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!!!!!!!

Apple Farm

After Kevin got off work Saturday, we packed the car and headed to a small town next to DeKalb to meet my parents for apples. We did not have too much time, so we decided to buy the apples pre-picked and Ryder played in the kiddie area with grandpa. He did not stop until he got back in the car and immediately fell asleep. There was a petting zoo and we did not get pics of this on my camera. The goats tried to eat our clothes, and the fat sheep knocked Ryder off his feet as they waddled by to get more food!

The Fam

Grandpa pulled Ryder around on this wagon without sides or a seat belt. He held on tight.

Loved the sand and trucks.

He did not like the silo filled with corn and kids screaming.

Loved slide time

and pushing the cart

There was this cool hay maze made of hay bales. He walked through with Kevin and dad. The diaper change after was full of suprises...hay, sand, dirt, pee etc...

After we headed to a great Mexican restaraunt in town and pigged out. We had a good time!

We look forward to the Pumpkin Patch next.

Tots and Toys

Wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for toys for tots or 1 year olds???

My child only wants to play with household items or animal toys.

Daily favorite-the dogs' water bowl

My cell phone always seems to make its way into his little hands.

An old phone, sonny's mouse, milk warmer basket, and oh yes the bulb syringe we use to get out all the nasty buggers. He even held it to his nose and tried it on himself.

The cat likes to watch Ryder eat as Payton sits waiting for Ryder to hand him his food.

4 Years!!!!!

I can't believe that 4 years have passed since I said "I do." In some ways not much seems different, and in other ways life has changed a lot. I am very grateful for my husband and the past 4 years. I chose a few of many pics from the day.

Arriving at Hilton to get ready.

Mom & Kate trying to get me tied up. It took forever!

sooooo happy!

My wonderful bunch of girls.

Mom & Dad

Not sure why I was looking down...maybe nervous

Vow time...

The Kiss

Mr. & Mrs. Thurston

We were so ready to party when ceremony was done....but we had to take zillions of pics

The Group

First Dance

We had lots of fun all night. I hope to celebrate many more years ahead. I was going to write a few other thoughts, but guess who decided to wake-up early from naptime:)

Happy Anniversary, I love You Kevin!

Loving fall except....

We love this time of year for multiple reasons....leaves turning, beautiful weather, warm drinks, football, chilli, anniversary....you get the idea. What we do not like, is the allergens in the air. For some reason every September I get headaches, eye pressure, and sneeze a lot. Ryder and I have been under the weather fighting head colds the past week. It is not fun. He whines much more than usual. He wants to be held a lot more. Last night he even woke-up at 3 am crying and wanting to play. So we are trying to focus on all the positive aspects of fall as we get over our colds.

teething with his cold

Still the cutest little bugger.