Soap & Separation Anxiety

{SATURDAY} Hot Bagels, feeding the ducks, park, birthday party at The Little Gym...need I say more? We had a full and fun day as a family!

{SUNDAY} I don't know what it is, but there is some magnetic lure to the bathroom. Whenever a child goes missing, I instantly know he or she is in the bathroom washing his/her hands over and over again.


[MONDAY} If you look up the word "separation anxiety" in the dictionary, you will likely find a photo of Landon...crying...desperately for his mommy. It was really hard on me at first, but now it's a little comical. I say that because he is completely fine until he sees me from a distance coming to pick him up. I have spied on him many times at the childcare center within our gym and I see that he is happy and content. He just loves mommy so much that he likes for everyone to know it as well and throws a big, sad cry for all to hear.


{TUESDAY} I bought the kids some cheap plastic balls today while I was grocery shopping. So after naptime, we got our popsicles out and played a game of kick the ball around the back yard. The kids were really into it until two jets flew overhead...the rest is history.

The Swing

Who would have thought a baby swing would be such a hit? Clearly, I underestimated how much fun a swing could be to an 8 month old. Ryland absolutely it! He was laughing so loud that it made us all laugh. Playdates are the best!

Early Risers & Elephants

{SUNDAY} I had a few hours to myself tonight and was able to work on some craft projects like catching up on scrapbooking and making homemade birthday and teacher appreciation gifts. I love being creative. I need this time like I need caffeine!



{MONDAY} Of course, since I am not a morning person, God gave me three children who wake me up at the first sight of light. Generally, around 5:30 to 6:00 am, my day starts by hearing the sounds of a crying baby who is hungry yet again. I can't wait for the day when my children enjoying sleeping in and beg me to let them go back to bed.



{TUESDAY} My mom came over to watch all three kids for me while I worked on Tuesday. Landon is really starting to show an affection for my mom. He would call out to her while she stayed with us for a couple of days and then he cried out for Oma when she left. He definitely knows how to work it...or work us females over I should say.



{WEDNESDAY} This week at Taylor's school skills class she studied the letter "E". They made cute little elephant masks and painted with eggplants. I love this photo of Taylor!




{THURSDAY} We were supposed to have rain today. At most, we had a few sprinkles for a couple of seconds. This week has provided a nice relief to the hot weather. It's going to be a very hot summer.

Heating Up

With the weather getting considerably warmer this week, we broke out the kiddie pool. I filled it with water and within 20 minutes Landon had filled it with rocks. Nice touch son! No wonder Taylor didn't want to go back in it.


Taylor's ultimate favorite toy is the baby doll stroller. A couple of her strollers have seen the end of their days so I ordered her a new one. I know I am crazy to get her yet another push toy, but it's what makes the girl happy. Taylor is so in love with her new stroller, she had to have it in her room for naptime and sleeptime. Everywhere we go...the carwash, the store, Panda Bear...she has to bring her stroller and her baby.


Last night I volunteered at the Jr. High Girls Purity Night. My friend Robin was in charge of the entire event--which was amazing by the way--and sent me home with 2 dozen balloons for the kids. I put them in the hallway so it would be the first thing the kids saw when they woke up. As you can see from the photo, they really enjoyed the balloons. Thanks Bobo!

Catching Up

{SUNDAY} We attended INFLATE at our church. The kids tried out several bounce houses, and we enjoyed lunch on the lawn. It was a great way to spend a Sunday together.


{MONDAY} Grandma Carol took Taylor to a dog show at the Jobing.com Arena. Taylor said she saw lots of dogs and even ate one...a hot dog of course!


{TUESDAY} Ryland has been refusing his baby food for awhile...pretty much since he was 6 months old. Now that he is almost 8 months old and has 4 teeth, he feels ready to tackle the "real world" and enjoy the finer things in life = beans and rice from Rubio's.


{WEDNESDAY} While Taylor was in her school skills class at Gymboree, I took the boys to McDonalds so Landon could play for a bit. Landon is really lost without his older sister. He really adores Taylor, and enjoys playing with her.

The Big 2

Two years ago today, God entrusted me with one of the most precious gifts ever. His name is Landon Nils Schepemaker.

I've thought a lot today about our circumstances two years ago. How we eagerly headed to the hospital late at night on April 9th for an early morning induction. I just hoped and prayed my delivery would be easier than the first. No real worries though...

Not until Landon was born did major fear set in. Fear that my precious son wouldn't make it. Fear that I would never see my boy grow up. Fear that I (we) would lose him. I wasn't ready to face that hurdle and I think God knew that.

While Landon spent the first 17 days of his life in the NICU for respiratory distress, I was able to spend hours upon hours with him daily. Thankfully, Taylor was being taken care of by my in-laws...she had no clue what was going on...she had just turned one.

Landon's time in the NICU was up and down. One day good, one day bad. One step forward, one step back. It tore out my heart to leave him every night. My only source of comfort was knowing that Landon was being taken care of not just by human hands but ultimately by a higher power.

So now I look at my handsome, healthy son and all I can do is be thankful. Thankful to my God for providing for us. Thankful that Landon made it through and shows no real lifelong effects. Thankful to be Landon's mommy.

So while Landon is growing up, he'll always be a momma's boy. And I will always be his biggest cheerleader. I love you son!


THANK YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR CELEBRATING WITH US TODAY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING IN OUR LIVES AND BEING SUCH A BLESSING!

Afternoon Treats

Ryland is finally ready for Gymboree classes. This past week I put him down on the mat while Taylor and Landon were playing and he pushed his chest up off as if he might start to crawl. So now that he is maturing, I think it's time to get him into his only class, separate from his siblings. Plus it could be a good bonding moment for us.



The kids have been sleeping so well lately for me. They know that once their nap is over, there is a ice cold popsicle waiting for them. The weather has been so warm lately, the popsicle is refreshing and the treat of their choice.

in BLOOM

Today the kids and I added some color to our backyard. It's something we've wanted to do for awhile, but our busy schedules haven't allowed for it. So today while Taylor was at a class, I took the boys to a local nursery and picked up some flowers. I remember my grandmother teaching me as a little girl how to plant flowers. I guess it stuck with me after all the years. Today, I realized that I really enjoy planting...especially if I have no distractions.

Speaking of distractions: Taylor was such a helper. She would carry around the flowers and bring them to me when I needed them. She wanted to be up close and watch. I asked her if she wanted to help and she said, "No, I'll just watch. OK Mommy?"

Landon, on the other hand, thought it would be fun to dump the flowers out of their containers. Thankfully I was able to salvage all but one. Then he occupied himself with the leftover empty containers and was back to playing with the rocks again.

Easter Weekend

Friday night we headed over to my in-laws for dinner. We brought all of our guests with us and had a great night. The kids especially enjoyed playing on the golf course. The kids were able to roam around freely and enjoy the open space. Even though our friends children spoke little to no English, Taylor and Landon were able to connect with the children. Even little Ryland had a new mommy anytime Julia was around him. We had such a good week with our company. It was sad to say goodbye.



On Saturday we had a BBQ in the park. Our community was putting on an Easter Eggstravaganza so the kids were able to jump in bounce houses and get Easter tattoos. The weather was perfect and the day was so enjoyable...except for the brief moment when Taylor ran off. Thankfully my neighbors had seen her getting into a bounce house. She is just like her Daddy in the fact that she takes off and is not scared in the least bit. Landon though, takes 20 feet away from you in the opposite direction, realizes he left you and then comes running back...often with tears in his eyes.



Today we enjoyed Easter service at CCV. After the service, the kids played in the grass fields. It's like pulling teeth getting our kids in the car. They always hate to leave church. Next weekend will be such a treat when there will be tons of inflatables for the kids to jump in. I'm so thankful we belong to a church where our kids not only learn about Jesus, but they make it fun for the kids to grow and learn.

A Week with the Swedes

We've had visitors all week, and we have been keeping busy with them. Nils and Anna, along with Nicholas and Anna, are our good friends from Sweden. Nils and Hank became good friends in college while they spent countless hours together every day training for track and field competitions. Both Nils and Hank went to NAU on track scholarships. Nils and Anna have such a special place in our hearts that we named Landon the middle name Nils.

So this week we have been doing things in a large group. There are 15 of us total if you can believe that!


Painting Easter eggs with all the kids.


After spending a couple of hours at the children's museum, we met up with Hank at the Arizona Center for lunch.