Here is a picture of Shayne and I from our first reunion together. I was sixteen and he was nineteen (gasp!). We had just been together for about a month and a half. I personally think my mother was crazy for saying yes and allowing me to go five hours away with my new adult boyfriend and stay with people that she and I had both never met. I guess in all fairness he and his parents had live next door to my grandmother for eight years. Anyway I will never forget the way his family accepted me right away. They are such amazing people and Shayne and I have considered moving down there numerous times. 

It's hard to believe how quickly these past seven years have gone by. 

The Family Reunion

This was our sixth year going to Shayne's family reunion together. 

It amazes me that my husband used to climb on these very trees as a little boy and now he's teaching our son to do the same.

I couldn't believe how far in he was going since our pervious trip to the river he wasn't to thrilled with the prospect.

Anna is definitely the water bug of the two.

Since he was showing so much interest in the water we got him all ready to go play, but all he did was put the boat in and run the other way!

This is Shayne's mother. It kind of made me tear up to see her playing with the kids in this park she use to take Shayne to.

Thy love their Grandma so much!!!

Spending time at the river

While on vacation we spent some time at the river and we had such a good time! It was amazing so visit with family and get a chance to cool off, relax, and have fun.

Anna loved the water! We could hardly keep her out. 

Jackson begged us for this life jacket (we planned to buy it anyway). He even had to wear it through the whole store. He was so excited when we put it on him, but he was not ok with the water, his feet could go in, but that was as much as he would allow.

I just have to say that since the move and having a yard we are all much much more tan!

Works in Progress

Ok so life has been really crazy and busy so I haven't been able to do any blogging lately, that and we don't have Internet. Anyway stay tuned for our trip to the family reunion where Anna gets a face full of dirt and swims in the river and Jacks gets to play with dogs and horses. Plus there will be updates on the new house and some new sensory activities soon!

Getting Outdoors

Right now we're on vacation visiting family that has a good deal of property and taking advantage of every second!

The kids have been outside nearly every second this trip and I'm really hoping to continue this trend when we finally get to move into our house.

Nanna is not a very skilled hiker yet...

My little scientist making some discoveries.

Our House!

I am so excited about our house! We finally got to sign papers and get to start moving in when we get back from vacation!

I think the thing that amazes me most is that we've only lived on our own for less than two years and here we're are buying our first home!

I can't wait to make this place out own and really get settled in.

Surrogacy

For a while my husband and I were considering my being a surrogate. We did in the end decide against it. There were so many amazing reasons to do it. I have had a tiny little glimpse into what it's like to want a baby and not get one (only a teeny tiny window really). I have seen first hand how much infertility can make your life hell (not just in my experience, but in those close to me). The really selfish reason is that you get paid somewhere around $30,000 to do it and that money would really do us good since we're buying a house.

Anyway the reasons we decided against it had to do with:

•My health- I'm not sure if I could be cleared for a pregnancy because of certain health concerns I have.

•I'm still nursing- again I'm not sure I'd be cleared based on this fact and I don't plan on weaning Anna any time soon.

•We would like to have more babies- we don't really want to wait that long to have another baby and the process can take a long time even if things move quickly.

And finally 

•Friendship- this may sound strange, but while we were starting the process and starting to really discuss if we wanted to do it a very close friend mentioned something about doing a traditional surrogacy for her (my egg + her husbands sperm). 

Well after that when Shayne and I talked things through we decided that we would put the idea of the money aside and only weigh the other pros and cons. I said if the money wasn't a factor I would want to be a surrogate for my friend, but Shayne decided he was uncomfortable with the traditional surrogacy thus squashing, for sure, the idea of us and surrogacy. At least for now that is.

I know this isn't the greatest picture, but I really felt this post needed one to lighten the mood a little.