Well, not really flight. But I think he felt like he did.

For the past couple years, I've tried my best to encourage Jey to take the training wheels off his bike. He wasn't overly interested in his bike so that practice time wasn't happening. This spring he fell in love with his scooter all over again and was getting better and better with his balance. Yesterday afternoon, while Joshua was down for a nap, I watched Jey roll around the driveway on his scooter. He did some fancy, schmancy swirls and tricks with perfect balance.

There is no way this kid has any excuse for not riding his bike with no training wheels!

Except he had in his mind that he was going to hurt himself without them. So I asked him if we could take them off long enough to try it out and if he didn't like it, we could always put them back on. He reluctantly offered a compromise: just loosen them. OK, whatever. I "loosened" them and helped him up and down the driveway. He was so nervous that he gripped the handle bars and was so stiff he could hardly steer. All the while he was oblivious that I wasn't really holding on and he wasn't using the training wheels! He then decided it was enough practice and went back to his scooter. When Daddy came home, he "helped" Jey a couple times the same way I did. Later that evening, while Daddy was grilling burgers, I tried to encourage Jey to take them off again. He finally agreed and while Daddy took them off, I ran in the house to get the video camera (of course!) while he donned his "Storm Trooper" Helmet (lol).

He walked his bike to the side of the van and hesitantly started off...



Ready, set...


Go!




I was so proud of my little guy! Watching the video and seeing the pics I took afterwards, I'm cracking up at how he really has outgrown this bike. Since he hardly rode it, I hadn't really noticed! Those long, skinny legs just make it worse. haha

He was so proud of himself we decided to take a ride around the neighborhood. He proudly told everyone along the way about his accomplishment. He even asked if he could ask the neighbor to race with him. I was really impressed that he never fell off the bike. He caught himself a couple times but never really fell. He was so encouraged that the moment we got home, he found the training wheels and grinning like the Cheshire Cat, marched to the trash to toss them. I convinced him to save them for Joshua to use soon.

This was yesterday. Today, all he wanted to do was ride around outside. Daddy rode with him to Aunt Linda's while mommy stayed home with sleeping Joshua. The three rode on the Green Belt around town and ended up riding about 6 miles. Jeremiah was not tired at all and was still just beaming with pride. He has been walking around like he could conquer the world. We're pretty proud of him, too. There's just something awesome about watching your kid accomplish something he was afraid of. :)

"YES!"


P.S. Here he is calling my mom to tell her all about it...

Found this cute little list of questions to interview your second grader and thought we'd give it a shot...

Joshua looked so stinkin' adorable before church that I just had to snap a few shots on our way out the door. He's getting so big so fast!

Love you, little guy!









*Little Sweetie*

xoxo

Did you ever wonder how the hubs and I met? It's because of this couple. Long story short, they introduced us back in college. :)

And now many, many years later they returned to our neck of the woods to share what God has placed on their hearts to do with their lives. It was such a great time to visit and catch up with them. We haven't really seen each other since before we had children. What a blessing to meet their beautiful children! Our boys had fun playing with them while we chatted...









They had to see all of John's illusion tricks...




What are they doing?


Getting their picture taken, of course!




We are so thrilled for the adventure God has planned for them! They are going to the middle of nowhere Alaska to minister to villages that are oftentimes forgotten. To a dark place full of depression and despairing hearts. But also full of beautiful men, women and children who seek more from this life. The Nelsons are going to be a big help in meeting those needs.

The Bethel Dream center is a great undertaking but much needed! My heart feels as though it will burst when I hear about the wonderful things the Nelsons are preparing to do in Alaska. Although a part of our good ol' US of A, it is a foreign land in so many ways.

Please check out their site and join in prayer for them as they prepare for this important mission work. What truly blesses me is hearing their small children desiring to help the Eskimos and how they are looking forward to ministering to them and making a difference.

Why are they going?
* 90% unemployment in many of the villages
* 75% are intimately familiar with domestic violence
* Rape rate is 2.5x higher than national average
* 1 out of 3 Alaskan native women will be raped in her life
* Suicide is the #1 cause of death for Alaskans under the age of 50
* Children sexually assaulted by adults is 6x higher than the national average.

Their Vision:
* Start a transitional home for teenagers
* Offer Leadership and life classes
* Provide faith-based counseling
* Host worship services complete with campus pastors
* Create a children's ministry for Bethel/surrounding villages

Juliana's Project from Anthony Nelson on Vimeo.

A Nelson Merry Christmas /2011 from Anthony Nelson on Vimeo.

Brandy & I met on a photography forum years ago and kept in touch. She moved a little closer and helped me shoot a few weddings until she discovered she was expecting twins!

(Remember this?)

*sigh*

D&B, after 10 years, you've still got it!

xoxo

We've been cooped up in the house, a bunch of sickies. Pink eye, flu, stomach bug, more pink eye... UGH. But today as I was driving home from the Dr's office (again) with Joshua, I couldn't help but notice how gorgeous it was outside! Glorious sunshine!!!! Trees blossoming! It was pure bliss!!! I took the boys outside to play in the warm sunshine and took my camera. We played and wandered and then I could not stand it anymore and had to start shooting! It was a bit breezy for delicate macro shots so I brought a small branch indoors and played a bit as I sat near the open door listening to my little guys enjoying a moment where they could forget they were sick.

I'm calling this a sneak peek because I need to post something today and I haven't gone through all the images. I just love this color blue for the background of this tiny little blossom, don't you?


xoxo

I know I say this all the time, but I am convinced that I have the best couples on the planet. Michael & Jennifer just further confirm this fact.

They are gorgeous and fun and just love each other so much! It's so amazing to watch the two of them together. I simply cannot wait for their wedding this fall!

We started the session in a little pocket in the woods where I found some great lighting!


But not even gorgeous lighting could compete with these two...


Found these cool steps...


Jennifer, you are absolutely stunning...


A treasured family heirloom, passed down to Michael for his Bride (LOVE this fact!)...


Some snuggling...














Then a little fun at the end of the session for these football fans...








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