The Rawlings Family

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Cherish Your Muscles

"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them." - Richard L. Evans

When these two boys grow up I hope they look back at all of the love they have in their lives. I hope they think fondly of all the people who adore them... love them incredibly. These two boys are blessed with friends and family who show them all the love in the world... and cherish every moment with them.

It has been a busy, hectic, and wonderful past few days. I can't imagine anything better...

Aunt Lizzy & Uncle John's visit:
We missed them!!!
Yes, Landon put that bucket on Delilah's head.
No, she didn't like it... one bit.

Uncle John must be a hoot 'n a holler from the expression on Landon's face.

I can so picture us with three kiddos... one day :)

Arms full of love.

The babes... growing so fast.

So in love.

Aunt "Gizzy" lovin's

After the Williams gang left the kiddos and I headed outside for a dinner date picnic. The air was warm... it was simply beautiful out!

Waffle Picnic

Kettle Corn Anyone?

Now this was fun :)

Three cheers for picnics!

Delicious.

Come back over here Mom!

Is he really trying to steal a bite of my waffle after what happened when Daddy stole a bite of his?!?!

Big boy with a big fork. He's so talented ;)

The kiddos are in bed... now the adults can play... campfire at The House of Rawlings!

Almost 10 years together... Jon I love you deeper and deeper every day.

The Guys:
Jon, Kevin, & JP

Kevin, Lauri, Chris, & Jon
Smore Makin' Fun!

Campfire = Awesome memories.

Who knew we would move next to some of the most amazing people we've ever met. Their marriage and parenting is one that Jon and I can look up to... they are true role models.

Even Canon got in on the action.

Sunday: A day with Aunt Tearsa... Shawn was ecstatic... Landon was thrilled to see his Gmaw (Tearsa's mom)!

Truck rides and pesky pups ;)

A flower for Mom... awwww :)

"I'm a cute boy."
Yes Shawn, you are :)

Aunt TT Time... the best!

Canon: The Super Mutt.

I can't look. I can't look. She's got that scary black thing in my face again!

Hard to believe he's only 3 1/2 months... this is going to be one BIG boy!

The Magic Thumb.

Deep in conversation?

A slow start... on their way to friendship... we hope.
Canon & Toby (the neighbor dog)

Beautiful.

Our neighbor's son, Mike, came to say goodbye to his family today... he is leaving for the airforce. While it was incredibly sad to see his family... people that we just met a few short months ago... so sad... I hope I captured something special for them.

Not goodbye... see you later.

An Amazing Family.

Dinner time... Gmaw and Aunt Sallina came by for some "almost Ashley's homemade but not quite" spaghetti.

The gang... and Lauri... our new "pet" ;)

Aunt Sallina not quite sure how to handle Landon...
Is he a newborn? A toddler? Just how do I do this?

These next few snapshots show so much of the chemistry between Landon and his Gmaw. This kiddo takes a while to warm up to anyone... but Gmaw... even if months go by, he is more than anxious to see her!

Make a muscle.

I'll make two!

Double High Five.

Crackin' up.

vogue.

Friday, October 2, 2009

L'Oreal (bottle # RR07)

I recently posted about this on facebook... but its a topic of such humor and annoyance that I had to blog about it... just to get it ALL out ya know?

As quoted from FB:

"Yes, Landon has red hair. Yes, he's a boy. And NO we do not dye it! Seriously people... at the fair today it was like we brought a 5 headed alien made out of gumballs and dressed him as a child! For those of you who having outings with us... you'll know what I'm talking about (just picture it in the masses at the fair.)"

So honestly here, who would dye a babies hair? And who would think a child dressed in blues, greens, bibs, and OBVIOUS boy cloths is a girl. No, we're not cutting his hair yet. This is not a mommy decision. This is not a daddy decision. This is a parental decision that Jon and I BOTH agree on. We love his hair shaggy... we love the color... we love him. So please world, go ahead, if you need to admire we can take that, it is flattering. But stop asking if we color our poor child's head with Nice 'n Easy! Oh, and take a good look at his cloths, his face, his actions... he's all boy, trust me!

Ok... enough.

Jon was eating pizza with Landon for dinner and Shawn was having (FOUR... yes, 4) waffles. Mean ol' Daddy decided to swipe a tiny morsel of Shawn's food. Oh boy... now let me make this clear to the surrounding three counties. Our child was not being tortured by a pack of werewolves at 4:30 this afternoon. His arms were still attached... and he was physically ok. Emotionally... that's another story. This one TINY dropping of waffle must have meant so much to our sensitive little lad that he just HAD to have a breakdown.
Now, where does this all lead. Well, after a few minutes of utter terror for the poor dear... and the repetitive phrase "Get it back, I want it back." I decided to ask Shawn... "Do you want Daddy to puke it back up?" Yea, that was a great idea! Shawn's face beamed from ear to ear. "Yes, Yes, Daddy puke it up!" So I had Shawn stare at the mean ol' food thief for a second while I swiped a bite of food from his plate. Jon's over there fake hwarfing... and I "caught" the object of importance in my hands. Go Mommy! Yes, I did indeed "Save the Day" with talk of puke.

The adventures of having kids... that's all I can say!

Pictures: Our family trip to the fair. We were so lucky not to get rained out!

Days old calf.

Family.

Animal Exploring.

Pony Rides!

Lunch!

Goat.

He's warming up to animals a bit. Sure doesn't take after his Mommy & Daddy with the shyness around the animal kingdom.

Walkin' with Mama.

Silliness.

Overhaulin'

Clowin' a round.

Country Boy.

Country Charmer.

Squeeze!!!

All the love in the world.

Wrestlin'

Down we go!

Bib Boys.

Its not always peaches and cream... Landon in the middle of a hissy fit.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Sparkle

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” -Maria Robinson

I came across this quote today when I was searching for Fall/Autumn sayings to use to a few shoots I have coming up. It popped out at me as it is something that Jon and I have chosen to live by. No matter what, as long as their is trying, hope, compassion, and forgiveness anything is possible. And as the quote says, You can't go back and start over, but you can start today to make tomorrow better.

Making tomorrow better for our children is something Jon and I strive everyday to accomplish. I hope years and years down the road we are as close, if not closer, than we are now... and that we keep the traditions that we are forming for generations...
***just a silly little hope of mine ;)

Ok, there was my "goo" for the evening... now for the REAL goo...
Shawn, after an hour long fit that consisted of screaming, bawling, fighting, tissues, and tantrums... decided that he HAD to poop... and his pants were out of the questions after the last talk we had... so the potty it must be. I hear a little voice speak out, sounding rather scared, "Oh, I did it!" I went in and there was my teary eyed little boy so proud of himself. He pooped on the potty all by himself. Now the real screams came as I jumped for joy... praising him to the ends of the earth... even Landon got in on the excitement by waving his hands and squealing for his big brother's accomplishment!

Even though I have a massive headache from this evenings meltdown... I feel a certain peace knowing that down there, in the sewer, is something my big boy decided to finally let go of on his own. Lets hope he keeps this up and then we'll have a fully potty trained 3 year old!

An Autumn Walk.
(Love love love it here!)

Chilly (but beautiful) day.

Stompy stompin' around the playground. Quite the little explorer we have here!
Sticks, sticks, and more stinks were on this guys agenda.

Keeping the hat on was an issue... he just wants to show off all those beautiful red locks ;)

My Baby Boys!!!!

Mr. Excitable

I love them... with all my heart, soul, and every fiber of my being.

He's amazing... I know every mother says that about their child, and rightfully so, but yes, my beautiful Landon is an amazingly sweet, snugly, 100% boy, baby of mine.