7 years.

Seven years ago today I married the love of my life. We were married almost exactly a year after we met. I was not looking for a "boyfriend" or love, certainly not marriage. I was looking forward to moving to my apartment in Kansas City and starting my new job & living in the "real world". I was going to save up for a shiny new red Ford Escape. I wanted one so badly. I still moved to the "big city" but I could not get this man off my mind. I felt differently about him than any other man. He truly made me feel special, like a princess. He respected me. He wanted to get to know me, the real me. I quickly realized that I was falling in love, we were falling in love, and Oh my gosh, what am I going to do? Well, we did what any rational couple would do-we got engaged! And then married 4ish months later! :)

Stephen, I love you with all my heart. Every day you make me feel like I am the most beautiful girl on the planet. You are caring & compassionate, intuitive, kind, wise, trusting and sooo romantic. Much more than me. :) You are an amazing father. We've been through so much already; ups and downs and we are stronger, better now. Thank you for understanding me, for your patience and unconditional love. Heres to 7 more years. Who woulda' ever thought?

I love you forever plus a week

Your wifey& firefly
Megan

When I married Stephen, I also had the great honor of becoming these precious little boys' stepmom. I still think they are precious even though they are now 14 and 12! They are a blast. It has truly been a joy. I love 'em.


I had my dream wedding. Outdoors in a beautiful courtyard, under the trees, nestled in the city with fresh flowers-even white folding chairs.

And here are some silly pics from Will's I-pod thing(I thought it was a phone, but it pretty much does everything except make phone calls, I'm so confused.)

Aneeways, here are some pics of our little lovies.

Mmhm, why yes I am very clean & squishy.
With her stethoscope.

Sweet Max. Will made this with CamWow!

Still getting kisses from my boy. Cherishing.

Oh, silly silly girrull. You make us laugh.

Adios.

What We've been up to..& camera troubles

Were does the time go!? I just realized yesterday that I needed to get the tropical beach calendar in my kitchen switched to July..golly. And, that I really wanted to be in that picture. We've spent lots of time with big brothers Ed & Will. Wrestling, playing chasing/tag games, fishing, bbq-ing, building campfires, & pretty much anything "boyish" you can think of. :) We've gone to the pool many times & filled up our own pool at home, we've gone on walks (when weather permits), an auction, some shopping, and celebrated Independence Day. We lit a few of our own fireworks and watched the fireworks show from town on a blanket in our yard..I absolutely love the 4th..It has always been one of my favorite holidays. There's something magical about it, yet its so laid back..Did you see the sparkler pictures on Kiwi Freckles blog? They were amazing! Anywho.

And so, our camera will not let me download any new photographs. These pics I took & downloaded them before the camera was "acting up." I think it needs to go to time out. It will still let me take pictures but will not let me put them on the computer. Until we can get a new camera, I will just have to "deal".

Evelyn's first trip to the swimming pool. She did so well. Now, she really likes for me to hold her so that she kinda "floats" on her tummy. I think she is going to be a fish.

"Tummy time" together. Evie loves to reach out and grab Max & she likes to pull his hair too. They have such the sweetest little connection already. It makes my heart melt. He calls her "my baby girl"

Well, thats all I have for now. Hopefully, I will get this camera thing figured out-perhaps get a new one?!

Nigh Night & God bless

7 Months Yesterday

Its hard to believe but my baby girl turned 7 months yesterday. Boy, this time with them sure is precious. Seems just yesterday we were finally able to bring her home from the hospital. She has changed my life more than she will ever know. Every day I look at her and especially when I see her beauty scar, I am reminded of God's miracles and His Love and His Faithfulness that is beyond my comprenhsion.

Evie weighs 14lbs. 80z., & is 25 5/8 inches long. She loves tummy time & can roll tummy to back and back to tummy. She says dadada, mamama, bababa, & gggggss. She loves to "blow spit" and "squeals". (Maybe she is copying mommy's squeals?!) She sucks her left thumb when she is sleepy and wants to fall asleep. She can almost sit on her own. She has 3 or 4 bottles of formula a day & a veggie & a fruit. Her favorite is nanas so far. She smacks & sticks out her tongue when she eats. Its so funny. And messy.

She loves to be outside and I think she's gonna love flowers just as much as her momma. Her laugh is contagious. She adores her brother and thinks he is funny.

She's got her momma's big blue eyes and her daddy's smile. She gives us many different "expressions". She loves when we sing & listen to music.

You melt my heart in a million pieces. Mommy can never get enough of you. You are my princess angel of love and joy and beauty. I love you always and forever baby girl.

And just thought ya'll like to see the first "real" fish I've ever caught. (Meaning not a baby) I reeled him in back at my hometown, KS, at our dear lifelong family friend's gorgeous pond. And, the headband I'm wearing I made. I am copying my sister's idea and making them to sell in my shop. :)

Goodnight and God Bless.

Camping

We are back from our camping adventures & I look like a candy cane. Burnt in places I apparently didn't apply enough sunscreen & white in places that failed to see much sun. Anywho, that really doesn't matter. Really. We had a great time relaxing in God's creation as well as some stressful times battling the elements. Have you ever been inside a tent while it was raining, thundering & lightning, winds you thought might blow you away while your husband was outside trying to hold down your protective covering? We could be on the next season of survivor.

We took in breathtaking views of Lake Shelbyville, roasted marshmellows on the campfire, caught up on reading and soaked in the warm sun, when it was shining. We even got really brave & laid out on rafts. The water was freezing!

Me & mr. toad. Isn't he cute? Me & my cousins used to go "toad hunting" at my grandparents. We would see who could catch the most or who could catch the biggest. I caught the biggest one of all. Still hold the record.

Leftover sparklers. Fun!


Stephen got to do lots of fishing. He likes fishing for bass. He's pretty good at it.

Chilln' at the campsite. Angler bait shop.

1000 Gifts

I'm sure many of you have heard of Ann Voskamp's book 1000 Gifts. If you have not read it, I highly recomend it. It is both inspiring & challenging. Poetic. Its one of those books where after you read a paragraph you go Oh, wow, I need to read that again. It gets you thinking in new ways. Living in each & every moment & finding the beauty & grace in even the littlest things. God is giving us all of this & we often fail to see it. He desperately wants our communion & He is saying, Look! smell! Listen! I love you!

I started my own 1000 gifts journal. It may take me a year to do it but it can help me get through each day. And, some days, I might not get anything written down..

Here's what I've got so far:

1. singing birds out the window

2. sunshine! finally!

3. baby girl big morning grins

4. clean soap skin smell on the husband

5. lingering hugs of the little boy

6. big brother's prayer for his little sister

7. husband bringing home all the groceries

8. freshly cut grass.

9. horse's wispy tails

10. a "spiritual foods" package from my parents

11 wet bubbly baby skin

12. little boys big dimple on his cheek

13. New products-mascara, Garnier spf moisturizer, self tanner, & coconut smelling sunscreen :)

14. hummingbird flitting about the new flowers...

Will anyone else join me in this challenge? I promise it will be worth it. Plus, it would give you an excuse to go find a cute new journal. :0

Praire Gardens family outing.

On another note, the hubbs & I are headed for vacation tomorow. If you call camping vacation which , I do. We will get to lounge the days away by the lake. Read, sleep, eat, soak in sun. Repeat. Will update with some pics later. Have a blessed weekend!

Oh how far she's come

On Tues. we went to St. Louis Children's Hospital to see Evelyn's cardiologist. She also had an echocardiogram and EKG done. Everything looked just great, they said, and told us to come back next spring! When she gets older (like 9 or 10, which seems like a long way off but I know it will be here before I know it) they will give her stress tests to be sure that her coronary arteries are functioning properly.

When they were doing her EKG she had so many wires coming off her-it was dejavu'. I was just so thankful that we had gotten through so much already. I am so proud.

My princess angel of love and joy and beauty. :)


My dear sweet boy on our nature "hike" last week. He calls Evie " My baby girrull."

The Peters clan at Easter. Aren't I a lucky gal?!

Ahh, those lazy days of...Spring!

Today was a lazy day. With warm temps and spring breezes we mostly chilled on the patio. I relished in the fresh air; faintest hint of freshly mowed grass from the neighbors. I soaked in the beauty and innocence of my babies and still could not get enough. I never do, I never will. I took lots of pics. Trying to catch, keep and bottle up these moments in time. I'm just so darn crazy about them.

Warmer weather also means little onesies. More opportunities to adore the rolls! Max drew his first "baby" today. An oval, 3 dots for eyes & nose, a line for the smile. It was amazing. :)

More Rolls! FYI-she did not wear that bow all day. Just for pictures. We are not quite that put together. :)

Yes, she's a thumb sucker-only when hers is gettn' sleepy..

Fresh ice tea with lemon and girl scout cookies. This past week I got to spend with my parents. All week! 5 nights! It was wonderful. I don't have the luxury of having them around very often. They were a blessing. My mom loves ice tea. She had some leftover in our fridge & I made more. They helped with the kids, cleaned, did laundry, brought gifts and necessities and spoiled me. We even loaded up and drove to Wisconsin to stay with my A. Tam a couple nights. We had a blast celebrating her & my grandma's b-days. My grandma lives in this amazing Catholic nursing home with bunnies. Real bunnies. It didn't even smell bad there.

And, my latest painting. I call it "Tropical Storm" & it is for sale in my vintage shop.