She

1) is Imani, known by most as MacKenzie
2) is my first born
3) has always been a very pleasurable child
4) was born 6lbs 7 oz, 19 1/2 inches long in 2001
5) is loved by many - but none more than her mommy and daddy
6) is a very fast learner - learned to read at 2, but still doesn't really know how to ride a bike
7) confessed that talking was her gift at the age of six
8) amazes me how fast she has grown up
9) is a natural born leader
10) was an only child for 8 years but loves her sisters like she'd never loved another before
11) can be silly at times
12) is a pianist, a gymnast, straight A student, and loves to dance
13) wants to be perfect and is dissappointed when she fails
14) enjoys spending time with her family - especially her cousins
15) is a friend to many, but calls Mia her best.
16) loves the color red on account of her daddy
17) motivates me to work - because if I could, I'd give her the world. 
18) lacks fashion sense, it's not of concern to her
19) at age 9 can share my shoes
20) loves to read
21) will someday likely be my best-friend
22) rises early and goes to bed way too late
23) loves unconditionally
24) lives by faith and is my constant prayer partner
25) was unplanned but is so much more than i could ever dreamed or imagined that God would have given
      me in a child.

If you give a 3 year old your camera...

If you give a super adorable three year old your camera this is what she'll capture...

and then we simplified things and put it on auto mode...there you go Zoe...

Her Mom is laughing in the background in one of the images above because Zoe opted to "get low" to capture her images.  She got down on one knee, tried different angles, and did her best to direct her subjects...it was hilarious...but who knows she may the next big photographer...

Look out!

4th of July & Waterplay

Yesterday, we took to the girls to see fireworks. Nala wasn't really feeling the loud booms. Nia didn't mind a bit, but ended up getting bored. She's something else!  Unfortunately the show was a little weak, no offense to whomever but it on...LOL.  Before we left, we pulled out some old firecrackers too.  Mack didn't quite trust them...but eventually went out and joined in  for some firecracker fun at home.  Earlier in the day MacKenzie and I made some 4th of July cupcakes.  To be perfectly honest they weren't the best, but it's the experience that counts.  :)  Also, all day long I sat around regretting not getting the girls cute 4th of July dresses. It was definitely in my heart, I just never quite got around to it. I always dressed MacKenzie up for the 4th when she was little.  Second and third kiddos too often get the shaft!  Sorry girls!

I was off today in celebration of the 4th of July so we  took the girls to a splash pad at one of our parks here.  They had a fantastic time.  They had a waterplay day at school week before last too.  I'm so glad they enjoyed playing in the water.  It was a nice day to be out.  It wasn't too hot nor crowded.    In one of the pics below you'll notice Nia playing with a shovel and bucket of water.  Um that wasn't ours.  She took over this little boy's toy and had the nerve to get mad when we wanted it back...clinching her fist and the whole nine yards...again, she is something else!

Its been a fantasic weekend and there is truly nothing in the world I love more than spending time with my family.  I'm grateful that this holiday weekend gave me an opportunity to do just that!

YES, Nala is VERY bowlegged and YES, I did attempt to put Nia's hair in a ponytail or two...and NO, they do not have on Swim Diapers, so YES, their Pampers Baby Dry diapers did blow up like balloons creating an illusion of much junk in the trunk!

Spaghetti Dinner

We had spaghetti last night for dinner.  This evening, the girls enjoyed our leftovers.  Nia doesn't normally eat pasta, but even she indulged!  They went to bed full, happy...and on time.  Night Night NiNa!

Meet Me in St. Louis

After I picked MacKenzie up from camp on Friday, I had a major surprise for her.  I'd made plans with her best friend, Mia's mom for to have a meet up in St. Louis.  Mia moved to Chicago two summers ago, but the girls still keep in touch.  They met when they were four at school.  They have a beautiful genuine friendship.  I can so see them being life long friends.  When Mia lived here, people often thought they were twins.  They have so much in common too.  Both girls are strong academic performers, are competitive gymnasts, play the piano, love to read, were only children for more than half of their lives, and are just really sweet girls!  I'm so glad that Mia is in MacKie's life!  

While in St. Louis, the girls spent Friday night at City Museum and had a great time with eachother, their other friend Sydney, and Mia's little brother, Myles.  It was fun to get to see Myles.  I haven't seen him in two years, and boy has he grown up!  He is a character!  On Saturday, we planned to wake up early eat breakfast and head out to Six Flags/Hurricane Harbour.  Somehow, we didn't end up making it there until 4:00!  It turned out perfect though, because, really it was just enough time.  It was super hot, and I don't think I could have handled being there much earlier.  The girls had a blast.  Mia experienced her first roller coasterS and did quite well.    MacKenzie is an old pro.  We love amusement parks around here - (primarily for the thrill of roller coasters)!

Summer Camp - College for Kids Edition - Missouri

We left for camp on Father's Day morning so that MacKenzie was set for check-in at four. Unfortunately, early on, KT took a wrong turn and we were off about an hour...no biggie, as it turned out, we were "right on time", though I would have loved more time to get her all settled as it was her first big trip away. Truthfully she was only "away" for two days, b/c we were near by for the first 3 days and then I was right back there to pick her up on Friday.

MacKenzie had a blast, and while I know she missed us all, she did quite fine without us. It's scary how fast she is growing up. She is becoming such a young lady. She had a very full, educational, and fun week. Fortunately, we were able to visit her and while there I got a few shots of her and her new "instant friends". Don't you miss being able to meet someone and instantly you are friends?? To be a kid again...

As soon as we left, she asked about returning next year, I think that's a good sign that she loved it. I'm so glad. The thought of her being away was a wee bit stressful for us, but ultimately, I had peace about it and feel confident that it was a good decision for her. She seems to have gotton a lot out of it.

                                         

                                                        

Tuesday Beauty of the Day - A Week Late

MacKenzie had a photo session with Beth Jansen out of Oklahoma City.  Beth Jansen defines COLOR.  Her images are breath taking.  Last week she featured MacK on her blog.  Check out the images, and while you are there just check out all of her work.  She is AWESOME.  LOVE LOVE LOVE her photography style.

MacKenzie - by Beth Jansen

Beth Jansen Photography Blog

Tolivers Lately

So, I'm not sure why but I just really feel like life is flying by.   We are seriously nearly half way through 2010.  That just wows me. 

So lately:

1) We are preparing to send MacKenzie off to camp in Missouri next week.  It's a big move for us.  I'm prayerful that she will get a lot out of the camp and meet at least one good friend.  I'm also a tad bit nervous because we just haven't let her go anywhere on her own yet and this feels so major.  She's mature though so hopefully she will do fine.  I think she will. 

2) Since we are taking MacKenzie to camp, we (KT and I) are going to spend a few days alone in St. Louis.  I don't think we've spent two consectutive days just the two of us since our honeymoon.  I think it will be good for us and is what we probably need right now.  I'm a bit nervous about leaving the girls, but will be leaving them with my mom and sister, so I KNOW they'll be well cared for.  But still, I'll miss them and worry how well they'll do without nursing.  They are still both nursing twice a day so we'll see if this is the way we force wean...we shall see. 

3)KT got his new shift schedule for next year.  His off days are all during the week beginning in August.  This stinks majorly in my book because basically we won't have any day of the week that we are all home together.  When the shift schedule is what you want you are thrilled for it be set for a whole year, but when it's not...it stinks bad.  Gotta love being a cop's wife. 

Finding the Joy - Week 1

This week's assignment - on  Sunday  to capture the budding relationships between my three girls...three sisters.  Here are a few of the pictures.  Click here to see a sampling of the full set posted on Flickr.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Screenshot of the fullset