If the shoe fits...

Collin's first pair of big boy shoes were a size
7 XW (extra wide).

Being that this little love has XW feet, 

we have always had to buy him $50 stride rite shoes.

His "Freds", as we lovingly call them, 

(named after Fred Flinstone)

are a bit too wide to fit into your average pair of
Target shoes...

No worries, I mean he is a boy,
he doesn't need many shoes.

When we took Madelyn to buy her first pair of
big girl shoes 

we found that she too has a pair of "Freds"...

5.5 XW to be exact.

Do you know how often I walk through Target and see all of those adorable little girly shoes just wishing that sweet Madsy's feet would fit into them.
Not long ago I thought "ah what the heck"
and I tried a pair on her,
her foot looked like a sausage...
I sighed and simply said "nope".

She looked at me and let out the sweetest belly laugh,
 which made me giggle...

Seriously people it's like she knew what was going on, 

and she was just embracing what God gave her...

FREDS!  

There is still hope for my sweet Madsy's shoe closet...

Yes it's true...

We bought our first pair of Target sandals, 

and seriously, 

how cute do those pudgy little feet look in these???
I do realize that the only reason these bad boys fit
is because there is a strap up the middle and nothing on the sides
but it's a start!

Madelyn is SO proud of her new shoes,

stomping all around in them,  

every once in a while stopping to admire them...

If the shoe fits Mads, 

wear it...

after all,

look what happened to Cinderella!

What day is it?

Collin:

"Daddy do you know what day it is?"

Daddy"

"No, what day is it?"

Collin:

"It's a BEAUTIFUL day daddy!"

Yes it is a beautiful summer day!  

I think we are finally on the other side of the sickness mountain, whew!  

We are so happy to see sweet smiles again!

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Mommy in training...

Sweet Madsy girl has really been in to her babies these days.  She walks around hugging and kissing them and patting them and saying "oh baby" in her sweet lil voice.  I love to watch her "take care" of them.

She got a jar of food out of the cupboard all by herself and sat down with her baby...

At first she started by setting the food on the baby's mouth...

I gave her a spoon...

She knew what to do!

Apparently she still needs a little practice, 

but I think she is headed in the right direction!

Being a mommy is my greatest joy,

thank you Jesus, for sending us these miracles!

"I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him."
1 Samuel 1:27

Happy Anniversary...

Happy One Year Anniversary...a day late!

My brother and his sweet wife Andi celebrate a year of marriage bliss!  

We just ADORE both of them and are blessed to call them ours!  

I read the following at their rehearsal dinner a year ago...

What will life be like living with our Michael....

There will always be lots of energy in your house.  I'm sure you've noticed that Michael doesn't sit still for all that long.  More than likely you will not go on too many movie dates as the thought of sitting still in a theatre is not so appealing to him.  His legs will bounce while sitting in church and he will shake your entire bed with his restless legs at night.  If you have ever lived with or slept in the same house as Michael I am sure you have witnessed what I am talking about.  

But I do know from experience that Michael will put that same energy into loving and caring for you Andi.

Michael will probably not be able to fix anything in your house like a dishwasher, a toilet or a leaky faucet.  

But I do know from experience that he is the best at fixing hearts and will surely fix yours should it ever be broken.

Michael has lots of clothes and most of them are usually piled in a heap on the floor.  He is also rather particular about what he wears...

But I do know from experience that the one thing he always wears is his heart on his sleeve.  You, and everyone else, will always know how proud he is of you and just how much he loves you.  

Michael is terrible with directions.  May I warn you to always use your GPS or surely you will get lost.  Be ever so cautious of verbal directions as well...things like "Michael don't leave my corn hole bags out at night or the squirrels will eat them" those kind of directions sometimes go in one ear and just as quickly out the other!  His reasoning is usually "I forgot".

But I do know from experience that the one direction Michael will always follow is that of his heart which will go wherever you go because he has given his heart to you.

Michael is rarely in a bad mood.  I do caution you, however, that should there be a maze and blue victory over the sacred green and white....YIKES look out!  I wouldn't call him a sore loser but definitely a spirited spartan and a devoted fan.

But I do know from experience that Michael will always be cheering loudest for you and he will surely be your biggest fan!  And the spirit you will be most proud of is not his spartan spirit but the sweet and gentle spirit that is in his heart.  The true spirit that makes Michael the incredible person that he is...

There will be lots that you will learn about Michael as you begin your new lives together.  Each day will be an adventure I am sure.  

But I can tell you from experience that you will never find a more loving heart, a more generous spirit or a better companion than that of my brother, my friend, Michael.

Andi I speak for my whole family when I say that we are just as excited to get to know all there is to know about you as you join our family.  

But I do know from experience that to know you is to love you and we couldn't be happier to welcome you as a McGuire!

We LOVE you both...

to the moon and back!

Mommy Tears...

It has been a LONG week!  Madsy girl seems to be on the mend but is still rather crabby over the littlest things.  Can't wait until her carefree, happy go lucky self, is back in full force!

Daddy has been in Vegas for the last two days.  Daddy has the camera and that is why we don't have any pictures today.  He went with his friends for a wedding.  It was a "boys only" trip, mommies stayed home with the little people!  :)

Grammy came over yesterday and played with us for a bit so mommy could get a few things done, including take a shower.  :)  We miss daddy...single parenting is tough!
Good thing he will be back home tomorrow!

Today Nana called and asked if Collin wanted to come spend the day with her, of course he did!  Not long after they got to her house Nana called to tell me she thought Collin was coming down with what Madelyn had...sure enough, here we go round 2!  He is back home with a 102 fever, laying on the couch...

Once again, we miss daddy!!

I cry when my kids are sick, real tears.
It happens every time...

If you know me well...oh who am I kidding...
If you know me at all,
you know that I cry about everything,
but when my kids are sick, or hurt,
I cry mommy tears...
mommy tears are the saddest tears there are,
wouldn't you agree?

Sandbox

Daddy made a new sandbox for the kids.  We had a small turtle one and daddy decided that Collin needed a bigger one, and he was right!  The best part about it is that daddy and Collin made it together.  They worked on it yesterday and I couldn't get any pictures of the process because I was inside with a very sick Madelyn.  :(

The project was completed today and the Collin loves it, can you tell? 

Collin in his "babe-in-suit"
and just for the record, "babe-in-suit" IS one of my favorite "Collinisms"

Show us your muscles Collin...

Who's are bigger mine or daddy's?

I'm thinking maybe daddy's...for now anyways!

But we love your BIG smile!

Collin and daddy make a GREAT team!

Uncle Todd's

Daddy and Papa Don took Collin to visit Uncle Todd and Aunt Lisa yesterday.  Mommy and Madelyn stayed home so the boys could do boy things!  ;)  Daddy took two pictures of Collin and the camera battery died...ugh I am so sad.  Oh well, next time!  Daddy said Collin spent a lot of time inside with Aunt Lisa just hanging out with her.

He was VERY excited about the "pupcakes" (aka cupcakes) that they made.  

The boys also went fishing and had fun playing with the dogs, including this little cutie...

Next time we will make sure the camera battery is charged!  

I am ready for bed, today has been a LONG day!  Sweet Madsy girl woke up with a 103 degree fever and has been very sick all day.  I took her to the Dr. this morning and she said she has "hand, foot and mouth".  Yuck!  It is a very common viral infection that usually effects children.  Symptoms are fever, malaise, and blistery sores in the mouth and on the hands and feet.  Madelyn has the sores in her mouth but they have not yet appeared on her hands or feet.  Being that is is viral there is nothing to do other than wait it out...I hate that!  We are praying that the worst of it is over and that Collin does not get it.  I held her from 7:30 this morning until 7:30 this evening.  I put her down for two short naps and other than that she hung on me like a little monkey.  That is VERY unlike her.  I felt very helpless and shed a few tears just feeling so sorry for her.  Her fever finally came down a bit before bed but I can hear that she is restless in there...

God is good and He hears our prayers, I am SO grateful that I can run to Him, I called on Him many times today, I know He heard me!

Praying for a good night...

Update:

Uncle Todd sent us a few pictures from his camera...

Thanks Uncle Todd!

Happy "Fadder's Day"

We have had a very full day!  We have enjoyed spending the day with the special men in our lives!  I tried desperately to get pictures of the kids with Ryan before we went to church.  By the end I was sweating and we hadn't even left the house yet!

Our sweet Madsy girl is not one who likes to sit still for photo shoots!

After church we came home to take naps and then headed to Grammy and Papa's for dinner.  We played outside for a bit until everyone was dripping in sweat!  We had a very nice dinner and then we ended the day at Grandma and Grandpa Franzel's.  

Running...

and jumping...

and running some more!

Someone sees her Papa!

Kisses for Collin

I am blessed to call this man Dad...

I LOVE you, Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day....

To my heavenly father, without you I am nothing!


To my husband, the most incredible father
to my two beautiful blessings...

To my dad, the first man I gave my heart to...

To my father-in-law, such a caring man...

We love all of you!!