Life. 2 years later!

Wow. I cannot believe it has been almost 2 years since my last blog entry. Where on earth does the time go? I always say if I had one super power- it would be to SLOW DOWN TIME and boy do I mean it. 23 months ago I had a barely walking 15 month old and a sweet 5 year old gal whose baby toothed smile still resembled that of a toddler.... fast forward and Boom- Averie looks more like a jack-o-lantern, growing into a little lady quicker than I thought was possible. There is nothing baby about Jagger- He's definitely all BOY and BIG BOY if you ask him.  Then there's Rocklen Dash--Our sweet little surprise baby and sweet he is. Happy Perfection in every way is how I like to describe him.  He smiles all day long, even when he's crying- he's still smiling. Right now, he's fast asleep in his crib, &  I bet if I go in there and take a peek- there will be a smile on his precious little face.
Today is September 7th 2014. My dad's 57th Birthday. Seems like yesterday when I surprised him and flew in for his 50th! It's also Grandparents Day! 
Today seemed like a great day to start blogging again...tucked the kids in, got a large glass of ice water & sat down at my desk. Only got a few sentences in when the racket started. Sirens. helicopters. helicopters. helicopters. What is going on? First, I ran outside to see what I could see. (dumb move). When I noticed the search light shining down from above, i quickly U-turned it and locked all the doors. Called the Scottsdale PD to see what was up and they warned me--> they were looking for a burglar, and he wasn't in custody, so to be on the look out and lock my doors. {Thanks for the peace of mind, SPD I will be sleeping so sound tonight Wide Awake all night}.
Anyways, it's now 11:32 and there is silence..praying they caught the $*&$#@*. So back to me- A lot has changed and some hasn't. We've lived in our house now for about 2 years- Which is the longest (without leaving for a season) we've stayed in one place in a very LONG time. It's the only place Rock has lived, which seems weird to me (both Averie & Jag were quite the travelers at 8 months)! Being a mama to 3 is amazing. Wouldn't change it for the world. It's busy and I don't get a lot of sleep but I have also learned that I don't need a lot and actually get more done on less! It's also crazy how fast changing diapers and getting up at 3 am become second nature. Our motherly instinct is insane. 
I am still doing photography ( and am trying to find my niche so I can specialize in one or two areas and dominate) lol! I am excited to attend a workshop this fall & hopefully it will open my eyes & heart to what area (s) that may be. I shot a couple births this past year & totally loved it. I wish that could be my specialty, but unfortunately I don't think I would be too booked. I also shot a couple weddings- even flew to Dallas for one! Both were small and simple- and were a ton of fun! Loved doing it, so that is an option as well! Go Big or go home Right?! It's after midnight and I am off to bed..more to come in 2 years. haha. 
xx

8 months & Loving Life

3 years old! Always a good time!

2nd grader! Love her more than words can say!

(sorry for the lack of punctuation. I am just happy to have blogged again)

Milestones. Kids. LOVE

So...I was just cruising through my friend Amanda's blog (she hasn't updated it since November 2010) and I realized how much I am lacking in my own! I get busy posting so much about some things and forget to blog about little things that are important too- like milestones of the kids!! So, here ya go- as of May 8th, 2012 here is what my littles are up/in to~!

Averie Tyler Barden

5 years 3 months old

Kindergarten drop out. Takes after me.

Dancer Extraordinaire- especially interpretive/modern.

Fabulous Artist- Colors and draws me enough masterpieces for the whole house!

Great little chef- loves to concoct her own sauces, cakes, etc! She is actually very good at this! makes some tasty treats all on her own!

great big sister. loves jagger so much and is always eager to help out with him when I need it!

Needs something sweet after {almost} every meal. must take after yours truly.

loves to answer the house phone, especially when it's the taxi driver calling up and speaking Japanese.

Has more sassiness than any of us know what to do with.

Has a bigger heart than any of us knows what to do with.

Pink & Purple are her favorite colors.

Mr. Dog is her favorite book.

Strawberries are her favorite fruit.

Goldfish are her favorite snack.

Joe Bajenaru is her best friend.

Martha Speaks is her favorite cartoon.
Loves Jesus.  

She wants a kitten so bad I can almost taste it :(!

She wants to be a vet when she grows up!

Playing outside with Chica is her favorite thing to do!

Loves to be silly and Loves to wrestle and rough house with daddy.

Jagger West Barden

10 months 1 day 

Total mama's boy. But Loves his daddy just as much.

Army Crawler. Has yet to lift that tummy off of the ground!

Loves to be praised. 

Waves Hello or goodbye. When he feels like it.

Finally refused a food. Blueberries.

Loves pancakes for breakfast.
Always wakes up Happy. Always.

Drinks Water like it's going out of style. Prefers it from a cup and straw.

Belly laughs for Sister.

Has 6 teeth| 2 on top, 4 on bottom.

Doesn't sleep well in my bed.

Still sucks on his blanket to go to sleep.

Awesomeness. How I everyone describes his hair.

Has an extra roll on his forearm.

Wears 24 months in clothing.

Loves big sister. Looks up to big sister.

Has blisters on his feet from the way he crawls on the wood floors.

Plays Peek-a-Boo.

Loves to read books.

Dances.

Gets down to biz in his walker.

Loves taking baths. Especially with big sis.

Always wants to feed himself. 

Follows Averie around Everywhere.

Toots like a Man.

My kids. My heart. My life.