[Moments]

"and these are the moments,

I thank God that I'm alive,

and these are the moments,

I'll remember all my life"

There are beautiful moments in life. The kind of moments you sit and think, "I could stay this way forever". I had one of those moments today. As I sat there, looking around, I was overwhelmed by the blessing of my family. I've been struggling lately but as I reminisced on the weekend I realized there wasn't one single moment (minus sleeping!) that one of the guys in my family wasn't by my side. To catch up, to hug me, to make me laugh, to just be there. And as I sat and reminisced, I was holding the most important little man in my life - Isaac.

We were out for a birthday party for his dad (my cuz) and it was lonnnnng past his naptime - and he was in full meltdown. Nothing was making him content, he was just fussy and exhausted so I scooped him up to see if I could get him to fall asleep - basically a miracle. See, we were in fact at a sports complex, down on the go-kart track! LOL. I'd already been out on the track twice with everyone but was sitting this round out. So I scooped up Isaac and walked away from the crowd. I cuddled him up, and stood in the sun where I hoped he would struggle to keep his eyes open (haha) and as we stood there he laid his sweet little head on my chest and sure enough - was out like a little light. I sat and stared into his precious face, amazed he'd gone out so quickly. Over the next hour i walked and cuddled this precious baby boy in my arms as my cousins, uncle and aunt roamed around playing games and having a blast just hanging out. The air was filled with laughter, eyes lit up with adventures, and my arms filled with the most beautiful blessing - a sleeping child.

And as I looked around I realized... I was in a moment. A moment I would always treasure. People came by and smiled as they saw Isaac all zonked out in my arms, and I just soaked in the feeling that was surging through my heart. I soaked in the moment... and took a bunch of pictures!

It was an incredible weekend. I have an incredible family. I serve an incredible God!!

[FamilyChillin]

Spending some time in Richmond for the holidays! Seeing the fam, cuddling with lil Isaac man, playing games... loving life!!

Me and the little man!

Jarrod and Nate - Nate tends to make funny faces so Jarrod was just helping him out in the photo ;)

ADORABLE lil Isaac!!

Cranium turbo - puppeteer round - needless to say we laughed till we cried!

Sweet pups!!

[Richmond]

A weekend in Richmond :)

Cutie pie.

This picture cracked me up. He was quite comfortable ;)

Short sheeting the kids beds before we left...the phone call that night was totally worth it!

Uncle Tim came to church at Uncle Rich's. It was a sweet, and sad time. But little Ben running up and hugging him is a memory I'll never forget.

[Party]

Jimha's welcome back party. What a party! Chris came too :)

Not the greatest of pictures but I still love them - my family!! (and just a few of us!)

He looks confused - haha

Me and Rach showing how it's done!

The girls :)

The evening certainly was interesting. We went back and crashed at Jrod's that night and Jimha and I ended up walking around outside in the middle of the night as he started processing Iraq. Watching him go through those emotions, pacing up and down, so emotional, was heart wrenching.  I'm so thankful I could be there, but my heart hurt so much for what he's been through - there truly are no words and I know that was just .005% of it. I'm so proud of him, but I so hope he doesn't have to go back there. And tonight, he's home and with us...and that's all that matters to me.

[He'sHOME!]

He's home, he's home, he's home. And I am such a happy girl.

Me and (the cuz) Rach

Me and Jimha's girlfriend Christina :)

I LOVE dancing...we were such goofs out there ;)

The girls!!!

"go this way"

Me and M (Jrod & M came for a bit!)

Me and Jimha!! SO glad he's home.

Jrod and M - not much of the line dancing type! ;) But they did try earlier!

[Christmas06]

Our family Christmas. It's been a long few months, there aren't even words to describe it. But for today, we're together, Uncle Tim is here, and it's Christmas.

3 Generations of Ryan ladies :)

Me and Gabey...I adore him.

Me and brudder. :)

Me and my rock start grandparents!

Family dinner.

Jrod and Gabey :) I love this picture!

After a little wrestling match ;)

Danny and Buddy.

Uncle Tim calling Jrod telling him to get his butt back to the house. It was a hard day for Jrod driving all over, and M wouldn't come back with him. So sad she missed it. 

And that's us :)

[Chicago]

A much needed trip to Chicago. After a really long few weeks, getting away and spending the weekend with Chris was perfect timing. We did LOTS of site seeing!! We went to see Wicked!! I had authentic Chicago pizza (NO comparison!) and got to see alllll the stores :)

Me and Chris!

BEST pizza!!

We went down to the pier!

And up to the Sears tower! LONG wait but so worth it!

The view! :)

[Pool]

I love him, more than words.