The Next Michael Phelps?!

Kellen started swim lessons 5 weeks ago at Schute Park Aquatic Center in Hillsboro.  It is one of the classes where you have to go into the pool with your child and an instructor guides you through various songs and skills to work with your child.  I was apprehensive for these classes to begin for a couple of reasons...one, Kellen had not been in a swimming pool since he was a young baby, and two, I'd have to put on a bathing suit and wear it out in public!!  After many minutes of sucking in my stomach, watching Kellen splashing around, and kicking his feet in the water like he'd been doing it for years, all my fears and worries washed away.  I figured, I really don't look THAT bad in a suit and Kellen is having the time of his life so who really cares!  No one was looking at me anyways....they were all doting on the adorable babies splashing and squealing in the water (hopefully, anyways).  So 5 weeks later our swim lessons come to an end. Kellen has learned to kick his feet towards objects in the water, hold his breath while being dunked under water (most of the time), and "swim" to me after being pushed under water by the instructor.  On our last day of lessons we all went down this enormous water slide.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous because when you reach the bottom, people tend to be dunked under water.  If I were going down alone I wouldn't mind at all, but I had my pride and joy sitting on my lap!  The water slide went A LOT faster than I expected, but I managed to keep Kellen's head above water at the end.  He loved that slide so much saying "Again, Again!", that we did it 3 times in a row!!  He has come so far since that first day clinging for dear life to me as we made our way into the water.  We'll definitely have to continue these lessons if he's going to be a contender in the Olympics in the future!  ;-)  Here are a few pictures and a of the class...

                     Singing songs in the pool

                               

         Climbing to the top of the waterslide
                                       

                    Getting ready to jump in
                                

             Certificate of completion...YAY!!
          

           Thank you, mommy, for not taking me under with you!
                             

                Right before Kellen says "Again!  Again!"
                                             

                                            Cheese!
   

     I don't want to go in the baby pool!  I want more waterslide!!!  

                      Kellen's first venture down the waterslide!

                                             

Three Beautiful Words...

Colin, Kellen, and I were driving down to the beach one Friday evening and it was towards the last hour of the trip when Kellen says loud and clear and out of no where "IIII Wuuuuuuuuv Youuuuuu!" and looked straight at me with an ear-to-ear smile!  Words cannot describe the warmness that filled my heart at that moment.  Tears of joy streamed down my face as Colin and I made eye contact, smiling, through the rearview mirror.  Kellen and I have been practicing this heavenly phrase for a couple of weeks, but it was mostly me saying it with the obvious hand motions that go with it (you know...pointing to my eye, putting my hands over my heart, and tickling him when I say "you"), but he has never said more than "I" by himself.  It will be a moment forever cherished in my heart.  :-)

5 Incredible Years and Counting!

Five years ago Colin and I were standing at the alter of St. Francis, I in a Maggie Sottero dress, Colin in a handsome black tux, sweat dripping down our smiling faces, vowing to be husband and wife forever.  Although it was wickedly hot that day, it was truly one of the greatest days of my life!  I had everyone I cared about there to support us and I was marrying my soulmate.  Yes, I truly believe in soulmates.  I think those that actually do believe in soulmates (I know there are MANY skeptics out there!) are those that have found true love and find it easy to love that person.  I read a quote from someone that says it all...."Love isn't finding the perfect person.  It's falling in love with an imperfect person perfectly."  Colin and I couldn't have found each other at a more perfect time in our lives.  It was an instant attraction and connection that kept growing stronger and stronger as we got to know each other.  It has been the best 5 years of my life and I'm looking forward to many, many more!  I love you, Fitzy!!

Mini- Vacation

Colin and I went back and forth deciding on whether to go away (Sunriver, Black Butte, etc.) during his week long vacation time or just to stay around time and do the things we've always wanted to do, but never had the chance to.  We decided to do the latter and couldn't have had a better week in doing so!  We went to Seaside, Multnomah Falls, the Zoo, Berry Picking, and just enjoyed each other, our little boy and the amazing weather.  Here are a few pictures of our fantastic week...