Indianapolis Zoo

Austin and I took Hadley to the Indianapolis Zoo today.  It was so much fun taking her now that she's a little older.  She was able to name lots of animals and tell us what sounds they make. 

We started the day by checking out the Walrus.  Hadley thought it was pretty cool to watch him swim right in front of her.

Next we went to see the monkeys.  Every time we told Hadley we were going to the zoo over the last few days, she would respond, "monkeys!"  The monkeys were quite active, jumping and swinging everywhere.  She laughed so hard that it was cracking us up!  I tried to catch her on video, but she stopped before I was able to.

If you look closely, you can see the tiger laying down to the right of Hadley.  She kept telling us that he was going "nite, nite". 

The bear was pretty neat to see.  He was pretty active when we first walked up and even ran across the rocks, which Hadley thought was pretty awesome.

We had front row seats to watch an elephant get it's bath this morning.  It was pretty interesting, and Hadley really seemed to enjoy it!  The elephant's name was Tommy, and she was a girl.  Tommy was quite the helper as she flapped her ears so that they could wash behind them.  I took the opportunity to tell Hadley that Tommy gets her ears washed just like she does, because she hates it when I wash behind her ears!  Tommy also lifted her legs to get her feet washed and laid down so that they could wash her back.

Hadley told us that Tommy was a little stinky.  Too cute!

This was Hadley's expression after watching Tommy lay down to get her back washed.

Hadley and I got to pet Tommy after the show.  Hadley didn't really like how rough her skin felt and told me it was "yucky". 

Hadley likes giraffes a lot too right now.  It's cute to hear her try to say giraffe, because her pronunciation is a little off.  You can hear her in the video above. 

Hadley told us that the rhinoceros was stinky too.  She also made a little friend while we were in the viewing area.

We got to see the new baby elephant, Kalina who was born on July 20th of this year.

I felt terrible at this exhibit, because I convinced Hadley to stand up next to the glass to see the sting rays better.  I turned for a minute to get my camera and one swam right up in front of her, scaring her pretty bad.  She started shaking and crying, yelling for daddy.  She got over it pretty quickly though, because daddy showed her how he could "pet" them through the glass.

Hadley's usually pretty fearless, but she absolutely did not want to touch the sharks. She kept saying, "daddy do it".

Hadley loved watching the penguins swim and play!

Daddy and Hadley trying to see if there were any more polar bears in the water.  The only one in the viewing area was lounging on a rock above. 

We had an awesome family day (a little exhausting, but still fun!) at the zoo, and I can't wait to do it again very soon! 

Every Other Weekend = Family First!

  I will now be working every other weekend at IU Health West Hospital, and I couldn't be more happy!


I made the ultimate sacrifice today: family over material things.  My dream home is an old farm house on several acres of land with no neighbors in sight.  I want old barns, the ability to remodel and put in an in-ground pool.  I found my dream today sitting peacefully on 17 acres of land, surrounded by corn fields without a house in sight.  I was so captivated by the quietness and feeling of home that I pulled in and took a look.  I started dreaming about playing in the yard, working in the barns and the hayrides that we would take back to our private play gound near the woods.  I had to make myself leave. 

3790 West 300 N, Warsaw IN 46582

When Austin got home, I told him about the farm and he drove out with me to take a look.  He went home, checked our budget and then told me that we could buy it, but I would have to continue to work or find someone to rent the house and the hay field to supplement what we could pay.  If I could miraculously pay off the school loans, we wouldn't even have to think about it.  I shouldn't complain about those though, because our education has truly been a blessing.  

I love Hadley more than anything in the world, and she's growing up way too quick.  I don't know what God's plan is for me and my family, but I want to enjoy every minute with them.  I decided very quickly that I only get to be the center of Hadley's world for a short 18 (now only 16) years before she leaves home to build her own future.  Life is about living, enjoying the small moments and loving your family.  Austin and Hadley come first, all of the material things in life are just extra. 

So, with all that mushy mumbo jumbo being said - I'm now working part time at IU Health and we will not be buying the farm, but life is still great!  I can't wait to get reacquainted with the weekends and start spending more time with my amazing husband and daughter!       

Daddy, Hadley and Friends...

At least one of Hadley's stuffed animals or babies accompanies her everywhere she goes and when she goes to bed she takes her "friends" with her.  Why should it be any different when sitting on daddy's lap?   

Leah Hoskins Photography: 2 Year Photo Session

We had Hadley's 2 year photos taken by Leah Hoskins Photography today.  I was so nervous because Hadley absolutely does not like having her picture taken.  She does everything she can to avoid it.  After our session, I didn't think we had any good pictures.  In fact, I was already planning a re-shoot in my head, but much to my surprise, Leah captured some amazing shots.  I should have never doubted her.  I love her work, and I'm so glad that we found an awesome photographer! 

Here are a few (okay, more than a few) of my favorites...