random photos!!!

I just emptied my camera and found a bunch of random photos and decided to do a post.

Colin is my latest camera thief... I caught him with my camera and snapped this shot...

 Morgan takes the kids fishing in the morning sometimes.  This time he went with Em and caught something... Waste not want not right?  Below is Liam cooking up the teeny tiny fish...

 Somedays Liam makes me laugh even when he STRESSES me out beyond words!   We are using the K-12 program this year for school.  It's good, but much more demanding than what Liam is accustomed to.  So glad he found a vent for his frustrations...

 This is the Tennessee State Tree.  The Tulip Poplar.  I have lived here for almost 7 years  (yikes that's some deep Tennessee roots for me.  never thought I'd be here that long!  But I digress)  I finally understand why it is called a Tulip Poplar.  yep, I'm really not that observant...I'm working on it.  It's a pretty tree and I like the tulip that gives it it's name!

 Em and Liam both got new glasses.  Em is supposed to wear an eye patch for a month to see if there is any chance of strengthening her right eye and getting rid of the glasses.  I thought a pretty emery blue patch would be something she would want to wear and would like!  Yeah, I was wrong, she tolerates it.  *sigh*

 Emery and Isa were goofing around with paper the other day ago and made themselves some disguises.  I laughed when I asked them what they used to attatch said disguises and they answered "glue!"  Duh!  What was I thinking!

Lastly this is Colin dressed as Optimus Prime  In case you were wondering...

http://powerofmoms.com/2012/04/your-children-want-you/

The above link is to an awesome article online.  It really hit home and made me grateful for the moments I do stop and just let my kids need me.  I am definately not the most creative, trendy or exciting mom.  The good news is my kids love me anyway.  I'm working on being a better more attentive, more hands on, loving, there for you kind of mom.  For me, I know that means I need to tune into my kids a little more.  Today Emery and I went for a morning bike ride and then she asked if I would run the marathon with her next year.  (Marley her cousin ran this year and Em is all about doing just what Marley does!)  I agreed, and then I thought to myself, this will be good for me.  I hope it means more mornings out running and talking and bike riding with Em.  It made for a more peaceful day between the two of us.  She felt like I was there for her and was fulfilled.  I felt like I had more patience with her.  It was a good day.  I am grateful for small moments like that.  I want to be the kind of mom who makes those small moments for each of her kids...Little by little, I will be that mom....