The First of Many!

LJ got to go to her first softball game today! We found out Michigan was hosting the college regionals and decided we needed to go see a game, and oh what a game it was! We were down in the bottom of the last inning and won with the combination of a huge home run to start the inning then a winning hit to score the girl from second. The people who know me well reading this know I was in heaven being here. Being at a fastpitch softball game again felt so good! So many memories from growing up at Lynette's games to playing in my own came rushing back to me! I was giddy as I was watching it. Ryan and I had so much fun we decided we are definitely going to the games next Saturday too. We also agreed we would LOVE to be softball parents, so not saying I will ever push our little LJ, but she will definitely have our support and help if she wants to play!:) So she was a little scared as mommy was holding her and jumped up and screamed for the homerun, but she will have to get used to it because this was definitely the first of many for her!

It was pretty cold and windy so she spent a lot of time in her car seat covered up, but she still got the experience.

This was right before I scared her to death yelling after the homerun!

Getting her ready to play someday! Gotta start early:)

Family Pictures

One thing I find interesting is how hard it is now to get pictures of our family. I mean we have TONS of just the baby, some with me and the LJ and some with daddy and LJ, but us 3 together takes planning! So since spring has finally sprung here in Michgan and there are gorgeous views all around us we decided to take advantage of it and take some pictures. After church mother's day we asked Grandpa if he would snap a few shots of us in their beautiful back yard.

With it being just after mother's day, if you would indulge me, I thought I would share my thoughts on some of the amazing mother's in my life.

#1 - Most obvious being my mother. I couldn't be more grateful to have such a wonderful mother. She has always been the most amazing example of what true Christlike love is all about and I try every day to emulate her and all she does. I don't know if I will ever be able to accomplish the goal of truly being like her, but I am thankful for her constant example and friendship. Now as I am a mom I love knowing I was raised by such a wonderful woman that as long as I can do as I was shown, I might be able to be a good mom, that is the goal anyway. Thank you mom for your constant kindness, love, and support. Now that I am older I am so glad to call you one of my best friends!

#2 - My sister Lynette and sister in law Kori. I only about 14 when they got married then started having children so I got to just sit and observe as they began their journey's of motherhood. I couldn't have two better leaders of what being a good mother and wife is all about. Thank you for the wonderful examples you have set me in my life. I hope to be able to raise my family with such strength and love you two are raising yours with. I LOVE YOU!

#3 - The last mother I would like to talk about today is my mother-in-law Laurie (aka Mamma Jigs). Not many women get to say that their mother-in-law is also one of their best friends, but I honestly can. From the moment I met her she has been such a wonderful sunshine in my life that I don't know what I would do without. Thank you Mamma Jigs for raising such an amazing son and now accepting me as one of your own children and more important friends! I LOVE YOU!

And a big thanks goes to my special hubby for making it a wonderful first mother's day for me. People asked me what my husband did, and he did all of the normal mother's day things like breakfast, taking care of LJ, complimenting me continuously, doing work around the house, and any other nice thing they tend to do on mother's day. The difference though is that it truly wasn't much different from any other day of the year, and for that I couldn't be more grateful. I realized Sunday that am married to someone who truly treats me like it is mother's day every day! What more could anyone ask for?! I love you hubby!

Fun Pics of the Little One:)

We haven't been up to anything too exciting, but truthfully everyday life is more than exciting while you are watching a little one grow and develop!:) So I just thought I would share a couple updated pics of our growing girl!

LJ has decided she is a big girl now and is not so happy to be laying down, but LOVES to be sitting up with us! As you can see, she is pretty proud of herself that she can sit up:)

She also loves to play flying games on mommy's legs:)

LJ decided that waiting for mom to be ready for church can be pretty exhausting!

She has also decided that going for walks in her stroller is so much fun! She is not content though to be in her car seat that fits in the stroller, but wants to be strapped in the big girl seat so she can see out. But to give you perspective on how little she still is for it here is the broader view...thank goodness for the blankets to prop her up!

Easter Trip to Baltimore

Well we had another wonderful trip to Baltimore to visit Uncle Scott for Easter. I wish I had more pictures but unfortunately our camera battery died and we didn't have the charger, so I will add what we were able to take the first day. It was a wonderful weekend full of lots of good food, laughs and of course the awesome Guitar Hero! We all had a blast trading off on the different instruments and challenging each other to get better scores. It was so much fun to see how much Baron loved his little cousin LJ! Every time she would make any noise he would run over to make sure she was ok and lick her face...so cute! Anyways, thanks Uncle Scott for another great visit!

Baron and LJ

What a talented family!:)

Grandpa's little girl...

Grandma's little ballerina!