Okay, this post is just out there.

 I’ll start with something that has been bugging me.

I’m totally and completely heartbroken about the famine in Africa. It’s nothing new I know, but I’m constantly praying for the

people over there and am sickened over the fact that they are hungry.

I want to send a gazillion dollars to all the different organizations out there to help

but I can’t send a gazillion dollars so I just continue sending all that I can hoping that it makes a difference.

I want to go there. I want to help. I feel like I need to do more. 

SO NOW WHAT??? 

I’ve decided that Africa is not in my near future. The reality is I am a mom and right now that is the single most important

job I have. As a foster parent I know that kids will ALWAYS need to be helped just as some people will ALWAYS be hungry.

I have some amazing kids, family, neighbors, friends and  a great community that I will focus on for now and I’m okay with

that.  Maybe someday Africa will be my reality, for now my family needs me and I will give them all I have wholeheartedly in

hopes that they will be productive, happy, honest adults with strong convictions…

it’s the simple things that matter most.

“When we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude

 grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on—home and family and the loyalty of loved ones.

We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the

blessed relationship of family life”

~Thomas S. Monson~

*AP photo copied from Christian Aid Ministries website.* 

OKAY! Moving on to more randomness!!!

***!WARNING!***

This picture may not be suitable for the faint of heart.

We had a visitor join us for breakfast yesterday, although I didn’t eat much I sure did enjoy watching him eat…

sometimes I’m just sick that way. 

 I always worry about Andie’s best friend being breakfast. 

For those of you that haven’t heard, Justin has been working on building a train with the kids. Yup, a real train!

I know that it may not be finished until our kids are adults because designing and making every little part is time consuming,

I’m just lovin’ that he spends hours in the shop building very important relationships.  

And finally, this little guy that means the world to our family turns THREE today. Spoiling him brings me nothin’ but JOY!

Life IS good.

Vintage sample:

5×5 Classic White backdrop:

Shop around while I shoot the kids, or bring in the whole family for a mini shoot! Contact me if you have questions or ideas!

Every year on September 11th our family heads on over to the local fire stations to spoil the guys with

goodies and some love! This year Sheri and Andi grabbed the kiddos and came along, we love having friends join us.

I found some older images from the past few years, look at how much my kids have grown!

The guys are always great, they love to show us around the station and they love letting the kids get a hands on feel of

 life as a firefighter, the truck is always a favorite.

 Here are some more images from the past few years…

Check out Trey when he was a baby! Andie LOVED playing mommy.

Now he’s a big boy!

I have a big project in store for these guys next year, contact me if you want to help spread the love and I’ll give

you more details!

To our local firemen and to all those that serve us, our family thanks you. To the hundreds of firemen that lost

their lives on that horrific September day, we will never forget you. 

 …and my big sis Roni! I’m not much of a shopper but I could do this all day!

 Amy looked like a princess in every dress, I’m still voting for the Vera Wang…if my vote counts!

Thanks for everything Amy, love ya!

I have been telling myself for the past few months that I will catch up on everything I need to do ”next week” but

week after week I struggle getting to that point!

I feel kinda like this:

I LOVE that image!!!! I try hard to focus on the things that matter most, try to perform my daily tasks, 

 get caught up on laundry, sessions, time with the kids and hubby,

 running here and there (SOO MANY APPOINTMENTS) and editing time… now if I could only

 get through girls camp next week, I might get caught up!

I love to focus on this little guy, It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen him and I probably

 won’t get to hug him til next week 

Here is the part where I bombard you with pictures that I have wanted to post but haven’t had much free time.

I can’t believe that my sweet little ninja wanna be has graduated.

 Seems like yesterday that he was my baby sticking bologna to the walls, washing our new car with a rock instead of the sponge

and singing along to  Barney songs with his Buzz Lightyear in hand! I may jinx myself here but I do have to say that his journey so far has been fairly easy.

What a great kid! VERY little drama, great friends, funny,

happy and in love with all of the foster kiddos that have been in and out of the house.

I’m so excited for his future, I know he is amazing and I am so proud of him!

Here are photos from his other prom! Not only is his date beautiful… 

and smart…

and sweet…

she is SOO fun to hang out with!

 Thanks gorgeous Erin, Austin had a great time!

In other Peery news, we  made a trip to Spanish Fork for the funeral of Justin’s 95 year old grandma last week,

what an amazing woman! So many people love her and will miss her. 

…and I wonder why my Austin won’t cooperate when I want to take his picture!

Now some photos from us just hangin’ out and seeing the sights.

 And finally, I had been anticipating a photo shoot with my nephew Jace and his sweet  new baby brother for awhile,

 unfortunately Haze was born 3 months early and even though

he is doing well, he is still in the hospital getting stronger every day! I snapped a few in the

 hospital and then a few of Jace playing out in the grass.

 Even though he has seen images of the baby I don’t think he realizes that he has a baby brother.

 Okay. Now back to work!

ENJOY!

Lovely butterflies!!!

More HAPPY blessings!!!

My Favorite Easter picture!

courtesy of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base!

Ya, ya, ya. I KNOW I have posted a whole bunch here but I can’t get enough! 

God bless this country.

Top off the the day with our Little League kick off, doesn’t get any better than this! 

However, last week was great! She had her 2nd competition and had a blast. She is not quite a level 4 gymnast but the coach wanted the team to get a feel for what it’s like to compete, so she has them participating as level 4′s at various meets in the Phoenix area. She took 5th on the floor and the team got 3rd all around! Although it’s difficult to see the contrast between the happy, strong Andie and the helpless, hurting Andie, I am grateful for her positive attitude and I know that these little bumps in the road will only make her stronger.

Love ya little girl!