And.... Just.like.that.

 I never knew it would be so emotional leaving our first home together. Was it the fact that we brought home both of our boys here, or the fact that we grew up here... Paid our first mortgage, hosted our first Christmas, nursed babies... We lost loved ones in this home, the memories are just everywhere. Everywhere I looked I saw a memory, good, bad, really great, and yes really ugly.
I will miss this home where I created my family, but I am so excited for this next adventure...
Usually sellers and buyers don't meet much less communicate. Not the case for this social momma. New mommy owner and I had a lot in common, we are both busy, young, mommies just trying to make it in this crazy world. They have a two year old and twin one year olds, we connected in the stress of workin', mommin', and movin' together.
I am happy to sell them this home and for them to have it for raising their family, it will be perfect for them. After showings, negotiations, & inspections THAT above all else is what this is all about.... Finding the perfect place for your family to live, love and grow.

the first room we emptied, sold our small dining table, the first piece of furniture we bought together in our first apartment

Will helping pack some toys

empty house, moving day!

our new home

Will running wild in his new home

Luke's favorite part of his new home. 

a glimpse into my goodbye letter to my new friend:

... and kids….

          It has been a pleasure getting to know you and selling/ sharing our home with you. Fawn Lake has been a great home to us, we enjoyed making it our own, filling it with the laughter of our children, and creating some beautiful memories here.

I have so many wonderful memories at this house, I went into labor with my first son while lying on the couch in the family room, and hearing the laughter of my boys chasing each other around warms my heart every time no matter how cold the day.

Luke’s favorite memory in our first home was when I told him I was pregnant by our dog wearing a big brother shirt and getting it all captured on hidden camera… It’s needless to say we quickly filled this home with love and lots of happy tears........

 

Goodbye Fawn Lake.

Parker's first birthday!

We had a brunch party for Parker's first birthday, small, just family. I really enjoyed having a small little party. The food was yummy, the time worked great for everyone, including nap schedules, and most importantly mommy got to enjoy most of the carefree party! :)  

Parker, you've' simply brought so much joy and laughter into our little family. Your one year old and not for one second can I imagine life without you. For most the whole first year you were the happiest baby.ever. You LOVE your big brother Will and want to do everything just.like.him. insert early crawler and walker. You also love mommy and daddy very much, like both my boys you are and will always be a little mommas boy, but you have a very special place in your heart for your daddy too. Your a money monkey man and at 12 months old we've got your crib on the lowest setting, doll houses, race tracks, chairs, tables they're all just mountains to you. You love to eat anything and everything, and will often finish off your big brothers plate as well! You love all toys, but puzzles and books are a favorite. I joke that your going to be the next Bill Gates, you have a strong willed love for our phones, any technology for that matter... Which has lead to my little tantrum throwing baby. Lately when something doesn't quite go your way you throw yourself down crying, little drama king. You look forward to bath time and getting your teeth brushed is a current favorite. You love frozen yogurt bites, pizza, and ice cream, you love anything with a tag, the second you find the tag {even a kitchen towel} the thumb goes in the mouth, your favorite is your little giraffe lovey, need him to sleep. Your such a sweetheart, even show compassion with your helpful brother doesn't always want to share something with you.

 

I always look forward to seeing you in the morning because you always have a smile on your face and a little chuckle in your belly. Seeing you grow this past year made my heart multiply a thousand times... You are such a special boy to us all, I look forward to all the fun memories to come!

 

I love you so much my perfect, sweet, angel baby, Parker.

Will with Papa

These next two pictures are so special to me, my aunt cindy and grandpa bill drove 4.5 hours to come in for Parker's birthday party. They had to leave early because a snow storm was starting that afternoon. It warms my heart so much to see them and that they made such an effort to be here with us for Parker's first birthday. Now that's what family is truly all about!

My special birthday boy and I

Will and Bennett, double trouble

Toot-toot

Chrismas 2014

This Christmas was magical for many reasons... It was Parkers first Christmas, Will had so much fun with his elf buddy, and Santa this year, and it was our last Christmas in our first house, though we didn't know it at the time. Looking back I always wish I would of taken more pictures more videos, but I also wish I would of soaked it in even more. I absolutely LOVE the bond between these two boys and cant wait to continue to watch it grow through the years. Will is so sweet to Parker yet also very protective over him, crazy how little instincts set in and he knows his role.

 

Will wanted a Mike the Knight toy and castle this Christmas, it was the last toy he opened from Santa and he's played with it just about everyday since then. He's definitely at the imagination age and will go on and tell stories, play pretend forever. He loves to give us all roles, instead of being ourselves. "Mommy I'm not Will, I'm Woody, your Jessie, Parka is Potato Head" The latest (Its March now) is Frozen!

 

We stayed at home all day on Christmas, we got to last year too. This year my mom and grandparents came to our house in the afternoon, we ate, opened MORE presents, and relaxed. It was the perfect day.

Will holding his favorite toy from this Christmas

Grandmas are here, round 2!

who needs cute outfits when mommy lets you stay in Christmas jammies all day! :)

the night before Christmas

my whole world

Parker had a plan, he slept in a bit and let brother start some of the opening... Good plan Parker, boy is crazy!

Lets try this again.....

Welp. I let life get in the way of a lot of things lately, but most of all blogging and keeping track of milestones and memories, and every time I thought about it... like so many others I know... it just gets too overwhelming and the thought of documenting quickly leaves my mind.

Well today I had a minute and thought, I wonder what the last blog was even about... I went to look it up and *gasp* I didn't even know my site...much less my password. For the past few months I've been more than okay with this while we tackled some bigger issues {more on that later} But when I started to read some posts about Will's birthday and some memories it makes me a tiny bit sad I don't have that for Parker.

I want to remember the big moments for him... achm First Birthday! But so many more to come.

So I'm going to try to start blogging again, if not for anything else for my kids and my own memories because I love nothing more than to look back at old pictures and re live all the fun moments again and again.

buggies out on the first nice day of a long, long winter

Still loving tiger and bunny.... even let brother have a second with them

Parkers first time on the playground slide, big fan!

There's no way on earth I'd be able to catch up on all the big things we've had going on since October so here's a run down!

October 2013 - Daddy starts a new job he LOVES! So happy for this opportunity for him and for us!

Thanksgiving 2013 - Will and daddys roadtrip to Kansas and Mommy and Parker's stay in St Louis, Mommy gets all four wisdom teeth out the day before Thanksgiving.

Christmas 2013 - Parkers First Christmas, and Will's most exciting yet! Perfect Perfect Perfect Christmas.... well minus one small hiccup.

December 2013 - in an effort to keep up with his big brother Parker starts walking!

January 2014 - New Years eve, go see a house on a whim before dinner and place an offer next day. Found our dream home.

               - Parker turns ONE! (how did that happen?!?)

February 2014 - Close on our dream home

March 2014 - UGH I digress...... pack, work, get sick, get better, clean house, have showing, pack more, work more, get sick again.......

Looking forward to posting on some big things that have happened with my lil family and that are about to happen and recording these awesome memories.

You've got a friend in Will!

 We had an, everything Toy Story Birthday Party for Williams 3rd birthday. He's so into Toy Story right now so he ate.it.up. Everywhere you looked there was a character hiding in the corner, or a sweet saying from one of the movies. I kept this party small which I loved but that didn't stop me from going a little over board with all things in theme for this special birthday boy!

We enjoyed "pizza planet" pizzas, a yummy salad, our favorite pretzels, and of course lots of yummy deserts. I did this party as easy as I could and I loved that I was left with plenty of time to visit with family and friends and enjoy watching my boy soak it all in. I had been sick on and off for about a week the day of Will's party, I just kept thinking I'll be sick later, this is about Will... and boy did I pay. See next post. Looking back while writing this I cant believe I held it together as long as I did feeling as horrible as I did.

One of Will's favorite things about birthdays is singing happy birthday, especially when its to him. He gets really quiet with the biggest smile on his face and he is just in awe of it all. It makes me melt and get all teary eyed watching how much he enjoys this simple special part.

When you ask Will what he wishes for he always says "to have a fun day" This is usually what we wish on stars for too...

 Will got some great new toy story toys he loves, including his NEW Buzz! And the next morning Uncle Tim brought him some brand new golf clubs!

Side note: The other day we all went shopping, when we got home and got Parker out of the car seat we realized he had pooped and it had "blown out" as Luke and I laugh, and wipe, laugh and wipe, and Luke acts like he might get sick Will says "WAIT GUYS (he always calls us guys, I love it) I'LL GET BUZZ, HE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT TO DO!" He right away went and got Buzz and started shooting his laser beam at the disgusting diaper.
We all had a good laugh after that!

I love these two pictures so much, it sums it up perfectly.... Will is simply the sweetest most compassionate person you will ever meet. My heart hurts with how much love I have for him, he is an amazing son, a great friend, a silly grandson, and an all around perfect little person. I love the person he is and the person I can see him becoming. Before you are a mom you never know the amount of love you will have for your child, but every day my love for this little boy grows more and more, and I thank God all the time for giving me the opportunity to be his mommy.
 Happy THIRD birthday William Lucas, I don't know what I would do without you in my life, I love you, I love you, I love you, so so much ;)