Ashley & Bud {maternity}

I met up with these two at my new favorite place to shoot for their maternity photos. Ashley is due any day now and I can't wait to do their newborn photos!

A Visit, a visit!

My brother, Veronica, and Easton were in town this weekend for their bridal shower and other wedding planning festivities. It was a whirlwind weekend, for sure, but I loved every minute of it. I spent virtually every waking moment with them.  We had a big pizza dinner Friday night, the bridal shower and flowergirl dress shopping Saturday afternoon, and then a burger/hotdog grill-fest Saturday evening. We hung out for a couple of hours Sunday before the trio headed back to northern Idaho.  Here are some pictures of our weekend:

 

My kids were so excited to see their cousin, Easton! They haven't seen him since Christmas and now he's walking/running around. It was so fun to watch them play together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Arms up, Papa!

 

 

 

 

Little stinker.

 

 

 

So Veronica and I aren't always inappropriate with each other.....ok, so we are. I just love this girl!

 

 

 

Carter taking a chill with uncle Dana.

 

 

My kids decided to feed Easton his lunch Saturday. I don't know who had more fun! They were all giggling like crazy.

 

 

 

And of course I couldn't go without an updated picture with my brother.

 

Done

The decree has been signed by the judge and the legal part of this process is over. Obviously interaction and co-parenting will still be in play for quite some time to come.

I've been feeling a number of different emotions lately. Relief is the most prominent. I feel like all of the threats and poor behavior can finally stop - I can't be held "hostage" anymore.

The feelings of failure do not exist for me anymore. Granted, the marriage itself didn't succeed, but I haven't failed my children. They still have two parents who love them more than anything. They will still have a wonderful life filled with adventures.

I have learned many lessons during the course of this relationship. I hope that HE has learned even more.

I feel like there is so much more to say, but I'm going to keep the majority of my thoughts and feelings private.

Onward and upward, and here's to many more adventures.

Every Storm Runs Out of Rain

As I wait for the final decree to be signed by the judge, this song really hits home. It's been a trying couple of weeks. I have stopped, several times, to wonder when the conflict is going to end. When the fighting will stop. When we will just be divorced people co-parenting two amazing kids. Maybe we have reached that point. Time will tell.

Every Storm Runs Out of Rain

Gary Allan

Oh, so your standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning.
I know you're feeling like you just can't win, but you're trying.
It's hard to keep on keepin' on, when you're being pushed around.
Don't even know which way is up, you just keep spinning down, 'round, down...

Every storm runs, runs out of rain,
 just like every dark night turns into day.
Every heartache will fade away,
 just like every storm runs, runs out of rain.

So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more,
 and walk out that door.
Go find a new rose. Don't be afraid of the thorns,
'cause we all have thorns.
Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind,
 and when you fall back down, keep on rememberin'.

Every storm runs, runs out of rain,
 just like every dark night turns into day.
Every heartache will fade away,
 just like every storm runs, runs out of rain.

It's gonna run out of pain.
It's gonna run out of sting.
It's gonna leave you alone.
It's gonna set you free.
Set you free.

Every storm runs, runs out of rain,
 just like every dark night turns into day.
Every heartache will fade away,
 just like every storm runs, runs out of rain.

It's gonna set you free,
 it's gonna run out of pain,
 and set you free.

Mom, What Are Those?

I've been noticing a couple freckles here and there on Carter, but now that he's been playing outside more, both at school and at home, they have really multiplied. He's sure my child! I just happen to think they are so cute.

The Latest Addition

A long time ago, I found a tattoo idea on Pinterest that really caught my eye. A week and a half ago, I went in to get it done. Yesterday, I went in to get it finished up. I'm really pleased with it, though it ended up being a little bit bigger than I intended. Either way, I love it.