I see... | Military Ball 2015

This blog post is brought to you by: I need a break from work. 

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I don't need to work every waking minute, that I can not only have a personal life BUT enjoy it too! It's a real dilemma when you love what you do, but do to much of it, then you feel torn between loving it, but being to tired too do it! 

Anyone else? Just me? ugh. 

We weren't going to be able to make it to the Military Ball this year but some last minute change of plans lead us to be able to go. We are so thankful we were able to attend! 

Like I said in one of my last post I wasn't really excited about Cain changing units (angry Army wife coming through ;) ) But after some time I was able to come to grips with it. Knowing it would all work out no matter what. 

 This night was a big reminder though of why I didn't want him to have to leave in the first place. The men he has come to know and build friendships with are awesome. They are so good to him. And if you are good to my husband, I'm gonna like you! Hearing "It's not the same without you" "When are you coming back?" etc. makes me feel good. 

I'm so proud of Cain and his willingness to work hard at his job and always thrive to be better. I know that no matter where he goes in the next 10+ years they will be lucky to have him. I don't think anyone will be happy to see Cain go. But maybe that's the wife in me talking. 

On to the pictures! These were taken downtown Fort Wayne. I love that we live so close to down town and everything that is available to us, even if we don't take advantage of it like we should, its there for us if we wanted it!

  I'm happy we had these pictures taken because it will bookmark this chapter in our life. Does anyone else think about that when having their photos taken? I always think "Bookmark this milestone" Not just the normal Engagement or Wedding photos, newborn and 1st birthdays etc. But everything else in between! 

When I look at these photos I see more then anyone else will.

 I see the hard work Cain put in to get SGT. I see that Cain has been working hard at not only getting into the nursing program, but also into some Army schools.

I see that I am thankful for my job. I'm thankful that it's December and not October anymore! Yes I can see that! (Haha) 

I see that I am trying really hard to be the best wife I can be for Cain. I see that we are so thankful for each other, that we have a best friend in each other to always count on. 

I see we are young, and that we have so much to look forward too. I see that we are going to hold on to each other really tight, because I know the years ahead will bring waves of ups and downs. But if we hold on to each other we will make it through. 

I see a lot, maybe it's not what you see but it's there in every photo. A story, a chapter that has been bookmarked for you to look back on. Here is this chapter.... Bookmarked for us. 

























A huge, great big THANKS to my friend Jennifer for taking time out of her schedule to take our pictures. She is so stinking busy but was willing to take 30 minutes out of her evening to do this. She will never know how much it means to me too be able to call her a friend. She is just the best <3



Liam New Born | Bluffton IN

Little Liam slept all through the night, before his session.....  yay for mom and dad! ;) But of course we all know the babies do best when sleeping through these sessions! With some time though he did sleep and we were able to get some sweet pictures! 

Liam Wayne... 















And ended with Natalie posing as a baby! Love this woman right now, she is so awesome! I am so lucky to call her my friend! She was there for Liam's birth and after as a support to Taylor and Jacob.

We both agree that we would love to work together as a doula & photographer team! Seriously though, she is awesome!





Rocking around our Christmas tree

Today we took some time out of our day to go pick out a Christmas tree for the season! It probably was the worst day to go do it because of how busy we are but I'm so thankful we took the time to go and have some fun :)

Enjoy our short film ;) Bear with us, we are goof balls!





Graci is growing up

These days and nights mean the world to me. Even the littlest time with Graci brings the biggest warmth to my heart. 

I love that she asks to bake something every time we are at my parents home or my home. "What do you have to make?" she will ask. I try to always have muffins, cake or cookie ingredients on hand because I know she will ask. Tonight we were debating on what to cook for supper. She said "You wanna make pancakes!?" Well sure I thought. We called Cain to see if that sounded good to him. She then said to me while I was on the phone "Wait, are we going to fix a pan or are we making a cake? hehe.... you get it? Pan-Cake?!" I love all her witty jokes. 

Graci wants to pour, measure, stir and crack those eggs. Since she was very little I have always loved to let her dig in to the mess. Even if the measurement might be little off, or if she drops the egg shell into the mix. "You're the best cook Graci, I swear" I say. Because her imperfection is perfect to me. I just help her get that egg shell out of the bowl and we move on like nothing is wrong. I wish I had her confidence. 

Graci is growing up, fast. 

My eyes start swelling up when I think about how big she is getting. Not just in size but everything. She is counting to 9 in spanish, where did she learn this?! Her friend is calling her on my phone chatting about Elf on the shelf and they are giggling over how funny it is. She knows how to spell anything I ask and loves to show off her what she knows. I love this. I want her to stay confident.   

Graci - "I know how to spell Cain's name" Me- "okay, go for it" Graci- "C" "A" "I" "N". Me- "Very good" Graci- giggling* I was reading it off his work badge,  hahah but I knew how to spell it anyways!"

Graci is growing up, and I love who she is. 

Dear Graci, 

Never change. Don't fit in, stand out like you always have. Be sure of yourself, because everyone around you is sure of who you are already. Brave, funny, caring, rotten, confident and independent. Don't stop baking, crafting and playing ...  do everything you love to do and never settle for less. And remember you are loved by countless people who see everything I see in you. 

Your friend,

Lanette