Where I've Been....

Is this picture not breathtaking....

That about sums it up. Summer had her dance recital last weekend and she was beautiful. My friend Lacey took this shot and I could just kiss her. It shows the most precious redbird I know, who got up on stage and shimmied and shook. My past month has been so busy living this loud, full and sweet life...

Well I posted pictures of the wedding....the wedding! That kicked off the summer with a bang! It was literally ON the kids last day of school, on a Friday night...and with me doing the photography and Tatum being a bridesmaid, it was a busy time. But here is a shot of Mike and I after it was all said and done.
A famous land mark in town burnt down...Big Butter Jesus. Google it, if you need to. It may have caused controversy, but I LOVED having this huge statue (62 feet!) of Jesus reaching his arms to heaven. Lightning struck it and it was gone in 15 minutes.... They hope to rebuild.

Arizona came to Ohio! I can't even believe it, but LACEY came! Last minute we were able to have her come! She saw green grass and trees with leaves and {{gasp}} lightning bugs!!! for the first time! It was so fun to have her experience all these things. From humidity (she couldn't believe that her forearms could sweat!) to frozen custard, living with kids, driving around in the swaggar wagon, riding a bike...I showed her all over Ohio.

Matt tried a week at Camp Kern. My baby boy! Overnight. Onthehottestweek EVER!~ He loved it!!!

And it helps to go with your best friend:)

I got my prize from the vintage pearl! Yay! I love my new necklace. I have worn it everyday since. Thanks Trish. It. is. perfect :)

And Father's Day fit in there somewhere....LOL! This heavy heavy boulder now adorns our front yard. 17 years. Whew. It is flying by.

So there....maybe now we are caught up some now?? Aww... I'll still be around. Just not as much. July is looking pretty awesome too....:)

Ohio

I'm so busy, and I haven't even gone anywhere...



That is the best way I can wrap my mind around it to describe it to you.



To have been the sole organizer, traffic control operator, planner, do all at home mom for almost two decades now that, well it became me, and defines me...and IS me, and last night



as Tatum got off of work and drove in her car and hung out all evening at her boyfriends....



and Mike worked all day, and then in his car drove to an open Mike nite and played guitar...



and Jake went and skated at the roller rink with friends after I dropped off and then picked up again..



and Matt had Swim Lesson at the Y and Summer and I took and retrieved while she played in the preschool area...



I had to have tabs on everyone...my cell phone was busy...my deadlines and agenda full...but of nothing really...



Am I rambling or does this make any sense...There are many of them, and they have all branched off, and I am still responsible for all but yet, they are all doing their own thing now...and I am still.....here.



I have to figure this one out. Why do I feel so overwhelmed but yet at the end of the day, can't show what **I** have done.

Ashley and Tyler's Wedding ((((And my 1st Photo Shoot!))))

My niece's wedding was this past Friday night. Right now, those two are probably enjoying much needed time off and time alone as they take their honeymoon. Ashley looked stunning. And I couldn't find a nicer sweeter guy than Tyler.

And ME, you ask?!?! Oh well SINCE you asked....YES! YES, I did the photography for their wedding (can you believe they trusted me!) And Thank the Good Lord, because I think they turned out all right :) {{whew}}} So I know they are all out of order here....but here you go.....!

(their son one year old AJ center of dance and celebrating)

Yesssss....that one bridesmaid DOES look familiar {{wink}} Tatum was in the wedding!

at grandma's before the ceremony.

Mike's Woodstock

Me and the kids are roughing it this long holiday weekend alone. Mike has gone off with my brother Tim and my niece's soon to be husband for a weekend filled with tents, music, laughter, port a potty's, noise, more music, sunshine, and dirt. It is their version of a bachelor party for Tyler and they have gone to Hookaville's music festival up at Buckeye Lake. The fun part is out of these three men there is one each from a different decade (one in his 20's, one in his 30's, and one in his 40's), but they all so well suited for this, they will have a blast.

(Just no one try to take Mike's air mattress, Lol!)

Welcome Diesel!!!

Tatum's best {{guy}} friend is Cole. Cole has been an only child his whole life. Now at the age of 16 he was so THRILLED to find out he was going to have the chance to be a big brother. Last Friday we welcomed into the world Jaxxon Diesel. Now Tatum and Cole have little brother's born on the SAME DAY! We went over the other night to see little Diesel and he is the most beautiful baby ever! Congrats you guys!!

{{Brothers :)}}}

Matthew got a Gift

On Friday My Son turned Nine. He had a busy wonderful weekend filled with good things. Cupcakes for school. Cards in the mail from friends and grandmas. Balloons and presents.

Good ol Lacey even built him a Luigi on her Farm on Farmville entirely out of haybales! LOL!

We had a party at his favorite place~the skating rink (which everyone loved except for one little one who had a fight with her skates)

and he was surrounded by friends and family...

But the best part that happened was a part that has been hurting us for awhile. Eating away at our family. You see the night before his birthday Matthew had soccer practice. He fell and someone stepped on his injured arm with cleats. By the time I noticed him sitting on the sidelines, blotchy faced and crying, he had been there a while. His coach convinced him to get back out to play, but as I sat and watched him try to play, I got angry. He held his arm at an angle. He played with his hands in his pockets.

He was weird.

My anger grew. This was enough. Five weeks and these people STILL had the dog, and WE everyday dealt with the consequences.

When we got home, I went down there. I demanded the lady look at a picture of Matthew's injuries. WHY? did she still have the dog? She said she wouldn't talk to me anymore and that I would have to talk to her husband. She dialed him up and put me on the phone with him right then and there. He is a cop and there I stood and told him EVERY thing I ever wanted to say.

.

.

Long story short...

Matthew's birthday was the next day...the man approached my husband. He said the dog was going that day to a new home.

I told Matthew when I dropped off the cupcakes at school. He smiled really big to himself. I think I saw a weight lift off him right there. We are going to move on now...

Wednesday's Here (turn on the music Cole :)

I was recently informed that my blog had gotten boring {{gasp}} and had not NEAR enough pictures of my mucho important kids in my life. Lol~ yes...Tatum's friends are blog readers and like an occasional post with them in it :) What a better chance to show you what goes on here lately after school on Wednesdays....
One thing I have to say about all of Tatum's friends is they are great with the kids. They love and play with the children, and are all so sweet.

Tatum and Hunter.

Too. Stinkin. Cute. Are. They!

Alot of Wii action going on.

The gang. (after 15 deleted shots :)