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our big boy.

Published by Aubrey

ima funtoday you are 5.

hard to believe you have only been in our lives for 5 years and have had such a great impact on ours and many others lives.

you are…

thoughtful, considerate, funny, deliberate, driven, wise, leader,

friendly, joyful, imaginative, kind, inquisitive, persistent, a learner, inclusive, brave, confident

you love…

Star Wars, your Mommy and Dad, your sisters, your friends, your room, trying new things, learning new things,

baseball, your bike, spaghetti and meatballs, cheeseburgers, time with Daddy, Jesus, your Bible.

we love you for all these reasons and countless more. we love each and every day with you and can’t wait to see how God will continue to work in your life!

happy birthday mason!

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5 on Friday

Published by Aubrey

number 5
1. There are a ton of yellow squash in the garden and we don’t know what to do with them. I found this recipe and made it last week. I can’t say it was a huge hit but it was edible and we used up 3 of the many squash. Any other recipes using yellow squash?

2. This past Saturday we went to the wedding of my childhood friend and neighbor. I met Maggie when she was just 2 and now she is a married girl. We had a great time with my parents and brother and sister-in-law. There was a live 80’s band! It was so fun. Lots of unique little details that caught my eye. Made me want to get married all over again (to the same wonderful man of course) just to plan a wedding! Here is a pic of us enjoying a night out!
maggie wedding 2

3. This coming Saturday we are celebrating Mason’s birthday along with one of my nephews and niece. They are all with in a week of each other so we decided to do one big family party. It’ll be part Star Wars (guess who that is for?) part baseball and part circus animals. Ha ha! It should be fun. Oh, and I forgot to mention the dance competition that will be held that the boys have been planning. It’s sure to be unforgettable.

4. We went to a butterfly sanctuary this week and it was so cool. It’s a big green house with lots of plants, butterflies and caterpillars. You can feed the butterflies, look at ones under a microscope, see the different stage of cocoons and just sit watch the butterflies all around you. We all loved it!
butterflies

5. Last week the kids and I took and impromptu to trip to meet up with Brian in Indy. While we were there we visited the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). It was only my second trip to an art museum and the kids first. We had a fun time exploring some new territory, talking about what art is and taking some fun pics! I am looking forward to do this more often in the future.
IMA

rest.

Published by Aubrey

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The past several weeks the trees around here have becoming peppered with white cob webby nests full of caterpillars, soon to be butterflies. You can spot them easily driving down the road and the kids are fascinated with them. Remember when you used to play the “slug bug” game, pointing out a VW bug car? Well now it’s the caterpillar game:) I’ve explained how the caterpillars are resting now and while they are God is changing them into some thing new, beautiful butterflies. As much as I love playing the caterpillar game with the kids and how it does past the time on our car drives these nests everywhere have got me thinking.

I have come to the conclusion with the help of my wise husband that God has designated this time in our lives as a rest period. I have also come to the conclusion that I don’t like rest. It’s hard for me to let go of having a scheduled day. A day full of productivity. A day where I know what to expect next for the most. A day where I am in control. Our days are not really like that right now. Sure I love having extra time as a family and all fun opportunities we’ve had because of our open schedule. I’m having a hard time resting physically, mentally and spiritually. Strangely enough the caterpillar nests are reminding me that rest is a good thing, it is needed and brings upon beneficial change. Most importantly it is from God and he commands us to do it.

So like the caterpillars I am resting…at least attempting to do so. I am looking forward coming out rested…and as a beautiful butterfly.

choices.

Published by Aubrey

Crayon Tips
all day long I have choices. from the moment I get up until I lay my head down at night.

will i start my day in the Word or sleep till little hands are poking me to get up?

how to discipline this certain child in this certain situation?

work out today or no?

what’s for snack?

how to entertain the kids?

gentleness or frustration?

serving attitude or complaining towards my husband and kids?

how can I encourage and love my husband today?

what’s for snack?

what’s for dinner?

how long do I spend on the computer?

tv or no tv?

stress and worry or joy and peace?

sit and play with the kids or busy myself with unimportant things?

how do I spend my time wisely today?

what’s for snack?

my way or His?

lots of choices to keep me occupied all day long. I’m realizing that I often spend a lot more time on the decisions that don’t really matter and let the decisions that matter more breeze right past me without a thought. usually, resulting in choosing my way over His. i’m also re-learning again (and again and again and again) that as a wife and mom I have a great influence on our family. I have the responsibility and privilege to set the tone for the day. there are always little eyes and ears watching and listening to my response and attitude. it’s not an easy role and I don’t want to take it lightly. each day i’m asking for wisdom in making these choices. asking for forgiveness when I fail. thanking God for His grace he continuously gives me.

Creative thinking and planning

Published by Aubrey

I’m in decorate/plan/crafty mode over here. Watch out this could be dangerous! This is a fair warning to my husband:) Knowing that a new home is in our future, the creative wheels are turning. Awhile back I found this make-your-own-bed that would be great for each of the girls and ashleyannphotography. It looks relatively simple and so cute. I think I would had some storage draws underneath. Just an idea to add to the many!

5 on Friday

Published by Aubrey

Lucky number 51. HOF. Do these letters mean anything to you? Well around here that is all you see and hear about this week. Canton is the home of the Football Hall of Fame and this is Hall of Fame week. It’s the one week where there people actually plan to come to Ohio because there is a lot to do. This week we have seen hot air balloons and fireworks. Tomorrow Mr. Barela and I have a date night and I’m going to introduce him to the Ribs Burnoff. Can’t wait to see his face with the choices of ribs he will have. On Saturday we are taking the kids to the parade, something I grew up going to. Of course we will be bringing along some Dunkin’ Donuts to much on while we watch.

2. I love summer food. Strawberry short cake, corn on the cob, fresh veggies from the garden, grilled meat and lemonade. Ahhh it’s just all so good. And we have been having plenty of it. My belly is happy:)

3. This is Theia’s new stance. She’s has always been the investigator, wanting to know who, what, when and where. These days we often find her checking out new situations (because there are a lot) walking around in this pose. She is cautious and contemplative, taking everything in. With her little hands behind her back it just fits her perfectly and melts our hearts even more.

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4. These girls just make us smile. Here they are kissing each other. They truly are best little buddies always looking out for one another. Although according to them they came from different places. Last night I said to them while they were in the bath tub “How did you get so cute? Where did you come from?” Theia replied with certainty that she came from God. Kaia on the other hand responded that she came from the garden. Hmmmmm? okay.
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5. This little dude is quite the baseball player these days. He’s hitting with a real bat and real balls and he knocks them all over Grandma and Pa’s big yard. I’m not sure who’s more proud, Daddy or Mase.
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4 kids having fun.

Published by Aubrey


One of the things I like best about being a mom is getting to be a kid all over again. Who doesn’t love a shaving cream fight? I’ve always been young at heart, it’s not like I need my kids for an excuse to be silly. That just comes naturally. But they do give me more opportunities to forget the everyday stresses of life. More opportunities to laugh, play, wrestle, pretend and just have fun. They also remind me to have faith, not to worry about tomorrow and smile. It’s a reminder I need often and I’m thankful I have 3 little people who show me each and every day.