1 year!!!!!

1 year ago tonight my sweet baby Ryder was born. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I am very grateful for the past year. I have been stretched to the limit in many areas and it has been worth it all. My patience for many things have grown. That said...I am enjoying the fact Ryder sleeps through the night, drinks independently, has started to eat on his own and walks at times without being carried everywhere. I am very aware of what lies ahead. I have already been getting a little dose of the temper tantrums.

1 year later he has graduated to the big boy seat and he loves it!

I love You Moosh Pie!

He was so tired by the time we celebrated his birthday saturday. He was sick the entire day before. My camera was awful Sat.

LB & RT

Looking forward to the year ahead. We have more fun with each day we are given. Ryder has exceeded any expectations we might have had prior to having him. God has truly blessed us. May we continue to appreciate each day we have together and love our little Moo Shoo unconditionally with patience and wisdom.

Mooshi and his love for Giraffes

My son loves giraffes for some reason. My friend Jamie gave him one last weekend and he sleeps with it nightly.

My friend Elizabeth brought him another giraffe yesterday without even knowing he likes them so much. Here he is adoring his new beenie giraffe.

kissing it over and over.

I had to take a pic of this. Ryder actually placed the scarf around his neck the other day and pranced around with it like momma.

He is turning into such a ham! He and his cousin were both on each end of the scarf playing tug a war, but I did not get to the camera in time. It was so funny. He has also been dancing a lot lately. We will have to video tape it. Kevin & I continue to smile in amazement at this little man.

LB & Ryder

I have had the honor of watching my nephew Logan all week while my brother and sister in law enjoy Mexico. We have survived 3 days so far, and have 1 more until they come home and join us for Saturdays birthday bash. We have had a great time. I am so entertained by them.

LB

Ryder trying to run LB over with his lawn mower...a daily occurance, and good thing LB is laid back.

they eat all meals together interacting as we do

We attempted some fun outdoors in the leaves, but Ryder ruined our time by running off and down the drive way a number of times. I got sick of the chase and gave up!

He refused to sit still for a nice pic

The ham

I thought this was so cute last night. I found LB up under the table with a book in hand reading it....he loves books....Ryder on the other hand was pulling all the books down and throwing them.....LB just kept reading.

They are all over each other most the time

Another feast...they loved Uncle Kevins gourmet meatballs.

WE will have many more pics....I actually had to download some because the camera was full.

Ryder & Friends

On Saturday (my actual due date) my college buddy Jamie threw Ryder his First Birthday Party at her home. Most of my college girls and children came. We had a great time watching all the kids play together. It seemed like the kids loved it too. Ryder ate his first piece of cake. He was a bit tired since he missed his afternoon nap, but he played hard anyway.

What is this stuff?

mmmmmmmm

Melissa and her boys

Amanda & Sophia

Jamie & Jake

Ava & Charlie playing with balloons

Amanda and Sophia dancing...so funny!

Sophia

Anthony

the kids and lots of toys!!!

Jake and his power tools

Ryder eyeballing my camera or the presents

Sophia & Jake

After....reminds me of Risky Business

There was cake all over his pants!

Thank you Jamie for hosting the party!!!!!!!! Ryder had a great time with all his friends.

Urgent!

After listening to a week of news, stories and processing the week as a whole....I am realizing more and more how short and delicate life can be. In the blink of an eye a tragic incident can reshape our futures and change our course entirely. None of us are immune to receiving that phone call of bad news, whether it be a loss, diagnosis, relationship betrayal,...etc.

I thank God daily for all the blessings in my life. I have joy, peace, faith, family, friends, career, and good health. Eventually we ALL will face some form of tragedy or disappointment. So instead of getting caught up in all the mundane habits, routines, and drama each day can bring, try to appreciate all you have, and can give while you have it. It is so easy to worry about problems before they even exist... such as getting a flu shot or not:) But do we really know what tomorrow brings???????? ALL that worry can rob us of the joys and memories we can create each day.

I love each and every one of you in my life... for the handful of people that actually read this blog!

Have a blessed and happy day!

Liese

Happy Birthday Jesse!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my brother, one of the greatest men I know!!!!!!

He is a man of many passions.....

naps.......

golf::::::::::::::

being a fun & terrific father..........

being fun Uncle Jesse during playtime............

the clown.........

my brother.............is the best!!!!!!!!

Jesse has many other favorite passtimes I dont' have pics of, such as playing the drums, watching the "Illini," playing B-ball, and video games. Not sure how he fits it all in, but he does.

On a more serious note....I often think of my little brother, and miss him. He lives 3 hours south of us. We often talk of how great it would be to live closer. What a dream that would be. We are 17 months apart in age, and I grew up with him as my shadow. We have shared many great memories. Sorry Jesse for some of the less favorable memories, and big sister torture.

I am very proud of you, and the person you have become.

We love you!!!!!!!

Wish we were there to celebrate with you...wishing you a brand new year full of blessings, joy, peace, good health, and success!

Love Liese, Kevin and Ryder T.

LOVE

I am loving my little guys evolving personality.

I am loving his new foreign language that sounds like a mix between Chinese and German.

I love his cute little smile and soft skin.

I love him so.

I love my little Moo Shoo Porky!

So I felt compelled to share my love a little. I am also very happy and relieved I have passed my licensure exam today. I am now a LCPC instead of an LPC. (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor).

So what does that mean really???? Not a whole lot yet. I have been ready to take the exam for over a year , but had a baby instead. I do not feel any smarter today really, just more peaceful.

And a big thanks to my friend MJ who watched Moo Shoo today for me!!!!!!!