Into the waters....

I'm doing this today because I know that with everything that is going on this weekend...the blog will get ignored! We are so excited that Taylor has made the choice to get baptized!! She can't wait and has told everyone she knows! We have family coming in town and even Uncle Jeff got leave from the Marines to be able to come. Do I really have a kid old enough to get baptized?? Eight years have flown by and it makes me very nervous to think that another eight years will happen in fast forward and I'll be posting pictures of Taylor's new car since she'll be old enough to drive!! Ahhh!
Anyway, for all of our local friends...if you haven't gotten the word...Tay's big day is this Saturday @ 1:00. We'd love to see everyone there!

Backyard Blow-up Slide Pool Thingy

July 4th...Better late than never right?

We had a great Independence Day! We spent the afternoon playing on a huge blow-up waterslide/pool thing that Seth splurged on last week and Gramma and Grampa came over to visit. Then, our friends the Turners invited us over for a cook-out and fireworks. This is my favorite holiday (Christmas takes a very close second) because it's all about spending time together, being thankful for this wonderful country and our freedoms, and it's in the middle of summer!! I have so many great memories of Fourth of Julys...swimming, grilling, sand volleyball, the WHOLE family together, and of course the fireworks!! I hope that my girls will remember how truly blessed they are to live in this country. There is something to be said about American pride...God bless America!

My Cute Cousins!

Two of my Leyva cousins flew into Knoxville on Sunday because they were going to spend a day with my sister and her family before they went to EFY @ Southern Virginia College. However, my sister is on vacation for two weeks so I got the job of driving to K-town to pick them up and take them to Buena Vista, VA the next day. Yes, it was a LOT of driving, but I was so so so happy to get to hang out with Alexx and Ryen! They are so great!! Alexx had a little bit of a stomach bug but toughed it out and was awesome to be around...he's a trooper! :) After picking them up @ the airport in Knoxville, we were trying to decide what we could do for fun. We drove around for what seemed like forever trying to find something...anything...and then we decided that Knoxville must only be good for one thing....EATING! There were restaurants everywhere...but nothing else. Until, we finally made our way to good ol' Putt-Putt golf. Of course, I kicked their trash...but it was fun! Spending time with them really made me sad that we have lived across the country form them their whole lives (they live in Reno, NV)...I feel like I've really missed out on a lot. But it makes little things like this end up being so fun when, normally, it might have been a little lame!! I love you guys!! Can't wait to see you in November!

Make-up!

I was going through pictures the other day and came across these from our AZ trip last summer! (Sandy, this is the make-up day I was talking about) I started laughing out loud!! My Mother-in-law, Sue, and my nephew, Tyler, and I let Taylor and my nieces Bailee and Macey do our make-up. Believe it or not...it was sooo much fun and Taylor still talks about it! Tyler was such a good sport!

Our Road

We went to Long Hunter State Park the other day and I was determined to get back into the landscape side of my photography (the thing that started my obsession). I realized too quickly that I am very rusty! Then mother nature gave me a hand and plopped this scene right before my eyes. I was immediately struck by the intense greens (it had just rained...my Favorite lighting) but then my eyes found this road. I know it sounds cheesy, but I claimed this little piece of paved path as our family road because it sums up our journey perfectly. The road is not straight as an arrow but in spite of it's slight curves, it's still headed in the right direction. The tall, immovable trees lining the path create a protective canopy over head much like the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every direction you look fills you with awe, wonder, curiosity and amazement because of the sheer beauty of it all. I feel this way about my children and my husband. Every time I turn around, I feel so unbelievably blessed with these gifts that Heavenly Father has given me. It may have been a long windy road to get to where I am today...but the piece of road I am on right now with my family is the most beautiful stretch of pavement I have ever seen. I can't wait to see what's next in our journey together!

Nashville Zoo

Daddy's Home!

After a long 2 1/2 weeks, Seth is home from his military stuff in South Dakota! Yay! Of course, the first thing out of Taylor's mouth was...'did you remember my surprise?'. Seth always bring home a treat for the girls...so he pulls out his big bag and each girl got something VERY fitting to their personalities. Alyx got a t-shirt that says 'I get my muscles from my dad'....perfect.
Reagan got a Native American necklace ...with a heart. And Taylor got a bag of rocks. I know that doesn't sound like much but trust me...it might have well been a bag of 30 karat diamonds as far as Tay is concerned. She has always Loved rocks so when Seth pulled out this little black velvet bag of brightly colored stones...Tay was in heaven! She didn't even let me get a picture before she went off trying to determine what types of rocks these were! We are SO happy to have Daddy home....especially me!

Poor Mikey....

My brother Mike has yet another kidney stone. This poor kid has had some rough luck when it comes to these nasty little things! This one is 14mm in diameter which will require surgery in the morning. I just want to wish him good luck! He came over for dinner with my dad on Sunday and was SO cute wrestling with the girls and just being a fun uncle...and then the next day he's in pain...huge Bummer! Get better soon Mike....love you!

Being a Father Means...

.......holding the chunky one on your hip...even when you have to mow;





....acting like a kid with your kids;



....finding amazement in everything your newborn does;




....taking advantage of those quiet moments;




...being the rock your daughters grasp to;




....teaching the things you love to your children;




....loving your kids so deeply, it hurts :)




....creating wonderful memories;




....realizing that each of your children are blessings;




....being a loving guide;




....always being there




with a watchful eye and arms ready to wrap around;




....being a true friend;




....and protector




....of our three precious miracles.

I can't tell you how hard it is that Seth is not here today. (He is in South Dakota for military). I look forward to Father's Day every year because it is one special day where I can truly spoil him and let him know that I have ZERO complaints about the kind of Dad he is. He makes up for everything I lack. He is patient, loving, humble, and calm when he deals with the girls...all things I do not possess! He understands that everything he does is teaching the girls what to expect in their husbands. Talk about big shoes to fill!
I think Seth's story is pretty amazing so I would like to share it today.
First, Seth took on the challenge of coming into a 'pre-made' family. Taylor was 2 and a half when we met him. She was also the kind of kid who had a major 'stranger-danger' complex. If Taylor didn't see you every day, she would cry if you even looked at her. But for some reason she took to Seth instantly...wanting to play peek-a-boo and hold his hand everywhere. I swear kids just know things!
About a year after we were married, Seth legally adopted Taylor in June and the next month we found out we were expecting Reagan. Talk about diving head first into this Dad thing! Then, only 2 weeks after we found out I was pregnant, the doctor told us Seth had testicular cancer and had to have surgery and chemotherapy for 7 months...my entire pregnancy! Seth's biggest fear was if the cancer was resistant and the chemo had to last longer than 7 months, he would not be able to hold Reagan the first couple months of her life because the meds he was on seeped through his skin and Reagan might absorb the chemicals. What a huge blessing it was when he finished a month before my due date...just long enough for his hair to grow back and the chemicals to be out of his system. Needless to say, we were all crying when he got to hold her! The doctor also told Seth not to expect to be able to have any more children...his body has been through a lot. When Seth was cancer-free for one year, he had a TON of tests done to make sure everything was okay..including a fertility test. He was told that he would not be able to have any more kids...we weren't surprised and felt very lucky to have our two girls! Less than a month later....the doctor gives ME some news...WHAT?!? I'm pregnant? But......but......
So here comes our miracle baby #3. I don't think I can handle any more blessings! Of course, now, we can't imagine our lives without our Little Bit! We know how lucky we are and Seth shows it every day when he always gives 110% as a dad.
I love you so much, Seth! Happy Father's Day!

Which Disney Princess am I?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Wet 'N Wild!

The days have been way too hot lately to stay outside for very long so we took a trip to Wal-Mart to buy an inexpensive blow-up pool. Who would have thought that this $8 pool would be such a life-saver?! We were outside ALL day with no 'I'm hot', or 'I'm sweaty', or 'I'm DYING' coming from any of my girls' mouths! It was too cute to see them all in their goggles and suits playing so contently all afternoon! I have to say...after looking at these pictures...my favorite suit is Alyx's. I didn't know swimsuit material could stretch so far!! Needless to say...we'll be going swimsuit shopping tomorrow!! Bless her heart!