first day back

We have really come a long way since last year this time. Last year I was a total wreck the entire way to school, and for quite some time... But today seemed a little different. I have spent a lot of time praying about where I am right now and what I need to do and I felt considerable peace starting back to school this time. I was so sad to see it end, but I am hopeful for what is to come this year. We didn't get a chance to take and first day pictures this morning so I snapped a few at dinner. Porter was in a great mood and appeared to have had a wonderful time playing with his friends at the farm all day. God knows I needed to see that its a great place for him and that he really enjoys himself while he is there.

At almost 16 months old, I am not totally sure if this is normal, but Porter is FULL of personality. His expressions are constantly changing. He is always trying to trick me or play or be as goofy as he can and I love it so much. I never want to forget this time - his playful spirit, his joy, his funny faces, his cuddly ways. Pure joy.

This is a peak into a typical dinner for the P with added captions...(well typical when he likes what he's eating. The other typical is not really something we want to document.)


Hey mom, you think its ok if I turn this plate over?


Are you sure?


But what if I just peak...there might be something awesome underneath like more ketchup to smash around.


Oh gosh this is amazing! Mom, you're so funny!


Like really funny.


You think Im funny too, right? And cute?


Good. Can I touch your camera, please?


I LOVE MY LIFE.


Hi.

a little peak for Miss Fay Joyner

She is so pretty, so girlie, and so sweet. There couldn't be a more polar opposite for Porter to play with :) She was busy holding her hands up like a lady and doing delicate things, while Porter tore through their beautiful home like a tornado. The Llano river and the Wallace's ranch house made the most amazing back drop for pictures and I had so much fun doing it! I took quite a few more pics than I normally do since we were there all night, so this is just a quick sample. Haven't had time to go through them all yet. These were just some that I loved right at first glance. Thanks so much for sharing your Fay with me!

he smiles

this is just to prove that this kid smiles - like REALLY smiles. double chin, smiles.



and yes, that was his first bandaid worthy bobo on his head. he can't be stopped.

Summer is winding down...

and Im in complete denial. I want this to last forever! We have had so much fun swimming and running and playing and just hanging out. There were so many moments this summer where I thought -man, I hope I never forget that. Lots of moments when P would look up at me and say hi or give me a hug or bring me something delightful that he found in the trash. It really is the small things...

Here are a few pics from today in the backyard. I swear the child does smile and he loves being outside. Right when we went outside he was totally fascinated by the new next door neighbor's dog... Like so fascinated he couldn't do anything besides stand at the fence and yell 'doggie' (dooooiiiieee)... and then he always follows that up with a 'ruufff' (but it only comes out as 'ffffffffff' -cutest thing he does) I was trying so hard to get him to be interested in smiling for the camera, but to no avail. He just kept looking at me like 'Seriously, stop taking pictures there is a DOG over there!' and then some of the 'Mom, why don't we have a dog?' looks. Someday when he realizes how much I hate dog hair and how much Zach hates dogs jumping the fence (we loved you, Lily), he'll understand why we don't have a dog. Of course, as soon as I put the camera away he gave up on the dog and was totally mesmerized with the hose. At that point, I was to wet to get it back out.

Here are a few of porter's serious summer faces and one of him starting to get interested in the water fun.




spotted the dog and wants the hat off...


puhleaaase can we have a dog?








finally giving the water a go.

great day at the ryan house.