It's been awhile...

Life for the Toole's has been amazing this past year.  We've grown together, grown individually, and some of us--one of us--grew physically!  

This big guy is now 3 years old!!  What?!?  Where did the time go??

He's so smart and learns so quickly. He amazes us everyday! 

He's no longer allergic to peanuts!!!!!!!  This is HUGE!!!!  The stress and fear of an allergy is gone!!  

He's potty trained!!!  Thank you Jesus!!  Life without diapers is so much fun!!! 

He likes us right now...we know this is short lived and trust me are enjoying every moment of it!!

Matthew has started I.T. work with the same company he's been at for 14 years.  It's challenging, rewarding, and it makes him happy!!  

In the past year I've lost my gall bladder, 15 pounds, and gained a dear friend!!!  Just joined a MOPS {Mother's of Preschoolers} group.  Excited for the journey God has planned for us mamas.  

We've also come to the decision that our family is complete!!  We've thought long and hard about this and made it official wheb Matthew had a procedure in July.   

I'm excited for God's plan for our family!

My Mother's Day gift...

I've found myself "unplugging" more and more....and the scary thing is...I LIKE IT!!

It started one night when I accidentally left my phone in our bedroom at the same time James was going to sleep...one thing Mama's of toddlers know is NOT to walk by their room when they are trying to go to sleep...you WILL end up having to pick them up and rock them...so I couldn't get my phone.  It drove me crazy as I sat out on the patio with my husband not knowing what was going on in the world.  What was I missing?  Who was doing what?  What if someone needed me?  And as I sat there under the beautiful sky with my soul-mate I realized I wasn't missing out on anything...in fact...this is where I need to be...PRESENT!  Present in my life.  Present to my husband.  Present to our son.

So as the days went on I found myself leaving my phone on the kitchen island playing Pandora and NOT LOOKING AT IT, but instead looking at my son while he put together a puzzle, watching him as he blew bubbles in the backyard, tickling him on the floor and enjoying the sweet sound of his laughter.  And after he goes to bed listening to my husband and I mean really listening!  (sometimes I tune out all the ammo talk...I know he does it to me too when I talk about girly things!)

I love MY life...so why was I so obsessed with everyone else's??

So if you haven't seen me active on facebook or replying as quickly to a text it's because I'm enjoying my family and the many blessings God has given me.  This is my Mother's Day gift to myself!

Check out the personality on this guy...

Every day we are so amazed at how quickly James is learning and growing.  We just love his little personality and learning his likes and dislikes... like when Daddy gave him a bite of mashed potatoes and James just sat there with his mouth open and Daddy asked why is he was doing that...because he doesn't like mashed potatoes! silly dad!  Or when he yells for Daddy....Daaaaaaaad!!  And every night we end up on the floor of the family room being rolled around and knocked down by a toddler--this is one of his favorite activities.  And this boy could live outside if we let him!  As soon as we come home from daycare he wants to go outside and will only come in to eat and then he wants back out.  

Check out the personality on this guy...

Enjoying one of the first nice days we had...Gummies are a staple in this house!

James thought is was tons of fun to push Ellie around in the wagon.  

Weeee!!  

Isn't she so lucky to have an older nephew.

Wagon rides happen quite frequently around here.  This boy always wants to go Weeeee!

First ice cream cone!  It was a hit!  

(With a peanut allergy we can't get ice cream out so Mama makes them at home!)

Just hanging around with Daddy!

Trying on Aunt Ellie's boots before we gave them to her!  

Thanks to our friend Betsy we attended the Orchards in Bloom this year and the best part was the train, of course!  James' reaction to the choo choo was hilarious!  

Oh yeah know...just chilling in our car seat on the way to daycare.  Sitting like Grandpa Toole!

We are loving this time we have with James and soaking up every moment!