Taking a leap of faith...

September 21, 2011 was my last day of work at Knox College, and I couldn't be happier!!!!  I have not been happy since about a month after I started there.  I really enjoyed the work that I did, but the office environment was sucking everything good out of me.  I realized that this road in my life was not taking me anywhere and it was not improving me or my family.  If anything, it was hurting me and my family, as it was taking the 'real me' away from them.  So I have been doing some soul searching and trying to figure out what road I should travel down next.  After a lot of thought and discussion, I've decided to follow my heart.  I need to be at home with my family, BUT, I'm going to need to make some $ money $ while I'm at home.  So the journey begins...the girls are still going to daycare (for now), and I am at home, taking an online course to become a Medical Transcriptionist.  My plan is to look for jobs where I will be able to work from home, so I can make some money and still be available for my girls and Aaron.  This is a scary leap we have just taken.  I'm not exactly sure how we are going to make it yet, but this is a decision that Aaron and I made together and together we are a pretty good team.   This is something that we both want and we have faith that it will work out. --- so pray for us! ;)

Mimi's Baby!

On my first Friday off of work, I took the girls to Niabi Zoo to see Mimi the giraffe's new baby!  Addysen was so excited.  It was a fun day with the girls, and a day I will not forget - as Addysen had her WORST temper tantrum EVER!!!! I won't go into details, but she made sure it was a memorable day for us!

I just caught this picture at the right time... Addysen and I thought that it was pretty cool!

The baby just sat in the back corner the whole time we were there.  She did look up at us a couple of times.  She is VERY cute!!! 

This is the zoo employee helping Addysen feed Twiga.  She didn't feed Mimi because Mimi was VERY slobbery!!!   

My big helper pushing Ainsley along.  And she is pushing me along, because I was taking too long looking at the bears. 

picture perfect!

Well, this is more their personalities... I want a picture, and they are not cooperating!

Me and my beautiful daughters!  I'm a lucky Momma!

Country Corners

My little pumpkin... on a pumpkin:)

searching for the perfect one!

Addysen, Caleb and Morgan

Ainsley and Evan

Addysen shooting the corn gun.  All the kids loved this!  This "gun" would shoot corn cobs out and they were aiming at a target.  If you hit the target, you won a prize.  Morgan is the the only one who won.  I think Addysen should have won...  her corn cobs shot WAY over the target every time!!! It was funny!

feeding the goats

2 potbellies ;)

The crazy Lott and Link kids

my beautiful, sweet girls!!!

2011 MS Walk

On September 11, 2011, not only did we take time to honor those who lost their lives on this tragic day, but we also participated in a cause that is meaningful and close to our hearts.  We raised money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participated in the walk to show our support.  This year Team Larry raised $700.  Even though my dad is now amongst the angles, in his honor, we are still fighting for this cause and praying for a cure. 

Before the walk started, we found my friend Katie and her family!  It was so good to see them and catch up once again! 

Addysen, Maddie, Mary Kate and Ainsley

Katie x2

Our team walking

The men... and Ainsley

Exciting Day!

On August 17, 2011 President Barack Obama stopped for a town hall meeting in Alpha Illinois, just right up the road from us.  We did not get to see him in person, but we tried to see what we could.  Addysen was excited to go, since she had recently learned his name.  Actually, that morning she made up a song and started singing it to me in the car, "Barack Obama to you, Barack Obama to you!"  After driving around the countryside for a while, and getting denied access anywhere close to the interstate (where he would be traveling) we finally found a spot to stop at Kleine Equipment.  Addysen and Aunt Mary took a couple of senior pictures with the tractors, the president motorcade drove by in all its glory and it was over.  It was happened fast, but it was exciting to see the United States President in our 'neck of the woods!' 

Before we left, Addysen had to give her cows a little treat!

Here she is throwing corn in to the cows, mid throw...

At Kleine Equipment, Addysen and Aunt Mary practicing for senior pictures;)

here comes the motorcade!

President Barack Obama's bus

The rest of the motorcade following....

This was very cool to see. The whole interstate was shut down for quite sometime before and after he passed by us.

New Windsor Rodeo

I'm a little behind on my blogging, so I'll try to get caught up soon...  

Here are some pictures from the New Windsor Rodeo we went to in mid August.  Addysen absolutely loved it and still asks almost every week, "when are we going to the radio again?' (not a mis-spelling, she calls it the radio:) This is a family tradition that was started with my Grandma and Grandpa Moo taking my mom and her sisters when they were little girls.  I went almost every year when I was growing up and I would like to continue it with my girls now.  We took my mom with us, we had a great time and made some good memories!

Addysen and Grandma K having some supper before the rodeo started.

team calf roping

bull riding!

Me and my girls!

Addysen and Grandma K

Addysen afterwards checking out all the horses, bulls and calves!

Illinois State Fair

Our family made it down to the Illinois State Fair for the first time EVER!  Well, I guess Aaron had gone before, but it had been a long time since he had been.  We had a good time and Addysen had an AWESOME time!! 
This little girl is 100% farm girl.

Macey and Addysen
This is Addysen's calf that she loved so dearly...

Addysen walking Macey to tie out's for the night.

Addysen and Grandma Sharon in the cattle barn.

Anna and Ainsley - the best babies I know!

Addysen and Aunt Mary taking the calves to tie out's for the night.
(Addysen's favorite part of the day)

100% Farm (hip/modern) Girl

Aunt Mary showing one of our calves...
One of the main reason's we went to the State Fair - to watch Aunt Mary, and she did a great job!

Although it would have been alright with Addysen, we did not spend our entire time in the cattle and pig barns.  We did head down to the fair and rides!!

motor-cycle momma!

Riding the mini ferris wheel!

This was the last thing we did before we left Springfield.  We both rode down this slide with Addysen and it was fun!!!

Lisa's Visit!

 The first week of August, LISA CAME HOME - YAY!!!!!!! 

We had a good time catching up with her (like always). On Monday afternoon, we had an adult girls day (shopping, gossiping and eating - what we do best:)  And on Wednesday we had an ALL girls afternoon at the Higgerson pool.  It was fun hanging out with our Lisa Lou and we miss her dearly.  She's a great friend who lives TOO far away!  All of our girls adore her as much as we do and we love the time we get to share with her! Until next time Lisa Lou, We love ya!

Lisa and the little ones...
(minus Lindsay's buns in the oven:)

Ainsley and Lisa
(Ainsley's shirt says, "i love to rock"  it looks like she does with that crazy hair and her messy shirt! :)

Addysen and Lisa
Lisa is teaching Addysen to write and draw!  - thank goodness, b/c her Momma has no artistic ability:)