Almost a year ago

I looked like this...
*yes, I thought I was smiling. You have to give me credit though, I was in labor.

Now I have this! And she is such a blessing! I wasn't suppose to have this blessing according to Dr's but with a loving Heavenly Father in charge we got her. Now with a second colonoscopy behind me that went so much better than the first, I can say I've been VERY well taken care of in the area of health. So many things could have happened and didn't, and I'm so grateful for that! Hopefully now I can add the fruits and vegtables in higher quantities to my diet and start feeling more like a normal person again. Maybe I'll even be able to get rid of the Captain Barbosa feeling. Either way I'm so grateful for our little Marie and all her smiles! :) I wouldn't trade her for anything!

They are my Sunshines, My little Sunshines...

When days look like this 90% of the time, it makes me so grateful for...
(this is at the Weihnacht market in our little town. Oh and it's the afternoon. Not that you can tell.)

These 3 in my life because they bring so much sunshine! You can see it!

They make my days more like this.
What on earth would I do without my rays of sunshine?

(oh, and this picture was taken about 11:30...so weird! Just look at those long shadows! I don't think I'll ever get use to the whole sun coming up at 8 and going down and 4 thing.)

We love Breakfast Burritos!

So one of the easiest "Tex-Mex" type foods that we can make here is Breakfast Burritos. Sam LOVES them and asks for them all the time. So Arnold got him saying this (watch video below) but until now we've not been able to get it on video. So enjoy!

Starting early

Arnold and I love to try and dance together in the front room. However usually two little people instantly come and join us in whatever way they can which means we don't dance very much. However we are getting an early start on the little ones. :)

Sam recently has decided that he wants to dance with his little sister. It's really cute and so much fun when he doesn't move to fast for Marie. We are just hoping that at some point we can get them dancing good enough that we can dance ourselves.

And just for fun. Here is our little man in one of my favorite shirts. Thanks Sam and Erin for bringing it! It's perfect! :)

Giggles

I love little baby laughs. I discovered that if I tried to make the sound one of the toys makes that Marie would just laugh and laugh. Luckily Arnold thought to get a video of it. :)

She must be related

I guess we all do some pretty funny things as little kids. This is one of them for me and apparently someone inherited the desire too.

Unfortunately every time we try to get a good picture of it she beats us in taking it out. So these aren't of her crawling with it in her mouth and I had to grab her hands to keep the sock there. Either way, it gives you a good idea.
We kinda look alike too. :)

I'm grateful for...

...A loving husband who takes care of us, especially the gazillions of times he has let me sleep in while taking the babies, washed dishes, done laundry and the other endless list of things he does to make my life easier without being asked or expecting anything in return. I don't know what I did to deserve him since he found me but I'll always be grateful for him chasing me down and winning my heart forever. I don't know what I'd do without him! I also love how wonderful and loving he is with our little ones. He's even willing to hug trees with our little man.
For Sam who provides lots of energy, smiles, laughs and new adventures each day. He just throws himself into everything he does with his whole soul and every ounce of energy he has. It's amazing to watch. I love the few moments like this where he's just chillin.
For Marie who provides endless giggles, smiles and new discoveries each day. She is so thoughtful and quietly ponders things while she also has energy and liveliness. I can't get enough of those beautiful eyes and curls. I think my Mom knows a poem for this picture... ;)
I love my little family and all they do for me. I don't know what I'd do without them. Seeing the world through my children's eyes brings so much laughter and fun as they learn and play each day. I just can't get enough of the fun moments and wait for even more as they grow older.