Totally worth it for free Swedish Fish

Last week we got stranded at the Home Depot. Something broke in my car, that shredded something else, that caused something else to break, so in the end my battery died and there was no way of jumping it, (that is what the mechanic sounded like to me, Mitch heard actual words.) I called roadside assist for a tow and a very good friend for a ride and then we had to just sit and wait at the Home Depot. We were kind of a sad looking crew, me with my three starving kiddos all sweaty and hungry, (it was close to 100 degrees that day and the AC was out in the car AND in the Home Depot.) We set up camp in the lawn furniture area and I went to the check out to get us something to eat and some water. The manager had noticed that we had been there for awhile. He asked me what was going on, after I told him our story he told me to take what we wanted to eat (the boys picked swedish fish and I didn't dare take more that one item) and he would get me some water from their break room. Such a nice man! I was really impressed with how kind he was to us. I think a lot of other store owners wouldn't take so kindly to motley loiterers like us.
Long story short, all is well that ends well. We got home, the car got towed and fixed and is running great. I had a camera with me so I got a picture to capture the moment. Good times!

Life is good

Life is good, a little busy, a lot crazy, but definatly good.
This summer seems to be moving so fast. Who called it the "lazy days of summer"? I guess hanging out at the pool most days doesn't really qualify as "busy" but when it is 100 degrees and 100% humidity, the pool is more necessity than luxury.

Despite the heat we live in a beautiful area. We have green grass and flowers, large bales of hay, farms and horses. Add the images of my children and everything seems magical.

Not a day has gone by this summer that I have not thought about how lucky I am to get to get up each morning and play with my kids. To take them to the pool, or the park. I can go running or to the gym. Really I am just happy to go anywhere. Last summer was kind of a dud, totally worth it, but a dud. I put my head down and just got through it. I didn't really know what I was missing. But having this summer so filled with things to do and time outside I now realize that we really were on house arrest last year. But we have done a great job of making up for it.


Having three amazing kids really makes my life full of joy. I can't get enough of their faces, their smiles, there infectious laughs, (I am serious when I say that my kids have the best laughs, all three of them.) I am in one of those phases where I just want to freeze time. Yes, it would be nice if we were past the student phase of our life already, (10 years into a 12 year process). But I wouldn't change anything right now, (more money maybe...but I digress). Everyday Lily changes, everyday Jackson gets smarter and Asher gets bigger. I realize I can't freeze time, but I can try. I guess that is what my blog is for. That is why I am so often on one end of a camera and my kids on the other. Maybe if I take enough pictures this stage of my life will last forever. The good news is, it just keeps getting better. I fear every new change, but in every new stage I find a whole new level of happiness.

How could anyone look at this face everyday and not be over the moon?

Happy Birthday to me!

I recently had a birthday, (I could do a whole post on how differnt my birthday was from last year, but it would be a little too sad.) I got myself this neckalce; (it was from my kids of course.)
I love it. It is my, I love being a mom to such great kids, necklace. The cute thing is, the kids love it too. Jackson and Asher love to find their name, and Lily, well, she just loves to pull on it. Jackson is very proud of himself for getting me the necklace that I have always wanted (He actually told Mitch that I wanted a neckalce like this completely un-coached I swear). Though he doesn't actually know how he did it. He is sure that his master gift buying has earned him something pretty amazing when his birthday rolls around. We will just have to see

Our Pretty Lily

Lily turned 9 months a few weeks ago and usually I take her pictures right at the month mark, but It has just been too hot and humid to subject my poor little girl to an outdoor shoot. I kept thinking the heat would subside, but so far there has been no relief, so I took her our anyway. It was hot, there were bugs and she wasn't too happy about it. I did however get a few keepers, but with such a beautiful little subject it's not hard.

Hanging A Shingle

Wendy Parrish Photography is in business! After many encouraging words from both friends and family I have decided to open a photography business. I have done mostly babies, children and families up to this point but I am willing to give anything a try. Check out my stuff at my photography blog http://wendycparrishphotography.blogspot.com/ or you can just click this button:

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in more information, (there is a "contact me" envelope on the side bar of my photo blog.) I am so excited about this new venture. Photography has really become a passion for me. I love looking through the lens and seeing all the possibilites each time I push the shutter release. I have already had the opportunity of taking pictures of some beautiful poeple and incredibly cute kids (yes, I am including my own.) I am looking forward to taking more great pictures of more beautiful people.

Tunnel vision

The kids have been playing around in their Ikea tunnel, all three of them. It is so fun to watch all of my kids play together. There is also something so cute about a little flower covered baby bum crawling through the tunnel.




I guess I didn't get a picture of Jackson, but I swear he was in on the fun.

What do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?

It has been HOT here for the last few weeks, so we have been living at our neighborhood pool. I really don't know what we would have done these last few weeks without it.


I love how his ears stick out!

the boys call it a "canyon" ball


I will let Jackson narrate the caption for the above picture:
Jackson learned to swim in 5 feet. He never done this before. Jackson was proud of himself and he thought it was fun, he was scared to dive. But he will dive at 3 feet.

Ricketts Glen

Mitch got the coveted thurday night call (Friday post call, weekend off) over the 4th of July weekend. We took advantage of this break and went camping at Ricketts Glen. A spot a few hours from here with 21 waterfalls in three miles. It is so beautiful there and a great place for kids.


Lily's first camping trip. We always try to get our kids out camping by 9 months. Jackson's first camping trip was at this same location.

Happy 4th of July

9 months today!

Before:

After:

I went into he room this afternoon to find that she had knock the letters off her wall. She seemed very pleased with herself, but I felt it was time to drop the crib down. Where has the time gone!

We also had her 9 month check-up today
she:

Weights 20.8 pounds (80%)
is 30 inches long (97%)
with a head circumference of 18 inches (40%)