You'll hear me talk a lot about my family in my blog, and the kids always manage to pop up in the background of my pictures. So why don't you meet them?
My AMAZING husband Jake
Have you ever met someone, and you wonder how you lived your life before them? That's my hubby. He's the guy who does the big things (proposed in a hot air balloon, arranged for us to swim with dolphins and pet penguins on our honeymoon), but knows that it's the little things (hides "I love you" notes all over the house for me to find, buys 5 bags of gummy bears just so I can have one full bag with just red and white ones) that count. I love him for loving me, for always making me feel beautiful and appreciated. For never griping at me when the house is a mess because I've been crafting all day. For loving my two older girls like his own, it makes my heart smile every night when I tell them it's bedtime, and they shriek excitedly and say "Daddy's going to fly us to bed!". For giving me the most perfect, amazing baby ever, and being the most amazing Daddy to all of them.
Arielle, my independent 9 year old
My 9 year old constantly keeps me on my toes. She's completely independent, stubborn and tries to do things her way. She's a tomboy, and would rather go out and run with the boys in the mud than wear fancy dresses. She says that when she grows up, she wants to be "An astronaut, because I want to see what's out there. Then, when I get bored with that, I want to be a policewoman so I can take down the bad guys. And after that, I want to work at McDonalds, because their food is really good." Silly girl. Arielle and I butt heads a lot (even though I always tell her that I'm always going to win), but she can be the sweetest child, and is such a wonderful big sister to Ava.
Jasmin, my sweet 6 year old
Jasmin is one of the sweetest kids you'll ever meet. If she has one piece of candy, she'll break it in half and share it with you. Her favorite phrase is "Look what I can do!" You'll usually hear her giggling as she tries to hide so she can jump out and scare you. She's realized that if she does cartwheels (or her version), that it makes Ava laugh, so Jasmin is always doing cartwheels around the living room. She can hula hoop better than most adults I know, and is a ball of energy. Jake and I always say that she has two volumes, "loud" and "louder". She loves to gives hugs, and tells jokes that only she understands.
Ava Grace, born August 2010
Our youngest daughter, Ava, had a rougher start than any baby should have. You can read about her story here. But after six surgeries before she was even two months old, and an emergency surgery the day after she turned one, she is the sweetest baby you'll ever meet. She has a smile for everyone, and is such a snuggle bunny.
