required:) we picked up lattes and strolled down 8th street. I even had enough time to capture some of the many beautiful tulips with my camera. It was enlightening and refreshing to get away from the munchkins for the afternoon and listen to parenting enthusiasts. I left the last breakout session on Grace Based Parenting with a very encouraging quote from Philip Yancey, "There is nothing you can do to make God love you more......and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less." How reassuring it is to know that we have received this undeserved gift of grace from above! God is good!!!

Proud Auntie

So I just had to add a picture of my newest nephew, Tyson Lee........isn't he a cutie?! I know, I might be a bit biased, but he's such a honey. Can I also brag about my sweet $0.50 garage sale find of a backdrop for the portrait??? Garage saleing IS a SPORT!!!

How can you doubt...

the existence of our Creator ?!!! I had this awesome reminder of the beauty and power of God today as we were coming home from a playdate today! We were driving down the road and Lucas asked me what was in the clouds (and I almost just blew it off with the typical, "I don't know buddy" answer I often give when I'm just TOO BUSY to stop and listen to what he's saying). So, I peered through the windshield to find this awesome array of color in the midst of clouds (mind you it did not rain today). I had the camera with me so I pulled over to snap a picture of Lucas' sighting. I told him that it was God at work and he responded, "Is that God?!!" How can I doubt our Creator lives?!!!

Doing my part

So I figure while I can't change the fact that gas prices are so high, at least I can try to save what I use, right? I have been hanging our clothes out on the line whenever possible to avoid using the gas dryer. It does take a little extra effort in tying up the rope from the deck to the swingset (yes, our neighbors might think we're hooligans) and actually hanging each article of clothing one by one, but I figure at least I'm doing my part to try to save some "green" and help out our planet :) I know this doesn't work for everyone, but I figure if I'm home all day with the kids it's not a big deal to hang the wash (plus the kids have an instant fort!).

Just had to share another of my "baby." He's growing up way too fast - and if you see me soon - DON'T remind me he's almost a year old :( Can we just put life on pause or warp back to those sleepless nights? (oooooh, shouldn't have typed that outloud!). God's been good to us!

Welcome baby Tyson!

Mark and Stephanie welcomed baby Tyson Lee Holden into the world Tuesday, May 6. He was just a little peanut at 6lbs 11oz and only 19in. Mom and baby are both doing well and should be coming home Thursday. I hope to get some better "non-flash" pictures of the little guy this weekend (before he realizes how much his auntie loves to use the camera :) God bless this little bundle of boy!!!


Becoming a big sister is hard work! We have McKenna for a few days and I was lucky to capture her napping today on the couch :)

Patience

As a mom, wife, Christian, teacher, etc. I've learned that patience is hard to come by. This morning our pastor gave a sermon about patience and how perfect God's timing is. How many times have you prayed for someone/about something and thought, "Thanks God for NOT answering my prayer?" It's so hard to keep in mind how perfect God's timing really is. He answers our prayers, but not always as timely as we think He should. Sometimes maybe, as Christians, we're even praying the wrong prayers..........that's definitely one of my weaknesses as a Christian - I need to remember that even in the midst of the most hopeless (what I feel is hopeless) situation God is listening and showing me His divine plan. Prayer is NEVER left unanswered - think about it - God has a LOT of prayers to answer :) So, keep praying - unceasingly!!! These recent photos I took of our amaryllis (sp?) bulbs reminded me of God's perfect timing. Our boys were so excited to see the things actually get leaves that grew to be about 2 feet tall!!! Then Lucas said to me one day, "Mom, I heard that Nicole's plant has a bud on it!" I told him his and his brother's were probably NOT going to get buds because the leaves came first. Honestly, I was about ready to dump the bulbs out! Then, one day, I noticed something that looked a bit different from the other leaves.............it was a bud!!! I told the boys it wouldn't open until it was as tall as the other leaves - that it would take quite a while, but if we were patient, we could see the bud open. Wow God's perfect timing is AWESOME!!! Not only did we get one bud, but between the two plants we got four!! The boys (and I) were so excited. Better yet, I got to take a few pictures of these beautiful flowers (thanks grandma and grandpa!). God is great!

Look Mom No Hands!!!

So, we've hit one of the BIG inevitable milestones..........walking!!! Jackson is SO proud of his newfound freedom. Though he's only taken 3 consecutive steps, he's determined to master this new skill. It's so fun watching him trying to keep up with his older brothers.

This is Jackson's untamed hair right after his bath - it just keeps growing, and growing, and growing..........

Like I said in an earlier post, sleeping babies just melt my heart, especially when they're my own!