It's the most wonderful time of the year...

It truly is the greatest time of the year...
I mean besides the cold, and the snow, it's not too bad.
Christmas has become a little nearer to my heart with this little sweetheart running around...

speaking of little sweethearts...
I had the opportunity to take place in an ornament swap hosted by the lovely Erin // Living in Yellow and the fab Jessah // Dreaming of Dimples.  I mean who doesn't love ornaments and meeting new bloggie buddies!  So of course, I signed up to participate. 

I found my swap mate, the sweet Hallie // Life: Oceanside and immediately starting stalking checking out her blog space.  I learned several things about Hallie, like her belief in gaurdian angels, the fact that she moved from Minnesota to Florida, hence the title Life: Oceanside, you clever little thing Hallie!  that she has a love for fur babies and a huge heart, and Oh! yea! she is engaged and planning her wedding.

I knew exactly what I wanted to get her for this #ornie {thanks Erin for dubbing this term} swap.  Hello, a bride-to-be, first year of marriage ornie!  Perfection.  I love to support handmade and so automatically went to search on etsy for the perfect gift that fit in my budget.  after much searching and stewing {I like to be a good gift giver}, I came up with this .  The store rocked my socks off and they were so great about gift wrapping and communication.  Win! Win! all the way around. 

So Merry Christmas Hallie, enjoy your wedding planning and your first year with your new hubby, and of course many years to come!  Congrats! you are a doll and I will be back to stalk say hi again!

But Wait! OH SNAP!  this is a swap right?  why yes it is.. and that means not only did I get to meet the lovely Hallie, but I got a lovely little package in the mail as well, from the super fun Eliza // Case Study.  Not only is she super awesome, but she shares with me the first half of my name, which hello, sweetness.

I fell in love with the colors and design of her blog, and of the lovely pictures she infuses in her posts!  It's a match {said in my best SNL target lady voice}.  And I was doing a happy dance at the mail box when the package came! 

*happy dance, happy dance*

 Upon arrival of Rudolph, {our #ornie} named by Presley, we had to do some picture taking to make him feel at home.  and showcase some of our best cheesey smiles possible...

Welcome home Rudolph.  He fits nicely with my decor and is glittery and has shaky legs {a term used to describe by yours truly PJ}.  Thanks Eliza... It has been so fun to make some new friends, Rudolph included, and really kicked my Christmas spirit into high gear. 


Oh and I'd like to apologize for being a totally lousy blogger lately. 

but Oh Wait! Hear me out!!
I can explain.  I am getting ready to launch my store opening and have been one busy worker bee getting things prepared.  Now that we are getting close to opening, I have some more free time on my hands to sit down and pour my heart out on my bloggie!  and I have a TON of awesomeness planned for December, so for reals, check back, especially if you love DIY projects and Christmas.  {hint, hint}.

Ok, my little reindeer, I have to run!  It's my weekend to work so I'm outta here!  Did anyone else see that full moon a few nights ago?  Yes, well think of me when you look at it because it's true what they say about the full moon and pregnant ladies popping out babies!  that's right, should be a good night!

thanks again to  Erin and  Jessah for putting on this little shin dig! 

a sofball game... and bubbles

a lovely evening it was, for a little fun, cheering on daddy and his softball team.  even though it proved to be a hot one {all 91 degrees} we found ourselves having a ball... {get it? yep it was bad}  we were in great company with fellow teammates and the greatest of cheering sections and even presley had her very own companion as well...

we packed up the wagon, a picnic, and my fave... dill pickle sunflower seeds. {I can't seem to watch the ole' ball game without em' mm'kay} and of course my beloved canon.

presley jane was entertained with bubbles... the girl just loves them.  and of course I am entertained with watching her have fun and be a kid!

a lovely summer evening if I do say so myself!

the best part of my job...

lucky for me, when I go to work, I am able to witness the most precious gift that God can give.  the birth of a child.  to experience such an intimate and emotional time with my patients reminds me why I became an OB nurse.  it is truly an amazing experience each and every time.

it becomes even more amazing when I am able to care for someone I know.  recently, I was able to share, with a dear friend and co-worker, the birth of her child.  I feel so fortunate to know such a lovely family, and to have been there with them as they welcomed their second child into the world. 

anxiously awaiting...

they were not sure if they would be welcoming a baby boy or baby girl, but as soon as mom caught glimpse of those gender defining body parts, she started laughing, crying, "it's a boy, it's a boy,"  and continued laughing, and continued crying and it was perfect.

love at first sight...

so much emotion and love was in the room, you could feel it.  such a miraculous moment, seeing your baby for the first time. 

welcomed with many open arms, including the big brother...

and he too, felt love at first sight.  mom kept saying "you two are going to have so much fun" and big brother agreed.  dad was just smitten.

my friend, she is amazing.  wonderful wife and mother, caring nurse, a great friend, child of Christ, and did I mention she is amazing???  this little child weighed in at 10 pounds 14 ounces.  we were all shocked, mom laughed, and we all thanked god for his safe passage and just swooned over all his cuddly chub!

thanks friend, for letting me be a part of such a sentimental moment.

and thanks to the talented willow brandt photography for sharing this time as well, and capturing these beautiful memories. 

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

-Psalm 127:3