Picasso's got Nothing on the Williams Family

To me, there's no better way to decorate the house than with our children's artwork.

In fact, that and pictures of our sweet babies are the only things hanging on our walls

(with the exception of one wooden cutout of Oklahoma).

Sure we could go buy a random picture of a beach scene or a still life of some sort,

but they would hold no meaning to us.  They would just be there taking up space.

Instead, the husband and I have decided to display photographs and pieces of art that we are the 

most proud of and that bring us the most joy

We have had beautiful masterpieces created by my 

incredible step-daughters hanging up in the house for years now.

These paintings were done just before we moved to Japan.

Lilly made the two bigger ones when was three-years-old.

Raley made the smaller one just before she turned one.

Since Raley is now about the same age Lilly was when she made the 

handprint painting I am hoping to make one with her when we

go home in about a month.  Then I will make one with 

Emma and Jude when they get to be that age.

Lilly made these two paintings in school last year.

We were lucky enough to get them while we were home for a visit

and had the privilege of picking her up from school.

They went in a frame as soon as we got back to Japan. 

We have pictures that Emma has colored hanging up in the kitchen,

but I decided it was time for her to get her own canvas like her big sissies.

She had a good time creating her very own masterpiece.

The finished product.  I can't wait to get it hung up on the wall under Raley's.

Every time Emma sees it she says "good job" and claps her hands.

She is very proud of herself.

All of these paintings are very special to me and they will forever

hold a prominent place in our house.

I can't wait to get some wonderful creations from Jude.

I think it will be so neat to sit around with all our kids when they are older

and show them all of their artwork from over the years.

Some great stories and memories will be shared

and to me that is what family is all about.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Reading with Daddy

I could watch my husband with our babies all day.

It is the sweetest thing in the world.

Three Years Ago Today...

...I went on a date.  A first date.

The night started with "I hope you don't mind 

that I didn't clean my truck out for you"

and ended with "You should come see me out

in California in a few weeks."

Yes, this man whom I had just met only a few weeks before

and whom I was currently on my first date with

asked me to fly across the country in a few weeks to visit him. 

Most people probably think that's a little crazy, 

but I knew right away that I wanted to go.

I guess that just shows that we both knew that this was

the beginning of something special.

Well as it turns out, it was more than just special.

It was magical.  It was exciting.  It was perfect.  It was meant to be.

So much so that just 7 months and 11 days later 

we stood barefoot in a park and said "I do."

Some of our adventures leading up to our wedding...

Camping on the beach in California.  

The view from our tent when we woke up.

The Crab Catcher, fanciest restaurant we have ever been to,

and we came in all sandy from the beach.

They basically sat us in a closet.  No joke.

We didn't even know there was such a thing as a sparkling water glass

and in case you were wondering, prawn is just a fancy word for shrimp.

Driving home from a shooting match.

Who needs paper to write a love letter?

Playing with the new fancy camera we just bought.  Our first big purchase together.

Just because flowers.

Playing with the new toys he bought for the camera.

Walking to Tanners, the bar just down the street from our apartment

and where we spent many of our nights.  Oh Tanners...

Memorial Day Weekend in Oklahoma.

He made me drive the truck with the boat hitched up to the back.  I was terrified.

Enjoying a sunset.  This is one of my all time favorite pictures of him.  So handsome.

A lazy 4th of July spent laying in the park all day.

Our rocks.  A very special place.

I love it when he tells the story about when he went to pick out my rings.

At the Jack Johnson concert.  We love us some JJ.

Horse back riding in Oklahoma.

Again, who needs paper?

In our hearts we were already married, 

but this gave us the little piece of paper that made it official.

Honeymoon Phase 1.  

Oklahoma and then to the Cowboys game.

Honeymoon Phase 2.

Back to Kansas City.

Honeymoon Phase 3.

Okinawa.

I love you Joshua Scott.  You captured my heart three years ago

and have tightened your hold on it every day since then.

You are the most amazing man I could have ever asked for.

You are sweet, honorable, confident, funny, honest and passionate,

You support me, encourage me, guide me, and believe in me.

The love we share is a love I never knew existed until I met you.

It's a love that, in its three short years, has already had to weather the storm

and has come out stronger than when it went in.

I will never forget our first date and the strong feelings 

I immediately started to have for you.  

There was just something different about you.

I truly believe that you were made for me and I was made for you.  

Our similarities and our differences fit together so perfectly and our love

continues to grow with each new experience that we face.  Some how we manage

to find a way to cuddle up close enough to make our thoughts, beliefs and goals

fit together even more perfectly than they did when our relationship first started.

      

Super Bowl Monday

Being stationed in Japan during the Super Bowl means it comes on

at 8:30 Monday morning and gives Daddy an extra day off work.

Since Daddy was gone so much the past two weeks 

we took full advantage of our extra day together.

Father and son watching the Super Bowl together.

Judging by these sweet pictures I'd say Jude enjoyed his first Super Bowl.

Emma finally got the chalk board table!!  This was supposed to be a Christmas

present, but I ended up having to wait two months for the PX to get the

chalk board spray back in stock.  I still need to paint the legs, but I couldn't 

wait any longer to give it to her once the top was ready.

It was such a beautiful day outside.  

The weather was perfect so we headed down to the beach.

Emma loved playing in the water and throwing rocks with Daddy.

I was trying to get Emma to hold our hands for this, but she wasn't having it.

Jude hanging out under his shaded canopy.

Playing in the dirt on the walk home.

She has a thing about picking up rocks and carrying them with her.

We are starting to get a nice collection right outside the front door.

Daddy finally had to pick her up so we could move along.

We love it when Daddy is home with us.