A Quick Hello & More From Our Photo Shoot with Malicote Photography

I am slowly adjusting to the boys both being away at school. Adam loves kindergarten and is doing beautifully. Levi has the same teacher, which has made for a smooth transition. Some of his classmates from last year are with him again, too.

We are getting ready for this year's Walk for Down Syndrome. Click here to help out by registering to walk or making a donation.

I said I'd post more of these photos and almost forgot!! I am 10 pounds lighter right now than I was in these photos! I have a ways to go, but it is nice to be making progress!

Levi's Best Buddy

Adam's soccer coach called at the beginning of the season to introduce himself and give a little information, but he started out by saying that Levi & his son, Caleb, were in the same preschool class last year (and are together again this year, too). He told me that Caleb doesn't talk much & is in speech therapy but came home every day last year and said, "Wevi is my best buddy." 

The other day, I dropped Levi off at preschool after his morning therapy sessions, and he did not want to go. I walked him to the classroom and out their door that goes to the playground. Caleb ran right up to us. Levi let the teacher hold him but didn't want to get down & play. I went in the room and left the door open enough to watch so I could see how Levi was doing. A few seconds later, I saw him run off to play. Right away, Caleb looked through the cracked door & gave me a thumbs up so I knew Levi was okay. How sweet is that?!

Thrift Store Style

I love picking through items at thrift stores and putting together inexpensive yet up-to-date outfits. I enjoy pinning outfits on Pinterest for inspiration, then getting similar pieces for a few dollars each.

But before showing some photos of some of my latest finds, I have to admit that I've been putting this off due to my 40 lb. weight gain that I am fighting. I have lost a few pounds since these were taken but have a long way to go. After Levi was born, I dropped the 40 pounds I gained with in a year. Now it is all back on & I don't have a pregnancy to blame it on, just bad choices. I am running regularly but eating too much for it to make any difference in my weight. I am working to juice at least once a day & am adding more organic veggies to my day. I am hoping now that school has started & we are beginning to have more of a routine around here that I can step it up and see results soon.

Thanks to my friend Megan Tibbs for a fun photo shoot! Here is a top I recently got for $2. 50. I love the details around the collar & sleeves.

With something that is decorative around the collar, I like to wear a simple necklace that doesn't compete with the shirt. This is one of my favorite necklaces with a charm to represent Adam, Levi, and Wes.

This white shirt is another $2. 50 buy. Notice I wore a much bolder necklace this time.

I love the ruffles on this top & how they add interest in a subtle way.

I have wanted one of these Miche bags with the magnetic, interchangeable covers for a long time, but they are not cheap.

Thanks to ebay & a little bit of patience, I now have a base purse and a few covers that I got for $5-$10 each instead of the $40+ they were to start with.

Of course my favorite new accessories are my Younique makeup products. The 3D Fiber Lash mascara & lip glosses are my most prized items. Click here to see my Younique website & shop around.

Photo Shoot by Malicote Photography

There are so many great photos, that I will be splitting them up into separate posts. I absolutely love Kelsey Malicote. She is a ray of sunshine with some mad photo skills. I love her use of light & how subtle she is with Photoshop.

Our Last Few Weeks in Photos

Outdoor Play

Bible Camp

Favorite Picture Ever...

3D Fiber Lash Mascara

I cannot get over this 3D Fiber Lash Mascara! There is nothing else on the market like it. Plus it is all natural and comes with a 14 day money-back guarantee!

Click here to view my Younique website & to order products.

Sunday Style

Lately, I've been pinning black & white striped shirts with cardigans or jackets over and over again. I've been to some thrift stores lately found cardigans, jackets, and striped shirts that I love. It has been fun putting new outfits together. I wore this outfit a few Sundays ago. My shirt, skirt, and jacket in this photo were $3 each!! Can't beat that!

Levi's First Special Olympics: Kentucky Summer Games Video

Levi's 4th Birthday Poem & Video!!!!!

Reflecting on four years ago today...

I wish I had known what a joy he would be,
How his face would light up a room,
How much others would love this sweet, special boy,
How acceptance and kindness would bloom.

I wish I had known that we'd be okay,
That we had what it took to get through.
I wish I hadn't been afraid of two little words,
And let "Down syndrome" steal his debut.

Now he is growing, he is learning, he is loved.
He makes us better people every day.
Sure there's more work and extra effort at times,
But we wouldn't have it any other way.


Happy 4th Birthday, Levi!!!

Living Room Makeover & Random Stuff

Here's the photo I promised of the living room. We used to have plain white walls. I love the subtle paint color. New windows and curtains help, too. But my favorite part of the room is the painting Adam & I made together.

I found some paintings I liked on Pinterest & combined a few of the ideas into one. It was a fun project that didn't cost much at all.

This guy just finished his second soccer season.

Levi hasn't had much trouble with his ears in the past, but is scheduled to get tubes this summer. He has been having problems since January with ear infections. I cancelled a hearing test for the second time (knowing that he can't do a hearing test when he has an ear infection or with the fluid that would stay in his ear for weeks following an ear infection), and a nurse called back saying the ENT wanted to see him anyway. He had just finished a round of antibiotics so I figured he was fine.  Turns out, his ear was still in bad shape. I'd have never known he was having a problem unless she asked to see him. Maybe this is why his ENT has people from California & Hawaii come to Cincinnati Children's to see her! She is amazing. I'd have never known he had sleep apnea if it weren't for her & the second sleep study she did proved that taking out his tonsils took away his sleep apnea. Click here to read more about his doctor.

Our dogwoods are in full bloom. I love how these trees change throughout the year.

I have not kept my word about blogging more. Sometimes Facebook is just faster. Sometimes, I feel like I shared everything on Facebook & have nothing left to share here. Sometimes I feel like I don't have anything interesting to say. Regardless, I need to get back to this space. Thanks for stopping by.