38-42/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

38/52 - A Serenade.  Soren's songs - imaginatively his or limericks from school - are the sweetest thing to hear him sing and perform.  

39/52 - dollar scratch off tickets have become a standard around here.  This winning ticket snagged us 5 more for the kiddos to scratch.  They get such a kick out of it!

40/52 - Pumpkin season!!!  These little pumpkins were gifts from Nana at our Marriage Ceremony (October 21st - bt-dubs *wink).  The kids painted what were left after the rolling competitions.  Apparently tiny squash bruise and rot easily after intense competitions.

41/52 - A little more pumpkin at the Burger Farm Pumpkin Patch.  Soren's class took a field trip and I got to go this year.  So, SO much fun!  Thanks to all the wonderful teachers that made this happen.

42/52 - Halloween!  Soren changed his mind at the last minute to be a pirate (whew! Spider-Man at first.  Yikes on the costume making).  So we high tailed it to Salvation Army and found some pants to convert into knickers and a shirt to tailor.  I had an old vest I tailored to fit him, snagged a cheap black hat and 'Jack Sparrow'ed the living daylights out of it with feathers.  Complete with a Saber.  It was a blast putting it together!

Around Here - Announcing...

SO MUCH to catch up on around here!

We've (plural) been busy! with a move, work and kiddos.  Plural - kiddos.  Which is quite honestly the best kind of busy to be.  

And with that, some backstory.  

Soren's father and I separated last year.  It was tough, but for the best.  Becoming a single parent wasn't the trickiest transition; it was everything around it: co-parenting, schedules and work. It was hectic, feelings got hurt but in the end we've resolved and Soren seems to be healing with the rest of us.  So needless to say, this past year has been a filled with patience, hurt, learning and now....  

Love, which finds you at the most unexpected times.  I know cliché, but I get it.  I've met that person.  The one that I feel I can talk to about anything, without judgement, he doesn't want to change me and cherishes the person I am - the one that I love and care for so, so deeply.  My best friend, my love - we plan a future, laugh hard through the present, ready to weather any storm that has and will come our way.  We are a team.  

We spent a year as friends, dealing with the craziest circumstances and leaning on one another when needed.  Our story, in retrospect has it's quirks and resembles something of a Lifetime 'made for TV' Movie.  But it's our's and I love it.  I love you, Trent.

This past weekend - Trent proposed to me and I said yes! (duh).  Never in a million years (I know - cliché once again) did I think I would marry.  Being a child of divorce and after this tumultuous year I honestly didn't think it was in the cards.  But now? I couldn't be happier and more fulfilled.  I am beyond words.

I can't wait to start my life with this man.

And kids?  No - we aren't expecting, but Trent has twins of his own (stinking adorable!).  Has a lot to do with how we met.  The twins are amazing - but puts us at 2 five year olds and one almost 5 year old (yikes!  Soren will be 5 in less than a month!!).  It's controlled chaos and we love it!  Sometimes we have all three - at others, two and sometimes one - the quiet is odd when all the stooges aren't around.  It's a blast and has kept us busy - since, as adults - we have these jobs and other responsibilities that accompany parenting everyday.

So, Around here? Hectic, chaotic, but filled with love.  Blogosphere, meet Trent: my best friend, fiancé and future husband.

35-37/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

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We've been playing catch up just about everyday this past month.  The CSO season started with a bang and soon (in a few weeks!) we will be starting yet another recording project.  Time flies.  I've had to rely on a couple iPhone shots of the wee man these past few weeks.  38 and 39 soon to come.  

35 - shopping at Findlay as usual.  A few days ago Soren built Findlay building with blocks.  I can't express how much fun it is to take him there to shop.  The foods and smells he gets to experience each visit are a blast to witness.

6 - We hit up the Renaissance Festival.  This turkey leg eating shot should say it all.  Sword fights, Dungeons of Doom, Jousting and knighted with a wooden sword.  It was a blast!

37 - The S-man practicing balance on the bumble bee.  Working on his 'surfing skills' as he would put it.  

That's it for now!  Be on the look out for the next 2 weeks and an update on what is new around here!

32-34/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

32/52 - So far behind!! Yikes!  We got some climbing in before the school year started!!

33/52 - This is a classic.  Soren picked up this one from his friend Sophie.  Priceless!  Thirsty and can't reach?!  Just climb on up, give the fountain a hug and snag some water!

34/52 - I love this shot!  I snagged this just yesterday.  Always a fan of hanging upside down or hanging around in general.  From the mass of monkey bar videos and playground shenanigans it's clear Soren is up for any climbing and swinging challenge.  He's focusing on holding on in this shot - gotta love the determination and goodness; baby blue eyes for days!

31/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

Lego building has become a pretty regular thing around here.  Watching Soren move from duplos, to traditional legos and now following instructions with absolutely ZERO aid has been astounding.  This creation is an imaginative collaboration between he and his Manny.  The look of concentration is priceless.