This Blog Will be my Journal

I can't even believe I remember the log in and website for this sweet blog! I also can't believe I started it 10 years ago. A decade. Wow. I was just sitting here thinking I wish I had a journal, family album, scrap book to have for the girls to read when they're older. Memories of our family! I have Facebook which I'm sure will be around forever. They can look at my profile and see what our family was up to as they grew up. But to read my words, to see how proud I am of them, to see how much I love them. When they are teenagers maybe they'll read this blog and take a trip down memory lane or maybe they'll avoid it at all cost! Who knows! Maybe this will just simply be for me! For me to look back on and remember this crazy season of my life! Raising kids is no joke! Every possible emotion goes into it. Every ounce of patience and energy. But I wouldn't trade a second if it! Maybe I'll feel rested again one day! Ha! I'm not good at sitting down and journaling. And I LOVE pictures. I take so many! So here I am to bring back to life my blog! Two years of a gap. So much change in the kiddos. I wish now I had journaled my homeschool time with ayda! What a blast those 2 years were. What a joy to be her teacher. Harper is almost 3! The last pictures I posted she was a baby. And Hadley! How she has changed and come into her own the last 2 years. She is passionate, witty, a sweet heart. I'm not even going to try to bridge the 2 years. I think I'll fill in as I go. I have had a lot of healing emotionally and physically the last 2 years. A lot of growth from the Lin 5! So here we go! I do hope this becomes something special for our family to read and enjoy in the years to come!

North Carolina Trip!

The girls and I loaded up and headed out for a crazy road trip! We traveled to Asheville, Birmingham, and Atlanta. It was so much fun and precious time with the kids! I will admit I was happy to get home after 11 days on the road. We missed Kevin a lot and I missed having back up! :)

 We really enjoyed the SC peaches! They were HUGE and super sweet!

 We went for a short hike with the Nilos and Toombs. I miss the beautiful trails and mountains! It was so fun being with friends again too. And to see how much all the kids have grown! Next time we're all together we'll add two more munchkins to the mix (a Nilo baby and Toombs baby)!

 When we met in a play group I had two kids, Rebecca had 2, and Tina had 1...now I have 3, Rebecca is about to have three, and Tina is about to have 3!! So much fun!

Harper was pooped after our hike!!

We are so thankful for our NC friends! We didn't live in Asheville long but it was enough time to make lasting friendships. I can't wait to get up there first of the year and meet the newest little ones!

Trolley Ride

Hadley has been begging to ride the Trolley around town! So we finally decided to go. It was actually really fun and very educational. The girls LOVED when it went fast...even Harper. It was a hot summer day so thankfully it kept moving so the breeze cooled us off some. 

 Hadley was so excited to get started!!!

 Harper insisted on sitting with Grand-Pam!

 Weeeeee!!!!!

Fourth of July

We enjoyed our second annual July Fourth with the Heymanns! Ron goes crazy with fireworks so there is no need to fight the crowds at the resorts! We always have so much fun letting the kids run around and play, while the adults hang out. Ayda was off with Kate and other friends the whole evening so I didn't get a picture of her! Hadley had fun with the sparklers this year...she learned from last year not to touch the end! ouch!!

 Hotty Hubby grilling up some burgers!!

Harper once we got home...she was tuckered out from the big party!

REI Adventures

Kevin and I love going to REI and act like we are outdoorsy people! In reality...we are not! I have zero interest in camping with bugs and dirt! But we all had fun one day roaming around looking at stuff. And then Harper ended up in a fancy backpack...new babywearing gear?? haha! She was not too sure about the idea! I think she will stick with her Ergo.

Summer Waves!

We took a day trip to Jekyll Island to check out Summer Waves with Reagan and the kids. We were all really impressed and the kids had an absolute blast!!! Ok the adults did too! They loved the slides, lazy river, kids splash zone, and the HUGE bucket that dumped gallons of water on your head! It was a perfect day!

 One thing Harper is really good at...napping when she gets tired, regardless of where that might have to be! I guess as the third kiddo she has no other choice! I am thankful too!

 Playing with Reagan!

 Jack!

 Ayda and Kate under the waterfall! Love their friendship!

Hadley was not intimidated at all by the slides. She was a little bummed she couldn't go on the "big" slides yet too. Soon, sweet girl...probably next summer!

A Visit With Papa Joe!

My dad was driving through Jax on his way back to NY so we met for a quick lunch. The girls loved getting play with Papa Joe and Cody! I think kids just know grand parents are special...Harper had no issues being held by my dad. Though we don't get to see him often Ayda and Hadley always pick up where they left off...never a shy minute with him! I love that! So glad we got to see him and can't wait for the next visit. The girls were promised M&Ms when they see my dad next...and they will hold him to that promise!!! :)