We HEART Julie Andrews

If it's possible to wear out DVDs, I think we'll be going through multiple copies of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. When we are having a rough day, these movies are the "go to" because:

1. they make me happy

2. they are wholesome and I don't have to "fast forward" through anything

3. these movies are SOOOOOO LOOOONNNNGGGG....and by me some serious time!

So, here's what happens when you're such huge Mary and Maria fans....

I wanted Sophia to be Mary Poppins, but she had it decided that she and Ezra would be Jane and Michael Banks which left the Mary and Burt roles for Justin and me.

What??? 4 years old???

How did this happen so fast?? She is absolutely THRILLED to be 4!

1, 460 amazing days we've had with this little darling. God has blessed us beyond what we could ask or imagine. We love you little girl~

Goodbye California...

After more sad goodbyes than I'd like to remember, the memories we leave in California after making our lives there for 5 years will stay with us forever. We are now looking ahead, as we get settled back in to life once again in Illinois. We feel truly blessed by all of the supportive family and friends that have been praying us back and helping with the process of moving across the country.

Although for Justin and I we are returning "home", we look forward to creating new memories in this familiar place. One of Justin's co-workers from his previous company said this, "There’s an old saying that “you can never go home again”, I think what that means is that even though you go back it will never be the same

because you and your perspective have changed." We are learning that there is so much wisdom in that statement. We are coming back to the place we grew up and got married, but are now returning as a family of 4! We are so excited to experience all of the things we remember doing as kids with our kids. Right off the bat last week, we were able to head out to the sweet corn patch and shuck (my California friends know it as "huck":-) some ears for our dinner. Ezra was a BIG fan!

We look forward to visits from our dear friends in California and introducing them to what we love about the Midwest. And we look forward to the times we will now share with our family and friends that now live so close!

God has been so good in the journey He has led us on so far. We look forward to what's ahead!

I heart mustaches...

Let me clarify...I heart FAKE mustaches. I'm not asking my husband to grow one, in fact, I'd prefer if he didn't. But for some reason, fake staches have just been cracking me up lately. That's why the last two birthdays in our family have included staches of some sort. We celebrated Justin's birthday in May back in Illinois with a few of his friends. It was a surprise to him that I had planned a party with friends he hadn't seen for awhile, but was what even more surprising (and confusing) to him was why everyone was wearing a mustache when we arrived. I say, confusing, but hilarious, right?!?!

If anyone is familiar with Bradley's famous bikeriding icon "Fong"...well, here you go! ...and your welcome!

Even my family got into it!! I'm telling you...you can't turn down "the stache"!!

Then this past weekend we celebrated "The Ez's" 1st Birthday with a poolside brunch...and of course a "Little Man/Mustache theme"...even more silly on a 1 year old!!

Spring Photoshoot....thanks Aunt Angela!!

These were taken by Justin's super talented sister, Angela, at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Too much TV?

Just a quick update on the Project Runway post...

A few nights ago, Sophia was in the bathtub with all of her princesses lined up on the edge of the tub. With plastic brush in hand and in true "Heidi Klum form"she declared to her princesses,

"One of you will be the winner, and one of you will be out. Now, let's start the show!".

I couldn't believe my ears. So funny. Good reminder that she's ALWAYS picking up things when I LEAST expect it...yikes:-)

In other news...Ezra got his first haircut today. It was getting kind of ridiculous as he was starting to be referred to by some of my friends as "Donald Trump"...it was just hard to take another step into "little boyhood". Eating, crawling, pulling himself up...it's just going so fast.

My friend Aubree, who cut his hair, said it was the most hair she's ever cut off of a 10-month-old. I mean, he did start out pretty "ahead of the game" with all those long locks out of the gate. But I didn't realize how long we'd let it get until she gave him his new little "faux hawk". Pictures to come as soon as I track them down!

Happy Easter!